Q Magazine Atlanta | February 6, 2020

Q

START VALENTINE SEASON WITH LOVE ON THE ROCKS

February 6, 2020

inform | inspire

By

JORGE

The long road to becoming WSB’s first out anchor

LGBTQ-ATLIEN DELIVERS QUINTESSENTIAL KYLIE ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FEST BUT MAKE IT SUPER QUEER STILL USING, OR IS THAT THEIR REAL PERSONALITY?

Q News The Q Q Shots The Queer Agenda The Weekly Print Publication of Project Q Atlanta

FROM BOARDROOM TO BEDROOM CONFIDENCE IS

HOT

© ken anderson, md

LET US HELP RESTORE YOUR CONFIDENCE

ACTUAL PATIENT

Dr. Daniel Lee

20+ Years of Surgical Experience ARTAS Robotic Hair Restoration Expert

PROUDLY OFFERING

NON-SURGICAL FAT REMOVAL! AndersonAesthetics.com

Call to schedule your complimentary consultation and begin your journey to a fuller head of hair.

404.256.4247 or visit

AtlantaHairSurgeon.com for more information 5555 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Suite 106 Atlanta, GA 30342

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

Making

INROADS

LGBTQ authors, anchors and arts buffs cross over into the mainstream FAMOUS POP STARS, local legends and an Atlanta institution are getting the queer treatment, and it’s a sign of the times. Top it off with Valentine-themed events, and it’s all about love in this issue of Q.

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 NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 LOCAL ADVERTISING SALES@THEQATL.COM 404-949-7071

MIKE FLEMING

Sure, queers have been talking celebrities forever, movies broke out of the celluloid closet long ago, and gay anchors have been delivering the news since its inception. The difference is that they are out about it, and they are being openly embraced by their colleagues and counterparts.

EDITOR & PUBLISHER

In Q People, Atlanta writer Quentin Harrison introduces his latest Record Redux book on a diva. This time, it’s Kylie Minogue, and it comes with a launch party. And over in Q Festival, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival features multi-layered LGBTQ representation on screen as part and parcel of the event.

This week’s Q Cover Story meets Jorge Estevez, the first out anchor in WSB-TV’s 72-year history. He speaks frankly to Q about the yearslong, sometimes-rough road before landing at Atlanta’s standard-bearing news station.

All this inclusion may have you hankering for specifically queer spaces.

We have it in the Queer Agenda calendar, Q Shots photos, as well as The Q advice column.

Speaking of your to-do list, in Q Events we break out the best Valentinethemed events, and we feature venues, retailers and services for the holigay on the surrounding pages.

What more could you ask for? Until next week’s print edition hits, the Q News and Community stories flow fresh every day on Project Q Atlanta at theQatl.com, and I’m here for your inquiries at mike@theQatl.com. theQatl.com

3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 6, 2020

’TIS THE SEASON Valentine Week Events

COVER

19 11

Groundbreaker WSB-TV ’s Jorge Estevez

PEOPLE

13 7

Minoque Redux Quentin Harrison knows his Kylie

25 Spank Tank

FESTIVAL

14

Crossing Over Jewish Film Fest’s LGBTQ track

FEATURES

Q People

7

The Queer Agenda 22

4

Q Shots

25

The Q

30

theQatl.com

30

28 Dirty Daddies

LOCATIONS IN

BUCKHEAD • VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS • SANDY SPRINGS

theQatl.com

5

6

theQatl.com

PEOPLE Q

Spinning

AROUND

Local LGBTQ musicologist drops Kylie Minogue retrospective

By Buck C. Cooke WANT TO TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A CAREER? Then follow the example of Atlantan Quentin Harrison. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of music and pop culture, the author and columnist began publishing his Record Redux book series in 2016 with the Spice Girls, followed by volumes on the careers or Carly Simon, Donna Summer, and Madonna.

Now get ready for gay icon Kylie Minogue.

“The premise of the line is to create conversations about these female artists and groups that aren’t happening, or to redirect the conversations that are happening to focus on their catalogues in new ways,” Harrison tells Q. There will be 14 books in the series. The fifth volume arrives this month and focuses on the career and discography of Minogue with statistics, insights and reviews of her music. The book stands as the first on the artist by an American, and the first by a person of color.  theQatl.com

7

Q

HARRISON continued

‘[Minogue] learned to make accessible pop music and then she flipped the script and made some subversive pop music right there in plain sight. There’s something to discover in her music.’

“This project is a bit of history in the making,” Harrison beams.

Minogue fans are living in golden times these days.

In addition to Harrison’s book these last few weeks of the

What has been the publishing process been like?

I attempted the traditional route, and it wasn’t working, so I publish independently. I did a Kickstarter campaign to fund the creation on my own terms. Each book is usually an eight-month process, but the Kylie Minogue book took nine to ten months. I wanted to pace myself differently after the Madonna book.

What comes next for you and the Record Redux series?

There’s a revamp of the Spice Girls book coming up, because there’s so much I want to do with them and I have a certain skillset I’ve developed since the first book. It will feature an updated discography since they have released several new solo albums since the first edition was published in 2016.

The next new volume will be Janet Jackson, then Bananarama, Gloria Estefan and Sheena Easton. Other volumes in the series will cover the ‘70s Supremes, Kim Wilde, Sister Sledge, Teena Marie and Joan Armatrading.

year, the Australian pop diva releases an expanded

three-disc edition of her Step Back In Time: The Def initive Collection greatest hits package — including a

40-minute megamix produced by the Freemasons —

and her live double-album and concert film from her Golden Tour.

Why Kylie Minogue?

Her career took a different trajectory than most.

She started out as an actress, then she transitioned into being a pre-fab pop star who then took the

reins herself. She is more than a dance/pop kewpie doll. There’s a lot of artistry there.

A theme that emerged with the Kylie book is

“subversive.” She changed the direction of her

career. She learned to make accessible pop music and then she flipped the script and made some

subversive pop music right there in plain sight.

There’s something to discover in her music.

Have you met any of your subjects or gotten reaction from them?

I haven’t gotten to meet any of them, but I interviewed Melanie C from the Spice Girls once. Carly Simon sent me an e-mail when her camp got the book. That was pretty cool.

8

theQatl.com

“Record Redux: Kylie Minogue” is available online. Join the launch party on Feb. 8 at Momnoki, look for a discussion panel on Feb. 20 at Noni’s, and follow the Record Redux series at facebook.com/recordreduxseries.

Fresh content served daily theQatl.com

theQatl.com

9

10

theQatl.com

EVENTS Q

Season of

LOVE

Queer Atlanta rolls out the pink carpet on Valentine-themed events ď ľ

theQatl.com theQatl.com

11 11

Q

EVENTS continued

By Mike Fleming

Love Is In The Air Drag Bingo

EVERYBODY SAY “LOVE!” EVEN IF IT FEELS early, coupled queers have about a week to buy the perfect gift, so basically, it’s never too early to talk about it.

For nearly three decades, PALS Bingo has been a staple in the LGBTQ-ATL. Bubba D. Licious, Erica Lee and the gang keep the laughs coming for this month’s Valentine theme at Lips to benefit Pets Are Loving Support.

But even if you prefer to call Feb. 14 Singles Awareness Day or Independence Day, there’s a queer cupid with a quiver of LGBTQ events aiming its Valentine arrow in your direction.

Make sure you get full use of your red and pink attire by dropping these into your calendar. Look for updates in both next week’s print issue and at theQatl.com.

Date Night

Reverie: Love On The Rocks

Q’s own queer comic Ian Aber curates and co-hosts this hilarious show at Argosy every month. This time, it dovetails perfectly for “those who are in love, looking for love or wanting to be made love to by hilarious comedy.”

The annual fete for all comers kicks off Joining Hearts’ 33rd fundraising season. Don your pink and red cocktail attire and mix with your gays and gals. This year, the “Reverie” twist at Frazer Center “reimagines the world if we each elevated our own threshold to love one another, and even ourselves”

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. facebook.com/HotMicComedy

Saturday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. joininghearts.org

Moulin Rouge You can tell everybody that this is your song when Wussy screens the cult classic about starcrossed lovers on the big screen with drag hosts and your best looks at Plaza Theatre.

Wednesday, Feb. 12 wussymag.com

Chug! The Valentine Show Molly Rimswell, Taylor Alxndr, Arron Malachi, Tyra Rex and Aries Alxndr charm the drag, and Deku puts a love spell on the music at Georgia Beer Garden.

Saturday, Feb. 8, 10:30 p.m. facebook.com/houseofalxndr

Our Founding Valentines For the sixth year, Atlanta Pride honors a slate of groundbreakers that paved the way to today’s LGBTQ Atlanta. This year, they focus on queer pioneers in the arts with a reception at Out Front Theatre Company.

Tuesday, Feb. 11. 6:30 p.m. atlantapride.org

12

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. palsatlanta.org

theQatl.com

Galentine’s Day The gays at Guac y Margys make Leslie Knope proud with you, your besties and drink specials.

Thursday, Feb. 13 guacymargys.com

Sweet & Sultry Ariel Allegra headlines this queer burlesque show emceed by the one and only Theresa Davis at Red Light Café.

Friday, Feb. 14 redlightcafe.com

Bless Yr Heart Only Southern Fried Queer Pride can put on a queer Valentine dance party like this one at the Bakery.

Friday, Feb. 14 southernfriedqueerpride.com

PHOTOS COURTESY TRAINING ROOM ATL

Q

FESTIVAL

At the

INTERSECTION

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival launches 20th LGBTQ-inclusive lineup

14

theQatl.com

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn

Black Mercedes A young woman’s murder leads a police detective into a murky underworld of sex and intrigue, in this twisting thriller set in Nazi-occupied Warsaw. The chief inspector’s ties to the Polish Underground jeopardize his probe, as he seeks to unravel this noir whodunit layered with hidden identities and startling turns.

An unflinching look at one of the country’s most vilified figures, this riveting profile of the closeted, self-loathing power broker reveals the man behind the Machiavellian mask. From McCarthyism’s chief architect to Trump mentor, Cohn’s amoral career stained U.S. politics. Filmmaker Ivy Meeropol, granddaughter of the Rosenbergs, executed as spies, adds a personal prism to this interrogatory account.

By Mike Fleming

I

t’s the biggest film festival Atlanta sees all year, one of the biggest Jewish film festivals in the world, and it’s known for its inclusivity and broad appeal across demographics. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival opens its month of compelling LGBTQ-inclusive films, characters and themes of queer interest this week.

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life British-born neurologist and literary giant Oliver Sacks is posthumously feted in this profoundly engaging, deeply personal memoir. Known by the film Awakenings, early fame came from his brilliant writings on cognitive disorders and natural world splendors. Sacks battled drugs, homophobia, and a skeptical medical establishment, and after a terminal diagnosis, vividly faces the meaning of his existence.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival screens at multiple venues around Atlanta Feb. 10 – 27 with special guests and speakers often part of the mix. View the full lineup with showtimes, and buy tickets at ajff.org.

When the 20th annual festival opens on Feb. 10, the evolution of what used to be referred to as “gay movies” is apparent in its lineup. No longer relegated to “special interest” genres only, LGBTQ representation also appears within the fabric of other film narratives.

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival not only includes characters, historical figures and themes of same-gender-loving people but also of transgender folks. Out on Film sponsor’s AJFF’s screening of Flawless on Oct. 15 at Plaza Theatre.

Here’s the full lineup of the 2020 LGBTQ track:

Flawless

A sisterhood of outcasts seeks to remake themselves in this provocative, poignant, comingof-age dramedy, wherein the trio goes to queasy extremes to bankroll cosmetic surgery and prom dresses. This beguiling, cautionary tale of self-discovery and prejudice features a standout performance by the first transgender woman nominated for Israel’s top acting prize.

The Glass Room An iconic home (the stunning Villa Tugendhat) takes center stage as secret affairs and history’s shifting tides shatter a Czech marriage, in this mesmerizing, erotic wartime saga. A wealthy Jewish industrialist and his gentile wife see their dream house become home to passionate, dark desires as 1930s idealism gives way to Hitler. Based on Simon Mawer’s hit novel. theQatl.com

15

Coming This Winter...

• Valentine’s (Feb. 13) • Spring Sports (March 5) • Dining Guide (March 19)

Reserve Your Advertising Now!

For advertising, email sales@theqatl.com or call 404-949-7071 18

theQatl.com

COVER Q

Welcome South, Brother!

WSB-TV’s first openly gay anchor embraces Atlanta 

PHOTO BY PATRICK SAUNDERS theQatl.com

19

Q

ANCHOR continued

J

By Patrick Saunders orge Estevez celebrated his first day on air at WSB-TV on Jan. 13, officially making him the first openly LGBTQ anchor and second Latinx anchor in the station’s 72-year history.

“The nerves were going. The excitement was happening,” he told Project Q Atlanta. “I got the sweats. I got the meat sweats like when you go to a Brazilian steakhouse and they keep giving you meat.”

Estevez placed a fan underneath the anchor desk to help with those sweats. And he’s learning other ways to settle in at a new station in a new city since moving here from Orlando in late December with his husband, Enrique Betancourt.

The couple initially planned to move on Dec. 27. But on Betancourt’s birthday on Dec. 26, he couldn’t wait.

“He woke up and said, ‘I got a crazy idea. Let’s start our new life in Atlanta today. Let’s go. I want to celebrate my birthday starting our new lives.’ And I was like, ‘Alright, let’s go!’ And it began,” Estevez said.

But getting to this point in his life and career as an out gay man came with much tougher decisions and consequences along the way.

Estevez kept his sexual orientation a secret for several years after moving to Orlando for a job at WFTV in 2001.

“I was super in,” he said. “I was in the closet in the back with the old photo albums, under the box, buried in the blanket.”

For his 30th birthday in 2005, he told his parents he wanted a big party with meringue cake, guava pastries, croquettes and balloons.

“I said that because I had a feeling that would be my last birthday as a family, as an accepted member, as someone who they loved and admired,” Estevez said. “And I was right, because when I came out [in 2006], my father disowned me.”

His father, who he considered his best friend, still hasn’t spoken to him — 14 years later.

20

theQatl.com

“I’m fine with that now because I’m older and more mature and I’ve done lots of therapy,” he said. “You can’t change people. You can only change your attitude toward people.”

Estevez’s friends and others in Orlando were much more accepting. He quickly became involved in the city’s LGBTQ community after coming out. He also helped the city heal after the Pulse LGBTQ nightclub shooting in 2016 by hosting a vigil that drew over 50,000 people, according to

‘You can’t change people.

You can only change your attitude toward people.’

— Jorge Estevez Estevez. WSB announced Estevez’s hiring in November, and he’s been busy getting to know Atlanta since moving with Betancourt into their Midtown home.

“The best thing about this place is it is a city in the forest,” he said. “And you have amazing bridges and creeks and railroads and paths and trails and parks, and I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to explore it all.”

Estevez documents his Atlanta adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for his 100,000 followers.

He’s already visited several LGBTQ favorites, including Piedmont Park, Henry’s Midtown Tavern and the rainbow crosswalks at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue.

He also wants to get involved in LGBTQ issues in his new home city.

“I want to go to the fun stuff too, but I also want to see what we are doing for the youth, or for the older members of our community who often get forgotten or don’t feel like they get enough attention or help or assistance,” he said.

Estevez anchors the station’s 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.

PHOTOS BY PATRICK SAUNDERS

weekday broadcasts with Jovita Moore.

At WSB, Estevez joins gay meteorologist Brian Monahan

“We really have gotten so close so quickly,” he said. “She’s amazing. She’s a rock star.”

hosting and appearing at HIV and LGBTQ events.

He’s been met with little resistance being WSB’s first openly gay anchor.

“Being the first of anything comes with its benefits and challenges,” he said. “I haven’t seen the challenges. I’ve seen a lot of benefits in that people really don’t seem to give it a lot of attention.”

and anchors — including Moore — with long histories of Atlanta lost an LGBTQ anchor in 2019. CBS46’s Thomas Roberts quit the station in September, just over a year

after joining, and the station dropped gay morning anchor Brandon Rudat in 2014. Gay weather anchor Sam Champion was based in Atlanta until 2016 when he was pushed out at Weather Channel.

PHOTOS COURTESY TRAINING ROOM ATL theQatl.com

21

Q

THE QUEER AGENDA

The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta February 6 – February 12

THURSDAY, FEB. 6

SUNDAY, FEB. 9 Oscars Viewing Party

Southern Sole

From red carpet to the final curtain, watch the Academy Awards

Bootblack Weekend includes nightly

on the big screen with Out on Film and more @ Plaza Atlanta,

events like Saturday’s centerpiece Raising

6:30 p.m. outonfilm.org

the Bar party @ Atlanta Eagle, through

Southern Sole, Feb. 6

Sunday. atlantaeagle.com

AIDS Watch Georgia

Advocates discuss the road to HIV treatment and prevention

Naked Girls Reading

Oscars, Feb. 9

Get ready for some tasty reads with the LGBTQ-inclusive burlesque crowd @ Metropolian Studios, 8:30 p.m.

@ Atlanta City Hall, 8:30 a.m. georgiaequality.org

metrostudioseav.com

FRIDAY, FEB. 7

MONDAY, FEB. 10 – THURSDAY, FEB. 27

Triad

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

and Robert Sherer get an opening reception

@ multiple venues around town. Read the Q preview in this

The biggest event of its kind is as queer-inclusive as ever

Works by queer artists Jon Arge, Chris Beat

issue. ajff.org

@ Gallery 378, 6 p.m. gallery378.com Pour Some Glitter On Me

TUESDAY, FEB. 11

Triad, Feb. 7

It’s a burlesque tribute to classic rock with a

queer-inclusive cast @ Red Light Café, 8 p.m.

Our Founding Valentines

Atlanta Pride honors its annual selection of

redlightcafe.com

pioneers in local LGBTQ life @ Out Front

SATURDAY, FEB .8 Love on the Rocks

Joining Hearts takes on a “Reverie” theme for this year’s

Theatre, 6:30 p.m. atlantapride.org

DJ Ben Bakson, Feb. 8

PALS Drag Queen Bingo

Bubba’s monthly ball-calling goes Valen-

tine @ Lips, 7:30 p.m.

Valentine kickoff to their fundraising year @ Frazer

palsatlanta.com Find more VDay fun in

Center, 5 p.m. Find more info in this issue of Q.

this issue of Q.

joininghearts.org

Kylie Minogue Party

. Hi c k s

Help author Quentin Harrison celebrate

7 p.m. Read the Q interview in this issue. facebook.com/recordreduxseries

am

Naked Girls Reading, Feb. 9

P

ob hot

mag.com

Designing Women Live

Glamorous

DJ Ben Bakson comes all this way for the latest, greatest iteration of this dance party @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com

The movie you love with the queens and queers you love even more @ Plaza Theatre, 8 p.m. wussy-

yJ

series about pop divas @ Momonoki,

es L

the latest release in his Record Redux book

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12 Moulin Rouge

Gay men in drag performing episodes of

Valentine Chug! Feb. 8

New Wave Video Dance Party

Whether you remember the days or wish you did, join VJ Anthony @ Amsterdam, 10 p.m. amsterdamatlanta.com

the ‘80s classic with Process Theatre Company @

OnStage Atlanta, 8 p.m. onstageatlanta.com

Find an expanded Queer Agenda calendar for the weekend every Thursday at theQatl.com.

Valentine Chug!

Left-of-center queens takes on a V Day theme in the gay-run,

straight-inclusive halls @ Georgia Beer Garden, 10:30 p.m. Q lays out more early Valentines in this issue. georgiabeergarden.com Alexander After Hours

Some DJs only need one name. Dance ‘til dawn @ Xion at BJ Roosters, 3 a.m. facebook.com/xionatlanta 22

theQatl.com

Designing Women Live, Feb. 12

OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY!

An Oasis for Your Sexual Revolution • • • • •

17 SCREEN HI-DEF VIDEO ARCADE HUGE SELECTION OF MALE ENHANCERS OVER 10,000 DVDs FOR SALE & RENT EXPANSIVE TOY & NOVELTY SECTION FLESH TOYS, PULSATORS & LUBRICANTS

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd. • Atlanta, GA 30324 • 404-728-0701 • www.snvonline.com

24

theQatl.com

LEATHER AND LACE AT ATLANTA EAGLE

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

Q SHOTS Q

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com

25

Q

Q SHOTS

RUBY REDD 20TH ANNIVERSARY AT MIDTOWN MOON

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com 26

theQatl.com

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

Q

Q SHOTS

DILF-FUKR FRIDAY AT HERETIC

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com 28

theQatl.com

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

29

theQatl.com

Q

THEQ?!

All METHED UP

They say they’re clean, so is this just their personality?

and broach it again later.

A friend hid a meth addiction from our circle for about four months before things bubbled to the surface and everything was discovered.

is a fine one, and it’s hard to navigate. Use your best instincts.

Q

He came clean and got clean, but now I’m paranoid that I might be confusing his personality with a relapse. He’s naturally bubbly, highly unfocused and sort of a paranoid conspiracy theorist. His most recent aesthetic is somewhere between shabby chic and Zoolander derelict.

How do we ask him gently if he’s using, or how do we trust him again and let it go?

If he’s not ready to confide in you, that doesn’t mean your friendship has to be over. The line between being supportive and pushy Of course, the symptoms you name could be signs of relapse, so you also have to be ready for that to be the issue. If your

friend confides that this is his situation, or if you find direct

evidence, encourage professional help. You can support him, but you’re not qualified to fix him.

Q

My best friend hasn’t been himself, and there may be an ongoing drug issue. He’s been falling off the face

of the planet for days at the time, even worrying his extremely supportive and loving longtime boss.

A week ago, the boss confronted my friend, and he confessed

Dear Bubbly:

to her that there was a prob-

Your concern is probably more common than many of us like to talk about.

Queers and meth are a well-documented duo, and relapses are often part of the journey.

Be careful, though. As you hint, people in recovery may experience mood swings that take on the appearance of mania or depression, or both. Any number of other challenges might stress him out so much that he lets his self-care and appearance go for a time.

As a friend, confronting him without hard facts could cause damage before you have a chance to help. Instead, ask if there’s anything he wants to talk about. Mention your observations, and leave your other friends out of it. If he thinks people are talking behind his back, you’ll only feed his paranoia.

Tell him you are concerned about him. If he still avoids it, tell him you’re there for him if he changes his mind. This opens the door for him to come to you, and for you to circle back 30

theQatl.com

lem but that he had begun the

recovery process.

Now he’s disappeared again.

I want to reach out to his

boss to find out if she knows

anything. How can I show

her, and my friend, that I care

without overstepping?

Dear Bestie:

The desire to compare notes makes a lot of sense, especially since your friend’s recovery is known and new, and because he is missing. Tell the boss what you wrote here: You can’t find your friend and just want to know if he’s OK. It’s reasonable to assume she may have the same concerns and want the same assurances.

Once your friend’s safety is secured, see Bubbly’s letter above.

Yours is a supporting role, not a star player in the recovery.

The Q is for entertainment purposes and not professional counseling.

Send your burning Qs to mike@theqatl.com.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON