October 10, 2019
Calling Every Q ueer in the LGBTQ-ATL Village
inform | inspire
Faces of
The Weekly Print Publication of Project Q Atlanta
Q Shots
Queer Agenda
The Q
Q Voices
Q&A
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EDITOR’S NOTE Q 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
True COLORS Taking Atlanta Pride and the queer rainbow beyond simple symbolism
CALL ME JUDY BECAUSE I’m over the rainbow. Seriously. The knee-jerk overuse of that particular symbol has become so annoying to me as someone who’s job is queer all year, it’s all but banned from our editorial features.
Except this week — when Q and its contributors can
ART DIRECTOR JOHN NAIL JOHN@THEQATL.COM
do more than slap one on and call it gay.
We take the opportunity of the 49th Atlanta Pride to
PROJECT Q ATLANTA PATRICK SAUNDERS EDITOR PSAUNDERS@THEQATL.COM CONTRIBUTORS IAN ABER LAURA BACCUS GABRIELLE CLAIBORNE BUCK COOKE CHARLES E. DAVIS JON DEAN BILL DICKINSON JIM FARMER BRAD GIBSON JAMES L. HICKS BENTLEY HUDGINS TAMEEKA L. HUNTER HEATHER MALONEY ERIC PAULK KYLE ROSE JAMES PARKER SHEFFIELD VINCE SHIFFLETT ALEXANDRA TYLER VAVA VROOM RUSS YOUNGBLOOD NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 LOCAL ADVERTISING SALES@THEQATL.COM 404-949-7071
take a closer look in this issue at the LGBTQ diversi-
ty behind the rainbow, some queer issues still looming large, and the meaning behind Pride itself. MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER
First up, our regular contributors put personal and po-
litical spins on Pride. Find out what they’ll be think-
ing about in the park and in the streets this weekend. Speaking of the festival and parade, 10 Queer Things supersizes this week to 16 flags under the LGBTQ umbrella. It opens the box on a cacophony of true colors that exist between the lines of the traditional six-color cliché plastered everywhere.
If we’re not looking at the whole rainbow, if we’re not wielding the rainbow with intention, we’re not recognizing or honoring the queer diversity Atlanta is and should be known for.
Our cover feature finds eight local LGBTQ movers and shakers rainbowing up for
Pride. From musicians to healthcare professionals, from activists and faith leaders to politicians and beyond, first-time contributor Marina Delaine-Siegel meets people adding their colors in their unique ways to Atlanta’s rainbow tapestry.
This issue of Q proudly introduces artist Maite Nazario in Q&A and takes on the serious issue of relationship abuse in The Q advice column. As always, we have Q Shots photo galleries, and yes, siblings: You’re going to need that Queer Agenda calendar this weekend more than most, so it’s packed to the brim.
Meanwhile, I’ll reconcile my personal issues with the LGBTQ rainbow in time for next week’s new edition, and Q will keep showing you queer Atlanta’s true colors every week. Write me with your thoughts at mike@theQatl.com. Have an amazing weekend, and Happy Pride, Atlanta! theQatl.com
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PRIDE Is… A time to recognize how far we have come and how much further we have until queer people can claim true liberation. Life isn’t always easy. Loving each other and our full selves wholeheartedly is a great way to rest in the power that all of us have.
— Mx. SHI aka Bentley Hudgins
VOICES Q
Q contributors share what Atlanta’s big weekend means to them
To live openly, unapologetically and authentically in my truth as a same gender loving man of color. To be unashamed and happy with who I was born to be and doing it with style and grace. I’m incredibly grateful to have found my community, my tribe, in which I can live with strength, dignity and pride. — James Hicks
Being completely comfortable in your own skin and grateful for your own existence.
— Vince Shifflett
A little oasis where we can finally just feel comfortable for a little while before it’s back to the desert. It’s sometimes easy to forget during the rest of the year when we’re in “the straight world” that there are so many of us who can come together in that little oasis.
Embracing our history, bold solidarity, resistance and resilience. I feel a responsibility to preserve those things and cultivate new growth. — Vava Vroom
The human family, and the LGBTQ community, take a moment in time to celebrate uniqueness and difference and sameness. And, all is very good!
— Bill Dickinson
— Heather Malone
Honoring the struggle of countless and often nameless folks who got us here, while reflecting on the road ahead. It’s also about celebrating life authentically lived and the beautiful diversity of the LGBTQ community.
Looking back to your 12-year-old self and realizing that all their secret wishes that they never dared to believe in had actually come true. It’s about community. It’s about knowing you are not alone.
— Shannon Clawson
— Eric Paulk
That moment, at any point in the weekend, where you look around and are overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the queerness that surrounds you. That, and funnel cakes are pretty good too.
A perfect platform to tell GayTL how I really feel. When I’m happy, I’ll prance down Peachtree like everyone else. If I’m not, I’ll walk into Piedmont Park chanting with my fist raised.
— Ashleigh Atwelll
— Ian Aber
A chance to drop our collective shoulders, relax and celebrate with our communities — especially for the folks who cannot safely live out loud in their daily lives. It’s about remembering how far we’ve come and what it took to get here.
— Jon Dean theQatl.com
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Q
10 16 QUEER THINGS Original Gilbert Baker Pride Flag
‘Traditional’ Pride
Hot pink = Sex Red = Life Orange = Healing Yellow = Sunlight Green = Nature Turquoise = Magic/Art Indigo = Serenity Violet = Spirit
FLY YOUR FLAG
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POC-Inclusive
Progress
Bisexual
Pansexual
Asexual
Labrys Lesbian
Polyamorous
Intersex
Genderfluid/Genderflexible
Leather, Latex & BDSM
Which LGBTQ Pride flags might you see during Atlanta Pride? Bear Brotherhood
Transgender Pride
Non Binary
Straight Ally
There are more queer Pride flags than listed here. Let us know what’s missing at mike@theQatl.com.
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Q&A
Q
Q ueering the
BELTLINE Artist Maite Nazario debuts Beltline murals on queer love, HIV
By Patrick Saunders AT JUST 19 YEARS OLD, MAITE Nazario has already made her mark on Atlanta’s art scene by celebrating queer and trans people of color. The queer, gender nonconforming artist was one of five LGBTQ artists chosen to collaborate on a mural for Living Walls’ “Start Talking, Stop HIV” campaign. The piece on the Beltline’s Westside Trail at Cascade Road and White Street was unveiled in August. Nazario debuted a mural featuring two friends who are in a polyamorous relationship in September. The mural (photos) behind Mason Fine Art on the Beltline’s Northeast Trail is part of the #OurLove series about queer couples in Atlanta. To top off her big summer, Nazario was among artists chosen to have their work PHOTOSPhoto BY by RUSS YOUNGBLOOD Russ Bowen-Youngblood theQatl.com
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Q
NAZARIO continued hang outside Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ office in City
I can when telling our stories and making sure people feel seen and represented.
Q caught up with Nazario to talk diversifying Atlanta’s arts
scene, why the #OurLove mural is her favorite piece and her upcoming collaboration with a local brewery.
I am very proud of who I am and the communities I belong to, and I always want to make sure that when my work is up on the Beltline or a gallery that my people feel seen and proud.
What helps inspire you to create?
What’s the state of Atlanta’s art scene right now?
Hall for an LGBTQ art exhibition.
My community and the stories of others. I can truly say that
what keeps motivating me and pushing me to make good art is the people around me and how inspiring they are. I make art about my Latinx and LGBTQ communities because I
want to bring awareness and visibility to us and tell our stories because they aren’t told in popular media.
My art has been my way of using my voice to uplift and bring
awareness to the people I love and try to create the change I want to see. I hope that my work is able to make people feel like they
are seen and recognized and that our existence is also meant to be documented in art.
What’s the biggest challenge you run into when creating? Wanting to make sure that I am representing my community
correctly. I always want to make sure that I am doing the best
I would say that the Atlanta art scene is thriving and up and coming. It is always growing and I’m seeing more and more talented artists every day. I’m happy that Atlanta has become such a home for the arts. The scene needs improvement in diversity and representation. Most of the successful artists are men, and cishet men at that. I hope to see more queer people and women being highlighted in Atlanta arts scene. Do you have a favorite piece of yours? My favorite piece right now would have to be my new #OurLove mural on the Beltline. I am so proud of that piece because it took so much effort and dedication to be able to make it happen. It is a mural that is focused on QTPOC and it tells the story of Kenie and Dionne unapologetically. That mural means the world to me, because if a 19-year-old, Latinx, immigrant, queer artist can put something that bold on the Beltline, anything can happen. Eternally grateful for all the support that piece has received from my community, so happy that the entirety of Atlanta can witness our community thrive. What advice would you give to aspiring artists? Something I would say to anyone trying to become an artist is work hard. Work like you believe in your art. No one is going to believe in your work unless you believe in it first, so prove to yourself how much you want to create meaningful work and everything else will follow. It took me three years to be able to get a wall to create what I wanted to, but I made it happen. Everything comes if you work for it. Believe in yourself, put in the work and the rest will follow. What’s next for you? I am working on a collaboration with Second Self beer and my abuela’s food to create a new design for a beer that will be representing Puerto Rico. “El Velorio” will be released October 12, and I couldn’t be more excited for people to see what we’ve come up with.
Photo by Russ Bowen-Youngblood 24
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I also want to continue creating murals that are in the series of #OurLove, or that overall are able to tell stories about queer people of color. I feel so grateful for the opportunity of being able to showcase my art and bring awareness to the beauty of my communities. I am beyond proud to be a queer Latinx artist creating art for my community.
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Q
COVER
Faces of
Meet eight LGBTQs leaving permanent queer marks on Atlanta Pride
I
t started during World Pride celebrations in June. Photographer Marina Delaine-Siegel gathered a diverse bunch of local LGBTQ people for portraits in some iconic Atlanta backdrops.
“Somewhere over the rainbow was not way up high but right here in Midtown Atlanta,” Delaine-Siegel says. “[We] joined together some of Georgia’s own musical artists, Netflix Queer Eye heroes, awesome entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals, to continue the education, awareness and love that historically was displayed during the Stonewall March 50 years ago.” Dubbed her “fabulous eight,” the photographer expanded on the group portraits for Q’s Pride issue to highlight some of the individual members from the original shoots. “They are proud to be a part of the amazing city of Atlanta, not only known for our great music but as a large hub for the LGBTQ+ community,” she says. “Their hope is that, as Atlanta’s main celebration and festivities for Pride kick off, they encourage a celebration with the world and everywhere to promote equality and love.” Keep flipping pages to meet this year’s Faces of Pride. PHOTO BY MARINA DELAINE-SIEGEL Instagram: @mdsphotographer mdsphotographer.com 28 28
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PRIDE
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FACES OF PRIDE continued
Chelsea SHAG Musician, artist and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community here in Atlanta. Canadian-born and Atlanta-claimed, Shag holds many titles in her musical journey, constantly evolving and creating: Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. She has played Atlanta Pride twice and loves spreading awareness for humankind through her art and love for music.
PHOTO BY MARINA DELAINE-SIEGEL Instagram: @mdsphotographer mdsphotographer.com 32
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FACES OF PRIDE continued
Myles HICKS This proud gay, black, Southern young man from West Georgia was recently featured on the Season 2 premiere of Netflix’s Queer Eye. That’s where the world got a little insight on the power of love between his mother Tammye and her gay child. Since the show, Myles has been continuously working on giving queer Christians a platform of education and acceptance.
PHOTO BY MARINA DELAINE-SIEGEL Instagram: @mdsphotographer mdsphotographer.com 38
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FACES OF PRIDE continued
Skyler JAY By sharing his personal journey as a transgender man in the South, Skyler is an LGBTQ advocate for those in Georgia. But as another of Netflix’s Queer Eye heroes, he has used the platform to lead the cause for equality for transgender people nationally. Skyler recently received the 2019 Community Leader Award during the National Trans Advocacy Awards and continues to help spread awareness and education. As this issue of Q went to press, Jay’s landmark case against the University System of Georgia — which includes 28 public colleges and universities including UGA, Georgia Tech and Georgia State — ended a ban on trans healthcare benefits for its employees. Read his interview at theQatl.com.
PHOTO BY MARINA DELAINE-SIEGEL Instagram: @mdsphotographer mdsphotographer.com 42
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Q
FACES OF PRIDE continued
State Rep. PARK CANNON In her third term as the youngest member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Cannon is excited to represent Midtown, Downtown and Southwest Atlanta. At the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, she said, “We need to trust black women!” and will continue to stand up for LGBTQ and minority visibility in the South. Park is openly queer and a founding member of the Equality Caucus. She serves as secretary for the Women’s Caucus and serves on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. She’s on the Insurance and Small Business Development House Committees, City of Atlanta Delegation, Fulton County Delegation and the bipartisan Future Caucus.
PHOTO BY MARINA DELAINE-SIEGEL Instagram: @mdsphotographer mdsphotographer.com 44
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FACES OF PRIDE continued
Maunglwin (Mo) AUNG Mo aids humankind as a healthcare professional in metro Atlanta. He is a Burmese Indian who loves spreading awareness and education while utilizing his professional medical skills as a nurse to help others.
Kevin GARCIA This pastor and intuitive life coach prides himself on creating space for LGBTQ folks to thrive through rediscovering their infinite connection to love. He is also the co-creator of Queerly Beloved Apparel Co., a line representing and giving voice to queer people of faith.
The Ain’t SISTERS Arrie Bozeman and Barb Carbon are the queer duo that front the Atlanta-based indie rock band the Ain’t Sisters. These powerfully raw dynamos deliver a fresh sound that is dynamic, intelligent and fun with zero regards for your boundaries and boxes. Blazing a path for authenticity and self-expression, the Ain’t Sisters are unapologetically themselves and encourage others to follow suit by way of their brutally honest lyrics, and more directly via their involvement in music education and LGBTQ advocacy.
PHOTOS BY MARINA DELAINE-SIEGEL Instagram: @mdsphotographer mdsphotographer.com 48
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THE QUEER AGENDA The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta This Week
FRIDAY, OCT. 11
October 10 – October 16
PrEP for Pleasure
THURSDAY, OCT. 10
An interactive and artistic event with a sex-ed twist. Free food, drinks,
games, art and conversations about PrEP @ Westside Cultural Arts Center, 6 p.m. thecounternarrative.org Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party
The official cocktail and dance event @ Georgia
Aquarium, 7 p.m. atlantapride.org,
georgiaaquarium.com
Pride Glow Block Party
Two words: Open bar. Two more: black light. Get with the gals @ My Sister’s Room,
8 p.m. mysistersroom.com
DJ GSP
This legend helms
the official aquarium afterparty @ Heretic, 10 p.m. heretic-
atlanta.com
Glitter Ball Pride Kickoff
Australia’s DJ Kitty Glitter starts things rolling @ Ten, 7 p.m. tenatlanta.com
Westview Pride
The Southwest Atlanta neighborhood piggybacks on the citywide fever for its first
Pride celebration @ Westview, 7 p.m. westviewatlanta.org
Mayor’s Pride Reception
Join Atlanta’s own Keisha Lance
Bottoms and her gays @ Flourish,
7 p.m. atlantaga.gov/lgbtq Playhouse
RuPaul’s Alyssa Edwards headlines the first of several Wussy parties @ Buckhead Theatre, 8 p.m. wussymag.com Big Ol’ Slice of 100%
Genuine Atlanta Gay Pride
It’s a long name, but when you hear it’s
a whole gay boy dance party series through Monday morning, it works. Start with DJ
Isaac Escalante @ District, 9 p.m. Alex Acosta then spins @ Xion, 3 a.m. gaboyevents.com Holy Sh!t
Comedy night originated by queer comic Ian Aber takes on a life of its own @ Sister Louisa’s, 10 p.m. sisterlouisaschurch.com 52
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FRIDAY, OCT. 11 Bunny Hop
Lady Bunny hits town
for another Wussy dance party @ W Atlanta Midtown, 9 p.m. wussymag.com
Proud
Deep South x Kudzu
RuPaul’s Shangela (photo), plus DJs Joe
Two great party promoters join forces
Gauthreaux and Kevin Durard keep the
with JSport (photo), Father Figure, Ash
Big Ol’ Slice party series going @ Georgia
Lauren and Vicki Powell @ the Bakery,
Railroad FreightDept, 10 p.m.
10 p.m. facebook.com/
gaboyevents.com
deepsouthatl
Sugar Shack
Starz Party
The Bakery, 10 p.m. southernfriedqueerpride.com
heart @ Ten, 10 p.m. tenatlanta.com
Southern Fried Queer Pride pours some Pride dance party on you @
The truly legendary DJ Tracy Young races your
Pride Cabaret
SATURDAY, OCT. 12
Theater queens do what they do, once more with
Atlanta Pride
feeling @ OnStage Atlanta, 11 p.m. onstageatlanta.com
You know what’s up
Afterglow
and Sunday too. Satur-
of the weekend features DJ Paulo
@ Piedmont Park, all day day events include the
Trans, Bi + Pan, and Dyke
The next in the 100% Slice series @ District, 3 a.m. gaboyevents.com
Marches, plus Drag Queen
SUNDAY, OCT. 13
side Tea Dance. Stage acts
Chow down, hobnob and
Story Time and the Dock-
HRC Pride Brunch
include Kesha. Sunday
watch the parade
brings the 49th annual
parade and the Starlight
Cabaret, among so much more. atlantapride.org
@ Empire State South,
10:30 a.m. hrcatlanta.org View
A decidedly different crowd does the
Deep South Pool Party
DJ Vicki Powell and her loyal acolytes dance by the water @ Moxy Hotel, 12 noon. facebook.com/deepsouthatl Bottoms Up!
same as above with
RuPaul’s Tatiana @
Fox Theatre, 12 noon. wussymag.com
RuPaul’s Tammie Brown puts her unique spin on the next Wussy party of the
weekend @ Annex Bookstore, 12 noon. wussymag.com
Big Gay Brunch
Mona Lott, Orchid, Destiny Brooks, Raquel
Heart and Cici Nicole perform while you eat
Matrix Tea Dance
DJ Neon the Glowgobear and William host @ Moxy Midtown, 2 p.m. marriott.com/Moxy/Atlanta
She: Femme Horror
@ Park Tavern, 12 noon. parktavern.com
Burlesque by queer babes @ Red Light Café,
Andy Warhol’s Empire
7 p.m. redlightcafe.com
Screen the 8-hour time lapse of the
Big Ol’ Slice Finales
Empire State Building with the gay-led
The GA Boy Productions series concludes with
Film Love @ The Works, 12 noon.
an amazing international DJ at each place: Closing
frequentsmallmeals.com
ATL Pride Main Event
The next Big Ol’ Slice party goes down
with Phoenix and DJs Rosabel @ CocaCola Roxy, 9 p.m. gaboyevents.com
Party @ Havana Club, 10 p.m.; the Afterparty @ Xion/BJ
Roosters 3 a.m. and the Morning Party @ Heretic, 7 a.m. gaboyevents.com Find more queer things to do in the expanded edition of the Queer Agenda at theQatl.com.
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WUSSY PROM AT MY SISTER’S ROOM
Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com
Q SHOTS Q
PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com
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Q
Q SHOTS
TWEE’S BIRTHDAY AT BJ ROOSTERS
Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com
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PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
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AIDS WALK ATLANTA & MUSIC FESTIVAL
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Q
THEQ?! That’s Not
LOVE
Subtle and not-so-subtle signs that your relationship is abusive
Q
I want to first say that my partner and I love each other passionately. In fact, we are both known for fiery emotions, and for the most part, we are proud of it. It’s on the flip side that comes the trouble. We both have hair triggers and short fuses, so the anger is just as explosive. The longer we are together, the worse the eruptions get. I don’t mean physical outbursts, though those have happened. We both lash out unfairly, even cruelly, at each other. We aim to wound instead of heal. When I’m not afraid of my partner flying off the handle, I’m worried I’ve created the same fear. I couldn’t say I’m abused without admitting I’m also abusive sometimes. We can’t both be victims and perpetrators, or can we? Dear Abuse Paradox: More troubled couples fall into mutual abuse than the traditional power dynamic of one person exclusively mistreating the other. Often these people are thought to be “giving as good as they get” or “holding their own,” but both are likely suffering. Sounds simple, but the fact that it feels bad is the best signifier that it is bad. It’s a paradox but true that both partners can play abuser and abused. These couples often trade barbs as a matter of course. Another classic paradox in your relationship is that you are both drawn to the very thing in each other that causes the trouble. Addicts have similar love-hate relationships with whatever destructive behavior or substance makes their synapses fire. Some of our most satisfying traits stem from the same place as our darkest ones, and recognizing both sides of our natures is where we start. Sit down in a calm moment, not the heat of an episode, and see if you are both on board with creating change. Then consider counseling separately and together. Speaking of professional help, writer and counselor Jim Jackson created a list of signals to identify abuse. Few abusive relationships
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will tick all the boxes, but it’s a good exercise to see if you are flying more of these red flags instead of fewer. RED FLAGS ABOUT ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS 1. Blame you for how they treat you. 2. Blame you for everything bad that happens. 3. Speak ill of family, friends or children. 4. Try to control whom you see or where you go. 5. Force or manipulate you into things you don’t want to do. 6. Lying or being unfaithful. 7. Make you feel fearful, insecure or unfree. 8. Physically rough with you. 9. Not happy when you don’t do it their way, not happy when you do. 10. Show little interest in your opinions or feelings. 11. Ignore you or give you the silent treatment as “punishment.” 12. Regularly compare you with others. 13. Threaten to do bodily harm to themselves or someone else. 14. Extreme mood swings — telling you you’re the greatest one minute and the worst the next. 15. Putting you down — calling you dumb, stupid, ugly, fat, etc. 16. Abusive behavior gets worse over time.
Source: Jim F. Jackson via Banlican House Publishers.
The Q is for entertainment purposes and not professional counseling. Send your burning Qs to mike@theqatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON