The Georgia Voice - 1/18/13 Vol.3, Issue 23

PHOTO BY BO SHELL

The Georgia Voice

OUTSPOKEN IN THEIR OWN WORDS “There is no way I could ever stand here without acknowledging one of the deepest loves of my life, my heroic co-parent, my ex-partner in love but righteous soul sister in life. My confessor, ski buddy, consigliere, most-beloved BFF of 20 years, Cydney Bernard.”

PO Box 77401 Atlanta, GA 30357 404-815-6941 | www.thegavoice.com

EDITORIAL

Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com

— Jodie Foster during her Jan. 13 acceptance speech for the Cecil B. Demille Award during the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards (ABC News, Jan. 14)

© HFPA

Contributors: Melissa Carter, Brent Corcoran, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Topher Payne, Matt Schafer, Steve Warren, Ryan Lee

BUSINESS

“When one of the most criticallypraised actresses speaks about her identity and relationships on one of the largest stages in the world, it shows just how much the tide has turned. Given Jodie Foster’s lifetime of achievements, this is a significant moment for LGBT visibility.”

Publisher: Christina Cash ccash@thegavoice.com Associate Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com

BOARD OF ADVISERS

Richard Eldredge, Sandy Malcolm, Lynn Pasqualetti, Robert Pullen All material in the Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission.

Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request.

A single copy of the Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from the Georgia Voice office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 26-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to the Georgia Voice, PO Box 77401, Atlanta, GA 30357. The Georgia Voice is published every other Friday by The Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 26 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing offices.

The editorial positions of the Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editor’s notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Georgia Voice and its staff.

To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words and commentary, for web or print, should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verification. Email submissions to editor@thegavoice.com or mail to the address above.

— Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation President Herndon Graddick, reacting to Jodie Foster’s Golden Globes speech (GLAAD.org, Jan. 14)

“Well, it didn’t take me long to realize that the root of my hatred did not lie with gays but with myself. It was my problem. A problem I dealt with by ceasing to tolerate gays and instead seeking to embrace them.”

“Rhode Island ... has a legacy of tolerance ... It is time to honor and affirm that legacy by ensuring that same-sex couples can enjoy the same fundamental rights, benefits and privileges as all other citizens of our state.”

— Newark, N.J., Mayor Corey Booker in a 1992 op-ed where he wrote about coming to terms with his negative feelings toward homosexuals. (Stanford Daily, Jan. 9)

— R.I. Gov. Lincoln Chafee, urging his state’s legislators to pass marriage equality legislation, which he has vowed to sign into law. (Providence Journal, Jan. 14)

“Had dreams about @katyperry all night. dayummm that was a good time! #cherrychapstick [hearts] need to c u more often sloot! Xxxxx” — Pop singer and actress Miley Cyrus in a message posted to social networking website Twitter, Jan. 13.

“As we have said in the past, allowing same-gender romance is something we are very supportive of.”

JJ Duncan/CC2.0

National Advertising: Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com

GLAAD publicity photo

Sales Executive: Marshall Graham mgraham@thegavoice.com

— Jeff Hickman, executive producer of “Star Wars: The Old Republic,” in a blog post promising samesex relationships in a spring 2013 expansion pack to the popular online game. (Fox News, Jan 14)

01.18.13 ACTIVISM Georgia’s 2013 LGBT agendas, and how you can help. Page 4 Who’s funding our local LGBT movement? Page 6 Direct action new strategy for Southern marriage equality. Page 8 Everyday activism: Daily ways to help LGBT rights. Page 9 Jose Antonio Vargas on coming out of two closets. Page 10 Creating Change: Nation’s largest LGBT conference comes to Atlanta. Page 11

NEWS Lesbian sworn in as Fulton County State Court judge. Page 12 LGBT trailblazer named mayor pro tem of Decatur. Page 12 Atlanta police investigate if ‘queer’ suspect also victim in stabbing. Page 12

A&E Hannah Thomas comes out with new CD. Page 15 Film: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival features LGBT track. Page 17 Food Porn: After AA, Robert hits Waffle House. Page 19 Theater: ‘Keep it Gay’ with ‘The Producers.’ Page 20

CALENDAR Pages 22-24

COLUMNISTS That’s What She Said: Melissa Carter gets a redneck lullaby. Page 26 Domestically Disturbed: Topher Payne’s newlywed game.

Page 27 facebook.com/thegavoice twitter.com/thegavoice

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Georgia’s 2013 LGBT agenda From workplace fairness to lessening HIV stigma, how you can help ‘create change’ here at home

BATTLING MISCONCEPTIONS

Despite Georgia’s large LGBT community and extensive gay social scene, most of the organizations surveyed said that a key way supporters can help them achieve their goals is by countering misconceptions about their missions.

For Atlanta Pride and Savannah Pride, that means moving past the idea that they only exist to produce a festival one weekend each year — and that the festival’s impact begins and ends there.

“We work year-round on the festival and all of our other undertakings to support and engage our community,” said Buck Cooke, Atlanta Pride executive director.

FOUNDED: 1995 STAFF: 3 full-time / 0 part-time

MISSION: To advance fairness, safety and opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities and allies throughout Georgia.

Top three priorities for 2013: 1. Passing policies, ordinances and legislation to address workplace fairness 2. Creating safer schools through enactment of policies and supporting GayStraight Alliances 3. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including expansion of Medicaid, to maximize the benefits to LGBT individuals and people living with HIV/ AIDS.

By Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com As Creating Change, the national LGBT equality conference, comes to Atlanta, GA Voice surveyed 15 local organizations to provide a snapshot of what it will take to “create change” for LGBT people here in our state.

The answers? Education, outreach, more volunteers, and, yes, more money.

The nine organizations that responded to the survey include the Southeast’s largest Pride festival, the Southeast’s largest AIDS service provider and our state’s largest LGBT political group.

Our questions included their top three priorities for 2013, the top three things individuals can do to help them achieve those priorities, the biggest misconception about their organization, and the single most important thing that would help them achieve their mission.

We also asked about the size of their staffs and budgets (see story, Page 6) to offer perspective on the resources they currently have, as well as what might be needed.

While marriage equality has become the highest-profile issue for our community nationally — thanks to pending Supreme Court cases and major victories in other states — you won’t find it on these lists.

Instead, what emerged was an LGBT agenda for Georgia that might appear on first glance to be more modest than what activists are pushing for in other states, but that could actually mean profound changes in many of our lives and pave the way for even bigger changes to come.

GEORGIA EQUALITY

Positive Impact and the Ric Crawford Clinic joined forces to administer HIV tests in Piedmont Park during Pride 2012. In 2013, Positive Impact wants to change the myth that you must be HIV positive to access their mental health, education and support services. (Photo by Bo Shell)

The Health Initiative, which focuses on LGBT wellness, wants to refute the misconception that they only care about Atlanta or women — both of which have roots in their founding as the Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative, and later the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative.

Positive Impact wants to change the myth that you have to already be HIV positive to access their many mental health, education and support services, while AID Atlanta strives to counter the idea that the agency, the largest HIV agency in the Southeast, is only an HIV testing clinic and producers of the AIDS Walk.

STAND UP, SPEAK OUT

Organizations cited misconceptions not only about their scope, but also about the overall state of LGBT and HIV awareness in Georgia.

“We need people to reach out and educate elected officials at all levels of government on the realities of our lives here in Georgia,” noted Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBT political group.

“We know that we have LGBT people in all parts of the state, yet there is still a misperception that we all live in Midtown or Decatur. “ AID Atlanta also worries about misinformation, and asks supporters to work hard to challenge those ideas.

“Many people don’t realize that HIV rates are continuing to rise here in metro Atlanta, especially among young people and women of color,” said Cathy Woolard, interim executive director, advocating for HIV to become “part of everyday conversation in Atlanta. “ Atlanta Pride’s Cooke stresses how his organization, as well as the community as a whole,

“still struggles for equal rights for LGBTQ citizens everyday.”

“Until that battle is won, it is imperative that we stand up, en masse, and make a statement that we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not just going to sit by and accept second-class citizenship,” he said.

WHO WE SURVEYED

For our activism survey, we chose to focus on LGBT organizations whose missions include at least some advocacy, as opposed to those who focus more exclusively on providing services or social activities (like PALS, which supplies pet supplies to those with critical illnesses or the elderly, or any of our numerous LGBT sports, social or spiritual organizations).

In the case of health organizations, we also chose to focus on those whose missions are specifically focused on LGBT issues — like the Health Initiative or Someone Cares, which serves African-American and Latino LGBT people.

We also included two of Atlanta’s largest HIV agencies, AID Atlanta and Positive Impact, both of which feature LGBT leadership and a large client base of men who have sex with men.

Finally, we reached out to three national organizations that either have headquarters in Atlanta or an Atlanta office.

Participants include Georgia Equality, Atlanta Pride, Savannah Pride, the Health Initiative, Lost-n-Found Youth, AID Atlanta, Positive Impact, Someone Cares and Ben Cohen’s StandUp Foundation.

Surveys were not returned by YouthPride, MEGA Family Project, In the Life Atlanta (organizers of Atlanta Black Gay Pride), Augusta Pride, South Georgia Pride, Lambda LegalSouthern Regional Office and National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities.

Top three ways individuals can help with your priorities: 1. Join our Action Alert Network and respond to alerts when they are posted.

2. Join our Speaker’s Bureau to educate the public on our issues.

3. Become a monthly donor to ensure a steady stream of funding to advance our priorities and position us to respond to urgent issues as they arise.

ATLANTA PRIDE

FOUNDED: 1970 STAFF: 1 full-time / 1 part-time MISSION: To provide lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered and queer persons with cultural and educational programs and activities which enhance mental and physical health, provide social support, and foster an awareness of the past and present contributions of LGBT persons, through community activities and services, including an annual Pride event.

Top three priorities for 2013: 1. Community outreach and engagement 2. Social justice 3. Organizational sustainability.

Top three ways individuals can help with your priorities: 1. Volunteer their time and talents 2. Donate money 3. Spread the message that Pride is still needed.

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LOST-N-FOUND YOUTH FOUNDED: 2011 STAFF: 1 full-time / 1 part-time

MISSION: To take homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths off the street and transition them into more permanent housing arrangements.

Top three priorities for 2013: 1. Helping more youth by expanding our capacity.

2. We need space for emergency shelter, drop in center, more transitional housing, and starting a fostering programming.

3. Exploring new sources of income via grants, foundations, thrift store, etc.munity outreach and engagement Top three ways individuals can help with your priorities: 1. Volunteer 2. Give money 3. Donate items - see ways to help on our website.

THE HEALTH INITIATIVE FOUNDED: 1996 STAFF: 2 full-time / 2 part-time

MISSION: Improving the health and wellbeing of Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community through education, support, access to care and advocacy.

Top three priorities for 2013: 1. Expand access to the Health Fund statewide, by increasing partnerships with low cost providers throughout the state.

2. Increase health, fitness and wellness programming opportunities.

3. Expand the Board of Directors to represent increased broader community and geographic demographics.

Top three ways individuals can help with your priorities: 1. Refer LGBTQ-friendly providers to the Health Initiative, particularly those who are outside the metro area and/or willing to become a Health Fund partner.

2. Make a financial contribution to support the Health Initiative.

3. Get involved. Consider volunteering or applying to join the Board of Directors.

To find out the biggest MISCONCEPTION about each organization and the MOST IMPORTANT factor needed to achieve their missions, visit www.thegavoice.com SAVANNAH PRIDE FOUNDED: 1999 STAFF: 0 full-time / 0 part-time MISSION: To provide LGBT persons and their allies with cultural and educational programs and activities which enhance mental and physical health, provide social support, to foster an awareness of thepast and present contributions of LGBT persons, through community activities and services, including an annual Pride Celebration, to promote a forum for sales and advertising for LGBT persons and allies to generate a profit and to promote Savannah’s history, heritage and culture.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES FOR 2013: 1. Better assimilate our organization with the surrounding community. People know we exist, but are unclear what it is we actually do, or how we help.

2. Make our festival in 2013 bigger and better than ever. What makes this so important, is that the Savannah Pride festival is held in the heart of downtown Savannah — we are visible, proud, and invite the entire town to join in celebrating that with us.

2. Increase our philanthropic efforts. Savannah Pride is only successful because of community support, any chance we get to pay that forward, we will.

TOP THREE WAYS INDIVIDUALS CAN HELP WITH YOUR PRIORITIES: 1. Donate. We are still a small organization, and rely solely on donations and sponsorships to fund our events throughout the year, and of course the Savannah Pride festival.

2. Volunteer, come out and show your support by lending a hand. The festival is one day, but it takes all year to make it happen. We have events all year, and can always use an extra person.

3. Spread the word, telling people what Savannah Pride is all about, what we’re up to, and why what we’re doing is so important.

THE BEN COHEN STAND UP FOUNDATION

FOUNDED: 2011 STAFF: 1 full-time / 0 part-time (Staff not paid out of Foundation budget) MISSION: To raise awareness of the longterm, damaging effects of bullying, and to raise funds to support those doing real-world work to stop it.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES FOR 2013: 1. Increase and strengthen the StandUp brand and issue awareness 2. Diversify and build social media outreach platform 3. Deepen relationships and outcomes with grantees TOP THREE WAYS INDIVIDUALS CAN HELP WITH YOUR PRIORITIES: 1. Continue to support StandUp by helping us build the brand, telling others about our brand and our mission.

2. Financially support the Foundation through donations, attending events, buying a shirt, subscribing to the magazine.

3. Encourage friends and influencers to follow the Foundation on Facebook and twitter and promote the stories that we share.

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POSITIVE IMPACT FOUNDED: 1992 (direct services began April 1, 1993) STAFF: 32 full-time / 14 part-time MISSION: To eliminate the risk of HIV transmission and to empower those affected by HIV through culturally competent and inclusive prevention, education, mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES FOR 2013: 1. Increase client access to services in order to reduce the impact of HIV in Atlanta and begin to end the epidemic.

2. Increase individual donor support to provide more flexibility for client services 3. Implement a unified agency-wide database, combining 32 programmatic databases, in order to more efficiently track client experiences.

TOP THREE WAYS INDIVIDUALS CAN HELP WITH YOUR PRIORITIES: 1. Educate themselves on risk behaviors via the agency’s MISTER program 2. Help a friend or someone they don’t know by becoming a monthly donor at whatever level is comfortable for their budget.

3. Encourage their family and friends to educate themselves about healthy behaviors and risk factors for HIV.

AID ATLANTA

FOUNDED: 1982 STAFF: 84 full-time / 13 part-time

SOMEONE CARES OF ATLANTA EDIC

MISSION: AID Atlanta has developed a broad range of services to support our goals of reducing new HIV infections and improving the quality of life of our members and the community.

(EARLY DETECTION INTERVENTION CLINIC)

TOP THREE PRIORITIES FOR 2013: 1. Improve health outcomes for all of our members 2. Identify the key barriers to HIV prevention and care and implement a structural intervention plan to address those barriers 3. Incorporate harm-reduction techniques into 100 percent of our programming; TOP THREE WAYS INDIVIDUALS CAN HELP WITH YOUR PRIORITIES: 1. Get tested 2. Volunteer 3. Donate (www.aidatlanta.org)

FOUNDED: 1996 STAFF: 3 full-time / 2 part-time MISSION: To empower the African American/ Latino LGBT communities at risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other health disparities through support services, research, education, advocacy, prevention, and treatment; in order to assist them to take control of their lives in making sound health decisions.

TOP THREE PRIORITIES FOR 2013: 1. Fundraising 2. Mental health program, 3. HIV/STD clinic TOP THREE WAYS INDIVIDUALS CAN HELP WITH YOUR PRIORITIES: 1. Donate money 2. Grant writing assistance 3. Volunteer services

“People think that we are affiliated with and receive financial support from national organizations. While we certainly collaborate with most national LGBT groups, we do not receive financial support.”

From the nine organizations that responded to the GA Voice LGBT organization survey, several key financial themes emerge: • Individual donations make up a smaller percentage of budgets than you might think in a community as large as ours, coming in far below 50 percent for every organization except Savannah Pride (which has a small budget of only $50,000) and the StandUp Foundation (which benefited from a major anonymous donor in 2012).

• Federal and state grants support a large portion of some health agencies’ HIV work, but no local LGBT groups receive government funding.

• Corporate sponsorships are not common, either. Even Atlanta Pride, which gets chided from some activists for being “too corporate,” gets less than half of its funding from corporate sponsorships — and a miniscule 4.7 percent from individual donations.

Survey participants included Atlanta Pride, Georgia Equality, The Health Initiative, Lost-N-Found Youth, Savannah Pride, the StandUP Foundation, AID Atlanta, Positive Impact and Someone Cares Atlanta.

For many of the leaders of these organizations, the bottom line comes down to, well, the bottom line: If LGBT Georgians want equality, from laws to access to health care, we have to be willing to chip in.

All nine of the LGBT and HIV organizations surveyed listed donations among the top three things individuals can do to help them achieve their 2013 priorities (See story, pages 4-5).

Five of the nine organizations also included funding when asked about either the biggest misconception about their group or the most important thing that needs to happen to accomplish their overall mission.

“Pragmatically, if every individual who could donate even a few dollars per year actually donated those few dollars, many HIV and LGBT agencies would have the abun-

dance necessary to continue their work,” said Michael Baker, director of advancement for Positive Impact, which provides mental health and other services related to HIV. The 2012 National LGBT Movement Report, which looked at the finances of 40 major LGBT organizations (none in Georgia), found that only 3 percent of LGBT adults gave $35 or more to one of these groups last year.

Georgia’s LGBT population is estimated at 293,932, according to statistics from the Williams Institute. How many of those donate to Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBT advocacy group? Only 368 — that’s just 0.125 percent of our population.

“People think that we are affiliated with and receive financial support from national organizations. While we certainly collaborate with most national LGBT groups, we do not receive financial support,” said Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality executive director. “We are also the only organization working on broad LGBT policy issues statewide and in local communities.”

The Health Initiative, billed as “Georgia’s

JEFF GRAHAM Georgia Equality

“Scarcity of funding is our greatest roadblock.”

LINDA ELLIS The Health Initiative voice for LGBTQ health,” is devoted to advocacy, education, support, and improved access to care.

“Honestly, scarcity of funding is our greatest roadblock,” said Executive Director Linda Ellis.

The same holds true for Ronnie Bass, founder of Someone Cares, Inc. The most important thing to achieve its mission for AfricanAmerican and Latino LGBT people impacted

by HIV and other health disparities?

One word: “Fundraising.”

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Creating change through strategic actions Putting a face on discrimination one tactic to advance LGBT equality

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com When Beth Schissel and her partner of 15 years, Sally White, approached the clerk in DeKalb County Probate Court earlier this month and asked for a marriage license, they were told that due to Georgia’s law banning same sex marriage, their application was denied.

Schissel and White knew this was going to happen. They know it is illegal for gay couples to get married in the state, thanks to both a law and a 2004 state constitutional amendment approved by a whopping 76 percent of Georgia voters.

But they wanted to put a face on the discrimination.

“Our impetus was if not us, who? If not now, when?” White said after she and her partner and four other couples were denied licenses on Jan. 7.

The couple, who moved to Sandy Springs a year ago, were participating in the We Do Campaign organized by the Campaign for Southern Equality based in Asheville, N.C. Since October 2011, the We Do Campaign has traveled through several Southern states and organized couples willing to be denied marriage licenses, while also motivating dozens of others to turn out to show support.

In Decatur, a large prayer circle was held in the front lawn of the DeKalb Courthouse before the five couples walked into the building and downstairs to the Probate Court Office, where people can get marriage licenses as well as pistol licenses.

Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, said the We Do Campaign is part of a strategy the organization has been working on since 2004.

“We slowly came up with a blueprint for the South for a new strategy to advocate for federal equality that involved looking at how peaceful direct action could be one more component for the movement,” she said.

The South is rich with extraordinary human strength and LGBT people living wonderful and full lives, she added. But legally, they are second-class citizens.

In Georgia, people can still get fired for being gay, although certain cities and municipalities, including Atlanta and Decatur, provide protections for LGBT people.

Currently, Georgia Equality is working to pass the statewide Fair Employment Practices Act, which would prohibit firing state employ-

Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (right) leads couples and supporters to the DeKalb County Courthouse as part of the We Do Campaign. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

ees based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill was introduced last year by state Rep. Karla Drenner, who is gay, and has bi-partisan support but was not able to get out of committee.

“The truth is there is very little LGBT infrastructure in the South and very little funding compared to other parts of the country,” BeachFerrara said. “We saw this as real opportunities to tap into that human power and also respond to the human needs.”

‘MAKE THE LAW VISIBLE’

The purpose of having gay couples seek marriage licenses in states where marriage equality is illegal is to bring awareness to the discriminatory law, she added.

“Laws that ban marriage equality are typically invisible. They are not tested. No one challenges them so they remain invisible. One part of this action is to make the law visible and to show it impacts real people,” Beach-Ferrara said.

When the couples were denied licenses they were denied over 1,100 rights in that moment.

At the same time, they took a step to voluntarily experience denial in order to put pressure on a system of discriminatory laws.

Beach-Ferrara said it is true that marriage equality will not likely come to the South anytime soon and that it will probably take a federal law to ensure marriage equality comes to places like Georgia.

“But watching and experiencing what people have said we have no right to do is one step toward progression,” she added.

Still, this does not mean couples on their own should begin marching to their local courthouses and demanding marriage licenses, stressed Beth Littrell, staff attorney with Lambda Legal’s

For more photos and videos from the Jan. 7 ‘We Do’ protest, visit www.thegavoice.com Southern Regional Office in Atlanta.

Littrell, representing Lambda Legal, participated in the We Do Campaign in Georgia on Jan. 7 as a legal observer.

“The importance of their objective is to show that it is an outrage loving couples are treated as legal strangers and any effort to bring awareness to that injustice we support,” Littrell said.

“In creating a network of supporters to bear witness to the physical manifestation of discrimination, it was powerful and effective to see a couple walk up to a clerk and be denied,” Littrell said.

Going to a courthouse by hundreds every day can lead to change in public opinion, especially in the South where the laws are so regressive, Littrell said. But Lamdba Legal is not suggesting that people take part in any specific effort to change the marriage law or challenge the law, she added.

“Becoming part of the movement, talking to friends and neighbors and talking to clerks and others to bring awareness of how the laws effect them — public awareness events, social media — there is a myriad of ways people can dialogue and continue conversations that can be effective,” she said.

“But by themselves they won’t create change.”

‘WE HAVE TO BE SMART’

Education is the key to creating change, agreed Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, the state’s largest LGBT advocacy organization.

Graham, who made a name in Atlanta’s

LGBT activism scene in the 1990s as an outspoken member of ACT UP, said he knows there is a role for protest actions like the We Do event. He now lobbies under the Gold Dome to a Republican-majority legislature.

“Given my own in participation in civil disobedience I can certainly understand how powerful it is. From that place I respect what the couples did,” he said.

The organization contacted him last fall about their planned event and to discuss some details.

Graham did not participate in the action. He said he doesn’t recall Beach-Ferrara specifically asking Georgia Equality to join in, although she says she did. Also, the date was right after the holidays and Graham and his staff were busy preparing for a lobbying seminar and working on prelegislative issues.

Graham said he thought it was ideal to do the action in gay-friendly Decatur and before the legislative session began. The session started Monday, Jan. 14, a week after the action.

“Our challenges [in Georgia] are monumental with our political environment and the high bar we have with the amendment in place. We have to be strategic and smart … and that is not why we are rushing to repeal the constitutional amendment,” he said.

“People need to understand marriage equality is not just illegal here but it is unconstitutional. That is an important message we need to get the broader community to understand,” Graham said.

“We have done a good job educating in Atlanta and some other larger cities, and now we have to do this effectively in smaller cities, in conservative communities. When that happens, then it will be feasible to have these conversations in the legislature.”

— Ryan Watkins contributed

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our Come out to y ily. m friends and fawho you are is

about Telling the truth to be an important way st o m e gl n si e th ualrters of LGBT eq o p p su ew N . activist em was at convinced th h w y sa en ft o ity w and eone they kno finding out som ansgender. love is gay or tr ys,” against “the ga It’s easy to rail your harder to hate but it’s much cousin or r, best friend, o b gh ei n , d il ch teammate.

Be openly LGB T in your daily l ife.

Coming out is a process you live every day: Put a pho to of your partn er on your desk. Att end your child ’s school activities as a two-mom or tw o-dad family. Display a sticker on yo ur car or a button on yo ur computer b ag.

rights T B G L t u o b a t Pos ia. on social med T issues

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Register to vot and then do it e — .

From

president of th e United State county school s to board races, yo ur vote is your voice — o n LGBT rights an d every other issue th at is importan t to you.

EVERYDAY ACTIVISM

10 WAYS TO ADVANCE LGBT EQUALITY IN YOUR DAILY LIFE

BY LAURA DOUGLAS-BROWN

Support LGBT & HIV groups.

You don’t have to carry a sign at a rally or march in a p arade to be an activist (although that is lots of fun!).

There are also quieter w ays you can su pport the organizations fighting for you r equality.

Donating your money or time — even if the amount is small — can go a long way, especially for small organ izations.

health. r u o y f o re a c e Tak s, but don’t your HIV statu

Yes, know ugh.

HIV test is eno an g in tt ge k in th ch year t a physical ea ge u yo re su e d if Mak h problems, an lt ea h er th o t to detec e sure it or transman, b an m o w e ar u yo smear. includes a Pap a step ographics, go If you fit the dem study ering for an HIV te n lu vo y b er furth m of Atearch Consortiu at the AIDS Res Clinic. iversity’s Hope n U ry o Em r o lanta

Come out to yo ur doctor.

Letting your do ctors

know about yo sexual orienta ur tion or gender id en ti ty helps you and educates them . Coming out gives your doctor the info rmation she or he need s to help you m ake the best decisions for your health .

Coming out al so helps docto rs know they have LGB T patients, an d can prompt change s in office form s, as well as the questio ns they ask, to be more inclusive of oth er LGBT clients .

January 18, 2013

GA Voice

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GA Voice

January 18, 2013

Activism

www.theGAVoice.com

‘Undocumented Americans’ seek same rights as LGBT people Creating Change keynote Jose Antonio Vargas leads charge for those coming out of two closets

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Last year, Pulitzer-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas visited the University of Georgia in Athens to discuss immigration reform with students.

His talk came on the heels of Georgia legislature’s passage of a controversial immigration law that included alleged racial profiling and the “show me your papers” provision.

At UGA, Vargas said he had a conversation with a student that has stuck with him as one of the most memorable he’s ever had.

“This young man raised his hand and identified himself as a young Republican. We had a really great exchange and toward the end I asked him where he was from. He said, ‘What do you mean? I’m American.’ I asked him again, though, where he was from. He goes, ‘I’m white.’ But white is not a place. I asked him again where he was from and he didn’t know,” Vargas said.

“As far as I’m concerned, this is what the immigration reform conversation is all about. Where are we from? We all come from somewhere.

But some people think the country only belongs to them,” he said.

Vargas returns to Georgia to attend his first Creating Change Conference, the national LGBT equality gathering, in Atlanta Jan. 23-27. On Jan. 26 he will lead a discussion on immigration reform with a panel of Dream activists, a group of young people working to pass the federal Dream Act that will allow minors brought to the U.S. to become legal citizens.

YEP, I’M UNDOCUMENTED

Vargas was born in the Philippines in 1981.

In 1993, when he was 12, his mother put him on an airplane with a man he was told was his uncle and he moved to the U.S. to live with his grandparents in California. He went to school and began his life as an American.

When he was 16, he rode his bike to the DMV seeking a driver license and presented his green card. The clerk told him his ID was a fake and Vargas learned the truth — he was an undocumented immigrant. His grandparents told the young Vargas to keep this part about himself a secret. And so he did.

When he was 17 and a junior in high school, his class watched a documentary about

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, an undocumented American and a gay man, founded the nonprofit group Defining America to elevate and reframe the immigration conversation. (Photo by Gerry Salva Cruz)

Harvey Milk. After the film, Vargas raised his hand and announced he was gay. Coming out of this closet allowed Vargas to thrive as a student and leader on his campus where he was the only openly gay student.

He pursued a career in journalism and eventually landed a job at the Washington Post. It was there where he was part of a team that received a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007.

But remaining in the closet about his undocumented status weighed on him. Vargas was forced to lie to get a driver’s license, a Social Security card and eventually it became easier to simply mark on forms he was a U.S. citizen.

As a reporter, though, he watched with keen interest the world around him — the young Dreamers coming out, proclaiming publicly they were undocumented and they were proud. They were Americans.

In 2011, Vargas came out of the closet again with a story in the New York Times informing the world he is an undocumented immigrant.

Last year, he and other Dream activists graced the cover of Time magazine for a cover story he wrote titled, “We Are Americans* (*Just not legally)” and he coined the term “undocumented American.”

Vargas said when that cover photo was being taken, he was thinking of Ellen DeGeneres and her Time cover photo with the headline, “Yep, I’m gay.”

And he was proud.

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference Jan. 23-27 at the Hilton Atlanta 255 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 www.creatingchange.org

‘CONNECT THE DOTS’

Vargas still faces the real possibility of being deported because he is not a U.S. citizen, but he said what he fears the most is not doing enough to help pass the Dream Act, to ensure undocumented Americans are recognized as human beings and not second-class citizens.

He said he also wants to work to help LGBT people “connect the dots” between immigration reform and the fight for gay rights.

When The Advocate linked to a story about him coming out as undocumented, Vargas said he read some of the comments that included statements such as “send this guy back home.”

“I had made the assumption that someone gay would be supportive. I don’t think we have connected the dots as thoroughly and obviously as we should,” he said.

The people in power who want to legislate discrimination against people who are different — such as Asian or Latino — are the same people who believe LGBT people do not deserve full equality, he said.

“The best kind of story is when the specific

becomes universal,” he said. “You talk to a Dreamer and how do you not recognize the humanity? The fact is America for us has always been a fight. It is not something that is easily granted to us or we take for granted. This is something we fight for on a daily basis.”

This year is a critical year for immigration reform, Vargas said. President Barack Obama, who was responsible for deporting more than 400,000 people last year, has said the biggest regret he has from his first term was not passing immigration reform.

Today, families are still being ripped apart because the federal government deports family members out of the country. But Asian and Latino voters helped catapult Obama back into the White House and they will not rest until reform comes. There is no more time for regret, Vargas said.

As a political reporter covering the presidential election, Vargas said he talked to many Republican voters in Iowa who asked him, “Where did my country go?”

“I look Asian and my name is Jose and they are asking me this? I don’t know what country you’re talking about,” he said. “Immigration cannot be divorced from the fact that the country looks different — browner, Asian, gayer as more people come out. The sooner we embrace that, the better for all of us.

“I know the hell I went through and we have all gone through all kinds of hell,” Vargas said.

“In the struggle, a lot of young people risk their lives to be treated as equal, to be seen as a human being. That’s what this is about.”

Activism

www.theGAVoice.com

January 18, 2013

GA Voice

State of the LGBT movement in 2013: time to celebrate Recent victories signify progress, but still more work to be done

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com

This year the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force celebrates its 40th anniversary and its Creating Change Conference marks its silver anniversary this month in Atlanta. In the 2012 election, three states passed marriage equality laws, voters defeated an anti-gay amendment in another state and there are more openly gay members in Congress.

This is a good time to be part of the LGBT movement.

“We have a lot to celebrate this year and that’s not always been the case. Many years we’ve been licking our wounds,” said Rea Carme the ey, executive director of the Task Force.

Carey will give a “State of the Movement” speech on Friday, Jan. 25, at Creating Change, which runs Jan. 23-27 at the Hilton Atlanta.

There have several pivotal moments in the LGBT movement, she explained: Stonewall, which launched the modern LGBT rights movement; HIV/AIDS and how people came together to fight as a generation of young gay men died; and today.

“We really are at a pivotal moment making significant progress in particular on marriage, but in doing so there a slight peril to it. So many who are drawn to our movement care about our ability to marry the person we love, but have not had the full range of experience of our lives,” Carey said.

For Carey, the LGBT movement also includes ending poverty, fighting for employment non-discrimination, transgender rights, immigration reform and fair housing, to name a few.

“As we celebrate we have to be cautious as we look forward that we do not leave anyone behind,” Carey said. “We are not only a marriage movement.”

RETURN TO ATLANTA

Creating Change moves around the country each year. The last Creating Change Conference in Atlanta was in 2000; Coretta Scott King spoke at the opening plenary.

Returning to the South and specifically to Atlanta is important to ensure Southern states are heard when it comes to outlining priorities for the movement, Carey said.

There is much to be learned from Southern states where LGBT discrimination is still, unfortunately, the norm.

LEARNING FROM GEORGIA

Several Creating Change workshops will be facilitated by LGBT activists from Atlanta and other Georgia cities. Some include: • “How I Became An Icon and Saved Our Stories” facilitated by LGBT historian Dave Hayward.

This workshop features Atlanta pioneer LGBT activists including Pat Hussain, Winston Johnson, Richard Rhodes and Saralyn Chesnut.

• “Hallelujah Our Heroes: Tales of Activism Against AIDS” will feature AIDS activist Dr. Jesse Peel, who co-founded AIDS service organizations in Atlanta and Georgia.

• “Art & Culture: Spit That Truth: Propel the Movement Through Performance” - Cortez Wright, Paris Hatcher, Amber Thomas • “College Campus Issues and Organizing for Students: Creating a Safe Space Program for Students” — Gaius Augustus, Jillian Ford • “Community Organizing The South: Sex, Politics, & God” — Caitlin Breedlove, Paulina Helm-Hernandez, Kai Barrow, Bishop Donagrant McCluney • “People of Color: Creating Acceptance within African-American Faith Communities” — Rev. Gwen Thomas, Rev. Roland Stringfellow • “Breaks in the School-to-Prison-Pipeline: How Queer Youth Can Stop Bullying and Win Alternative Policy Solutions to ‘Zero Tolerance’” - Holiday Simmons, Lambda Legal; Yvonna Cazares, GSA Network • “Deepening the Roots of Our Movement: Organizing to Prevent and Reduce Police Violence and Misconduct Against LGBTQ Communities” — Holiday Simmons and Beverly Tillery, Lambda Legal; Chai Jindasurat and Ejeris Dixon, NCAVP; Andrea Ritchie, Streetwise and Safe; Wes Ware, Break OUT!; Jason Terry, DC Trans Political Coalition “We expect more people from the South to be there and influence what is talked about.

There are a lot of cities and states in the South with no protections when it comes to economic and racial justice. Those advocates bring those perspectives,” she said.

“For us as a conference, it is not only about us putting forth compelling programming, but a chance for us to really learn and take information in to help us as an organization, to learn more what folks in the South care about and what our movement should focus on,” she said.

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GA Voice

January 18, 2013

News

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Jane Morrison sworn in as Fulton County State Court Judge Becomes one of few openly gay judges in Georgia Jane Morrison was sworn in as Fulton County State Court Judge on Jan. 4, making her one of the first openly gay judges in Georgia and the Southeast.

Morrison’s partner is Joan Garner, who was elected as the first openly gay Fulton County Commissioner in 2010.

Morrison was sworn in by Fulton County Probate Court Judge Pinkie Toomer. Witnessing the historic event, in addition to Garner, were Morrison’s mother, father and two sisters, who live in Maine. Also attending the ceremony were several elected officials; Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Cynthia Wright, who is also an out lesbian; and many Atlanta LGBT activists.

After being sworn in, Morrison received a standing ovation from the packed courtroom on the third floor of the Fulton County Courthouse and then a big hug and kiss from Garner.

Morrison served as the Sandy Springs Assistant Solicitor and was elected as Fulton County State Judge in July.

Morrison thanked her family for teaching her the values to allow her to live her live “honestly, openly and with an appreciation of others.”

“This is a day in my life I did not expect. A day I would not have predicted when I started my legal career,” she said.

“I went to law school and became a lawyer because i wanted to be more involved, to have something, and more importantly, some way to contribute and take part in our shared society,” she added.

Morrison also thanked her partner of more

Fulton County State Court Judge Jane Morrison was sworn in Jan. 4. Her partner is Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner. (Photos by Dyana Bagby)

LGBT trailblazer Kecia Cunningham named Mayor Pro Tem of Decatur

NEWS IN BRIEF than 11 years.

“I want to thank my partner, Commissioner Joan Garner … for all her support and for inspiring me through her own public service to step up and take public office as a way to give and support and share with our community,” she said.

— Dyana Bagby

APD investigates if ‘queer’ NYE stabbing suspect was also victim The Atlanta Police Department is investigating if Luke O’Donovan, 19, was a victim in the fight in which he and five others were stabbed in the early morning of New Year’s Day. Currently, O’Donovan faces five felony charges of aggravated assault, but his friends say he was fighting back against a “queerbashing.”

At press time, O’Donovan’s preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 16.

Visit www.thegavoice.com for updates.

At his first hearing before a magistrate judge after he was arrested, O’Donovan was denied bond.

O’Donovan has not spoken to officers with the Atlanta Police Department about his case, said Noah Pines, his attorney.

“It is my understanding a separate detective has been assigned to investigate this case with Luke being the victim, which he was in this case,” Pines said. “He had at least five people attacking him.”

Officer Kim Jones, spokesperson for APD, confirmed a detective is working on whether O’Donovan was a victim in the incident. Police also continue to investigate the case with O’Donovan as the defendant.

His friends and supporters, who have named themselves the Support Luke Defense Committee and started a website letlukego.com, have called the incident a “queerbashing.” They have also set up an account seeking donations to help pay for O’Donovan’s legal fund.

They maintain that O’Donovan was defending himself from a group of homophobic men who were angered by him dancing with and kissing men at the New Year’s party held at 239 Gibson St. in Reynoldstown.

“Luke is queer, which means he refuses a stable sexual identity,” according to a press release from his supporters. O’Donovan does have a girlfriend.

An Atlanta Police report released Jan. 3

Luke O’Donovan faces five felony charges of aggravated assault, but supporters say he was defending himself against a ‘queerbashing.’ (Photo via LetLukeGo.com)

states that witnesses told officers a fight broke out among five or six men on Jan. 1 “over a discussion regarding sexuality.”

— Dyana Bagby

Kecia Cunningham, who made history in 1999 when she became the first openly gay African American elected to public office in Georgia and the Southeast, was named mayor pro tem of Decatur.

Cunningham has served on the Decatur City Commission since her historic victory more than a decade ago. Decatur commissioners elect the city’s mayor and mayor pro tem out of their ranks.

Cunningham was voted unanimously to the post Jan. 7 during the first commission meeting of the new year. The city’s new mayor is Jim Baskett.

Decatur has changed since 1999, Cunningham said.

“We’ve gone from being a sleepy hamlet to a poster child for smart growth with a really active and viable downtown,” she said. “Decatur is a good place to live, work and play.”

Cunningham’s life has also changed.

She identifies as bisexual and said she gives honor to her former girlfriend of 17 years as well as to the man with whom she is currently in a relationship.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years and say I will continue to work hard to make Decatur a great place for all family styles,” she said.

— Dyana Bagby

15 A&E

By Shannon Hames Hannah Thomas, a 22-year-old native of Covington, Ga., has spent the last few years touring the East Coast and establishing herself as a mainstay on the local music scene.

Last year, she won the Georgia Lottery’s All Access Music Search — impressive because she started as one of thousands of contestants competing for the prize of recording an EP at Capitol Records in Los Angeles.

GA Voice sat down with Hannah to hear about the upcoming release of her 7th recording, two upcoming Georgia shows, her Indigo Girl connection and her big, gay announcement.

GA Voice: What have you been up to?

Hannah: Well, I’ve been touring the East Coast from here to New York and working on the new CD, “Goodbye on Wasted Time,” which my fans helped to fund. It will be released on Feb. 2 at Red Clay Theatre. Sonia Tetlow and Sarah Golden of “The Voice” will be there with me.

Tell me about the Amy Ray (Indigo Girls) connection on the new record.

We met through mutual friends. I’ve always been a fan of Amy’s. I told her that I had this song called “Pacifier” that I would love for her to sing on with me. She listened to it, liked it and the next thing I knew, she was in the studio with me. It was one of the biggest moments of my life.

Any plans to work with her in the future?

Yes, we are going to be playing together at the Crimson Moon Cafe in Dahlonega for the “Writers in the Round” show on Jan. 25 and I’m so excited.

For a while, your sexuality has been a secret. I’m just going to ask: are you gay?

Ummm, well…I came out to my mom a few months ago but that’s pretty much it.

How did that go?

Not so great. We have a really good relationship so it was tough. She asked me if I wanted to be a man. I think she still doesn’t believe me. Everybody wants their kid to have babies and the white wedding.

But you can still do all that.

Yeah! We’ve had that conversation. She wanted to know how I know that I’m gay.

Well, I don’t really think she wants to have that conversation. (laughs) When did you know?

I’ve always known. It has become very apparent in the last four years. Music helped me to work through it. When I was younger, I really liked Ginger Spice. I didn’t really understand why I liked Ginger Spice so much but I did.

Hannah Thomas describes her music as ‘rockin’ Americana’ — ‘a little too rock to be country, a little too country to be rock.’ (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

Who’s your celebrity crush today?

I can’t name her!

Why? Are you afraid it will get back to her?

Yes! If it does get back to her, how is that bad?

Okay. Terri Clark. (laughs) Have you come out to the rest of your family?

No. My mom doesn’t want me to say anything to them or to even talk about it. I’m pretty sure my dad knows. I think he would think it would be really cool if I brought a hot girl home for Christmas which is going to happen someday. My brother calls my music “butch music” so I think he may also know.

It’s just kind of hard for them because in a small town, everybody talks. I have hope for everybody – even people in small towns.

I think if they would learn more about being gay and gain more knowledge about it, they’d be cool with it.

Are you worried about them reading this interview?

I’ve never talked about this in an interview so I don’t know. But my new CD is gay so they’ll all know soon.

Does your family ever come to your shows?

Yes. My grandma is my biggest fan. My family members are the only ones at my shows who are not yelling and dancing when I sing, “I drank the devil’s water, kissed the preacher’s daughter” — they kind of stand out.

What motivated you to come out?

I spent a lot of time with Amy Ray and I got to see that you can be gay and successful.

At first, I did the country music thing so I felt I needed to hide it because country doesn’t accept it that much. But recently, I read Chely Wright’s book about her being a country singer and coming out and it was so inspiring.

Then, this past Pride weekend was two days after National Coming Out Day. I didn’t come out that day but I thought a lot about it

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Writers in the Round with Hannah Thomas, Amy Ray & Don Dixon Jan. 25, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Tickets: $12 Crimson Moon Café 24 North Park St., Dahlonega, GA 30533 www.thecrimsonmoon.com Hannah Thomas CD release Feb. 2, 8 p.m., Tickets: $15 Red Clay Theatre 3116 Main St., Duluth, GA 30096 www.eddieowenpresents.com and why I should. Then, I went to see Amy Ray play on Sunday. She played “Rural Faggot” and it just made me decide that the next day, I was going to come out. And I did.

I wrote all of the songs on my new CD and they are my story. “Pacifier” is about giving in and not hiding it anymore. I think most of my fans know and it won’t surprise many people to find out that I’m gay. I’m out and proud now.

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January 18, 2013

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FILM

by Jim Farmer

LGBT and Jewish, on the big screen

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival offers extensive gay track

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, the city’s largest film festival as well as the second most attended festival of its kind in the world, kicks off Jan. 30 with an impressive LGBT track.

Tickets are on sale now, and some screenings are already sold out.

The 13th annual festival runs through Feb.20.

In all, more than 70 films will be shown over a three week period. Opening night this year will be held at the Cobb Energy Centre with the crowd-pleasing “Hava Nagila (The Movie).”

Subsequent screenings take place all over the city, including the Regal Cinemas Atlantic Station Stadium 16, Lefont Sandy Springs, Georgia Theatre Company Merchants Walk, Regal Cinema’s North Point Market 8 and the United Artists Tara Cinemas 4.

It’s traditional to feature LGBT films as part of the event – and also vital, according to Brad Pilcher, assistant director of the festival.

“The LGBT community in Atlanta is sizable, and the LGBT community is a part of the Jewish community,” Pilcher says. “It is important for us to reach out to our community – the LGBT community, the Muslim community, the black community.”

Although there are no LGBT staffers, the festival has a number of LGBT volunteers, he adds.

Pilcher feels the themes LGBT films raise are important to tackle and discuss.

“What is important for us as a festival is looking at the intersection of Jewish and nonJewish life,” he says. “We intersect with other communities, religion and the world. It’s important to show films that start a dialogue.”

In his sixth year with the festival but first as second in charge, Pilcher feels this year’s LGBT offerings are strong.

Of particular note is the festival’s maiden LGBT double feature of two LGBT documentaries on Feb. 8. “The Invisible Men” examines the plight of three young Palestinian men who have fled to Israel while “Undressing Israel: Gay Men in the Promised Land” is director Michael Lucas’ look at an ironic side of Israel – on one hand, it’s in a region that is very religious, but it’s also known as a place that is accepting of the LGBT community.

Pilcher feels the films perfectly complement each other.

“We are excited to be able to show these two films, especially together,” he says.

Another film Pilcher feels is worth seeing is “Koch.” The documentary deals with former New

January 18, 2013

GA Voice

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LGBT FEATURES “The Seder” A gay man brings his boyfriend home for the family Seder in this film, part of “Shorts Program 1.”

Friday, Feb. 1, 2:05 p.m., Merchants Walk Sunday, Feb.3, 4:20 p.m., UA Tara (sold out)

“Out in the Dark” Two young gay men – a Palestinian grad student and a Jewish lawyer – begin dating in this romance turned thriller from Michael Mayer.

Wednesday, Feb.6, 8 p.m., UA Tara Friday, Feb. 15, 12:10 p.m., Lefont Sandy Springs

“The Invisible Men” Yariv Mozer’s award-winning documentary follows three men who flee Palestine and face ostracism, or even death, if they try and go home again.

Friday, Feb. 8, 11:55 a.m., Atlantic Station

“Undressing Israel: Gay Men in the Promised Land”

Above: Get tickets to the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival early, as some screenings are already sold out. ‘The Devotion Project: Listen from the Heart’ follows a lesbian couple from when they met through the birth of their son, who has a heart condition. (Publicity photo) Below: On Sunday, Feb. 10, the festival screens ‘Joe Papp in Five Acts’ about the openly gay theater legend.

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Jan. 30 – Feb. 20 Various area locations www.ajff.org York Mayor Ed Koch and his heated run-ins with various communities, including LGBT people.

Koch himself has long been rumored to be gay, although the film doesn’t answer that question.

“Out in the Dark” is the festival’s LGBT narrative feature. It follows the relationship of two young men whose backgrounds could affect their ongoing courtship. Two shorts films with LGBT themes — “The Seder” and “The Devotion Project: Listen From the Heart” — are also in the line-up.

The goal of the AJFF staff each year is never an exact attendance figure, but they are certainly aware that they are within reach of taking over as the biggest Jewish film festival in the world.

If and when that happens, they will be ecstatic but the main priority each year is presenting the best event they can and doing the appropriate outreach, Pilcher says.

Various filmmakers will be present for the

From adult film star/director Michael Lucas comes a look at an area of the Middle East where homosexuality is illegal but yet is also something of a gay mecca. A number of gay men are interviewed, including a member of Parliament and a soldier.

Friday, Feb. 8, 11:55 a.m., Atlantic Station

“Joe Papp in Five Acts” Included in this documentary about openly gay theater legend Papp – who is responsible for “A Chorus Line” and more — are scenes from some of his greatest stage work and fond remembrances from the likes of Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, and Kevin Kline.

Sunday, Feb. 10, 11:25 a.m., Lefont Sandy Springs

“Koch” Former New York Mayor Ed Koch is profiled in Neil Barsky’s look at the outspoken politician, who himself has often been at the heart of scandals, especially in regards to his own never-revealed sexual orientation.

Sunday, Feb. 10, 7:50 p.m., Lefont Sandy Springs (sold out) Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 2:50 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 17, 1:40 p.m., Lefont Sandy Springs

“The Devotion Project: Listen from the Heart”

festival but at press time those weren’t confirmed. A full lineup and schedule can be found at www.ajff.org

A lesbian couple is followed through the birth of their child, who has a heart condition; shown as part of part of “Shorts Program 3.”

Sunday, Feb. 17, 11:40 a.m., Lefont Sandy Springs Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2:45 p.m., Lefont Sandy Springs

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January 18, 2013

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#16: After an AA meeting, Robert hits the Waffle House

January 18, 2013

GA Voice

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And then things really get weird

Robert and Janet plopped into folding chairs in the rear of the large meeting room of Galano, a gay clubhouse that hosts all kinds of 12-step meetings.

The occasion was their mutual friend and hair-stylist Ralph’s first anniversary without alcohol, crystal meth, overeating, emotional outbursts or masturbating and failing to wash his hands before touching a client’s hair.

Ralph, 27, was arrested when he offered a policeman a hit of crystal in the parking lot of a Cheshire Bridge bar. He spent the night in a holding cell dressed in the black rubber singlet he wore for the bar’s fetish night.

The AA meeting began. Robert tried not to stare at the hot crystal meth addicts in the room.

His attention waxed and waned as the group discussed gratitude.

“I come home and the electricity was cut off and my pet turtle had got out his box somehow and I couldn’t find him,” someone was saying.

“Plus, there was nothing in the refrigerator ‘cept a single beer my roommate left there. I said to myself, ‘Now is the time to have an attitude of gratitude for my sobriety,’ so I lit some candles and prayed.

“You know what? That turtle crawled right out in front of me and I had no hesitation setting him in the sink and dousing him with that beer, because I knew he’d love it and I didn’t need it. That’s what gratitude means to me, and, another thing…”

So it went. After an hour, Ralph rose to receive his first-anniversary blue chip. He thanked everyone and talked briefly about how grateful he was to hear the turtle story.

“My baby sister had a little turtle when we were kids and I stepped on it by mistake,” he said. “Today, thanks to AA, I can tell myself that I’m grateful I didn’t kill my baby sister instead.”

Everyone applauded. The group broke up.

Janet and Robert hugged Ralph and asked him to dinner, but he was heading to a celebration with his AA friends.

“I’m exhausted,” Janet said. “Can we just grab something simple and quick?”

“That took it out of me too,” Robert said.

“Let’s hit the Waffle House.”

“Oh, I love the Waffle House,” Janet said.

“It’s pure theater, even if the food sucks.”

They sat in the front of the restaurant. Robert, looking around, was shocked, once again, to see Lee eating at the bar. He whispered to Janet, “I think I’m being stalked for real.”

Janet looked up and shot Robert a skullrattling eyeroll.

“He’s really weird,” she said. “I think you’ve picked another lunatic as a possible boyfriend.”

Food Porn is a fictional series by longtime Atlanta food critic Cliff Bostock. Set in real Atlanta restaurants, it chronicles the adventures of Robert, a gay man in search of a husband — or at least a good meal. Read the whole series online at www.theGAVoice.com.

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2264 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324 www.wafflehouse.com Good choices: For years I never ate in one of these except for emergency purposes. But I now go happily and voluntarily to the Midtown one. I only go near the breakfast dishes here.

The country ham’s my fave, but the bacon isn’t bad (skip the sausage), and the eggs are decent. Pancakes and waffles, meh. Hint: the less surface area of the food that is exposed to the grill’s nameless ointment, the better.

Robert bristled. Then, someone came through the door, making a lot of clamor as he rushed to take the seat beside Lee, who greeted him enthusiastically.

The man, quite thin in a full-length black raincoat, sat down. Robert and Janet heard squawking, just as the man removed a snowwhite cockatoo from under his coat and set it on the counter. The bird walked in circles, screaming, “Any tops in the house? Don’t smother me!”

Lee smiled and continued eating his country ham and eggs. The staff paid no attention.

The man pulled out a deck of Tarot cards and began shuffling them. Just then, a dwarf wearing a gun and a tiara pushed his way through the door and shouted, “Party time!”

Robert watched, open-mouthed.

“I always want popcorn when I eat here,” Janet said.

(Cliff Bostock celebrated 30 years of sobriety last April.)

1248 Zonolite Road, Atlanta, GA 30306

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January 18, 2013

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THEATER by Jim Farmer

‘Keep it Gay’ with ‘The Producers’ Out actor brings Tony-winning role to Atlanta stage

Openly gay performer Gary Beach estimates he has played the role of Roger DeBris in the musical “The Producers” somewhere around 1,700 times — not consecutively, but here and there over the years. He reprises the role again for a special Atlanta engagement, courtesy of Theater of the Stars, beginning next week.

Mel Brooks’ comedy, last staged in Atlanta eight years ago, is adapted from his 1968 film.

In it, Broadway producer Max Bialystock – fresh off of an unsuccessful production – comes up with a scheme with his sidekick, laid back accountant Leo Bloom.

They plan to intentionally stage the biggest stage flop of all time and bilk millions out of their financial backers, using the worst director in New York. Said director is flamboyant, gay Roger DeBris, who wants to camp up the show and rewrite history so that Germans win WWII. What Max and Leo don’t anticipate is that the new production is a huge success.

The musical swept the Tony Awards in 2001, setting a record for wins with 12. Beach won a Tony Award for Featured Actor in a Musical.

He feels “The Producers” has held up because of the humor.

“People love to laugh,” he says. “It’s very healing to hear that laughter.”

The characters are also well drawn.

“I love Roger,” he says. “He is the most bizarre character. I think I’ve lived Roger’s dream by doing this” The Producers” has a major gay theme, something the actor has always loved and admired. The first act’s number “Keep It Gay,” Roger’s over-the-top song with his assistant Carmen, is perhaps the gayest thing found in musical theater. According to Beach, it has to be done that way.

“When it’s not done that way, it is offensive,” he says. “If it’s done right, it can be funny as hell.”

Some people find it a little garish but he laughs that that is what funnyman Mel

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com ‘The Producers’ Jan. 25 – 31 Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 www.theaterofthestars.com ‘Visiting Mr. Green’ Jan. 25 – Feb. 17 Stage Door Players 339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 www.stagedoorplayers.net Brooks envisioned.

“The Producers” plays well wherever it is staged, but a theater manager told Beach while he was touring with it that after the gay moment, a religious family got on the floor and literally prayed.

“He said it was like they had seen the devil,” Beach laughs.

The show ran for six years on Broadway and Beach was on and off during that time. He was asked to revisit the role at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles last year and he agreed, although his agent had to convince him. It was for three performances only. When he was asked to be part of the revival here, he agreed as well, although he is not interested in another tour.

Beach said he stopped touring because it’s not the same as when he started decades ago.

“These days a tour is usually a week here and then it’s on to a new city,” he says. “If I were 25, I am sure I would love that. But I am not – I am older.”

Gay actor Gary Beach reprises his Tony-winning role as flamboyant director Roger DeBris as Theater of the Stars brings ‘The Producers’ to Atlanta. (Courtesy photos)

The performer actually got his professional start in Atlanta. He was in the chorus of “Camelot” back in 1968 and has fond memories of that gig. He also teamed in a tour here of “Legends” with two real legends – Mary Martin and Carol Channing.

Beach is also known for appearances onstage in “Beauty and the Beast,” “Les Miserables” and “La Cage Aux Folles.”

He hasn’t performed in Atlanta for a while, but he and his partner went on a road trip recently and spent some here time, taking in a lot of restaurants.

They two live in Florida and Beach, who grew up in Virginia, loves the quietness and the

weather — and doesn’t miss the frantic pace of the big city.

‘Visiting Mr. Green’

Kicking off its new year at Stage Door Players is “Visiting Mr. Green,” a comedy-drama written by Jeff Baron.

When an elderly widower is almost hit in traffic, the young man driving is given community service to visit the widower.

At first they find some common ground but their relationship is threatened when the young man reveals he is gay.

Directed by openly gay Alan Kilpatrick, the production stars Chad Martin and the great Theo Harness.

January 18, 2013

www.theGAVoice.com

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PARTY

WITH A PURPOSE FOR

MLK WEEKEND FRIDAY, JAN. 18 - SUNDAY, JAN. 20

FRIDAY, JAN. 18 - MONDAY, JAN. 21 As thousands flock to Atlanta to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, WassupNAtl hosts a full line up of parties, including Friday at Legends, Saturday at Scoreboards, Sunday events at Organix and the Freight Depot, and Monday night at Fins. Host hotel is Microtel Inn & Suites. www.wassupnatl.com

SATURDAY, JAN. 19 DJ Mary Mac spins for the Secret Party MLK Bash. 10:30 p.m. at Club Rain, 448 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta, GA, www.traxxgirls.com Traxx Atlanta hosts the King Weekend Bash, celebrity host still TBA at press time. Doors open at 10 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St, Atlanta, GA, www.traxxatlanta.com

SUNDAY, JAN. 20 Celebrate the MLK Jr. holiday weekend with Ladies at Play with DJs E and Lynnee Denise. 10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at Tongue and Groove, 565 Main St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.ladiesatplay.com

Friday, Jan. 18

Starting at 5 p.m., enjoy the TGIF party at gay sports bar Woof’s, 2415 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.woofsatlanta.com The Third Friday Film Series features “Slavery

by Any Other Name.” Doors open at 7 p.m. Film starts at 7:30 p.m., discussion follows at First Existentialist Congregation, 470 Candler Park Dr., Atlanta, GA 30307.

Go “Buck wild” as the gay Atlanta Bucks Rugby club host a beer and wings “First Friday” party at 8 p.m., followed by DJ Lydia Prim at 10 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com Edie Cheezburger presents The Other Show on Fridays. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m.

Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Siya hosts the Freedom of Speech party, featuring the DJ Dimples mixtape release and music by DJ Adore. 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Indigo Bar Atlanta, 619 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312, http://on.fb.me/10urcdo

DJ Fluff and DJ Ree De La Vega spin and the Radical Faeries serve up shots for the monthly Bitch, Please! dance party at 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

MONDAY, JAN. 21

DJ Nat spins for Rubber and Gear Night at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Atlanta’s LGBT community and allies unite to celebrate the MLK Jr. holiday with the Rustin/ Lorde Breakfast, a tribute to Bayard Rustin and Audre Lorde. 10 a.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308.

Join LGBT marchers in Atlanta’s citywide Martin Luther King Jr. March and Rally. Assemble at 1:15 p.m., march at 2 p.m. at Peachtree and Baker Streets. www.mlkmarchaaar.org

Friday, Jan. 18 - Saturday, Jan. 19 The physically-integrated (dancers with and without disabilities) modern dance company Full Radius Dance presents the premieres of “Touch” and “Dames and Delinquents” by artistic/executive director Douglas Scott and the premiere of a new work by Atlanta choreographer Lori Teague. Evening shows at 8 p.m. plus Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. at 7 States, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.fullradiusdance.org

Saturday, Jan. 19

Lisa Lampanelli brings her decidedly un-PC comedy to Atlanta. 7 p.m. at the Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com

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King via Library of Congress, Lampanelli publicity photo

Rockstars Production celebrates “Achievements in Black” with three days of nightlife events, including the Black Carpet Extravaganza on Friday at the Presidential Room, the Fantasy party on Saturday at 595 North, and the Main Event on Sunday at the Gold Room. www.rockstarsproduction.com

MORE LGBT EVENTS: Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife schedules, sports, worship services and community organization meetings. www.thegavoice.com/calendar

Friday, Jan. 18 - Monday, Jan. 21 Rugger Convergence is a social gathering, not a tournament, bringing rugby players throughout the region.

Events include a Welcome Party at The Heretic hosted by the Atlanta Bucks on Friday, an afternoon social at Mixx, a bar night at the Atlanta Eagle on Saturday and brunch at Joe’s on Sunday. Search “Rugger Convergence” on Facebook.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Survivor, a photography show by Laurie Edward, benefits PALS and features special guest Bubba Dee. 2-5 p.m. at 10th & Piedmont, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.palsatlanta.org The Armorettes celebrate 34 years of camp drag fundraising with their annual Anniversary Show, this year featuring former Armorettes including Wendy Way, Shenita Quit, Ivana Bottom and Pearl LaKisha Long. 8 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com Bedlam presents the WackedOutBlackOut party with DJ Shane V and performance by Kryean Kalley. 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

DJ/Producer Alex Cohen spins at 10 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

DJ Tina Vee spins for the Femme Revue, putting the spotlight on the girly girls. Doors open at 9 p.m., show at 11:30 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com Shavonna B. Brooks hosts the Extravaganza show on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Sunday, Jan. 20

Team Friendly Atlanta, dedicated to reducing the stigma of HIV, hosts a welcome meeting to discuss upcoming events, leadership and volunteer opportunities. 11 a.m. at the MISTER Center, 60 11th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.facebook.com/TeamFriendlyAtlanta PFLAG Atlanta hosts its Third Sunday meeting featuring a free screening of “Lead with Love,” a documentary film about how parents can respond to finding out their child is gay. 2:45 p.m. at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.pflagatl.org

Calendar

www.theGAVoice.com DJ David Knapp spins for the Sweet T Sunday Dance with entertainment by Shawnna Brooks. 7 pm. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

January 18, 2013

GA Voice

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SPOTLIGHT

Special guest DJ Mike Pope spins for High Energy Sunday at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Publicity photo

The Armorettes continue celebrating their 34 years of camp drag fundraising with a second edition of the Anniversary Show, this time featuring former Armorettes Rosie Delight and Ivana Bottom. 8 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Lesbian social networking group Fourth Tuesday hosts its namesake monthly dinner. For location and other details, visit www.facebook.com/ FourthTuesdayAtlanta It’s the second week of Camp, Ruby Redd’s new summer camp themed show. 8 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org Meet your match with speed dating from 8-10 p.m. upstairs at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com Catch NBC’s “Smash” at 9 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 23

Be ready to laugh for the premiere of the ABear Comedy Show, hosted by Ian Aber — ABear comedian. Features LGBT and straight comics to benefit Lost-N-Found Youth, which helps LGBT homeless youth. 8 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 23 – Sunday, Jan. 27

Led by trans rocker Amber Taylor, voted 2012’s best musician by GA Voice readers, The Sexual Side Effects kick off their Franken-Tour with a Franken-Party also featuring MeteorEYES; Go, Robo! Go!; art, body-painting, go-go dancers and more. 9 p.m. at the Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306, www.thesexualsideeffects.com “Sing For Your Life,” the live singing competition with judges and mentors Barry Brandon, JL Rodriguez and Michael Robinson, continues Thursdays through March 28. Doors open 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. at Jungle Club Atlanta, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.singforyourlifeatl.com On Thursdays, check out Dancefloor Divas with Phoenix of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Friday, Jan. 25

“Keep it Gay” as the Tony-winning musical “The Producers” opens tonight and runs through Jan. 31 at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.theaterofthestars.com

The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force brings its massive Creating Change Conference to Atlanta, gathering 3,000+ LGBT activists and allies from around the nation for workshops, strategizing and community building. Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.creatingchange.org

“Visiting Mr. Green,” about the unlikely friendship between a young gay man and the widower he nearly hits in traffic, opens today and plays through Feb. 17 at Stage Door Players, 339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, www.stagedoorplayers.net

Thursday, Jan. 24

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its Fourth Friday networking. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the W Atlanta Midtown, www.atlantagaychamber.org

SAGE Atlanta, a support and social group for LGBT elders, meets starting at 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org Get “all fired up” to help Women Healing Women, which supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Tonight, purchase and paint pottery in the theme of peace, healing and eradicating violence, then donate it to Women Healing Women for sale and auction during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

6:30 -9:30 p.m. at All Fired Up, 1563 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.surviving2thriving.org

Angelica D’Paige hosts the Fab Five at 11:30 p.m.

Fridays at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Saturday, Jan. 26

Show up “pimped in your freshest street gear” to be part of the filming of the new Le Sexoflex music video, “Suck Dick, Eat Cheetos.” DJ Homosexual spins. 8-11 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Friday, Jan. 25 DJ Diablo Rojo spins for Ginger Appreciation Night, a.k.a. the Red Meat Party, at 10 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

DJ Paul Goodyear spins as the Bearracuda party returns to Atlanta. 9 p.m. at the Heretic, www.facebook.com/BearracudaATL The Southern Bears celebrate 20 years of hirsute community with an anniversary party at 10 p.m. at Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Friday, Jan. 25Saturday, Jan. 26

LGBT-founded synagogue Congregation Bet Haverim celebrates its annual two-day Shabbat Shirah Fest: Between Two Worlds. Free Shabbat Shirah service at 7 p.m. Friday; $25 concert with CBH chorus and instrumentalists at 8 p.m. Saturday. Both at Central Congregational UCC, 2676 Clairmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.congregationbethaverim.org

Sunday, Jan. 27

Knomie Moore hosts brunch starting at 11 a.m., followed by a Tea Dance at 8 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Publicity photo

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Friday, Jan. 25

Saturday, Jan. 26 Lindsey Hinkle performs live at 9 p.m., followed by DJ Liz Owen and MC Chase Daniels at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

DJ Mike Pope spins and current and former Armorettes perform at the Armory Reunion, a tribute to the former gay bar whose location was demolished earlier this month. 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Monday, Jan. 28

Catch the start of the new season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” at 9 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Tuesday, Jan. 29

Tuesdays, Thursdays and early Saturdays, get your country on with 3-Legged Cowboy nights at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

Publicity photo

Big Freedia, the queen of Sissy Bounce which features explicitly gay and cross-dressing musicians and themes, plays The Earl. 8:30 p.m. at The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, www.badearl.com

Photo by Laura Douglas-Brown

Monday, Jan. 21

Thursday, Jan. 31 Morrissey, the out gay former Smiths frontman, performs at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Center at Cobb Energy Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.cobbenergycentre.com

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January 18, 2013

Calendar

www.theGAVoice.com

Saturday, Feb. 2

UPCOMING

Atlanta Pride veteran Hannah Thomas celebrates her record release with Sarah Golden and Sonia Tetlow, 8 p.m. at Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Theatre, 3116 Main St., Duluth, GA 30096, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Friday, Feb. 1

“Bike America,” which chronicles a group biking from Boston to Santa Barbara, including a lesbian couple, opens today and plays through Feb. 24 at the Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.alliancetheatre.org Mardi Gras celebrating gets underway at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com Atlanta Prime Timers presents a discussion and book signing with Christal Presley, PhD, author of “Thirty Days with My Father: Finding Peace from Wartime PTSD.” 3 p.m at the Rush Center, 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

Every Tuesday, sing out at Mary-oke starting at 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 30

The extensive Atlanta Jewish Film Festival opens tonight and runs through Feb. 20. Tonight features the Atlanta premiere of “Hava Nagila,” as well as a red carpet reception, silent auction and more. 5 p.m. reception; 7:30 p.m. program at Cobb Energy Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.ajff.org Kendra Armacost of Whole Brain Creative leads a class on the first two chapters of “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Carioca Productions presents DJ Paulo. Doors open at 10 p.m. . at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com Immediately after Paulo at Jungle, Serving Ovahness debuts for the late night crowd. Starting at 3 a.m. at private club Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.cariocaproductions.com

Sunday, Feb. 3

Watch the Super Bowl on the big screens with all your gay friens. Pre-game at 2 p.m., kickoff at 6:30 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com Every Wednesday, Jack and Missy host Twisted Sister Karaoke at 8 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com On Wednesdays, catch the Lust & Bust Show with host Lena Lust and featuring Shawnna Brooks. 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Thursday, Jan. 31

Charis launches a new book club, “Exploring Feminist and Womanist Spirituality and Ethics,” which gets underway with a general discussion and an introduction to the first book, Jean Shinoda Bolen’s “Goddesses in Everywoman.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Traxx Atlanta presents Turnt Up Thursdays, spinning hip hop, reggae and R&B at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xcessultralounge.com Thursday nights are ladies night, with Georgia’s longest running Drag King show at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

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January 18, 2013

Columnists

www.theGAVoice.com

THAT’S WHAT

SHE SAID My redneck lullaby ‘Ain’t gonna sleep when I get there’ I was recently asked to speak at the Classic Center in Athens, for the Georgia AfterSchool & Youth Development Conference. Excited for the opportunity, I booked a hotel nearby so I could make the drive after work the night before and avoid traffic the morning of my talk.

I just wish someone would have warned me to pack some earplugs, since I didn’t come anywhere near getting a good night’s sleep.

I arrived at my hotel around 9:30 p.m. It was a renovated square-shaped collection of rooms and restaurants, with all the hotel doors facing outside.

One restaurant was still open, and a live band was rousing the guests as I settled into my room.

That’s when I realized how thin the walls were, since while falling asleep I was serenaded by the band’s redneck lullabies of “Sweet Home Alabama,” followed by Kid Rock’s “All Summer Long.” It was loud enough I felt like they were performing at the foot of my mattress.

I actually fell asleep for about an hour when I was suddenly stirred by a “Woo Hoo!” and someone trying in vain to use their card key in my door.

It was a group of guys who, after they finally realized the correct door was the one next to mine, drunkenly stumbled into their room and decided to keep the party from the restaurant going.

With their thick Southern accents and limited vocabulary, I thought the “Duck Dynasty” family had checked in for the night.

Obviously inspired by the concert they had just witnessed from the restaurant’s house band, these gentlemen decided to reflect on some of their favorite music by turning up their stereo just about as loud as it would go.

One song I was introduced to is called “Myrtle Beach” by Sunny Ledfurd. If you have not had the pleasure of listening to Mr. Ledfurd’s opus, allow me to enlighten you with some of the lyrics: Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach G*****n mother f*****g Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach G*****n I love Myrtle Beach I’m going to smoke me a joint when I get there I’m going to drink a cold beer when I get there And I ain’t gonna sleep when I get there

Melissa Carter is also a writer for Huffington Post.

She broke ground as the first out lesbian radio personality on a major station in Atlanta and was one of the few out morning show personalities in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter

Get a rebel flag wrapped when I get there Airbrushed t-shirts when I get there I didn’t want to be that person who calls the front desk on someone, especially without first asking them to keep it down. But I also realized it wouldn’t do me any good to show up to their door in my pj’s, fuzzy slippers, and antiwrinkle cream and say, “Gentleman, would you please turn down your music and ease up on the cursing long enough to allow me to get back to sleep? Thanks so much.”

I decided to ride it out, since they would have to pass out at some point. I just hoped that would be after someone remembered to turn off the stereo.

Salvation finally came in one man’s declaration, “We’re gonna get waffles and sh*t.”

The group exited the room as gracefully as they entered it, with one guy spitting out his snuff while making sure the others had the room key. A honk of the horn, and they were off to get breakfast in the middle of the night.

Now was my chance to finally get back to sleep. Just as slumber was about to find me, I got distracted by the sound of something moving back and forth repetitively. Realizing it was the bed in the room above me, I stuffed a pillow over my head and surrendered to the fact this just wasn’t my night.

I am glad to report that I woke up in time to make it to my conference. On the way I reflected on the soundproof studios I have spent my entire career working in, unable to hear anything that goes on in a hallway or any adjacent rooms.

Maybe radio engineers should contract their services to hotels and teach them how to better insulate their guests, and save them from the likes of Sunny Ledford.

Columnists

www.theGAVoice.com

DOMESTICALLY

DISTURBED

Newlywed game Suggestions for those currently in the agony of planning their wedded bliss

Topher Payne is an Atlanta-based playwright, and the author of the book “Necessary Luxuries: Notes on a Semi-Fabulous Life.” Find out more at topherpayne.com

People tend to write about weddings in springtime, when the world is lush and green, bridal parties cover the steps of every house of worship like a taffeta amoeba. But by then it’s too late.

Those beautiful June weddings were planned in the gray, dreary days of winter — a perfects setting for tense negotiations over budgets and whether so-and-so is going to be your best man because there will be a bar at the reception and you know how he gets.

My husband and I were married a little over three years ago on a beach in Massachusetts.

We called it “eloping to a disclosed location” because “destination wedding” implied we would be covering the cost for anyone but ourselves, which we had no interest in doing.

As we were utterly unencumbered by the constraints of tradition — on account of us both being dudes — we were able to meld tradition with our own ideas, and came up with something that worked for us. We applied the same concept to our marriage.

Since our wedding, I have streamlined the lessons learned into a few digestible pointers, which I share with recently-engaged friends. As a public service, I offer them here: • Have the wedding at a time of day when people don’t expect you to feed them. No matter what anyone tells you, you do not have to give these people a steak. It is expensive and ultimately pointless. When people reflect upon your wedding, no one is going to say how good the salmon was.

Plus, people don’t know how to eat when they’re in nice clothes. Once upon a time, they did. But life isn’t an episode of “Downton Abbey,” and all you’ll end up with is a lot of asparagus tips being awkwardly dug out of cleavage.

• Do not leave early. I’m talking about that bride and groom getaway where people throw shit at your head. Tradition dictates that the guests can’t leave until you do.

This is a holdover from when it was commonly expected for the newlyweds to be virgins, so the wedding night was a really big (and

often disappointing) experience. Assuming no one’s waiting outside your room for a bloody sheet, chances are you’ve already tested the goods. So stay at the party.

The most important people in your life will all be gathered in one place at one time for you.

Don’t wish you’d stayed longer to see your favorite cousin. Let your guests know beforehand that the bride and groom will NOT be doing a scheduled getaway. Guests can leave whenever they want to, or stay til y’all all get thrown out.

• Most important: Pay attention to each other. Your wedding ceremony will feel like skydiving: It is one of life’s most glorious and bizarre experiences. One can easily lose track of what’s happening in the moment.

Between the ceremony and reception, after y’all take pictures, find 10-15 minutes for the two of you to be alone and process what just happened. You will need to be selfish.

Drink some water, smoke a cigarette, do whatever. But get away from everybody for 10-15 minutes, and you will laugh hysterically, and also cry, and also marvel at the moment. And breathe.

Then go back to the guests and celebrate.

• And then there’s the little stuff. Hydrate.

Don’t lock your knees when you’re at the altar.

Don’t put anyone in your wedding party whom you won’t wish to look at pictures of for the rest of your life.

Stash a kleenex somewhere on your person.

If you don’t have a good spot for a tissue, tell your intended spouse beforehand to dab away your tears with theirs, which will make everyone go, “Awwww” and will one day be your favorite moment in the wedding video.

Your wedding will not be the most important day in your life together. That day can’t be planned, and will only reveal itself long after it happened.

Your wedding is the day you threw a big party to celebrate the official start of your journey together. So make it your own, don’t put yourself in debt over it, and enjoy the celebration.

January 18, 2013

GA Voice

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