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GEORGIANEWS

Kennesaw State updating systems to help transgender students President Sam Olens credited with allowing students to list preferred name, pronoun in system

By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com Kennesaw State University is in the process of changing its online class management system to allow students to list both their preferred name and pronoun – a change brought on after complaints from the school’s transgender and gender nonconforming students. It’s something the school’s Presidential Commission on GLBTIQ Initiatives has been working on for years, but commission members say there was one person who finally made it happen: newly named university President Sam Olens.

Olens, of course, is the former Georgia attorney general who defended the state in a lawsuit challenging its 2004 ban on same-sex marriage and last year joined 10 other states in suing the federal government, arguing it had no authority to direct the nation’s public school districts to permit students to use the restrooms that correspond with their gender identity.

The state Board of Regents approved Olens as KSU president last fall, leading to outcry and protests from many of the school’s LGBT students, faculty, staff and allies. Now, three months into the job, Olens is being credited with helping transgender students’ campus experience, but some concerns remain.

Olens defends record as attorney general When asked about criticism of his LGBT record, Sam Olens has repeatedly stated he was just doing his job as attorney general of the state and that that doesn’t necessarily reflect his personal views.

Referencing the lawsuit against the transgender directive, Olens told Georgia Voice, “It’s not Sam Olens suing, it’s the state of Georgia suing. The legal context is very different than the political context. The legal issue is whether or not the Department of Education and the Department of Justice have the legal authority to change the laws of the Legislature.” www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Kennesaw State University President Sam Olens met with many concerned LGBT student leaders after starting last November. (Courtesy photo)

“Several transgender students have told me that if fellow students call them by their given name instead of their chosen name, they get embarrassed and we don’t want that.”

—Kennesaw State University President Sam Olens He wouldn’t say what his personal view is on same-sex marriage, but he pointed to the smooth transition the state had once the Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality in June 2015, a transition helped

by Olens and Gov. Nathan Deal’s vows to follow the law of the land. Olens also said he personally stepped in when probate judges weren’t abiding by the decision.

“Folks in the LGBT community would call my office and say X probate judge was not following the law, and I would tell that judge to follow the law,” he said. “Georgia should be very proud of the way it handled the enforcement of the decision.”

Transgender student complaints lead to changes Prior to taking office, after the Board of Regents named him school president, Olens started meeting with campus LGBT leadership to hear their concerns – most of whom

were leading rallies against him just weeks before. Aracely Garcia, a KSU student and president of the Kennesaw Pride Alliance, was one of the students Olens met with.

“He was adamant that he would not interfere with the success of any GLBTIQ programs on campus,” Garcia told Georgia Voice of the meetings. “He said he was determined to increase the retention and graduation rates of the university, and if the GLBTIQ programs help increase those rates, he had no intention of removing them.

We asked him to release an official letter to the whole campus from the president’s office supporting the claims he made to us; he released that letter a week or so after our meeting. He also offered to have an informal Q&A with GLBTIQ students if that was something they wanted to do.”

However, Garcia said President Olens needs to do a better job of reaching out to the LGBT student body at large.

Naysia Coleman, a KSU alumnus who serves as a staff member in GLBTIQ Student Programs and as co-chair of the Presidential Commission on GLBTIQ Initiatives, said Olens has been supportive and eager to be engaged with the campus community.

One of the topics that kept coming up during Olens’ meetings with LGBT student leaders was transgender students being called by their birth name by professors and fellow students.

“Several transgender students have told me that if fellow students call them by their given name instead of their chosen name, they get embarrassed and we don’t want that,” Olens told Georgia Voice.

Olens then instructed the school’s chief information officer to get to work changing the school’s Desire 2 Learn (D2L) class management system.

“Not only did he want to change D2L, but he wanted our IT team to look critically at all of our systems to see where legal name is necessary versus unnecessary,” Coleman said.

Help with KSU’s changes came courtesy of the registrar at the University of Vermont, believed to be the first school in the nation to make such updates to their class management system. Phase one of the initiative – letting students list their preferred name instead of their given name – will start spring semester of this year and phase two, letting students list their preferred pronoun, will start fall semester.

“I have made numerous statements that I personally very much support an inclusive, diverse atmosphere and that there should be no individuals on this campus that should be concerned about me personally affecting their lifestyle or certain such decisions,” Olens said.

It’s those kinds of word choices (“lifestyle,” “decisions”) that leave concerns for LGBT students like Garcia, who felt Olens was condescending during his meetings with LGBT student leaders. She recommended that he take part in “safe space” training offered through the school’s GLBTIQ Student Programs.

But Coleman sounded more optimistic.

“Despite a controversial start, we have been able to create a lot of great change in a short amount of time,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure KSU’s legacy of diversity lives on. To share [Olens’] sentiments, we can always be doing more.”

February 3, 2017 News 3

GEORGIANEWS

Atlanta mayoral candidates gather in Buckhead to share plans Platform themes include transportation, inclusivity, gang violence

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com The race for Atlanta’s new mayor is underway. Eight of the candidates met to present platforms as part of the Buckhead Coalition’s business meeting on Jan. 25.

Openly LGBT former Atlanta City Council president Cathy Woolard, who was the first candidate to declare, thinks her ability to bring people together makes her the top candidate.

“It’s not the job of the mayor to have all the ideas. It’s the job of the mayor to bring people together, to understand what the vision is for the city, to block and tackle and build partnerships to get us there,” Woolard told the nearly 200 invited guests at the event.

She later told Georgia Voice this election could spell how Atlanta develops over the next quarter-century.

“The forecast is we’ll triple our population,” she said. “How are we going to spend the infrastructure dollars and the transportation dollars that were just approved so that there is a coherent plan when all is said and done? How do we grow this city in a way that is equitable?”

Woolard said government ethics appeared to be an over-arching theme in the discussion. Vincent Fort appeared to agree with her on that front.

“Atlanta City Hall has lost its way and there are people there who are more interested in serving their own interests than the peoples’ interests,” he said.

Fort’s biggest priority if elected is to tell the truth, which includes speaking openly about gang activity in Atlanta. Other candidates’ priorities include developing partnerships to unite the city, public safety, transportation and increased transparency in local government.

‘Neighborhood renaissance,’ part of candidates’ plans Woolard said one of the first things she hopes to do if elected is to build a coherent transportation system that includes bikes, sidewalks and additional bus routes. She also wants to increase investment in the arts and public spaces to “build on the quality of life” for Atlantans. Council member Kwanza Hall

Atlanta mayoral candidates (from left) Michael Sterling, Peter Aman, Cathy Woolard, Keisha Bottoms, Mary Norwood, Vincent Fort, Kwanza Hall and Ceasar Mitchell were part of the Jan. 25 Buckhead Coalition business meeting. (Photo by Dallas Anne Duncan)

“How are we going to spend the infrastructure dollars and the transportation dollars that were just approved so that there is a coherent plan when all is said and done? How do we grow this city in a way that is equitable?”

—Cathy Woolard, mayoral candidate has similar goals. He plans to initiate a “neighborhood renaissance” to make every resident “feel like they’re part of our great city.”

“I think all politics are local and we have to ensure that our citizens all feel like they’re included in every aspect of life,” Hall said.

“There are legislative pieces that I have out there related to criminal justice reform, where transgender citizens are feeling alienated by our public safety department, and that’s something I’m continuing to lead on.”

Hall is counting on his district’s LGBT community to get him in office.

“I’m going to be everybody’s mayor,” he said. “Atlanta’s not asking for a black mayor, a white mayor, a gay mayor or a straight mayor. Atlanta wants a great mayor. I’m the only one with a proven track record with bringing neighborhoods forward.”

Hall said he is the only candidate who can connect with a broad voter base across the whole city. Mary Norwood, a longtime City Council member who barely lost the last mayoral election, isn’t so sure about that.

“That Mary Norwood constituency is there because I care about the issues that matter to them,” she said. “It is time for us to be

completely, openly accountable to our citizens. I will have a forensic audit of all funds. I will do a top-to-bottom analysis of the budget and I will overhaul the bidding process, which desperately needs it. I will put all expenses online, including checks. It’s our money. We ought to know how it’s spent.”

Themes of inclusion, diversity expected during campaign Peter Aman, the former chief operating officer for Mayor Kasim Reed, and former assistant US attorney Michael Sterling said their candidacies stand out because they’re not politicians. Aman also raised concerns about ethics violations for fellow candidates Norwood and Ceasar Mitchell, the sitting City Council president.

“I was surprised that one of the candidates went right out of the gates after two of the other ones, but I have a feeling that’s what it’s going to be like,” said Alex Wan, a City Councilman running for Council president. “What I’ll also be listening for are themes of inclusion and diversity and embracing that and celebrating it, because I think in this day and age, that’s what Atlanta needs to be and it comes from the top

down. The mayor has to embody those principles for the city to embrace them as well.”

Both Woolard and Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Bottoms agree.

“Atlanta’s always been on the forefront of being innovative, of being open, and I think that the next mayor — and I as the next mayor — will make sure that we continue to be open and welcoming,” Bottoms told Georgia Voice. “I just hope that as a city, even if the national tide may be trending differently, that we will continue to be on the forefront and not be afraid to take a stand for equality.”

The city has non-discrimination clauses and ordinances “vastly ahead” of other areas of Georgia and the Southeast, Woolard said.

“We have been able to create both business and a civic environment that is far more tolerant and welcoming than others around us. We have to be very aggressive in that regard,” she said.

Woolard said Atlantans needed to get out to vote when the candidates’ names appear on ballots this November.

“Every election matters,” she said. “It’s time for people to take charge of the future and elect good people who can do good things and not ruin our world.”

4 News February 3, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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NEWSBRIEFS State Sen. Josh McKoon will not run for re-election in 2018 Josh McKoon (R-Columbus), the GOP senator and champion of so-called “religoius freedom” legislation in Georgia, announced in late January he does not plan to run for re-election in 2018.

The announcement was not entirely a surprise, given that he was already removed from a Senate Judiciary Committee leadership position, and state House members were tired of seeing the bill on their agenda.

“After a great deal of thought and prayer, I have decided not to stand as a candidate for re-election,” McKoon said on Jan. 30. “Taking on tough issues such as ethics reform, immigration reform and religious liberty has made my time here worthwhile, but it has come at a cost. As someone that came here to fight for the citizens I represent, not special interests, I have accumulated many enemies.”

According to a story by The Ledger-Inquirer, the Columbus newspaper, McKoon got some of those enemies back home. Rep. Richard Smith (R-Columbus) blamed McKoon’s ongoing feuds with House Speaker David Ralston and Gov. Nathan Deal for the loss of about $10 million in funding for the city last year.

“My service has always been about ideas.

Some of my ideas have caused discomfort. I make no apologies for any of my ideas or the role I have played in forcing them to be considered and discussed,” McKoon said. “So what’s next? Jacqueline and I will be prayerfully considering how best to continue to serve others.

Whether that means a future in politics or some other path remains to be seen.”

Four Georgia mayors join national coalition against LGBT discrimination More than 100 mayors joined together on Jan. 18 to form the national Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination group.

Among the members are Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, Decatur’s Patricia Garrett, Ted Terry of Clarkston and Janquell Peters, mayor of East Point.

“The vision for Mayors Against LGBT Discrimination seeks to take the very best of the advancements for equality that have been made in cities such as San Francisco and provide a template to support mayors across the country who want to do what’s right for their constituents, and join the efforts at the national level,” said coalition founder Ed Lee, mayor of San Francisco.

State Sen. Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) says he will not run for re-election in 2018. (File photo)

The launch was announced at a Washington, DC, breakfast roundtable discussion with LGBT policy experts. The talk centered on what local elected officials could to do support the community and advance equal protections in their cities.

“During a time when LGBT rights are again under attack nationally, we must stand up against discrimination and fight for equal treatment of all people in Ed Lee every community, town and city in America,” said Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.

New report helps make case for comprehensive civil rights bill in Ga. The LGBT community’s need for a comprehensive civil rights bill in Georgia is spelled out in a report released Jan. 26, according to Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality.

The report, “The Economic Impact of Discrimination and Stigma Against LGBT People in Georgia,” conducted by the Williams Institute at the University of California-Los Angeles School of Law, reveals costs related to sex and gender discrimination in

employment, family and healthcare settings.

“We estimate that public and private employers risk losing $9,100, on average, for each employee that leaves the state or changes jobs,” the report finds.

Discrimination in employment and housing can lead more individuals to rely on public benefits. For transgender individuals, the report estimates this can Jeff Graham cost Georgia more than $1 million in state Medicaid expenditures and $477,000 in homeless shelter expenses each year.

Georgia is one of three states lacking private-sector employee protections based on sexuality and gender; one of five states with no public accommodations law; and its one piece of anti-discrimination law on housing does not include protections for gender and sexuality, Graham said. The more verifiable data available means a better chance to make a case for a civil rights bill in the legislature, Graham said.

“Anyone can make a claim based on what their own personal experience can be. But what makes really good public policy is when you can see one person’s personal experience may be shared by a large number of people,” he said.

–Staff reports

6 News February 3, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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Outspoken “Privilege extends beyond race of course, into male privilege, cisgender privilege and more.

And different examples pop up all the time, good examples that need to be voiced and pointed out in order for those who experience such privilege to learn and recognize the experiences of others.”

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Editor: Patrick Saunders psaunders@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dallas Anne Duncan dduncan@thegavoice.com Editorial Contributors: Ashleigh Atwell, Cliff Bostock, Melissa Carter, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Bill Kaelin, Ryan Lee, Robbie Medwed, Matt Schafer, Dionne N. Walker, Simon Williamson

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Privilege, Trump and signs of solidarity

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By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com

Sales

Because every month is White History Month. There, now that we have that out of the way...

I didn’t start exploring the concept of white privilege until about six or seven years ago. Knowing what I know now, that’s embarrassing to admit, especially considering how people of color are unfortunately forced to learn about it through experience as children.

I had heard the term before, but never had a conversation with anyone about it beyond that. There wasn’t one particular incident that made me grasp it, just like there’s never really one time that you come out of the closet.

Of course, when I did start looking into it, it was painfully clear that it’s not so much a concept as an ironclad fact of life. The irony is that the fact I could spend that much time on this Earth without having to explore white privilege is, in itself, an example of white privilege.

Privilege extends beyond race of course, into male privilege, cisgender privilege and more. And different examples pop up all the time, good examples that need to be voiced and pointed out in order for those who experience such privilege to learn and recognize the experiences of others.

One such example was pointed out to me last weekend at the photo shoot for this issue’s cover. I recently found out about “Signs of Solidarity,” a local art project with the goal of denouncing hate and encouraging unity (can’t for the life of me wonder who inspired that). Over

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8 Outspoken February 3, 2017

Our cover models Kayin Malik-Macosay and his husband, Carlos Malik-Macosay.

(Photo by Patrick Saunders)

30 Atlanta artists, poets and musicians painted massive banners with various messages of love and harmony and hung them all over the city.

One banner hung at Ria’s Bluebird caught my eye and I figured it would be great to have a couple embracing or kissing next to it as the cover of our Sex & Dating/Valentine’s issue. Only problem? All of the banners had been taken down since it was only a fourday project. So I tracked down the artists, George and Kristy Gomez, the husbandand-wife team behind design and communications shop SOAP Goods Creative. They had the banner and would be thrilled to have it be part of the shoot.

I was lucky to then connect with Kayin and Carlos Malik-Macosay, who were going to be our cover couple. We met at The Jane at Grant Park, hung the banner and had a great shoot.

But it was the conversation the five of us had afterward that stuck with me. It took place the day after President Trump issued his executive order effectively banning Muslims from entering the US. Kayin is a gay, African-American man. His husband Carlos is a gay MexicanAmerican man. George is a straight Dominican and Ecuadorian-American man. His wife Kristy is a queer, African-American woman. This white, gay man was feeling his privilege.

We had a conversation about “Signs of Solidarity,” the executive order and what’s going to have to happen to get us through the next four to eight years. After voicing some of my own frustration at what was happening, Kayin pointed out that if he made the same point to most white people, they would just view him as an angry black man. That doesn’t stop him from advocating of course. He’s a writer and an activist involved in the local Black Lives Matter movement.

When people say different communities need to come together, to join forces to fight injustice, it often doesn’t stick. I think (hope?) this president has shaken people up enough to follow through this time.

One of the things that has to happen to get through this is more conversations with people that don’t look like us, followed by lots more action. And the more that people recognize their own privilege, and their own biases, the faster we’ll get to where we need to be. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

IN THE MARGINS

Creepoftheweek

Marches need to be more inclusive

Liberty Council’s Mat Staver is out for blood

By Ashleigh Atwell

Ashleigh Atwell is a queer lesbian writer and organizer born and raised in Atlanta, GA.

“We have a wealth of information at our fingertips.

Google is free, y’all. If you try, you can learn how to make your movement work and actions inclusive to everyone.”

The day after Donald Trump was inaugurated, I was on the train leaving work. The car was uncharacteristically packed because the Atlanta leg of the women’s march was starting. I was sitting silently wondering if I should keep going to Decatur or get off and join the action.

I went to Decatur.

When I first heard about the march back in November, I was cautiously hopeful. I thought it’d be nice to see people come together for such a huge endeavor. Perhaps it’d bring the unity this country so desperately needs to fight the Cheeto in Chief. Still, I’ve been in white feminist organizing spaces and unless they’re called out, they don’t worry about issues that don’t affect them.

As weeks passed, the organizers of the women’s march were criticized for their lack of people of color in leadership. Writers produced countless think piece and experienced organizers started asking a lot of hard questions. They responded by naming a group of women of color organizers as their co-chairs. Still, the infighting continued and I progressively became turned off. To make matters worse, the Atlanta march had the counterfeit Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta chapter as a community partner.

With that in mind, I went home.

A few days later, plans for the National Pride March, organized by David Brulnooge, were announced. The march is scheduled for early June in conjunction with Washington D.C.’s Capitol Pride Weekend.

Although going to another city’s Pride is a goal of mine, I am faced with the same decision I had to make for the Women’s March.

As I’ve written several times, the LGBTQ www.thegeorgiavoice.com

community has a dismal track record when it comes to diversity. Brulnooge said he was inspired after “watching the events [of the Women’s March] unfold on TV and I was very proud and inspired by all the women, the strong women in our country who were kind of taking this to the street and getting their voices heard.” That’s nice, but he already made one key mistake.

This march was originally called Gays on the Mall before Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance, urged Brulnooge to give it a more inclusive name.

That’s an immediate red flag.

The original title makes me feel like an afterthought. It’s the same feeling I get when I walk through Midtown or get separated from my group at Pride. It makes me feel like the Latavia to the gays’ Beyoncé and that ain’t cute.

If we’re going to survive this administration as a community, we should stop making these mistakes. It’s easy to blame that flub on being a new organizer, but that should never be an excuse. We have a wealth of information at our fingertips. Google is free, y’all. If you try, you can learn how to make your movement work and actions inclusive to everyone. Part of my frustration with the pussyhat posse was people urging organizers to handle them with kid gloves while not requiring anything from them. I want the LGBTQ community to be an example. According to the march’s Facebook page, “this will be an ALL-inclusive and peaceful event.” I hope so. I will be watching.

Hopefully, I will be inspired enough to twerk in front of the Lincoln Memorial in the name of queer resistance.

By D’ANNE WITKOWSKI It’s been months since Omar Mateen shot over 100 people at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, killing 49. Surely enough time has passed that we can stop mourning the dead and start worrying about the real victims of the attack: the first responders who had to wade through all that gross AIDS blood.

On Jan. 23, Liberty Council’s Mat Staver took to his Faith and Freedom radio program to take the nightclub attendees to task for having the temerity to bleed once they were shot.

“In regards to the Pulse nightclub,” Staver said, “As tragic as it is, some of these officers have no doubt gone through trauma as well because they were going through the Pulse nightclub, it was blood everywhere and, you know, they’re having to get tested for AIDS-related conditions because they’re literally walking in pools of blood.”

Note, too, that he’s just assuming that the dead and wounded had AIDS. In other words, he sees the victims as diseased first, human second (if at all).

Note that Staver prefaces his barbaric com-

ment with “as tragic as it is,” but it certainly seems like he doesn’t think it was all that tragic.

This is a guy who, right after the shooting, laMat Staver mented the fact that churches who helped out the victims were too nice to them.

“Churches got involved and they led in some cases and in other cases they followed and … instead of an opportunity to pray, some of them allowed it to be a homosexual love fest,” he said. “That’s not something that we need to celebrate, this is a tragedy that is against all Americans.”

Keep in mind that the “that” and “this” coming out of Staver’s mouth refer not to the shooting, but to homosexuality, the real tragedy.

But hey, Trump promised to protect LGBT people from foreign ideologies, so I’m sure we’ll all be OK.

February 3, 2017 Outspoken 9

CATCHING UP WITH …

Southerners On New Ground co-director

Mary Hooks Prolific activist on Trump and issues facing LGBT people, working class, people of color

By DIONNE WALKER When it comes to iconic Atlanta-based social justice leaders, names like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. instantly come to mind.

Somewhat lesser known, however, are their modern counterparts, who continue to carry the torch of social justice for a wide and growing cross-section of marginalized communities. Among those progeny one name rings out loud and often: Mary Hooks.

Hooks, co-director of Southerners on New Ground, is easily recognized as one of the city’s most passionate and prolific social justice agitators, found shouting through a bullhorn or hoisting a sign on behalf of black Americans, the poor, the LGBT community and more. In fact, in less than a decade of activism, Hooks has built an impressive résumé that includes proactive roles in stunting police violence in communities of color and improving the treatment of female prisoners.

It’s a surprising twist for Hooks, a former human resources professional who hadn’t much considered leaving her traditional job until a chance 2009 meeting with an activist in, of all places, a bar.

These days Hooks is a full-time activist who has spent a little over a year in her latest role with SONG, a grassroots organization that works at the intersections of race, class, sexuality and gender. She’s also an organizer of the Atlanta chapter of Black Lives Matter. When she’s not raising hell with either organization, Hooks is most likely to be found on the porch of her home in the Sylvan Hills neighborhood of Atlanta, enjoying a brandy and daydreaming about a world in which her 4-year-old daughter, Porter, can enjoy the fruits of her activist labor.

You’re involved in all things activist.

What do you boil your life mission down to?

My life mission is to fulfill our ancestors’ wildest dreams, of getting our people free, of allowing our people to participate in the movement. To get oppressed people liberated. That involves building local power and community – organizing individuals to engage in their local community. Creating a world without cages and jails, where people have safety and dignity. Also fighting those that are in power to get the power back into the hands of the people and to shift the culture we live in – the culture of violence and the culture of isolation. Organizing is a vehicle for that.

You’ve been active in social justice since 2009. What have been some of the changes in the way you approach this work since then?

I came into organizing not knowing what organizing was, so a lot of what I was trying to do at that time inside of SONG was to develop a kinship network, to break isolation of LGBT people living in the South. Now we’re at a point that we can give people the tools and training to organize in their community around issues that are impacting our communities not just as LGBTQ people, but as black folks, as working class people. We have to wake up people’s political imagination about how we take on fights. So beyond the marches, which is still one of the big catch-all, rapid response things, we’re using the guerrilla theater in terms of our approach to the work.

What does SONG feel are some of the emerging issues facing the LGBT community and marginalized people overall?

We see critical issues with people who

Southerners on New Ground co-director Mary Hooks has been active in social justice since 2009. (Courtesy photo)

live at the intersection of race, class, sexuality and gender. One issue is the criminalization and detaining of transgender folks. They are put in cages and made to sit in solitary confinement because they don’t conform to the binaries of male population or female population. Also homelessness. People come to Atlanta from small towns looking for sanctuary and gay community and find themselves sleeping downtown and not finding community or resources, and not having access to healthcare. I just see this new administration stripping away Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act and worry our folks are going to be impacted.

What do you think a Trump presidency will look like for LGBT people and people of color? How will SONG respond?

I think that this new administration will continue to use wedge issues, pitting communities against each other. I think all the stuff we saw with the anti-trans bills that were coming out last year was an example of how this administration will function, passing laws like bathroom bills that demonize a set of our base and our people. We’ll continue to see more of those policies come into

play. I believe it’s either Minnesota or Texas that’s in the state House right now trying to put forth legislation that says if stores aren’t going to have gender neutral bathrooms, they have to hire bathroom monitors to check birth certificates. We’re going to see increased policing of people’s bodies. I think for SONG, the focus will become to build up the heart muscle of our people to fight back, to show active resistance to protect our people to stand up for each other.

What is your response to those who feel that the results of social agitation are just too slow to make getting involved worthwhile?

It took black people 400 years to get slavery abolished. So when we talk about this legacy of resistance, it’s a part of a long term goal. We want to see changes happen instantly in our community of course, but it is more about how we are setting the world up for our children and our children’s children.

We have to see ourselves as part of something larger – part of a legacy of resistance.

Every day we have an opportunity to make history. We have to be accountable for that and should want to feel like a contributor.

12 Community February 3, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

WORK

IT!

The Q&A Events team celebrates winning National LGBT Supplier of the Year at the annual NGLCC Dinner last November. Pictured left to right are: Colleen Wogan, general manager and co-owner, Q&A Events; Suzanne Baugh, CEO and co-owner, Q&A Events; Rick Fowler, vice president of meetings and education, NGLCC; Anthony Shop, co-founder and CSO, Social Driver. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Pizazzz Promotions celebrating 20 years in business Lesbian-owned Pizazzz Promotions celebrated its 20th anniversary last month. The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce-certified business is based in Marietta.

“Heartfelt thanks to all of our clients for allowing us to provide your promotional, marketing and advertising specialty logoed items for 20 years,” said Jan Stepp, president and owner of Pizazzz Promotions and a longtime member of the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Stepp is said to provide a personal touch by thanking clients with a personal note and gift card for every order.

“Pizazzz is your one-stop source for creative advertising specialty, promotional items and printed materials,” Stepp said.

“We can provide literally any item you can imagine with a logo on it. Please think of us for your next event, trade show, marketing campaign, festival, client or employee gift, sales call leave-behind, award, meeting or product launch. We make you memorable.”

Q&A Events wins NGLCC’s National LGBT Supplier of the Year The National Gay & Lesbian Chamwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

ber of Commerce honored Atlanta-based, lesbian-owned professional event production company Q&A Events with the award for National LGBT Supplier of the Year at the group’s annual awards dinner last November.

“To say that we were surprised when the NGLCC called to let us know that we had been selected as Supplier of the Year would be an understatement,” said Q&A Events CEO Suzanne Baugh. “We are truly grateful to receive this award and be included in the same category as the previous Supplier of the Year winners, whom we admire so much. The Q&A Events team’s passion about advancing the LGBTQ business community’s economic growth and business development is long-standing, so to be recognized by the NGLCC in this arena is energizing and inspiring.”

In addition to providing services for Atlanta Pride and The Health Initiative, the NGLCC-certified Q&A Events also gives back to the community by providing services for Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Greater Atlanta, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Life Works Center for Children & Young Adults.

—Staff reports February 3, 2017 Community 13

Sex&Dating

Sensuous foods rumored to spice things up on date night Atlanta restaurants serve up aphrodisiacs galore this Valentine’s Day

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com The science behind aphrodisiac foods is sketchy at best, but that doesn’t mean restaurants in Atlanta aren’t turning up the sexy on some of their rumored love-inducing foods this Valentine’s Day. According to registered dietician Elaine Magee, aphrodisiacs are any foods that aim to stimulate the “love senses” of sight, smell, taste and touch.

“No food has been scientifically proven to stimulate the human sex organs. But foods and the act of eating can suggest sex to the mind, which in turn can help stimulate desire in the body,” Magee writes in a post for Web MD. “It certainly doesn’t hurt to stack the sexual odds in your favor by enjoying foods you and your partner find sensual.”

Most aphrodisiacs’ sexual powers arose from their shape — if it looks like a sex organ, it increases desire — or the senses they inspire. For example, hot or spicy foods like chile peppers were thought to lead to heated passion, Magee said.

Chile pepper: No Más! Cantina Being a Mexican cantina, No Más! is no stranger to the chile pepper, which causes physiological responses similar to those experienced during sex, according to the science website HowStuffWorks.

The chile peppers offered include poblanos, red chile, jalapeño and more. Almost every dish contains some variety, said Melody Voirin, executive chef and director of operations.

“The chipotle chocolate cheesecake, it actually mixes in two aphrodisiacs, the chipotle pepper and chocolate. We have a Mayan mocha as well, which is an espresso drink made with chocolate and chile de árbol,” Voirin said. “Chipotle pepper is a smoked

jalapeño, and it takes on a new form. Lots of time it’s put in adobo sauce. The chile de árbol is a dried red chile pepper, very spicy and pretty small,” Voirin’s favorite chile pepper dish is one of the first she created at No Más!. It’s a pollo relleno, grilled chicken breast stuffed with poblano peppers and Chihuahua cheese, drizzled with a tangy green salsa and served atop fragrant cilantro mashed potatoes.

For Valentine’s Day, she invites Atlantans to tantalize their taste buds with a tequila tasting and pairing, featuring several dishes with chile peppers.

No Más! Cantina is located at 180 Walker Street, Atlanta. For reservations: 404-574-5678 Chocolate: Jardí “I personally find chocolate, this is going to sound very weird, very sexual because it melts. The fact that it is solid when it is in your hand, and then when you put it in your mouth, it melts, I think that kind of captivates the senses of humans,” said Jocelyn Gragg, owner of new Chamblee chocolate company Jardí.

Researchers found chocolate contains “feel good” chemicals like seratonin, which occur naturally in the human body and are released during times of love, happiness and passion, according to HowStuffWorks.

In addition to those supposed aphrodisiac qualities, dark chocolate also contains antioxidants.

Gragg just introduced her 2017 Valentine’s chocolate collection — four sumptuous morsels to delight the tongue. The “Silly Love Songs” include Burning Love, a dark chocolate shell filled with milk chocolate ganache, dried Japanese chile peppers and fresh Serrano peppers; the white chocolate Bleeding Love, which features a blood orange caramel; bananas foster-filled Flaming Love;

Top: New Atlanta chocolatier Jocelyn Gragg created a collection of melt-in-your-mouth treats named after love songs for this Valentine’s Day. (Courtesy photo). Above: The pollo relleno, chicken stuffed with cheese and aphrodisiac chile pepper, is a favorite of No Más! Cantina executive chef Melody Voirin. (Photo courtesy Saldivia Jones Photography).

and the traditional chocolate cherry cordial, Forever Love.

“I love blood orange and they’re trending right now. We put that one in a heart-shaped mold so when you bite into it, it looks like the heart is bleeding,” Gragg said. “We make bananas foster in-house … then we puree the bananas foster into white chocolate.”

Jardí chocolates are available at Atlanta-

area boutique retailers and restaurants.

To order straight from the source, visit www.jardichocolates.com.

Oysters: The Optimist Oysters’ rumored aphrodisiac qualities likely come from their resemblance to female genitalia, though research recently found the animals contain D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate, two chemicals

14 Sex & Dating February 3, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Sex&Dating thought to help release estrogen and testosterone, according to HowStuffWorks.

Whether or not oysters contain enough of the compounds to affect sex drive has yet to be proven, but that’s not stopping The Optimist from offering up a regular rotating tap of the bivalves.

Prince Edward Island varietals at this Ford Fry concept include the medium-brined Shiny Sea, clean and sweet Raspberry Point, citrus-y Lucky Limes and the slightly briny Malpeque. Virginia is represented with both the meaty Petite Beaches and the creamy, salty Chunu, and Alabama oyster lovers can rejoice that buttery Murder Point and crisp Gulf Fresh are on the menu.

For Valentine’s Day, executive chef Craig Richards invites patrons to enjoy their oysters before attending a special three-course dinner with choices such as cobia tartare, charred Spanish octopus and a shellfish tower.

The Optimist is located at 914 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. For reservations, call 404-477-6260.

Watermelon: Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours According to research from Texas A&M University, watermelon has the potential to affect the body similarly to Viagra. The Southern summer fruit staple contains lycopene, beta carotene and citrulline, the latter of which has the ability to relax blood vessels like the little blue pill.

Though out of season right now, Atlantans can enjoy the fruit preserved in a glass of another Southern staple, moonshine, at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours.

“We are a Southern-owned restaurant and the South is known for its peaches and its watermelon. I had not seen a watermelon moonshine out there that didn’t taste more like syrup,” beverage director Lorraine Lane said. “We wanted something more authentic.”

Though Lane couldn’t give away her secret recipe, she said the moonshine infusion features fresh watermelon and fresh jalapeño peppers, doubling its rumored love potion status.

“The jalapeño pepper is clearly distinct in there. It hits the back of your throat,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed [the watermelon moonshine] with the black-eyed pea salsa. It definitely lends itself to a spicy dish, but it’s also a nice complement to the Southern mariwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

Clockwise from top: Bacchanalia offers pine nuts as part of its Capra Gia goat cheese dish, a choice available with the prix fixe menu. (Photo courtesy Bacchanalia). Ford Fry concept The Optimist offers a rotating tap of oysters, a food with aphrodisiac origins arising from its resemblance to female genitalia. (Courtesy photo). Watermelon contains citrulline, a compound believed to act like Viagra.

The fruit can be found year-round in the watermelon moonshine offered at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours. (Photo courtesy Twisted Soul)

nated fried chicken as well as the sweet tea baby-back ribs.”

Watermelon moonshine is available by the glass or as part of a moonshine flight at the restaurant, and Valentine’s diners can enjoy it alongside a decadent prix fixe menu that includes lobster canapés, a cocoa-rubbed rack of lamb and sweet orange and basil crème brûlée.

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours is located at 1133 Huff Road, Atlanta. For reservations, call 404-350-5500.

Pine nuts: Bacchanalia Before his death in 200 A.D., physician and philosopher Galen of Pergamon recommended eating 100 pine nuts before bed, according to HowStuffWorks. The nuts, which are actually seeds of certain species of pine trees, are high in zinc, a mineral shown in some instances to increase “sexual competency” in male rats. A study done by the National Institutes of Health on the topic showed that though high doses of zinc can decrease libido, it could have some benefit on prolonging ejaculation in humans.

Though pine nuts are common ingredients in pestos used on pizzas and in pastas, ATLiens who want something a little more upscale for their sweetheart can dine inside Bacchanalia, which offers a pine nut-studded cheese course as part of its prix fixe four-course menu. The seeds are delicately plated around a tangy, everso-soft quenelle of Capra Gia goat cheese and garnished with beets and sauces.

Bacchanalia is located at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 100, Atlanta. For reservations, call 404-365-0410, ext. 22.

February 3, 2017 Sex & Dating 15

What is TRUVADA for PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis)?

TRUVADA is a prescription medicine that can be used for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection when used together with safer sex practices. This use is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This includes HIV-negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex, and male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not.

Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV-1. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP?

Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must be HIV-negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not

already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. uMany HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: uYou must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. uYou must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uTo further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: • Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners.

• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you.

• Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you.

• Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior.

• Have fewer sex partners.

• Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

• If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. uIf you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: uToo much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats. uSerious liver problems. Your liver may become large and tender, and you may develop fat in your liver. Symptoms of liver problems include your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.

uYou may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or serious liver problems if you

are female, very overweight (obese), or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.

In some cases, these serious conditions have led to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of these conditions. uWorsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you also have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking TRUVADA, they will need to watch you closely for several months to monitor your health. TRUVADA is not approved for the treatment of HBV.

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you also take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: uKidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA for PrEP. uBone problems, including bone pain or bones getting soft or thin, may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. uChanges in body fat, which can happen in people taking TRUVADA or medicines like TRUVADA. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? uAll your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or

have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection.

uIf you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can

harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Pregnancy Registry: A pregnancy registry collects information about your health and the health of your baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take medicines to prevent HIV-1 during pregnancy. For more information about the registry and how it works, talk to your healthcare provider. uIf you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. The medicines in TRUVADA can pass to your baby in breast milk. If you become HIV-1 positive, HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. uAll the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. uIf you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA for PrEP, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include ledipasvir with sofosbuvir (HARVONI).

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following page.

Have you heard about

TRUVADA for PrEP ?

TM

The once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when used with safer sex practices.

• TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex.

• You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA. Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

visit start.truvada.com

IMPORTANT FACTS (tru-VAH-dah)

This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP

Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1 infection. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.

• Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Bone problems.

• Changes in body fat.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight.

These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP to help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1 infection: • You must continue using safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1.

• You must stay HIV-1 negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • Tell your healthcare provider if you have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away.

• If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

• See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information.

TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Buildup of lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious medical emergency that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, cold or blue hands and feet, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and/or fast or abnormal heartbeats.

• Severe liver problems, which in some cases can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, and/or stomach-area pain.

• Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have HBV and take TRUVADA, your hepatitis may become worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

You may be more likely to get lactic acidosis or severe liver problems if you are female, very overweight, or have been taking TRUVADA for a long time.

BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.

• Have any other medical conditions.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed if you become HIV-1 positive because of the risk of passing HIV-1 to your baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.

HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1.

• Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

• You must practice safer sex by using condoms and you must stay HIV-1 negative.

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP (PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS) TRUVADA is a prescription medicine used with safer sex practices for PrEP to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection in adults at high risk: • HIV-1 negative men who have sex with men and who are at high risk of getting infected with HIV-1 through sex.

• Male-female sex partners when one partner has HIV-1 infection and the other does not.

To help determine your risk, talk openly with your doctor about your sexual health.

Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status.

• Take lamivudine (Epivir-HBV) or adefovir (HEPSERA).

TRUVADA, the TRUVADA Logo, TRUVADA FOR PREP, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and HEPSERA are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

Version date: April 2016 © 2016 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0067 10/16

• Know your HIV-1 status and the HIV-1 status of your partners.

• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months or when your healthcare provider tells you.

• Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV-1 to infect you.

• Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior.

• Have fewer sex partners.

• Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV-1 infection.

• Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.

Sex&Dating

Your most unforgettable Georgia dates Georgia Voice readers weigh in on their most romantic nights

By PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com A weekend at the Marriott Marquis. Glassblowing Christmas ornaments in Decatur.

Lounging in a hot tub in Ellijay. A first kiss at Outwrite. These are just some of the memories Georgia Voice readers recalled when we asked you on social media to tell us your most romantic, unforgettable dates in the Peach State.

“It was in autumn last year, I was walking through my neighborhood, Jefferson Park. I kept thinking about how lucky I was to be there and to have made so many friends. I already liked the area, but that day I think I fell deeper in love with Jefferson Park. I hope we’re together for a very long time.”

-Dale Jackson “Last year we went to Decatur Glassblowing together and made our own Christmas ornaments. It was fun, and scary – in that way where you face something scary together and come out stronger. I loved it.”

-Amanda Styles “I have three romantic places that I have experienced in the last two years.

1. Spending the weekend in the executive suites at the Marriott Marquis Downtown Atlanta.

2. Sitting in the hot tub in a cute little cabin in Ellijay with my wife.

3. A beautiful elegant bed and breakfast in Dahlonega. Being treated like queens!!!”

-Peggy Ann Cannella “Dad’s Garage Theater had a benefit at The Fox with celebrity guests from several TV shows, including a special short ‘Archer’ bit from Floyd County Productions (several ‘Archer’ actors are Dad’s Garage alums), and, most exciting to me, Colin Mochrie. That was www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Clockwise from left: Marriott Marquis Downtown Atlanta, Cafe Alsace, Decatur Glassblowing and The Fox Theatre (Courtesy photos)

my first date with my current partner of a yearand-a-half, and it’s even more meaningful to look back on this week, with Colin Mochrie embracing his trans daughter in the press.”

-Eleanor Burden “My husband (then fiancé) and I went to see Cher at Philips Arena three years ago. What an experience! The music was outstanding, the show was amazing and the crowd was on fire!

We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the concert, the time together and the camaraderie of the crowd in the arena that night. Even on the MARTA ride back to our car, people were still glowing from the experience. The train was packed … literally wall-to-wall people. I

do not do well with crowds at all, but even that was not enough to put a damper on the experience. I’m sure this memory will stand out in my mind forever, right up there next to the day we joined with friends and family at our church and said, ‘I do.’”

-Mark Thomas Broomfield-Ranney “We sat in the car at Ansley Mall and put electrical tape rings on because we couldn’t afford rings at the jewelry store … 30 years ago.”

-Kelly Robinson

wasn’t about the bedroom, it was about holding a meaningful conversation with someone who already came out and was living an open life. I learned so much going to Outwrite and eventually was invited back to where I had met a great guy on the patio. We had a stroll through the aisles and had our first kiss where we had met. There has never been a shortage of romantic places in Midtown Atlanta. I am still as much in love with the energy of gay town as I ever was. Much love!”

-Sam Acker

“Outwrite Bookstore was the place for the younger generation to mingle or meet up with an unsuspecting older gentleman. Back then it

“Cafe Alsace in Decatur! It was the site of my engagement, then dinner after we eloped.”

-Terri Dotty Bailey February 3, 2017 Sex & Dating 19

our rights. our home.

we’re f a m i ly

ATLANTA PRIDE Oct. 13-15, 2017 | atlantapride.org

Sex&Dating

Romantic gifts for your Valentine 2EROS Bondi swim short

MUSIC NOTE KNEE-HIGH SOCKS $11.95 Details: 63 percent cotton, 34 percent nylon, 3 percent lycra Women’s sizes: 9-11 RAINBOW PIANO KNEE-HIGH SOCKS $11.95 Details: 70 percent acrylic, 15 percent nylon, 10 percent polyester, 5 percent spandex Women’s sizes: 4-10 ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 404-873-2664 www.asostore.org

2EROS Birds of Paradise swim brief

2EROS BONDI SWIM SHORT Green, Navy, White or Black $79.99

“TAKE MY HAND” COUPLE’S WALL PRINT $38 Atlanta-based shop Foundry & Wharf turns vintage maps into silhouettes of you and your partner.

The prints, available in 8x8 or 8x10 sizes, feature maps from your hometown or a place that’s just special to you (where you met, where you got engaged, you get where we’re going with this).

2EROS BIRDS OF PARADISE SWIM BRIEF $59.99

FOUNDRY AND WHARF www.etsy.com/shop/ FoundryAndWharf

SUPAWEAR VORTEX BRIEF Pink $28.99 NASTY PIG - TITLE BRIEF Red $29 BOY NEXT DOOR 404-873-2664 boynextdoormenswear.com SUPAWEAR Vortex brief

Nasty Pig Title brief

LOVE HAIKUBES $24.95 Create captivating haiku with a roll of the dice.

PADDYWAX SOY WAX CANDLES $25 Spiced Citrus & Saffron and Mulberry & Pine scents ASSORTED CARDS $2.95-$5.95 Say “I love you” from an assortment of greeting cards.

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

GCB 404-876-6567 brushstrokesatlanta.com February 3, 2017 Sex & Dating 21

YES, THEY CAN (AND DID)

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Emily Saliers (l) and Amy Ray are both working on solo albums, and will work on an Indigo Girls album after that. (Photos by Jeremy Cowart)

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22 A&E February 3, 2017

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Georgia native Indigo Girls Emily Saliers and Amy Ray look back on coming out, talk new music and how art will affect the Trump era

By CHRIS AZZOPARDI Marriage equality was a mere pipe dream when Indigo Girls duo Emily Saliers and Amy Ray came out in 1988, coinciding with the release of their eponymous Epic Records debut. There was no groundbreaking “Ellen” sitcom. Melissa Etheridge wasn’t formally out, and wouldn’t be until 1993, when she released “Yes I Am.” With regard to popular entertainment, particularly within the music business, Saliers and Ray were

at the forefront of the queer rights movement. They won a Grammy and released chart-toppers like “Closer to Fine.” And they refused to let their sexuality get in the way of their success, brazenly being themselves at a time when being a gay public figure was uncommon and even downright scary.

I caught up with Saliers, 53, and Ray, 52, at the beginning of 2017, just days before Donald Trump would become our 45th president. The trailblazers talked about how music will unify despite the divisiveness of his adwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

ministration, why “this is a really good time for artists to come to the forefront and stand up and be brave” and their initial grade-school encounter that led to a devoted musical career and dear friendship spanning three decades.

What part do you think the arts, including music, will play in the political climate of Trump’s America?

Ray: This is a really good time for artists to come to the forefront and stand up and be brave and make themselves known, and not be worried about alienating people with their art. Sometimes in the music community – still – there are people who go, “Oh, we don’t want to rock the boat and alienate our audience.” But I feel like people are feeling less of that and more like, “Screw it.” I can see it happening around me with my friends even, who didn’t want to rock the boat, who might’ve been scared to alienate somebody in their audience. But now I think it’s like, “Well, what do we have to lose?”

Saliers: I think (art is) going to play a huge part. For me, personally, the second the election was over I wrote a song about it, and it’s gonna be on my new record, because for my own personal reasons, I had to have a catharsis. I know people need music to help speak their challenges and their struggles, and I think music is going to do two things, maybe more. First of all, for people who are just horrified that he’s our president, and the cabinet that he’s bringing in – possibly the Supreme Court justices – it’s gonna let them know they’re not alone. They’re gonna be able to tap into music that makes them realize that they’re part of a vast community of people

had fears that we’d be stigmatized and judged and the same old crap. We ended up being all those things, but it didn’t matter. The way I felt about being an out musician then was like (whispers), “OK, we’ve announced it. We’re in it.” Now, it’s like, this is really who we are and we are part of a community and things are too important not to take a stand.

Amy Ray (l) and Emily Saliers came out in 1988, coinciding with the release of their eponymous debut album. (Photo by Jeremy Cowart)

who are opposed to all that stuff, and that’s really important. It’s going to remind Trump that the musical culture is not with him.

Does being an out artist mean anything different to you now than it did when you first came out?

Ray: Back then, I did think about visibility, and that’s probably what spurred us to (come out). We were feeling guilty because we were hiding something. We were out in our communities and we were community activists, so our lens, even in the late ’80s, early ’90s, was a political lens, although it definitely got more and more political through the ’90s. But we did think about (visibility) because where we lived in Atlanta, post high school, when we were in college at Emory, HIV/AIDS activism was really big, and they were trying to get art-

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

ists, actors and people in the arts to come out in support of HIV/AIDS activism. So, it was something we were thinking about. It wasn’t like we were scared we were going to get caught and then crucified. It was more like, “This is a compelling reason. If we’re sitting in front of our audience and talking about the importance of self-esteem and individualism, and we’re activists and we’re not willing to be visible when all these other people are willing to be visible, there’s something wrong with that.” That was our conversation with each other.

Saliers: We were always out in our lives, and with our families, friends and locally, and then we got signed to a major label and the national press wanted to talk about it. I had a lot of fear at that time about talking about it in the national press. When I got the courage to be out, it was a feeling of relief and pride. I

Are you working on any solo material, Amy? Ray: I’m writing right now for it, and I’d say I’m about a third of the way through. It’ll be a country-tinged record with punk influences. Emily’s got her record coming out; we just gotta figure out timing. And how to make another Indigo record, ’cause we’re both like, “We’re ready for the next record,” but then we’re like, “When are we gonna write for the next record?” I think her solo record is gonna be bigger than she thinks it will be, so I’m standing back a little bit.

She wrote me a text and was like, “I’m really excited to write for the next Indigo record.”

She’s such a team player. It’s good for us.

We’re both in it for each other.

When can we expect your debut solo album, Emily?

Saliers: In the spring. I hope for April, maybe May. In the spring, we’re gonna go record with University of Colorado’s symphony orchestra, and (Amy and I are) gonna make a record of symphonically performed songs. We’re also working toward making another Indigo Girls studio record. It’s just onto the next thing. There’s no stopping us.

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February 3, 2017 A&E 23

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ACTING OUT

Youth gender issues explored in ‘A Kid Like Jake’ Making its Southeast premiere at Atlanta’s new Out Front Theatre Company – dedicated to telling stories of the LGBT experience and community – is Daniel Pearle’s “A Kid Like Jake.” It’s a drama about two parents – Alex and Greg – who, as they get ready to prepare their 4-year-old son for an exclusive private school, realize the boy would rather play with dolls than traditional toys. How the two decide to move forward drives the show. Georgia Voice caught up with director Paul Conroy and lead performers Justin Dilley and Lauren Megan McCarthy to talk about “Jake.”

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How did you get involved, Lauren?

I’ve been in Atlanta for about a year, doing shows, and Out Front as a company drew me in. I didn’t know much about the show but I “got” this character. It’s written so human; it’s empathetic and raw. It’s like a peek into their life. It was outside of my comfort zone, though, because I am not a parent nor do I have kids.

What is Alex going through?

Alex goes through so much. She is driven and dedicated, but her entire life is Jake. She wants nothing but the best for him. She is trying to be accepting. She is the one who buys him “Cinderella” DVDs and other toys. When (what he is dealing with) starts creating friction in his life, that is when she digs her heels in.

But she goes through a lot of denial.

Does Greg think the child is gay, Justin?

He is balancing how to do right by him and his wife. Counselors are noticing the boy might be having some anxiety with his gender.

I think Greg, as a psychologist, is educated in these matters. He doesn’t think his son is gay or transgender. It’s a question that needs to be explored and not shut away, and he wants to make sure that his son has someone to talk to.

Paul, how does this fit into your season?

It’s nice that we are able to do shows that speak to our community, but shows that aren’t just the ones people know. We can do shows that aren’t mainstream. This deals with

Lisa Boyd, Justin Dilley and Lauren Megan McCarthy star in Out Front Theatre Company’s ‘A Kid Like Jake.’ (Photo by Jacob Demlow)

Details

‘A Kid Like Jake’ Feb. 9 - 26 Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318 www.outfronttheatre.com

gender themes and children. It’s nice that a contemporary piece speaks on these issues.

We want to be as inclusive as possible.

(Last fall’s) “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” was big and splashy with a large cast with music that everyone knew. This one is a 1.5hour show with no intermission and four characters. As we plan ahead, we want to do comedies and dramas, but we are not going to just tell these stories when it is popular or easy. We want to cover the spectrums.

Details

‘Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks’ Feb. 3 - 19 OnStage Atlanta 2969 East Ponce De Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 www.onstageatlanta.com

Also of interest is OnStage Atlanta’s justopened “Six Dances Lessons in Six Weeks,” Richard Alfieri’s play which follows the relationship between Lily (Pat Bell), a retired and widowed woman, and Michael (Daniel Pino), the young man she hires to give her dance lessons. She doesn’t realize he is gay until they begin their lessons, but a friendship develops.

24 A&E February 3, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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Vijay Iyer Trio Friday, February 17

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EATING MY WORDS

By CLIFF BOSTOCK

Finding comfort food in Atlanta during trying times Watching the United States turn into a fullfledged plutocracy, headed by an orange puppet of corporate business, hideously supported by the same people who are its victims, has been surreal. Dining with friends, no matter the context, has always been a way of finding refuge. I recommend breaking bread at home or restaurants that give you comfort and, perhaps, a dose of nostalgia, even if they aren’t the best around.

I dined with friends at two such restaurants in the past few weeks, starting with the stalwart Mary Mac’s Tea Room (224 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-876-1800, www.marymacs.com). This iconic Southern, somewhat touristy restaurant opened in 1945. It hasn’t been without controversy.

Over the years, especially with the restaurant’s purchase by John Ferrell in 1994, controversy has subsided and décor has shifted radically toward elegance. The walls are covered with the countless celebrities who have eaten there.

The food remains about the same. The fried chicken is still the best dish on the menu in my opinion. I admit to a peculiar tendency over the years to order the same thing, chicken and dumplings, even though I never feel quite satisfied. It’s a dish you seldom see on Atlanta menus, so I can never resist. The problem for me is that it is too soupy. Yeah, I know that’s usual, but if it’s soupy, the dumplings should be large. Mary Mac’s are not.

An appetizer I often order is the pot likker with cracklin’ cornbread, something my mother prepared. It’s the water left after cooking a pot of collards. Unfortunately, the cracklings – bits of crunchy pork fat – are way too scarce in the cornbread. Still, it’s a nostalgic treat.

Fried green tomatoes and deviled eggs remain just about perfect. There’s an endless menu of sides. My favorite desserts have always been the peach cobbler and banana pudding.

Mary Mac’s isn’t perfect, but it’s still comfy.

We also recently visited R Thomas Deluxe Grill (1812 Peachtree St., 404-881-0246, www.rthomasdeluxegrill.net). The 82-year-

Mary Mac’s Tea Room is known for its fried chicken with macaroni and cheese. (Photo

by Cliff Bostock)

old owner, Richard Thomas, died a few weeks ago, but the restaurant has been under the management of family members for some time.

When it opened in 1985, the menu was typical of burger joints. Somewhere around 2000, though, Thomas got on a health food kick that changed the menu big-time. We’re talking vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan fare, free-range meats, juices, and smoothies.

As a frequent customer, I wasn’t happy and Thomas chided me frequently.

During my recent visit, a friend and I both ordered the chicken piccata, one of my favorite dishes generally. Another ordered the salmon piccata. Alas, R. Thomas’ piccatta lacks a vital ingredient. While the salmon and the chicken strips dusted with amaranth flour, both burnished with a lemony sauce, had great flavor, where were the capers? It’s an essential ingredient!

The table’s best dish was a fat sandwich layered with grilled chicken. Veggie sides, like green beans, pureed beets and something we couldn’t even identify, took the most space on my plate.

These are restaurants that have played vital roles in Atlanta’s culinary development.

While they won’t banish the Donald, they may help you remember better times.

Cliff Bostock is a former psychotherapist now specializing in life coaching. Contact him at 404-518-4415 or cliffbostock@gmail.com.

26 Columnists February 3, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

B

Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for Feb. 3-16

BETS T ES

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A T N LA

EVEN FRIDAY, FEB. 3

The acclaimed Oscar-nominated documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” opens today at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.landmarktheatres.com Join the Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals (MAAP) for its complimentary February MAAP for Love Happy Hour, featuring an open bar, light bites and more. Complimentary on-site parking will be available. 6 - 8 p.m., The Office Apartments, 250 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308 The Auburn Avenue Research Library, in collaboration with the Counter Narrative Project, is hosting “Marlon Riggs at 60: A Retrospective,” honoring the legacy of activist and filmmaker Marlon Riggs. A champion of marginalized communities, Riggs’ critically acclaimed films unflinchingly speak truth to power on controversial themes of American identity – particularly as they relate to the black experience in the United States. Following a screening of “Tongues Untied,” which intimately explores the interior lives of gay black men via a compelling fusion of personal narrative with collective memory, will be a facilitated post-screening discussion.

7 p.m., Auburn Avenue Research Library, 101 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.afpls.org/aarl Atlanta Ballet’s version of David Bintley’s “Carmina Burana” – an “everyman” story that follows three seminarians as they reject their faith and explore the pleasures of the flesh, including lust, love, greed and gluttony – opens tonight at 8 p.m. and runs through Feb. 12, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.cobbenergycentre.com

28 Best Bets February 3, 2017

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8

The Actor’s Express version of Arthur Miller’s classic “The Crucible” – running through Feb. 19 – has an 8 p.m. performance tonight, 887 W. Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.actorsexpress.com

SATURDAY, FEB. 4

Catch the sultry tango-based opera “Maria de Buenos Aires” (running through Feb. 7) tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Le Maison Rouge at Paris on Ponce, 716 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308 Join Just Toby at the Heretic tonight along with his friends Jaye Lish, Mini Pearl Necklace and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” queens Kandy Ho’ and APRIL carrión to celebrate Just Toby’s birthday with music from one of the greatest music decades. Come dressed up or just with your dance shoes as DJ Headmaster plays your favorite ‘80s tunes.

Toby’s birthday wish is to donate all proceeds to Lost-n-Found Youth, 10 p.m. 3 a.m., Heretic Atlanta, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

SUNDAY, FEB. 5

Scorpio gets the late night crowd revved up, 3 a.m., Xion Atlanta, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.facebook.com/

events/1789658234631552 Friends on Ponce sponsors the 13th annual Chili Cook-Off with prizes for the best bowl, 4 p.m., 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA, 30306, www.friendsonponce-atl.com Rise Up! The Atlanta Falcons face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51, 6:30 p.m. Find a party near you and cheer hard.

The biggest film festival in Atlanta, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, screens the marriage equality documentary “The Freedom to Marry” tonight, with guest speakers Jeff Graham of Georgia Equality, Rebecca Stapel-Wax of SOJOURN and Jim Farmer of Out On Film, 7 p.m., Regal Atlantic Station, 261 19th Street N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30363, www.ajff.org Get your bear on – Jungle Atlanta hosts the Bearhaus DJs, including DJ Moose and DJ Calvin and spotlight performances

throughout the night, 10:30 p.m., 2115 Faulkner Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleatl.com

MONDAY, FEB. 6

The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBTQ children meets tonight from 7:30 - 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, www.uuca.org

TUESDAY, FEB. 7

Come enjoy Latino Tuesdays at Blake’s tonight, with DJ Melo spinning, 227 10th St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309 www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8

Join Midtown Alliance today for the 2017 annual meeting as they discuss the community’s shared purpose, preview exciting new work, celebrate Midtown’s shared wins and say thank you to partners.

Be part of this event celebrating the energy that drives both commerce and community

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LGBT EVENT

let parking available and attire is casual to business casual. This event is free and open to the public. Out Front Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.outfronttheatre.com

Submit your LGBT event for inclusion in our online and print calendars by emailing event info to editor@thegavoice.com

Are you living with HIV and/or passionate about educating others on how HIV affects our communities? Join hundreds of your fellow advocates at the Georgia State Capitol to show lawmakers we are watching! Register at: http://tinyurl.com/hp7yw5w

THURSDAY, FEB. 16

at street level. Enjoy networking, breakfast and a special program featuring information and updates you need to know on the future of Midtown. 7 – 9:30 a.m., The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.facebook.com/ events/111223539360964

UPCOMING SATURDAY, FEB.18

The Atlanta Rollergirls just opened their new season and have a doubleheader today at 5 and 7:30 p.m., Yaarab Shrine Center, 400 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantarollergirls.com

THURSDAY, FEB. 9

SAGE Atlanta’s social hour begins at 10 a.m., followed by a program/meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, 15630 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.rushcenteratl.org Relive the past at Throwback Thursdays at My Sister’s Room, with no cover and drink specials, 6 p.m., 66 12 St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mysistersroom.com Out Front Theatre Company opens the play “A Kid Like Jake,” about parents who discover that their son would rather play with dolls than G.I. Joes, through Feb. 26, 8 p.m., Out Front Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30318, www.outfronttheatre.com

FRIDAY, FEB. 10

Kristian Bush joins with Atlanta playwright Janece Shaffer for the world premiere musical “Troubadour,” through Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m., Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.alliancetheatre.com Enjoy pool and darts and a live DJ tonight, as well as the infamous men of the club, at BJ Roosters, 12043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

Love On the Rocks is the Valentine’s Day cocktail party benefiting Joining Hearts. 7 - 10 p.m., Cantoni Atlanta, 101 Monroe Drive. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.joininghearts.org Celebrate love and sweethearts at the Women’s Outdoor Network Valentine’s Dance. Even if you don’t have a sweetheart now, you may find one here. A

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off an Atlanta stop tonight, with different shows through Feb. 19, tonight at 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org DJ will be spinning nonstop disco hits, old school tunes and today’s hit dance songs.

Enjoy complimentary light apps and extensive chocolate and desserts and the WON vodka-based Valentine’s Day drink for $5.

7 - 11:59 p.m., Amsterdam Atlanta, 502 Amsterdam Ave N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com The Leather and Lace event will feature a healthy array of leathermen, drag queens, shooters and more, benefiting Lost-nFound Youth, 8 - 10 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

SUNDAY, FEB. 12

Michelle Malone, Tom Gray of Delta Moon and Eliot Bronson present a night of song and stories at 7 p.m. at City Winery, 650 North Ave., Ponce City Market, Atlanta, GA, 30308, www.citywinery.com/atlanta

MONDAY, FEB. 13

Ready for your close-up? Angelica D’Paige hosts Blue Monday Karaoke at Burkhart’s at 10:30 p.m., 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

TUESDAY, FEB. 14

Whole World Theatre’s “Love,

Whole World Style” spoofs the ‘70s TV comedy “Love, American Style,” only this version will be layered with improvisation, audience suggestions and comedy, as only the Whole World company can deliver.

A VIP package for the Valentine’s show includes reserved, priority seating for two and a bottle of wine (red, white or champagne). There will also be sweets with the cast after the show in the café.

8 p.m., Whole World Theatre, 1216 Spring Street N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.wholeworldtheatre.com

The Harvard Club of Georgia presents Behind the Scenes of Civil Rights & Gay Rights, with local arts educator John Doyle dramatically depicting the character of Bayard Rustin during a live performance. After the performance there will be an opportunity for thought-provoking discussion on the history of civil rights as well as ideas and inspiration related to the ongoing work towards equality today, 7 p.m., PACE Academy, Fine Arts Center Auditorium, 966 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta, GA 30327

THURSDAY, FEB. 23

Monica van Pelt hosts the Valentine’s Day LoveLoveLove event at Lips Atlanta tonight, 3011 Buford Highway N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, www.lipsatl.com

Charis Circle board chair Susana Morris will be the facilitator of this month’s Black Feminist Book Club. This season’s theme is radical memoirs by black women and the February book is “Assata; An Autobiography,” by Assata Shakur.

7 – 9 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15

SATURDAY, FEB. 25

Atlanta Pride and Touching Up Our Roots present: Our Founding Valentines: Celebrating Our Pioneers.

This year the event will honor Lynn Cothren, Betty Couvertier, Pat Hussain, Julie Rhoad, Cheryl Summerville, Craig Washington and Dennie Doucher. The event is hosted

by Out Front Theatre Company and sponsored by AARP, Swinging Richards and Doc Chey’s Noodle House.

There will be a brief program and performances starting at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, complimentary va-

Voices of Note presents “Life’s Journey” tonight. In its second concert of the season, the Atlanta Women’s Chorus reflects on themes of love, loss and unity, ultimately imagining a world where every person’s story is heard and celebrated. In designing the program, Artistic Director Dr. Melissa Arasi drew inspiration from an article written by Sir Winston Churchill. 2 and 8 p.m., Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306, www.voicesofnote. org/events/lifes-journey

February 3, 2017 Best Bets 29

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Like most of you, I watched last weekend as crowds gathered across the nation’s airports in protest of President Trump’s executive order banning entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days; barring Syrian refugees indefinitely; and blocking entry into the United States for 90 days for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

A wave of dread washed over me, since this was the second weekend of protests in the two weeks of this president’s administration. I was not a Trump supporter and am not surprised by his actions, but I must admit I was hoping he was blowing hot air just to get into the White House and these offensive actions would be few and far between.

That doesn’t seem to be the case.

I struggle with my opinions of friends and co-workers who were outspoken supporters of Trump. I have had several say to me they do not understand why that vote has labeled them as racist, but of course these conversations took place before last weekend. I am a firm believer in diversity and unity, and what some don’t realize is that means everybody, even Trump supporters. That is why I maintain these relationships and conversations. We have far more in common as humans than we have differences.

However, naivety is not an excuse. We have easy access to history and the consequences of similar actions that were taken in the past. The man that came to mind while I watched Americans being detained at American airports just days ago was German pastor Martin Niemöller. He was a supporter of Adolf Hitler during his rise to power because Niemöller was concerned about Communist immigrants and their diaspora. Then his personal area of religion came under fire, and he finally became outspoken against Hitler and was detained for eight years for it. It was after that experience that he said this statement in an interview:

“This isn’t about losing a contest, it is being vocal to make sure people tap into the best of themselves and not the fearbased paranoia that proved disastrous to those who practiced it before.”

First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade unionist Then they came for the Jews And I did not speak out Because I was not a Jew Then they came for me And there was no one left to speak for me.

Our system of government has things in place to keep a dictator from emerging, so it is not a fair comparison to match our situation to that of Germany’s decades ago. However, I do caution anyone blindly critical of those who are protesting. This isn’t about losing a contest, it is being vocal to make sure people tap into the best of themselves and not the fear-based paranoia that proved disastrous to those who practiced it before. Niemöller’s words should serve as a reminder we are all in this together.

Melissa Carter is one of the Morning Show hosts on B98.5. In addition, she is a writer for the Huffington Post. She is recognized as one of the first out radio personalities in Atlanta and one of the few in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter

30 Columnists February 3, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

SOMETIMES ‘Y’

Love, hope, success, family, security.

By RYAN LEE

‘Religious liberty’ crowd reveals true colors As they’ve lost ground in the culture wars, conservatives have been crying wolf about the endangered nature of faith in America, insisting that our country was straying from its founding principle of religious liberty and believers were being persecuted by the government (or the courts, or Hollywood, or corporate America, or pro sports leagues, or whichever mainstream social institution was noting that their god, as described by his followers, was a bigot).

Now that the wolf has appeared, the prophets are silent. They have not fled in fear, nor mounted a fight, as they bravely would have had the wolf asked them to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding; rather, some have ignored the current assault on Muslims, but most giddily cheer on the beast as he mauls the allegedly inalienable rights of followers of a different god (a lesser god, an un-American god; a, some people are saying, fake god).

At the start of this year’s Georgia legislative session, Republican state Sen. Josh McKoon, the messiah of “religious liberty” efforts in this state, offered a clever anecdote to “those who say that we do not have a problem with repressing people and being able to exercise their faith the way they choose.” McKoon told the story of a Nabila Khan, a young Muslim woman who was admonished by her college professor for wearing a traditional veil to class, which McKoon called “an uncomfortable example” for opponents of his Religious Freedom and Restoration Act because it proves “religious liberty” is broader than just discriminating against LGBT Georgians.

“I may not look like Ms. Khan, we may not share the same faith tradition, but we rise and fall on the same legal protections of the Constitution,” McKoon said in his most noble tone, while conceding that many of his fellow religious conservatives would have no problem with discrimination against a Muslim woman. “A government that can tell Ms. Khan not to honor her faith tradition in a lecture hall at a public college or uniwww.thegeorgiavoice.com

“Leaders of the anti-LGBT movement come from the same strain of political theology that faithfully championed segregation, insists on a border wall to keep Mexicans out and says that little Muslim children deserve life (and death) in a war zone more than the religious liberty that American Christians take for granted.” versity can do the same thing to a Christian, the same thing to a Jew, the same thing to someone of any faith tradition.”

However, Khan’s unfortunate experience is more of “a convenient example” for McKoon, suggesting he was interested in all forms of religious freedom, and not just the version that allows Christian store owners, landlords, hospitals and other public accommodations to refuse service to folks they consider abominations. Now that Khan’s faith has been singled-out by President Trump as unwelcome in the United States, and as people, including lawful U.S. residents, were detained in airport jails because they were Muslim, the normally verbose McKoon has said not a word about the perilous state of “religious liberty” in this country.

Over the past 15 years, white Christians have repeatedly tried to ally with AfricanAmericans, Latinos and even Muslims, appealing to their shared disapproval of homosexuality to help pass anti-LGBT laws. But leaders of the anti-LGBT movement come from the same strain of political theology that faithfully championed segregation, insists on a border wall to keep Mexicans out and says that little Muslim children deserve life (and death) in a war zone more than the religious liberty that American Christians take for granted.

Cleo Meyer, Agent 1776 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309 Bus: 404-817-0960 cleo@cleomeyer.com

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Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer.

February 3, 2017 Columnists 31