Q mag v1i31 | June 28, 2018

Q

Take Your Pride BEYOND STONEWALL

inform | inspire

June 28, 2018

Get to know Atlanta’s legendary House of Brooks

YES, MOTHER! Ask That Inner Voice WHAT’S YOURS TO DO Breaking Up with YOUR BEST FRIEND Playing Around at ATLANTA BEAR FESTIVAL

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Q Shots The Queer Agenda Q News

The Weekly Print Publication of Project Q Atlanta

Q

EDITOR’S NOTE

Yes

HOUSE OF

Go for every wild dream and vision you want in this queer life

OF ALL THE STORIES WE TELL IN Q as the weeks go by, one common theme sews its way through the fabric of queer Atlanta: telling ourselves it’s possible. The people we meet this week, be they trans advocate, LGBTQ rights pioneers or consummate entertainer and groundbreaker, are perfect examples yet again that if you set your mind to it, you can achieve it.

MIKE FLEMING

The goals didn’t come easy for cover girl Shawnna Brooks. This week, she tells Q her story, from naïve girl with a vision of herself and an undeniable talent for dancing, to Atlanta legend and founder of House of Brooks. She also lets us in on the qualities she says make up her drag daughters, granddaughters and even great-granddaughters.

EDITOR & PUBLISHER

For their part, the Brooks legendary progeny talk about what Shawnna and the family mean to them and their own careers — and since this is Q magazine, they all do so alongside stunning portraits by contributing photographer Jon Dean.

Also envisioning her best queer self and making it reality is Voices columnist Gabrielle Claiborne. This week, she talks about the journey to finding “What is mine to do.” It’s a road map to inspire anyone that needs to listen to our heart and tell ourselves yes.

In fact, that’s what we at Q want this magazine to be: the House of Yes. Please accept our full support of you saying “yes” to your dreams of your best selves.

Whatever that vision looks like, yes. Yes to that idea. Yes to that goal. Yes to that queer fabulousness you have in mind for your future. We aim to spotlight and reflect it for the world to see as you go about making it happen.

Getting more spotlight this week, keep turning pages for Q Shots snapped at recent events and a full Queer Agenda calendar, including a sneak peek at Atlanta Bear Fest. As always, the Q is dishing out advice for the lovelorn queer, and 10 Queer Things is laying a little LGBTQ knowledge and insight on you.

Enjoy, and be sure to check in with us at theQatl.com for daily updates from our sister site Project Q Atlanta.

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Q MAGAZINE THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION OF PROJECT Q ATLANTA PUBLISHERS INITIAL MEDIA, LLC MIKE FLEMING PUBLISHER & EDITOR MIKE@THEQATL.COM MATT HENNIE PUBLISHER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MATT@THEQATL.COM RICHARD CHERSKOV PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER RICHARD@THEQATL.COM ADVERTISING SALES RUSS YOUNGBLOOD SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE RUSS@THEQATL.COM ART DIRECTOR JOHN NAIL JOHN@THEQATL.COM PROJECT Q ATLANTA PATRICK SAUNDERS EDITOR PSAUNDERS@THEQATL.COM CONTRIBUTORS IAN ABER LAURA BACCUS GABRIELLE CLAIBORNE JON DEAN BRAD GIBSON TAMEEKA L. HUNTER SUNNI JOHNSON ERIC PAULK VINCE SHIFFLETT DUSTIN SHRADER ALEXANDRA TYLER

DISCLAIMER 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.”

theQatl.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 31

JUNE 28, 2018

10 QUEER THINGS Queer-story

COVER

18 10

Dynasty Meet the House of Brooks

NEWS

13

29 Footie Fans

Plea Deal

PALS embezzler tries again

EVENTS

17

Bear Essentials

30 Rainbow Connection

Get ready for Atlanta Bear Festival

FEATURES Q Voices

8

Queer Agenda

14

Q Shots

28

The Q

38

38

34 Lady Like theQatl.com

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Q

Q VOICES

What is

MINE TO DO Living from the heart and how my purpose found me

IF WE ARE HONEST WITH OURSELVES, WE ALL long to find the meaning of our existence. Many of us spend a lifetime looking for that mysterious “purpose” for our lives. We look for it in our vocations, relationships, hobbies, possessions and pursuits, only to realize that, while those are essential parts of our lives, they fall short in giving us that deep, rich, fulfilling meaning we yearn to experience.

The search for meaning was a journey I knew well. What was mine to do had always eluded me. Growing up, my parents impressed on me the importance of finding my purpose, or as they framed it, “God’s will for my life.” When I asked how to do this, no one could give me a definitive answer. I spent decades looking for my purpose in anything and everything that resembled what culture defined as success, only to run into dead ends at every turn.

I immediately responded, “I want to find my purpose in life!”

So began our journey. Inevitably, in the days leading up to each appointment, I would experience a painful upheaval that we would then unpack during our session. Elizabeth used these occasions to teach me a technique that was new to me: the beautiful art of getting out of my head, and into my heart. She did this by asking, “And how does that make you feel?”

In the past, I hadn’t acknowledged how I was feeling about situations, relying solely instead on my mental faculties to process challenges or questions. With Elizabeth, I learned that silencing the voices in my head by identifying my feelings allowed me to work through the emotional charge around the situation and hear from my heart the truth of each experience.

Any life coach’s goal is to give power back to their client.

They believe that we know the answers to every question or challenge in our life, even if those answers appear to be obscured or hidden inside. With each session, I learned to listen to my heart and take back my power.

A year in, I finally showed up at an appointment without any major upheaval to process. Elizabeth suggested we spend the session reflecting on our time together. As I began recalling the lessons learned and progress made, I broke down in tears. I had learned so many new things about myself, gaining fresh insights into my truth.

Consequently, the way I showed up in my life had been changing, unfolding in ways I had only dreamed were possible.

It wasn’t until a few years into my gender transition that I experienced another invitation to GABRIELLE reconsider my purpose. It came during a time CLAIBORNE Then it dawned on me: As I learned to live when every aspect of my life — relationships, from my heart, I didn’t have to go looking for my purpose. job, living arrangements —had turned upside down. I was realMy purpose found me. No longer was I searching for that izing I needed to develop new support communities to help me elusive meaning to life. My being and doing had become rich navigate the challenges I was facing around my transition. with fulfillment.

One such community was a women’s group called HarnessOur purposes will each continue to evolve and unfold. Mine ing Your Divine Feminine. While attending their fall retreat, includes furthering the cause of transgender rights and I met a woman named Elizabeth who presented a workshop supporting individuals in the early stages of their transitions called, “Get Your Sexy Back.” Given that I was in the midst with the same personal perspectives and encouragement that of coming to terms with who I was as a woman, the title others graciously offered me. sparked my curiosity. As Elizabeth walked us through her Rather than being bound to what I think my purpose should be, presentation, she asked, “What do you see as your sexiest I let my heart be my guide. I’ve learned to trust that small voice attribute?” We went around the room vulnerably affirming within. It will not mislead me. If you’re looking for “what is yours to what we had always wanted to own. Many women “got their do,” look no further than your heart. It already has the answer. sexy back” that day. For me, it was only the beginning of understanding my feminine essence.

Gabrielle Claiborne lives in Atlanta. What is currently hers to Still uncertain of what my “best” looked like, I committed to explore further in life-coaching sessions with Elizabeth.

During her initial assessment, she asked, “What are you wanting to learn from our time together?”

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do is Transformation Journeys Worldwide, a transgender-focused diversity training and consulting f irm that helps companies and organizations better understand, interact with and integrate trans and non-binary people. transformationjourneysww.com

Q

10 QUEER THINGS

1924

The Society for Human Rights was founded in Chicago, the first known gay organization in the U.S.

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To commemorate the anniversary of Stonewall, activists handed out fliers in Piedmont Park in 1970. A year later, the first gay rights march occurred down Peachtree Street.

years Atlanta From 1953 to 1973, the American Psychological Association officially classified homosexuality as a mental illness. It wasn’t completely removed until 1987.

Beyond

PRIDE

A look back at other gay rights milestones, with a few fun Atlanta facts, by the numbers

STONEWALL 1978 Compiled by Mike Fleming

Atlanta Pride moved to June 11 to coincide with anti-gay singer Anita Bryant’s keynote at the Southern Baptist Convention at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Jack Baker and Michael McConnell were the first gay couple in the nation to be denied a marriage license — in 1971.

They were married in 2015.

Sip-Ins

All the rage in New York City in 1967, gays en masse would order drinks, tell the bartender they were gay, be denied service, and refuse to leave.

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Years Young

The number of queer uprisings in the U.S. before the Stonewall Riots “sparked the gay rights movement” in 1969.

Happy birthday to newsletter leaflet the Los Angeles Advocate. Renamed the Advocate in 1969, it remains the longest continuously running LGBT publication in the nation.

Sources: Advocate, Atlanta Pride, FactLV, New York Times, Statista.com, U.S. News & World Report, Williams Institute

15 years

Queer Atlanta’s Michael Hardwick lost his appeal of Georgia’s sodomy law in U.S. Supreme Court in 1988. It was overturned in 2003, 15 years later.

Hardwick died in 1991.

850, 000 Estimated Americans who have died with HIV/AIDS. Loss of so many gay men may have helped make gay issues a household discussion.

theQatl.com

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NEWS BRIEFS Q

PALS embezzler avoids jail time, tries to start new non-profit

By Patrick Saunders THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A GAY Atlanta non-profit pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $56,000 from the organization, but avoided jail time and is now raising money to start a new non-profit.

Kevin Bryant (pictured) pleaded guilty to embezzling at least $56,026 from Pets Are Loving Support, which cares for the pets of critically ill people. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years probation and 40 hours community service. Bryant was also ordered to pay full restitution to PALS, according to the Fulton County district attorney’s office.

When Bryant pleaded guilty in November, he did so using Georgia’s First Offender Act, which allows first-time offenders charged with certain crimes to avoid a conviction and have the records of the case sealed if the sentence is completed and the offender isn’t charged and convicted of a different crime. The case file has already been closed to public viewing and can’t be accessed through the court system’s online records.

“Under the First Offender Act, jail time was not an option,” David Lile, PALS board chair, told Project Q Atlanta. “And to be honest, if Kevin is in jail, then PALS has no chance of restitution.”

Lile said the evidence was on PALS’ side and that Bryant had few options.

“His only option was to plead guilty,” Lile said. “So in that regard, I feel good. We brought him to justice. On a personal level, I would have loved to see him spend years in jail for the betrayal. I guess that is why I am not a judge.”

Lile said PALS has received “a very small amount” in restitution from Bryant, but that the organization is diligently following up with probation officials to make sure PALS is paid in full. Lile also said he has a meeting scheduled to discuss what happens if Bryant fails to follow his repayment schedule.

“According to [the assistant district attorney] and to the judge, if Kevin does not pay PALS back, jail time will be enforced,” he said.

Lile said that PALS is operating “better than ever” since the incident with Bryant.

“We took a few months after Kevin and reviewed everything we were doing and reviewed every one of the clients that receive our services. We have moved our office to The Rush Center. We hired Chip Moore as our executive director and he has brought new ideas and a fresh approach to the way we do business. I know that sounds almost as a public relations statement, but it is true,” he said.

“The theft did take a monetary toll on PALS, but we have always operated very conservative fiscally and we were able to take that hit and not have an impact on the service to our clients,” Lile added.

Bryant has since moved back to South Carolina, and in April he started a Go Fund Me campaign raising funds for a non-profit with a similar mission to PALS. In the Go Fund Me pitch, he fails to disclose the nature of his separation from PALS. “I was the executive director of a non [sic] for profit organization in Atlanta for 10 years and we provided free pet food, vaccinations and flea and heart medications for the pets of people living with terminal illnesses, disabilities and senior citizens,” he wrote in the campaign description.

“I left the organization a year ago due to an unexpected situation back home where my family lives. I always had an idea of other ways to help animals that was not being provided at the organization where I was employed.”

The campaign has raised only $145 with a goal of $3,000 and no donations have been made in the last two months.

Stacey Abrams brings down the house at Georgia Equality gala

By Patrick Saunders POLITICAL CANDIDATES, ELECTED officials and LGBTQs of every ilk came out in force June 16 for Georgia Equality’s annual Evening for Equality dinner, with a showcase speech by an LGBTQ ally running for governor and $100,000 raised for the organization.

The fundraiser and awards show at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta drew about 350 people, but it was the attendance of Democratic guber- Stacey Abrams natorial candidate Stacey Abrams that drew the most attention. A long line of people seeking photos with the former House Minority Leader quickly formed as soon as she entered the ballroom.

Once introduced, Abrams delivered a 15-minute speech that pulled the crowd to its feet numerous times.

“I was raised to believe in a faith that was a shield to protect and not a sword to strike down, and when I become the governor of Georgia, that will never be a question in the state of Georgia,” she told the crowd.

Abrams nabbed HRC’s endorsement the day before the gala and reiterated her plan to pass comprehensive civil rights legislation if elected.

On July 24, Abrams finds out whether she will face Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle or Secretary of State Brian Kemp in the general election.

“While the Republicans figure out what they want to do, I am focused on meeting with and helping the people of Georgia as we move toward having the freedom and opportunity to thrive,” she said. “No matter who comes out of the July 24 runoff, our focus is not going to shift and our message is not going to change.” theQatl.com

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Q

THE QUEER AGENDA The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta This Week

June 28 – July 4

THURSDAY, JUNE 28 Wussy Vol. 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 Queer History Live

Hot Mic Comedy presents LGBTQ comics laughing and learning @ Relapse Theatre, 8 p.m. comedyian.com

Performers, cocktails and the annual

“yearbook” photo shoot celebrate the latest issue of this queer quarterly @ Atlanta Contemporary, 6 p.m. wussymag.com

Queeriety Show: Pride Month

The variety show you didn’t know you needed but totally do @ Village The Wound

Theatre, 11 p.m. facebook.com/queeriety

Out On Film and Atlanta Pride screen this exploration of tradition and sexuality set

amid South Africa’s Xhosa culture @ Rush

Center, 7 p.m. outonfilm.org, atlantapride.org

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 – SATURDAY, JUNE 30 Broadway & Peachtree

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus presents its

Stonewall Month concert @ Out Front

Theatre Company, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. voicesofnote.org

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 Lea Michelle and Darren Criss

The Glee buddies belt out covers and originals @ Cobb Energy Centre, 8 p.m.

JUNE 29 – JULY 2 Atlanta Bear Festival

Big and hairy goes this annual

summer fete @ Courtyard Executive

Park & Atlanta Eagle. atlantabearfest.com Find even more events in the Queer Agenda each Thursday at theQatl.com.

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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!

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

The Weekly Print Publication of Project Q Atlanta

and your messages are the proof!

Thank you for the support, and please continue reaching out!

Bear

EVENTS Q

ESSENT ALS

Everything you need to know about Atlanta Bear Festival

By Mike Fleming SOUTHERN BEARS IS BACK WITH ITS ANNUAL SUMMER celebration with pool parties by day and club mixing by night.

Founded 25 years ago, Southern Bears Club’s ABF strives to set itself apart from other bear events with a more laid back and sociable vibe. As a club, the members have always gone out of their way to make sure bears and non-bears alike feel included and welcome.

Our photos from years past speak for themselves, but here is the scoop on this year’s four-day pursuit of the hirsute.

WHO

Everyone! That means you if you are down for a no-judgment, let-it-allhang-out party.

WHAT

This year’s theme is “Southern Roundup,” which is just your excuse to do cowboy cosplay if that’s your thing. While fur and fun are the main agenda, the event is also a charity fundraiser.

A local non-profit

will be chosen after the event to receive a portion of the proceeds.

During the day, games and competitions around the pool, DJ beats, vendor booths and trips to local restaurants are on tap. In the evening, en-masse trips to the Eagle or Manifest4U are available, but you can also just kick back and stay at the host hotel with its open bar. Do as much as you want or as little as you wish.

WHEN

June 29 starts the fun, and it goes all the way through Monday, July 2.

WHERE

Atlanta Courtyard Marriott Executive Park, 1236 Executive Park Drive NE

HOW

Both VIP all-access passes and Pool Party Day passes are available.

All weekend is $109. Day passes are $25 to $30, or $50 for both Saturday and Sunday. Pick your package and buy your tickets at atlantabearfest.com theQatl.com

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Q

LEGENDS

Dynasty-maker Shawnna Brooks and her girls on what it takes to be House of Brooks

IN HER I

By Dustin Shrader

HOUSE

n the revolutionary era of shows like Pose and RuPaul’s Drag Race, drag houses have come into the limelight. It’s a gag-worthy subculture that highlights themes of gender, race, family-of-choice and sexual orientation.

Atlanta’s own drag scene is home to a few of our own legendary drag mothers, including the one and only Shawnna Brooks, a timeless artist and the original dancing diva.

The mother-in-the-making began her renowned career in Fayetteville, N.C., in 1989, Brooks tells Q. “I performed in a talent show and was immediately hooked,” she says. “The adrenaline from the crowd was intoxicating.”

From there, a star was born. She moved to Atlanta not long after that first performance and began her journey to become the trans icon and drag staple that she is today. Shawnna worked the club scene and the pageant circuit, even snatching Miss National 1999, the proudest moment of her career because her own mom was there to see her claim her spotlight.

As her career progressed and her experience grew, another rhinestone was destined to be added to her corset, so to speak.

“The House of Brooks was roughly founded some 20 years ago,” Brooks says. “I didn’t plan on starting a house or being a mother to anyone. Yet, certain special girls looked up to me and were inspired by what I was doing. So, I thought, ‘Let’s see what they got.’”

Shawnna naturally saw qualities within each of her protégés that she reveres within herself. She doesn’t hesitate to list the characteristics that define the girls of the House of Brooks.

“The qualities I see in each one of my girls are honesty; a kind spirit; talent; the ability to evolve their drag and grow with the

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‘There isn’t a drag show in the city of Atlanta that you cannot see the influence of Shawnna or the House of Brooks in some way, shape or form.’

­— Nicole Paige Brooks times; and most of all passion for the art,” she says. “Without that passion, everyone will not be able to truly appreciate who they are and what they have to offer.”

As shown in photographer Jon Dean’s gorgeous portraits on the following pages, Shawnna’s popular-in-their-own-right drag daughters include Destiny Brooks and Nicole Paige Brooks, to name just two. Show runner and RuPaul’s alum Phoenix is a legacy as Nicole’s drag daughter. And those are only the ones in Atlanta; the House of Brooks spans multiple queens in multiple cities.

Shawnna even has drag granddaughters. In Atlanta, that includes the likes of Alissah Brooks, Angelica D’Paige, Kyra Mora and more.

She isn’t taking on anymore apprentices of her own these days, but Shawnna is still thrilled to be called mother.

“Well, my children know what they’re doing, they’ve learned well,” she says. “I’m too old to have any more kids. I am very grateful that these beautiful people think enough of me to share my last name and carry on my legacy.”

If you haven’t been struck by the power of Shawnna Brooks, you can bask in her fierceness every Friday at Blake’s on the Park. Of course her progeny are in shows all over town on any given night. See what they have to say about Mother Shawnna and her house with their portraits as you turn the page. 

Photos by Jon Dean jondeanphoto.com

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GRAND OPENING th JUNE 30 special opening at noon

GIFT BAGS

FROZEN FLAVORED MARGARITAS

DOOR PRIZES

SPECIAL MENU

MODEL UNDERWEAR AUCTION

FROM THE

MIDTOWN MOON KITCHEN

Buy the undies right off your favorite model!

GRAND OPENING DRAG SHOW

1-3 p.m. Brushstrokes/Pleasures 3-8 p.m. Rainbow Swim Team

Special Guests

RAINBOW SWIM TEAM 8 p.m. Saturday

DUNKING BOOTH

DIVAS OF MOONLIGHT CABARET

Noon - 8 p.m.

Dunk a Speedo boy or one of your favorite drag queens!

with SHAVONNA B. BROOKS 11 p.m. Saturday

!

BINGO

MONDAYS

Moonlight Bingo

Hosted by Ginger Vitas & Trashetta Galore

8 p.m.

TUESDAYS

Karaoke with Angelica D’Page Brooks

10 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS

SHOWTUNES with Vaughn

9 p.m.

THURSDAYS

TNT Talent Night with Destiny Brooks

10 p.m.

FRIDAYS

FRESH FISH FRIDAY DRAG 8-10 p.m.

MOVIE ON THE PATIO BAR

7 p.m.

DIVAS

SATURDAYS

Divas of Moonlight Cabaret with Shavonna B. Brooks

11:30 p.m.

SUNDAYS

Gospel Brunch Live Performances!

All You Can Eat Prime Rib $16.99

11a.m. - 2 p.m.

T-DANCE SUNDAY FUNDAY 3-7 p.m.

with Destiny Brooks & Shavonna B. Brooks

Midnight

9 - 11 p.m.

Serving Dinner Mon - Sat 4-10 • Brunch Sunday 11-2 • Dinner Sunday 3-7

1492 Piedmont Ave NE • Atlanta, GA 30309 • 404-343-6514

ALWAYS A PARTY BUT NEVER A COVER!

Q

LEGENDS, Continued

Nicole Paige

BROOKS

When I moved to Atlanta in 1997, I went to Backstreet and saw Charlie Brown’s Cabaret.

They introduced Shawnnna Brooks, and once I saw her perform I was hooked. I started following her all around the city. Everywhere she performed, I was there.

When I started doing drag about two years later, she took me under her wing and asked me to add her last name, which I did in 2000 on her birthday. I’m her second child. Tara Nicole Brooks is in Wilmington, and then after me I have one more sister, Destiny Brooks.

I have several children which include Angelica D’Paige Brooks, Phoenix, Jazelle, Megan Brooks, Chloe Jordan, and there’s a few others. My reason for having drag children was to share all the generosity and knowledge that Shawnna gave to me with as many people as possible. My drag children have had drag kids of their own that include Phoenix’s child Alissah Brooks and Jazelle’s child Kyra Mora.

We are more than just a drag family. We are all very close friends, and we count on each other in and out of drag for just about everything.

There isn’t a drag show in the city of Atlanta that you cannot see the influence of Shawnna or the House of Brooks in some way, shape or form, whether it’s one of her children, her grandchildren or one of her friends that she has helped or inspired.

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Destiny

BROOKS I remember going to Backstreet with Lateasha Shuntell and some friends who told me I needed to see this entertainer named Shawnna Brooks. Long story short, I fell in love with everything I saw on stage. I knew then that whatever or whoever she was, I wanted a piece of it.

Fast forward many years later, I moved to Atlanta, and the rest is history. It took me two years of listening, learning and growing before I got the last name Brooks. I thank God every day for putting such a loving and positive person in my life. Not just as a drag mother, but as a friend who actually cares.

Being a part of her legacy is such a full circle moment and sometimes I have to pinch myself. I remember being a star-struck fan admiring from the side, to now hanging out, going shopping, having long phone conversations, to me is such a dream come true.

If you know Shawnna Brooks, you know she will give you the hair or outfit off her back, I’m sure a lot of people have had on a Shawnna piece. That’s the type of person she is. Kind hearted, funny, and will always be Atlanta’s Original Dancing Diva.

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Q

LEGENDS, Continued

PHOENIX To me, Shawnna Brooks is the epitome of the word “Entertainment.” She exudes stage presence, confidence, fierceness, the look and everything it takes to captivate an audience.

When I was young and under-age, a friend and I would drive down from Cumming, Ga., to hang in Midtown just hoping to get a glimpse of her. Those glimpses are one of the things that inspired me to pursue this art.

To this day, I’m still just as much mesmerized by her as I was 17 years ago.

The thing that makes Shawnna even more amazing is something that most don’t see. Behind the glamour, diva persona and spotlight, there’s a human being with truly a heart of gold. There’s never a doubt that if I’m ever in need of anything — and I mean anything, whether its financial, an honest opinion or just a shoulder — she’s there.

We’ve had many talks inspiring each other in our craft and in life, and those are the moments that I’ll keep with me forever and have made me so grateful to have Shawnna as my mentor, co worker, former roommate, but most importantly, my friend.

I love you, Shawnna. Thank you for everything you’ve contributed to my life and to my artistry.

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306 PONCE DE LEON AVE NE, ATLANTA, GA 30306

Q

LEGENDS, Continued

LEGACY

As we’ve seen, the House of Brooks goes on and on. In Atlanta alone, here are just a few fierce faces with direct “granddaughter” and “great-granddaughter” lineage to Shawnna Brooks.

ANGELICA D’PAIGE

KYRA MORA

ALISSAH BROOKS 26

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Q SHOTS

EVENING FOR EQUALITY

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com 28

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PHOTOS BY PATRICK SAUNDERS

ALL STRIPES ATLANTA UNITED PARTY AT AMSTERDAM

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

Q SHOTS Q

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com

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Q SHOTS

RAINBOW PUB CRAWL AT MY SISTER’S ROOM

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

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PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD

PRIDE RUN WITH FRONTRUNNERS ATLANTA

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

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PHOTOS BY DAN LAX theQatl.com

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Q SHOTS

PEACH PARTY AT HERETIC

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

OP EN

The Club Where Men Do It! Open Thursday - Sunday at 9pm Special Theme Nights every Wednesday!

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LA TE

www.manifest4u.org 2103 Faulkner Rd SE Atlanta, GA 30324

!

PEACH PARTY TEA DANCE AT MIDTOWN TAVERN

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Q SHOTS Q

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com

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Q SHOTS

LADIES OF THE LEAGUE AT THE DEEP END

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

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PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD

JULY 4-8, 2018

BANG! The Fabulous Fourth Holiday Weekend

A summer classic!! Make your EXTENDED holiday weekend a BANG with us!

Book early for one of our LARGEST summer parties! Special cookouts, poolside dance party, tavern bash, After Hours parties, and HOT men by the pool.

Special Guest DJ Eric X!

JULY 13-15, 2018

UNIFORM-FETISH WEEKEND/ TENNESSEE GRYPHONS DELIVERANCE 2018

Military, Cop, Fireman, Biker, Latex or Rubber…whatever makes you want to come! After-hours Black-Out Party in the Backroom Saturday night. We are pleased to be hosting The Gryphons annual Deliverance Run. Go to www.tngryphons.org for more information. SPECIAL GUEST DJ iGuy

JULY 20-22, 2018

TO WONG FOO WEEKEND

Presented by Mike, Anthony and Matt/RV Site #16A This gay cult classic movie comes to life at Timberfell Lodge this season at RV Site 16A! Get your “say something hat day” hats ready for the “you have to have a theme” party! SPECIAL GUEST DJ RexxStep

theQatl.com

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theQatl.com

theQatl.com

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Q

THEQ?!

Cutting

TIES

When it’s time to break up with your best friend

Q

So I have this friend. I used to call him a “sister,” but now I just want rid of him.

He has betrayed me by sharing my secrets more than once, and he’s just plain mean. The problem is that our lives are so enmeshed that I feel stuck with this vitality-sucker in my life.

I’d like to say he’s changed, but the fact is that he’s always been this way. I thought it was funny when I was 22, but seven years down the road, I see the world differently. He builds himself up by putting people down, laughing at others’ expense, and being gossipy.

I’ve matured, at least beyond those petty ways. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I’d be better without him.

How do you break up with a friend?

Some friendships just aren’t built to stand the test of time.

Depending on how close you are, you might try slowly disengaging. If that won’t work, suck it up and put the genuine truth out there.

A few considerations: Consider your decision, because you probably won’t be able to take it back. Consider his feelings, because this makes you a good person. Consider your words, because he may remember them for the rest of his life.

Here’s some dos and don’ts: Do it yourself, and don’t involve third-party mutual friends theQatl.com

Do it in person, and don’t write it in a text or chat message.

This can be copy-pasted and used against you, or against himself long after you’re gone.

I thought it was funny when I was 22, but seven years down the road, I see the world differently. He builds himself up by putting people down.

Dear Over It:

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to do your dirty work. You’re the mature one, remember?

Do be nice, and don’t be just as mean as you perceive him to be.

Don’t stoop to his level. He is a fellow human being.

Still reticent? Here are some kickstart phrases: “We don’t have the same perspective anymore.” “I can’t be the friend to you that I used to be.” “I’m glad about the years we had.” “I no longer have the energy.”

Q

I’m dating the sweetest woman. I’ll always care, but I’m just not feeling it any more. I’m at my wits’ end about how to break up without hurting her.

Dear Done: Stop thinking about it as a hard thing for you, and think about it as something that’s going to be better for her. Tell her the nice things you told me, then say she deserves someone who’s feeling it as much as she is.

The Q is for entertainment purposes and not professional counseling.

Send your burning Qs to mike@theqatl.com.

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