Q
March 12, 2020
AIDEN ZHANE PUTS THE ATL IN RPDR 12
inform | inspire
warplay
Out Front modernizes heroes of mythological proportions
JEREMY JACKSON WANTS YOU IN THE MANGO DRIP QUEERS WHO CAN’T FORGIVE OURSELVES PREDICTING THE BEST LGBTQ BOOKS OF 2020
The Q The Queer Agenda Q Shots Q&A The Weekly Print Publication of Project Q Atlanta
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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 ART DIRECTOR JOHN NAIL JOHN@THEQATL.COM
Heroes
& VILLAINS
EPIC BATTLES, PETTY QUEENS and the good guys in between top queer Atlanta coverage in this week’s Q. You don’t even have to take sides to enjoy it all.
Your front-row seat includes mythic men
Achilles and Patroclus in the Q Cover Story.
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 BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
Put them in modern fatigues and show the
sexual fire between them that many scholars
believe, and the Trojan War figures have a lot MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER
to say about modern times in warplay at Out
Front Theatre.
In People, RuGirl Aiden Zhane talks about her start in Atlanta, but
not about how she pissed off local drag queens by belittling the local scene. Her comments were firing up social media even before she made her RPDR debut last week.
Between showy heroes and villains comes a local hero you may
already know about, or at least his popular t-shirt line. Meet Jeremy
Jackson in Q&A and find out how a gay child from Georgia’s foster care system became king of The Mango Drip.
When you’re not worshipping heroes and deriding villains, join our anticipation for 2020’s best queer books, and then forgive yourself. That’s what the Q advice column is all about, and it’s a common
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queer challenge no matter what you did in your past.
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day at theQatl.com. If we haven’t kept you busy enough with all that,
As always, you’ll find Q Shots photos and the Queer Agenda cal-
endar of events, plus fresh Q News and Q Community stories every engage me via mike@theQatl.com.
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Q
10 QUEER THINGS THE FELL OF DARK by Caleb Roehrig (July)
THE STATE OF US by Shaun David Hutchinson (July)
THE BRIGHT LANDS by John Fram (July)
SURRENDER YOUR SONS by Adam Sass (August)
Coming SOON The best LGBTQ book titles headed our way in 2020 All titles available wherever books are sold. Special thanks to Q friend, queer and indie bookseller advocate John McDougall.
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THE GRAVITY OF US by Phil Stamper (Out now)
THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA by T J Klune (March)
A BEAUTIFUL CRIME by Christopher Bollen (Out now)
FIREWATCHING by Russ Thomas (Out now)
ONLY MOSTLY DEVASTATED by Sophie Gonzales (March)
WHEN YOU GET THE CHANCE by Tom Ryan and Robin Stevenson (May)
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Q&A
Q
on His
PHOTO OF JEREMY JACKSON BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
T-shirt designer behind Mango Drip has a message for you ď ľ theQatl.com
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Q
Q&A continued
By Patrick Saunders
Is there a theme in your designs?
IF YOU DON’T KNOW GAY ATLANTA DESIGNER Jeremy Jackson, you just might know his t-shirt line: The Mango Drip. The line is carried at Brushstrokes, Crafted, Bill Hallman and other popular Atlanta retailers.
The Mango Drip is a brand that encourages self-discovery and growth. Mango Drip is here to be a platform for discussions relating to physical/mental/emotional/spiritual health and discussions involving social and environmental issues.
Jackson talked with Q about his often-difficult early life and seeing his way through it to “encourage self-discovery and growth” through his line of t-shirts, outerwear, bags and mugs. Honestly, my foster care experience was unfavorable. There were never any constants in my life after I was put into the foster care system.
Madonna definitely tops this list. Growing up with all the troubles going on in my life, I always looked up to Madonna in a motherly type way. Aside from the music, I’ve always been inspired by how strong of a woman she is, her support for the gay community and her work ethic.
I bounced around so much that it was hard to develop or maintain relationships with anyone. As an adult, the whole experience has left me in a state of searching. I search for who I am, I search for who I want to be and where I belong.
Steve Jobs’ work ethic inspires me as well. Being able to push against the unconventional and unpopular is very inspiring. It is difficult to go against the flow of life and that’s exactly what he did. I’d love to have a chat.
What was life like growing up in Georgia?
I was placed in a [queer-inclusive Atlanta non-profit CHRIS 180] group home when I was in the 10th grade. Prior to CHRIS Kids, I had been enrolled in six different high schools, so there was an excessive amount of moving and bouncing around from foster family to institution to foster family. They provided me with a stable place to live, which allowed me to finish school without moving around. How did you start designing t-shirts? I’ve always been interested in being able to express myself through fashion. I gave making shirts a shot in 2011, and although it didn’t work out for me then, I was able to pick back up my dreams of starting a clothing line in 2018. I went out and bought a bunch of t-shirt making equipment, and I jumped in head first. 10
If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?
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Puff Daddy is also a boss. I love his confidence and the way he carries himself as a black man. I’d love to be in his presence and talk business. What’s next for you and the Mango Drip? We are working on creating a YouTube channel that will produce videos with discussions relating to physical/mental/ emotional/spiritual health and discussions involving social and environmental issues. We are also continuing to work on building Mango Drip into a supportive community that encourages self-growth and development. Check out the Mango Drip t-shirts at themangodrip.com. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @themangodrip.
Leo Liu and cover photo of Cortland Walton by Russ Bowen-Youngblood
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PEOPLE Q
Q
is for
Meet Aiden Zhane repping Atlanta on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12
Q uirk
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AIDEN continued
By Patrick Saunders THE NEW SEASON OF RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE HAS a dose of local flavor thanks to the presence of metro Atlanta queen Aiden Zhane among the cast members. Season 12 kicked off on Feb. 28 by introducing half of the cast. Zhane and six other queens got the spotlight on the second episode March 6 on VH1.
‘Atlanta definitely gave me some sort of start, those first moments of being on a stage and the itch to do something even bigger,’ — Aiden Zhane
Zhane, a Michigan native, got her start at the since-closed LeBuzz in Marietta and has performed at My Sister’s Room and Lips over the years. “My performance history may not be as rich as some others, but Atlanta definitely gave me some sort of start, those first moments of being on a stage and the itch to do something even bigger,” she told Project Q Atlanta. Finally, she gets to scratch that itch after missing the casting cut in auditions for Seasons 8 and 9. Zhane joins a long line of Atlantans on Drag Race, including Sonique and Nicole Paige Brooks in Season 2, Mariah Balenciaga and Phoenix in Season 3, Trinity K. Bonet in Season 6, Violet Chachki’s winning turn in Season 7, Dax Exclamationpoint in Season 8 and Nina Bo’Nina Brown in Season 9. Zhane, an Acworth resident, described her drag style as “a mix between kooky/zany with a little bit of fashion, cartoon and horror thrown on top.” “I may not high kick or death drop, but hopefully I’ll stumble my way into the hearts of many,” she added. The local queen wants to represent the underdogs during her time on the show. “Whether it’s because they are from a small town or they have no social media presence, or maybe they’re just doing drag in their bedroom, if you have the desire and ambition to do it, seize it,” she said. And RuPaul was “lovely” to work with.
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a fog,” Zhane continued. “But after it’s over it hits you and
you’re like, ‘Oh wow, Ru and I just had that conversation.’” Zhane calls the Season 12 cast a refreshing mix. “We all bring something so different to the table, and we all
“Literally what you see on TV is what you get: a tall-ass Glamazon that you just can’t help but gawk at,” she said.
just truly want to celebrate the art of drag, so I think this
“While you’re interacting with Ru and it’s happening, it’s like
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” airs Fridays on VH1, 9 p.m..
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season is going to be exactly that — a celebration,” she said.
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Thomas Barker by Russ Bowen-Youngblood
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Q
COVER
We Could Be Heroes PHOTO BY DIANE HAYMES PHOTOGRAPHY
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Two legendary characters engage in warplay at Out Front By Mike Fleming
O
n the heels of a tight-knit lesbian period piece, Atlanta’s only exclusively LGBTQ theater troupe turns to two mythic male figures for a reflection on male intimacy and the effects of prolonged wartime on any society. #Nocap warplay reimagines the relationship between legendary Trojan War figures — and widely speculated lovers — Achilles and Petroclus. The depiction of modern, fatigues-wearing soldiers “A” and “P” aims to open a discussion on gay male relationships. “A brief look through history probably won’t yield a lot of gay people,” says Justin Kalin, director of the Out Front production, in a prepared statement. “We’re taught world history with this weird blind spot that implies gay people weren’t there, we only just showed up on the scene when in reality, we’ve been here from the start. “That’s how we landed on warplay. JC Lee
explores gay male intimacy, toxicity, and heroism through the lens of the iconic Grecian duo Achilles and Patroclus,” he continues. “The play asks audiences what it means to be a man in ancient Greece and what does it mean now?” The formal description of the play makes some intriguing promises: “warplay requires us to reexamine our assumptions about heroism and love. The journey of the two is a meditation on male intimacy, destiny, and how the constant shadow of war may warp us all.” Playwright Lee is a writing veteran of TV shows including Looking and The Morning Show, and viewers of those shows will easily see why the theater promises material that is both funny and poetic. The local production is led by Kalin, as well as cast members Greogry Piccirilli (Angry Fags, upcoming short film Max) as “A” and Andy Stanesic (Xanna Don’t!, The Grown Up) as “P.” With no other actors on stage, the performances are expected to be raw and intimate. To that end, Out Front boasts a new, thoroughly modern crew position for warplay: Intimacy Director. That person makes sure actors feel safe and comfortable with scenes depicting nudity, simulated sex and other challenging stage moments. They traditionally advocate for the actors with the director and can even help with choreography of body movements. warplay runs Thursdays through Sundays, March 12-28, plus an Industry Night performance on March 23, at Out Front Theatre. Tickets are $15 - $25. outfronttheatre.com
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THE QUEER AGENDA
Q
The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta March 12 – March 18 Life’s A Drag! Finale
The weekly finalists lip sync for the crown
@ Midtown Moon, 5 p.m. facebook.com/midtownmoon
For the Love of Paws Gala
This dressy sit-down benefits the queerly
Pee-wee Herman, March 12
beloved Angels Among Us pet rescue @ Grand Hyatt Buckhead, 6:30 p.m. angelsamongus.org
Chug!
It’s ‘90s drag night with the House of Alxndr @ Georgia
Even More Twisted Broadway, March 18
Beer Garden, 10:30 p.m. georgiabeergarden.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 14 & SUNDAY, MARCH 15
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
The Armorettes
Pee-wee Herman
Two chances to cheer the four-decade legacy of HIV
See Paul Reubens on the Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
fundraising with this camp drag troupe @ Heretic
35th Anniversary tour @ Tabernacle, 7:30 p.m. tabernacleatl.com
warplay, March 12
Holy Sh!t
It’s comedy night with the queer and
on Saturday and Midtown Moon on Sunday, both nights 8 p.m. thearmorettes.com
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
Diane Haymes Photography
queer-adjacent crowd @ Sister Louisa’s
Troop Beverly Hills
An encore matinee screening with the
Church of the Living Room, 10 p.m.
Wussy mag queens and queers @ Plaza
sisterlouisaschurch.com
Theatre, 8 p.m. wussymag.com
warplay
MONDAY, MARCH 16
The sexy, modern adaptation of a
mythological male relationship opens
And We Danced, March 13
@ Out Front Theatre Company, 8 p.m.
outfronttheatre.com. Read the Q preview
series @ Plaza Theatre, 7 p.m. outonfilm.org
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
And We Danced
I Am Samantha
In a stunning cinematic feat, two
as professional dancers in the nation of
Georgia @ Midtown Art Cinema, all week.
Out on Film and Wussy join forces for the latest screening in the Queers On Film
in this issue.
male dancers struggle with being gay
Tangerine
A who’s-who, all-Georgia trans cast and crew led
by director T. Cooper premieres this moving film
Chug!, March 14
@ Plaza Theater, 7 p.m. plazaatlanta.com Even More Twisted Broadway
landmarktheaters.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Atlanta United Home Opener
After two successful drag sendups of Broadway
Tangerine, March 14
hits last year, AID Atlanta stages queens again @ Lips, 6:30 p.m. aidatlanta.org
The LGBTQ soccer fans of All Stripes tailgate before the first home
Dead Gay Body
Match, 7 p.m. facebook.com/allstripesatl
the suicide of Twinkie McBottoms in this reading as part of the Spectrum
match of the season @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Tailgate at 3 p.m., Minnie Bruce Pratt
The lesbian poet and activist discusses Queer Socialism, Sexuality
& Gender @ Charis Books & More, 7:30 p.m. charisbooksandmore.com
Strange, homosexual things are happening at Ronald Reagan High after
Spotlight series @ Out Front Theatre Company, 8 p.m. outfronttheatre.com Find an expanded Queer Agenda calendar for the weekend every Thursday at theQatl.com.
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QUEEN BUTCH AT HERETIC
Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com
Q SHOTS Q
PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com
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QUEER & LOATHING AT MSR
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
NFFLA SEASON OPENING PARTY
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PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD
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Q
THEQ?! Despicable
ME
How to forgive ourselves for the past
Q
My late teens and much of my 20s were spent homeless, couch-surfing and high. I left my par-
ents after they bailed on me emotionally when
same for all of us. Too many queer people did things to cope
with injustices that, even a few years ago, we didn’t even have language to discuss.
You already took difficult steps to pull yourself together and take ownership of your past, but the process never ends. Forgiving ourselves is not something we do once, but continually.
An apropos Audrey Kitching quote makes the rounds now and again:
“Forgive yourself for not knowing better at the time. Forgive yourself
for giving away your power. Forgive yourself for past behaviors. Forgive yourself for the survival patterns and traits you picked up while
enduring trauma. Forgive yourself for being who you needed to be.” Her platitudes are a great starting place, but how?
I came out, and I’ve done things that others
Since you surrendered to a higher power,
would find questionable if they never had to live
let them do their job. If a higher power
on the street.
can forgive you, how could you know
I’ve come a long way, but I still wake
more than them? Who else do you
up thinking that I’m on a park bench,
value? Would you forgive your
under an overpass, or naked in a strang-
best friend for their past? Cut
er’s bed. The first feeling is relief that it’s
yourself the same slack.
only a dream. The second is a shame that
As we move through coping with
I can’t shake even when fully awake.
difficult experiences, we must allow
I became an expert liar. I learned to scam
ourselves basic humanity and
and seduce my way into food and shelter. I sold my
room to make mistakes. It’s not
body, not as a matter of choice but for survival. To this day, my first impulse is to manipulate or cheat to get what I want.
One of the tools I use to stay sober and off the street is the 12-step method
of change, including surrender to a higher power. Still, I struggle
to forgive myself for things I’ve done and the person they turned me into. Dear New You: Just as who you were then isn’t who you are now, the person you will become is not set in stone by your past. The future is up for grabs.
You’re not alone. Everyone has regrets and struggles to forgive themselves. Some pasts are more and some less difficult than yours, but the process to accept and overcome them is the 30
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“total forgiveness now or give up.”
Start with the intention to forgive yourself
as much as you are able for that day, and then commit to try.
If all else fails, you might as well forgive
yourself. Not doing so leaves you exhausted
and immobilized, and that’s not working.
There’s one more tool in your 12-step box. We can put our
pasts to good use by helping others, even if it’s just sharing our experience and strength, which you have done here so valiantly. This allows the past to be transmuted into a tool rather than a weight.
The Q is for entertainment purposes and not professional counseling. Send your burning Qs to mike@theqatl.com.
ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON