Quentin Harrison’s
KILLER SERIAL
inform | inspire
January 25, 2018
Making Out with
GUY BRANUM
Curvy
The Shape of Things to Come
QUEERS +
Tegan and…
RIA MAE?
Butch Lesbians &
TERF WARS
Queer Agenda The Q Q Voices Q Shots
EDITOR’S NOTE Q PUBLISHERS INITIAL MEDIA, LLC MIKE FLEMING PUBLISHER & EDITOR MIKE@QMAGATLANTA.COM MATT HENNIE PUBLISHER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MATT@QMAGATLANTA.COM RICHARD CHERSKOV PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER RICHARD@QMAGATLANTA.COM ADVERTISING SALES RUSS YOUNGBLOOD SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE RUSS@QMAGATLANTA.COM ART DIRECTOR JOHN NAIL JOHN@QMAGATLANTA.COM CONTRIBUTORS IAN ABER LAURA BACCUS BUCK C. COOKE JON DEAN BRAD GIBSON SUNNI JOHNSON JAMES HICKS HEATHER MALONEY ERIC PAULK JAMES SHEFFIELD BO SHELL DUSTIN SHRADER DISCLAMER The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors do not necessarily reflect opinions, beliefs or official policies of Q Magazine or its publisher Initial Media, except where individual publishers’ names specifically appear. Appearance of photos, credits, or names in this publication neither implies or explicitly states the sexual orientation or gender identity of its subject. Q Magazine and the author of each article published on this web site owns his or her own words, except where explicitly credited otherwise. Articles herein may not be freely redistributed unless all of the following conditions are met. 1. The re-distributor is a non-commercial entity. 2. The redistributed article is not be sold for a profit, or included in any media or publication sold for a profit, without the express written consent of the author and this publication. 3. The article runs in full and unabridged. 4. The article runs prominently crediting both the author’s name and “courtesy Q Magazine.”
One for All &
ALL FOR ONE Spotlighting LGBTQ diversity and embracing variation as strength
THERE ARE AS MANY KINDS OF QUEERS as there are kinds of people. And hello, it’s because we’re people first and LGBTQ second. We’re human beings. Not so long ago, the mainstream majority didn’t even concede that point, much less that we couldn’t all be boxed together and placed on a one-size-fits all shelf. Unfortunately, queers can’t agree amongst ourselves, either. Our vast diversity also means lots of judging, shaming, exclusionary tactics and infighting. Even inclusion in the obvious diversity of the LGBTQ acronym is up for analysis, and the individual letters are debated amongst ourselves as if our differences are a curse rather than a virtue. But at Q, we say those differences are our community’s strength, not our undoing. By shear virtue of our diversity, we show that everyone, every iteration of LGBTTQQIAA*, deserves basic civil and human rights.
MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER
This issue of Q shines a spotlight on variation as strength. It starts with the burly bros and buxom babes in our Curvy Queers cover feature. Photographer Jon Dean introduces us to six sexy Atlanta queers of size – and of variant identity expressions – who embrace their shape. Beyond the drop-dead gorgeous pics, we ask each badass about their personal style, their favorite venues, and what makes them tick.
From there, our Q Voices columns this week discuss culture clashes between butch lesbians and trans men, as well as the pitfalls of LGBTQ dating while disabled, and how each situation could use more understanding and less assuming. In the weekly 10 Queer Things feature, we look at diversity demographics that intersect with being queer in infinitely compelling combinations, all of which deserve our basic respect and hopefully an empowering embrace to realize our true potential as a movement. We also meet up with local diva worshipper and author Quentin Harrison about his latest labor of love, out singer Ria Mae about her new EP My Love, and gay comic Guy Branum about the headliner love he’s serving at Laughing Skull Lounge all weekend. Of course, we’ll also bring you Q Shots from recent events and wrap with The Q. This week, Life Judge makes the case for love over romance when the Seven Year Itch sets in. And like every week, you’ll also always get my attention if you want it. Give me a shout with your comments, concerns and questions at the e-mail in our staff box on this page. * Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Allies. Yes, really. There are more actually. Shout out to you, SGL.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 10 JANUARY 25, 2018
DIVERSITY POINTS
LGBTQ intersections and combos
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COVER STORY
10
Size Matters
PEOPLE
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31 Jock Box
Laser Focus
ATLien’s 14-volume diva obsession MUSIC
14
Northern Exposure
33 Tea Time
Ria Mae descends with My Love
FEATURES Q Voices
4
7
Queer Agenda
18
Q Shots
31
The Q
38
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35 Rise Up
GET NOTICED!
Atlanta’s newest gay weekly is already standing out from the crowd, and so can you!
Call 404.242.2621 or e-mail russ@projectqatlanta.com to learn more about advertising opportunities with Q magazine. theQatl.com
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VOICES Q
Disabled, Queer &
DATING
Atlanta scholar with cerebral palsy balances society’s misconceptions
with her own desires and desirability I STARTED TO NOTICE BOYS AROUND 8TH Grade, but since I was born with a physical disability, cerebral palsy, I wasn’t sure what that meant for me in terms of dating. Over time, it became obvious that there were only two acceptable ways to view people with disabilities. People either view us as angelic, always happy beings whose sole purpose is inspiring others, or they see us as a “super crip” athlete who “overcomes” his or her disability by climbing Mount Everest or the like.
couldn’t take it anymore, so I asked her what was wrong. She said, “People are looking at us because you have a disability.” Once again, I was being told that I was the problem due to something wholly out of my control, an immutable characteristic. Frustrated, I retorted, “How do you know they’re not simply trying to figure out the relationship? How do you know they’re not looking at us because we are an interracial and same-sex couple? Heck, how do you know they’re not looking at us because I am hot?!”
It was painfully obvious that people were not able to reconcile my attractiveness with my disability. I suspect due in part to our racial differences, when Rebecca and I were dating, people almost always thought she was a care-taker, not my romantic partner. One night, while leaving the club, a lesbian couple drove up to us as we were getting into the car and said to Rebecca, “Oh, it’s so nice of you to take her out places.”
Neither of these lenses allow for disRebecca and I got into a huge argument abled bodies, or any body type outside an that night. I was both hurt by the comextremely narrow mainstream definition TA M E E K A L . ments and livid with Rebecca. Why hadn’t – larger bodies, bodies with deeper-hued HUNTER she said anything to challenge this misskin, bodies bearing scars, bodies with conception? Incidents like this made me kinkier hair textures, etc. – to be viewed widely as desirthink people would only view me as some type of charity able. After all, as a person with a disability, if I’m only case, not as a viable romantic partner. I wondered how meant to be viewed as angelic, I am not permitted to have this external pressure would impact my relationship with sexual or romantic desires, nor am I to be viewed that way. Rebecca or whomever I decided to date in the future. I figured out that men found me attractive when they People still assume Rebecca is my hired care-taker. Those would offer the equivalent of today’s “Netflix and chill.” assumptions sometimes work to our advantage, though. They would attempt to have a solely sexual relationship with me, or even a romantic one. The only catch was that If we wanted to, we could share a bathroom stall and no one would ever question it (not that we have ever tried I was to keep it a secret. It was painfully obvious that this – wink). people were not able to reconcile my attractiveness with my disability. Also, I travel a lot for work and since people assume I need Rebecca to fly safely, if there is ever an issue with our Things got really interesting when I realized my attracseats, issues are quickly rectified. Hey, we have to take the tion to women and I started dating them. The first time I went out on a date with my now wife, Rebecca, who is wins anywhere we can get them, right? Caucasian, she seemed uncomfortable. She shifted from Tameeka L. Hunter is an intersectional social justice scholar, one leg to the other and looked down at the floor several professional diversity speaker, and PhD student, lecturer and times as we approached the restaurant. researcher at Georgia State University. She focuses on populaInitially, I thought maybe it was first date jitters. I finally tions that experience multiple marginalized identities. theQatl.com
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VOICES
TERF
Wars
How Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists hinder necessary change in the lesbian landscape IT’S NOT JUST RHETORIC OR CONJECTURE. TERFs (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists) definitely exist in lesbian circles. Along with harsh judgments about transgender people in general, some comments by butch lesbians are particularly vindictive toward trans men, regarding them as an interruption in the dating pool. The lack of self-awareness in these statements falters. They typically masquerade as a critique or invalidation of transmasculine identity altogether, but the base insecurity and competition is clear. As more femmes expand their dating pool from traditional lesbian coupling and incorporate openness to the vast variety of queer unions that exist, the more likely those who adhere to conventional lesbian norms are to feel threatened.
Such contentment might suggest dating for cis lesbians it’s smooth sailing, but actually dating within it has revealed otherwise. The dyke guild that considers partners’ “purity,” including the arcane “gold star” label, and other restrictive standards of who we “go for,” lean on old school gay and lesbian tomes that disregard the evolution of gender identity. Femmes who date trans men can’t be “gold star,” but are still given exception even though allowing transmasculine participation denies that transmen are indeed men at all. It’s a double-edged sword that can only be buried by burning down the entire castle. Unfortunately, people in power hold fast to their empires, even when they are falling apart. “Why are so many butches starting HRT?” “Being trans is trendy” “Why can’t this transdude just be comfortable being butch?” “There are many ways to be a woman, it’s sad people can’t see how varied women are.” The Old School finds the changes too expansive and feels everyone should identify in a way that is less perplexing for them to follow. However, there’s a simple code of conduct all should be following: We can spare ourselves confusion and awkwardness merely by politely asking a person’s pronouns. Even more polite is the realization that the queer community is varied and gender as we knew it is changing. Alt-media has questioned if lesbian culture is under attack by “queers.” Traditional lesbian culture indeed might be! And rightfully so.
Transmasculine representation in local queer culture is already sparse. In my first Butch lesbians – who want to effectively year of cultivating content for Wussy, there dissuade friends from HRT, think they can was only one feature about a transmasc S U N N I J O H N S O N differentiate who is “real trans” from who is individual: pornstar Viktor Belmont, who “fake,” and control femmes like they are just is often celebrated for catching the cis gay a personal harem to pick from – should be male gaze. His popularity raises the bar for under attack. representation, but due to his saddling with the gay mainstream. Coverage of drag queens, cis gay men in the arts, Every time a lesbian disregards the trans experience, it and fashionable femmetastic women (both trans and cis) can mirrors the deeper transphobia practiced by hateful TERFs, easily be found in queer media, but trans men tend to either who see trans men as “self-hating women” (and similarly see blend in or get improperly categorized, the latter being trans women as men). Perhaps it’s time to stop and listen; to highly problematic. catch yourself when you ask someone to prove their identity Homonormative lesbian spaces are also sparse. I’ve often wondered why My Sister’s Room is Atlanta’s sole lesbian bar. Studies say cis lesbians are quicker to cuff and rely less on nightlife. While I believe this is partly true, having always tagged along with gay guy pals, there’s ostensibly less of a need for lesbian-only spaces when plenty of gay bars welcome cis lesbians, and better yet “queer” spaces tend to welcome everyone. 8
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to you; to realize how similar this sounds like homophobes who don’t believe queerness at large is real. I’ve seen firsthand how transmen are often the invisible casualty of TERFs in the community, and quite frankly this needs to stop. Sunni Johnson is a queer Atlanta writer with a focus on music, the arts, and social justice.
The reviews are in! Wow. I just found Q, and it’s great!
Congratulations on the new magazine. Atlanta didn’t even know Finally! A queer publication what it was missing!
for everybody, not just some.
A gay magazine I actually want to sit down and read! I just wanted to tell you how much my husband and I love your new magazine…
omg I love your mag!
Q magazine is the best thing to happen to Atlanta in 2017! I thought I knew what to expect in local rags, but Q is totally different. I need to pick up more often.
Q is informative and
energetic, something that was sorely You guys are like a missing in the ATL. breath of fresh air.
Thank you for bringing Q to Atlanta! You guys should have done this years ago!
Atlanta needed this.
Readers love
Q
and your messages are the proof! Thank you for the support, and please continue reaching out!
Q
10 QUEER THINGS
Moving forward in the LGBTQ Movement means learning to break divisions and embrace all of us
10 QUEER D I VERSITY N Kinks T E R S E Physical Abilities C Culture T Age O R E Identity xpres sions S By Mike Fleming
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Politics
SocioEconomics Size Race & Ethnicity
Religion
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PEOPLE
‘
It’s important to tackle and dismantle misconceptions, especially when it comes to music.
’
– Quentin Harrison
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Record Redux
One Atlanta queer turns his obsession with female music icons into a must-have book series
Reeducation
By Dustin Shrader
A
longtime lover of music, gay author Quentin Harrison has keenly devoted his career and life to dismantling, tackling and clearing the bells of ambiguity in the music world. With a steadfast focus on female musicians of past and present, Harrison adds to his burgeoning Record Redux catalog with his latest book. The local writer brings an extensive knowledge of all music genres as well as a zealous appreciation and passion for his work. His personal obsession is acutely evident as soon as he begins speaking about his chosen profession – a 14-book set penned to fine-tuning the impactful life stories of impactful, often misrepresented and overlooked, female artists. “They are all women I love, women I am passionate about,” Harrison says. “These are women whose stories I have felt were not being told properly or even being told at all. I felt this series would be a wonderful way to shine light on all of these different women from different periods and hopefully, for the reader, interconnect the history behind each powerful woman.” The series has already seen detailed accounts on The Spice Girls and Carly Simon, with a Donna Summer sibling edition getting its launch party this week. Each installment offers elaborate histories, detailed discographies and career timelines, all laced with Harrison’s personal reflections. Harrison carefully selects each artist based on his fervent fandom, which began as an impressionable teen and continues into to his adulthood.
After Donna Summer, Madonna becomes the subject of book four, planned for release in August– just in time for the pop queen’s 60th birthday. Each installment is filled with stunning photos, as well as graphics and illustrations by gay Atlanta artist Paul Wolski of AlterEgo Pop Art. Wolski also illustrates each book cover in his signature style. Together they deliver substantive information in a fun, light-hearted, and easy-to-read aesthetic. The author defogs perceptions of Donna Summer in book three. “Her disco era was fantastic,” Harrison says. “However, I want people to walk away knowing she started in the primitive of European pop music. She helped open the door for the zeitgeist of globally produced music. She continued to make great record after great record. She was a woman of color who transcended racial lines and laid the groundwork for the lexicon of pop for which artists like Madonna and Kylie Minogue found influence. I want people to be excited to explore her work.” His ultimate goal for each installment of Record Redux is to broaden minds.
His first book debuted in 2016 as an ode to the goddesses of girl power in Record Redux: Spice Girls. Its timely launch came as the group celebrated its 20th anniversary.
“If I can make anyone think about each artist’s canon differently, specifically an even bigger way beyond what mainstream tells you to think, help them cut through that manufactured tape and really understand the true beauty of each female artists’ music, then I have been successful in what I set out to do.”
“The Spice Girls’ catalogue has an array of depth, and their reach is incomparable,” Harrison says. “Despite what some may think, these women have a commitment to their artistry I feel is worth talking about.”
Visit facebook.com/recordreduxseries, follow Harrison on Twitter @TheQHBlend, and join the launch party for Record Redux: Donna Summer on January 25, 7 p.m. at Noni’s, 357 Edgewood Ave. theQatl.com
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MUSIC
Singer Ria Mae shines a queer light on winter music
GREAT NEW SOUND from the
GREAT WHITE NORTH 14
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By Buck C. Cooke anuary can be a vast, wintry wasteland when it comes to new music. Since so few artists release albums in the month, it can be an ideal time to look back and see if there are gems you might have missed in the previous year. Lo, and behold, Ria Mae’s My Love. With this collection of pop songs about heartbreak, recovery, and love, the singer/songwriter delivers heartfelt lyrics on the seven track set. Standouts include “Broken,” a duet with Tegan Quin of Tegan & Sara; “Bent,” an anthem to resilience; and a glittering remix of “Bent” by Thomas Gold that’s ready for spring dances.
make it, I can beat the odds” that shows up so much in hip hop music. I don’t know why, but I equate hip hop music with queerness, which is ironic because some of the lyrics can be problematic, but hip hop always makes me think overcoming things and being queer. There’s a line in the song when I talk about being with my queer friends in the gay bar and then going across town and being with my straight friends and they don’t even know where the gay bars are located. I think there’s something everyone can relate to when you’re queer, living two separate lives for a while. What’s it like to have dreams of being a recording artist, then seeing your dreams come true?
Out and proud, Mae is mostly known in her Canadian homeland, but she’s ready to make her way south of the 49th parallel. Along with her excellent EP, her sparkling personality offers a welcome break from our cold temperatures, and it was fun to hear how she makes winter work for her.
I’ve had a lot of down time the last few weeks and I’ve bene able to reflect on things. My family is in the restaurant business, and it’s like opening a restaurant and having no one come and eat, but then slowly people start coming in, and then more people come, and the word spreads.
Songwriting can be so personal. What’s it like to have your deepest thoughts out there in the world?
Describe your creative process.
It’s a little scary. Once they’re out, I don’t think about it. In the weeks leading up to releasing something, I have a lot of anxiety, but I try to remind myself that I’m just a little ant on the planet. On My Love, “I’m on Fire” may especially strike a chord in queer listeners. How do you think your identity informs your creative process? I’m from Halifax, a small city of 300,000 people. I think being from there and being a queer person, I think it made me able to relate to a lot of people who are from small towns and don’t fit in. I also grew up listening to a lot of hip hop music and I love that idea of “I can do it, I can
This is my favorite time of year to write because it’s so cold, and you don’t want to go out. I love writing and just seeing what comes out of me and then seeing where it goes. Sometimes I think I suck. Sometimes I think I’m the best. Sometimes it’s in between. And then you see what comes out from all of that. What’s next for you? In Canada, we’re working on a couple of singles from the EP. We’re pushing “Broken” with Tegan Quin, and it’s doing quite well on the Canadian charts… We also have a new video for “Red Light” that’s just been released, so that was fun as well. Watch videos, hear samples, and f ind out more at riamae.com. Read our extended interview on theQatl.com.
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LAUGHS
FORCE OF
Comic Guy Branum wants to make out and talk about Nora Ephron films By Ian Aber
G
Nature
uy Branum is a force of nature. The bold and brash gay comic with a take-no-prisoners sensibility and a come hither gaze.
You may know him as the “Staff Homosexual” on Cheleea Lately, or as Natalie Portman’s sassy friend in No Strings Attached. He’s also written appeared on or written for MTV’s Punk’d, E!’s Fashion Police and Huffington Post’s Gay Voices, among many others. Now Branum’s Talk Show The Game Show mashes up the talk trope in a game show format on TruTV. Under his hilariously watchful eye, comedians and celebrities battle to be “Best Guest Of The Night,” and the show is getting great notices. The show returns on February 1 for its second season. Meanwhile, Branum hits Atlanta for a headlining weekend at Laughing Skull Lounge on January 25-28. To get into the mood, we caught up with him to talk about his comedy, his TV show, and why he thinks Atlanta has amazing gay nightlife.
Who is your dream guest for Talk Show the Game Show? It’s not about one guest, it’s about the panel, so my dream panel would probably be Amy Sedaris, Seth Rogan and for a touch of sex appeal Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. You are speaking to a room filled with LGBT Trump supporters, what do you say to them? I have a bomb strapped to me and the doors are locked. You deserve this. What’s your favorite thing to hear after you perform? You are very handsome. Would you like to go make out and talk about Nora Ephron films? Least favorite thing to hear after you perform? Good try.
Is this your first time in Atlanta?
Ask yourself a question.
No, I came once in 2013 with W. Kamau Bell and some of the other writers from Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. As a gay performer, no one ever really booked me in the South before, so I was a little scared. Doing a tour for a progressive show like Totally Biased with a diverse and fun audience was a really great way to meet Atlanta. Plus the iced tea was what my mother raised me to believe iced tea should be.
Are you glad you’re going to Atlanta during the winter, when you’re less likely to sweat through your clothes while performing?
Other than performing, what do you plan to do while in Atlanta? I’m going out to gay bars. I always like having a nice gay evening when I’m in some town on tour, and I don’t know if I’ve ever had a more impressive experience than Atlanta. Everyone was perfectly put together. Gay guys, butch lesbians, even the straight girls who had gone out to the gay bar for the night came through correct. I have to see if you guys can keep this up. How would you entice a viewer who has never seen Talk Show the Game Show to watch it? It’s a show where celebrities compete to prove they’re the best talk show guest in America by earning points for doing the 16
sorts of things you’re supposed to do on a talk show, like name dropping (two points), telling anecdotes (five points), or lying about their age (two points).
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Answer that question. No. That’s a mean question. How on earth could you say such a thing? Celebrity you’d want to be stranded on a desert island with? The Rock. You know The Rock has stories, and eventually would get bored enough that he’d at least let me do oral stuff to him. Celebrity you’d want to trap on desert island forever? Jennifer Garner If 13 year old you saw you today, what would they say to you and where you are now? Why didn’t you meet Anne Bancroft before she died? Guy Branum headlines all weekend at Laughing Skull Lounge January 25-28. Visit laughingskulllounge.com, and read his extended interview at theQatl.com.
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THE QUEER AGENDA The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta This Week
January 25 - January 31
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25
Come On Vogue Madonna Night works the Material Girl hits while you work the room @ Ten, 10 p.m. tenatlanta.com Record Redux: Donna Summer The latest addition to Quentin Harrison’s book series on defining divas launches with a cocktail party @ Noni’s, 7 p.m. facebook. com/recordreduxseries Read our interview in this issue. Wussy’s Queer Sex Issue Join the launch of the zine’s next issue with readings by contributors @ Atlanta Contemporary, 6 p.m. wussymag.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26
In Memory Of A collective art exhibit honoring trans lives lost features portraits of transgender people killed in hate crimes, created by a variety of Southern artists @ Murmur Gallery, 7 p.m. murmurmedia.org Fourth Friday Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its monthly happy hour with free entry as a membership drive @ Bar Margot in the Four Seasons, 5:30 p.m. atlantagaychamber.org Valuing Cross-Generational Wisdom Members of Rainbros social and networking group for gay men revisit their first year and update plans for the new one @ Out Front Theatre, 7 p.m. rainbros.us Hogtied The third annual party for your alternaqueer kinky side, this one features JSPORT (photo), Ash Lauryn, Omidux @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 Bearracuda: Winter Beef Ball DJ Wayne G entrances the crowd, and Growlr sponsors the experience @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com
SUNDAY, JANUARY 28
Heifer Review: The Final Herd Say goodbye on the last day of business with camp queens working the dining room @ Cowtippers, 1 p.m. cowtippers.com
State of the Woman Deidra Dukes hosts the 2018 address with food, entertainment, testimonials and more @ Emory, 2p.m. sowaddress.com
AV200 Recruitment Get with the gays who bike across Georgia in May, but not before raising funds against AIDS with the Jerusalem House team @ Henry’s, 4 p.m. jerusalemhouse.org Get the full weekend Queer Agenda every Thursday at theQatl.com. 18
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Writers! Photographers! Q magazine and Project Q seek to expand our pool of contributors Reporting, commentary, event pics, portraits and photo essays. Help us express Atlanta’s diverse LGBTQ perspectives on a one-time or recurring basis. Samples to mike@qmagatlanta.com
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COMMUNITY Q
Six LGBTQ Atlantans embracing their shape, defining their style, and expanding notions of beauty
r u v y C QUEERS Photos by Jon Dean for Q jondeanphoto.com
Adam ZEE @cardboardrealness
Personal Style in Three Words: Practical, Tacky, Glam Favorite Accessory: Pearls
Favorite Place to Shop: Value Village
How do you embrace being a curvy queer?
“If you can be a confident, happy fat person in this world, nothing can stop you. So I strive for that. People are really comfortable openly hating fat people, but that’s their shit, not my shit. Because what other people think of me is none of my fucking business.” theQatl.com
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COMMUNITY, Continued
Amanda JOY @that_artsy_amanda
Personal Style in Three Words: Playful, Comfy, Cute Favorite Accessory: A red lip Favorite Place to Shop: TBH Anywhere with a plus section How do you embrace being a curvy queer? “I try to appreciate the body I’m honored to inhabit, by wearing and doing things that make my body look and feel good! I especially like to wear the things I was afraid to when I was younger and thinner. Crop tops for everyone!”
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COMMUNITY, Continued
Tim SCOTT @newbondage
Personal Style in Three Words: Gaudy, Monotonous, Dated Favorite Accessory: Sterling silver rings Favorite Place to Shop: A mix between Value Village and band shirts that my friends make How do you embrace being a curvy queer? “Never skip my fourth meal aka Taco Bell.�
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EVERY NIGHT IS A Party!
THE ROOSTER IS MAKING MORE ROOM IN THE HEN HOUSE!
BOYS OF BJ’S & LIVE DJ EVERY NIGHT STRONG DRINKS • DANCE FLOOR POOL TABLES • DARTS DINING MENU
2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 | Open and Pouring Everyday at 4 PM theQatl.com
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COMMUNITY, Continued
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Kenedee HODGES @kenedeehodges
Personal Style in Three Words: Business Sport Ho Favorite Accessory: My red sunglasses and a red lip Favorite Place to Shop: Goodwill and Old Navy “Over time, I have embraced my body through dress. More recently I have been feeling more confident in my sexuality and my appearance and can dress without boundaries. I express myself through drama and color in my wardrobe. I make things, I alter things, and I can work things like no other. “I experiment with different types of fashion, and I have truly embraced my body and dress to flatter myself. My body doesn’t get in the way of the fashion I’m interested in, because life is too short for me to worry about if my rolls don’t look right in some fashion trends. “Style and being queer go hand in hand because they’re both open to interpretation. I feel like style has made me more comfortable in my queerness ultimately because it’s made me more comfortable in myself. I dress how I want, I like who I want, and overall, I do what I want and I love that.” theQatl.com
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COMMUNITY, Continued
Shanna HULLABY @eatwritecry
Personal Style in Three Words: Feminine, Rad, Black Favorite Accessory: Yellow Jimmy Choo backpack Favorite Place to Shop: The Shanghai Technology Center in Shanghai, China, Didi’s and Value Village in ATL How do you embrace being a curvy queer? “My blackness and my curves are the first thing people see, and I wear both as proudly as my name. As a femme, I experience a lot of invisibility in the queer community, which can be disheartening. I take care of myself, and I don’t apologize for my size or my body. I am beautiful. Self care is a radical act, and I try to live my life in the raddest way possible.”
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COMMUNITY, Continued
Ryan EVANS @daddiedearest
Personal Style in Three Words: Fitted, 90s, Dad Favorite Accessory: Hat Favorite Place to Shop: Any place I can find that clothes that fit me – Goodwill, K&G, Old Navy. How do you embrace being a curvy queer? “Being comfortable in my skin was a challenge for me growing up. It wasn’t until I started doing drag that I really embraced the body that Taco Bell gave me. Performing burlesque numbers in front of hundreds of people will really give a person confidence. Now I will stomp around wearing whatever I can get my hands on that fits my Dad aesthetic, and those that don’t like it can suck a dick.”
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NFFLA FLAG FOOTBALL AT HENRY’S
Q SHOTS Q
PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com
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Q SHOTS
BULLDOGS FOR MLK WEEKEND
PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD
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SUNDAY TEA AT TEN
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PHOTOS BY LAURA BACCUS theQatl.com
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Q SHOTS
RISE WITH DJ CINDEL AT HERETIC
PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD
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RUSTIN-LORDE BREAKFAST FOR MLK DAY
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PHOTOS BY LAURA BACCUS theQatl.com
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ARMORETTES 39TH ANNIVERSARY AT BURKHART’S
PHOTOS BY LAURA BACCUS
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THEQ?! Should I Stay or
Should I Go?
Should you trade marriage for romance? Are you in a rut or afraid to move forward? Life Judge knows.
Q
I’ve been partnered for nine years and married for five. Well, married in Georgia for almost three, but you get the point. Around year seven, the thrill was gone. We love each other, but romance has left the building. Also around year seven, I got out of my car at Publix one day and met the love of my life. We had a passionate month or so, but our respective marriages made us end it. We see each other once a year, but as I near the big 4-0, I wonder if I set true love aside for what is safe. Dear Seven Year Itch:
As I near the big 4-0, I wonder if I set true love aside for what is safe.
Romance isn’t the fire; it’s the spark. Blame evolution. That passionate feeling that entirely preoccupies you early on serves a psychological and sociological purpose. It draws people together so powerfully that they do not see each other accurately. It leaves us blind to faults so we rush headlong into a relationship that sustains a social construct that we need as individuals and as a society.
Romance, on the other hand, is perpetuated by absence. You and your paramour extend the separation and therefore the fantasy. After romance comes a different kind of bonding that you have with your husband, and it’s no less powerful or compelling. Lasting bonds are more rare and precious than the romantic kind. People fall in love all the time, but they don’t fall into couples that last for years. Staying together takes a special set of circumstances, skills and feelings that allow you to continue as part of each other’s lives. My guess is that deep down you know this already, and that you and your annual fling made your decisions based on that 38
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knowledge a long time ago.
Q
I’m 36, and I’m still going to the same bars and restaurants, and running into the same queers, from 10 years ago. It’s OK, but is that all there is? This isn’t where I saw myself going. Dear Stuck:
As we grow up and into our adulthood, many LGBTQs – and everybody else – take stock and come up wanting more. Welcome to The Rut, at whatever age it hits you. Think of these feelings as an opportunity. Take the chance to identify and face down fears – of the unknown, of failure, and yes of success – that have held you back. What choices would you make if you weren’t afraid? What would you do if you couldn’t fail? Is failing worse than not trying? Use the answers to define your next chapter. You can’t change the past or predict the future. Act boldly now and land someplace that makes you glad you did. The Q is intended for entertainment purposes and not as professional counseling. Send your burning Qs to mike@qmagatlanta.com. Illustration by Brad Gibson
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