Q 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 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.

QTV

Breaking T HROUGH

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 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. Little does he know that he isn’t the only one carrying secrets. “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.”

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 to empathize and understand Pastor Eddie better. “Stepping into his shoes and wardrobe helped me to bring the character to life,” he said.

LOCAL TIES

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

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 screenings 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 Every week night is a good night in the rear at Ansley Mall. Monday comedy, Tuesday Trivia, Bada Bing Wednesday, F*ck It Friday — and each and every Thursday: Game Night @ Hideaway, 7 p.m. facebook.com/atlantahideaway

FRIDAY, OCT. 1

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.

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

Put on the color that awakens life and, well, “Awaken Life” as this event says, as you raise fun and funds with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Activities and 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

Visit outonfilm.org for online passes, tickets and Find the full weekend calendar of LGBTQ events information on 150 titles.. each Thursday at theQatl.com