Q mag v1i7 | December 28, 2017

Q inform | inspire

Resolutions?

REALITY CHECK December 28, 2017

La Choloteca’s LATINX REIGN

Queer Atlanta

Shines With

THAT 2018

GLOW

Racial Equality and LGBTQ CIVIL RIGHTS Queer Agenda For NEW YEAR’S EVE

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Q Shots The Q Q Voices

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 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.”

Happy

New Queer New Year’s Eve is like the rear-view on a windshield. Whatever’s ahead and whatever’s behind, at least we’re in the driver’s seat.

WHETHER IT’S “LOOK HOW FAR WE’VE COME,” or “At least it’s over,” you’re right. The queer year is gone, and 2018 is sprawled out before LGBTQ Atlanta like the proverbial land of opportunity. Q magazine is here for it.

But first, we party. Well, some of us do. And plan. Well, many of us do. This issue does some of both to participate in a 2018 for which we can all be proud. The good news is that we control our own destiny, and this issue is dedicated to each and all of us making it a good one.

For those looking to ring in the New Year and say good riddance to the old one with hundreds of your closest friends, the Queer Agenda calendar dedicates itself entirely to Sunday night’s events. No matter your scene or favorite hangout, there’s a party for you with champagne toasts, guest stars, money drops and more.

In our People profile this week, meet La Choloteca, the queer inclusive party crew. One of 2017’s biggest queer success stories, they quickly outgrew Star Bar, MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER and moved to MJQ for capacity crowds. It’s little wonder that they’re now set to bring the most original mix of music and magic to New Year’s Eve. Check out our interviews to get in on their Latinx reign.

After the big night, there we sit with our big dreams and plans. On the morning of the 1st, you’re still you, and we’re all still here. Things are going to be different this year, we say. We tell ourselves that more queers will come around to put the unity in community. As individuals, we are going to be better in myriad ways.

As you look out across the wide open calendar, Q offers a reality check. First, one Voices column looks at what each we can do personally. Another puts out a community wide call for a commitment to intersectionality that finally and once and for all acknowledges that racial equality equals queer justice.

In our features section, we offer real resolutions you can totally keep in 2018 without setting yourself up for failure. Then, you being you and making lofty goals anyway, we investigate eight simple rules for those of you with humongous ambitions in front of you to actually achieve them.

It’s a unique time of year. New Year’s Eve is like the rear-view mirror on a windshield.

With a view of whatever’s ahead and whatever’s behind, at least we’re in the driver’s seat.

Reach publisher and editor Mike Fleming at mike@qmagatlanta.com.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 DECEMBER 28, 2017

HAPPY NEW QUEER

Real resolutions and how to keep them

THE QUEER AGENDA

22

New Year’s Glow

10 THINGS

Living Single

13 8

31 Just Shameless

When ordering for one is way better

PEOPLE

Latinx Reign

16

La Choloteca expands queer nightlife options

34 So CLUTCH

FEATURES

4

Q News

11

In Brief

14

Q Shots

31

The Q

38

38

35 Hump Day

5

Q

VOICES

Resolutions within

Reason Break the cycle of failed New Year’s resolutions by starting on the right foot THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHANGING of a calendar that brings out the “New Year, New Me” thoughts. We weren’t good enough in the last year, but we’re committed to change this year.

We. Are. Going. To. Crush. It. Those six-pack abs, that higher paying job, and a new partner are just around the corner. January is all about business.

We feel good about it.

Then there’s February.

work and be patient, even if we don’t enjoy doing either.

When it comes to broken resolutions, lack of being pragmatic is the likely culprit behind our failures. Without even realizing it, we shoot ourselves in both feet before we even reach the starting line.

But don’t fret, children. There’s a simple fix, and it only involves a small amount of homework. Ask three questions about each resolution: Is this a specific action item? “Lose 25 pounds” is not a specific action item. That’s a goal that requires lots of action items to accomplish. List all possible to-dos that can help reach the overall goal, then pick a few items off the list and make those your actual resolutions.

Could I really accomplish this within a year? Be honest.

For example, Mark and John would both like to be more politically active in 2018. Mark’s email signature includes his preferred pronouns, and he’s done some canvassing.

John asked, “When is voting day?” while showing off his “Nasty Woman” t-shirt at the holiday party.

Mark’s resolution might be, “Volunteer for a Georgia Equality.” John may want to start with something like “Locate news networks on channel guide; watch.”

February is shorter than the other JA M E S PA R K E R SHEFFIELD kids, and once every four years, it rambles on longer than it should.

Why am I doing this?

February is when writing the correct date on paperwork becomes easier, but remembering promises to Seriously. Why are you? Resolutions that aren’t someourselves becomes more difficult. There’s plenty of thing you really want for yourself are doomed. time to go to the gym… next week.

Fast forward to June, when resolutions are distant memories and we begin daydreaming about next year.

Everything will be so much better then, because we’re going to work really hard. Our dedication will rival that of Daisy Ridley in The Last Jedi, we’ll be so amazing… then.

If none of this sounds familiar, because you’re a robot and champion of life, feel free to stop reading. If you’re a human and tired of this brand of “wash, rinse, repeat,” here’s some perspective: Our New Year’s resolutions are only as achievable as we make them.

Ah yes, that terrible truth that success requires work (yuck), patience (I want it now), and being at least somewhat pragmatic (so basic). Ugh. Am I right?

Most of us have an understanding of what it means to 6

If you’re getting a personal trainer because that cute barista only talks to the fit crowd, well… we’ll see you at the Colonnade in a few weeks. There are just some resolutions that shouldn’t be on your list. Asking why will help eliminate those items.

If your resolution is to quit smoking, because you don’t like the way it makes you feel, it’s too expensive, and your doctor says it’s killing you, you’re likely to at least give it an honest try.

Creating change is hard, especially when it comes to bad habits or an issue we’ve struggled with for years.

Being clear about why helps provide motivation to reach the finish line.

James Parker Sheff ield lives in Atlanta. Find the Transgender Hillbilly on Instagram.

VOICES Q

About

RACE

A call for racial justice in the LGBTQ rights movement

THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM has failed time and time again to uphold the most basic tenet of democracy, that of equality. The system is indeed broken and has proven itself deeply dysfunctional, consistently dangerous, and quite literally deadly.

Black people, many of whom are LGBTQ, bear the brunt of racial disparities in every facet of the institution, from arrests to sentencing. Nowhere is this more evident than in the killing of black people by police. As early as elementary school, black children are overly policed, resulting in the spectrum of criminalization referred to as the school-to-prison pipeline.

Now is the time.

The black men and women who recently lost their lives as a result of police overreach did not appear to be members of the LGBTQ community. However, for those who are black and queer, their deaths hit close to home because it could have easily been them. Does there need to be an LGBTQ equivalent of Philando Castile or Eric Garner for organizations to truly acknowledge the challenges faced by LGBTQ people of color on a daily basis?

So even as we grieve, grieve because of the countless deaths of black people at the hands of the police, there is a call for a greater commitment from the LGBTQ community to address racial justice and anti-black violence in their work. As a movement inspired by and indebted to the black Civil Rights movement, it is imperative that these organizations own that they have not shown up historically or in the present moment sufficiently in addressing racial justice in their work.

There is a political responsibility if not a moral obligation to show up better and do more. To that end, there should be a renewed commitment to not only fighting for racial justice, but also a commitment to ending anti-black violence in the LGBTQ movement and in this country. This shift is necessary and will be a critical path forward in dismantling injustice in our country.

ERIC In September of last year, Colin KaeperP AULK nick made his now famous stand against police brutality, kneeling during the national anthem in protest of the violence directed toHere’s where we start: wards black people by police officers. Since then, the of• Partner with black-led organizations and work in ten-heated debate over Kaepernick’s protest has focused coalition and collaboration to address racism in the on the act rather than on the rationale. criminal legal system.

As this has unfolded over the course the past year, what • Address not only racial justice but anti-blackness in has become clear is that Kaepernick’s message is legitithe LGBTQ movement. mate and is one that includes all of us.

• Work toward ensuring more equitable distribution This represents a historic moment from which LGBTQ of resources in supporting movement work, particuorganizations should not back away. Our institutions have larly around racial equity. largely been silent on the issue, though LGBTQ folks have • Ensure more black people are represented in leaderlong been the focus of harassment and brutality at the hands ship of LGBTQ organizations. of the police. In fact, police raids like Cooper’s Donuts and Stonewall galvanized the LGBTQ rights movement, a Audre Lorde said it best when she declared “there is movement modeled after the black civil rights movement, no thing as a single-issue struggle, because we do not including the use of impact litigation. live single-issue lives.” There is no singular LGBTQ community. No singular LGBTQ history. No singular At some point, however, there must be recognition that set of LGBTQ issues. The quicker we embrace that, racial justice is an LGBTQ rights issue, that racial disthe better off we will be. parities in the criminal justice system are LGBTQ rights Eric T. Paulk is an advocate working at the intersections of issues, and the murdering of black people by police is an LGBTQ rights issue. law, policy, race and sexuality.

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Q

VOICES

Forget Christmas.

Let’s put the Christ BACK in

CHRISTIANS All Year

Did you know Atlanta won’t let an LGBTQ church – or anyone? – feed the homeless without permission?

Rather than “putting Christ back in Christmas,” I’d settle for putting Christ back in Christians.

THE ABOVE IS A VARIATION ON A statement I saw on Facebook that really spoke to me — and apparently to more than a few of my Facebook friends, because my reposting went “viral” — at least as much as you could use that term to describe the reaction to something I’ve posted there.

part of a decade to shut down the city’s largest homeless shelter, which just happened to be situated on some seriously prime real estate.

Here in Atlanta, there was apparently no plan being made during that decade-long fight to account for how the 700-800 people the Peachtree-Pine homeless shelter was serving daily might survive with some semblance of human dignity.

Did I mention that every other shelter in town is already full?

But instead of focusing on how to get homeless people off the streets as winter approaches, your local government has determined that the best thing they can do for the homeless right now is to keep you from offering them food.

Yup. There’s apparently a local ordinance that prohibits the distribution of food in an organized way to, basically, strangers. And your local law enforcement is now hell-bent on enforcing it.

According to a pamphlet that’s been proffered to yours truly on the streets of Atlanta by well-meaning law enforcement personnel, you have to have a permit to feed or otherwise assist homeless people within city limits.

The arrogance continues with a list of 10 organizations that the pamphlet recommends should be the real focus of our energy, we who so This is in comparison to what I normally inadequately seek to serve the homeless. And let post on Facebook, which generally doesn’t me be clear: I am not disparaging the groups REV. PAUL M. TURNER raise eyebrows because it’s either “For GENTLE SPIRIT themselves — which are for the most part repuCHRISTIAN CHURCH The Day’s Journey,” my daily posting of a table, worthy and doing good in the community. thought-provoking or at least inspirational Rather, I’m pointing up the city’s sleight of hand quote from someone more eloquent and rein making it seem that these 10 points of light nowned than me, or “Welcome to the New Week,” my weekly are adequately filling the gap in homeless services left wide Bible verse — or maybe just a rundown of the night’s dinner open by the closing of Peachtree-Pine. menu courtesy of my husband, who rules our kitchen and But that isn’t even remotely true. Here’s why: swears to me that it’s more than just where the coffee pot lives.

• Most of these organizations close by 5pm. There are a couple But back to that Paul-viral Facebook post. Had I struck a that are open until 8:45 p.m. and one that is 24 hours — but nerve? Had I tapped into a vein of social sentiment? Had I this last one serves homeless youth only. accessed the zeitgeist? I think so. I think a lot of people — not just my Facebook friends — are tired of the hypocrisy of “tradi- • There are no purely family shelters. tional”, conservative, “evangelical” Christianity.

• None of them provides ongoing meals.

I think people are tired of seeing evidence all around them that their fellow man continues to act in such a short-sighted and self-absorbed fashion when confronted with situations where our instruction from God is actually, I believe, rather clear: Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God. Here in Atlanta, we’re ignoring that instruction as it concerns our homeless brothers and sisters. Here in Atlanta, we live in a city where the establishment fought shamelessly for the better 8

• These organizations are spread out all over the city… making it extremely difficult for their clientele to access the services they do provide.

• Many organizations have a cutoff as to how many clients they can service at a time. People can find themselves waiting in long lines for hours or more and still not making the cut.

• None of these organizations is willing to work with transgender folks.

• Many of these organizations require a tuberculosis test before one can get housing or services.

So please tell me how, in all that is holy, are these people who are without resources or transportation, who are hungry, who can also be dealing with addiction or mental illness or disability — how are they supposed to access what the mealy-mouthed pamphlet blithely refers to as a continuum of care? How long should they wait? How far should they walk? And let’s be honest: Whose way should they stay out of ?

And I’m so not done here. Because on top of all of this is the criminalization of homelessness. Here’s how it starts: In the state of Georgia, you cannot get a driver’s license or state ID without a birth certificate, Social Security card and two pieces of mail sent to your residence.

Yes, you read that correctly: Two pieces of mail to your residence. Good luck, homeless people!

Plus, it doesn’t take longer than a couple of weeks for a newly homeless person to have lost whatever they might have been carrying all this documentation in to a beat cop who confiscated it, a fellow traveler who stole it — or simply to “the shuffle” of constantly being on the move and eventually losing track of almost anything.

The last time I went to renew my driver’s license, I had to mail $50 to New Jersey to get my birth certificate. How many homeless people can manage that?

The next step in the criminalization of homelessness is that once you’ve pretty much lost the ability to prove who you are, you’re eventually going to find yourself arrested for loitering, trespassing, shoplifting, vagrancy, public urination, public intoxication, indecent exposure or any number of other petty crimes that happen along the way when you’re just trying to survive on the streets.

The result? The city’s jails double as unofficial homeless shelters. So one of the badges that goes along with being homeless is the “Unemployable” badge, because you now have a criminal record thanks to your inability to find a place to live, stay out of the way, prove who you are, or pay a bond or a fine.

Of course, the only thing the average homeless person is actually guilty of is generally addiction, mental health issues, or a disability of some kind. They end up on the streets because they can’t get the help they need.

Or they can’t find work that pays a living wage — a situation that’s happening in my own household, where my 62-year-old husband, a proud Army veteran who has worked in the computing field for the better part of four decades suddenly finds himself laid off and interviewing for a job at Walmart that pays

$9 an hour with no benefits. Which adds up to $360 a week, with no health insurance, before the Federal government takes their pound of flesh.

So let’s just say that when I contemplate what it must be like for someone to slide into homelessness, I can empathize from a very real place right now.

So please tell me how, in all that is holy, to help these people who are without resources or transportation, who are hungry, who can also be dealing with addiction or mental illness or disability?

Could Christians try to take seriously what our faith teaches?

Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. ( James 3:17-18) I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25:31-40) We as a people of faith need to start practicing what we say we believe. We need to get to the root of what causes homelessness and do as scripture teaches us. These folks are not numbers or statistics. They are God’s children, and we will answer for what we do for and with these precious creations of God. So tonight, tomorrow morning and in the year ahead, let us set aside the soundbite-friendly distractions of sideshows such as “putting Christ back in Christmas,” and instead fight for something that has the potential for lasting impact.

Let’s put Christ back into what it means to be Christian.

Founding and Senior Pastor of Gentle Spirit Christian Church in Atlanta, Rev. Paul M. Turner lives with his husband Bill in the metro area. Read his full blog, including full text of the city pamphlet, and more Scripture support of his point, at gentlespirit.org.

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Q

10 QUEER THINGS

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So you broke up.

It’s not all dinner for one and lonely longing, not by a long shot

Free Time

Take a class, read a book, learn a skill, or watch only the shows you want to watch on TV or Netflix.

Best

No-Guilt Impromptu Sex

You may not always hook up with strangers, but when you do, you are free of any obligations to the contrary.

THINGS About Being A SINGLE QUEER

By Mike Fleming

Flirting

Flying solo means that if the urge strikes, you are your only monitor.

Come to think of it, this is also a drawback, but oh well.

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Bed & Closet Space

Every square inch is yours. You deserve to give your stuff more space, and the only cover hog is your dog.

No Petty Fights

Rest easy. There will be no fights over something stupid – or worse, over nothing – to ruin your day.

Friend Zone

No One Else’s Friends or Family

Chill with friends without the nagging voice that says you have to do something that won’t be nearly as fun.

You are never under any obligation to hang out with anyone’s boss, buddies or brother but your own.

Like a Bird

You are free to travel, take a new job, chase your dreams or drop everything without regard to anyone but you.

Anticipation

Butterflies in your stomach over meeting someone or going out with them for the first time are all yours.

Farting

Do it. Any time, anywhere.

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Q NEWS Q

Federal Court Upholds

chran was canned for violating the city’s pre-clearance rules for outside employment and for organizing a public relations campaign against him and the city.

In the book, Cochran lumps homosexuality with pederasty, bestiality and “all other forms for sexual perversion” and claims they are “unclean” and “whatever is the opposite of purity.” In the book, Cochran also said the death of LGBT people and those who take part in extramarital sex should be celebrated.

In the court decision, May faulted Cochran for distributing the book to co-workers and exposing the city to claims of fostering a hostile work environment and discrimination. The city’s internal investigation did not find that Cochran discriminated against LGBT or female employees.

The court also agreed with the city’s contention that the book and its anti-LGBT views – and Cochran identifying himself as fire chief – could lead to “public erosion of trust in Kelivn Cochran the fire department.”

“Plaintiff ’s speech caused such an actual and possible disruption that it does not warrant First Amendment protection in the workplace, based upon Supreme Court and Eleventh Circuit precedent,” May wrote in the decision.

But the court did side with Cochran over his challenges to the city’s pre-clearance policies and described them as murky and “not properly tailored.” The court called the policies unconstitutional.

“This policy would prevent an employee from writing and selling a book on golf or badminton on his own time and, without prior approval, would subject him to firing. It is unclear to the Court how such an outside employment would ever affect the City’s ability to function, and the City provides no evidence to justify it,” May wrote.

But the court decision did stress that the city’s pre-clearance rules were not put in place over religious motivations and denied Cochran’s claims that they interfered with his free exercise of religion.

May gave both sides in the case 30 days to respond and address any outstanding issues. The city said it’s prepared to fight for its pre-clearance rules.

“With respect to the single question remaining – whether the City’s conflict of interest and outside employment pre-clearance ordinances are appropriate – the City looks forward to demonstrating the need and propriety of these ordinances at trial,” Berry said.

FIRE CHIEF FIRING

Ruling backs mayor for firing anti-LGBT chief for distributing inflammatory book to employees

By Matt Hennie A federal judge sided with Mayor Kasim Reed’s decision to fire former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran over a self-published religious book that attacked LGBT people and called for celebrating their deaths.

But the decision issued on December 20 was not a complete victory for Reed. While U.S. District Court Judge Leigh Martin May agreed with the city that Cochran’s firing did not violate his Constitutional rights to free speech, free exercise of religion and due process, May did rule that the city’s policies requiring pre-clearance for outside employment were unconstitutional.

The 50-page ruling left attorneys for Cochran and Reed claiming victory.

“We are pleased that Judge Leigh Martin May ruled today that Mayor Reed acted lawfully and appropriately in terminating Mr. Cochran’s employment,” City Attorney Jeremy Berry said in a prepared statement.

“This lawsuit was never about religious beliefs or the First Amendment. Rather, it is an employment matter involving an executive in charge of more than 1,100 firefighters and tasked to lead by example,” he added.

But the anti-LGBT legal group Alliance for Defending Freedom, which represented Cochran, celebrated the ruling as “Christmas comes early.”

“The government can’t force its employees to get its permission before engaging in free speech,” Kevin Theriot, senior counsel for ADF, said in a prepared statement.

Reed fired Cochran on Jan. 6, 2015 over his self-published book “Who Told You That You Were Naked” that includes anti-gay statements after an internal investigation showed that the fire chief violated city policies. Cochran embraced anti-gay supporters after his firing, played victim, complained to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that he was canned for “my deeply held religious convictions” and then sued the city, which called him a liar.

Cochran claimed he was fired for his religious speech condemning gays and others, a dismissal that his attorneys argued violated the Constitution. Reed and the city argued that Co-

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Q

NEWS IN BRIEF

Five Atlanta agencies get in on $2.65 million in HIV funds

Man who allegedly shot gay bar patron

In an effort to sandbag the still-growing tide of HIV challenges in the South, a coalition of fundraisers called Funders Concerned About AIDS has earmarked millions to 38 organizations in nine states including Georgia. Five of the beneficiaries are in Atlanta, according to the AJC.

By Matt Hennie

Gilead Sciences, Ford Foundation, Elton John AIDS Foundation, ViiV Healthcare, and Johnson & Johnson are members of the coalition, which has identified the South as a critical target for the support.

The 47-year-old felon charged with harassing and then shooting a man leaving a gay Atlanta bar – and a separate shooting weeks earlier – was declared mentally incompetent and won’t face a criminal trial anytime soon.

‘NOT COMPETENT’ for trial

Fulton Superior Court Judge Todd Markle ordered the case against Elijah Payton (photo) to be put on hold until officials with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities tell him Payton is mentally competent to stand trial.

“America’s South is the epicenter of the disease,” John Barnes, FCAA’s executive director, told the newspaper.

“While 40 percent of all people living with HIV in the U.S. live in the South, the region received only about 19 percent of the resources.”

Those most impacted by HIV, primarily black gay men, not being reached, not being engaged in care, and were dying in greater numbers, Barnes said in an interview, “we knew that business as usual was not working.”

Of the $2.65 million in grants earmarked by the coalition’s Southern Impact HIV fund, $575,000 will go to work in Georgia. The Equality Foundation of Georgia, led by Georgia Equality, will receive $60,000. Part of the funds also go to THRIVE SS Inc., Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, Equality Foundation of Georgia, Racial Justice Action Center, and Positive Impact Health Centers.

Barnes told the AJC that it’s an investment crucial for a region strapped with intersectional challenges.

“Central to our work in the U.S. South is addressing the social and economic dimensions of the HIV epidemic.

In order to make sustainable progress, we will need funders that address the issues that intersect with, and often fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic — health equity, racism, homophobia, poverty, and reproductive health and justice — to join our efforts.”

“Based on a review of the psychiatrist’s report, the case file and input from the parties, the court concurs with the psychiatrist’s findings and concludes that the defendant is not competent to stand trial at this time,” Markle wrote in his December 5 order.

Elijah Payton

Payton allegedly sexually harassed a group of five men before and after they left Bulldogs on Oct. 9. Police said Payton followed the men to a nearby parking garage. When he allegedly pulled a gun, all but two of the men fled. Payton then allegedly ordered those two to strip off their clothes and he shot one of them when they tried to run. Atlanta police arrested Payton on October 12.

Payton is also charged with attacking a man on September 16 near the intersection of 11th Street and Peachtree Walk. As the two men struggled, Payton pulled a gun and shot the man in his left thigh, Atlanta police said.

Payton remains in the Fulton County Jail facing nine charges related to the two shootings – two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, two counts of possession of a firearm by convicted felon, possession of a knife during commission of a felony, and two probation violations.

A grand jury indicted Payton on October 20 on seven charges relating to the two shootings. The indictment said the October 9 shooting “did maliciously cause bodily harm to [the victim] by rendering his kidney useless.”

On May 23, Atlanta police arrested Payton and charged him with carrying a weapon without a valid license and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was released from jail on July 11 after pleading guilty as a first offender.

Prosecutors recommended that Payton be sentenced to five years in jail, but a judge sentenced him to probation. Two months later, he allegedly shot a man and weeks after that, allegedly attacked and shot a man outside the Peachtree Street gay bar.

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Q

PEOPLE

PARTY

Reign

Photo by Camilo del Toro

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La Choloteca’s queer Latinx reign over the Atlanta party scene rings in 2018

I

By Sunni Johnson t’s safe to say that La Choloteca was the fastest growing party of 2017. The fun and festivity they are known for is the magical glue that draws a truly mixed crowd, packing out the house with an array of social circles from vastly different age, gender identity, orientation, race, backgrounds and interests. The magic is set to happen next on Sunday.

But La Choloteca’s residency at Star Bar in L5P was not expected to be as massive back at its start in September 2016.

When attendance grew like wildfire, it was obvious the multiplying crowds would require a larger venue. Now it’s held every third Thursday at Ponce De Leon’s MJQ, and now at Sun In My Belly for New Year’s Eve. La Choloteca began as a home get-together turned mini dance party. Followed by a tiny spark that a legit dance party could be born, Kenneth Figueroa (DJ Esme), a hair master at Melrose and McQueen, and his cousin Josephine Figueroa (DJ La Superior), who has worked with ATL Film Society, Feminist Healthcare Center and Somos Sur Art Collective, had brief booking help from Living Walls’ Monica Campana. Originally comprised of queer and/or female-identified Latinx individuals, La Choloteca is currently joined by organizer Luis Sandoval, Atlanta’s field marketing representative for PBR, and resident DJs Santiago Paramo, Juampasoul, Anonima, and Florista.

Providing a meeting ground for Latinx creatives, the founders intentionally created a space for their cultures and tastes.

Spinning everything from cumbia, salsa, reggaeton and electro Spanish pop, the musical foundation alone stands out from any other party unit in the ATL perimeter, an aspect that is personally liberating for those involved.

“I was feeling like there was a lack of representation in music, especially within the queer community,” Kenneth Figueraoa explains. “I would find myself at different parties with the same music always playing. While I find value in that music, it can be pretty mind-numbing.

“Sometimes it would feel like a burden or even embarrassing to request the kind of music I wanted to hear,” he adds.

“There’s a ton of modern electronic music coming from Central and South America that I feel needs an Atlanta audience.

We are a diverse crowd which should definitely reflect in the music we hear in our sanctuaries.”

La Choloteca’s popularity is less an oddity and more proof of how people of color have remained leaders of underground nightlife. With a focus on decolonization, both in club culture and dialogue, Georgia has one of the fastest growing Hispanic populations in the country, yet representation and spaces have been tremendously lacking inside the city perimeter.

‘I would find myself at different parties with the same music always playing.

While I find value in that music, it can be pretty mind-numbing.’

­— Kenneth Figueraoa

The crowd attending La Choloteca may be a coterie, but family first is the foundation of their magnetic fete.

Resident photographer Julian Camilo Del Toro recently participated in a Puerto Rico relief benefit at Argha Noah, and the group threw a party during Miami’s Art Basel at Las Rosas with local DJs Lokahontas and GoodGyalDani.

Kenneth says they’re excited about expansion in 2018 going forward.

“We definitely want to have more influence in our community and the arts world,” he says. “I love having a traveling aspect to the party and hope to do more of that in the New Year. We’re also in the works to create other spin-off evenings that would be more themed to specific genres that may not always find its way into a Cholo mix.

“For me personally, that is also creating more queer spaces.”

La Choloteca collaborates with Wussy Mag on New Year’s Eve with music provided by DJ Esme, La Superior and Deep South partner, Brian Rojas and special guest ATL/Baltimore DJ AASHA. Enjoy food provided by Buena Gente Cuban Bakery, Chicomecó ATL and Patrick Joseph Boston, as well as performances by LaRico and PhaeMonae.

Perreo Changa NYE: A Cholo-Wussy-Teca takes place December 31 at Sun In My Belly, 2161 College Avenue NE, 9 p.m.

– 3 a.m. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

17

THE QUEER AGENDA Q

CHEERS, QUEERS! Shine on at New Year’s Eve events to give you that 2018 glow

By Mike Fleming

B

y all accounts, 2017 has been a tough one for lots of us. Whatever your plans to wipe it away in the New Year, it starts by blowing out the old and ringing in the new. Q has its eye on all the ways to do that this coming Sunday night.

From annual throwdowns with a reputation for maxing out your fun, to new traditions in the making, every party gets its stakes raised for 2018. Clear your calendars, it’s going to be a bumpy night.

Turn the page for every December 31 party we could find by press time with our favorite queer bars, clubs and promoters. Weigh your options to see which one (or ones) you’ll hit, as well as the lucky location that will have you in the house at midnight. 

19

Q

THE QUEER AGENDA, Continued

The Best

QUEER THINGS To Do In Atlanta on NEW YEAR’S EVE Another year older and deeper in debt?

Turn over a new leaf as Atlanta turns it up and turns it out for New Year’s Eve. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 Genesis White Party

The dress code is in the name, and DJ Alexander’s mark is the game.

Do the new year with those man-on-man dance party guys @ Heretic,

10 p.m., and come back at 6:30 a.m. for a morning set. hereticatlanta.com NYE 2018

Party favors and midnight champagne are just the beginning of surprises @ Burkhart’s. \burkharts.com

Bulldogs NYE

When men of color come out, they come to Bulldogs. Join them for DJ Caprice and all the special surprises @ Bulldogs. facebook. com/bulldogsbaratlanta Gurl Bye

Bring in the New Year with

Dark Side

Find your friends bathed in blacklight as DJ Neon the Glowgobear

beats you into the New Year @ At-

lanta Eagle, 10 p.m. atlantaeagle.com Swinging Richards New Year

Did someone say “open bar”? That’s right, kids. The only place in town

Southern Fried Queer Pride. The

alt-inclusive Pride folx move to the sounds of JSport of Morph, Divoli S’vere of Qween Beat, and La DJ Cochino. Multiple performances

scheduled throughout the night as well @

Mammal Gallery, 10 p.m. tinyurl.com/gurlbyenye

with all-nude male entertainment is also the place where your cover

New Year’s Eve Ball

swingingrichards.com

know about having a hot time in the old town tonight @ Ten, 9

charge covers all you can drink @ Swinging Richards, 10 p.m.

Women’s Winter Wonderland

Hot guys, hot music, hot cash drop. What more do you need to p.m. tenatlanta.com

When it comes to women who love women who love New Year’s Eve, there’s only

one place in Midtown that does it with

DJs Liz Owen and Wolf, plus a midnight

show. Get with your girls @ My Sister’s

Room. mysistersroom.com Regina Simms New Year

The indefatigable head lady in charge corrals her queens for a night of

performances and specials to ring in the new year @ Friends on Ponce. friendsonponce-atl.com 20

Photo by Chalene Bauzo

Perreo Changa NYE: A Cholo-Wussy-Teca

It’s a mouthful, and you wouldn’t have it any other way. The

queer-inclusive party crew La Choloteca joins forces with Wussy to turn you ever which way but loose @ Sun In My Belly, 9 p.m.

Read our preview in this issue. Tickets at eventbrite.com.

New Year’s Masquerade

The only place in town where dinner and

show means some of the best drag in At-

lanta. Cabaret style performances and a delicious meal with your reservation @ Lips, early and late seatings. atldragshow.com Pennies from Heaven

A tradition that never goes out of style

is money falling from the sky. Get yours

during t his annual midnight cash drop @ Blake’s. blakesontheparkatlanta.com Countdown to 2018

Do up NYE with all the jocks and athletic supporters of Atlanta’s gay sports bar @ Woofs. woofsatlanta.com

New Year’s Eve To Remember

A champagne toast at midnight, DJ beats

to move your feets, and all the go-go boys

you can handle all night long @ BJ Roosters, 9 p.m. bjroosters.com

Attack of the New Year’s Eve Party Monster

Living right in East Atlanta Village for

coming on two decades, the alternaqueers

and cool kids are doing another year right @ Mary’s, 9 p.m. marysatlanta.com Cockpit Karaoke

Sing them into submission to have all eyes and ears on you before a midnight champagne toast @ Cockpit, 10 p.m. facebook.com/arthurleedutton NYE Celebration

Enter in the rear of Ansley Mall for New Year’s Eve fun @ The Hideaway. atlantahideaway.com

Happy New Year 2018

When it comes to tried and true, nothing

says chill like a night on the town @ Model T. modeltatlanta.com

Find the latest Queer Agenda calendar updates for New Year’s Eve and every weekend at theQatl.com.

21

Q

REAL RESOLUTIONS

Happy

NEW

22

10 ‘new beginning’ resolutions you can totally keep in 2018

QUEER F

By Mike Fleming

ar-flung plans for a totally different you by year’s end aren’t just impractical, they could actually be bad for you. When you set over-idealistic expectations then punish yourself for falling short, resolutions have the opposite effect of their original intention: They hurt rather than help.

Rather than over-reaching for ill-conceived New Year goals, here’s a better plan. Commit these goals to memory, and take them to heart. Not only will you be able reach them, you’ll actually be a better queer by the end of the year.

It’s the kind of new beginning that pays off way bigger dividends than the will-power games that resolutions used to make you play with yourself.  23

Q

REAL RESOLUTIONS, Continued

Be Grateful Every day, mindfully count your blessings. Do you have food and shelter? Some don’t.

Do you enjoy the love of a good man, a great pet, and/or at least one friend? Lucky you. What can you be thankful for today?

Forgive Call it cliché, but nothing heals you – not them – like forgiveness. Actively practicing it doesn’t fix the past, it fixes the future. It’s not for the person who did you wrong, it’s for you. And remember to forgive yourself. We all have regrets, but haven’t you suffered enough?

Take Timeouts Put your big gay life on hold once a day. Whether morning, midday or night, give yourself a measly 15 minutes a day for reflection and introspection. Take a walk. Go outside. Lay down. Whatever works. Trust: Sticking to this one could change your life, and 15 minutes is going to go by whether you come out refreshed on the other side or not.

Baby Steps Breaking down larger goals into more easily attainable ones lets you reward yourself along the way. You have to lose five pounds before you can lose 50, and you can’t run down the street, but you may be able to walk to the mailbox. Start somewhere.

Say Something Assumptions happen in silence, so avoiding someone’s gaze so that you “don’t have to deal with them right now” is ultimately more hurtful than the temporary interruption it takes to say hey

24

and smile. A kind word can change someone’s day, and the best part is that making someone else feel good makes you happy too.

Break Monotony You have your routine, and you swear by it, but if you commit to a small hiccup in your daily predictability, you’ll be amazed at what you can learn with a tiny new perspective. Take a left turn instead of a right and pay attention to what you see.

Put Down The Phone No, not permanently! Let’s not get crazy. But decide when or where to have a No Phone Zone. Maybe it’s during dinner or after 9 p.m., maybe it’s – gasp – on a date or over coffee in exchange for actual human interaction.

Make Something Pretty Even if you’re not the creative type, you might be surprised what a little sprucing up can do. Buy a plant for your office, weed that flowerbed outside your condo, or rearrange the art on your walls.

Keep Up Appearances It’s easy to let yourself go when the hustle and bustle sets in. Put haircuts on the calendar, decide you’re going to shave one more day per week, or just vow not to put on another dirty pair of Day 2 socks.

Of course “to look good is to feel good” is ridiculous… right?

Stop Comparing Other people are not you, so how could you have their life? You can’t.

Stop holding up their Highlight Reel against your Behind The Scenes. Let them be them and you do you. You’re the best one at it in the world.

Q

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

REALITY CHECK Q

Your new beginning is going to require a new attitude – and these steps to success

By Mike Fleming So you’ve done it. You went and set lofty goals to challenge yourself for 2018. Now how to accomplish it so that your resolutions don’t leave you feeling lacking.

We queers have a knack sometimes to balance the abilities to both slack and give ourselves too many breaks, while alternately being too hard on ourselves when we fall short. Neither of those is good for making a resolution stick.

Hurtling into another year convinced that turning the calendar means turning over a new leaf ? It’s time to learn once and for all to navigate those New Year’s Resolution twists, turns, bumps and byways to making a better you.

STEPS

Lasting change follows a well-worn path, from the initial “Commit to it,” all the way to the essential question, Keep It, Tweak It, or Fuck It? Ready? Set. Go! 

To Keeping Those

NEW YEAR’S

RESOLUTIONS 27

Q

REALITY CHECK, Continued

Commit Promises to yourself can be the most difficult to keep. The key is to be realistic. Pick one goal, not several, and break it down into doable pieces. Start with an easier mini-step as Goal No. 1 by April, the next step by August, etc.

Research New You is worth an investment. Buy a book about your resolved area of interest, or splurge on a fun accessory to complement the new you. Then put it to good use: A headful of technique and cute workout gear aren’t exercise.

Fantasize Visualization is a great tool.

Daydream about how awesome life is with your new behavior, and be specific. What does it look and feel like? Again, be realistic and think small-andgrowing.

28

Roadblocks Self-doubt is going to happen. You can and should admit it so you can plan for it. Be ready to nip negative thoughts in the bud and force yourself not to wallow in the mire.

Setback Acceptance If you were realistic, and you were because you’re listening, you knew this time would come. Don’t hate on yourself, but don’t ignore it either. Think it through, learn a lesson, and adjust.

Vow to do just a little better next time.

Perfection is the enemy of good.

Rewards

Now comes the fun part. Every time you resist a cigarette or forego dessert, or improve your performance at the gym, celebrate. Mindfully acknowledging success trades hard work with positive feelings. Mark every progress and enjoy it.

Force of Habit Before your resolution is second nature, permanent habits are made by a series of decisions. Force it even when you don’t feel like it. Remind yourself that you’ll be glad you did it, and get off your ass. Then celebrate that you did.

Keep it, Tweak it, or Fuck It Eventually, new habits mean that you have internalized the behavior. Look how far you’ve come. Reassess if it’s working the way you wanted, needs adjustments, or truly not worth doing anymore. Think about your next goal! Return to “Commit” and repeat.

29

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SHAMELESS @ BLAKE’S

Q SHOTS Q

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD 31

Q

Q SHOTS

HERETIC 26TH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD

32

BJ ROOSTERS HOLIDAY HAT PARTY

Q SHOTS Q

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD 33

Q

Q SHOTS

CLUTCH GIVES BACK @ MAMMAL GALLERY

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD

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WEDNESDAYS WE DRAG @ HERETIC

Q SHOTS Q

PHOTOS BY LAURA BACCUS 35

Q

Q SHOTS

HOLIDAY BENEFIT SHOW @ FRIENDS

PHOTOS BY RUSS YOUNGBLOOD

36

Q

THEQ?!

The Other

‘L WORD’

Whether your sweetie is clingy or your ex is wreaking havoc, Life Judge helps spread the love

Q

I’m all about being a lesbian. My issues are with the other ‘L word’: Love. My girlfriend is getting too close for comfort, but she says my past heartbreaks and even internal homophobia are the only obstacles to me feeling the same way.

She leaves things at my house. She wants to introduce me to her mom. I want to bolt.

Why do girls do this when things are fine as is?

Dear Phobia: Your emotional shield against being hurt in the future may be hurting you in the present.

Dear Petty: Even if you’re right, you’re wrong. Injecting your anger and experiences on someone else’s private life, much less unsolicited, is not your place.

I owed the friend a warning about this toxic P.O.S.

None of your girlfriend’s actions constitute a lifetime obligation. Stick around long enough to discover what’s next. Progress comes from outside your comfort zone.

Q

I’ll never forget my ex’s alcoholic, spiteful, cheating and backstabbing ways. It was bad. Like, Cops bad.

Hair-pulling, throwing things, the whole nine. I’m glad to be away from her.

That was years ago, but a friend of mine who wasn’t around back then is dating her now. I felt I owed it to the friend to warn her about this toxic P.O.S., so I did. Now she’s mad at me.

I was just trying to protect the friend from sure trouble, but

38

somehow I’m the bad guy. I don’t give two shits about the ex, but how can I move forward with the friend?

And there’s always a chance that you might not even be correct. Just because the ex was a nightmare with you doesn’t mean she hasn’t changed, sobered up, or learned her lessons – or that your friend will make the same mistakes you did.

You’re the exact wrong person to offer these people any input. To you, she’s the asshole who wreaked havoc. To your friend, she’s the romantic interest she’s trying to grow. No matter how you slice it, you’re the odd woman out.

Your friend’s defensiveness was predictable, even probable, and you poked at a sensitive spot with a stick anyway. You can try to rebuild trust by admitting to yourself what you did wrong and apologizing sincerely. Assuming you’re able to repair the damage, stop judging – even and especially if you’re right about your ex. Be prepared to take “I told you so” to the grave.

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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