The Georgia Voice - 3/16/12 Vol.3, Issue 1

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NEWS Gay beating victim speaks out against anti-LGBT violence. Page 4 Soulforce Equality Ride burns through Georgia. Page 6

OUTSPOKENIN THEIR OWN WORDS Photos via Facebook

03.16.12

“I have a man crush on Adam ... I want to kiss him. I want to kiss him so bad. I don’t care if it’s mutual or not ... He’s sexy, is the word I’m using.”

— Country singer Blake Shelton, on his “Voice” co-star, Adam Levine (inset). Shelton has drawn ire in the past for changing the lyrics to a Shania Twain song, tweeting, “Any man that tries Touching my behind He’s gonna be a beaten, bleeding’, heaving kind of guy.” Shelton apologized, saying “when it comes to gay/lesbian rights or just feelings… I love everybody.” (MTV.com, March 7)

YouthPride sues landlord over $40,000 in back rent. Page 8 New guidelines seek better HIV care retention. Page 10 Gay-friendly resolution voted down by Ga. House. Page 13 Pasha Nicole sentenced to 14 years on sex charges. Page 15

Photo via chelywright.com

GA Voice enters third year of publishing. Page 17

VOICES Editorial: Survival is a beautiful word. Page 18

A&E

BY THE NUMBERS OUR SECOND ANNIVERSARY

Spring Music: Gay artists got you covered. Page 22 Spring Theater: Stage menus full of LGBT goodies. Page 24 Spring Books: Local author events continue. Page 26

COMMUNITY Spring Events: Plenty of LGBT happenings in bloom. Page 28 Spring Sports: Leagues ready to kick off season play. Page 30 That’s What She Said: Chill pill anyone? Page 37 Domestically Disturbed: That thing you do. Page 39

4,299

Stories posted to www.theGAVoice.com since our launch on March 5, 2010

2,729,144 Article reads on www.theGAVoice.com

11,980

Photos posted to www.theGAVoice.com in 342 separate galleries

66,603

Number of YouTube hits from our top 10 videos combined. We’ve posted 146 videos in total.

CALENDAR Pages 32-34 facebook.com/thegavoice twitter.com/thegavoice

— Out lesbian fashion designer Kara Laricks, who will compete on NBC’s new reality show “Fashion Star,” which debuted March 13. (March 9, afterellen.com)

1,100+

Web graphics for top stories on www.theGAVoice.com

Publicity photo

Spring Film: ATL Film Fest’s ‘Pink Peach’ has many themes. Page 20

“I love a gender play; I love not being sure. I love walking down the streets of New York and when people pass me by dressed in an androgynous style… Photo via Facebook That’s what I’m aiming to do. Bring a style that does look androgynous, but really does fit a woman’s body.”

“I have an important message, all the bling and Mercedes aside: I’m an openly gay Persian man. According to the president of the country I was born in, I don’t even exist.”

— Reza Farahan, a star on Bravo’s new reality series “Shas of Sunset.” Farahan says he was inspired to do the show by the It Get’s Better Project. (AP, March 10)

“It is my deepest hope that the LikeMe Lighthouse will stand tall, illuminating hope in every direction for all who have a need, whether it’s one of the many great, local LGBT advocacy groups … the not-quite-out 19-year-old … or the parents of the 14-year-old who sat his folks down the night before and nervously said, “Mom, Dad... I think I might be gay… “ — Out country singer Chely Wright, who on March 10 cut the the ribbon outside the LikeMe Lighthouse, an LGBT community center in Kansas City, MO. The center is a part of Wright’s LIKEME organization, “a non-profit dedicated to providing education, assistance and resources to LGBT teens and their family and friends.” (Huffington Post, March 10)

“If you erased all the gay people from the history of the world, the culture would be really lacking, do you know that, Kirk? It’s so not pious. It’s very un-Christlike Kirk.

Really. If you want to follow the Jesus model man, don’t go shaming people like that for who they are.”

— Rosie O’Donnell responds to Kirk Cameron’s stance on gay marriage, which he called “unnatural,” “detrimental and ultimately distractive,” in a March 2 interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan. (OWN YouTube channel, March 9)

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Gay beating victim starts new LGBT anti-violence campaign ‘Speak Out with Brandon’ campaign will partner with Anti-Violence Project in NYC

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com A lively group of more than 40 Pre-K children crowded together on a recent Wednesday morning at the ABC Early Learning Academy in Midtown and sat with their legs crossed, fidgeting and giggling while waiting for their speaker to be introduced.

On this day, March 7, that speaker was Brandon White, the gay 20-year old who was brutally beaten in southwest Atlanta last month after leaving a grocery store. A videotape of the attack was uploaded to the internet where it went viral. White’s audience with the children is his first official speaking engagement as part of his new anti-violence campaign, “Speak Out with Brandon.”

“If you guys are being bullied it can make a lot of things you do a lot harder than what they actually are,” White told the four and five-year olds. “If you’re being bullied at school, you may not want to go outside and play with the other kids, you may not want to talk to anyone, you may want to sit in the corner. But you’re not alone in what you do.”

White explains to the rapt youngsters that just last month he was bullied.

“I was coming from the store and three guys wanted to mess with me. From the kicks to the punches to the name calling, it all hurt. But through a lot of people and a lot of support, they helped me,” he said. “Those guys that wanted to bully me are now in a lot of trouble. Bullying can get you in a world of trouble. It’s no game, it’s no joke and it hurts.”

Four males have been charged in the attack on White and the Atlanta Police Department and FBI are investigating the beating as a possible hate crime because White’s assailants repeatedly called him “faggot.”

“Everyone has a right to be who they want to be and to do what they want to do,” White said simply, not going into any details about his incident.

“No one should be messed with and no one should be teased because of who they are and what they are doing. Everyone is free to be what they want.”

Before finishing his 15 minute talk, White asked the students for a favor.

“Can you help me with something?” he asked.

“Yes,” they responded.

“Can you guys help me with telling others to stop bullying?”

“Yes,” they answered in unison.

Veda Crump, one of the Pre-K teachers,

Brandon White, 20, who was brutally beaten in southwest Atlanta Feb. 4, has started a new anti-violence campaign. His first speaking engagement was to a class of Pre-K children at a Midtown school about the dangers of bullying. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

said she had seen what happened to White on TV and because he has a cousin in the class she thought it would be a good fit to have him speak. She also is getting him involved in a teen program that addresses bullying to be held at Morehouse College in April.

‘Speak Out with Brandon’ to tackle violence against LGBT people

Greg Smith, executive director for the HIV Intervention Project, came up with the idea of the “Speak Out with Brandon” campaign to help LGBT victims of violence, including intimate partner violence, White explained.

“We will allow them to have a voice,” he said of victims. “We want to help them get on their feet, to show there are people who care.”

Smith said Speak Out with Brandon, still in its infancy, is partnering with the Anti-Violence Project based in New York.

“We’re going to start off small. What we found with Brandon’s case is there is a lack of resources,” Smith said. “As we launch the campaign we want to invite the community to become involved and volunteer.

“We haven’t started fundraising yet. But it’s exciting. We’re tweaking the Anti-Violence Project’s infrastructure for an Atlanta and Southeast model,” Smith said.

Apology accepted from Change Atlanta?

Change Atlanta, a group of community ac-

tivists including many gay leaders, at first supported White in the days following his attack.

But after a successful rally in the Pittsburgh community to show solidarity with White, as well as the neighborhood where the crime took place, Change Atlanta’s leadership went on CBS Atlanta and accused White of lying when he said at a press conference he did not know his attackers.

Devin Barrington Ward, 21, one of the accusers, issued a public apology, telling GA Voice that he was a young man still learning how to become a leader.

“I’m working on mending my relationship with the community and most importantly with Brandon,” Ward told GA Voice last month. “I hope he’s able to understand I’m only one year older than he is. And I’m willing to continue working on relationships, coalition building.

We’re not always going to get along, but if the community will allow me a seat at the table I would like to be there.”

White, however, is not accepting what he said is a “public apology.”

“Devin didn’t apologize to me. Devin apologized to the public. He made his accusations to the public, he apologized to the public. There is no apology for me to accept. He was not talking about me. I have no clue who he was talking about,” White said.

Another activist, Gary Nichols, also turned to CBS Atlanta to accuse White of taunting his attackers and said White wanted to expose

them for being on the “down low,” or secretly gay. He said he felt “duped” by White but days later also took back his claims via Facebook.

“I am not a part of Change Atlanta ... I will say one thing, the CBS interview was a low blow and creative video editing. For myself, it was not a great moment; because I do not like to get on television or do the politics thing,” Nichols said on Facebook on March 4.

White said it had been hard dealing with rumors that are being spread about him.

“It’s been a roller coaster, especially now that so many rumors are coming out,” White said. “Why would you try to destroy my character? I think if you’re going to make a statement about something you should know all the details.”

Smith said he wants to focus on the new anti-violence campaign but knows there is division within the community.

“Our focus has always been anti-violence.

As a community we have a common interest.

The truth [about the attack] will come out in court,” Smith said.

“The series of events has caused so much community division when we were all on one accord, now we’re all singing a different song.

Once a rumor is out there it speaks to the internalized homophobia we have. We even get played by the media in the scheme of things,” Smith said.

Moving on, dealing with notoriety

White and Smith met with U.S. Rep. John Lewis in Atlanta shortly after the attack and White described him as “down to earth.”

“He’s so nice. He’s a public figure, but he’s very down to earth. It was very comforting talking to him. He’s been through a lot. It was very nice of him to take time out of his busy schedule to meet with us,” White said.

And Smith said “Speak Out with Brandon” shared Lewis’ message that no one should be beaten for who they are.

“He said when he saw the video it reminded him of when he was beaten during the civil rights movement. No one should be attacked for who they are. That’s the message we are trying to bring to people,” Smith said.

In addition to picking up speaking engagements, White said he recently started back to work at a home nursing company and expects to enroll back in school at Georgia State University.

“I’m bettering myself. I’m actually taking bigger steps than what I was before,” he said.

But because his face was all over the TV for many weeks, people readily recognize him in Atlanta. People approach him at the grocery store, in restaurants and on the street, he said.

Those are still frightening situations.

“My biggest thing is having people approach me. I’m still very sensitive. People walk up to you, and you never know who the person is. It’s very scary,” he said.

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Soulforce Equality Ride burns through Georgia LGBT advocacy group attends protest, holds town hall meetings and speaks at colleges

By Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Soulforce, an organization dedicated to fighting anti-LGBT religious and political oppression, brought its Equality Ride to Georgia earlier this month, attending a protest, speaking at colleges and attending town halls during its four-day trek through the Peach State.

This year marks the second year that the Equality Ride passed through Georgia. It began in 2006 and has seen more than 100 riders participating in dialogue in more than 50 schools across the country.

For J. Mason, co-director of the Equality Ride, the highlight of the visit was a meeting with the president of Carver College, Robert Crummie.

Mason, 27, identifies as transmasculine.

“We went to Carver College to see if we could chat with students, do a little protesting,” Mason says.

Carver, a historically black theological col-

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Soulforce Equality Ride www.soulforce.org For photos from the “Rick Bus” protest, please visit www.thegavoice.com lege in Atlanta, initially rejected Soulforce’s invitation to dialogue about the school’s policies regarding LGBT students, but Mason says that the group was able to speak with the school’s president off campus.

“The meeting was in some ways very hushhush,” Mason says. “What we agreed was that the college would distribute materials on LGBTQ-friendly schools.”

The Riders’ first stop in Atlanta was March 5 to protest a rally held in support of presidential candidate and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. The rally was organized by the Susan B. Anthony List and featured anti-gay speakers, including former Congressperson Marilyn Musgrave (R-Co.), the sponsor of the failed Federal Marriage Amendment.

“I think they knew going into it that there would be more people opposed to their viewpoints than supporting them,” Mason said.

Members of Soulforce protest a rally held in support of presidential candidate Rick Santorum at the Georgia state capitol building. (by Ryan Watkins)

The group stood in silence for most of the rally, but turned to walk back toward their bus, singing a hymn Mason calls “Love, Love.”

Georgia is one of a handful of states to not have hate crime protections for its LGBT residents. Thanks to a stalled HB 630 (Fair Employment Practices Act), state workers can be fired for their sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation. There is quite a bit of

work left before the Peach State can be called “friendly” for LGBT folks, but Mason believes the tide is turning.

“We never see it as an uphill battle.” Mason says of Georgia’s political climate. “It’s a work in progress. We seek to engage particularly religious schools that have anti-LGBTQ policies.

We need to let students know there are people out there that love them and care about them.

“We do that for a few reasons. We believe these institutions are creating the religious leaders of tomorrow. We believe these same institutions are creating the political climate. We want to get those leaders, too, so that they know they can’t question our ability to live,” Mason adds.

The Equality Riders held several town hall events and potluck dinners with religious organizations in the state, including Muslims for Progressive Values and the Virginia Highland First MCC church.

“We got to do a lot of singing and praying,” Mason says.

The Soulforce Equality Riders visited Tennessee after leaving Georgia and will make their way to Chicago. From there, the group will visit Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Dallas, Abilene, Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland and San Francisco.

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YouthPride files counter lawsuit against landlord

Court date set for March 20 to settle dispute with Inman Park United Methodist Church

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com

YouthPride is digging in to fight the lawsuit filed against the LGBT youth group by its landlord Inman Park United Methodist Church, which says the non profit owes more than $40,000 in back rent.

A court date is set for March 20 in Fulton Magistrate Court to try to settle the dispute, according to online documents filed with Fulton Magistrate Court. The notice was mailed out to the parties on Tuesday, March 13.

Inman Park UMC filed its lawsuit against YouthPride in Fulton Magistrate Court on Feb. 17 including an eviction notice to be served on the organization mandating it leave the premises.

An eviction notice was served on YouthPride on March 2 by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, giving the group a week to respond. McPhaul filed the counterclaim against the church on March 9, online records show. McPhaul’s allegations in the lawsuit were not known by press time. He did not return repeated calls and emails asking to comment on the lawsuit.

Peter Morgan, attorney for Inman Park UMC, also could not be reached for comment

by Tuesday’s press time.

At a March 6 town hall forum to discuss the viability and future of YouthPride hosted by an independent task force concerned about the future of LGBT youth services in Atlanta, McPhaul vowed to sue the church.

“As it relates to the $40,000 rent, which we have always said was overpriced… the bottom line is this: We have legal claims against the church as well,” McPhaul told attendees.

“We had legal claims against the church as well,” McPhaul repeated. “So there were certain things that we actually missed out on as a result of certain things the church did not comply with — so we haven’t answered the lawsuit yet, but we will, and soon.”

Morgan, attorney for Inman Park UMC, told GA Voice on March 8 that the church “is not aware of any claims YouthPride might have,” and McPhaul continues to tell him that the agency plans to pay part of the back rent.

“YouthPride has certainly not brought any such matters to my attention, and I have had several recent conversations with Terence,” Morgan said. “In fact, Terence is still telling me that YouthPride very much wants to make the church whole and promising to pay over to the church at least $20,000 which he claims YouthPride is about to receive in support.”

Morgan accused McPhaul of changing his story.

“YouthPride seems to present different mes-

YouthPride Executive Director Terence McPhaul addressed a group of young adults and volunteer task members concerned about the LGBT youth agency’s future during a March 6 town hall forum. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

sages for different audiences, but we are confident that the court will quickly establish the truth,” he said.

Rather than working against YouthPride, Morgan said the church “has done everything possible to accommodate YP in its financial difficulties.”

As evidence, he listed that the church allowed YouthPride to go so long without paying rent before taking legal action, and also that Inman Park UMC continues to pay utilities for YouthPride. The utilities are included in the rent that the church says YouthPride has not paid since last summer.

“Unfortunately, if YouthPride has now suggested that it may have claims against the church that in any way excuse its nonpayment of rent in so large an amount, this would bear out the cynical maxim that no good deed goes unpunished,” Morgan said.

McPhaul accused of ‘hijacking’ town hall forum McPhaul also disputed the independent task force’s presentation on the finances of the agency, which showed it to be almost $81,000 in debt.

Some 25 young people attended the meeting, seated in the front two rows of the church, joined by another approximate 20 people including task force members and concerned citizens. The meeting became raucous at times when McPhaul repeatedly cut off people as they tried to speak, and angrily denied the agency was facing the crisis that the ad hoc committees uncovered during their research.

Charlie Stadtlander, who organized the Jan. 25 meeting that led to the formation of two volunteer task forces to look into the viability and stability of YouthPride, stressed that the task forces had no authority other than what was “given to us in spirit of cooperation” with Board President Jordan Myers at that Jan. 25 meeting.

Stadtlander said he was “disappointed” with McPhaul’s antics.

“The individual or individuals, the leadership of YouthPride, every step of the way did not cooperate and obstructed [the task forces]. Then the individual came to the meeting to try to seize control and hijack the meeting and turn it into a ‘blame the task force’ scenario,” Stadlander said of McPhaul after the March 6 meeting.

McPhaul’s public comments included denigrating those serving on the task forces, saying, “I think some people did this with good intentions but I think some were duped.

“While we appreciate all the work you [the task force] have done, the fact of the matter is we have worked on maintaining compliance and have maintained compliance with those that really do have the authority to say that we stay open or close,” McPhaul said.

“Just because we have not been compliant does not mean we automatically shut down the agency. So we have to ensure we are compliant with the organizations that require that,” McPhaul added.

McPhaul said he hired an attorney approximately three weeks ago to help the agency organize a board of directors.

The lawyer, Jason McCoy of the Atlantabased Paul Hastings law firm, said in an interview he has been retained on a pro bono basis to help McPhaul create a new board of directors.

“He wants to transition to a new board of directors. I’ve reviewed the bylaws and have had conversations with other board members,” McCoy said.

McCoy clarified by saying he has spoken to McPhaul and Board President Jordan Myers.

Myers has been missing in action since January, ignoring requests for comment from the GA Voice. McCoy added he expected YouthPride to have a new board of directors within 60 days.

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Increased retention in HIV programs part of new guidelines Delayed diagnosis, other challenges prevent optimum care

By Matt Schafer Despite an emphasis on greater HIV testing over the past two decades, an AIDS physicians association is calling for not only more testing, but better follow up to get people who are HIV positive into treatment programs.

On March 5, the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) issued a new set of guidelines that challenges how the medical establishment gets people into treatment programs and keeps them enrolled.

“These guidelines are the foundation of an evolving blueprint that practitioners and health systems can use as a resource to improve entry into and retention in HIV care as well as adherence to HIV treatments,” said Dr. Melanie Thompson, co-chair of the IAPAC Panel in a press release issued by IAPAC. Thompson is also Principal Investigator of the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA).

Dr. Carlos del Rio, co-director for the Clini-

cal Science and International Research Core of the Emory Center for AIDS Research, believes the recommendations are a call to fix a known hole in the system.

“Of those with HIV 80 percent know their status, of those who know [their status] only 70 percent are linked to care, and of those who are linked to care only 60 percent are retained in care,” del Rio said. “Only slightly over a quarter are receiving what we would consider proper care.”

Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as Dr. del Rio’s group at Emory, show that only 19 to 28 percent of Americans living with HIV actually receive a correct drug regimen and have an undetectable viral load. While the IAPAC guidelines are not binding, they do inform health care providers about the importance of testing and care.

The primary sources of HIV testing in metro Atlanta are county health departments and nonprofits including Positive Impact, AID Gwinnett and AID Atlanta. As a provider of HIV medical case management in the region, AID Atlanta welcomes the call for greater testing and care.

“One of the things we’re doing is being more active in linking to care and not just referring people to a doctor, but following up and making sure they follow through,” AID Atlanta Executive Director Tracy Elliott said. “We ob-

“What those guidelines are all about is trying to address people with HIV, or any chronic disease, to link them to care,” Dr. Carlos del Rio of Emory explained. (Courtesy Emory)

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com International Association of AIDS Physicians www.iapac.org viously are here and ready to respond. We’re for it, equipped, and ready to go.”

Last year AID Atlanta administered 6,800 HIV tests. The group also provides a health clinic and educational services. AID Atlanta,

AID Gwinnett and other nonprofit AIDS service organizations receive the bulk of their funding through grants and private donations. While the guidelines lend support to their missions, there is no new money to pay for testing, or treatment, which concerns some health care providers.

Jacqueline Muther, the HIV policy and contracts manager for Grady Health System, applauds the new guidelines but worries about the cost of drugs and treatment.

“This has been on the radar screen for quite a while,” Muther said. “It looks like it’s going to break out into one of those have or have not sort of things where the people who have insurance and have money will be able to get the drugs, but if you’re poor you might not. The worst thing in the world is to put out something which is really good science, and good health, but not be able to provide the medication.”

Dr. del Rio agrees, saying his research shows that the main reason people do not stay in treatment programs is because of lifestyle factors.

“Many of the populations that are suffering from this epidemic are poor. It disproportionately affects the poor, it’s a disease of poverty… for a lot of people with HIV in this country HIV is not their highest priority. They have other priorities and that prevents them from staying in treatment.”

Winston Johnson and Leon Allen Community Leadership Award: Rev. Phillip Thomason

Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award: The Health Initiative

Keynote Speaker: Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

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Ga. Republicans block gay-friendly House resolution Rep. Keisha Waites attempts but fails to commend UGA gay group

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Newly elected lesbian state Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta), who was sworn into office last month, has spent a great deal of time in her first weeks in office introducing resolutions to recognize friends and supporters.

However, one resolution that would recognize the Young Democrats at UGA, as well as the university’s gay-rights group Lambda Alliance and Ally Outreach, was voted down — not because it was pro-gay but rather because it was pro-Democrat, according to a March 12 story by the Associated Press.

“It’s a political resolution that looks like the entire House is commending a particular political candidate and political philosophy,” House Majority Leader Larry O’Neal, a Republican, told the AP. “We’ve got an election season coming up and I didn’t want the other side running around with a resolution adopted by the entire House — Republicans and Democrats and independents — saying that we’re commending and supporting Barack Obama, for instance, for president.”

The resolution introduced by Waites, voted down by 32-104 includes these statements: WHEREAS, in 2008, the Young Democrats helped register over 6,000 voters in the Athens-Clark County area as well as staffed and volunteered on campaigns at local and state levels, including Barack Obama’s campaign for President; WHEREAS, the Lambda Alliance at the University of Georgia is an influential voice in the university community that works with administration, faculty, and other student organizations to ensure that the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students are represented; and WHEREAS, Lambda sponsors a variety of programs throughout the year to educate the university community about LGBT issues, including Diversity Awareness Week, the annual National Coming Out Day, and the semi-annual drag show; and WHEREAS, the Ally Outreach began in 2008 from a campaign started by Lambda Alliance to reach out to allies of the LGBT community; and WHEREAS, Ally Outreach is a gay rightscentered advocacy group that aims to increase acceptance of the LGBT community on the

longtime supporter and friend Matthew Cardinale, the openly gay founder and editor of Atlanta Progressive News, for his victory in a lawsuit that went all the way to the state Supreme Court. Representing himself, Cardinale successfully argued the city of Atlanta violated the state’s open meetings law by taking a secret vote during a retreat. However, no mention of Cardinale’s sexual orientation was included in the resolution.

State Rep. Keisha Waites failed to get a resolution passed in the GA House honoring UGA’s Young Democrats and its gay organization.

(Photo by Dyana Bagby)

UGA campus by facilitating and calling for allies to accept, advocate, and act Waites did get a resolution passed for her

Waites also was able to get passed a resolution honoring lesbian Rev. Mitzi Bickers, a former member of the Atlanta Board of Education. Her sexual orientation was also not mentioned.

Last year, Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), the first openly gay legislator elected to the General Assembly, sponsored with Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta) a resolution honoring longtime LGBT activist Cathy Woolard, who was the first openly gay person elected to public office in Georgia. Drenner said leaving out the “gay” in the resolution was part of an “acceptance strategy” in the conservative legislature.

Waites, who sought public office eight times before winning this seat in a special election on Feb. 7, has to run again in November. She has previously sought seats in the Georgia House, Georgia Senate, the Fulton County Commission and the Atlanta City Council.

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Pasha Nicole to serve 14 years on sex charges

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com

Former Atlanta drag personality Pasha Nicole, whose legal name is Christopher Lynch, pleaded guilty March 7 to sexual exploitation of children and other charges before a Douglas County Superior Court judge.

Douglas County Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ackley said Lynch pleaded guilty to

one count of pimping a child younger than 18, one count of pandering by compulsion and two counts of sexual exploitation of children.

Lynch was sentenced to 30 years to serve 14 in prison, Ackley added.

In a tearful and emotional plea before the judge, Lynch said what happened was a big mistake.

“I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life but this is by

far the most utterly stupid one I’ve made,” Lynch told the judge, according to WSB-TV. “For the first time in a really long time, like four years, I’m thinking clearly because I don’t have the drugs running through me and I’m so sorry. I feel really bad,” Lynch said.

Lynch’s victim was identified as being 16 and was forced to have sex every day while being kept in the house where Lynch was living, according to WSB.

Lynch was arrested last March and was charged with trafficking minors for sex.

Also arrested in the case was gay bar BJ Roosters’ former go-go dancer Stephen Lemery.

Lemery remains in the Douglas County Sheriff’s jail and his case is in a “holding pattern” right now, Ackley said.

A total of 18 indictments were handed down against Lynch and Lemery last year.

“Multiple victims in this case have been identified from Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. Some of these victims are minors,” the sheriff’s office reported last year.

Douglas County law enforcement also identified Lynch as Pasha Nicole at the time of the arrest.

“Lynch, more commonly known in the Metro Atlanta GLBT community as Pasha Nicole, has been charged with human trafficking of a minor person for sexual servitude, two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, pandering by compulsion and possession of drug related objects,” the news release stated.

Pasha Nicole competed in the first season of the “Dragnique” drag competition held at Jungle, which ran from January to Feb. 18, 2011.

She was voted out of the drag competition by the judges early in the competition but was brought back for a wild card event.

Lemery was arrested March 2, 2011, and in an interview on March 2, 2011, with Atlanta’s Fox 5 news station, Nicole was identified as one of Lemery’s housemates. Nicole claimed to have assisted police in the investigation of Lemery.

Douglas County law enforcement authorities, however, said an alleged victim recognized Pasha Nicole on the TV station and reported that Nicole was also exploiting children.

Fox 5 reported Lemery used social networking sites to lure teen boys to have sex with him at his house on Chapel Hill Road and would not allow them to leave. Lemery also allegedly did not feed the boys and kept them locked in a closet. Lemery faces charges of aggravated child molestation, human trafficking, child molestation, enticing a child for indecent purposes and pandering by compulsion.

As part of Lynch’s plea agreement, Lynch must testify against Lemery.

Pasha Nicole, whose legal name is Christopher Lynch, pled guilty to sexual exploitation of children on March 7. (Photo by Justin Ziegler)

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Making our own history

March 16, 2012

GA Voice

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TOP 10 ARTICLES ON WWW.THEGAVOICE.COM Long was target of ‘outing’ campaign 1 Eddie by black gay activists in 2005 (35,158 hits) Ritter Cartoon: 2 Mike Protecting Our Students (31,727 hits) Black Gay Pride organizer 3 Atlanta found shot to death (28,898 hits) King’s gay-inclusive speech at 4 Bernice MLK rally surprises LGBT participants (21,273 hits)

Weir finds love in Atlanta 5 Johnny (20,588 hits) announces new standards 6 WPATH of care for transgender and gender nonconforming people (18,483 hits)

7

Shorter University employee speaks out on new policy on homosexuality (17,941 hits)

Fox 5: Bishop Eddie Long 8 [Video] had fifth accuser in gay sex scandal (16,561 hits) of Conyers mega ‘Church in 9 Pastor the Now’ comes out in wake of

GA Voice enters third year of publishing The issue you are reading is the first edition of our third year of publication. Yes, believe it or not, GA Voice officially turns two on March 16, 2012. If that makes you feel old, welcome to our club.

We launched two years ago in the wake of the demise of Southern Voice which closed its doors in November, 2009. Most of our readers are well acquainted with that story by now, but here is the abridged version for those of you who might not know us that well: Southern Voice was founded by Chris Cash in 1988; in 1997 she sold the paper to Window Media right after she hired Laura DouglasBrown as an intern; Window gobbled up numerous papers and magazines and became rather bloated; Douglas-Brown became editor of SoVo in 2006; paper wins lots of awards; everybody loves SoVo; Cash is somewhere in Texas doing whatever; economy turns mucho sour; advertisers abandon ship; Window closes down SoVo and its sister publication Washington Blade on November 19, 2009 and declares bankruptcy; Cash and Douglas-Brown decide they will launch a new paper; community says “cool;” Tim Boyd is asked to join the team; former SoVo staff members sign on to new pub; community says “let’s call it GA Voice;” Cash and DouglasBrown attempt to buy SoVo name and assets; they fail; launch happens anyway on March 16, 2010; everybody loves GaVo. Whew!

Even though our roots can be traced back

to the earliest days of Southern Voice, after two years in business, we can now claim our own history. Maybe soon we will not even have to explain who we are and/or what happened to Southern Voice. We can simply be “GA Voice, the media outlet of record for Atlanta and the state of Georgia.” That is what we strive to be and the reason we are here.

Much has happened to us, and in our community, in the last year- good and not so good.

While the community at large has struggled with the likes of Eddie Long and Tanya Ditty, here at the office we have experienced the ups and downs of our industry and personal challenges which have both tested us and brought us closer together. We face the start of our third year with a lot of experience to weather anything that might come our way. Readers can depend on us to be there for the big local stories, to make sense of the nonsensical and to provide a laugh when it is most needed. If you haven’t seen our latest video news spot — The GA Voice Hot Minute — check it out on our website. Art Director Bo Shell and webmaster Ryan Watkins crafted this “light news” segment to counter the seriousness that often comes with news and the news industry.

More bragging rights: GA Voice partnered with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau in April, 2011 on our travel guide “Destination: Gay Atlanta” making DGA the “official” LGBT guide to our city. ACVB also partnered

with us on their website, www.gay-atlanta.com, where you can find a digital version of DGA as well as information and discounts for both visitors and residents. The 2012 edition of DGA will be on stands and on the website in May. We’ve stacked up a few honors and awards this year, too. Our Deputy Editor, Dyana Bagby, was named one of the Top 10 Journalists on Twitter and very recently Editor Laura Douglas-Brown was honored by Emory University’s Office of LGBT Life as one of “20 Change Agents” who have helped make that school a national leader in LGBT equality. See more awards in the sidebar on page 18.

Although news and information are our products and our passion, at the end of the day we are a business that sells advertising space.

Without those ads we could not bring you one word, one video or one photograph. The business side of our company is led by our Associate Publisher, Tim Boyd, whom many of you probably know. Tim and our account executive, Marshall Graham, call, text, e-mail, knock on doors and anything else legal to insure our paper and website are full of ads. We are blessed to have them and to have all of the many businesses who believe that GA Voice is a mighty fine way to reach their audience.

Happy anniversary to us. We celebrate our survival, our mission and our future today.

Year three is shaping up to be quite interesting- stick around.

gay youth suicides (13,227 hits) employees banned at 10 Gay Ga.’s Shorter University (10,423 hits)

VIDEOS POSTED ON THE GA VOICE YOUTUBE CHANNEL WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/GAVOICE

1

Jack Strouss, a gay World War II veteran, reflects on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal (17,791 views)

2 3 4 5 6

Reichen Lehmkuhl talks about being on Logo’s ‘The A List: New York’ (12,245 views)

7 8

Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ eerily similar to Madonna’s ‘Express Yourself’ (4,473 views)

Georgia Representative Rashad Taylor comes out (6,420 views) Interview with APD Officer Patricia Powell (5,453 views) Julian Bond on Bishop Eddie Long sex scandal (5,022 views) Tanya Ditty from Concerned Women for America compares gays to pedophiles, necrophiliacs (4,578 views)

Morehouse student Daniel Edwards talks about being gay on campus (4,135 views)

Jensen Atwood speaks at Outwrite 9 Actor during Black Gay Pride (4,051 views) High School students organize 10 Grady demonstration against anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church (2,255 views)

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March 16, 2012

Voices

The Georgia Voice

1904 Monroe Dr., Suite 130 Atlanta, GA 30324 404-815-6941 | www.thegavoice.com

EDITORIAL

Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com Contributors: Rob Andrews, Melissa Carter, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Ryan Lee, Topher Payne, Mike Ritter, Matt Schafer, Steve Warren, Justin Ziegler

BUSINESS

Publisher: Christina Cash ccash@thegavoice.com Associate Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com Sales Executive: Marshall Graham mgraham@thegavoice.com National Advertising: Rivendell Media, 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com

BOARD OF ADVISERS

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

Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return.

The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request.

A single copy of the Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from the Georgia Voice office only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 26-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to the Georgia Voice, 1904 Monroe Drive, Suite 130, Atlanta, GA 30324. The Georgia Voice is published every other Friday by The Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 26 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing offices.

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

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

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VOICES OPINION & REACTION

Survival is a beautiful word

Editorial by Chris Cash Anniversaries, of every kind, bring up all kinds of feelings. Looking back on our lives has a tendency to make the good events look better than they were and the bad ones look worse.

Lovers and spouses do this. They recall forgotten birthdays and broken promises and assess if they really should be in this relationship. But they also cling to the special moments when it seemed they were the only two people in the world who really know what love is. If they look closer at their relationship, however, they realize that what is most significant about their anniversary and what that date truly represents is survival. They made it through all of the difficult moments and they remain intact.

The same holds true for communities and organizations and businesses. Today, March 16, marks our second anniversary. The last year has been challenging and exhilarating — sometimes both in the same day — for GA Voice and for those we serve.

Newspapers, both big and small, continue to struggle with dwindling readership and advertising sales. We are lucky at GA Voice. As a local niche publication, we are in a better position than most to weather hard times and to secure the sales we need to pay for newsprint, computers and salaries.

We have much to celebrate this anniversary. GA Voice is growing by the day and recognized frequently for our talent and our product. See the awards sidebar here. Our website visits and views have doubled since last year. Our Facebook page is frequently visited and people engage in conversations there every day.

The LGBT community as a whole has also taken some blows this year. We lost Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse and Poster Hut (yes, some people care about that), bars have closed and funding for organizations has been hard to come by. The economy is still rocky and has taken a toll on a lot of people. As I look back on the past year I am again most impressed by the simple fact that we, like couples celebrating their anniversary, have survived.

Maybe being grateful for something as basic as “survival” is grasping at straws. I don’t think so. One of the definitions of survival is “to continue to function or prosper in spite of…” Well, we have had a slew of “in spite ofs” in the past year and here we are —

AWARDS National Newspaper Association 2010 Better Newspaper Contest Best Website (Non-daily Division), second place (led by Web Manager Ryan Watkins) Best Investigative or In-Depth Story or Series (Non-daily Division, circulation 6,000 - 9,999), Deputy Editor Dyana Bagby, second place Atlanta Press Club 2010 Awards of Excellence Opinion Writing, Laura Douglas-Brown, finalist (second place) Small Print Circulation / News, Dyana Bagby, finalist (second place) Top 10 Atlanta Journalists on Twitter Dyana Bagby (Compiled by Clay Duda of the Center for Sustainable Journalism at Kennesaw State) Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 2011 Community Awards Best Businessman, nominee, Associate Publisher Tim Boyd Best Businesswoman, nominee, Editor Laura Douglas-Brown

functioning and prospering. Examples of this can be seen everywhere. Brushstrokes, Mixx and Charis Books & More will carry on Outwrite’s legacy and bring LGBT authors to town. Faltering organizations like YouthPride will likely be improved or replaced with a new organization thanks to people who care about our young people. It looks like Gilbert’s might take over the old Outwrite space and, hopefully, 10th & Piedmont will once again be a gathering place. And, who knows, maybe someone is planning a new and improved version of Poster Hut right this minute.

What I have found to be true is that adversity always leads to something new, something better than what came before. The process is painful but the result, if I simply survive it, far outweighs the momentary agony. Ultimately, it is the result that I remember. Like childbirth, the pain of a new birth is soon forgotten as you

Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 2010 Community Awards Best Businesswoman, nominee, Editor Laura Douglas-Brown Emory University ’20 Change Agents’ for LGBT rights, Laura Douglas-Brown Atlanta Pride 2010 Community Grand Marshal, Laura Douglas-Brown 2010 Fenuxe 50: 50 leaders in LGBT Atlanta Laura Douglas-Brown

hold that baby in your arms.

At GA Voice, we are in the planning stages of several new births which we will present to you very soon. As we celebrate another year with each other, we salute our community for its resilience and its passion. Let’s continue to find our strength in each other and keep ourselves open to what is new and what is possible. Stay tuned.

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MUSIC

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by Juliette Ebner

Spring music has got you covered Gay singers and gay singer icons ensure a bouquet of new listening

This spring brings the release of several albums from icons, “American Idols,” Broadway divas and more. Some artists, such as Madonna and Adam Lambert, are releasing long-awaited returns to the music scene, while others are reworking their sound or releasing covers projects.

After a successful performance at the halftime show of the Super Bowl this year, Madonna’s long-awaited new album, “MDNA” drops March 26. The album will have 15 tracks, including first single “Give Me All Your Luvin’” and her Golden Globe-winning, “Masterpiece.”

She comes to Atlanta in November.

Adam Lambert, of “American Idol” fame, has his second album, “Trespassing,” slated for a March 20 release. The out singer acted as an executive producer and co-wrote many of the tracks, working with guest artists such as Pharrell Williams, Sam Sparro and Bruno Mars.

Tony winner Idina Menzel, best known for her work on Broadway in “Wicked” and “Rent,” released a new CD and DVD earlier this month for her PBS special, “Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony.” The concert, recorded in Toronto, features Broadway numbers and reworkings of songs such as Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” and Sting’s “Roxanne.” Taye Diggs, Menzel’s husband, also makes a guest appearance.

Another “American Idol” alum Clay Aiken has a new album “Steadfast” coming out on March 26. This new album comes on the heels of the out singer’s participation in the NBC’s reality series “The Celebrity Apprentice.” The album is an extension of Aiken’s previous album, “Tried and True,” with an original song, “Bring Back My Love” and covers of songs by Neil Sedaka and Connie Francis.

Gay singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright has

ATLANTA SHOWS MARCH 3/16: 3/17: 3/18: 3/27: 3/29:

3/30:

3/31:

APRIL 4/1: 4/10: 4/10: Top: Rufus Wainwright, Madonna and Adam Lambert are slated to release highly-anticipated new music this spring. Below: Queer band The Shondes are headed to Atlanta March 30.

(Publicity Photos)

teamed up with producer Mark Ronson for his newest album “Out of the Game” to be released May 1. This is Wainwright’s seventh studio album and features musicians such as the DapKings, Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Wainwright’s sister, Martha Wainwright.

Gay indie singer/songwriter Tom Goss releases “Lost Songs and Underdogs” on April 3.

Goss holed up in a one-room cabin in rural Virginia, turned off his phone and computer, and wrote the project during a time of soul searching. He calls it “direct, honest” and his “most intimate” project yet. It’s available in a couple editions with various bonus tracks and perks.

Go to www.tomgossmusic.net for details.

Pop singer Katy Perry is releasing a special edition of her album “Teenage Dream” on March 27. The new album, entitled “Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection,” will feature the original 12 tracks plus three new ones, a Tommy Sun-

shine megamix of Perry’s previous six singles, the Kanye West version of “E.T.,” the Missy Elliot version of “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” and an acoustic version of “The One That Got Away.”

Grammy-winning R&B singer Macy Gray returns with a new album “Covered,” set to release March 26. The album features 16 covers including Gray’s take on the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again,” the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Maps” and even Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.”

Lionel Richie has a new album coming out on March 26, “Tuskegee.” The album includes 13 tracks, each one featuring a different country act with Richie, such as the Rascal Flatts joining him on “Dancing on the Ceiling,” Jennifer

4/14:

Mary Gauthier at Eddie’s Attic Bitch at My Sister’s Room Bruce Springsteen at Philips Arena Daughtry at Cobb Energy Centre ‘We Will Always Love You’ Tribute to Whitney Houston at Apache Cafe The Shondes at the Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge Michelle Malone Banned at Eddie’s Pink Martini at Atlanta Symphony Hall Hunx and his Punx at the Earl Red Hot Chili Peppers at The Arena at Gwinnett Center Magnetic Fields at Variety Playhouse

MAY

5/2: 5/4: 5/9: 5/12:

Nickelback at Philips Arena Counting Crows at Tabernacle Bonnie Raitt at Cobb Energy Centre Zac Brown Band at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood 5/13-14: Yanni at Cobb Energy Center 5/16: The Ting Tings at Variety Playhouse 5/18-19: Jason Aldean at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood 5/19: St. Vincent at Variety Playhouse 5/22: Dave Matthews Band at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Nettles on “Hello” and Shania Twain on his classic duet with Diana Ross, “Endless Love.”

Bruce Springsteen is back with “Wrecking Ball,” his 17th studio album. The album features 11 new recordings including “We Take Care of Our Own” and two bonus tracks on the special edition.

Coming off a touching tribute to Etta James at the Grammys, Bonnie Raitt has a new album, “Slipstream” slated to drop April 10. This is her first studio album in seven years and will feature renditions of classic songs by artists such as Bob Dylan and more.

March 16, 2012

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GA Voice

PIANO TUESDAYS AT

MIXX A PREMIER VIDEO LOUNGE

Featuring David Reeb, one of the most accomplished pianist in the Atlanta area.

David has a repertoire of over 1000 songs and can play your song, in the key you select.

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THEATER by Jim Farmer

Theater menu full of LGBT goodies

MARCH

‘The Motherf***er With the Hat’ March 15 – April 14 at Actor’s Express 887 W. Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30318 www.actorsexpress.com

World premiere, Tony nominees and lots of camp on tap this season

Miss Richfield 1981’s ‘2012: We’ll All Be Dead By Christmas’ March 30 - 31 at 14th Street Playhouse 173 14th St., Atlanta, GA 30309 www.14thstplayhouse.org

With a world premiere musical, several plays nominated for Tony’s, and a number of campy delights, Atlanta’s spring theater season promises a lot for LGBT audiences.

Lesbian director Sheri Sutton is helming one of the most anticipated productions – Tonynominated musical “Xanadu” by Douglas Carter Beane at Actor’s Express. It’s a goofy show based on the Olivia Newton John musical from 1980, where an Australian Greek muse comes to help a young man open a disco. One of its stars is openly gay actor Craig Waldrip and some of the campy moments are, fittingly, on skates.

Also at the Express is Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Tony-nominated comedy drama “The Motherf***er With the Hat,” just on Broadway with Chris Rock and Bobby Canavale.

Centering on the relationship between a longtime couple in and out of rehab, it is directed by openly gay Actor’s Express artistic director Freddie Ashley. According to Ashley, the drama was not in the company’s original 2011-2012 season but when “The Night of the Iguana” fell out he jumped to do this instead.

The Process Theatre’s “Auntie Mame” also looks to be one of the hot button productions of spring. The hitch here – it’s done mostly in drag, with Topher Payne taking on the character of flamboyant Mame Dennis and DeWayne Morgan playing Vera Charles. Expect lots of camp and scenery chewing. Morgan promises that the comedy, based on the Rosalind Russell movie, will be a lot of fun, in tone with Process’ popular “Designing Women” performances.

The spring sees the return of the LGBT fave Miss Richfield 1981, the Midwestern beauty queen with a big ole bouffant. The Atlanta stop kicks off a national tour of the new “2012:

APRIL

‘Ghost Brothers of Darkland County’ April 4 – May 13 at Alliance Theatre 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309 www.alliancetheatre.com ‘Auntie Mame’ April 13 – May 5 at Onstage Atlanta 2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033 www.onstageatlanta.com Miss Richfield 1981’s “2012: We’ll All Be Dead

By Christmas” is one of many productions of gay interest playing this spring. (Publicity photo)

We’ll All Be Dead By Christmas.” Miss Richfield was previously in town last year around this time and was a popular ticket.

Much buzz surrounds The Alliance Theatre’s “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” a world premiere musical featuring a collaboration between two unlikely artists - author Stephen King and musician John Cougar Mellencamp. Called a Southern gothic musical, it takes place in Mississippi, with a 40-year old secret involving the death of two brothers and a girl. Among those in the cast of the world premiere is Justin Guarini of “American Idol” fame.

A smash here two seasons ago, the Tony Award winning musical “Jersey Boys” is returning to the ATL. It charts the rise of the Four

Seasons band and has a gay character, that of gay record producer Bob Crewe.

Also returning is a new version of the iconic “The Wizard of Oz,” which bows at the 14th Street Playhouse and is being staged by Curtains Up Inc., with a cast of children and teenagers.

Openly gay Brian Clowdus, artistic director of Serenbe Playhouse, opens his three-season summer season with Rachel Teagle’s unorthodox world premiere version of “Alice in Wonderland,” which he is directing. The season also includes the gay-themed “Time Between Us” later in July.

Finally, the gay-owned Theatre in the Square, assuming it can get out of its financial crunch, will be staging the campy “Tuna Does Vegas,” directed by gay Ed Howard and created by Howard, Joe Sears and Jaston William, also gay. According to Palmer Wells, artistic director of Theatre in the Square, the company has a March 16 deadline to raise money or it will have to close its doors.

‘Tuna Does Vegas’ April 25 – May 27 at Theatre in the Square 11 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064 www.theatreinthesquare.com

MAY

‘Xanadu’ May 10 – June 16 at Actor’s Express 887 W. Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30318 www.actorsexpress.com ‘The Wizard of Oz’ May 16 -20 at 14th Street Playhouse 173 14th St., Atlanta, GA 30309 www.14thstplayhouse.org ‘Jersey Boys’ May 22 – June 10 at Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308 www.broadwayacrossamerica.com ‘Alice in Wonderland’ June 1- July 28 at Serenbe Playhouse 9110 Selborne Lane Suite 210, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268 www.serenbeplayhouse.com

March 16, 2012

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“a bruising, tragicomic apache dance of love, betrayal and indecision.”

– The New York Times

Written by Stephen Directed by Freddie Ashley

$1 PrEvi5E Tix w MAr !

15 &1C6H

Adly Guirgis

March 15 - april 14, 2012 NoMiNated Tickets online at actors-express.com or 404.607.SHOW Actor’s Express at the King Plow Arts Center fulton county arts & culture

for 6 toNy awards!

SEASON

Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs.

AE MF4.917x5ad.indd 1

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BOOKS

by Jim Farmer

Local author events continue despite demise of Outwrite Brushstrokes/Mixx and Charis step up to fill void The launch of a new visiting author series highlights a 2012 spring season ripe with events featuring both local and out-of-town LGBT authors.

With the closing of Outwrite earlier this year, local bookstores and businesses are working to fill the void. On March 22, Brushstrokes will begin its new author signings with Mixx Atlanta (both of which are near each other in Ansley Mall) with an appearance by Totally Tyler and his book “Your Boyfriend & Other Guys I’ve Kissed: The Tails of Totally Tyler.”

Tyler, a former Atlantan whose blog about his dating life caught on, has now published a book about his experiences. Tyler remembers his years living here by Madonna albums. “I moved here in 1998, when ‘Ray of Light’ came out, and moved in 2008,” he says. “I was living alone in Midtown, the gay mecca of Atlanta, and I started writing about my bad dates.”

“Your Boyfriend & Other Guys I’ve Kissed” covers the year 2005 and Tyler says the next chapter will cover the following year of his dating escapades. According to Tyler, the first book is PG-13, the second R and the next in the series “risqué.” He says he’s changed the name of some of his “dates” but the encounters are all true.

Brushstrokes co-owner Tom Schloeder feels Tyler is a good fit for their first event. “He lived in Atlanta for a decade and knows the city and its gay life well and has written an extremely funny take on our zany gay lives,” says Schloeder, who owns Brushstrokes along with his partner Mark Jackson. Schloeder feels the collaboration with Mixx will be a successful one.

“Since we do not have enough space in either of our stores, the collaboration with Mixx to use its event space for our author readings-signings is a dream solution,” he says. “The smoke-free bar is just across the parking lot from our stores and it couldn’t be a better solution to accommodate our book readers.”

Schloeder expects to bring in other authors this season, starting with Big Meach, author of “Awakening, Epiphanies Along A Spiritual Journey.”

Charis Books and More is also hosting a season full of big author events. According to program director Elizabeth Anderson, Charis will have as much queer literary programming as possible with the demise of Outwrite, including events for gay men. Trystan Cotten will be the first of their spring guests, to talk about his new “Transgender Migrations” book on March 28 and continue what Anderson calls a “commitment to trans programming.” Kelli Dunham, author of four books and a frequent Gay Pride performer, will be part of a queer comedy

MARCH March 22: Totally Tyler with “Your Boyfriend

& Other Guys I’ve Kissed” at

Brushstrokes/Mixx Clockwise from top left: Totally Tyler, Kelli Dunham and Diana Cage are all slated to appear at local bookstores this spring. (Publicity photos)

March 28: Trystan Cotten with

“Transgender Migrations” at Charis March 30: Megan Volpert with “Sonics in

Warholia” along with Chris Shipman

and Vince Cellucci at Bound To Be

Read Books

APRIL April 1: Collin Kelly and David Matthew-Barnes at Bound To Be Read Books April 26: Queer comedian Kelli Dunham’s “Good Ol’ Fashioned Queer Comedy Revival Show” with Atlanta Pride at Charis Books & More. show collaboration with Charis and Atlanta Pride on April 26. Another upcoming guest is lesbian sex writer and columnist Diana Cage, who edited the landmark lesbian magazine “On Our Backs.” Her new book is “A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Ecstasy.” Cage – scheduled for May 11 — has long been a Charis favorite, according to Anderson. Several more spring events are being planned and will be available on Charis’s website soon, such as a three-part community discussion about Bayard Rustin’s life and legacy.

Two events are slated for East Atlanta’s Born To Be Read Books. On March 30, the LGBT friendly bookstore is bringing in lesbian poet Megan Volpert, who recently re-located to Atlanta from Chicago with her wife, to read from her fourth poetry book, “Sonics in Warholia.” On April 1, the bookstore will host a reading from two local LGBT authors, Collin Kelly and David-Matthew Barnes. Kelly will be reading from his second novel “Remain in Light” – a finalist for the 2012 Townsend Prize for Fiction - and Barnes is expected to read from

MAY May 11: Diana Cage with “A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Ecstasy” at Charis.

Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324 www.brushstrokesatlanta.com Charis Books & More 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 www.charisbooksandmore.com Bound to be Read Books 481-B Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316 www.boundtobereadbooks.com one of his upcoming books. Kelly welcomes the opportunity to appear with Barnes and feels their styles are similar. “It’s a great opportunity,” he says. “I think he and I each have our own fan base and an event like this gives people more bang for the buck.”

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COMMUNITY LOCAL LIFE Local gay events bloom in spring From ‘Queer Beats!’ to ‘Gleeful Noise,’ LGBT offerings this season are nothing to sneeze at

Music matters

From “Queer Beats!” LGBT Atlanta can jump to a “Gleeful Noise” with the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Concert, “Gleeful Noise: Celebrating Glee Clubs, Then and Now” on March 30-31.

“So many members of the LGBT community are followers of the television series ‘Glee.’

It exemplifies our experience, especially the experience that many gay men, including myself, had in high school,” said long-time AGMC artistic director Kevin Robison.

MondoHomo Spaghetti Dinner, Bingo and Queer storytelling Tuesday, March 20 7-10 p.m. at Sauced Atlanta 753 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 www.mondohomo.com Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Concert ‘Gleeful Noise: Celebrating Glee Clubs, Then and Now’ March 30-31 at Cannon Chapel, Emory University 515 S. Kilgo Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322 www.agmchorus.org

APRIL

By Laura Douglas-Brown and Dyana Bagby Slurping on spaghetti and shouting out “Bingo!” as the numbers are called by Atlanta drag legend Diamond Lil at MondoHomo’s fundraiser is a “queerlicious” way to kick off the spring events season in LGBT Atlanta.

Queer storytelling from elder activists as you daub your numbers adds icing to that cake.

“Each year, one of the fantastic things MondoHomo encompasses is community love. Our first event, Spaghetti + Bingo + Queer-Story, is dedicated to this exchange of queer lovin’,” says Jesse Morgan, MondoHomo organizer.

The event also brings together different generations of queer who break bread and share their stories.

“On this fabulous night, the MondoPosse is dedicated to creating a night that recognizes the need for intergenerational support and education for community sustainability. Recognizing and understanding our queer roots is imperative to embrace and tighten the connection of those who have impacted our history,” Morgan explains.

The MondoHomo fest celebrates its sixth anniversary this year May 24-27 with the theme “Queer Justice! Queer Beats!” created by new organizer Edric Figueroa.

“I definitely encourage other people to get involved. MondoHomo has benefitted my life, socially, politically, sexually, the list goes on!”

Morgan says. “We have so many organizing and volunteer opportunities for a diverse array of people. You can show community love, meet people, find a date or two, get political, and more! Email me at: heyqueer@mondohomo. com for more information.”

MARCH

Atlanta Eagle’s 25th anniversary and Leather Pride April 14-15 at the Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308 www.atlantaeagle.com Joining Hearts Change of Seasons Tea Dance April 15, 4-9 p.m. at The Georgian Terrace Hotel 659 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 www.joininghearts.org

Atlanta drag legend Diamond Lil calls bingo numbers with MondoHomo organizer Jesse Morgan at the 2011 spaghetti dinner, bingo and queer storytelling fundraiser. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

The concert includes many of the same arrangements from the TV show, including Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” as the Warbler’s performed it. The concert also includes productions of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “A House is Not a Home,” and the “Viva la Diva” medley — a montage of songs by Madonna, Lady Gaga and Beyonce — that the girls sang on the show.

“And while our ‘Single Ladies’ may not be as butch as the football team’s was in ‘Glee,’ it’s still going to be a blast. We’re not pulling many punches here,” Robison says.

Atlanta Eagle flies high at 25

It’s also a year to celebrate the quarter-century mark for gay bar the Atlanta Eagle.

The Atlanta Eagle kicks off its celebration with a party on April 6 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the bar being owned by Robby Kelley and Richard Ramey. The bar will be rolling back the prices and the music to 1997 for a memorable event, Kelley says.

The 25th anniversary of the bar takes place April 14-15 and coincides with Leather Pride,

which includes the Mr. Atlanta Eagle contest as well as the return of the Ms. Atlanta Eagle contest after an 11-year absence.

“I think it’s great [to celebrate 25 years] considering everything the bar has been through,” Kelley says. In 2009, the bar was raided by the Atlanta Police Department. A federal court ruled the raid unconstitutional.

Gay US Senate hopeful named keynote speaker for HRC Dinner

Also celebrating 25 years is the Atlanta HRC Gala and Auction, set this year for May 5 at the Hyatt Regency with the theme “Be Part of Equality.” The keynote speaker is U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), who is making a bid to be the first openly gay senator.

“Tammy is a dynamic speaker, and is incredibly passionate. She understands the work it takes to go against the ‘grain’ and break down barriers,” says Matthew Garrett, co-chair of the HRC Atlanta Gala and Auction.

Details for the dinner are still being hammered out, but the gala expects some 1,000 people to attend, more than 15 corporate sponsors as well as 200+ auction donors.

“The 25th Anniversary is a huge milestone for Atlanta,” Garrett says. “The fact that Atlanta has the second oldest HRC event in the country speaks volumes to the leadership, vision, courage, and passion of our friends and colleagues.”

Atlanta Bucks Purple Dress Run Fundraiser for Lost and Found Youth (formerly Saint Lost and Found) April 21, details TBA www.facebook.com/atlantabucks Pride Expo April 21-22 Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart www.theprideexpo.com Party with Impact for Positive Impact April 21, 7 p.m. at The Wimbish House 1150 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 www.positiveimpact-atl.org AGMC presents ‘Encore: A Night of Music’ April 22, 5:30 p.m.

Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center 800 Spring St. NW, Atlanta GA 30308 www.agmchorus.org

MAY

OutlantaCon May 4-6 at Holiday Inn Perimeter 4386 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30341 www.outlantacon.org 25th Annual HRC Gala and Auction May 5 at the Hyatt Regency 265 Peachtree Center Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303 www.atlantahrcdinner.org Pet Cotillion for PALS May 6, details TBA, www.palsatlanta.org MondoHomo fest May 24-27, Locations: TBA www.mondohomo.com

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RTE GA Voice March 16.pdf

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GA Voice

Bring this coupon in for $5 off your $25 or greater purchase of all natural, organic groceries, produce, nutritional supplements, personal care products and more.

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SPORTS by Ryan Watkins

Lots of balls to fly this Spring Local softball, football and soccer leagues kick off seasons

Several gay Atlanta sports leagues will kick off their Spring seasons in the coming weeks, including three softball leagues, a flag football league and a soccer league.

The Decatur Women’s Softball League, an all-women’s league, returns to the diamond March 16 for its sixth annual Spring season.

This season, the action will take place at a new field, the fields at Blackburn Park off of Ashford Dunwoody Road. The league previously played at Kelly Cofer Park but has moved locations for the season due to field repairs.

Games will be held at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. from March 16 through the end of May. The League will take Friday, April 6 off to mark Good Friday.

The league’s commissioner, Anne Barr, says that while the games are non-competitive, all of the teams play quality ball.

“We’ve got some teams that are better than others, but they’re all getting pretty good,” Barr says.

Barr stresses that all women are welcome to play ball. “We’re the opposite of the Real World, we’re 10 percent straight,” Barr says. “It’s all about fun, community, exercise and friendship.”

Aside from giving the women a chance to mix it up on the diamond, the Decatur Women’s Softball League, which is under the umbrella of The Decatur Women’s Sports League, also donates a portion of its league fees each year to The Health Initiative, formerly known as the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative. Barr says the league has donated around $55,000 to The Health Initiative since it was founded in 2007.

The Hotlanta Softball league, Atlanta’s largest mixed gay and lesbian sports league, kicks off its

DECATUR WOMEN’S SPORTS LEAGUE Season begins March 16 Blackburn Park 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30319 www.decaturwomenssportsleague.info

HOTLANTA SOFTBALL Season begins March 17 Metro Atlanta Softball Complex 7301 Campbellton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30331 www.hotlantasoftball.org Big Peach Softball Tournament May 26-27 at Metro Atlanta Softball Complex

NATIONAL FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE OF ATLANTA Season beings March 17 Candler Park 1400 McLendon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 www.nffla.com Gay softball teams from around the country will descend on Atlanta this Memorial Day weekend for the Big Peach Softball Tournament. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

2012 season March 17, culminating with the annual Big Peach Softball Tournament May 26-27.

Teams from around the country will descend on Atlanta this Memorial Day weekend to participate in one of the country’s largest annual gay softball tournaments.

The National Flag Football League of Atlanta (NFFLA) also kicks off its upcoming season March 17 at Candler Park.

The chairman of the NFFLA, Lance Burage, says that this Spring’s league is the largest the NFFLA has ever fielded.

“We set a record number of teams, nine, in

the league this year,” Burage says. “It’s the largest the league has ever been.”

Some 120 players have signed on for the upcoming season. With 36 of the players being new to the league, Burage says. Each year, a draft determines the players for each team. Burage says this helps keep the league competitive.

The NFFLA will celebrate its kickoff with a St. Patrick’s Day “Margarita Bust” at Zocalo at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 17.

Winner of GA Voice’s annual “Best Local Sporting Team” Best of Atlanta award, the Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club returned to action in February.

The team’s annual “Purple Dress Run” is slated for Sat. April 21. The “Purple Dress Run” involves a dozen or more burly men — wearing purple dresses, of course — drinking

St. Patty’s ‘Margarita Bust’ at Zocolo March 17, 5-10 p.m.

ATLANTA BUCK’S RUGBY Purple Dress Run Fundraiser for Lost and Found Youth April 21, details TBA www.facebook.com/atlantabucks at multiple locations before jogging to the next.

This year’s event is a benefit for the Bucks and Lost and Found Youth (formerly The Saint Lost and Found Fund).

The Bucks’ next game is scheduled for Sat. March 17 at Austin Thomas Walden Middle School Athletic Field.

The Bucks are also preparing for the 2012 Bingham Cup, the largest rugby tournament outside of the IRB Rugby World Cup. This year’s cup will be held in Manchester, England, May 31 through June 3.

March 16, 2012

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Calendar

BEST BETS 03.16 - 03.29 “Designing Women Live” is a drag performance of the classic TV series and a fundraiser for the Process Theatre starring Topher Payne, DeWayne Morgan, Johnny Drago, Frankie Asher, Spencer Stephens and Amanda Cucher. 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. on Sunday at Onstage Atlanta, 2597 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033, www.onstageatlanta.tix.com

St. Patrick’s Day Saturday, March 17

The National Flag Football League hosts a St. Patrick’s Day all-you-can-drink margarita bust. $15. 5 - 10 p.m. at Zocalo, 187 10th St. Atlanta, GA 30309, www.nffla.com The Heretic celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a show by the Armorettes at 8 p.m., then 3-Legged Cowboy country dancing at 10 p.m., and a set by DJ Mike Pope at midnight. No cover all night.

2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com See Bitch in concert at 9 p.m. as part of the St. Paddy’s Day bash at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com Amsterdam Atlanta celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with green draft beer, green martinis, and, better yet, no cover. 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

There are two ways to add your events to our online and print calendars. Submit your info to www.theGAVoice.com or e-mail details to editor@theGAVoice.com.

Friday, March 16

The Decatur Women’s Sports League kicks off its spring softball season with games on Friday nights through May 25. This season, play moves to Blackburn Park, 3501 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319, www.decaturwomen.com Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story” screens at the Third Friday Film Series. Suggested donation $1-$10 sliding scale. Films start at 7:30 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.firstexistentialist.org

Friday, March 16Sunday, March 18

ADD YOUR EVENT

Saturday, March 17

DJ Eddie Baez spins at 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Julie O and five of her funniest friends invade My Sister’s Room for J.O.E. presents Funny Friday. $10 Cover. Doors at 7 p.m., Show at 8 p.m. at My Sister’s Room. 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta GA 30316. www.mysistersroom.com Lesbian singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier performs with Tania Elizabeth at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com Enjoy Femmistry Fridays with Traxx Girls, 10 p.m. at Encore, 2520 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.traxxgirls.com The guys at WassupNAtl get the party going with three levels of fun at Trio Fridays. 10 p.m - 4 a.m. at Mengo’s. 91 Broad Street, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.wassupnatl.com

Saturday, March 17

The Health Initiative hosts an LGBT Weight Watchers group every Saturday morning. First weigh-in starts at 8 a.m., with a meeting at 8:30 a.m. Second weigh-in starts at 9:30 a.m., with a meeting at 10 a.m. 1530 DeKalb Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.theheathinitiative.org The Atlanta Institute of Stitches & Crafts hosts Sewing 101, one of many sewing, crafting, and DIY home decorating courses offered at the gay-owned Kai Lin Art Gallery. 3 - 5 p.m., 3069 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, www.kailinart.com/classes/, full schedule at www.instituteofstitchesandcrafts.com The Atlanta Rollergirls roller derby hosts “War Between the Skates,” a double header featuring Denim Demons vs. Toxic Shocks and Rumble Bs vs. Gainesville Roller Rebels. 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Yaarab Shrine Center, 400 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta GA 30308, www.atlantarollergirls.com DJ Pat Scott helms the turntables for Atlanta Bucks Rugby fundraising night. 10 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlanteagle.com

Publiticy photo

Publicity photo by Melinda Kelley

SPOTLIGHT

www.theGAVoice.com

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

Sunday, March 18

The Hotlanta Softball League’s Atlanta Titans host the annual Bowling Beer & Boys fundraiser. Free shoe rental, $20 unlimited beer and bowling, $10 to do one or the other. 12 - 4 pm. at Midtown Bowl, 1936 Piedmont Circle, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.facebook.com/AtlantaTitans PFLAG Atlanta hosts their Third Sunday meeting, this week featuring a panel of gay and lesbian couples who are also parents. 2:45 - 5 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, GA 30329. www.pflagatlanta.org The infamous drag queens of the South, the Armorettes take over Burkhart’s. Be part of the action with their new game “Take a Sh@t!” Tips are donated to their nonprofit fund for various AIDS-related organizations. 8 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Traxx Girls presents Showtime Sundays hosted by Ms. Sophia, 12 a.m. showtime at Scores Sports Bar, 2425 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30035, www.traxxgirls.com

Monday, March 19

Mondays are Happy Bear Cocktail Hour, where patrons can watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Absolutely Fabulous” with half-price appetizers. 5 - 8 p.m. at the Cockpit, 465 Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30312, http://thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com Watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race” at 9 p.m. followed by the Manic Monday show at 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com Niesha Dupree’s Stars of the Century takes the stage on Mondays at 11 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Calendar

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Tuesday, March 20

Thursday, March 22

Draq queens from around the Southeast are slated to perform as Charlie Brown hosts a benefit for the legendary Lily White and her mother, who lost everything in a home fire several weeks ago. 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, 30324.

Jerry hosts “I Gotta Sing!” karaoke. 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Join infamous drag personality Ruby Redd for the truly Dirty Boy Bingo. 10 p.m. at the Cockpit, 465 Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30312, http://thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com

Angelica D’ Paige hosts Trivia Tuesday Karaoke at Burkhart’s, where you’ll have your turn on the mic and a chance to win free shots by answering trivia questions throughout the night. 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Friday, March 23

Wednesday, March 21

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at Marlow’s Tavern at the Northlake Doubletree Hotel, 4156 La Vista Road, Atlanta, GA30084, www.atlantagaychamber.org

The Kennesaw State Pride Alliance hosts “Unleash the Queens and Kings,” their fifth annual PALS charity fundraiser drag show. 8 - 11 p.m. at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30067, http://on.fb.me/wePYZk

Saturday, March 24

Hotlanta Softball’s Atlanta Talons host their third annual beer bust. Enjoy entertainment by Amanda Topp & Company, DJ Joey S, Jell-O shots and raffle prizes. 2 - 7 p.m. at F.R.O.G.S., 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.theatlantatalons.com

Work your noggin with team trivia. 8 p.m. at Friends on Ponce, 736 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

International Communities United hosts “Bridging the Gap.” 6 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Dragnique, the unique drag contest at Jungle, continues its third season every Wednesday hosted by Phoenix and Bubba D. Show begins at 9:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Ladies at Play host Dance 101 with special guest DJ E. Relax with your friends for casual chit-chat in one room, dance to high energy tracks in another. 9 p.m.

- 2 a.m. at 9 Poplar St NW (Formerly the Mark Ultra Lounge), Atlanta, GA 30303. www.ladiesatplay.com

Photo via yarasophia.com

Friday, March 23 Ru Paul’s Drag Race season three alum Yara Sofia performs around 10 p.m., at Club Rush, 2715 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30324.

Comedians Woody, Emmett, Jaz and headliner Keno take the stage for J.O.E Presents Insane Saturday hosted by Julie O. Doors open at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com Heretic makes a day of it, with a Shamrock Shindig 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., a country dance lesson. 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. with a 3-Legged Cowboy night until midnight, then high energy dance music ‘til close. 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com DJ Igor Magalhaes juggles the beats for the boys on the dance floor at Jungle. 10 p.m., 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Photo by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography

Get 25-cent Keystone drafts all night at Heretic’s Dress Code party with DJ Lydia Prim on the turntables. 10 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Brushstrokes hosts its first author signing at Mixx, featuring “party boy blogger” Totally Tyler, author of “Your Boyfriend & Other guys I’ve Kissed.” 7 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com, www.brushstrokesatlanta.com

Sunday, March 25 Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) will be the guest speaker at “Love in Action Sunday” at Decatur United Church of Christ at 11 a.m., 109 Hibernia Ave., Decatur GA 30030, www.decaturucc.org

Sunday, March 25

It’s opening day for the Hotlanta Softball League, and this year the organization says they’ve got more teams than ever. 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Metro Softball Complex, 7301 Campbellton Road, Atlanta, GA 30331, www.hotlantasoftball.org

Monday, March 26

Writing with Intent is a facilitated discussion group for authors of fiction and creative nonfiction. 6:308:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Every Monday, catch “Smash,” NBC’s new musical drama, at 10 p.m. on the video screens at Amsterdam, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Photo via Facebook

Sing along as pianist David Reeb tickles the ivories every Tuesday. 8 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Publiticy photo by StreetFly Studio via totallytyler.com

Fundraising has begun for the 2012 MondoHomo queer music, art and politics festival held over Memorial Day Weekend. Join the “QueerPosse” for their annual Spaghetti and Bingo Dinner and QueerStory social event featuring storytelling from queer icons and drag superstar Diamond Lil on the mic. $20, or pay-what-you-can for three-course spaghetti buffet dinner and bingo card. 7 p.m. at Sauced, 753 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.mondohomo.com

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Thursday, March 22

Make your night totally tubular with Dude ‘80s Night double-sized cocktails, free snacks and half-price appetizers 5 - 8 p.m. at the Cockpit, 465 Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30312, http://thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com

The Outlaw and Allies Student Organization of the John Marshall Law School hosts “Sex Discrimination after Glenn v. Brumby.” Attorneys Greg Nevins and Cole Thaler will present practitioner strategies for making their winning argument. AJMLS students free, $60 early registration for attorneys, $65 at the door. Pre-panel networking at 6 p.m., program 7 - 9 p.m. at the Blackburn Conference Center at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, 1405 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/wGceFC

GA Voice

SPOTLIGHT

The Atlanta Lesbian & Gay Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Lunch. 11:55 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Hudson Grille, Brookhaven Station, 4046 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30319, www.atlantagaychamber.org

The MISTER Community Center for gay and bi men hosts a meditation workshop every first and third Tuesday. 5:45-7 p.m. at Positive Impact, 60 Eleventh Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.positiveimpact-atl.org

March 16, 2012

Tuesday, March 27 Gay singer-songwriter Eric Himan takes the stage at 9:30 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenrood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

March 16, 2012

Calendar

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

Tuesday, March 27

The Fourth Tuesday lesbian social club hosts a special Fourth Tuesday dinner with WNBA promoter Anne Clarke. Meet key Atlanta Dream executives, win a raffle prize and meet one of the team’s players. Facebook RSVP requested. 6 - 10 p.m. at the Brewhouse Cafe, 22 N. Avondale Road, Avondale Estates, GA 30002, http://on.fb.me/xQRI0H

Wednesday, March 28

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Luncheon at 11:50 a.m.

East Point Corner Tavern, 2783 Main St. East Point, GA 30344, www.atlantagaychamber.org Charis Books & More hosts Trystan Cotten as he discusses his new anthology “Transgender Migrations” about trans-ing experiences, identities, politics and more. This event is co-sponsored by Charis Circle’s Founding the Future of Feminisms Program, and there is a suggested donation of $5. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Catch “Feathers & Flesh,” a burlesque review, at 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com The “Guaranteed cure for the mid-week blues,” Burkhart’s hosts Hump Day Karaoke with Darlene Majewski. 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Wednesday, March 28Thursday, March 29

Chicago-based music and comedy act Amy Armstrong and Freddy Allen host a “We Get Along” CD release party and show. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 7:30 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Thursday, March 29

Grab a cocktail with a few “manly men” at “The toolbox.” 6 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com Thursday nights, catch the Shawnna Factor with Shawnna Brooks, Nicole Paige Brooks, Lena Lust, Lady Shabazz, Lateasha Shante Shuntel and Regina Ryan. 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com You never know what to expect with Phoenix’s Twisted Thursdays featuring Gia Sunflowers, Angelica D’Paige, Alissah Brooks and Savannah Leigh.

11:30 pm. at Burkhart’s, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

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h 31 Saturday, Marc ran hits the

Superstar DJ Tony Mo ., turn tables at Jungle. 10:30 p.m Ga. , nta 2115 Faulkner Road, Atla om 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.c

UPCOMING Friday, March 30

Kai Lin Art’s 21st exhibition, “BLOOM,” is the annual spring exhibit, this year featuring Wallace Duvall, Nathaniel Galka, Lucha Rodriquez, Marlene Lillian, Jarno Kettunen, Penny Treese, Bethany Collins, Sun Hong and Karen Divine.

7 - 10 p.m. at Kai Lin Art, 3069 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, www.kailinart.com

Wednesday, April 4

The original “every woman” Chaka Khan plays the Cobb Energy Performing Art Center, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m., 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339. www.ticketmaster.com

Thursday, April 5

The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence raise funds for the Atlanta Pet Rescue & Adoption during a night out at Atlanta’s first and only gay sports bar. 6 - 9 p.m. at Woof’s, 2425 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, http://on.fb.me/zSIwF4

Saturday, April 7

Carioca Productions welcomes superstar remixer Danny Verde of Milan, Italy to an Easter weekend throw down. DJ Scorpio immediately follows with a late-night set at XION. $15 pre-sale, $20 at the door, 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.cariocaproductions.com

Friday, April 13 Sunday, April 15

The Atlanta Eagle celebrates their 25th anniversary and co-produces the third annual Atlanta Leather Pride, which includes a BBQ and beer bust, Mr. & Ms. Atlanta Eagle Contest and Dutch Treat Leather Brunch. All events at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlanteagle.com

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March 16, 2012

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March 16, 2012

GA Voice

THAT’S WHAT

SHE SAID

Chill pill anyone?

Drug reduces racism along with blood pressure Does your family accept your sexuality?

Do your friends and co-workers? If the answer is no, and there was a pill that would cure them of that prejudice, would you give it to them?

I’m sure most would say yes and the possibility of such a pill is not science fiction.

British researchers have been studying the issue of racism and found that a common heart disease drug seems to lower racist attitudes as well as blood pressure. The study was conducted at Oxford University where volunteers were divided into two groups. One was given the drug Propranolol while the other took a placebo. Propranolol is a beta blocker used to treat blood pressure, but can also be used in managing panic and anxiety disorders.

In one test, the groups were asked to sort pictures of black and white faces into categories along with positive and negative words.

In another, they were asked to report how warm they felt towards certain groups, including blacks and Muslims.

The results showed those that took Propranolol appeared less racist on a subconscious level. Scientists told London’s The Telegraph they believe the drug lowered feelings of bias, because it works on parts of the brain and nervous system that regulate fear and emotional responses.

I’m not sure what these scientists assume we’ll do with this new information. Everyone take a pill to get along better? I’m sure the makers of Propranolol would be extremely happy with that financial scenario.

How would this translate into curing sexuality bias? Would gay Johnny, whose family is constantly informing him of his path to hell, slip Mom and Dad the pill in their food? Lesbian Nancy, whose office life is a constant battle of jabs and negative comments, might be able to dump the medication into the break room coffee maker. However, I don’t think suppressing part of someone’s brain to get them more comfortable around me is the answer.

In an age of quick fixes, I am not surprised

Melissa Carter is also a writer for Huffington Post.

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

someone came up with this. We take a pill for the smallest of discomforts, to lose weight, or to focus our mind. So why not develop a pill so people will like us more?

I think the solution is the same now as it has been throughout history: knowledge. Fear and anxiety are fed by the unknown, but being wellinformed on any issue brings confidence. A pill is not going to fix the inability to accept differences in our society, but knowledge can. Many straight people say they didn’t like gay people until they got to know someone who is gay. We are all responsible to make sure that other people are more knowledgeable about whom we are and that we are more knowledgeable as well.

One example of how knowledge can change lives for the better comes out of Boston, where a local PR firm is attempting to help businesses motivate their female employees by teaching them about their foremothers.

The agency, History Smiths, says the more women find out about their successful foremothers, the more they are motivated to go further in their personal and professional lives.

They say as far as businesses go, incorporating women’s history into their own promotions will attract more customers, male and female.

There needs to be more messages about the positive contributions of gays and lesbians in our culture, or even just the sense of happiness in the gay community. I sent a message on Twitter the other week that simply said how happy I was to be a lesbian and that I wouldn’t change anything in my life. The biggest response was from straight people letting me know how that comment was a breath of fresh air for them. What knowledge are we teaching those whose support we strive for? That being gay means having power and success, or that we are constantly struggling and unhappy?

Yes, a pill might be a quick fix for some, but for me taking the time to educate my world on who I am will result in far bigger benefits.

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That thing you do Trying to spot the difference between personal preference and fear of change Our friend Leslie decided her life needed a little shaking up, so she’s moving to China for a year, where she will teach English to children.

I’m not really clear on the logistics of this, as Leslie doesn’t speak Mandarin, but apparently there’s a successful system already in play.

My travel rule has always been that I never visit countries where I don’t speak the language, out of courtesy to the locals. But watching her plan her voyage to a mysterious foreign land is causing me to question that.

I can easily see her moving on from teaching her students English to showing them how to craft clever hair accessories and make really great Bloody Marys. Then the Emperor of China selects her as the tutor for all his children, and they fall in love and sing “Shall We Dance?” and then we would visit her at the palace.

I’m fairly certain China doesn’t have an Emperor anymore, but that is not the point of my story. My point is, Leslie is taking this huge leap outside of her comfort zone, and I’m inspired and a little jealous. I don’t need to move to a foreign country or dance with an Emperor, but it’s left me wondering: Do I really consider all my options when there’s a choice to be made? Or do I simply know myself well enough to accurately predict outcomes and plan accordingly?

An example: My husband, in his life before me (a time I rarely acknowledge existed,) was a hippie. He followed Phish. He sold burritos and hand-knitted stash bags in the parking lot.

He wore sarongs. And though he is now the cardigan-clad, corporate office-ensconced Preppy I have come to know and love, every few months his old concert crew will get together for a show.

These are bands I’ve never heard of, with names like Railroad Earth and The String Cheese Incident. Early in our dating life, I was invited on these excursions, but I declined because it sounded awful. Songs are not supposed to last for twenty minutes, and large groups of stoned people tend to piss me off because they get so damn chatty. Also, they all dance like Stevie Nicks, spinning in circles with arms in the

model. for illustrative purposes only.

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March 16, 2012

GA Voice

39

ONE GLANCE CAN BRING ACTION

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

air, lost in a reverie. I was trained to dance at gay bars, where the entire point is as much physical contact as possible. People have, without even trying, accidentally had sex while dancing at gay bars. So for five years, I’ve just let the concerts be his thing.

On the flip side, Preppy had never attended a professional theatre performance before he started dating an actor/playwright. Now, he sees at least eight shows a year. All totaled, he’s seen me play Julia Sugarbaker for more hours than he ever saw Dixie Carter in the role. These are not experiences he would likely have sought out independently of my influence, and he hasn’t enjoyed every show. But he gave it a shot, because it’s important to me, and sometimes he’s genuinely enriched by taking that leap.

I know the comparison is not exactly equivalent- he’s supporting my work, and I support his.

Even as I write this, I’m wearing rose-colored khakis from the Gap Spring line, and I assure you that is not a look I would have chosen if left to my own devices. It’s not like I’m married to Trey Anastasio and refusing to attend Phish shows. I’m just letting my husband have outside interests, like how I watch zombie movies, funny animals on YouTube, or porn without him.

But in my rare moments of actual honesty, I’m forced to admit that the likely reason those Phish shows (or their jam band brethren) hold no appeal for me is the same reason I wouldn’t go to China: Because I don’t understand the culture. I don’t speak the language. My instinct when I feel I don’t belong somewhere is to leave, which is good because it got me out of Mississippi, as well as several unhealthy relationships in years hence.

You live your life according to your own interests and pursuits, but there’s always that nagging question in the back of your mind, the fear that you’re missing out on something potentially transformative. I realize that’s a lot of pressure to place on The String Cheese Incident, but it’s at least worthy of consideration.

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