Q Magazine Atlanta | February 20, 2020

Q inform | inspire

SAM JAY SERVES ATLANTA NETFLIX WIT & WISDOM

February 20, 2020

Fairy Tales LGBTQ Atlantans channel empowered Disney princesses

DECATUR CHURCH EXPELLED FOR GAY & TRANS DEACONS QUEERS WHO LET OTHERS CONTROL OUR HAPPINESS FILL YOUR DANCE CARD ON OUR LGBTQ-ATL TO-DO LIST

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

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 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

Once Upon

A TIME

THERE’S A STORY AS FAMILIAR as any fairy tale taking place across Atlanta right this minute. It’s one of childhood fantasy, of a self-identified “ma’am” being constantly mistaken as a “sir,” of a church refusing its LGBTQ kin, of a gay man who hates himself, and of a queer community coming together consistently to rise above its challenges.

In other words, it’s just another weekly issue of Q packed with Atlantans making a difference.

Childhood imagination and Disney escapism can take on an even more poignant role in the lives of LGBTQ kids struggling with identity. To heal themselves and emMIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER power a new generation, a group of trans and allied locals turn Disney imagery on its ear. Photographer Vanessa Munsch tapped local activist — and this week’s Q cover model — Feroza Syed to gather transgender models to pose as Jasmine, Prince Charming, Belle, Pocahontas and Tiana. To supplement the images, each also talks about their journeys and living “happily ever after.”

Speaking of gender issues, Sam Jay is sick of being called “sir,” but she’s not letting it stand in her way. The queer comedian and Saturday Night Live writer hits Atlanta this week to film a Netflix solo special, and she talks to Q about what it takes to succeed.

Of course, our regular features will keep you flipping pages as well.

A gay man relies on his “Pussy Posse” in The Q advice column, and don’t miss the haters in Q News, revelers in Q Shots, and places to do it all again next week in the Queer Agenda calendar.

Until next week, find new content on Project Q Atlanta every day at theQatl.com, and find me at the other end of mike@theQatl.com. theQatl.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 FEBRUARY 20, 2020

LAUGH RIOT

Sam Jay in Atlanta

COVER

11 8

Once Upon A Time

Trans Atlantans do Disney NEWS

13 7

25 On the Rocks

Expelled Atlanta Baptists reject inclusive congregation THE QUEER AGENDA

23

Dates & Times

27 The Bachelor

Where to go and who to see this week

FEATURES

Q News 7 Q&A 8 The Queer Agenda 23 Q Shots 25 The Q 30 4

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29 Bootblack

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Q

IN BRIEF

Gay film star arrested for child molestation in Dunwoody

Angel McCoughtry leaves Atlanta Dream after 11 years

By Matt Hennie

Dream and signed with the Las

A METRO ATLANTA MAN WHO STARS IN gay adult films was arrested in DeKalb County earlier this month and charged with child molestation while already facing charges for allegedly kicking in the door of an apartment while drunk.

Zachary Robert Santangelo, 29, who performs for several gay studios as “Aspen,” was arrested Feb. 3 and charged with child molestation, according to DeKalb jail and court records.

He was released from Zachary Robert Santangelo jail on Feb. 6.

The charge stems from an incident on Dec. 21, 2018, according to court records. The Dunwoody Police Department, which filed the arrest warrant for Santangelo, declined to release the incident report or any details of the case.

Santangelo has been married to a woman and has at least one young daughter, according to court records and social media profiles.

Santangelo’s arrest this month was the latest in a criminal record that dates back to at least 2011 and includes arrests in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. In Georgia, jail and court records show that Santangelo has been arrested in Cobb, DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

On June 23, 2019, Santangelo was arrested in Dunwoody and charged with criminal trespass after allegedly kicking open the door of an apartment at about 1 a.m., according to an incident report from the Dunwoody Police Department.

When police arrived on that scene, one of the three men inside the apartment was nude and detaining Santangelo “in a rear naked choke hold,” according to the report.

“Mr. Santangelo was unaware that he was at the wrong apartment and forgot that his wife moved out of the area with his children after the divorce,” the report continued.

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OUT WNBA ALL-STAR AND OLYMPIAN ANGEL MCCOUGHTRY has said goodbye to the Atlanta Vegas Aces.

The Aces announced the move on Feb. 10, which McCoughtry celebrated on Twitter.

“Viva Las Vegas, baby!” she wrote. “I am truly honored for the opportunity to continue my career and make my return to the WNBA with the

Las Vegas Aces. I can’t wait to get to know the fans, community and bond with my new teammates.”

Photo by Russ Bowen-Youngblood

Angel McCoughtry

The Dream drafted the former University of Louisville star first overall

in 2009. McCoughtry came out in 2015, and later told Project Q Atlanta that the city’s LGBTQ residents, “were the main community that really just supported me.”

Stacey Evans doubles Alex Wan in fundraising for state House race

By Patrick Saunders FORMER GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE STACEY EVANS RAISED $100,000 and jumped out to a sizeable fundraising lead over two LGBTQ candidates in a state House race in metro Atlanta.

Gay former Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan raised $53,000 and queer civic activist Kyle Lamont raised $3,600 as of Jan. 31, according to the Georgia Government Transparency & Campaign Finance Commission. The three are running to replace state Rep. Pat Gardner in House District 57.

Evans told Project Q Atlanta she was “very proud and excited” about the haul.

Evans has $80,000 left on hand, Wan has $48,600 and Lamont has $3,400. They will face each other in the May 19 primary in the heavily Democratic district. House District 57 stretches from Southwest Atlanta through downtown and into Midtown.

Read the full reports, and f ind more local LGBTQ news each weekday, at theQatl.com

NEWS Q

‘Not Very CHRIST-LIKE’ Baptist group expels Decatur church for being LGBTQ-friendly

By Patrick Saunders The Atlanta Metro Baptist Association ended its 110-year relationship with the First Baptist Church of Decatur over the church’s decision to perform same-sex marriages and appoint female, gay and transgender members to leadership positions.

AMBA notified the church about its removal in a certified letter in January, according to First Baptist Senior Pastor David Jordan. But the group’s concerns with the church’s progressive views likely go back to the hiring of a female senior pastor, Julie Pennington-Russell, in 2007, he said.

“So they already were concerned about, in their mind, our sanity,” Jordan told Project Q Atlanta. “How could a Baptist church have a woman as a pastor? Already we were on their radar screen as being heretical.”

The church ordained its first openly gay deacon in 2015.

“When Theron [Clark-Stuart] was ordained as a deacon, they heard about it, and that just added fuel to the fire,” he continued. “So this has been percolating for a while.”

Jordan replaced Pennington-Russell as senior pastor in 2018, but he was aware of her work.

"I knew about what [First Baptist Church of Decatur] was doing at that point and was proud of them and happy for them," he said.

AMBA is a network of congregations that “plant churches, renew churches and engage communities for the gospel of Jesus Christ,” according to its website. The group hired Jimmy Baughcum as its executive director in January 2019 and updated its bylaws in May to forbid member churches from performing same-sex marriages or appointing LGBTQ members to leadership positions.

“So they already were concerned about, in their mind, our sanity. How could a Baptist church have a woman as a pastor? Already we were on their radar screen as being heretical.”

— Senior Pastor David Jordan Jordan said Baughcum and another AMBA leader met with him in November to convince the church to conform with the group’s bylaws regarding LGBTQ issues.

“They asked what I thought about that, and I said I’ve conducted a number of same-sex weddings and we welcome and rejoice for them, and that pretty much sealed the deal,” Jordan said. “They said we could go quietly into the night or they would vote us out. I said, ‘This is your deal, not my deal.’”

Baughcum declined to answer Project Q’s questions about the group’s LGBTQ views and its reasons for removing First Baptist Church of Decatur.

In addition to Clark-Stuart, First Baptist Church of Decatur ordained a transgender deacon in 2017. Both have finished their terms as deacons. The church received its nonprofit status through AMBA but will obtain it through a new group, according to Jordan.

First Baptist Church of Decatur Senior Pastor David Jordan

Jordan discussed AMBA’s separation from the church in his Feb. 8 service. You can listen to it and f ind more news of local LGBTQ interest at theQatl.com. theQatl.com

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Q

Q&A

Hella TRUE

SNL writer Sam Jay hits Atlanta to record her Netflix comedy special

By Ian Aber

QUEER COMIC AND TELEVISION WRITER SAM JAY is on her way to becoming a household name. Well, maybe not all the households yet, but definitely the fun ones.

Least favorite thing to hear after you perform?

“What was his name?”

Who is your favorite comedian?

Jak Knight. He just takes all the shots. It’s fun to watch someone be free up there If your comedy was a side dish, what would it be and why?

Whether performing her impeccable stand-up comedy all over the world, on her new album, or as a writer on Saturday Night Live, Jay brings a sharp wit and warmth to secure her position as a standout in every project she graces.

It would be the brownie in a TV dinner. When the mood is right, that shit hits, but like lots of the time, you like, “Yeah no, I ate.”

When Jay performs during two tapings at the Masquerade this week to film her full-length Netflix comedy special, the world is about to get an entree portion of this comedy dynamo.

I think all of who I am influences the sketches I write. Sometimes it feels amazing, sometimes it’s nerve-racking, but most of the time it’s both.

She talks to Q’s own resident queer comic Ian Aber about dope, TV dinners and trapping Regina King.

Celebrity you’d want to be stranded on a desert island with?

What made you choose Atlanta as the location for your special?

I moved here to go to college. I got into Clark University, but I didn’t really go — just moved and partied.

First thought when you wake up?

Dope.

Last thought before you fall asleep?

Depends. Sometimes nothing at all. Sometimes there’s only so much time left on this precious little planet.

A lot of queer comedic performers cite humor as a defense mechanism they developed. Is this true for you?

I think I have for sure used humor to defer several things — my blackness, my gender, my weight, my sexuality— but I don’t think that’s really different than any person battling what they feel their flaws are.

I guess the difference is when you’re made to feel the things you can’t help are flaws, but then again everybody feels like they can’t help some shit, so like just mind ya business.

Favorite thing to hear after you perform?

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“I don’t agree, but you’re funny.”

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Does your queer sensibility inform the type of sketches you write on SNL?

Bill Gates.

Celebrity you’d want to trap on desert island forever?

Regina King.

If you could play any role, regardless of gender or race, what would it be?

Batman. He’s just the shit. Smooth as hell. He never gets old like James Bond.

Advice for up-and-coming queer performers?

Be yourself, which is lame but like hella true. That, and work harder than you feel is hard.

Worst advice you have ever received?

Change your name.

How do you want to be remembered?

As a funny person.

Sam Jay becomes one of the f irst queer people of color to record a Netflix special on Feb. 22 at the Masquerade, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Find her album “Donna’s Daughter” on Comedy Central Records. Instagram and Twitter @SamJayComic.

theQatl.com

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COVER Q

Royal We Five trans Atlantans make ‘happily ever after’ a reality

By Mike Fleming

W

hile many children growing up imagined being Jasmine, Belle, Cindrella and other Disney royalty, LGBTQ kids may have reveled in the fantasy just a touch more.

As our burgeoning true selves felt elusive from our daily lives, playing “Which Disney Character Are You?” took on a new power — either as unattainable, or as the opportunity to dream big, or both. 

 Prince Charming

Preston Lee Public speaker, mentor and consultant for transgender inclusion Facebook: prestonalexlee I am a transgender man and a veteran of the United States Army. I started my transition in December of 2018 after a long battle of trying to hide who I really was. I finally decided to let the world meet Preston. When I was small, I dreamed of being a prince, and now, that dream has come true and I am now married to my princess, a wonderful cis-woman who is also my best friend.

HAIR & MAKEUP Veatra Gwaltney (IG: @_veatra) William Rizutto Johnny Addison STYLING & PHOTOGRAPHY Vanessa Munsch Photography vanessamunsch.com IG: @vanessamunscphotography

I chose to do this shoot for visibility of trans people everywhere, especially our trans youth.

I want trans kids out there to know you can be anything you want, whether that be Prince Charming or a beautiful fairy tale Princess.

It breaks my heart to know that the country I love and fought for is not fighting for me right now. We all deserve to be seen.

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com

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Q

DISNEY continued For transgender kids looking in the mirror and feeling alone in

their identity, that sentiment could

manifest tenfold. The world around them couldn’t see them as they

envisioned, much less as pop culture princes and princesses. Even

they had trouble seeing their future selves, so Disney dreams made

lasting impressions, good and bad, that stuck well into adulthood.

For this week’s Q cover and the

following pages, trans Atlantans

channeled a favorite character and discussed what about the roles

inspired their inner child. With

the talents of Decatur-via-France

photographer Vanessa Munsch and the connections of local transgender advocate Feroza Syed, they

prove that when you wish upon a star, anything your heart desires will come to you.

“I have always felt saddened by

the obvious struggle of the trans

community in America as it is by far one of the most marginalized minority groups,” Munsch says.

“It pains me to hear on the news

about yet another trans youth committing suicide or being murdered because of hatred and miscon-

ception. Change can only happen

through education and exposure.”

Munsch says she hopes the photos “will broaden the views on what trans can be.”

“I dedicate this to the trans youth struggling for acceptance and

pledging to do my part with my

own children in making the future a more accepting place,” she says.

“Trans is beautiful, trans is limitless, trans can be anything.”

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD 12 12

theQatl.com theQatl.com

PHOTOS COURTESY TRAINING ROOM ATL theQatl.com

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Jasmine Feroza Syed Real Estate Broker, Trans Activist/Advocate Facebook: Ferozasyed, Instagram: @Feroza2018 Amongst other things, I’m a woman, I’m brown, I’m a Muslim, the daughter of Indian immigrants, and I’m trans. All of my intersectionalities and the dehumanizing treatment of trans people under the current administration inspired me to come out of the cloak of my passing privilege to live fully in my light.

We’re some of the most marginalized and disenfranchised communities, especially trans and gender non-conforming folks of color. I partook in this photo shoot to illustrate this whole new world I envision. One where TGNC children and adults dare to see themselves as princes or princesses. make them — and the world — realize that we can be more than what we’re told we can be. I want a world in which our community and the next generation lives proud, fulfilled, and knows anything is possible.

PHOTOS BY VANESSA MUNSCH vanessamunsch.com theQatl.com

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Fresh content served daily theQatl.com

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD 14

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DISNEY continued Q

Pocahantas Melania Armenta Occupation: Marketing Manager I am a trans-Latina from Mexican immigrant parents. Growing up, I worked on farms throughout the Southeast United States, which prepared me for the future adversities and opportunities life would bring. Today, I am a marketing manager and responsible for the creation and implementation of advertising strategies, cultivating business-to-business relationships, lead generation and cost analysis, and providing onsite training and support to an exclusive portfolio.

I recently came out as a trans woman via social media, and since have started speaking publicly on the importance of trans visibility in the corporate sector. I initiated Matrix Residential’s participation with Atlanta Pride in 2018, and I am spearheading their involvement for a second year in a row. I engage with my trans peers on how to communicate mindfully about trans issues in the workplace and how to consistently move forward for true equality.

PHOTOS BY VANESSA MUNSCH vanessamunsch.com

Just like Pocahontas, I’d love to be part of a colorful wind of change. theQatl.com

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PHOTOS COURTESY TRAINING ROOM ATL theQatl.com

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Q

DISNEY continued

Belle Jazmin “Balenciaga” Turner Occupation: Director, Award Winning Performer, Agent Beauty and The Beast was one of my favorite movies when I was a child. Belle always blazed her own path and didn’t let other people’s opinions stop her from reading fairy tales, going down the dark path to save her father, or taming the beast whom she falls in love with. I too chose a different path, even though people have their opinions about me transitioning and my profession.

Like Belle, I too had enough courage and imagination to follow my dreams and to envision a world where I and those who will walk in my footsteps can live without being judged on our appearance, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual preference or on whatever else might make us different, but by our contributions to making the world a better place.

PHOTOS BY VANESSA MUNSCH vanessamunsch.com 18

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Q

DISNEY continued

Tiana Zadutia O’Neal Occupation: Call Center Rep Instagram: @zadautia Growing up as an LGBTQ youth was difficult. I was judged negatively by peers and even renounced by my own family. I hated myself and desperately wanted to change just so that I could feel accepted by the African American community.

Now I find living as an African American trans woman is difficult on so many other fronts. I am hated by some black women, killed by so many black men for simply having the courage to stand up and be my true self. I wanted to be part of this Happily Ever After project because it is literally vital for trans women of color to change the narrative and negative stigma that has been imposed on us.

It’s only by educating the public that we will one day transform that ugly frog into a prince, turning prejudice into acceptance, so that no more trans women of color have to suffer.

PHOTOS BY VANESSA MUNSCH vanessamunsch.com 20

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Q

DISNEY continued

PHOTOS BY VANESSA MUNSCH vanessamunsch.com 22

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THE QUEER AGENDA

Q

The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta February 20 – February 26

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

Hot Mess

DJ Kimber’s straight-inclusive party crew does pop divas like no other

Glitz: YeeHaw

@ The Basement, 9 p.m. facebook.com/nonsenseatl

The weekly drag cast, including King

Perka Sexx, puts its unique touch on a

Rosebud Hotel Shitt’s Creek Party

country theme @ Mary’s, 11 p.m.

Wear your favorite character from head to toe @ Atlanta Eagle, 10

marysatlanta.com

p.m. atlantaeagle.com

Amen

G8yties

Part show, part competition, queens hit

The popular party takes on a VHS 1984 theme @ Heretic,

the scene @ Sister Louisa’s Church of the

10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com

Living Room, 11 p.m. sisterlouisaschurch.com Mardi Gras Masquerade

Glitz: YeeHaw, Feb. 20

Don your gay apparel with the guys @ Guac y Margys, 7 p.m. guacymargys.com

SATURDAY, FEB. 22 Nikki Giovanni

The iconic poet reads from her work free of charge on a first-come, first-

All Stripes Kickoff Party

LGBTQ fans of Atlanta United are still a week out from pro soccer’s season opener, but they’re starting the celebration early @ Out

served basis @ Schwartz Center, 4 p.m. rose.library.emory.edu

February Fun Bust

Front Theatre, 7:30 p.m. facebook.com/allstripesatl

Nikki Giovanni, Feb. 22

AIDS Vaccine 200 benefits

from this Field Day benefit @ Midtown Moon, 2 p.m. actioncyclingatl.org

Black Girl Magic ft. Vixen, Feb. 21

Sam Jay

The openly queer Saturday Night Live writer tapes her

Sam Jay, Feb. 22

Netflix Original Comedy special @ The Masquerade, 7:30 p.m.

Read the Q interview in this issue. themasqatlanta.com

The Normal Heart

Kennesaw State University’s current production of the Tony Kushner

heartbreaker presents one of three Pride Night performances @ Onyx Theater, 7 p.m. arts.kennesaw.edu/theatre Winter Beef Ball

For the fifth year, Bearracuda brings winter bears out of hibernation @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com LMAO ft. Jujubee

FRIDAY, FEB. 21 Black Girl Magic ft. Vixen

The RuGirl hits town to headline this History Month celebration with the House of Alxndr @ Drunken

Unicorn, 10 p.m.

All Stripes Kickoff Party, Feb. 20

facebook.com/

houseofalxndr

Queens of comedy join the headlining RuGirl with Wussy @ My Sister’s Room,

9 p.m. wussymag.com, mysistersroom.com

TUESDAY, FEB. 25 Dykes on Bikes

Hop on to the February Bike Night with the

LMAO ft. JuJubee, Feb. 22

queer women who motorcycle @ TBA, 7 p.m. facebook.com/dykesonbikesatl

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

theQatl.com

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JOINING HEARTS: LOVE ON THE ROCKS

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

Q SHOTS Q

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com

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BUCKS BACHELORS AT MIDTOWN MOON

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SOUTHERN SOLE AT ATLANTA EAGLE

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Q SHOTS Q

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Q

THEQ?!

Pussy

POSSE

All my friends are female, and I hate men

Q

I am a gay man, but I hate men. The only thing they end up being good for is sex, yet I still want just one to buck the stereotype and change my life.

I have female friends I adore, and I have a close relationship with my mom. Whether gay, straight, trans or bisexual, every woman in my life is reliable, emotionally available, and most of all, trustworthy. I call them my Pussy Posse, and they have quite literally saved my life a dozen times over, because I too am a dumb man sometimes.

In contrast, my interactions with guys have been universally awful from day one. I never met my father, who by all accounts was a dick, and my stepfather was a creep who regularly degraded women he saw on the street.

I lost my virginity to a guy who had a girlfriend and only wanted me on the down low. The next guy was a series of cross-country liaisons that went nowhere. Another dude eventually revealed that his real job was basically a pimp. Yet another drunk-dialed me to say he loved me, then broke up with me the next day when I reminded him what he said.

Now I am older, guys are still idiots, dicks or both, and I still feel alone. I want to be able to love one man and have some faith that he won’t be garbage. Is that even possible?

Dear Baby Bathwater: There’s a lot to unpack here, and spoiler alert: It doesn’t end with finding one male specimen and dismissing all others. You can handle it, but not without a serious look at several underlying issues.

Your situation immediately recalls the title of gay Atlanta author Michael Alvear’s sex book, Men Are Pigs But We Love Bacon. It admittedly sounds a bit flippant, but stick with me. It’s funny because it’s true, but it’s also true of other humans as well.

Everyone of every gender identity can be selfish, or train wrecks,

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or just not a good fit. The trouble with you is that it appears you seek those mismatches out, even if subconsciously.

Why would you do that? Only you can answer for sure, but it may be to protect yourself from rejection and bad experiences you and your mom had when you were young. Mismatches become a self-fulfilling prophecy because they fit a predetermined narrative.

Your letter even exposes a piece of internal dialogue that lumps you in with the “bad seeds” because you happen to be male. Perpetuating this narrative not only has you ignoring guys who aren’t awful, but it leaves you helpless and feeling you don’t deserve better.

You’re not helpless. Step 1 for you is letting that go permanently.

By all means, lean on your Pussy Posse through this process, but pose some of these questions to them and see if they can push you as much as support you. Chances are they will want to empower you to solve these misconceptions you have about guys.

For the record, all men are not worthy of your disdain, just as all women aren’t worthy of your worship. It may take professional help and internal work to get there, but your Step 2 is understanding that defining people solely by their gender is not only harmful but just plain inaccurate.

When the time comes, Step 3 will open up a new world of dating and love.

The Q is for entertainment purposes and not professional counseling.

Send your burning Qs to mike@theqatl.com.

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