September 30, 2021
FALL, Y’ALL
LGBTQ Atlanta Eases into a New Season
Atlanta Extends Pride Bar Hours Across City When Size Matters, How Big is Too Big? Lil Nas X ‘Baby’ Gifts Shower ATL Charities
In SEASON THIS ISSUE OF Q ATLUS settles into autumn like LGBTQ Atlanta slides out of September and into Pride Month — with natural ease.
News, entertainment, community, nightlife and queer culture collide this week for a concoction we hope you find sweet. We link you to Lil Nas
X’s three Atlanta LGBTQ charities, hook you up with a local gay porn star making his transition to TV, and offer the latest on gay mayoral candidate Antonio Brown’s fraud trial.
We also keep you busy with the city’s extended bar hours for Pride
Weekend, a chock-full calendar of Q Events, plus two packed pages of Q Shots photos. This week’s Q Advice column helps a well-meaning ally and a gay Atlanta man whose boyfriend can’t handle his huge equipment.
As fall glides into focus, we remind you to love yourselves and each
other, and look for more love — for Pride! — right here in print next
week. Until then, you can find us on your phone and on your desktop at theQatl.com and wherever you feel social. Write in any time via mike@theQatl.com.
MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER MIKE@THEQATL.COM GRAPHIC DESIGN DECATUR ATLANTA PRINTING JOHN NAIL, DESIGNER DECATURATLANTAPRINTING.COM
LOCAL ADVERTISING INFO@PROJECTQATLANTA.COM RIVENDELL MEDIA NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 theQatl.com 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
VO LU M E 4 I S S U E 4 2 S E P T E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 2 1
MR. X
ATL Charities ‘Floored’ by Lil Nas X
COVER
18
8
Fall Guys
DeAngelo Jackson breaks into TV
11
15
NEWS
PRIDE
Gay Candidate Antonio Brown’s Trial
City Extends Pride Sunday Bar Hours
Court Case
Q Community ............. 8 Q News ..................... 11 Q Pride ...................... 15 Q Shots ..................... 23 Q Map ....................... 26 Q Advice ................... 29 6 theQatl.com
Party Time
Q ADVICE
Allied Forces
Straight, Loving, Lost for Words
29
W W W . O U T O N F I L M . O R G
Q
COMMUNITY
‘Montero’ LOVE Queer Atlanta charities ‘floored’ by Lil Nas X donations By Patrick Saunders ATLANTA-BORN GAY RECORDING ARTIST Lil Nas X is asking fans to pony up for three local HIV and LGBTQ advocacy groups with the release of his new album “Montero.” The album dropped Sept. 17 after a months-long promotional buildup. Promotions included a “baby shower” before Lil Nas X “gave birth” to Montero. Each track on the album coincided with a charity beneficiary on Lil Nas X’s “baby registry” of giving. The Atlanta rapper included the Counter Narrative Project, THRIVE SS and Compassionate Atlanta on the registry. Donations poured in from across the U.S. “We were just floored,” THRIVE SS executive director Larry Walker told Project Q Atlanta. “We were very honored not only to have the support of a celebrity, but to have the support of one of the first modern day queer Black male celebrities felt really cool.” THRIVE SS supports health equity for Black gay men living with HIV. “It’s good to see the Black queer artists hold up the very real epidemic of HIV,” Walker said. “We’re honored and excited to have been shouted out in this way.”
‘An incredible honor’ The Counter Narrative Project works to shift rhetoric, change policies and improve the lives of Black gay men in Atlanta. Lil Nas X’s registry is “an incredible honor,” according to founder and executive director Charles Stephens. “Visibility for our work to raise awareness around 8 theQatl.com
HIV advocacy is critical, especially because our community remains disproportionately impacted,” Stephens said. “It’s also remarkable for an artist with the influence of Lil Nas X to use his platform in such a powerful way.” Similarly, Compassionate Atlanta works at the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, mental health, disability and HIV. The group was “surprised and honored,” according to co-director Iyabo Onipede. “This is how we build healthy, thriving communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging,” Onipede told Project Q. “We want everyone to have a place at the table.”
Atlanta man cameos in VMA performance An Atlanta HIV activist from Southern AIDS Coalition also made a brief appearance in Lil Nas X’s performance at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12. During the performance, Mardrequs Harris wore the number 433,816 to represent the number of people with HIV in the South. “This experience was surreal!” Harris said. “Having the opportunity to share the stage with Lil Nas X was something I never would have imagined. And to have him use his platform to raise awareness about HIV stigma is invaluable to our work.” “When public figures like Lil Nas X — particularly those from the U.S. South — use their platforms to communicate HIV facts, it encourages a new generation to join this fight to end this epidemic once and for all,” added Dafina Ward, Southern AIDS Coalition’s executive director. Lil Nas X went on to win Video of the Year during the awards show. Find more news of local LGBTQ interest every day on Project Q Atlanta.
‘Firebird’ screens on Sept. 23 at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 7 p.m., then streaming online through Oct. 1.
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NEWS
Candidate
TRIAL
Gay mayoral candidate Antonio Brown’s fraud case cleared for trial
Q
U.S. Attorney BJay Park charged Brown with wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud and making false statements on a bank loan application. Brown staunchly and consistently maintains his innocence. The allegations date back to 2012 and through to 2017, prosecutors said. The indictments relate to alleged conduct before Brown was elected to the council in 2019.
By Patrick Saunders Andre Dickens
A FEDERAL JUDGE ADVANCED THE federal fraud case against LGBTQ city council member and Atlanta mayoral hopeful Antonio Brown to the trial phase. The trial will likely occur long after the November election. Over the course of several pretrial proceedings earlier this year, Brown and his attorneys tried to block an evidentiary transcript of statements the council member made to investigators while they conducted a ruse designed to get him talking. It worked. Investigators recorded his statements, then executed a warrant on his phone and residence. In August, a federal judge denied Brown’s motion to toss the recordings and cleared the case to go to trial. In a statement to Project Q Atlanta, Brown deKasim Reed cried the criminal justice and indictment process as “one-sided.” He wants to reform it, he said. “Right now, you have a grand jury that hears only from a prosecutor that’s presenting a case from their perspective without the defense,” Brown said. “And then a grand jury is asked to reach a decision.” “I spoke with Gov. [Brian] Kemp about the fact that it needs to be reformed,” he added.
THE CHARGES A federal grand jury indicted Brown last July and alleged that he faked loan documents to buy a Mercedes C300 and a Range Rover. He stands accused of attempting to defraud several financial institutions. Prosecutors say he took out loans and made credit card purchases, then falsely claimed he was the victim of identity theft.
Antonio Brown
‘I AM ABSOLUTELY INNOCENT’ Brown launched his mayoral campaign in May by calling the criminal case an effort to “divide and distract us.” “So let me clear that up right now, once and for all. I am absolutely innocent,” he said at the time. “Let me repeat that. I am absolutely innocent.” “Furthermore, let me state unequivocally Atlanta deserves a mayor with honesty and integrity. I would not be running for mayor if I felt any concern about the outcome of this case,” he added. Brown is the only LGBTQ candidate for mayor this year, making big campaign promises on several LGBTQ issues. He is among five emerging frontrunners who recently discussed LGBTQ voters and plans with Project Q. Of the five, he has raised the least funds but boasts among the most individual donors. Due to a pandemic backlog, the trial probably won’t take place until next spring. The charges Antonio Brown could bring up to several years behind bars. theQatl.com 11
Q
IN BRIEF
Atlanta at center of jump in anti-LGBTQ hate crimes TWO-THIRDS OF THE 28 ANTI-LGBTQ hate crimes reported in Georgia by the FBI in 2020 occurred in metro Atlanta. Plus, the number of overall hate crimes in the state doubled for the second year in a row, according to the FBI’s 2020 Hate Crime Statistics Report released last month. The metro-area crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias took place in the cities of Atlanta, College Park, Decatur, Forest Park, Milton, Smyrna (two); the counties of Cherokee, Clayton (two), Cobb, DeKalb (two) and Forsyth (two). One each also occurred at Georgia Tech and within the Fulton County School System. Only 68 of the 401 Georgia law enforcement agencies that provided data to the FBI reported any hate crimes in 2020. That 17 percent reporting rate is slightly higher than the national average. Still, there are a total of 657 law enforcement agencies in Georgia, leaving 256 that did not provide any data for the report. Experts attribute the rise in reporting to the state’s passage of an LGBTQ-inclusive hate
Gender nonconforming person beaten, puppy stolen in Midtown AN ARMED ROBBER PISTOL-WHIPPED a 53-year-old gender nonconforming person last month then stole the victim’s puppy. The suspect is still at large and the puppy — a tan and white pit bull named Buddy — has not been found. The incident occurred in the early morning of Aug. 29 at a residence on Penn Avenue. The victim, who wearing a dress at the time of the incident, told police to use he/him/his pronouns. The department’s LGBTQ Liaison Unit is assisting in the investigation. The victim picked up the assailant on Piedmont Avenue, took the man home and the two had sex. “When finished, the unknown male went into the bathroom and returned pointing a black re12 theQatl.com
PHOTO BY MATT HENNIE
crimes law in 2020, but these types of crimes remain underreported. Hate crimes in Georgia motivated by race, ethnicity or ancestry went up 352 percent from 2018 to 2020. Incidents motivated by religion increased by 420 percent in the same time period. The rate of increase in Georgia hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation went up 700 percent in those three years. volver at his head telling [the victim], ‘I should kill you right now’ [and] ‘get on the ground.’” The suspect hit the victim multiple times in the head with the gun. The victim suffered multiple lacerations but escaped. The suspect grabbed a dog crate with the puppy and shattered the victim’s car window to retrieve a duffle bag. He also stole a gold ring from the victim. The suspect was last seen heading south on Penn Avenue toward Ponce de Leon Avenue. The victim told Fox 5 that he’s shocked the incident happened after telling the suspect he’s a federal corrections officer. “The dumbest thing you can do is assault anybody, but then to assault a federal correctional officer,” he said. “I wish nothing but bad for you. Nothing but bad, and you will get it.” Anyone with information on the suspect or the whereabouts of the stolen puppy can call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477.
Q
NEWS
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PRIDE
Go LONG Atlanta extends bar hours for Pride Sunday By Mike Fleming THE CITY OF ATLANTA WILL EXTEND BAR hours on Sunday, Oct. 10, allowing celebrations to go late on the last night of Pride Weekend. Despite Atlanta Pride Committee canceling its “official events,” a growing number of venues and organizers are still hosting Pride in Atlanta, Oct. 6-10 despite cancelation of the festival and parade. That goes for the city itself. Rather than the usual 11:59 p.m. end to alcohol sales on Sunday, Oct. 10, bars and restaurants can serve patrons alcohol until 2:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 11. That’s two and a half more hours of Pride. On Aug. 2, Atlanta City Council adopted the ordinance to modify drinking hours within city limits. Atlanta Pride Committee shepherded the legislation through the office of Councilmember Carla Smith. But that was before APC canceled its in-person
Q
events, so we checked in with the mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, as well as Councilwoman Smith’s office to make sure. The ordinance stands, according to City of Atlanta Press Secretary Michael Smith who confirmed with City officials at Project Q’s request. Smith confirmed her intent to keep it on the books as well. “I agree Pride should have been canceled, but people can still go out and drink,” Smith told Q. The language of the ordinance makes the extended drinking hours clear. The Code of Ordinances of the City of Atlanta, Georgia are hereby waived in part in this instance only, for the sole purpose of allowing all establishments licensed to engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages for which they are appropriately licensed for on premises consumption, to engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages between the hours of 12:01 a.m., Monday, October 11, 2021 and 2:30 a.m., Monday, October 11, 2021. Extended bar hours are an annual rite of passage in many years past. It follows City practice on other special-occasion Sundays including New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Weekend. Events celebrating Pride Weekend in Atlanta take place Oct. 6-11. theQatl.com 15
theQatl.com 17
Q
Breaking T H TV
Gay Atlanta adult star DeAngelo Jackson makes acting debut LIVING AUTHENTICALLY IS THE MESSAGE that Pastor Eddie Lawrence preaches to his flock at Perpetual Peace Ministries, but does his own truth extend beyond the pulpit? In his debut novel and new Here!TV show, “Collar Confessions,” author and screenwriter Dwight Allen O’Neal tells the tale of a cleric who spins a tangled 18 theQatl.com
web of lies, greed, sex and addiction. The novel drops on Oct. 1, and the show begins airing on Oct. 8. As seen from the pews, Pastor Lawrence is a sanctified leader, a beatified son of God, living a pious life of faith alongside his childhood girlfriend and soon-to-be first lady, Tiara. What parishioners in the congregation do not know is that their beloved curate is far from holy. He possesses prodigious pride, insidious greed and an unquenchable lust that he satisfies with casual sex with both women and men. In the novel, Pastor Lawrence struggles to reconcile his life’s soul-wrenching contradictions and juggle relationships with his two fiancés:
T HROUGH Tiara and his secret male paramour, O’Neill.
to empathize and understand Pastor Eddie better.
Little does he know that he isn’t the only one carrying secrets.
“Stepping into his shoes and wardrobe helped me to bring the character to life,” he said.
“They lead double lives, in constant fear of being discovered,” O’Neal said. “Many turn to social media that is, in essence, a dangerous Pandora’s Box where anything can happen.”
LOCAL TIES
PAGE TO SCREEN
When creating the ”Collar Confessions” TV screenplay, O’Neal and his co-writers originally planned to re-tell the story from the book. Instead, they opted instead to tell a new story in the world that the book created. The series explores the journey Pastor Eddie takes after his experiences with the characters in the book. Nathaniel J. Ryan stars as Pastor Eddie Lawrence in the series. “Pastor Eddie is a man deeply in love with his lover(s) and his husband, however, his insecurities prevent him from remaining monogamous,” Ryan said. “I think Pastor Eddie is misunderstood, even by himself.” Ryan approached the role by looking for similar characteristics within himself that would allow him
Making his film debut in a non-adult movie is 2020 GAYVN Winner DeAngelo Jackson. “I have always dreamed of doing more than adult film work,” Jackson reflects. “When I first read the book, I was thrilled to be able to bring one of the characters to life. After learning the series would be a thriller and I would get to perform stunts on camera and learn fight choreography, I was sold!” “I hope ”Collar Confessions” entertains and inspires viewers to live in truth,” Jackson continues. “Too often, we live our lives for other people, doing what is expected of us but not what makes us happy.” “I also hope that viewers note the consequences that occur when we decide to hurt people. Every action has a reaction, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.” “Collar Confessions” premieres on HERE TV on Oct. 8. Dwight Allen O’Neal’s “Collar Confessions: Sharing the Man of God” lands at booksellers on Oct. 1. Visit here.tv.
“After learning the series would be a thriller and I would get to perform stunts on camera and learn fight choreography, I was sold!” — DeAngelo Jackson
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20 theQatl.com
Q Events
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do in Atlanta This Week THROUGH OCT. 3 Out on Film
Atlanta’s LGBTQ film festival continues with online and
in person screen-
ings every day. The
festival wraps with The
Pedro Zamora Way (photo)
on Sunday @ Out Front Theatre, 7:30 p.m. outonfilm.org
THURSDAY, SEPT. 30
Eureka!
The Elephant queen formerly known as Eureka O’Hara and forever known
as a RuPaul All Star
headlines a stacked cast @ X Midtown, 10 p.m.
facebook.com/xmidtownx
SATURDAY, OCT. 2 Fall Fest
Take your vaccinated self outside and nod at the people, even if it’s from behind a mask. Music, vendor
booths and fair food are back @ Candler Park, all day and Sunday too. fallfest.candlerpark.org Red Dress
Every week night is a good night in the rear at
Put on the color that
Ansley Mall. Monday comedy, Tuesday Trivia, Bada
awakens life and, well,
Bing Wednesday, F*ck It Friday — and each and
“Awaken Life” as this
every Thursday: Game Night @ Hideaway, 7 p.m.
event says, as you raise
facebook.com/atlantahideaway
fun and funds with
the Sisters of Perpetual
FRIDAY, OCT. 1
Indulgence. Activities and
Sweetheart & We Need to Do Something Atlanta’s queer theater hosts more Out on Film entries with this double-header screening. First meet “AJ” in an adorable comedy with
echoes of “Juno” in
Sweetheart (photo),
7 p.m. Then it’s the
unnerving thriller We Need
to Do Something. Both @ Out Front Theatre, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. outonfilm.org Blackout Party
DJ Stan Jackson turns off the lights and pumps the beats with no cover charge @ Heretic, 10 p.m.
red drink specials @ all five
Ansley Square gay bars, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 3 Pride Switch! Lucy Stoole The Chicago queen headlines a Pride edition of Taylor
Alxndr’s Wednesday night drag
show @ My Sister’s
Room, 10 p.m. mysistersroom.com
Find the full weekend calendar of LGBTQ events Visit outonfilm.org for online passes, tickets and each Thursday theQatl.com information onat150 titles.. theQatl.com 21
Q SHOTS
PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
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BOTTOMS UP! BRUNCH AT CITY WINERY
Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com
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Q Atlus Map
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Virginia Ave. NE
1 9th St. NE
Piedmont Park 1. Blakes on the Park 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
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11 6 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
North Ave. NW
7. Flex 76 4th St NW
St. Charles Ave.
Bars
Restaurants North Ave. NW
Clubs Retail/Services
Not Shown
Future 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180 Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
9. Joe’s on Juniper 1049 Juniper St NE
Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE
11. Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Eagle) 12. Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
3
Key
8. Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE
10. Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
r. NE roe D Mon
Charles Allen Dr. NE
NE Piedmont Ave.
Juniper St. NE
Spring St. NW
7
2 NE
85
Peachtree St.
75
West Peachtree St. NE
8th St. 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
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Bars Restaurants Clubs Retail/Services
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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
3
5
4. Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
tA ve .N E on m ed
Dr. NE
Pi
5. Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 6. Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
Monroe
Piedmont Park
1. Felix’s on the Square 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
3. Midtown Moon 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
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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
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Q Advice
Love My Q ueers
Q!
HATE MY BODY
I’m straight and never narrow. My circle of friends has always included queer people, but I have a question regarding how to indicate to people that I am an ally. A new colleague recently mentioned her partner, whose photo I’ve seen on her desk. I asked, “Oh, are you married?” She said “no,” and after a silence, we left it at that. I know I am “an LGBTQ friend,” but I don’t know that I communicated that to her effectively. What do I say to someone to let them know I am an ally without making a big deal of it? Dear Friend: For longtime allies with no agenda, it comes down to your instinct in the situation, as well as your relationship with the person.
For the first time broaching the subject, it sounds like you showed genuine interest. Some straight folks might not get that simple step. There’s a good chance that your coworker is not thinking about it one way or another. When the topic arises naturally, feel your way to the next opportunity to support/back them up/reaffirm their queerness. If you’re looking to act on it more quickly, being an ally can also just be including the partner next time you think about it, without making a big deal: “What are y’all doing this weekend?”
Q!
My equipment is way too big. Before you start chastising me about a problem other gay guys wish they had, it is really, really, really, really big. It gets the wrong kind of attention, and that in turn has driven away many quality guys.
My boyfriend, an otherwise confirmed bottom, refuses to even attempt it. Should I keep trying to coax him with lube and dildos? Should I break up and look for a size queen? I’ve considered drastic measures, even surgery, but nothing seems viable. All I know is I hate my dick. What would you recommend? Dear Big One: Be it beer can, eggplant or medical anomaly, big is in the eye of the receiver. Most importantly, it is yours. Stop hating it. It’s part of you. Directing negative energy toward yourself can be as scary as an elective surgery to your penis, which by the way, is incredibly dangerous and won’t work. Still, it’s hard to hear that you’re not packing the equipment to do the job someone wants done – for any reason. If he’s willing, by all means continue to try with your boyfriend. If he’s not, have fun with literally every other sexual activity under the sun. Only you can answer if this is a relationship deal-breaker or not, but don’t give up a worthwhile relationship without exploring the options. The Q is for entertainment, not counseling. Send burning Qs to mike@theQatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON
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