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Q Q
EDITOR'S NOTE
Change is
Good … But what are you doing about it?
With the Unthinkable Administration continuing to unfold in Washington, high hopes for change are about all we can hang onto these days. But even if the current president was here to help you, and he’s most decidedly not, the president still couldn’t make change for you. What steps can you take to find permanent solutions to long-term issues you drag around? We each need to be the best we can be if we're going to pull this off. And speaking of you, it's not all about you. The best way to help ourselves is to help each other, and it's crucial to saving the dashed dreams of America's, and queer Atlanta’s, next era. OK. Maybe I'm slow on the uptake when it comes to such ideas. I was floored when my brother skipped Thanksgiving to spoon out food to needy people, then I was blown away by my stepmother. She had struck up conversations with Ronnie, a security guard at her office and a native of a tiny country in Africa.
MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER
He had begun attending church with my parents, and they became friends. Ronnie was making $125 a month and living with eight other people in one room. It’s considered a fortune in his homeland, and he sends money to his family there.
My stepmother figured out through the conversation that Ronnie didn't even know how to drive, but that if he did, he could qualify for a much better job. My parents agreed to pay a $200 fee for driving school as an early Christmas present. Ronnie doesn’t work at my stepmother’s office anymore. He patrols a parking lot in a company car that he uses as his own in off hours. He makes $500 a month and lives with one person in two rooms. It may sound meager, but driving school effectively quadrupled his income and forever improved his living conditions. Think of the huge impact you can make on someone else's life by giving something that barely impacts your life at all. The trick is recognizing the opportunities in your everyday life.
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Enjoy this issue of Q magazine over Thanksgiving, and as your week unfolds, let’s look for the Love with a Big L and opportunities to do our part to make a change.
PUBLISHERS INITIAL MEDIA, LLC MIKE FLEMING PUBLISHER & EDITOR MIKE@QMAGATLANTA.COM MATT HENNIE PUBLISHER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MATT@QMAGATLANTA.COM RICHARD CHERSKOV PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER RICHARD@QMAGATLANTA.COM
ADVERTISING SALES RUSS YOUNGBLOOD SENIOR SALES REPRESENTATIVE RUSS@QMAGATLANTA.COM
GRAPHIC DESIGN TOMMY FLEENOR TOMMY@QMAGATLANTA.COM
CONTRIBUTORS IAN ABER LAURA BACCUS BUCK C. COOKE JACOB ENGELSMAN BRAD GIBSON TAMEEKA L. HUNTER HEATHER MALONEY JAMES SHEFFIELD BO SHELL DISCLAMER The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors do not necessarily reflect opinions, beliefs or official policies of Q Magazine or its publisher Initial Media, except where individual publishers’ names specifically appear. Appearance of photos, credits, or names in this publication neither implies or explicitly states the sexual orientation or gender identity of its subject. Q Magazine and the author of each article published on this web site owns his or her own words, except where explicitly credited otherwise. Articles herein may not be freely redistributed unless all of the following conditions are met. 1. The re-distributor is a non-commercial entity. 2. The redistributed article is not be sold for a profit, or included in any media or publication sold for a profit, without the express written consent of the author and this publication. 3. The article runs in full and unabridged. 4. The article runs prominently crediting both the author’s name and “courtesy Q Magazine Atlanta.”
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1 NOVEMBER 23, 2017
PEOPLE
Southern Revolt
14
COVER STORY
Jean Therapy
Denim looks that carry you all the way through winter.
10 QUEER THINGS
13 9
Living Out Loud
30 Last Dance
What LGBTQ supporters should know to be a real ally. NEWS
Futurecast
11
Georgia Equality director looks forward in Podcast Q.
33 Pray & Slay
FEATURES Q Voices
6
Q News
11
Q Shots
30
The Q
38
6
38
35 Making Faces
Q Q
VOICES
Queer THE STATE OF
ATLANTA
Where do we stand, and how do we create the community we deserve? ATL IS THE QUEER EMERALD CITY, yet many queers here have lots of critique. Undeniably, the South’s past harbors heavy hatred and thus heartache. Atlanta, as an isolated urban hub in the midst of much Bible Belt discriminatory foolishness, has provided a safe space for queers from smaller Southeastern cities and tiny towns.
support someone who wants to deny us basic rights, who chose a VP who believes our identities and sexualities can and should be reversed with electroshock therapy. A year into Trump’s tyranny, we only have tiny signs – like the ultimate rejection of the trans military ban – that propositions to oppress queers will not fly. This threatening political agenda took power when infighting was at an all time high. The alt-right rose while we were debating Black Lives Matter, gender identity, privilege, refugees, rape culture, and toxic masculinity. Hate groups who despise all queers, regardless of intersectionality, strengthened.
Still wounded from Pulse, we’ve experienced an increased frequency of mass shootings during Trump’s short time. As if the intensity of rallies – some violent and pro-racist –wasn’t concerning enough, those who struggle to secure some semblance of safety hope that their progress won’t be However, 20 years into the uprise of taken away. Assuming Trump would not capitalist-controlled “indie” culture, we have won the presidential election, we are ATLiens at times find our staring at a trash fire far worse than city trifling. SUNNI imagined. JOHNSON Atlanta’s rapid growth, partly due to We’ve promised to pay more Los Angeles’s film industry, has bullattention and get more involved. Did dozed our city into an unidentifiable we though? An estimated 80% of the local populandscape of expensive condos and updated consumlation still votes, but to much dismay neither queer erist expectations. Queers fall into an array of socandidate Cathy Woolard and Liliana Bakhtiari cio-economic backgrounds, so we either benefit from, landed a win, despite passionate campaigns to better or struggle against, the Film Rush. the community and fight gentrification. LGBTQ candidates Stephe Koontz and Joseph Geierman gave us In a small big city, lack of community has cursed some hope in their wins for Doraville City Council. Atlanta as a stepping-stone for some. Some queerdos gaze afar into the cosmos wishing some glitter glam We now face a difficult decision between perhaps UFO would swoop ‘em off to a West Coast or secret Republican Norwood and suspected corrupt Northeast metropolis, where a vast variety of queers city biz Bottoms for Atlanta Mayor. Nationally, six enjoy abundant community resources. GOP-held seats were won by Dems, along with many
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Isolating ourselves into smaller, lonelier pockets, we don’t know how to interact or embrace our unique situation. Especially affected are those not akin to homonormative, cis, gay and lesbian culture, praising meccas like San Francisco, no love for home. Even some politically minded comrades of yore have become highly annoyed of “social justice warriors” (as if social justice is a bad thing).
victories for queer candidates, including Virginia’s Danica Roem, who beat that state’s original “bathroom bill” pitcher.
In already uncertain times, the most major change we’ve faced is Trump. It’s not within queer interest to
Sunni Johnson is a freelance writer in Atlanta with interests in the arts and social justice.
There’s no certain political approach that should be decided, but it’s beyond time that Atlanta queers be respectful to each other. Let’s rid ourselves of the false belief that because we’re queer, we’re immune from racism, sexism, and classism.
VOICES Q
living
woman because in their minds, my being bisexual meant I was concurrently sleeping with men.
AT THE
Intersection Black, Pansexual and Thriving with a Disability WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL, I met two young ladies I then thought were my friends. One day, we were talking about our future plans, and I mentioned that I wanted to go to college, to have a career in higher education, and to get married. I will never forget the looks on their faces. They were stunned silent. One of them finally ended the painfully long silence by saying, “Tameeka do you really think you can do all that? You are handicapped, you are female, and you are black!”
There was one thing both groups agreed on though: bisexuality equals promiscuity, so I began to use the phrase, “monogamous bisexual” to describe my sexual orientation. I then met an intriguing woman, Rebecca. Rebecca was not entirely sure about dating someone who was bisexual either. Also, on the surface, we appear to be so different from one another. She is white and I am black, she is Jewish and I’m Christian, I have a physical disability and she does not. Interestingly, despite all of our obvious differences, our respective families only had a problem with the fact that we were in a same-sex relationship. Rebecca’s mother once asked her, “Have you tried dating men? How do you know you don’t like it?” Rebecca retorted, “How do you know you don’t like women, mom? Have you ever tried it?”
TA M E E K A L . HUNTER
Her statement left me reeling. This was the first time I realized that my identities - the things that made me, me, could be seen as negative. I also realized that people may accept one of my identities, but not the others. What then?
By the time I realized that I was also attracted to women, I felt like going away and hiding. I felt it was the one identity I had a choice in revealing. When people look at me, it is obvious that I am of African descent, a woman, and have a physical disability. But as a cisgender woman, people wouldnt' necessarily detect my sexual orientation. For this, I was grateful. To be clear, I love all my identities, but I was not sure how others would receive them, especially since they were all together in one package - me. I initially identified as bisexual as I recognized my attraction to both men and women. It felt like I was between two worlds. My straight friends told me that being bisexual wasn’t a real thing, and that it was simply a stop on the road to being “gay.” My lesbian friends told me that they would never date a bisexual
My mother tried a different tact. She said if Rebecca and I dated, we needed to “keep it within our group,” which translates to keeping our relationship a secret. We weren't willing to do that.
I later began to reject the gender binary and to see gender, gender identity and expression as on a continuum. As a result, I began to identify as pansexual. Gender and gender identity, and gender expression, are not important to me in romantic relationships. The most common reaction I get is: “Pansexual?! What even is that?” So I’m back to an identity that greatly confuses people or has them wondering if it actually exists. Those who recognize that pansexuality exists still seem to perceive it as something that is synonymous with promiscuity. Deep sigh. Fast forward, I have been with Rebecca for 15 years, and we have been happily (and legally) married for over five years. Better still, both of our families were at the wedding, so a happy ending is possible, despite differences. Tameeka L. Hunter is an intersectional social justice scholar, professional speaker, and PhD student in Atlanta. Her past experiences, though sometimes painful, fuel her work on diversity. 7
Q Q
10 QUEER THINGS
So You Think you're a
LGBTQ ALLY 10 Things Every LGBTQ Ally Should Know Support Out Loud
by Mike Fleming
Important
In a world of societal pressure, institutionalized discrimination, and bullying, let us know explicitly that you’re on our side.
What’s In a Name?
Names, pronouns, and gender markers are important. Using the wrong one feels like an insult.
Got Issues?
Our depression and anxiety isn’t because we have issues with our identity, but because others do.
No Sex For You
Lesbians don’t want a male third, and gay men aren’t trying to get with every straight man.
Sexuality vs. Gender
8
They’re two completely separate things, and one can never predict the other.
Coming Out is Forever
It’s not a one-time thing. Basically every new person we meet is an opportunity, it’s exhausting, and it’s our decision if and when we do it.
Role Play
In gay male couples, no one is “the woman.” In lesbian couples, “the man” isn’t there. That’s the whole point.
Non-Binary People Exist
Some people identify with neither gender. Some identify as both. Resist the urge to force them into categories.
We Don’t Know Your LGBT Friend Stop Straight-Splaining
When you’re in queer spaces like our bars and parties, listen more than you talk. We don’t care what you think about it.
And we don’t necessarily want to date them, either.
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Q
Q NEWS
Jeff Graham as 'Super Voter' in the 2017 Atlanta Pride Parade
Get Ready to Rally,
Super Voters
Politico Jeff Graham on why every vote matters, what makes a strong LGBTQ candidate and the importance of the Dec. 5 runoffs By Matt Hennie
J ust call Jeff Graham the head of the LGBT Super Voter brigade. Through his nearly decade as executive director of Georgia Equality and years of HIV activism before that, Graham knows elections and LGBT voters. Earlier this month, he watched a field of 16 LGBTQ candidates on ballots across North Georgia – likely the largest field of LGBTQ candidates in state history.
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Three won outright and three others face runoffs next month. It was an impressive election cycle for LGBT candidates, even if two-thirds of them didn't win, he said. For the last few election cycles, we've been seeing more and more out LGBTQ folks wanting to run for public office, which I think is frankly just absolutely wonderful," Graham said on a new episode of Podcast Q. Continued 11
Q NEWS Q As you've seen growing levels of acceptance, growing levels of engagement throughout the entire state of Georgia, the next logical step in that process is going to be having more LGBT folks that step in and run for office," he added.
In the December runoffs, three LGBT candidates – De'Andre Picket, Keisha Waites and Alex Wan – face voters.
But before LGBT candidates run, they need to do a gut check and prepare to work – hard, Graham said.
"De'Andre is a serious candidate. It's great to see that he's made it into a runoff. I think it'll be very important to have his voice down there at the legislature as an African-American openly gay man. That is a perspective that we have not really seen in a significant way down at the legislature and especially as we look at issues around HIV, for instance, to actually have someone that can represent the concerns and the voice of black gay and bisexual men would be critically important," Graham said. Waites, a former state lawmaker, would become the fist openly gay chair of the Fulton County Commission and the top elected official in the state's most populous county. Waites faces former Fulton Commissioner Robb Pitts.
"People need to understand the work that has to go in to running a good campaign. You have got to knock on doors. You have got to talk to voters. You have got to raise money and you've got to have a presence in the community in which you hope to serve," Graham said. "Unfortunately we've seen too many candidates, too many LGBT candidates over the last few years that are well-intentioned but they just seem to think if they get a couple of key endorsements behind them that they will win their races and that just is not the case. You have to work really hard On the new podcast episode, Graham also offered his reaction to the election of the first-ever transgender person to the Doraville City Council, the three LGBT candidates in the Dec. 5 runoff and the mayor's race. Every vote counts. That's the lesson behind the election of Stephe Koontz in Doraville. The transgender small business owner and church administrator won her race by six votes. Six. Koontz will become the only transgender elected official in Georgia. "It really begins to pave the way for more transgender individuals to come forward in the future. But frankly Stephe's race is also just a textbook example of why every single vote matters," Graham said.
If Pickett wins, he will become the fifth openly LGBTQ lawmakers in the Georgia House. He faces Kim Schofield.
"She has actually been a dependable legislator in her time down at the legislature. She's got quite a bit of name recognition and certainly to be the chair of the Fulton County Commission would be a very important role," Graham said. Waites has also worked on HIV issues as a state lawmaker. Fulton is facing an HIV crisis and has one of the highest rates of new HIV infections in the county. "She has really built her campaign around making sure that the work to address HIV and AIDS, specifically in Fulton County, continues to be prioritized," Graham said. Listen to our full interview on Podcast Q, available on iTunes, Google Play, Sticher and wherever you find audio content.
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Q
Podcast Q is where we talk to newsmakers, influencers, entrepreneurs, elected officials and activists so you know what's happening in LGBT Atlanta. Every Wednesday. Find us on iTunes, Google Play and wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. theqatl.com
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Q
14
PEOPLE
Southern
REVOLUTIONARY
Artist, publisher and event promoter Jon Dean lets us in on his work, and the queer movement that inspired Atlanta’s Wussy brand. By Mike Fleming “Queer. Southern. Trash.” Those are the three words Atlantan Jon Dean uses to describe Wussy, his brand that incorporates regular alternaqueer events, a slick quarterly magazine, and a loyal following of queers for social justice, art, and a big Fuck You to the systems that keep queers down.
outlet to share ideas and amplify voices of southern, queer artists. Whether that be through our online presence, printed zines, art shows, or nightlife events. The Southeast, and Atlanta specifically, are often overlooked when it comes to our rich and diverse arts scene.
The 28-year-old is a photographer by passion and trade, bringing portraits to vivid life with a keen and clean eye toward what he calls “absurd, filthy” subject matter. His subjects include local drag queens and other performance artists, and a slew of genderfuckers and art fags. In Atlanta just five years, the Columbus, Ga., native made an indelible mark in local queer culture.
Wussy wouldn't exist without the hard work and creative vision of my friends and early co-conspirators Zaida J, Blake England, Sunni Johnson, Matt Jones, Austin Frantz, and Nicholas Goodly.
What motivates you, and where do your deepest passions for your art lie? I've always been inspired by cinema and storytelling. I really excelled at Cinema Studies during my program at SCAD and found that those ideas were translating to my photo work…. I'm really only interested in telling stories through portraiture and connecting to my subjects through the camera lens. Who are your heroes and greatest inspirations? John Waters is my biggest inspiration. He has such a strong vision that has translated to his career not only as a filmmaker, but in his writing and visual art. I am fascinated by the absurd, the filthy "freaks" of society, and anyone that can make a career out of doing something so authentically different. I was a very uptight kid raised in a Christian household, so that spirit of notgiving-a-fuck was something completely fascinating to me. So for the uninitiated, what is Wussy? If you search for "wussy" on Twitter, you'll mostly see it used by grown ass conservative dudes trying to insult liberals. The name "WUSSY" was suggested by my friend and local DJ, King Atlas. It perfectly encapsulated the sort of inclusive, punk, queer vibe we were going for. The name "Snowflake Mag" just didn't have the same ring to it. How did Wussy start, and how has it grown? WUSSY came from talks with friends about creating an
What do you see as Wussy’s role in the community, and how has the response been? It's always been important to us to take an honest look at the issues our communities are facing, while at the same time being a positive voice and resource for change in the city. I've been afforded a lot of opportunities that other queers don't have access to, so I hope to share that platform with as many folks as possible. From one-offs to signature events like Hogtied, Wussy Prom, Powder Room and Femme, what makes a party “Wussy”? Whether it's a drag show, poetry reading or fetish party, we like to play with the idea of what's expected and unexpected. To me, community is whatever the fuck you make of it. Atlanta is made up of many diverse pockets of LGBTQ+ communities, I just hope that Wussy always remains an inviting and inclusive space for all people. We can have burlesque shows or fetish parties that are welcoming to trans people, straight folx, people of all shapes and sizes. I realize that's not what everyone wants, but it's something we will continue to push for. We are always packing the schedule with Wussy events, so please come out and see us! Visit Wussy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and wussymag.com. Read Jon Dean’s full interview, including what’s next for him and Wussy, at projectqatlanta.com. Photo: Jon Dean self portrait 15
Q
THE QUEER AGENDA The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta This Week FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24 FuKr Friday
“Men. Music. Dance. Play.” The tag line says it all for the latest party from Scruff daddy Joe Whitaker. You in your jocks and harnesses @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com
Grindr The Opera The biggest gay hook-up app dives headlong
into the exaggerated world of opera. With music
from baroque to contemporary pop, take a daring, humorous look at the changing landscape of gay relationships @ Out Front Theater Company, 8 p.m. Runs through December 10. outfrontheatre.org
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Ria Ruckus
Four years after the sudden death of Chef Ria Pell, her memory still thrives. Friends celebrate with the country heart and city
soul of the woman herself with bands, DJs, dancing, drankin' and remembering @ Elliot Street Deli & Pub, 8 p.m.
Deep South
The NeedlExchange (TNX) – DJ Lisa Frank, Bil Todd and Baron-
hawk return to town at the behest
of party girl Vicki Powell, who spins an opening set. Put the alternative
into alternaqueer @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticaatlanta.com
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Thanksgiving Eve Icon: Lady Gaga The paws up for Mother Monster’s Atlanta concert stay up for this queertastic after party. Get more out of that look you’re rocking and keep the party going well into the night @ Drunken Unicorn, 9 p.m. thedrunkenunicorn.net
Find the full Queer Agenda with dozens of events at theqatl.com. 16
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Q
COMMUNITY
Oh
BABY!
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Atlanta Doulas are Here, Queer & Birthing Your Babies By Jacob Engelsman
Atlanta is both a very queer and childfriendly city, but there are a lot of soon-to-be parents out there having a hard time finding queer birth workers. We all know that things like sexuality don’t determine the quality of care one person can give to another person, but it can definitely be nice to have someone around with whom you share certain experiences. Let me assure you, we are here. I’m a doula myself, so that’s who this article focuses on, but I also know or know of queer midwives, OBs, and lactation consultants in the Metro area. My initial plan was to write this for a parenting magazine, but I decided to go with Q magazine, because if you want to reach queer parents, you don’t go to where the parents are and hope some are queer; you go to where the queers are and hope some are, or know of or are thinking of becoming, parents. But this isn’t about me. I don't want to make this article an advertisement for me, because that would be tacky. This is to draw your attention to all of us, your local queer doulas, and explain the option we offer for birthing, as well as why choosing an LGBTQ practitioner is the way to go. Doulas hold a weird place modern American culture. Versions of role have been around for as long as any other birth worker. It hadn’t really been a job for which someone is paid, so much as something some people just do, until about 30 years ago. As a result, there aren’t clear expectations regarding what we do or do not do, which can be both beneficial and detrimental in that it gives us the freedom to help our clients in any mutually agreed upon way, but prevents people from having a clear idea as to what to expect. Sometimes it’s hard for people to take us seriously as professionals. To many, a doula is a pushy women named Flute (played by Amy Poehler) whose business card is a leaf and who doesn’t believe in medicine.
I get it because I spend a surprising amount of time discussing the best way to explain what a doula does without making it sound gratuitous. I tend to go with, “I provide emotional support for people who are in labor or have just had babies." People either smile, nod and walk away, or they begin a list of questions. Inevitably the first one is, "Isn't that why their partner is there?" The problem with this frame of mind is that the birth partner is generally in a love-based relationship with the person in labor. If they aren’t a romantic partner they tend to be family. This is definitely ideal, but honestly can become problematic when someone is in an incredible amount of pain and both emotions and adrenaline are running high. It's hard to say that without sounding like a jerk, so I try to steer the conversation with this: "Imagine if you are in labor, and there is a person there whose job – emphasis on the word job because it sounds more legitimate – is to help you relax and basically do whatever you need. That’s what I do." That's usually when, if they are expecting or considering having a child, their eyes get wide and they smile. Something that surprised me at one of my early births was that part of my job was hanging out in the waiting room with family members who nobody wanted to feel left out but for various reasons couldn’t be in the delivery room. That's another thing about having a doula, you have a built in fall-guy. If you want to kick out the annoying family member who can’t remember the right pronouns, titles, or relationships but you or your partner can't do it because there will be hell to pay come Christmas, have the doula do it. I don't care if your family hates me. We’re here, we’re queer, how can we help? Jacob Engelsman works as a Doula in Atlanta. Find his QTP Doula – Queer, Trans & Poly – on Facebook, e-mail qtpdoula@gmail.com, or visit AtlantaBirthGeek.com.
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FASHION FEATURE
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DENIM, continued
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Q SHOTS
LAST DANCE at JUNGLE
MANLY MISS AMERICA with PALS
Q SHOTS Q
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SUNDAY SERVICE with DJ VICKI POWELL
Q SHOTS Q
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Q SHOTS
DILF PARTY at HERETIC
NEW FACES at FRIENDS ON PONCE
Q SHOTS Q
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FEMME at CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER
Q
THE Q?! two
groomzillas don't make it RIGHT
You have issues. Advice from our Life Judge can help.
Q
One wedding stands to unravel our longtime circle of gay friends. Two guys in the group decided to get married, and apparently such things make people’s true colors come out.
The first and worst to flip out is one of the grooms – the stay-athome one with too much time on his hands. He’s decided that not only is this day all about him, or the month-of celebrations, but the year leading up to it as well. The word Groomzilla comes to mind, but even that doesn’t really do justice to how he’s acting. So a group took Groomzilla for a bachelor weekend, and between alcohol-fueled rants directed at service industry professionals, to treating us, his hosts, like hell, he was a nightmare. Worse? He keeps saying the trip was a blast.
First one to the high road of communication to clear the air wins.
Q ‘Groomzilla is oblivious to the consequences.’
It was so bad, some longtime mutual friends are bailing on the wedding, and a couple of us loyalists are stuck in the middle. We don’t want to mention it to Groomzilla, or he’ll know they’re talking about him, but we don’t want their absence to be the first he hears there was a problem. Dear Bridesmaids: They may have good reason to decline their invitations, but they don’t have standing to pull a no-show. That’s fighting fire with gasoline.
But that’s them. For you, know this: The responsibility of this situation is not on you. If the argument is that the injured parties are in the right, they should maintain it by telling the groom what’s up so he has a chance to correct it – or burn the bridge himself. 38
As of now, there’s a lot of gay drama from all sides. Groomzilla is on a cloud and oblivious to the consequences of his actions, the offended friends want to lash out and retaliate rather than resolve the real problem, and you remaining queens are gossiping about it as if that does anyone any good.
A gaggle of Lakeside alums that I graduated with have decided I’m the odd lesbian out. A couple of them were my friends once, and a couple more weren’t even out yet when we graduated. All of us moved to Midtown and Decatur in the last three years, and for some reason they hate me. I’d like to say I don’t care, but it hurts to see them having a “home team” and me outside the circle by myself.
Dear Sadface Emoji: As if high school and teenage angst weren’t enough drama and disappointment, these people drag it out and snare you into playing along. Don’t let them. Back-in-the-day connections should support each other, or be lost to history. You’re better off without them. The only one you can change is yourself, so let go of their hold over you and move on. They could grow up someday and see their errors, but waiting for it hurts no one but you. The Q is for entertainment purposes. For serious advice, seek a professional. Send your burning Qs to mike@qmagatlanta.com with ‘The Q’ subject line.
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