April 29, 2021
OUR Time At the Intersections Of LGBTQ Identities How Is Everybody Queer These Days? Wee Bit Smaller Than Your Average Big Bear
Never a Better Time to be Q in the ATL
About TIME WITH AN EYE ON THE PRIZE in an ever-advancing movement,
it’s good to remember how far we’ve come. This week’s issue collects sure signs that there’s never been a better time to be LGBTQ in Atlanta and across Georgia.
Q Voices kicks off with Scott King’s thought that everyone is a
little bit queer these days, and how lucky we are for it. 10 Q Things highlights the intersections of LGBTQ identities in harmony
with other aspects of our demographics, personalities and cultures. Q Politics looks at the concerted effort to enact legal protections against discrimination in cities big and small across our state.
Put it all together, and it’s a great time to be alive. You’ll feel that
way in Q Events, Q Advice and Q News, too. They all have something to say about surviving and thriving in the LGBTQ-ATL.
But you’re insatiable. We get it. That’s why fresh content hits our website every day. Until next week’s print edition comes out, visit
theQatl.com for ever-more consumable content. And don’t forget to write us with your ideas via social media or mike@theQatl.com.
RICHARD CHERSKOV PUBLISHER & SALES RICHARD@THEQATL.COM 404-917-9678 JOHN NAIL ART DIRECTOR JOHN@THEQATL.COM
MIKE FLEMING EDITOR MIKE@THEQATL.COM RIVENDELL MEDIA NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 theQatl.com 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE VOLUME 4 ISSUE 23
APRIL 29, 2021
CROSSROADS
Intersectional Identities Merge
COVER
8
10
Cool to Be Queer
Never a Better Time to Be Out
13
19
NEWS
POLITICS
Latest Twist in Landmark Drama
Rights March Across Georgia
Eagle Epic
Q Voices.......................8 10 Q Things...............10 Q Events....................21 Q Shots......................23 Q Map........................24 Q Advice… ................29 6 theQatl.com
One at a Time
Q ADVICE
Tall Order
Short Guy Demands Respect
29
Q
VOICES
EVERYBODY’S QUEER Nowadays “The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose.” — J.B.S. Haldane, 1927
So even though you are not alone, there are still
thousands of people who will never, ever understand you. Or even try.
AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH. THERE IS NO underground anymore. Everything from QAnon to the darkweb is now as mainstream as Billie Eilish or the catch-me-outside chick. All roads lead to viral popularity, or at least to a hashtaggable niche.
Pretty fucking queer, am I right?
Whatever you are interested in, however you identify, you can find information about it as well as a robust and loving community online. You are not alone. None of us are.
the mainstream world with a solid identity and le-
So you’re queer. That’s beautiful. But what else? Do you like drag? My Little Pony? Underground professional wrestling? Country Western line dancing?
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL NORMAL If you are underage or just emerging into the adult LGBTQ community, you have a lot of expecta-
tions. TV and social media tell you the community organizes itself, celebrates itself, and moves about
gal protection as its calling card.
That’s pretty accurate. We have a
lot of mainstream acceptance and civil rights. There’s still more to come, but it’s much better than
it was. Not everyone will be your friend, be your mirror, or be in
your sub-tribe, but if you respect
others, you won’t feel like or be In this modern age of solipsism, SCOTT treated like a freak. everybody wants to be queer, KING Besides, everybody’s a freak these rebel and be a martyr. The phenomenon is particularly acute in those who have days, so nobody’s really a freak. never known anything except for white cis hetero But the inclusive pretense of the LGBTQ acroProtestant privilege. nym – technically an “initialism” – can be decep-
REBELLION AS VIRTUE SIGNAL
I had all of the above privileges, except for the hetero one. Still, I know what it’s like to feel the need to rebel from queer banality. In the ‘90s, I had punk rock, baggy pants and ironic T-shirts. These days, sartorial rebellion is out of style. Ostentatious, often selfish rule-breaking for the sake of liberty and personal expression is in fashion. On the downside, people think they are heroes for refusing a COVID vaccine. The upside, of course, is thousands of people marching for Black Lives Matter, knowing there are people out there who want them dead and silent. 8 theQatl.com
tive. Just because you share a letter with someone doesn’t mean you share an ideology, a worldview, or even taste, with any particular member of the happy queer family.
So once you’re in like sin, take a look around.
There are probably some communities that aren’t too eccentric that you fit into nicely. Queers are
pretty mainstream right now. So are entrepreneurs. So are nihilistic conspiracy theorists.
Find your path. And don’t forget to drop the
breadcrumbs so you can find your way back out. Scott King is a thinker and writer living in Atlanta.
Q
10 THINGS
Abled
Social Justice
PATH S By Mike Fleming
CO
E G R E NV
Q g LGBT n i e b n a eater th r g r o o t e equal r a s e i t i t nal iden IS o i t c e s R N E S S epts E E Inter U Q t acc
Gender
10 theQatl.com
ional. I tity intersect our iden y f o s t c aspe ay ut of “g o t f e l n ofte rsan” conve a i b s e n l and ften eve o o o t d tions, an ons. discussi Q T B LG terat the in t e e m ’s ur Let er and o e u q f o section re are ves. He l e s e l o wh our pects of s a 0 1 t he jus e with t m o c t a e lives th which w d n a , e rpackag to unde e c a r b ter. can em ther bet o h c a e stand
Nationality
Religion
Size
Socio-Economic Status Kink Parenthood
Race
theQatl.com 11
NEWS
COMPROMISE?
New proposal would allow portion of Eagle building to be demolished By Matt Hennie
Q
Before any demolition or construction, the agreement would require the property owner to protect the Eagle sign on the front of 306 Ponce and the Kodak sign atop 300 Ponce. He must also document the interior and exterior of the buildings through photos and drawings and install signage that describes the history of the buildings that is publicly visible for 10 years.
THE CITY OF ATLANTA AND THE OWNER of two Midtown buildings — including the former home of the Atlanta Eagle — struck a deal to dramatically scale back the scope of an effort to declare the properties historic landmarks. The terms of the compromise between Doug Young, the city’s assistant director of the Office of Design, and property owner Shahzad Hashmi were discussed publicly for the first time on April 20 during a meeting of the Land Use Committee of the Midtown Neighbors’ Association. The compromise is the latest twist to the lengthy and sometimes contentious effort by the city and preservationists to protect the two buildings. Each property includes two structures that are joined — wood-framed residential homes that were built in 1898 (306 Ponce, the former home of the Eagle) and 1910 (300 Ponce, known as the Kodak building) and commercial brick storefronts added to each in the mid-1900s. The compromise would back the original proposal to designate the entire structures on both properties as historic landmarks. It would designate the two storefronts facing Ponce de Leon Avenue as landmarks and demolish the dilapidated woodframe structures in the back. The owner would be allowed to demolish the roof of the residential structure on the former Eagle site, as well as an expansive outdoor deck and stairwell. For the Kodak building, the entire residential structure behind the storefront could be demolished. Additionally, the conditions allow for the property owner to build adjacent to, over and behind the commercial storefronts on both properties.
Preservationists that initiated the landmark designation proposal expressed skepticism over the compromise and concern that removing the roof of the residential structure at 306 Ponce would damage the property’s historical significance. “It starts eating away at the integrity of the structure as a whole, and I’m actually talking about both buildings now,” said Charlie Paine, secretary of Historic Atlanta and chair of its LGBTQ Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. “This is not about preserving aesthetic values of a property. This is about preserving one of the most significant LGBTQ sites in the City of Atlanta,” he added. Charles Lawrence, Historic Atlanta’s board chair, said the compromise limits the benefits the landmark designation would provide to control development on the two properties. The MNA committee did not issue a recommendation on the landmark application but was expected to do so by the end of April. Read the full story and more interviews on Project Q Atlanta at theQatl.com. theQatl.com 13
Q
IN BRIEF
Atlanta names first-ever fellow to tackle HIV epidemic THE CITY OF ATLANTA BROUGHT ON A public health expert for a one-year fellowship to create a strategic plan to address the HIV epidemic. Dr. Karterria Finkley started as the city’s first-ever HIV executive fellow in February. She told Project Q Atlanta that her first goal is helping Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms strengthen the city’s partnerships in the fight against HIV. “I’m going to advise Mayor Bottoms on how we can best connect all of our stakeholders and expand our partnerships, and also put a strategic plan in place,” she said. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, we’re trying to Dr. Karterria Finkley explore how we can make our efforts more collaborative.” Finkley said she will fight stigma around HIV and work with the city’s long-troubled housing program for low-income people with HIV.
Fulton prosecutor closes case against LGBTQ lawmaker FULTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY Fani Willis said her office would not pursue a criminal case against state Rep. Park Cannon. State troopers arrested the queer lawmaker on March 25 after she knocked on Kemp’s office door as he signed into law a controversial elections bill. They charged her with two felonies. Willis said her office investigated the allegations, reviewed video of the incident and statements from police, and interviewed witnesses before deciding against pursuing the case. “While some of Representative Cannon’s colleagues and the police officers involved may have found her behavior annoying, such sentiment does not justify a presentment to a grand jury of the allegations in the arrest warrants or any other felony charges,” she said. 14 theQatl.com
Ashley Diamond
Trans woman: I won’t survive assaults in Georgia prison ATTORNEYS FOR A TRANSGENDER WOMAN facing repeated sexual assaults while housed in Georgia prisons are asking a federal judge for an emergency order to move her to a female facility and protect her health and safety. Ashley Diamond, 42, said she’s been attacked and sexually assaulted 16 times since she returned to prison 18 months ago, including 10 times at the same facility since June. Emergency legal motions filed April 9 said pleas for help have ignored by the Georgia Department of Corrections and her life is in jeopardy. The requests are the latest in a years-long battle over Diamond’s treatment in Georgia prisons. In 2015, the state prison system agreed to change its hormone treatment policy for trans inmates. But when Diamond returned to prison in October 2019, the sexual assaults continued, and prison officials refused to provide medically necessary treatment. A new suit filed in November detailed the alleged sexual assaults, including allegations that prison staff took part in some of the incidents. The lawsuit alleges that the state violated Diamond’s constitutional rights and failed to protect her because she is transgender. Read the full stories on Project Q Atlanta at theQatl.com
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18 theQatl.com
POLITICS
Q
Macon is Georgia’s fourth largest city. It’s just one of the municipalities on a path to protect LGBTQ Georgians from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations by the end of 2021.
City by
Movement to protect LGBTQ people spreads across Georgia
CITY
By Patrick Saunders THE EFFORT TO PASS BROAD, LGBTQinclusive nondiscrimination policies in cities and counties across Georgia is entering a new phase, with advocates aiming to reach nearly 20 such measures — and some of the state’s largest cities — by the end of the year. Supporters argue the ordinances are critical since Georgia doesn’t offer statewide LGBTQ protections. theQatl.com 19
CITIES continued “This is not something that should be controversial,” said Stephe Koontz, the transgender Doraville City Councilor leading the push to pass the ordinances in metro Atlanta cities. “Human rights should be a given.” Atlanta, the state’s largest city, was the only one in Georgia with an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance until 2018. That’s when Koontz took office as the only transgender elected official in the state and helped Doraville pass an ordinance in November and worked with other cities on similar measures. In 2019, Clarkston, Chamblee, Dunwoody and Decatur passed LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances. Brookhaven, East Point, Savannah, Smyrna, Hapeville and Statesboro passed ordinances in 2020. An effort to pass a similar measure in Tucker stalled last year. “I’m very excited that my actions resulted in this snowball effect of other communities adopting these same protections and I hope that going forward, this exponentially grows to cover the whole state,” Koontz said. Georgia Equality Executive Director Jeff Graham called the effort “tremendous.” “It really is branching out across the state,” he said. But of the 12 cities in Georgia with the ordinances, just two — Atlanta and Savannah — are among the state’s top 10 most populous cities. Supporters of the measures are working to address that.
‘MACON IS BACK IN PLAY’
The Macon-Bibb County Commission passed an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance in November, but former Mayor Robert Reichert vetoed it. It was one of his final acts
20 theQatl.com
before Mayor Lester Miller took office. In an effort to clear up concerns about the ordinance in Macon, the state’s fourth-largest city, Georgia Equality co-hosted a virtual event last week with elected officials, attorneys, civil rights activists, business leaders and faith leaders. “Macon is back in play currently and we’re hoping that it will pass again and that some of the questions and concerns that were brought up that led the mayor to veto it will be answered,” Graham said. The Augusta Commission is currently vetting a similar ordinance. Augusta, with more than 200,000 people, is the state’s second-largest city. “We’re hoping it comes out of committee in the very near future and goes back to the full Augusta Commission for a vote,” Graham said. An ordinance is also under consideration in Columbus, Ga., the state’s third-largest city. Another virtual event down the road may serve as a template for Columbus. Georgia Equality is also working with advocates in Cobb, Gwinnett and DeKalb to get LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances in those counties. The Athens-Clarke County Commission is also debating such an ordinance, with some commissioners fighting for more expansive language to include familial structures such as polyamorous people. Athens is the state’s sixth largest city. If all of the above get passed this year, the six largest cities in Georgia with the LGBTQ protections would be covered. Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Roswell and Johns Creek round out the state’s 10 largest cities. Read the full story and more local LGBTQ news on Project Q Atlanta at theQatl.com.
Q Events
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do in Atlanta This Week THURSDAY, APRIL 29
SATURDAY, MAY 1 Couch to 5K The gang at Front Runners sponsors you getting in shape for this year’s Pride Run in June. Fashion your plan after their plan online, through June 18. frontunnersatlanta.org Cinco Celebration It’s Mayo, but it’s Uno and Cinco is on a Wednes-
PHOTO BY TYLER OGBURN PHOTOGRAPHY
Jerker Tyshawn Gooden and Greg Piccirilli star in this sexy, revealing, ultimately heartwarming tale of
day. These ladies know what you need: Live Music with Maria Gabriella band, followed by a dance party and drag show @ My Sister’s Room, 6 p.m. – 3 a.m. mysistersroom.com Heyday Returns
connection in the age of AIDS @ Out Front The-
It’s been a year. You know
atre, through Sunday. outfronttheatre.com
that. So do DJ Kimber,
FRIDAY, APRIL 30
her gays and their ev-
F*ck It Friday
ery-fkn-body 80s dance
Drop in on a full day and night of specials. Andrew
party. Triumphant return
opens, then JayR and Eric bring it home with a difaway, 2 p.m. – 3 a.m. facebook.com/atlantahideaway
FRIDAY, APRIL 30 – SUNDAY, MAY 2 Medusa Weekend The dance party series returns with DJ Alex Acosta on Friday, followed by Cesar Hrnndz on Saturday @ Heretic, 10 p.m. both nights. It doesn’t stop there. Xion After-
with pandy protocols @ The Basement, 9 p.m. basementatl.com
SUNDAY, MAY 2 Sunday Service The only Sunday drag show with Tristan Panucci Dupree (photo), Apen York and Raquel
ST TO BY
ferent guest VJ every week. Anything goes @ Hide-
Y OB PHOT
JU
Rea Heart gets going as Sunday Funday turns to evening @ X Midtown, 6 p.m. facebook.com/
hours features DJ Jesus Montanez @ Wish Lounge,
xmidtownx
3 a.m., then DJ Jerac spins a sunrise party, 7 a.m.
Find an expanded calendar of weekend events every
medusaproductionsatl.com
Thursday at theQatl.com. theQatl.com 21
REGINA SIMMS LIFE CELEBRATION AT FRIENDS
Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com
Q SHOTS
PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
theQatl.com 23
on tA ve .N E dm Pi e
4
9
11th St. NE
8
10th St. NE
Amsterdam Ave.
Dr. N E
Piedmont Park
14th St. NE
12th St. NE
12
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West Peachtree St. NE
E
75
t. N eS tre
85
ach Pe
Spring St. NW
Q Atlus Map
10 5
Virginia Ave. NE
1 9th St. NE
227 10th St. NE 2. Bulldogs Bar 893 Peachtree St NE 3. Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 4. My Sister’s Room 84 12th St 5. X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave. NE 6. Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
24 theQatl.com
Bars
Restaurants North Ave. NW
North Ave. NW
Clubs Retail/Services
Not Shown
Future (opening soon) 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180
8. Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE
Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
9. Joe’s onRalph Juniper McGill Blvd. NE 1049 Juniper St NE
Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE
10. Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE Highland Ave. NE 11. Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Eagle) 12. Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
The T 465 Boulevard SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW Lips Drag Show Palace 3011 Buford Highway NE Lost ’n Found Youth Thift Store 2585 Chantilly Dr NE
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
3
Key
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
7. Flex 76 4th St NW
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
r. NE roe D Mon
Charles Allen Dr. NE
11 6
St. Charles Ave.
Glen Iris Dr. NE
1. Blakes on the Park
NE
NE
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Ave.
Spring St. NW
7
2 Juniper St. NE
85
Peachtree St.
75
West Peachtree St. NE
8th St. NE
Lin
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Bri
Key
Bars Restaurants Clubs Retail/Services
Cheshire Bridge Road 5. The Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
9. Gravity Fitness 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
2. Tripp’s Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle NE
6. Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
10. Southern Nights 2205 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
3. Woof’s Sports Bar 494 Plasters Ave NE
7. Roxx Tavern 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
11. Tokyo Valentino (Cheshire Bridge) 1739 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
4. BJ Rooster’s 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
8. 2Qute Hair Salon 1927 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
nr Mo
3
5
Pied
4. Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
tA ve .N E on ed m
r. NE
Pi
5. Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 6. Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
D Monroe
Piedmont Park
1. Felix’s on the Square 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
3. Midtown Moon 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
8
6
Ansley Park 2. The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
E
4
r. N
7
D oe
2 1
Morningside Dr. NE
mon t
Ave. NE
1. Sequel Bar 1086 Alco St. NE
Key
Bars Restaurants Clubs Retail/Services
7. Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 8. Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave NE
theQatl.com 25
Q Atlus Map Directory The businesses on the preceding pages are integral parts of Atlanta’s LGBTQ landscape. Those listed in boxes are consistent Q partners and community allies. BARS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE BJ Roosters 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Blakes on the Park 227 10th St. NE Bulldogs Bar 893 Peachtree St NE Felix’s on the Square 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Future 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180 Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE The Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE Joe’s on Juniper 1049 Juniper St NE Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Lips Drag Show Palace 3011 Buford Highway NE Mama’s Cocina 1958 Piedmont Road NE Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE Midtown Moon 1510 Piedmont Ave NE My Sister’s Room 84 12th St Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Roxx Tavern 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
26 theQatl.com
Sequel Bar 1086 Alco St. NE
Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW The T 465 Boulevard SE Tripp’s Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle NE Woof’s Sports Bar 494 Plasters Ave NE X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave. NE Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE
RETAIL & SERVICES 2Qute Hair Salon 1927 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Atlanta Eagle) Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave NE Lost ’n Found Youth Thrift Store 2585 Chantilly Dr NE Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
ADULT Flex 76 4th St NW Southern Nights 2205 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Starship Galaxy/Starship Novelties 2273 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Tokyo Valentino 1739 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
Q Advice Come Through,
SHAWTY!
When you’re more vertically challenged than the average bear
Q
I’m a “pocket queer,” but I have a ginormous personality. I can do almost everything for myself, of course, and I get insulted when others assume I’m helpless just because I’m smaller than average. Please, guys. I can order my own drink, step out at “Walk” light by myself, and no I’m not dying to unzip you because your crotch is at eye level. That said, sometimes I can use help but feel self-conscious. The most glaring examples are overhead bins on airplanes. The time it takes to get my luggage into the compartment is bad enough with everyone watching, but getting it down usually means waiting until everyone else has deplaned. I hate to ask for help, and I hate to check my suitcase. Help! Dear Just Right: LGBTQ or not, being below average in height comes with natural challenges. The top grocery shelf and commercial airlines are just the beginning of how the everyday world discriminates against the vertically challenged. You are right that no one should look down on you because they look down at you. It sounds like you’ve made your height as little of a hindrance as possible, but you also show a residual case of a disease called “Worrying Too Much What Others Think” with a co-infection of Over-defensiveness. Maybe people buying you drinks are flirting. Either way, no need to turn down free alcohol. And don’t wait to deplane. It may take some self-coaching, but suck up your fears and ask, “Can
I get your help with that bag?” Most strangers don’t care and will happily assist in order to get off the plane faster. Everyone has challenges, and as long as no one is directly giving you shit about yours, forget it. If they are, 1. Fuck them. 2. Be less defensive at least at the beginning. Humor can help. I once heard a 6’7” guy respond to “How’s the weather up there?” with “Why don’t you put your mouth on my thermometer and find out.”
Q
I make a good enough living that my husband was able to quit his job, but he slowly stopped handling day-to-day stuff around the house. Now he sleeps until noon. He over-reacted when I told him to find a hobby or volunteer, so how can I facilitate change? Dear Helping: He might feel useless. Maybe he stagnated into such a funk that even reasonable suggestions seem overwhelming. Professional advice might help him put one foot in front of the other, or perhaps try some real talk putting all the issues on the table. Until then, be more nurturing than bossy. The Q is for entertainment, not counseling. Send burning Qs to mike@theQatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON
theQatl.com 29