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georgia VOL.12 • ISSUE 5
ABOUT THE COVER: Cover photo courtesy of Endless Echo
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PO Box 77401 • Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365
BUSINESS
Principal/Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com
GUEST EDITORIAL
As Atlanta’s Hospitality Industry Recovers, LGBTQ Travelers Have Much to Look Forward To William Pate, President and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
EDITORIAL
Deputy Editor: Katie Burkholder
kburkholder@thegavoice.com
Editorial Contributors: Conswella Bennett, Melissa Carter, Helmut Domagalski, Jim Farmer, Lawrence Ferber, Jeff Guaracino, Buck Jones, Ryan Lee, Sydney Norman, Ed Salvato
PRODUCTION
Art Director: Rob Boeger
It has been a long time coming for an industry that has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, but it appears Atlanta’s hospitality industry is set to rebound as we head into summer.
rboeger@thegavoice.com
SALES
Sales Executive: Dixon Taylor dtaylor@thegavoice.com
Sales Executive: Jim Brams jbrams@thegavoice.com
Business Advisor: Lynn Pasqualetti Financial Firm of Record: HLM Financial Group National Advertising: Rivendell Media 908-232-2021 sales@rivendellmedia.com
Publisher Emeritus: Chris Cash
FINE PRINT
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At this point, any activity would be welcome for a city that has lost more than 400 meetings, conventions, and events since the start of the pandemic, costing us more than 1.4 million hotel room nights and reducing revenue by 65 percent. But as more of the population gets vaccinated and restrictions are lifted, Americans are ready to travel again. The latest Longwoods International Travel Sentiment study shows 88 percent of American travelers have made plans to travel in the next six months, though 57 percent are unlikely to visit places without safety protocols in place. Atlanta is well prepared, as our hotels, meeting venues, convention centers and airport have adopted state-of-theart cleaning and social distancing protocols to protect our visitors and employees. Economists covering the hospitality industry predict Atlanta will be among the destinations that will have a quick and substantial recovery. Leisure travel should pick up this summer as pent-up travel demand is unleashed and people emerge from their homes to enjoy a much-needed vacation with the family. Visitors will find several new experiences when traveling to Atlanta in the coming months. Georgia Aquarium has expanded, with a redesigned entry and a new gallery called “Sharks! Predators of the Deep.” Illuminarium is an experiential attraction and immersive event space opening alongside Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, offering an
PHOTO BY ISTOCK.COM
outdoor café and nighttime bar experience. Wylie Hotel is set to welcome guests after completing a renovation that will showcase the property’s history as one of Atlanta’s first LGBTQ gathering spots, steps away from Ponce City Market. Demand generators such as concerts and festivals will return as sporting events make plans to return to full attendance. Black Gay Pride, Out On Film and Atlanta Pride are just a few of the cultural events visitors can look forward to this year. Our city is one that truly welcomes all, and these festivals will get people excited to book travel and discover what makes Atlanta the LGBTQ capital of the South with a diverse and thriving community. Business travel is beginning to pick up as well, even as Atlanta’s convention business begins its comeback. All eyes will be on Midtown when we host the International LGBTQ Travel Association’s (IGLTA) 2021 Global Convention from September 8 through 11. IGLTA’s educational and networking event for LGBTQ tourism professionals connects individuals through scheduled appointments, workshops and receptions. This year brings an enhanced focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives and strategies,
creating a unique opportunity to encourage the local community to attend the convention and grow their businesses. Hosting this influential and international audience in Atlanta for the first time allows us to showcase what makes the city a fantastic choice for LGBTQ travelers. Yes, we will still face some headwinds, even as the recovery begins to take shape. It will take some time to return to the occupancy and spending levels we saw in 2019. But positive signs are emerging. Delta is recalling its pilots and opening middle seats to meet increased travel demand. Hotel occupancy in the city in 2021 has climbed to an average of 40 percent from lows in the 20s last year. Atlanta has been hosting a convention a month since the beginning of the year, and restaurants and attractions are seeing activity pick up as Atlantans get about their springtime activities. After a long and difficult road, there is finally reason for optimism. Hospitality employees are being called back to work and the small businesses that support our tourism industry are gearing up for a strong rebound as Atlanta prepares to once again take its place as one of the top travel destinations in the country. May 21, 2021 Editorial 3
NEWS BRIEFS Staff Reports Atlanta Robbers are Targeting LGBTQ Victims through Grindr Atlanta police are warning the LGBTQ community to be cautious as robbers have been targeting victims via Grindr. At a news conference, Atlanta police said that at least eight people have been the victims of robberies instigated by men they met and talked with on Grindr, a popular gay dating app. “We have had eight instance where male victims were lured to remote locations by use of the Grindr app,” Sgt. Rodney Jones said. “After the date concludes, the suspect will rob the victim, often taking their wallets, keys, or even vehicles.” According to Jones, the suspect “typically has a handgun.” The eight armed robberies occurred between February 4 and May 2. The victims have all been males ranging from 20 to 59 years old. One of the victims was shot in the leg on April 14, and another was beaten in the face on April 28 by four men. Seven of the victims’ cars were stolen. Four of the incidents occurred in Zone 1, in northwest Atlanta along Hollywood and Hightower roads near Hollywood Cemetery, and three occured in Zone 3, near Stonewall Drive and Rebel Valley Park in southeast Atlanta. One victim — the one who was shot — was attacked at his home, which was not identified by police. According to the AJC, police believe one person is responsible for the Zone 1 robberies and additional suspects are likely involved in Zone 3. Officer Eric King, one of the Atlanta police’s LGBTQ liaisons, urged users of Grindr and other social apps to remain cautious and tell a friend before meeting someone in person. “If they give you a location of a cemetery or someplace you don’t know, take that as a sign,” he said. “Get a physical address. Get a name. Ask your friends if they’ve seen this person before… We definitely want people to continue to live their life but be a little more cautious.” Anyone with relevant information about the robberies — or other victims of similar crimes — are urged to contact Atlanta police. Tipsters 4 News Briefs May 21, 2021
President Joe Biden PHOTO VIA WIKICOMMONS / GAGE SKIDMORE
can remain anonymous and may be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000. Contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477 or text information to 274637. Biden Admin. Protects Transgender Patients from Discrimination in Health Care The Biden administration announced that health care providers are prohibited from discriminating against transgender patients, a reversal of a Trump-era policy. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will once again prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by federally funded health care organizations. “Fear of discrimination can lead individuals to forgo care, which can have serious negative health consequences,” HHS secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “It is the position of the Department of Health and Human Services that everyone — including LGBTQ people — should be able to access health care, free from discrimination or interference, period.” This is a return to an Obama-era practice, which interpreted the provisions in Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act that protected people on the basis of “race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability” to include transgender people. This was reversed by the HHS under former President Donald Trump. Lambda Legal, a legal organization committed to fighting for LGBTQ civil
rights, celebrated the move by HHS but noted that there’s still work to be done. “Today, the Biden administration and HHS provided some needed clarity after the Trump administration did everything it could to undermine and muck up the law to target and hurt our communities, in particular, transgender patients,” Omar Gonazalez-Pagan, Senior Attorney and Health Care Strategist for Lambda Legal, said in a statement. “We applaud HHS for taking this important and necessary step, which is ever more important during the global COVID-19 pandemic.” “However, the significant step taken today is just one stop in what is a long road to undo the undermining of health care protections for all people under the Trump administration,” he continued. “Today’s announcement does not address the significant aspects of the Trump-era rule that we and others have challenged in court. We encourage Secretary Xavier Becerra and the Biden administration to take additional steps to ensure that all LGBTQ people are completely covered wherever and whenever they may encounter discrimination during some of the most delicate and precarious moments of their lives, when seeking health care.” This reversal of anti-LGBTQ Trump-era policies is not the first out of the Biden administration. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last month that it formally withdrew a rule proposed by the Trump administration that would’ve allowed taxpayer-funded homeless shelters to turn away transgender people. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
NEWS
Mayor Bottoms Not Up for Reelection “[T]he last three years have not been at all what I would have scripted for our city. Three months into our term there was the biggest cyberattack of a municipality in America. A federal investigation that seemed to literally suck the air out of city hall and its past administration. Then, there was last summer, there was a pandemic, there was the social justice movement. There was a madman in the White House.”
Conswella Bennett The past couple of weeks have no doubt been bittersweet for Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms after she announced that she would not run for reelection. Bottoms announced the news via a letter posted to social media on May 6, then elaborated on her decision at a press conference on May 7. “I wish I could tell you that there was a moment or there was a ‘thing,’ but when you have faith, and you pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in the same way that it is very clear to me almost five years ago that I should run for Mayor of Atlanta, it is abundantly clear to me today that it is time to pass the baton on to someone else,” Bottoms said during the press conference. She spoke of the speculation making its way through the city as to her possible reasons for getting out of the race, but she assured the audience she was in good health and that her family was okay. However, she alluded to recent events playing a part in her decision.
serve in Biden’s cabinet. “[T]he last three years have not been at all what I would have scripted for our city,” Bottoms said. “Three months into our term there was the biggest cyberattack of a municipality in America. A federal investigation that seemed to literally suck the air out of city hall and its past administration. Then, there was last summer, there was a pandemic, there was the social justice movement. There was a madman in the White House.”
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms FILE PHOTO
Despite all the obstacles and criticism she faced, Bottoms was proud of how the city responded. “What I know is in the absence of speaking my truth — people will insert a narrative, and that is why I am here today,” she said.
this time last year.” The most recent involved a shooting that left two dead, one of whom was a 15-year-old. Bottoms also came under fire for the handling of the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks in June 2020 in the parking lot of a Wendy’s.
Bottoms came under scrutiny after the rise in crimes, especially homicides, in the city. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “authorities investigated 157 homicides last year, the most since 1996, and the violence remains unrelenting. Homicides are up roughly 60 percent from
Despite the city’s rising crime rate , Bottoms began her career on a high note and full of optimism. For the LGBTQ community, Bottoms was a supporter early on. In 2018, she appointed the city’s first LGBTQ Affairs Coordinator and formed an LGBTQ Advisory Board, both put in place to advise
6 News May 21, 2021
the mayor on LGBTQ issues. Bottoms’ leadership also caught the attention of now President Joe Biden when she supported him early on in the presidential election. According to the AJC, “no Georgia Democrat played a more prominent role promoting Biden’s campaign than Bottoms, a first-year mayor who endorsed him in July, campaigned for him in Iowa and worked on his behalf in spin rooms after Democrat debates.” It was even reported that she was vetted as a possible vice-presidential candidate and that she declined a position to
In an interview with MSNBC host Joy Reid almost a week after her unexpected press conference, Bottoms discussed her future plans after she finishes her term later this year. “I don’t know what next steps are — I’ll be having conversations over the next couple of months,” she said. “As you know, I have a very good relationship with President Biden and the Biden administration. So, I will explore all options.” “Leaders across this country — we’ve had a very tough few years under our past president,” she continued. “Things are significantly better, but you have to know when it’s time to pass the baton and the time is now for me.” Now that Bottoms is out, the possible mayoral candidates picking up the baton so far include Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and attorney Sharon Gay. Rumors that former Mayor Kasim Reed may also enter the race have also circulated. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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May 21, 2021 Ads 7
TRAVEL
Blue Ridge is an Idyllic Getaway in Atlanta’s Backyard Sydney Norman From idyllic mountain views to cascading waterfalls, Blue Ridge, Georgia, has no shortage of natural beauty. With an ever-growing list of things to do, this town has quickly become a hot spot for tourists seeking a getaway less than two hours away from Atlanta. While the town is nestled in a traditionally conservative area of the state, Blue Ridge has a high concentration of same-sex couples and has been ranked by Thrillist as the state’s most gay-friendly city, with Atlanta, Columbus, and Savannah receiving honorable mentions. The Blue Ridge area is known for its hiking; several notable trails are near the town. The Appalachian Trail’s southernmost terminus is on Springer Mountain. One well-loved portion of the Appalachian Trail is easily accessible from Blue Ridge. The Three Forks to Springer Mountain hike is an 8.6-mile round-trip stretch. Atlanta Trails describes it as “a moderately strenuous … out-and-back [that] travels a widely diverse landscape, climbing from a richly vegetated, mossy creek valley to stunning mountaintop views at Springer. It’s one of [Atlanta Trails’s] favorite AT hikes in Georgia for its varied terrain, gorgeous summit views, and, of course, the epic feeling that comes with standing at the southernmost white blaze of the Appalachian Trail.” 8 Travel May 21, 2021
“Blue Ridge is dotted with beautiful log cabins and cozy places to rest between hikes and happy hours. The surprisingly affordable Endless Echo cabin located in the Aska Adventure Area is one such place.” For those seeking a less strenuous day hike nearby, the Mineral Springs Walking Trail that sits near downtown Blue Ridge offers a lovely 0.58-mile opportunity to stretch your legs and absorb some of the town’s natural beauty as it takes you through lush woods and over a babbling creek. There are also picnic tables on site for you and your loved ones to connect over an outdoor meal. Just remember to leave nothing but footprints behind. For those who want something a little less strenuous than hiking, Blue Ridge also has several scenic drives winding through the Appalachian Mountains. Blue Ridge’s official website lists Aska Road as “one of Blue Ridge’s most scenic drives, following the Toccoa River past the Stanley Rapids
Endless Echo cabin rentals in beautiful Blue Ridge, Georgia COURTESY PHOTO
and historic Shallowford Bridge.” They also recommend a drive through Suches, the highest community in the state, nicknamed “the Valley Above the Clouds.” The website suggests “driving on Hwy 60 south from Morganton to Suches [to] combine some of the prettiest views of the countryside with curvy mountain roads and lots of roadside attractions, including the historic Skeenah Mill, Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River, Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, Deep Hole Recreation Area and Coopers Creek Recreation Area.” Even though there’s a plethora of places to soak in the scenery, don’t be fooled. Blue Ridge isn’t just a pretty place to unplug. The town has multiple breweries and wineries to tour. One town favorite is Mercier Orchards. Mercier Orchards stands out as the only apple orchard in the state that takes apples from farm to bottle. North Georgia has the perfect climate to grow the crispiest, most delectable apples, and it comes through in Mercier Orchards’ hard ciders. They also offer a selection of farm wines made from peaches, apples, and blackberries. Their tasting room is open Monday through Saturday from 11am– 6pm and Sunday from 12:30–6pm. If beer is your preferred poison, head over to Grumpy Old Men Brewing. After experimenting with brewing beer in an
outdoor shower, two retired grumpy old men founded the craft brewery together. Their corporate mission describes their dedication to creating a high-quality product: “If we don’t like it, we don’t drink it. If we don’t drink it, we don’t sell it.” The bar at the brewery offers a wide variety of brews, from a blonde ale to a porter to their world-famous Moon Over Blue Ridge wheat beer. Blue Ridge is dotted with beautiful log cabins and cozy places to rest between hikes and happy hours. The surprisingly affordable Endless Echo cabin located in the Aska Adventure Area is one such place. Sleeping eight, the cabin boasts breathtaking mountain views, a Sonos sound system, a six-person hot tub, fire pit, bench swings, and a stocked game room. Owned by an architect and a designer, the cabin is filled with a rotating cast of original artwork and classic modern furniture, making each room its own experience and each stay unique. If a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation filled with delicious drinks, scenic drives, and legendary hikes is in your sights, keep Blue Ridge, Georgia in mind. You won’t be disappointed. For more information on trails, breweries, scenic drives, and more, visit BlueRidgeMountains.com. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
Plan on anything but the same thing. It’s a quick flight to your long weekend.
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pack light plan big for philly
TRAVEL
LGBTQ tourists PHOTO COURTESY OF OUT ADVENTURES
LGBTQ Travelers to the Rescue! Queers lead the way to tourism recovery Ed Salvato Since the tragic events of 9/11 and the abrupt halt to travel that followed, about every ten years the tourism industry has been knocked back on its heels. The economic meltdown of 2008 and 2009 was even worse on the travel industry than 2001. And the pandemic is a once-a-century calamity exacerbated by the very things that make travel so enriching: large in-person events, meeting new friends at a hotel lounge, slaloming through a crowded bar in a far-flung city. The travel industry rebooted before, and it will bounce back again soon. And if history is any guide, LGBTQ travelers will be leading the way. “Gays lead, and the rest follow,” Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, says. “They’re adventurous and like new experiences. They have a penchant for travel far greater than their heterosexual counterparts. They travel more and spend more when they travel. They’re the darlings of the travel industry when it comes to spending and dollars.” “There are a lot of new areas travelers are going to explore,” he continued. “And the gay community will be there first.” Recent history has demonstrated that LGBTQ travelers — especially those in dual-income, no-child households — are always among the first to travel after social and economic crises. 10 Travel May 21, 2021
Following 9/11 and again after the 2008– 2009 financial crisis, destinations, hospitality companies and travel brands noticed that LGBTQ travelers were prioritizing tourism over other purchase decisions, helping fill airplanes, hotels and restaurants. So, they began to market to this segment in earnest. Smart travel marketers will note that this is happening again now. We see — anecdotally and with the support of research by Community Marketing, Inc., Harris Interactive and IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) — that this segment travels in higher proportions and intends to book and execute travel in greater numbers than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. LGBTQ people have also demonstrated a strong affinity for cruises of all sorts, including all-gay or all-lesbian cruises, LGBTQ groups on mainstream cruises, and simply joining mainstream cruises as a samesex couple or in small friend groups. While cruise vacations are still on a pandemicinduced pause in the U.S., cruise companies — including Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Uniworld and the brand-new Virgin Voyages — have all firmly established LGBTQ travelers as a core segment. “National Travel and Tourism Week takes on special significance this year as we look ahead to recovery following the most challenging year this industry has experienced,” says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line and national chair of the U.S. Travel Association. “Across the country, we are recognizing travel’s value, and the longstanding support of the LGBTQ community
will help accelerate our rebound. I know that for Carnival, we pride ourselves on an inclusive atmosphere where every guest is appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming them back as soon as possible.”
destinations have been especially hard hit by COVID, and as a community, we can support LGBTQ-owned and friendly businesses and their employees by spending our travel dollars with them first.”
One reason queer travelers are uniquely suited to help power the return of travel during this crisis has to do with their decades of experience living under the ever-looming shadow of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, during which they learned the importance of risk mitigation for the good of all. Wearing masks to protect yourself and others resonates with a community that understands the importance of condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
LGBTQ tour companies and travel agents have a direct connection to queer travelers and report strong interest in and bookings of travel. According to Robert Sharp, cofounder and CEO of Out Adventures, “After [releasing] our entire tour schedule through the end of 2022, we saw our largest month of sales in our 12-year history.”
According to Randle Roper, co-founder and CEO of VACAYA Full-Ship and Full-Resort LGBT+ Vacations, “[Our] guests showed incredible resilience by traveling safely during the pandemic, and they proved they could adapt to live with health protocols that would keep each other and their loved ones back home safe.” LGBTQ travelers can show the world how best to support the tourism and hospitality industries in ways that also strengthen their own communities. “LGBTQ consumers have the power to make change and support LGBTQ-friendly companies and destinations by choosing to spend their travel dollars with those that support our community,” says Jeff Guaracino, co-author of the “Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality. “LGBTQowned hotels, bed and breakfasts, tour companies, bars and restaurants, festivals and
Kelli Carpenter, co-founder of R Family Vacations, adds, “Our highest sales have come from our river cruise products and international tour business, showing that travelers are ready to explore the world again.” VACAYA’s Roper has seen extremely robust sales over the past several months — including selling out their Antarctica Cruise. “With a starting price of around $25,000 per room, that was our best sign yet that our community members are ready to break free from their cages and return to travel,” he says. Robert Geller, founder of FabStayz, agrees: “Pent-up demand is visible, palpable and quantifiable.” NYC-based Ed Salvato is a freelance travel writer, instructor at NYU and the University of Texas at Austin’s NYC Center, and an LGBTQ tourism marketing consultant. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
ENDLESS ECHO ESCAPE ENDLESS ECHO ISN’T YOUR TYPICAL GEORGIA MOUNTAIN CABIN. Yes, it offers all the amenities you’d expect, the ultimate in peace, quiet and privacy, and a breathtaking, seemingly endless multi-layered mountain view to wow you from sunrise to sunset. But it has so much more that makes it truly unique, including fruit trees, a herb and vegetable garden decorated with whimsical sculptures, and an unexpected, artfilled rustic-meets-midcentury modern decor that you won’t see anywhere else. Located on a wooded hillside just 3.5 miles from downtown Blue Ridge, the cabin is close to shopping and dining, Toccoa River rafting, boating on Lake Blue Ridge, Mercier Orchards and everything the Aska Adventure Area has to offer, but it’s secluded enough to make you feel like you’re away from it all. Fully refurbished with pine tongue-andgroove paneling, new dimmable lighting and ceiling fans throughout, the cabin’s interior has an open floor plan on the main level featuring an enormous great room with a vaulted ceiling, stone remote-controlled gas fireplace, a 65" HDTV with Apple TV and Roku, a Sonos music system, tastefully furnished with designer pieces and retro collectibles like Marcel Breuer chairs. With a sense of fun
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endless_echo_blueridge
and enjoyment, the owners–a designer and an architect–have been collecting paintings, sculptures, and classic modern furniture for years, and they love sharing the collection with friends and guests. There’s original artwork in every room, and the cabin will change over time with each new acquisition. After preparing your meals in the kitchen, which is fully equipped with brand-new stainless-steel appliances, custom cabinetry, a kitchen island and must-haves including a blender, crockpot and Keurig, you’ll dine at a classic glass dining table surrounded by six Charles Eames chairs, an elegant dimmable crystal chandelier overhead. Downstairs in the game room, there’s a ‘50s-style bar table and stools, a 43” Roku Smart HDTV, regulation billiards, board games and puzzles, and an exercise area with a padded floor, dumbbells, exercise mats, and a pull-up bar and workout bench. Endless Echo’s outdoor spaces are professionally landscaped, made for relaxing
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and gathering, and situated to maximize the incredible view. On the covered decks, there are rocking chairs, a bench swing, a gas grill, dining, patio and end tables, and a six-seat hot tub overlooking the garden and woods, with atmospheric string lights adding to the ambiance. Head down the steps to the garden and you’ll find a picnic table and a fire pit with benches with room for 8-10. The cabin has four bedrooms, including a master on the upper level with a king bed, deck access, vaulted ceiling, full-length mirror, and private bath with a jetted tub and walk-in shower. There are three bedrooms downstairs, each with a queen bed and one with a 32” HDTV and another with deck access. Two of the bedrooms share a Jack & Jill. There’s an additional half bath upstairs. The cabin sleeps 8 comfortably. Eclectic, charming, fun and with surprising things to discover at every turn, Endless Echo is the ideal setting for a truly memorable vacation.
TO BOOK:
Visit www.escapetoblueridge.com/cabins/endless-echo Call 1.866.618.2521 and mention “Endless Echo”
May 21, 2021 Ads 11
TRAVEL
Getting Back Out Into the World Safely Must-know advice for LGBTQ travelers Lawrence Ferber Since the world packs travel hazards aside from COVID-19, from accidents to dangerous scum targeting queer tourists, here’s some dead serious advice and resources for LGBTQ people to take into consideration. Bon voyage, bitches! Get Insurance That Covers COVID-19 (and Yes, Your Spouse Too) Before booking that flight, cruise, hotel or car rental, secure a travel insurance policy. Be sure it covers COVID-19 related calamities, including hospitalization and cancellations on either your end or that of the airline, cruise line, hotel, tour company, etc. (as many have learned since March 2020, some policies did not). For several years before the pandemic hit, I took out an annual individual policy with Allianz (they’ve added COVID-19 benefits to some policies), which I made one claim on during early 2019 for a doctor’s visit in Singapore. The claims process was easy and paid out in a timely manner — a simple urgent-care illness situation that included medication. LGBTQ-friendly insurance company Seven Corners offers policies for both singles and same-sex couples and can even ensure you stay together if a medevac is required for one partner. Seven Corners also offers policies covering COVID-19. If you have homeowners’ insurance, inquire as to whether your personal property is covered against destruction or theft while traveling. 12 Travel May 21, 2021
Know the LGBTQ+ Laws of the Land Homosexuality is still illegal and even punishable by death in parts of the world. Some of these antigay laws are toothless legislative holdovers, like Singapore’s Penal Code Section 377A, which remains on the books despite ongoing legal challenges and an open, even thriving local gay scene (and entertainers like “Drag Race Thailand” queen Vanda Miss Joaquim). As of April 2021, countries with the death penalty on the books for same-sex relations include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. Human Rights Watch maintains a series of online maps of countries with anti-LGBTQ and anti-gender expression laws, plus those with age of consent disparities between samesex versus heterosexual individuals. It’s worth a look. So is travel bloggers Asher & Lyric’s whopping 150-country list of best and worst countries for LGBTQ travel in 2021, while our own U.S. Department of State boasts a fantastic information and resource page for LGBTI international travelers. There, you can find safety tips, how to reach U.S. embassies and consulates while abroad, and a TSA info page for transgender passengers. Google Where You’re Going Before Booking Tickets Googling your destination and “antigay” could produce up-to-the minute news developments that may inform your plans. A Molotov cocktail attack on a Laguna Beach gay bar in mid-2020, for example, is a pretty clear “maybe not right now.”
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK / ALVAROG1970
Show Respect and Be Smart About Public Displays of Affection Life isn’t always a gay cruise or a strut down Santa Monica Boulevard. In some cultures, PDA between people of any gender or sexual identity are completely frowned upon and offensive, so look that up and, even better, look around you once you arrive. Watch (nonchalantly, not in some creepy way) how locals behave before indulging in public displays of affection (don’t be surprised to see men affectionately holding hands like “Sex and the City” girlfriends in Arab countries or India; it’s a cultural norm, despite the homophobia). Conversely, if you’re in a known gayborhood like Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ni-chōme or Mexico City’s Zona Rosa, live out loud and flash those conservative locals the gayest smile you can. Back Up Critical Documents and Send to a Cloud Service I’ve never been pickpocketed (and probably jinxed myself by writing that), but if this ever happens or you misplace important documents, a wallet, etc., have copies ready in the cloud, including booking numbers and, of course, a travel insurance policy. Dropbox, iCloud, whatever — just be sure it’s an encrypted service. Now you can more easily request replacements and access important numbers to cancel credit cards. If you’re legally married or partnered, also have copies
and cloud backups of your marriage license and anything related to power of attorney and medical access. Especially here in the good ol’ freedom-y USA, some nosy “Christian” nurse in an Arkansas or Texas hospital may attempt to refuse a same-sex spouse access to a hospital unless you’re packing legal documents and a winnable lawsuit case. Always Keep Your Medications on You (But Not Recreational Drugs) Don’t put your PrEP in check-in luggage. I repeat: Do NOT put your PrEP in checkin luggage. Ever. If it’s medication you need daily, you’re risking missed doses should that bag get lost (or purposely purged from the plane to lighten its load). Keep them in your carry-on only! Also, for fuck’s sake, don’t bring recreational drugs into a country where you can go to jail for it. It’s a really wise use of 60 seconds on Google to look that up, because tourists will not be treated with leniency. It’s a lesson you don’t want to learn. New York-raised entertainment and travel journalist Lawrence Ferber has contributed to publications including Entertainment Weekly, New York Magazine, National Geographic Traveler, The Advocate, NewNowNext, The New York Post and TripSavvy. He also co-wrote/co-created the 2010 gay romcom “BearCity” and authored its 2013 novelization. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
Find Your Way Home!
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May 21, 2021 The Pink Page 13
TRAVEL
Essential Tips for COVID-free Travel Jeff Guaracino COVID-19 will make travel a bit more complicated this summer. Going to Europe? Taking a cruise? Visiting Hawaii, San Juan or St. Lucia? Or maybe you’re planning a road trip? The rules for traveling responsibly during COVID vary greatly. Be ready to encounter a patchwork of confusing rules and requirements this summer. Depending on what you choose to do for your well-earned escape, it is going to be necessary to educate yourself on what to expect, how to travel by the rules, and how to prove you have a negative COVID-19 test (and it may cost you to prove it!). Prepping for your trip in advance will pay off. Your health, safety, peace of mind and fun are important parts of the travel experience. Here are five essential tips to ensure you have a fabulous summer getaway: Research before booking your trip. Before you book your trip, be sure to understand how COVID-19 has changed the experience. Nearly everything about travel has changed due to COVID-19. Hotels, airplanes, trains, theme parks, destinations and resorts all have modified safety precautions in place. The good news is that you will likely find fewer crowds, more space and enhanced cleaning. You may also find limited services such as curfews with bars and restaurants closing early. A road trip within the United States will likely find fewer restrictions compared to an island trip. Make reservations and buy tickets in advance. Before leaving for your trip, you should book 14 Travel May 21, 2021
“Depending on what you choose to do for your well-earned escape, it is going to be necessary to educate yourself on what to expect, how to travel by the rules, and how to prove you have a negative COVID-19 test (and it may cost you to prove it!).” your restaurant reservations and reserve your tickets to a museum or attraction. While you might not like having to plan out your vacation in advance, you will likely find it hard to do all the things you want to do by waiting. COVID-19 means capacity restrictions, so there will be limited availability, especially on weekends and during peak periods. You can always make changes when you are there. When flying, give yourself extra time at the airport. Many stores and food establishments may still be closed or have limited service, so it will take longer to buy food and drink. Most airlines have also eliminated beverage and snack service in coach, so be ready to bring your own. If you are used to flying first class, be ready for a curtailed (i.e. downgraded) experience there as well.
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Stay at a trusted hotel. Staying at hotels is perhaps one of the most important travel decisions you will make. Most hotels have developed respected cleaning protocols to keep you and their employees safe. Among the hotel industry’s leaders is The Four Seasons. The Four Seasons has developed “Lead With Care,” which includes both obvious hotel guest protocols and enhanced procedures behind the scenes, including employee training. The Four Seasons also developed an app that provides guests with the high-standard customer service the luxury chain is known for while providing guests with privacy and limiting interactions with the team. COVID-19 has increased the costs for many hotels, so it is important to stay with a trusted brand you can count on to deliver the safety measures promised. Proof of a Negative COVID test. The most complicated and expensive part of COVID-free travel will be meeting a requirement, if necessary, to prove you have a negative COVID test. Hawaii, San Juan, cruise ships and other travel experiences are requiring that travelers prove they are COVID-19
negative upon arrival at the destination or before starting their trip. Some destinations even require a mid-trip test to prove, again, that you are still COVID negative. Hawaii implemented a program that requires travelers to the islands to use a ‘trusted partner’ (so you can’t use just any test, and vaccination cards are not accepted). You must create an account at travel.hawaii.gov, download an app, and submit results upon arrival from a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival from a trusted partner. Coming from Philadelphia through Chicago, that means I had to order an expensive test from American Airlines that was sent to me by UPS. The test included a call to prove my identity and a virtual assistant to show me how to properly take the nasal smear. Within a day of sending my test back via UPS, I had my results. I printed out my negative test, uploaded my results and also downloaded the QR code to my phone. Aloha! Are you negative? Mahalo. Jeff Guaracino is the author of two books on LGBTQ travel, a syndicated travel columnist and a tourism executive with more than two decades in the industry. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
TRAVEL
Memorial Day and Pride in the Paradise
Key West Pride COURTESY PHOTOS
Katie Burkholder Two events happening over the next two weeks will attract LGBTQ people from across the country to the Sunshine State. First, head down to Pensacola, Florida, for a huge Memorial Day weekend blowout presented by Johnny Chisholm. From May 28 to 30, party day and night in paradise with DJs Joe Gauthreaux, Dan Slater, Roland Belmares, Will Lowe, and Joe Ross. All weekend long, dance in the sun at the daily beach tea dances from 1 to 5pm, then rest up before the sun sets and head back down to the beach for the nightly parties, which start at 9pm and last until 3am. All events will be at Park East. This event promises to be both fun and safe. Fully vaccinated attendees will not be required to wear a mask after presenting their original vaccination cards; photos or copies of the cards will not be accepted. Unvaccinated attendees will be required to get a COVID-19 test prior to the event. The test costs $50 and will be paid for by the attendee. Those who test negative will be issued a special wrist band and will not be required to wear a mask. Single-day tickets are $70, a weekend pass is $180, and a VIP weekend pass is $350. The VIP pass includes express entrance, open bar, and access to a raised viewing area and air conditioned restrooms. Purchase tickets at johnnychisholm.com. The week after, travel farther south to Key West, Florida, for its in-person Pride 16 Travel May 21, 2021
“As we move forward with many exciting events for Pride 2021, we want to reassure our guests and participants that we’re planning a very safe celebration adhering to all the CDC’s current COVID-19 guidelines.” —Kevin Theriault, the executive director of the Key West Business Guild celebration from June 2 through 6, presented by the Key West Business Guild. The event kicks off with an all-welcome kickoff gala at the Island House Resort (1129 Fleming St.) on Wednesday from 5 to 8pm. Guests will enjoy complimentary Stoli cocktails, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres.
Thursday’s events include a men-only Naked Pool Party at Equator Resort at 1pm, a wine tasting event at D’Vine Wine gallery from 4 to 6pm, a sunset sail at 6:30pm, a local bartender competition at Bourbon Street Pub starting at 8pm, and an all-welcome Pride Party at SideBar starting at 9pm. On Friday, choose either the Singles, Couples, and Throuples men-only naked pool party at Island House or the bartending class at 22&Co, both starting at noon. The night will be filled with three parties: the allwelcome “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” party at Aquaplex at 8pm, the men-only Fetish Ball at Saloon 1 at 9pm, and the all-welcome Glow Party at 801 Bourbon at 10pm. Then, on Saturday, enjoy the Pride Street Fair on Duval Street from 10am to 7pm or one of two all-welcome pool parties happening at noon: the Pride Pool Party at Bourbon Street Pub or the “Are You Wet Yet Pool Party” at Alexander’s Guesthouse. Close the day out with the “Rainbow is my Favorite Color” all-welcome party at Aquaplex at 9pm or the men-only Purgatory Party at Bourbon Street Pub at 10pm.
The weekend closes out with a slew of amazing events. Head to the MCC Church Pride Service at 10am or the Unity of the Keys Pride Service at 11am, then go to the men-only Hot Naked Pool Party at Island House or the Pride Drag Brunch at Mangoes at noon. End the day at the “Rainbow Roast — Everybody gets Porked,” a dragthemed dinner with traditional Hawaiian fare, at Aquaplex at 6pm, but not before the Famous Tea Dance at LaTeDa from 4 to 6pm. Key West Pride promises to be a COVIDsafe event. “As we move forward with many exciting events for Pride 2021, we want to reassure our guests and participants that we’re planning a very safe celebration adhering to all the CDC’s current COVID-19 guidelines,” said Kevin Theriault, the executive director of the Key West Business Guild. All venue hosts will provide hand sanitizer and require attendees to wear masks for entry. For more information and to buy tickets to events, visit gaykeywestfl.com/pride. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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May 21, 2021 Ads 17
HELMUT DOMAGALSKI THE GAYLY DOSE
Travel is My Lover Helmut Domagalski, Founder and Co-Host, The Gayly Dose @helmut_smile Travel is one of the greatest loves of my life. There is no other manner to transport yourself — to a different space, to a new reality, to an alternative culture — to what often seems like an entirely different time and explore what is possible on this big, beautiful globe! Learning In Travel Oneofmygoodfriends, @suvitravelsandimports on Instagram, says it best: “Surrounding ourselves with the uncomfortable is our greatest opportunity for growth.” Do you ever practice this? Do you ever make yourself uncomfortable and let yourself sit with it? Bask in it? Let it flood over you and observe yourself? Living in Europe for three years in my early 20s gave me ample opportunity to practice this awkwardness. Whether arguing with an Italian parking lot agent, bartering with a shrewd young Chinese woman in a Shanghai market, or being silent most evenings as I sat in discourse with newfound friends in Germany, there is nothing like challenging your boundaries to learn how little you really do know. It humbles you. It makes you aware of the ways of the world and how different others are from you. When we travel alone, we grow the most. We leave every form of the comfortable and venture out solely to brave the great unknown. No matter how old or young, if you haven’t taken a solo trip, I highly recommend it. After having three children and breaking up with my first boyfriend, I will never forget thinking to myself while I was traveling to Toronto: What do I want to do today? I, me, myself? It was an exhilarating feeling to embrace the singularity of an entire adventure driven by the consciousness of me and me alone! 18 Columnist May 21, 2021
talents and perspectives we have been given.
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Travel is as Close as Next Door Though seemingly very grand, you don’t have to travel great distances to experience adventures and test boundaries. The act of consciously crossing lines of race, of gender, and of culture in our friendships is a tremendously rewarding journey for those who are willing to be uncomfortable. For example, have you been to a predominantly Black dance venue or visited a Jewish celebration? Have you had traditional Diwali food with Indian friends? Or had ethnic food like grilled hamburgers with some white people who talk with Southern accents? I’ve been honored in my lifetime to find rich and varied friendships. And I have absolutely and unabashedly sought after them. Relationships like these will reward you threefold. The more you allow yourself to sit with people who present something entirely different from you, the more you can seek to find understanding and wisdom
in the experience, the more you will grow without having to pick up and head to a far off and exotic destination. Remember, You Are A Destination I can’t impress strongly enough upon you how important it is to be uniquely yourself as you journey through this life. You are a critical part of the social fabric and experience of the world. Please don’t stop improving on you! Another set of influencers in my life, @endless_echo_blueridge, are two fabulously gay men living in Blue Ridge, Georgia. They are unapologetically themselves and wear furs, pedicures and wigs, whether in a small town or a bustling city. Don’t let their adornments fool you; their enthusiasm for philanthropy and community is great. They have made themselves a destination by doubling down on who they authentically are. We should be so bold in using the gifts,
By gazing in all our queerness with dignity, character and grace directly into the world’s intrigued stare, we teach and admonish our friends and neighbors into an experience that is entirely foreign to them. But as we do, we each slowly communicate a beautiful culture and diversity that will absolutely make the world better. We enable others down their own paths of self-discovery, selfacceptance, and love. For in the end, we are not here to say that one way of life, one destination, one venue is preferred, but rather that travel can be a great equalizer. I wish you a summer and a lifetime full of travel. Don’t be a lazy passenger! Prepare yourself, take notes, reflect, and allow the muse of travel to win over your heart and mind. Let it change you from the inside out. Bon Voyage! Helmut is the Founder and Co-Host of The Gayly Dose, an Atlanta based podcast with an all-gay cast. Unique in its mission and format, weekly episodes are known for their real conversations about things that matter to the community and their listeners. Purposefully candid and brutally honest, the cast speaks on a range of topics including monogamy, body issues, coming out, dating apps and growing up gay in the church. Listen at thegaylydose.com. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
BUCK JONES THE FRENCH CONNECTION
When in Malta Buck Jones Our last night in Malta, my husband and I took a city bus from our hotel to the citadel village of Mdina. “Where is the most romantic, charming place to celebrate our wedding anniversary?” we asked several locals. Without hesitation we were assured it was the ancient capital of the island, a rock fortress atop a scraggly hill on this incongruous heap of stones in the middle of the sea: “Go to Mdina.” Its name hinted of mystery, the phonetic knowing wink of familiarity, and it conjured up a dream of medinas in nearby Arab North Africa. To say that Mdina is old is like saying it gets humid in South Georgia; it’s an understatement. This village is an improbable survivor. Archeologists have dated the first traces of human settlement to around 5,200 B.C., when Stone Age humans arrived from Sicily. In prehistoric times there had been a land bridge between the boot of Italy, Sicily, and Malta since the Mediterranean was approximately 135 meters shallower at the end of the last ice age. When these ancient settlers arrived on the shores of Malta, they would have found dwarf elephants, dwarf hippos, and giant swans that were eventually forced into extinction by man. In the millennia that followed this settlement, some of the oldest known structures on Earth were built, predating the pyramids of Egypt by almost 1,000 years. These impressive temples remain today and are popular tourist destinations. Today the 500,000 natives who call Malta home live mainly in an urban sprawl around the “new” medieval fortress capital of Valletta. Impressive stone walls rise up from the crashing surf of the foamy blue Mediterranean and encompass the 0.6 square kilometer fortress of the old town. Along with its neighboring fort of San Angelo, the harbor is well guarded. In fact, the impetus for building the new fortress TheGeorgiaVoice.com
“To say that Mdina is old is like saying it gets humid in South Georgia; it’s an understatement. This village is an improbable survivor. Archeologists have dated the first traces of human settlement to around 5,200 B.C., when Stone Age humans arrived from Sicily.” capital of Valletta was to protect the island from another Arab invasion in the 1500s. Given by the Holy Roman Emperor to the retreating Knights of St. John, the island’s harbor was transformed into a series of fortifications. These European medieval Christian knights had left for the Crusades centuries earlier and had formerly been based in Jerusalem to guard the holy sites from the Muslims until they were defeated and forced ultimately to abandon their redoubt on the island of Rhodes. The French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire said, “Nothing is better than the Siege of Malta.” For Mainland Europe in the 1500s there was a palpable fear of the Muslims overrunning the Christian West, much as they had already overtaken Constantinople. When the greatest leader of the Ottoman Empire, Suleiman the Magnificent, decided to strike against the tiny island and be rid of the brave Knights of St. John (renamed the Knights of Malta) once and for all, the world watched. “The Great Siege” of 1565 is one of the greatest stories of an underdog winning against overwhelming odds. Five hundred knights, led by the French Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, Jean Valette (for
Mdina
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whom the new capital city was eventually named), recruited townsmen and farmers, and eventually with the aid of reinforcements from Spain and Italy, held back an invading flotilla of 200 ships filled with 40,000 Turkish soldiers and mercenaries. Today’s Valletta is a modern city that has grown up around the fortress town built by Grand Master Valette. His old city is laid out in a grid, allowing cool sea breezes to flow down the nearly kilometer-long streets, shaded by tightly stacked stucco and stone buildings. Breathtaking examples of Baroque architecture adorn the city, with cathedrals, churches, palaces, and gardens making Valletta a marvel for wandering around and exploring. Because of its proximity to its cousin Italy, the cuisine of Malta, while heavily focused on fresh seafood caught daily in the waters nearby, borrows many of the staples of Italian cooking with pasta, tomatoes, and garlic all generously featured. Dinners are typically alfresco, with cafes and restaurants setting up their tables outdoors on the cobblestoned streets around 8pm.
Gay life in this extremely Catholic country is visible each September with a raucous gay Pride celebration through the streets of Valletta. Otherwise, between the millions of tourists who arrive each summer and the 20,000+ gay Maltese, the few gay bars scattered throughout Valletta are perfect for an early evening drink before returning to the hotel to freshen up for a leisurely dinner at night. As for Mdina, it was a truly magical evening. The pink and alabaster tinted palaces and churches shimmered in the dusk of that summer day. Packed together in this tiny walled village, high atop the tallest hill on the island, the buildings seem to each tell a story from its mythic past, and as we dined at a truly marvelous restaurant built on the ancient walls of Mdina, my husband and I toasted each other, paraphrasing Voltaire: “Nothing is better than a dinner in Malta.” If you liked this travel diary, follow Buck Jones on Twitter at @mavieenrosebook or subscribe to his free travel newsletter at monsieurbuckjones.substack.com. Read the full column online at thegagvoice.com. May 21, 2021 Columnist 19
JIM FARMER ACTING OUT
Georgia Native Details Transgender Opera Singer in New Film Jim Farmer After growing up in Bellville, Georgia, and later attending Georgia Southern University, James Kicklighter has become a fulltime director. His new movie, “The Sound of Identity,” is available to stream next week. The film details Lucia Lucas, the first transgender performer to take on the role of Don Giovanni in 2019 at the Tulsa Opera. The opera producers reached out to Kicklighter that year before Lucas was going to do this performance. “I was really intrigued not just by her story but how we associate voice with gender,” Kicklighter said. “I thought it would be an interesting exploration of that topic and it would potentially explore that narrative in a way that I had not seen represented on film before.”
Publicity photos
James Kicklighter (left) has directored his new movie, “The Sound of Identity.”
“I feel very strongly about that,” he said. “In transgender representations in media the story is nine times out of 10 about the transition. It’s the process of the transition and the before and after, what life was like before. I think that is problematic. Because when we as filmmakers or society decide to make the emphasis always be about transitioning we don’t see transgender people as people, we are ‘other-izing’ them and putting them in a box.”
The staging is significant because it marks the first time a transgender singer has had the leading role in an opera in the United States on the main stage of a big company. Kicklighter was intrigued by the performance taking place in a location some people would not expect: Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I think one thing I am sensitive to as a director is the notion of putting people in places and boxes. I think because of the polarization of society we look at things as being blue or red or this is what a state may look like,” he said. “Tulsa is different from some of its surrounding areas. The other thing is what it meant for representation, in that it’s a medium that we think as one being in the past, as dying. Someone like Lucia comes in and can reinvent that image.” There was little in the way of controversy when Lucas came aboard, although he and the 20 Columnist May 21, 2021
crew expected a little. “That was something we were halfway expecting — going into shooting that there might be protests or pickets, but none of that occurred,” he recalled. “People were remarkably open and accepting to the idea that we were going to make history with Lucia performing.” It was vital for Kicklighter as a director to make sure the film was not about Lucia’s transition, but her identity. He made that clear to the producers and Lucas up front.
Kicklighter was not terribly familiar with the world of opera beforehand and had to learn it for the film. Growing up in Bellville, he did not have an opera and his experience was anything he was taught in elementary, middle or high school, or through music classes. “There was a big hesitation to do this film, but the producers convinced me. I did not want to fumble that. I wanted to make sure I was honest to the experience of opera, so I tried to pay close attention and learn as I was shooting and tell myself I could get
through it. It helps when you are surrounded by some of the best experts in the world.” “The Sound of Identity” premiered in 2020, played several film festivals, and has been picked up for digital distribution by Shout! Studios in time for Pride month. Kicklighter’s first film, “Desires of the Heart,” was filmed in Savannah, and he has also showed some of his projects at the Macon Film Festival. He made his first film at the age of 18. It took Kicklighter some time to come out as a gay man. “In a small conservative town, that is not a thing that happens or that you talk about, especially in the ‘80s and ‘90s. It’s changed today. I went to school in Tattnall County, and now there is a gay campground in Collins there. I could not have fathomed that existing 20 years ago.” Kicklighter now lives in Los Angeles with his husband.
MORE INFO “The Sound of Identity” begins streaming on June 1.
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May 21, 2021 Restaurant Guide 21
MELISSA CARTER THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
Pandemic Projects
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / GALINA ZHIGALOVA
Melissa Carter Now that the pandemic seems to be on a course to finally work its way out of our world, I am reflecting back on all the projects I began during my shut-in, and find I have a bit of an issue with focus. I’ve always been prone to boredom and have found solace in accomplishment; in other words, I tend to have my finger in too many pies and often wish I had the ability to laser-focus all that energy into one expertise. During the pandemic I began many projects. The biggest is my new podcast with former colleague Jenn Hobby, called The Friendzy. Jenn was my first driveway visitor, and during our socially distanced, masked visit, we came up with the idea to once again do a show together. We then virtually prepared for three months before our launch three months ago. I had moved prior to the pandemic and had many boxes left over to unpack when the pandemic took hold — what better time to unpack boxes than when you can’t go anywhere? I discovered a third of the boxes contained books, which gave me the idea to begin a book blog called, “You Only Have Your Shelf to Blame.” I was also invited to join a YouTube show with fellow media folk Aurea McGarry and Mark Hayes. The idea was to prove that the three of us from different backgrounds and political opinions could come together and discuss issues without leaving angry. In the emotionally heated environment of 2020, we thought it was a nice change. 22 Columnist May 21, 2021
My mother passed away during my time at home. During the stress of that loss and the pandemic in general, I began sketching every day to allow the art she loved and taught to lessen my stress level. I framed several pieces and gave them to friends as Christmas gifts, but made sure to keep images of all my sketches for the purpose of creating an online print shop. That project is not yet complete. I even put together a Speaker’s Kit for when companies felt comfortable again to hire inperson speakers for meetings and conventions. I enjoy speaking to an audience and found I had several topics I could present when the time came. All of this doesn’t include the projects I was part of for my son’s remote kindergarten efforts. Ambitious, yes. A bit splayed out, also yes. In my own defense, I was one of the many who got laid off during the quarantine and felt comfortable planting these so-called seeds in my new garden to see which ones would bloom. I also took that opportunity to really allow the pandemic to force me to address the things I loved and didn’t like about the world I had created for myself. Following the pandemic, I’ve come to two conclusions. First, there is no conclusion. There is no “finish line” or “safe space” we all can hide in to say safe, no perfect job or perfect home. We simply have to allow ourselves to really live, to experience things as they happen, rather than waste years regretting what we didn’t do. Second, I need to hire a personal assistant to keep up with all my stuff. TheGeorgiaVoice.com
RYAN LEE SOMETIMES ‘Y’
So, You Survived a Plague … Ryan Lee The last month has felt like we’re filing toward the exit of the alternate reality COVID-19 has trapped us in since March 2020, but nothing confirms everything is back to normal like bombs in the Holy Land. I already miss the pandemic. It’s a flippant and risky sentiment to have, since the disease has already killed almost 3.4 million people across the globe, and history and Hollywood make me worry we could mistake the eye of an outbreak for the end of our storm. Nevertheless, our days and world are beginning to resemble what we considered life before COVID, before lockdowns, before we lived through history. You have survived a global plague, traversed a secluded realm along the human experience. That feels worthy of pause: for gratitude and relief, and for reflection about who you were and who you will be now that you are not dead. I’m not eager to return to reality as it was mapped out prior to COVID. Aside from all the death and stuff, I kind of liked the detour. I’m not ready to stop wearing masks, more as enchanting fashion than for protection. All of my face coverings have designs that express my interests or match my outfit, and I’m reluctant to surrender an accessory that directs attention toward my most favorable and resourceful facial feature. To know whether I’m flirting or frustrated, strangers really don’t need to see anything except my eyes. My allegiance to masks is not indicative of my caution level throughout the pandemic, which I feel less damned for confessing now that I’m fully vaccinated without me or anyone in my orbit of contact having contracted, transmitted or died from the disease. I quarantined for about 85 hours before I began navigating our brave new world, TheGeorgiaVoice.com
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initially solo but not long after with groups that exceeded the sizes recommended by public health officials. The weddings, funerals, sex clubs, birthday parties and other affairs I’ve attended would’ve earned superspreader designation had anyone gotten sick. I understand how many (maybe most) people would consider my behavior arrogant, reckless and selfish, and I quake knowing I would be dead had this been the onset of an epidemic more similar to smallpox or AIDS. However, this was not that plague; and I did not feel its direst risks, nor was I irresponsible with those whose company I shared (I almost always had on a super-cute mask). I’ve dodged the disbelief and rage of fellow liberals by not flaunting my conduct as a cause for freedom or pointing out every time the science they’ve used as the basis of their sanctimony is clarified, corrected or discarded like a used, useless Lysol wipe. Half of me feels guilt and the rest pity when I hear folks’ excitement about doing things they’ve sacrificed throughout the pandemic, since about the only thing I haven’t done in the last year is work. I rebelled against employment for the maximum number of weeks permitted by state law and have maintained my protest since conservatives learned the wrong lesson from people living better outside the workforce. The last thing I’m in the mood for is returning to someone’s office, and I wouldn’t have known how to evade that conscription but for the past 14 months. Each of us had survival strategies and now have a survival story. Mine include unprecedented dominion over my time, and the hope of that reality transitioning from alternative to permanent. May 21, 2021 Columnist 23