08/02/19, Vol. 10 Issue 11

voice

georgia VOL.10 • ISSUE 11

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

PO Box 77401 • Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365

EDITORIAL

Editor: Patrick Colson-Price pcolson-price@thegavoice.com Editorial Contributors: Conswella Bennett, Cliff Bostock, Camryn Burke, Melissa Carter, Mariah Cooper, Dallas Duncan, Aidan Ivory Edwards, Jim Farmer, Luke Gardner, O’Brian Gunn Elizabeth Hazzard, Ryan Lee, Rose Pelham, Dionne Walker

PRODUCTION

Art Director: Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com

ONLINE

Digital Content Senior Staffer: Katie Burkholder kburkholder@thegavoice.com

BUSINESS

Managing Partner/Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@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

FINE PRINT

All material in Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of 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.

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The editorial positions of 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 Georgia Voice and its staff.

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

I’ve Got Problems … And I’m Not Afraid to Admit It Patrick Colson-Price For some reason, society uses medication and therapy as a way to label anyone as unstable and an allaround crazy person. I’m talking about depression and anxiety mainly. It’s been going on for years, especially when we look at celebrities who’ve committed suicide because they suffered from severe depression and never spoke up for the help they desperately needed. Why? Would it make them look too crazy or too unstable to land jobs in Hollywood? Unfortunately, that type of mindset trickles down into the everyday, basic lives of regular human beings with bigger fish to fry than wealthy, successful actors and actresses.

It certainly made its way into my life, though I’m not sure if it’s more genetics than the constant pressure society puts on individuals to succeed and have the best of the best in all areas of life. I’ve got problems. Whew, and I’m proud to say I’m not afraid to admit it.

I’ve been in and out of counseling, on and off medication, and constantly trying to pull myself out of dark holes that seem to plague every single day of my life, since I was a young kid. From my parent’s divorce when I was in elementary school to previous struggles with my sexuality in my twenties, talking to someone always felt right. I left the sessions feeling light like a feather, and I had better control over my life and emotions and how to manage the constant stress of surviving as an adult. Counseling and medication was a constant roller coaster ride with highs and lows, and sometimes I’d jump off the ride and swear I didn’t need it in my life anymore.

At one point in time, I labeled myself as unstable and crazy, and I was very open about my feelings. I’d write very cryptic Facebook posts alluding to how miserable I was, unhappy I was, sad I was and fed up I was with life itself. I think we all did or do it

YOUR VOICE MATTERS “Patti LuPone Tells Lindsey Graham to ‘Bite the Bullet and Come Out’” Ryan Watkins: “Graham will never come out, but stories of his escapades will long outlive him. He made his bed, and history won’t be kind to his legacy.”

Sted Mays: “Public figures who vote anti-LGBTQ in legislatures are fair game.

A self-loathing hypocrite and sellout like Graham, who has consistently worked to harm LGBTQ, should be exposed. Thank you, Patti LuPone!”

to get validation that people still care about us and want us on this earth. My inbox and posts would flood with comments of support and love, but deep down I still felt just as empty. I questioned dozens of times and still do to this day, why I’m needed on this earth and why my life matters.

These questions are the focal point of conversations during my counseling sessions, and I’ve learned I’m not alone in questioning my existence in this universe. We all spend so many years of our lives trying to understand why we were created and why we are allowed to breathe this very sacred air. For many, those questions are answered in time, and sometimes not answered at all. Without knowing our purpose, chaos and confusion can plague even the happiest of humans. But once the answer is revealed, harmony can blanket even the most chaotic mind.

Thankfully, I’ve found peace and understanding in my writing which I feel can help others. I still think I’m crazy and I have problems but I feel like I’m one step closer to understanding my purpose on this earth. Counseling has been a blessing, and medication has given me the ability to take every moment of my day and see it for what it’s worth, a chance to learn my purpose for living and breathing! For those who question their existence as well, it’s ok to ask for help. It’s ok to need medication for mental and emotional stability. It all helps to give us a clearer understanding of what we’re here for. Never be ashamed for bettering yourself, regardless of what society says!

Heather Stanko: “I’m torn. On the one hand, I want people to come out only when they’re ready. And until/unless he does, it’s not our say whether he is as he identifies. On the other, he’s one of the worst human beings, AND there’s a track record of the most vehemently homophobic guys being caught in a gay sex scandal, so …”

Jennell Jaquays: “She’s not wrong. It’s totally a thing for closeted LGBTQ people to cloak themselves in self hatred (homophobia, transphobia) as both a smokescreen and a form of self suppression. Coming out as gay likely won’t make him a liberal ... but it will damage his electability in his state. So he will deny and suppress.”

“Criminal Charges Against Kevin Spacey Dropped” Laura Gentle: “I’m sorry, did everyone forget that insane video he put out during this whole PR blowup? There are tons of grabby/aggressive Kevin Spacey stories in the film and music industry.

He’s a great actor and a POS. No sympathy for his financial losses.”

Eric L. Watts: “Soooo when does he file criminal charges against the accuser for causing him to lose his job, be blacklisted and essentially ruin his career? Don’t tell me that person gets off scot-free. P.S. Jussie Smollett unavailable for comment?”

“Billy Porter Makes History with Emmy Nomination” Michael Parker: “There should have been much more for Pose! Those women are amazing!”

August 2, 2019 Editorial 3

NEWS

Gay Georgia Couple Sues State Department Officials Refuse to Recognize Daughter’s Citizenship

“The fight for marriage equality is not over, and we will not stand down until the State Department changes its unlawful policy.”

Staff Reports

Their attorneys also argue that the denial of Simone’s citizenship violates the Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage.

A gay Atlanta couple has sued the U.S. State Department after it refused to recognize their daughter’s citizenship.

Mize and Gregg are U.S. citizens who had their daughter Simone via surrogacy in England last year. Both fathers are listed on her birth certificate, but when they applied for recognition of U.S. citizenship, they were rejected.

more stringent requirements for citizenship.

born abroad are U.S. citizens from birth.

“The Supreme Court has been clear that married same-sex couples cannot be denied the same protections that differentsex couples receive, and that includes the right to be recognized as their children’s parents regardless of who has a biological connection to a child,” said Karen Loewry, Senior Counsel for Lambda Legal. “The State Department has no business refusing to recognize Simone as an American citizen just like her parents. We will not allow this State Department to treat LGBTQ families like second-class citizens.”

Because only one of the men is her biological father, the State Department disregarded the couple’s marriage and treated their daughter as if she was born out of wedlock, which holds

The couple’s legal representation contends that this move is in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which states that children of married U.S. citizens

“The State Department’s policy is not only cruel, it is unconstitutional,” said Aaron C. Morris, an attorney for the couple and the Executive Director of Immigration Equality.

To support the Mize-Gregg family and families like theirs, you can sign a petition from Lambda Legal demanding equal treatment of LGBTQ families.

Yesterday (July 23), Lambda Legal, Immigration Equality, and pro bono counsel Morgan Lewis filed a lawsuit against the U.S. State Department on behalf of Derek Mize and Jonathan Gregg.

DEREK MIZE AND JONATHAN GREGG WITH BABY SIMONE

COURTESY PHOTO

Atlanta Gay Activist and Politician Dies at 81 Patrick Colson-Price The Atlanta LGBTQ community mourns the loss of a local Atlanta activist, Richard “Dick” Rhodes, who died from a stroke according to friends close to 81-year-old.

Rhodes made his way to Atlanta in 1971 where he later became a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta in 1988, the first openly gay man to do so.

He told the Georgia Voice back in 2012, it sparked a fire to run for office.

RICHARD “DICK” RHODES COURTESY PHOTO

6 News August 2, 2019

“I thought, well, damned, I’m as smart as they are,” he said in an interview with the Georgia Voice in 2012. So he put his hat in the race for the Georgia House of Representatives as an openly gay man — believed to be the first gay man to run for state-elected office in the state — but in a crowd of 7, he finished fifth.

He didn’t run for office again, but continued to remain politically involved.

He later became the first openly gay chair of the DeKalb Democratic Party in 1993.

Up until his death, a friend of Rhodes says he lobbied for an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance.

“I have addressed it before the council for the past two months, given the mayor, council and city attorney copies of the three city ordinances that have passed it recently,” he told Project Q Magazine in April.

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce honored the LGBTQ trailblazer in a Facebook post days after his passing.

“As we smile and remember Richard, we ask that you please keep his extended family and friends in your thoughts during this difficult

time,” said the post.

Rhodes, a Navy veteran and HIV/ AIDS activist, was the 2012 recipient of AGLCC’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering contributions to Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community, including being the first openly gay candidate to run for office in Atlanta and in Georgia in 1988, the post also said.

He also co-founded the LGBTQ Archives and Special Collections Committee and was recently active in LGBTQ social group Belong and at Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, said Dave Hayward to Project Q in a recent interview.

A memorial service for Rhodes will be held August 3 at 2pm at the Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, according to friends.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR ALZHEIMER’S FIRST SURVIVOR.

At the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, people carry flowers representing their connection to Alzheimer’s — a disease that currently has no cure. But what if one day there was a white flower for Alzheimer’s first survivor? What if there were millions of them? Help make that beautiful day happen by joining us for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.

Register today at alz.org/walk.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Atlanta The Battery at SunTrust Park Sept. 28 | 8 a.m.

Georgia Chapter 800.272.3900 | georgiawalk.org

2019 NATIONAL PRESENTING SPONSOR

NEWS

RUBY REDD

PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK

Atlanta Gay Bar Raises Money For Suicide Prevention Katie Burkholder Midtown Moon has partnered with the Georgia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to host one of the only weekly charity events in Atlanta – Birdcage Bingo Night with drag queen Ruby Redd.

Every Wednesday night in May and July, Midtown Moon hosted this event to benefit AFSP Georgia, with 100 percent of tips generated by the drag show entertainers going to the Georgia chapter of this nationwide organization. Combination themed bingo night and drag show, Birdcage Bingo Night isn’t the kind of bingo your grandma plays.

“It’s very adult content; the event is 21 and up,” Ray Matheson, the mind behind the drag persona Ruby Redd, told the Georgia Voice. “It’s all tongue-in-cheek and we get a huge crowd of both gay and straight people.

It’s a different take on bingo than anything else going on in Atlanta.”

So far, Midtown Moon has raised more than $3,600 for AFSP Georgia, which Roland 8 News August 2, 2019

Behm, a member of the AFSP Georgia board of directors, told the Georgia Voice will help the organization address their four areas of expertise: education, support, research, and advocacy. Their current advocacy effort is working to secure passage of legislation prohibiting mental health professionals from performing conversion therapy.

and help our neighbors,” he said. “I want Midtown Moon to be open for everybody to come in here and feel comfortable, and by doing a charity event like this one, people who have their doubts about their life can be in contact with someone from AFSP - who are on-site during these bingo nights - so it’s a big community thing for us here.”

To both Midtown Moon and AFSP Georgia, this partnership and raising both money and awareness on the sensitive topic of suicide is of immense importance.

For AFSP Georgia, the partnership was a no-brainer due to the high suicide rates seen among the LGBTQ community.

“Reach out to us through our website afsp. org/georgia or our Facebook page.” Behm said. “You can find links on both sites that talk about upcoming events, like our walks all over the state of Georgia that are designed to raise awareness and funds. Our Atlanta walk in Piedmont Park is coming up on the first week of November - last year we had 3,0004,000 people and raised over $340,000.”

“For us it has been the perfect match because when we look at the LGBTQ community we look at a community that, like veterans and others, are experiencing suicide attempts at a rate higher than the general population,” Behm told us. “We want to raise awareness that a big part of high suicide rates is the lack of acceptance and minority stress that the LGBTQ community is exposed to even from a young age.”

The goal of Birdcage Bingo Night is to raise funds, but it’s more than that; it’s also about connecting the community, raising awareness, and reaching out to those who may feel hopeless – and with literature on suicide prevention available to customers upon arrival, education and advocacy is available to those who may not feel comfortable talking to someone face-to-face.

While July’s installment of the fundraiser has ended, Midtown Moon will be picking Birdcage Bingo Night back up in September for National Suicide Prevention Month.

“This framework not only raises money but also creates a sense of community,” Behm said. “Even it’s just one night a week, people can come together and not feel as alone.”

“The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention was definitely an easy fit for us because it was something we could all get behind physically and emotionally,” Matheson said.

Marco Penna, the co-owner of Midtown Moon, said hosting charity events like Birdcage Bingo Night was one of his main goals when first opening the bar.

“One of the main things I wanted to do with Midtown Moon was engage more in charity events, get involved in the community,

Until then, though, there are many ways to get involved with AFSP Georgia.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

VOICES

Outing Myself for a Greater Cause “When I was a sophomore in college, the student government put me on trial for satirizing transphobia. It was the culmination of a year and a half of controversy that began with the start of my freshman year and my outing myself as transgender in the student newspaper. ”

Rose Pelham When I was a sophomore in college, the student government put me on trial for satirizing transphobia. It was the culmination of a year and a half of controversy that began with the start of my freshman year and my outing myself as transgender in the student newspaper.

I first came out as transgender when I was living with my father and step-mother in Decatur while attending Druid Hills High School in Atlanta. I briefly considered coming out in school but was advised against it. There was too much potential for harassment; I was already a target for my sexual orientation. In the last year and a half of high school, my world, or at least the world in which I was allowed to express myself, shrank to the confines of the home.

The state of Georgia, with its far-right politics and lack of protections against discrimination, seemed an inhospitable place to be a young transgender woman. It was only natural for me to jump at the opportunity of attending college out-of-state.

I became involved in journalism in high school, primarily in response to the state legislature’s consideration, and subsequent passage, of a “religious freedom restoration act” that threatened LGBTQ rights throughout Georgia. I only wrote two articles before leaving for college, but the experience shaped the pieces I wrote in the future. The first, and more important, I wrote for a “Gonzo Journalism” class taught at the Governor’s Honors Program

by David Ragsdale. The article was a satire of state-sponsored homophobia and the first instance in which I would out myself to my peers through writing. When I arrived in college, the first article I would write for the student newspaper, in which I would out myself again, would be an indirect sequel. It too would satirize homophobic and transphobic sentiments.

There is a trend in transgender writing that I have always hoped to avoid, which is to write with the goal of proving the authenticity of one’s gender to a cisgender audience, particularly by emphasizing the 10 Voices August 2, 2019

way in which one fits into cisnormative gender stereotypes. This style of writing, which appears frequently in transgender autobiographical works, falls into the trap of assuming that the validity of a person’s gender is determined by its proximity to cisgender expression. In doing so, it reduces all transgender expression to an imitation of cisgender identity that in no way liberates any transgender person who might happen to read it. I have tried to find an alternative to this style of argument by questioning, and even ridiculing, cissexist assumptions about the nature of gender whenever possible, especially in satire. It was through this effort that I would find the limits of social tolerance in college when I satirized the transphobic attitudes of my peers.

At the beginning of my sophomore year, I wrote a sequel to the article in which I outed myself. The second time around I took a series of transphobic arguments and reversed

them, transforming the absurd claim that being transgender is a phase into the equally absurd claim that being cisgender is a phase, and so on. This produced a furious response from a number of students at my college and resulted in the student government deciding to penalize the student newspaper by depriving it of funding through an act of legislation. Prior to the act’s passage, the student government held a hearing, in which a number of grievances with the paper were presented publicly and used to justify the student government’s actions. The hearing was so heated that I watched friends of mine break down in tears. Fortunately, the administration of the college had none of it and refused the student government the authority to defund the paper. Since then, I have continued to write about the issues transgender students face, which was the path that lead me to the Georgia Voice this summer. It was also, as it turned out my junior year, the path towards greater tolerance

at the college. Writing that confronts transphobia is no longer taboo on campus to the extent it once was, and transgender students no longer face significant backlash for publishing their stories.

It is common to hear of a free speech crisis on college campuses. When this narrative is evoked in the news it is almost always as a way of arguing that students who attempt to speak out against prejudice on campus have gone too far in protesting against the addresses of homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic, or racist speakers. I have seen no equivalent effort to defend the rights of students to speak out against prejudice on campus even as many of them face considerable backlash. This lopsided and inconsistent support for free speech not only has the effect of providing cover for bigoted arguments without being explicitly in their favor, but it also undermines the ability of those who are not white, heterosexual, cisgender men to speak freely and equally.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

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August 2, 2019 Ads 11

PETS

PIEDMONT BARK PHOTO BY KATIE BURKHOLDER

A Five “BARK” Review Katie Burkholder

When it comes to doggy daycare, Piedmont BARK knows best. The winner of Best Doggy Daycare and Best Pet Supply and Grooming in this year’s Best Of Atlanta awards, Piedmont BARK is the most loved and trusted dog destination in Atlanta. We sat down with the owner and founder William Campbell to chat about the inception of Piedmont BARK, the ins and outs of the business, and what customers can expect from this Disneyland for dogs moving forward.

When and why did you start Piedmont BARK? “I launched Piedmont BARK in 2002. At 12 Pets August 2, 2019

that time, I was in marketing and brand consulting working out of my home, but there was always an entrepreneurial streak that ran through me. What made me interested in the concept of doggy daycare, which was pretty non-existent in 2002, was my worry that if I began working in a corporate setting, I would have to leave my dalmatian Sebastian home alone. What I felt like I needed for Sebastian in Midtown, where I’ve lived since 1998, was nonexistent. So that made me think, ‘Gosh, I could create a space like that.’ I wanted to create a unique doggy playground that could meet the needs of Midtown pet owners like myself where all dogs would be comfortable to come into.”

What services does Piedmont BARK offer to pets and pet owners?

“We offer doggy daycare, boarding, and grooming. We have a grooming salon with three full-time groomers and about 24 fulltime and part-time employees in total. We average about 20 dogs a night boarding with us - this number spikes on the weekends and right now during the summer, when we’re running about 50 dogs a night. But daycare has about 100 dogs a day.”

“We don’t try to be something we’re not. Our focus is daycare, boarding, and grooming and work towards being the best we can be at that instead of being sidetracked with doing something that’s not our specialty. We have a

lot of external resources we can call on because we’re so well-established; we have specialty people that we can call on when we need them.

But we try to stick to what we’re good at.”

Can you describe the Piedmont BARK facility?

“We have a 10,000+ square foot building that’s actually split into two buildings. The first building holds the lobby, grooming salon and our area for our large dogs, which holds the big play areas and suites. Our second building has a similar set-up for small dogs, miniature dogs, geriatric dogs, and puppies.”

CONTINUES ON PAGE 13 TheGeorgiaVoice.com

PETS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

That trial day always shows us so much about the dog. This is just to see if they will be a good fit at Piedmont BARK. In order to keep our environment safe and stress-free, we have to have some tough conversations with our clients sometimes. When we see a dog acting crazy, we’re not the people to say, ‘Oh your dog did great today!’ when you come in the afternoon to pick them up. We’re going to be honest with you because we’ve got to. We also offer a lot of time for canine-human interaction through our dog to staff ratio. We have about 1 staff member for every 10 dogs.”

“When I designed the lay-out of the facility, I tried to take off my ‘human hat’ and think ‘What is it that’s important to dogs?’ My own dog Sebastian was my inspiration. Sebastian loved large areas to run and play, so we provide that for every dog that comes in. He didn’t want to sit in a crate all day, so we don’t do that. But we do provide adequate area for our dogs to rest.”

It’s very clear that it’s important to you to put the dog first. How do you ensure the best, safest, and most comfortable visit for the pets that come in?

“Everyone that comes here entrusts their dogs with us because what we offer is a safe, secure environment, kind of like the dog is at home. The big difference is the dog gets to socialize and play with dogs of similar size, temperament, and age. Since our inception, we’ve strived to safeguard all the dogs that are entrusted in our care. I mean, these are people’s babies. Animals have always been our children in the LGBTQ community. So, when they’re

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

PIEDMONT BARK PHOTO BY KATIE BURKHOLDER

in our care, they’re our extended family.”

“One of the ways we make Piedmont BARK safe is with our temperament tests. Every dog that comes to Piedmont BARK has to do a trial day and we do take it very seriously. We have a whole rating sheet on the dog, like how they get along with other dogs and people, whether they’re dominant or submissive or nervous.

What does Atlanta’s LGBTQ community mean to Piedmont BARK? “In the early days, in 2002, about 80 percent of my business was LGBTQ. My first ad ran in the Southern Voice, the Georgia Voice’s predecessor, during gay pride. I’m a gay businessowner, and my commitment from day one was to our community - both the LGBTQ community and the greater Midtown community. The community, specifically the gay community, has supported my business since day one. And we make sure

to reinvest into the community; we give about $10,000 a year to local charitable causes.”

Do you have an anecdote of a particularly memorable pet?

“Oh wow, there are so many. We’ve had some dramatic stories but we’ve had more funny and happy ones. We had a dog and every morning he came in for daycare, after playing for a while, he would throw up a pair of female underwear!

We of course had to tell the owner – I had one of my female managers handle that one.

But it would keep happening - we saw socks, underwear, even a bra once! Eventually, the dog did grow out of it. But that was definitely a difficult conversation to have - ‘Umm… your dog is throwing up lingerie.’”

What does the future of Piedmont BARK look like?

“We’re not going anywhere, but we’ve had thoughts of expanding. I don’t want to tip my hand too much but look out for a new Piedmont BARK facility elsewhere that’ll be daycare only. Besides that, it’s going great and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

August 2, 2019 Pets 13

PETS

The Master Becomes the Student Tips for Training Your Pet O’Brian Gunn I adore dogs and cats, but much like kids, I adore them so much more when they’re well-behaved. That’s why I’d rather adopt an older pet that’s set in its ways, chill, and, most importantly, trained. Maybe you’d rather take the opposite route and adopt a rambunctious puppy or kitten full of lessons to be learned and midnight mishaps! If so, make pet ownership easier and learn a few training basics.

Potty Training Undoubtedly true, dogs love to please.

But another reason to teach them basic commands is to help socialize them and help them understand the type of behavior you expect from them. Potty training is one of the most important, so let’s start there.

Crate training is a great place to start. Dogs are den animals, which means they have a natural inclination to seek out an enclosed space for comfort; you aren’t punishing them by putting them into a crate. When your pup does start whining and clawing at the crate, that means it probably has to go. Take your canine companion outside immediately to avoid accidents.

With puppies, you’ve got to keep a close eye on them to recognize their rhythms. Some pee whenever they play or get excited, others can hold it for a while. Getting to know your pet means recognizing when it needs to excuse itself to go to the bathroom. If you like, you can also train your dog to ring a bell when it needs to handle its business.

Other Basic Commands Moving on to the fun stuff, teach your dog to sit by kneeling in front of it with a treat held up in your hand. Say, “sit,” and when your pooch reaches up for the treat, put your hand on its rump and gently push down until it’s sittin’ pretty. Repeat the sit command. Give ample praise and treats when your pooch obeys.

14 Pets August 2, 2019

Clockwise from top left: Crate training is a great place to start for potty traing your dog. Teach your dog to sit with basic commands. Use a clicker and treats to reinforce desired behavior from cats.

(Photos by Pexel)

To help with leash training, teach your dog to heel. With your dog wearing a collar and leash, have it sit. Hold a clicker or squeaky toy in your right hand above your dog’s head and the leash in your left hand. Start walking and say, “heel,” using the toy or clicker to hold your pup’s attention. Stop walking if your dog either gets ahead of you or becomes distracted. Award your dog for paying attention with a treat or toy. Begin walking again after your dog gives you at least 30 seconds of attention. Increase the amount of time before giving a treat or toy.

can of food. That way, your cat associates the sound with food or treats. It’s best to teach your cat how to come even when it’s not its regular feeding time. Gradually increase the distance you call your cat from and get into a twice-daily practice of teaching your cat to come on command.

Cat “Commands” Depending on a cat’s temperament, you may manage to train it to recognize a few … requests. Much like with a dog, use a clicker and treats to reinforce desired behavior. One of the main reasons to teach your cat a basic skill like “come” is in case it darts outside.

Sound the clicker before opening a bag or a

If you let your cat outside to use the bathroom like you would a dog, there’s a good chance your feline companion won’t even bother chucking a deuce before splitting. Rather than let your cat use a litter box, you can train it to use the toilet. Doing so can save you money on the cost of litter and make for a fresher-smelling home. Position the litter

box next to the toilet. Over time, place the litter box on top of the toilet seat (you may need to put a stool next to the toilet to make reaching the litter box easier). Next, buy a litter box made specifically for the toilet, making sure you fill it with flushable litter.

Over time, use less litter until your cat is used to going without it. Finally, remove the litter box entirely.

Training any pet can be a massive investment of time and energy, but it can also serve as a great bonding experience. Tuck these tips in your training toolkit to forge a satisfying relationship between you and your fourlegged family member.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

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August 2, 2019 Ads 15

PETS

Pet Dads and Moms of the ATL

Here’s to the best dads and moms a pet could ever have! From dogs and cats to those more exotic pets, we all need a little love and companionship from our animal friends! While we celebrate those with us today, we also honor those pets who’ve passed on, who continue to bring smiles to our faces through warm memories!

Chrystal Walker-Cherry with Ted “Ted aka as Ted E. Bear, is my baby!

He is a miniature Poodle. Ted is two years old, and I got him as an emotional support pet during the time of my mother’s bereavement. He has been that and so much more to our family.

He is friendly to everyone he comes in contact with and is definitely the eye catcher when we’re out and about! Everybody loves Ted!”

Billy Banderas with Heavy (IN MEMORIAM) “Heavy was 13 years old and he LOVED pop music! He always cuddled on the couch and enjoyed very short walks!

Heavy ate everything in his way but I always gave him Costco treats and he loved them. He also enjoyed when I gave him the last of my bananas and he’d wiggle his tailless butt to show me his happiness. He also always knew when I was sad and would lick my leg nonstop. His nickname was “gordito canchis canchis” and he always knew that meant he may get a treat. It was ultimately all about food!”

16 Pets August 2, 2019

Daniel Jones with Babs “Her name is Babs.

She is 13 and a half.

Her Breed is mixed but essentially a mutt! I rescued her when she was about six months old so I’ve had her for about 13 years. She loves to eat everything!

Finishing the peanut butter jar is her favorite. She enjoys car rides and hanging out in the park!”

Samantha and Jacinta Mercer with McCormick “His name is McCormick. We picked his name before we actually got him from our first date at McCormick and Schmidt’s. He is a 9 year old Shorkie that we have loved and taken care of since he was 6-7 weeks old. He is a very interesting little guy. He’s only 12 lbs but he packs a huge bark. So huge that he thinks he is much bigger than he is and does not shy down from any dog he encounters.

Although he pretends to be a bad guy in front of other doggies, we know the true Mick. He once scared himself by stepping on a candy bar wrapper so we know he’s not as tough as he would like folks to believe. He’s a good boy though. And a sweetheart. He loves cuddles which turn into naps and snoring like he worked an all night double shift. Also it’s the cutest thing when he does his back scratching ritual by falling on his back and wiggling his body around in a circle kicking and flailing his little legs in the air. A must see!”

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

PETS

Ty Washington with Becks “Becks is one year and nine months old. I adopted him from the Fulton county shelter in October 2018 when he was a pup. He’s multi-racial just like his dad, a Sheppard, Bull terrier, Lab and Boxer.

His favorite toy is his small hedgehog that squeaks (but ANYTHING that squeaks will do). He loves to walk around the neighborhood to sniff out anything new that he might have missed from earlier that day, or just be loved! Note- your hand has to keep moving over his body or he will leave you like a piece of parsley on a cold plate! He can be still all by himself. If his cousins visit, he is over-themoon happy because he gets to play!”

Abby Smarr with Captain “This is me and my dog Captain. He is a rescue that we adopted from Angels Among Us Pet Rescue in June 2012. He was picked up as a stray in May 2012 from Clayton County. We tempt fostered and it turned into a foster fail! He is a German Shepherd and we think he is about 8 years old now. He is the sweetest dog you’ll ever meet.

He loves to sleep, chase squirrels, howl at fire trucks and follow us from room to room as we move around in the house. We couldn’t ask for a better dog. I love him so much!”

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

Thuy Nguyen (Twee) with Gracie

“Her name is Gracie Nguyen and she is six-years-old. I had her since she was a baby puppy. She is a Maltese & Jack Russel mix, and is an extreme attention whore & loves the outdoors but scared of thunderstorms!”

Tina Woolbright with Newton

“So this is a picture of Newton and me in Miami. We were there for the first Pride. The other cute dog is Alex. My dog Newton is 7 and a Long haired Dachshund I adopted Him when he was 4. He was very sick and I almost lost him I can provide details. What I love about Newton is he at every dog park goes and welcomes everyone.

He loves meeting new people. He has an amazing spirit and he makes me laugh every day. He makes friends everywhere he goes! I am so happy he is a part of my life!”

Curtis Gurule and Blake Christopher with Oliver and Simon “These two cats are of the Devon Rex breed. They’re one and a half years old and we adopted them in August 2018 from owners down in Tampa. They love daddy cuddles, sinks, blanket forts, hugs, making their opinions known, snuggling in chest hair, treats, watching their dads cook, sun bathing, general judgement, sleeping and kitty parkour!

They hate baths, ear cleaning, getting up in the morning, going to sleep at night, traveling, and the US healthcare system! When they’re feeling playful, they love hunting the elusive red dot laser, sunbathing, and contributing to entropy!”

August 2, 2019 Pets 17

PETS

ARIELE EDWARDS HOLDING OREO COURTESY PHOTOS

My Own Crazy Cat Lady Aidan Ivory Edwards

myself. She named him Weasley, due to his resemblance to Ron Weasley from Harry Potter. However, Weasley wasn’t alone.

Ever since I saw Michele Pfeiffer overpouring milk into her cats’ bowls in her portrayal of Selina Kyle, better known as Cat Woman in Tim Burton’s 1992 Batman Returns, I’ve admired crazy cat people. Cats are often perceived as being stuck up, devious and judgmental; a similar conjecture that women have been victim to since the dawn of time.

Cat Woman is a feminist symbol, embracing the opposition to the hierarchical system based on gender and monetary value. Selina’s alter ego is a response to the forces beyond her control. I never saw her as the antagonist.

Batman is a male billionaire, so it seemed appropriate that he was the opposition.

However, at that age, I was ignorant of the internal conversation of Cat Woman.

I couldn’t wrap my head around her sense of alienation, and the neglect that society imposed on her, leading her to confide in felines. I only wanted to have as many cats as her—not considering the financial toll, the loss of a security deposit, and being taken to small courts for restitution.

My sister, Ariele, has never worried about that. She didn’t become a crazy cat lady by 18 Pets August 2, 2019

GIGI

choice, nor did she commit to it because she was exhausted of society’s subjugation like Selina Kyle. She inherited the title from the kindness in her heart, a claim that has lost its comical whims thanks to the internet affirming the fact that a lot of us are crazy cat people — letting our Mark Twain shine through. In 2015, Ariele moved into an apartment complex in Norcross, already juggling two spastic dogs, and two aloof cats. Once settled in, she came across a lone orange cat who was timid, emaciated, and in dire need. Ariele began to feed him, leaving him be after she filled the bowl — peering through her window to make sure that he was eating. He quickly warmed up to her, using her patio as a living space. In due time, he warmed up to her house guests including

It’s as if he was sent to find food for the family in the face of dystopia. And he succeeded. He had an entire family, a massive one scattered across the complex. Week by week, more cats began to show up on Ariele’s porch — patiently waiting for food. There would be times where I was speaking to her on the phone, and she would abruptly say, “Hold on, I have to feed the cats.” I would ask her, ‘How many do you have now?’ She would respond by saying, “I don’t know.” She beat me to the punch by calling herself a crazy cat lady. Each time I would visit, I would meet another member of Weasley’s family. His mother with three legs, his father who looks like Ron Perlman, his grandfather who I call the Night King, and his countless siblings that all have assorted colors and markings. Providing for her neighbors isn’t the only virtuous thing that Ariele has done; she has saved several kittens in the complex.

One evening, she sent me a picture of what looked like a black hairball. She told me, “She came home and it was laying on her doorstep, injured.” The kitten was so new that she was afraid to touch her. The injuries it sustained

included numerous gashes and one missing ear. It’s assumed that the neighborhood possum took the kitten’s ear with him, presumably before being confronted by three dozen cats. He hasn’t been seen ever since.

My sister brought her back to health and after watching her progression, she couldn’t help but keep her as one of her own. That cat is now named Gigi — matching the dogs’ names of Tonks, Sirius Black, and Weasley (who is Gigi’s relative in some shape or form).

Ariele has been living at her apartment for four years, reaching the final form of a crazy cat lady — but she doesn’t mind nor should she. The uniformed attachment of “crazy cat lady” comes with a negative connotation, but why? Who likes people better than animals?

How can we taunt those who act altruistically towards animals? They don’t cut you off in traffic without using a turn signal, use poor choice of words, or judge you for eating a quart of Bruster’s ice cream while watching a marathon of the First 48. No, they give you their undivided attention — wondering when you are going to feed them, pet them, play laser with them, or change their cat litter. They complete our lives as much as we do theirs. I think I’ll fully commit to the crazy cat life after seeing my sister’s devotion. Someday.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

PETS

Clover: A Cat Rejected From Hell Aidan Ivory Edwards Unlike people, unlikeable animals are hard to come by. From my experience, cats lack a sinister motive and the sense for a deliberate betrayal that humans often calculate.

Meeting awful people is like seeing a chicken wing bone on Atlanta sidewalks; you’ll come across one almost every day. But cats tend to be more so arbitrarily manipulative, usually when it comes to their necessities. Pets can feel that they have failed you in some way or another — they are remorseful, bowing their heads in disdain. An encounter with an animal who is out of control and erratic in the most devious ways never reaches the back burner of your memory. For example, I stopped believing that a four-leaf clover had any significance in this world after a traumatic incident with our old neighbor’s cat with that exact name.

When I would see Clover, he would usually have a dead animal next to him, or with blood on his jowl, vehemently searching for his next prey. To put his demeanor into frame, he was worse than Church from Pet Semetary. But at the naïve age of seven, I 20 Pets August 2, 2019

thought every living creature had virtue buried somewhere in their heart. I would often wonder if Clover’s sadistic owner, Adam — who also had a fascination with killing small animals — perhaps made Clover this way. I rarely saw the two interact.

Adam was a few years older than me, but still, my parents were wary of me hanging out with him. In hindsight, they were right to be alarmed.

I assumed that Adam named him Clover because he was lucky to slip through the portal of hell. Clover had white fur with patches of black, glaring emerald eyes, and a scar across his eye, similar to Scar from the Lion King. I never learned the origin of his scar, but that was probably for the better.

There had been numerous times where Clover was rather pleasant to me, rubbing against my shin as if I had saved him from whatever God-forsaken place that he had come from before. But it was a façade — and I fell for it.

On many occasions, I would have to fearfully interrupt Clover while he attacked my cat, Smokey. His attacks were cold, calculated,

and always unwarranted. In the midst of their animated quarrels, with fur flying every which way, I would swing a stick towards their direction to break them away from each other — as if I was an amateur sorcerer.

Smokey would have missing patches of fur from his neck down to his tail, blood dripping from his nose, and scabs would later develop on his back. I understood the territorial warfare, but Clover’s violent nature had an underlying animosity that I had never seen in an animal. He thrived on inflicting pain on anything that could feel it, including me.

I was wandering outside on a hot summer day, being a kid, flipping rocks to see what was under them, singing songs from my Chumbawamba album, and feeling euphoric because a trip to Video King was in store. I went into the front yard to get my baseball glove when I felt Clover’s eyes piercing me from a small patch of woods. He had the same stare as Mark Wahlberg did in the movie Fear. This didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary but I began to wonder if he was hurt after he meowed in my direction.

I didn’t want him to die. I just wanted him to

disappear as the cats did at my aunt Kathy’s farm. I walked closer to him, hoping that somehow he had a revelation, leaving his violent history behind like they often do in films. But there is always a reason for them to return to that violence, somehow better trained than before.

I drew closer to Clover childlike, clicking my tongue, and putting out my wrist while snapping my fingers. His two emerald eyes were blinking slowly and affectionately.

Eventually, my hand began petting his head.

He gracefully accepted two pets before he lunged forward and dug his claws into each side of my temples. I screamed like Janet Leigh in Psycho with blood streaming down my face. I heard his claws pull out as I threw him off. I began to run away towards our house, noticing in my peripheral that Clover had begun to chase me. I scrambled to grab our front door knob as Clover drew closer.

I finally got a grip and got inside before he could attack me again. I heard him clawing at the door as I felt the blood running down my cheeks. That day, I learned that not all animals mean well. And if there is a hell—Clover has a lavish realm dedicated to his nature.

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

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20

GEORGIA VOICE’S 2019 BEST OF ATLANTA AWARDS

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BEST

TA

TL F A AN O

1 9 A WA

Last But Not Least …

SHOPPING! Who doesn’t love hitting the town for a day of shopping? From clothing to furniture and everything in between, Atlanta is the place to go for the best retail therapy in the state of Georgia!

Our LGBTQ businesses make it even more exciting for the community with a number of stores catered to the needs of every man and woman! So if you’re throwing a party, don’t forget the alcohol and that perfect outfit, and if you’re redecorating your home, find that comfy sofa and a few coffee table books to make your guests feel right at home! Whatever it may be, you’ll find it all with each of our BEST OF ATLANTA 2019 winners!

SHOPPING

BOOKSTORE: CHARIS BOOKS & MORE This independently-owned feminist bookstore takes home the award for the fifth consecutive year in a row! It’s not only known for its leftof-center titles, but also its central role within the local progressive community. In addition to hosting special monthly events including book signings and readings, their selection of topselling LGBTQ literature is out of this world!

Check out their new location in the heart of Decatur steps from Agnes Scott College.

Runners-up are Barnes and Noble and Half Price Books ADULT NOVELTY STORE: BRUSHSTROKES PLEASURES Who says toy stores are just for kids? Brushstrokes Pleasures wins for the fifth year in a row as Atlanta’s go-to shop for all things sexy! Located in the heart of the Ansley gayborhood, Brushstrokes Pleasure stocks it all: Fetish gear, sexual supplements, vacuum pumps, condoms, lubricants and more.

Runners-up are Tokyo Valentino and Barking Leather

LEATHER GEAR: BARKING LEATHER In the market for a new harness or something leather? Barking Leather not only has a stand-alone store located off Cheshire Bridge Road but a specialty store in the bottom floor of the Atlanta Eagle! From custom made leather pieces made to order to novelty items like floggers, whips, cock rings, restraints and much more, this is the place to go if you’re looking to let your fantasies take over!

Runners-up are Brushstrokes Pleasures and Bulldog Leather GAY APPAREL: BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR It’s the third consecutive win for BND and their merchandise speaks to why Atlanta voted them number one! Whether you want to be seen or do a little peeking yourself, head into this apparel shop for the latest fashions including brands like PUMP, Nasty Pig, and more! Looking for swimwear? There’s a wide selection of speedos, trunk shorts, jockstraps, and thongs!

Runners-up are Brushstrokes Pleasures and ABETTERBUZZ Brand Goods

TATTOO PARLOR: ONLY YOU TATTOO The first win for this ink shop located in the Grant Park neighborhood. With five tattoo artists on staff open seven days a week, the level of tattooing and customer service is written in the ink!

FLORIST: FOXGLOVES & IVY FLORAL DESIGN STUDIO Flowers are the way to every person’s heart, and at Foxgloves, their focus is the customer’s smile! For the fourth consecutive year, this Little 5 Points florist serves up a wide variety of floral options for all occasions.

Runners-up are Timeless Tattoo and Kingdom Tattoo

Runners-up are Twelve Boutique & Flowers and Adaptation Floral Design

22 Best of Atlanta August 2, 2019

BEST TATTOO PARLOR

ONLY YOU TATTOO COURTESY PHOTOS

BEST LEATHER GEAR BARKING LEATHER

GIFT SHOP: BRUSHSTROKES PLEASURES Brushstrokes Pleasures takes another win, this time for gift shop with a huge selection of novelty gives, sexual and non-sexual, for everyone! From socks, shirts, toys, gag gifts, and more, this shop knows how to celebrate all occasions of the year! Their merchandise is always changing, so swing in and see what new items they have to offer!

Runners-up are Barking Leather and The Merchant FURNITURE STORE: ITAGLIA HOME DESIGN There’s no room for tacky furniture in this city, and that’s why Intalgia takes home this award for the third year in a row! From couches, chairs, coffee tables, and lamps, the modern yet classic feel of each piece will add a special touch to any room of your home!

Located at Ansley Mall, it’s a prime spot for members of the LGBTQ community looking to do a little home decorating in style!

Runners-up are Kaboodle Home and Horizon Home Furniture THRIFT STORE: LOST-N-FOUND YOUTH Five years and counting! It’s why LNF is the go-to spot for items donated back to the community, and all for a good cause! The thrift store is set up to help fund Lost-NFound Youth, and everything they sell goes directly back into the non-profit organization

BEST BOOKSTORE

CHARIS BOOKS & MORE

supporting homeless LGBTQ youth.

Runners-up are Out of the Closet and Second Life JEWELRY STORE: WORTHMORE JEWELERS Winner of the best jewelry store for the fourth year in a row, it’s where the LGBTQ community goes for those special gifts of love and gratitude!

Known as the coolest store in America by InStore Magazine, Worthmore Jewelers arrived on the jewelry scene opening in the early 1990s in Midtown Atlanta. The store is known for its fine jewelry, watches, custom designs, and art.

Runners-up are Tiffany’s and Jonathan Buckhead LIQUOR & WINE STORE: TOWER BEER, WINE & SPIRITS The place to go to for the best in alcohol for any party or event! Tower wins the BEST OF award for the second year in a row, but their legacy in the community goes way back! Over the last several decades, so many epic benders began with a simple run to a Tower liquor store for a six-pack and a bag of ice that it boggles the imagination. When you absolutely, positively have to find your favorite obscure stout from Lichtenstein or a good Bordeaux approved by the right French wine-control authorities — but at a reasonable price — you probably have one within a couple of miles of your residence.

Runners-up are Greens and Ansley Wine Merchants TheGeorgiaVoice.com

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August 2, 2019 Ads 23

ACTING OUT

Queer Theatre on Tap Jim Farmer Music from The GoGo’s, feline creatures from T.S. Eliot and queer short plays are some of the treats on tap now or on the horizon in local theater.

At Actors’ Express, Trevor Perry is starring as Pythio in the company’s version of “Head Over Heels.” The show opened on Broadway last year complete with songs by ’80s band The Go-Go’s such as “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation” and the titular number, as well as some of Belinda Carlisle’s songs as well.

It revolves around about a royal family in Arcadia trying to keep their kingdom. Perry’s Pythio is the oracle, a magical entity telling folks in the kingdom that they will lose their beat and not be able to thrive unless they change their way. Perry saw the show on Broadway this year and was taken aback at how inclusive the show was, by performer Peppermint being the first transgender woman to originate a role on Broadway, and by the character of Princess Pamela being a woman of size without anyone remarking that she is a bigger woman. “She is the most beautiful woman in the land and that is a widely accepted fact,” Perry says. Perry also loved the choreography, which is an homage to the ball scenes of the ’80s and ’90s, and the show’s message. The performer, who identifies as non-binary, moved to the area seven years ago and has been almost nonstop busy, seen in Actor’s Express version of “Rent” as well as the company’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” among others.

Out actor Dan Hoy is part of the cast of the new national touring version of “Cats.”

It’s a dream gig for the young performer, who has always been a fan of the musical.

“When I was a kid I had a VHS copy of the original production and I watched it so many times, I broke the VHS tape,” he recalls. “It had a central place in my heart and was an introduction to musical theater.

Being in the show has been a cool full-circle moment for me.” He plays Munkustrap, the 24 Columnists August 2, 2019

Above: A new national touring version of “Cats” comes to Atlanta. Left: “Head Over Heels” features music from The Go-Go’s.

(Official photos)

leader in training of the group. His job is to keep things flowing throughout the evening of the Jellicle Ball, where his cat colleagues are going to nominate one of their own to go to their version of Heaven. Hoy, who’s been on the road since the beginning of the year, feels that the musical is still incredibly relevant. “There is nothing else like it in musical theater. It’s the poetry of T.S. Eliot with the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” he says. “It’s crazy how many people say this was their introduction to musical theater and now I’m introducing my kid. It’s timeless.

We also have a large LGBT following.”

This weekend, Out Front Theatre Company

hosts “Summer Shorts,” a series of plays and monologues staged by the company’s Young Professional Performers Series. According to Paul Conroy, Out Front’s artistic director, the Young Professional Performers Series was established to give high school students and young adults (ages 16-21) the chance to perform in a theatrical atmosphere outside of the classroom. The series allows the performers a chance to engage “in a show that may not typically be presented in an educational setting, as well as allow them the opportunity to perform on a professional stage while confronting topics and themes that are true to their community,” says Conroy. “Summer Shorts” runs through Sunday.

SHOWING TIMES “Cats” Fox Theatre Aug 6 -11 “Head Over Heels” Actor’s Express Through Aug 15 “Summer Shorts” Out Front Theatre Company Through Aug 4

TheGeorgiaVoice.com

EATING MY WORDS

Chapel Food with a Twist!

Cliff Bostock The latest barbecue joint to open in Atlanta is Wood’s Chapel BBQ in Summerhill, a historic neighborhood that was home to freed slaves and Jewish immigrants after the Civil War. The restaurant’s name is taken from one of the first post-war churches there.

Contemporary Atlantans know the area best as the otherwise impoverished location of Turner Field (now Georgia State Stadium).

Summerhill is in fact another example of intown Atlanta’s maniacal gentrification, so don’t be thinking Wood’s Chapel is some barbecue shack in a funky neighborhood.

It’s a gigantic, restored brick building – over 5,000 sq. ft. – with a huge patio and a woodfired smokehouse on the premises. Most of the neighboring buildings on Georgia Avenue, abandoned for many years, are also being turned into food and entertainment venues. A 300-plus apartment building is due to begin construction. You’ll understand why my first thought on queuing up for the ‘cue at Wood’s Chapel’s counter was “Yum.” My second thought, on seeing the $17.50 cost for a plate with two meats, was “Where did all the poor people go?”

You can make your own decision about value, but my one visit was gratifying. I sampled chopped “whole hog,” brisket, pork and beans with “burnt ends,” beet and jalapeno coleslaw, and fried rice with smoked pork belly. There wasn’t a thing on our table I wouldn’t recommend except for the truly bizarre fried rice. Its Chinese-American flavor screams “La Choy.” The tiny bits of dried-up pork belly didn’t help. But it was fluffy! Greasy but fluffy!

I feel comfortable making such a sharp criticism because Wood’s Chapel is the project of a brilliant team – more on that below – and everything else was good, including the other sides. I especially liked the cole slaw’s novel blend of beets, jalapenos, and crunchy, creamy cabbage. The pork and beans sauce was classic but the kitchen deliciously uses two types of beans. The burnt ends (from the tips of smoked brisket) added depth but, TheGeorgiaVoice.com

alas, no crunch.

The meats are controversial (All barbecue seriously is, arguably because almost all of it is cooked by petty men). I am a huge fan of beef brisket – far more popular in Texas than the Deep South – and Wood’s Chapel does it well. I’ve heard complaints that theirs is too dry, but I found it a bit over-the-top fatty. I didn’t mind because two lean strips the small size of my serving wouldn’t have filled me up. (Meow). The pork actually was a bit dry. Let’s be clear about wood-smoked meats. No matter how well sourced they are and how talented the pitmaster is, there’s a certain degree of unpredictability. And – hello! – slight dryness shouldn’t be a big deal because, as everyone knows, the sauces can compensate. Here, I’m sorry to say, Wood’s Chapel really did not impress me. There are three sauces available and, maddeningly, you have to pump them into tiny plastic cups out of a crowded dispenser. None are remotely hot. There’s ketchupy sweet, less sweet, and vinegary-sweet. There are bottles of something like presumably house-made Tabasco to doctor the flavors, but that’s cheating.

There is much more on the menu. Meats include St. Louis-style ribs, smoked turkey,

and smoked salmon. Sandwiches include novelties like grilled cheese with brisket and a punning “Cue-bano.” There are tacos, deviled eggs, watermelon salad, and gorgeous pies. Are you in your second childhood?

There is a weird sandwich menu directed to “kids & seniors.”

Wood’s Chapel is bound to be a hit. You couldn’t ask for a better team. The owners are Todd Ginsberg, Shelley Sweet, and Jennifer and Ben Johnson. They own five other venues, including The General Muir, one of the top delis in town. Sweet and the Johnsons also operate the immensely popular West Egg Café. Pitmaster Brian Keenan was the owner of Meating Street Barbecue in Roswell and chef Wilson Gourley last worked at 8ARM. Cliff Bostock is a longtime Atlanta restaurant critic and former psychotherapist turned life coach; cliffbostock@gmail.com.

MORE INFO Wood’s Chapel BBQ 85 Georgia Ave., Atlanta GA 404-522-3000 WoodsChapelBBQ.com

August 2, 2019 Columnists 25

BEST BETS Our Guide to the Best LGBTQ Events in Atlanta for August 2-15 Friday, Aug. 2

Join the fun tonight at Swank’s Tea Party on the deck. Kimber (Creative Loafing’s Best Resident DJ 2018) is the DJ and she’ll have your hips swaying with pop, indie dance, house remixes of classics, disco, and sing-along surprises.

Grab your peeps, a cocktail and get your twirl on.

4 – 8pm Henry’s Midtown

Join MAAP for its monthly It’s Friday – Mix, Mingle and Network session.

This month’s event will be at the Living Room (Lobby Bar) of the W Atlanta – Midtown. W Atlanta Midtown will graciously be providing drink specials for your enjoyment, light bites, and a DJ to spin some tunes. Pre-register now at maap080219.eventbrite.com.

6 – 8pm

OnStage Atlanta presents a special event “Motherhood Out Loud,” featuring work by a number of writers.

“Motherhood Out Loud” shatters traditional notions about parenthood, unveils its inherent comedy and celebrates the deeply personal truths that span and unite generations.

7pm, through August 11

Through laughter, tears and every emotion in between, “Summer Shorts” explores the colorfully rich spectrum of the queer experience. Through a series of short plays and monologues, performed as part of Out Front Theatre Company’s Young Professional Performer Series, “Summer Shorts” promises to enliven, enlighten and entertain in the summer heat tonight.

8pm, through August 4 Out Front Theatre Company Out of Box is proud to kick off its Beta Test Series with a developmental production of Topher Payne’s “Entertaining Lesbians.” All Rowena Tuttle wants is a place in polite society. But as a cisgender heterosexual white woman, no one finds her interesting anymore. If she wants to gain admission for her daughter into the uber-exclusive School for Young People, she’s going to require a more compelling personal narrative, and a more diverse group of friends. Aided with significant hesitation by her husband and her personal assistant, Rowena sets her sights on Atlanta’s most powerful lesbian couple, determined to forge a friendship. But just before the lesbians arrive, Rowena’s past catches up with her.

8pm, through Aug 17

Saturday, August 3

Join the Feminist Center and #VuleyFellows at Charis Books and More today for the Abortion Teach-in, which features interactive activities, a demonstration, and talking points based on the book “Shout Your Abortion” by Amelia Bonow and Emily Nokes. Activities include a value clarification prompt and a gallery walk of a timeline of abortion laws in Georgia and Reproaction’s Abortion Access exhibit. The “Demystifying Demo” will feature a papaya for an illustrative talk about an abortion procedure.

Monday, August 5

EVENT SPOTLIGHT Wednesday, August 7

As “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Miss Congeniality and All-Stars Season Two finalist, Katya Zamolodchikova, brings her hilarious new stand up show to Atlanta for the first time. Known for her incredibly funny personas and characters, starring in “UNHhhh” with Trixie Mattel, and appearances in productions like “Hurricane Bianca,” Katya’s show promises to be one hilarious night. “Help Me, I’m Dying” is a multimedia, multicharacter, multi-faceted live stage show - a fusion of stand-up comedy, storytelling, video, and live dancerly-ish action and music that talks about what it means to be a woman, from the perspective of a person that dresses up like one. 8pm. Center Stage. (Official photo) Plus a DYI zine will be available for allies and supporters to record talking points and to continue to destigmatizing abortion.

2 – 5pm Heyday, your favorite ‘80s dance party, is back. Bring your friends to dance and sing along to the biggest hits from Madonna, Whitney, Prince, INXS, Journey, New Order, Cyndi Lauper, and all of your other favorites. Kimber is the night’s DJ. 10pm – 3am The Basement It’s time for the ultimate Saturday night dance party in Atlanta with DJ Eric! Get

your dance and drink on for a night of the best beats in town! No Cover!

10pm – 3am DJ Eddie Martinez is back in the ATL for a night of high-intensity music and a crowd like no other!

10pm – 3am Heretic Atlanta

Sunday, August 4

DJ Ana Paula, Deejay Woman, the Girl from Ipanema returns to Xion for a morning of hot beats and sweaty dancing!

3am – 7am BJ Roosters

Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender and aspiring allies, providing a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues.

6:30 – 8pm Charis Books and More The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBTQ children opens its doors tonight.

7:30 – 9pm Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta

Tuesday, August 6

The Minnesota Lynx take on the Atlanta Dream, who badly need a win.

7pm State Farm Arena Before the film version comes out later this year, enjoy the national touring version of “Cats” tonight.

7:30pm, through August 11 Fox Theatre

Wednesday, August 7

Come see Neonblk: The Brother Show, created to make a space for black queer performers to shine. The only all-black drag show in East Atlanta Village is coming

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26 Best Bets August 2, 2019 TheGeorgiaVoice.com

BEST BETS Wednesday, August 14

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Food. Community. Conversations. Why not have them all at the same time? Come out to Let’s Eat!, a queer + trans community potluck, put on by Southern Fried Queer Pride. This dinner is open and free to all. Organizers highly encourage folks to bring dishes, sides, treats, and more. SFQP will be making food and bringing dishes from community businesses and startups.

6 – 8pm Neighborhood Church

back to Mary’s tonight with a brand new cast hosted by Dotte Com. This month, it’s all drag kings, featuring Adonis Black, Artofyshal, Jacque Strap, Lincoln Bio, Perka$exxx and Royal Iman Dickerson.

11pm Mary’s

Thursday, August 8

Let the sunshine in! It was one of the company’s biggest hits ever and now the musical “Hair” is back at Serenbe Playhouse. Running through August 18, the musical plays tonight.

8pm Wild Flower Meadow at Serenbe

Friday, August 9

Winner of eight Tony Awards, “Spring Awakening” is a provocative exploration of the journey from adolescence to adulthood told through an electrifying contemporary musical with a pop/rock score. Based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial 1891 play of the same name, it follows the interweaving lives of a group of German teenagers as they navigate issues of sexuality, morality, and adulthood. Although set in late-19th century Germany, the angst, emotion, desire, and romance still ring true today.

8pm, through August 24 Onstage Atlanta Get ready for all the Latin music you can handle with Atlanta Eagle’s Latin Dance Party presented by DJ Moose! Every 2nd Friday of the Month and no cover!

10pm – 3am Are you undead, brain-hungry, and still want to party? Let all the beautiful dead gather at RITUAL for a night of dark music and dancing. DJ Lechter and DJ Silk Wolf will be resurrecting your favorite goth industrial tracks from the grave! Angel will be returning with tarot readings in the chill room. Under the Slab returns with all the beautiful and unique jewelry they handcrafted. Remember you don’t have to dress in theme to come out and party. Just come as you are!

10pm – 3am Heretic Atlanta

Saturday, August 10

Direct from Broadway! If you want to be

EVENT SPOTLIGHT Saturday, August 10

Don’t miss K!NG a drag show, a night celebrating drag kings and trans performers from Atlanta and the greater Southeast. Hosted by Atlanta’s own Mystery Meat and D’Knighten Day, the event will feature Andro Gin (Miami) as the special guest headliner. Other guests include Tj Maxx, Slyver Cox, Aries Alxndr, Stoney Dark Day, Jackson Rimsday, Mr. Elle Aye and more, with music by DJ Oliver Trax. Don’t forget to dress in a look for the photo booth by Schuylar Shayne Photography. 10pm – 2am.

The Star Community Bar. (Photo via Instagram) part of the party of the summer, get thee to Actor’s Express for the hilarious, sexy Broadway hit “Head Over Heels,” featuring the music of the iconic ’80s band The Go-Go’s. Full of campy fun and romantic entanglements, this wildly entertaining musical romp follows the royal family of mythical Arcadia on a madcap journey to save their kingdom and follow their hearts.

8pm, through August 15 Midtown Moon presents the riotous Madams of the Moonlight Cabaret tonight, with host Myah Ross Monroe and Niesha Dupree. Special guests include Tristan Panucci Dupree, Raquel Rae Heat, Chava Scott and Mona Lott.

11:30pm Bearracuda is back for our summertime party at Heretic! Join us on the patio and dancefloor! Bring your harness or strip down to your jock or undies at the club clothes check available. DJ John Cross from Portland makes his Atlanta debut! You

The opening chords of the first track, “Inside,” on award-winning, singersongwriter, author, and activist Chely Wright’s new record, “I Am the Rain,” are direct, purposeful, and intense – a sound that defines the album. After more than five years away from the spotlight, and through a heroic personal and creative journey, Wright has returned with the release of a long-anticipated new CD. 7:30pm Eddie’s Attic

don’t want to miss it!

10pm – 3am Heretic Atlanta

Drink your juice, Shelby! WUSSY returns with its monthly campy feature fantastico to honor the 30th anniversary of a film every gay man can quote endlessly – “Steel Magnolias.” Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. The event is hosted by Molly Rimswell and Brigitte Bidet.

7:30pm Plaza Atlanta

Sunday, August 11

Thursday, August 15

Monday, August 12

UPCOMING

Make it an all-day affair at Bulldogs.

Enjoy Brunch & Booze, then stick around for the Sunday Night Marty with DJ Tron.

11am

Wear your favorite gear to Fetish Mondays tonight.

7pm – 3am Atlanta Eagle

Tuesday, August 13

Shake your groove thing on down to the car wash and get ready to do the hustle with hostess Bubba D. Licious, Erica Lee, Desiree Storm, Patsy and the rest of the PALS (Pets Are Loving Support) queens at Disco! PALS Drag Queen Bingo.

6:30pm Lips Atlanta

The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) hosts its annual Award Dinner Nominee Party at a TBD time and location. Check www. atlantagaychamber.org for details.

Friday, August 16

The Big Queer Sizzle III is an annual fundraiser for Charis Circle featuring a night of performances by local queer artists. Join in for dance, poetry, porn, songs, and lyrics featuring the likes of hostess Kathleen Delaney Adams, Collin Kelley, Connie Tuttle, Sid Robinson, Norwood LeVough, Franklin Abbott, Xt Venus Valentine, Adriana Chiknas, Al Schlong, Katie Farris and more.

7:30 – 10pm Charis Books and More

28 Best Bets August 2, 2019 TheGeorgiaVoice.com

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

Saying Goodbye Melissa Carter

I’m not a fan of house-flipping shows. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve sat through many of them and am curious what the end results look like. However, what I don’t like is the idea of a home as just a building and that the memories captured inside can be as easily demolished as the drywall.

I just sold my house and it was a bittersweet experience. It was the home Katie and I lived in together where we planned for and received our son in, and said hello and goodbye to beloved animals in. I resided there for 11 years and hesitantly made the decision to move to a different part of Atlanta because of traffic and the comfort of Mr. Carter.

It was a tough decision for me to make since I had grown accustomed to the house and neighborhood. But as a good parent, you learn to put your child’s needs above your own and find a way toward peace with the decisions you make.

On the final day as I was moving the last of my things, Katie’s mother came by with Mr. Carter and gave me a surprise. She had interviewed my son about the house and based on his answers had created a letter to the house, that Mr. Carter and I were to place in the attic beneath the boards. We were to read the letter aloud as a goodbye and ceremoniously place it before leaving the house for the last time.

Here is what the letter said: “You were the first home I ever lived in, in my life! I think you were a very pretty house.

Thank you for keeping me safe, house. Being strong when there was a storm! You never let a bad person come to my house for any reason!

Your windows were very sunny and bright when I got up every morning. You made my Mama and Mommy very happy. Now you are getting a little old and we have to move to be closer to my school. I will never forget you and 30 Columnists August 2, 2019

will love you forever for being my first home! I wish you happy memories and happy boys and girls just like me in the future! Oh yes, I played and learned about my best friend Thomas.

Your floors always let me play on them and I never got a splinter or anything! Thank you to the trees and plants and all the good fun times I played with Gigi and Sully, Nikko and Akima!

My two dogs and two cats. If you find my lost turtle crawling around please keep him safe. I love you and will remember you forever. Your humble resident, Mr. Carter.”

At the closing of my new home, I told the sellers that it was an honor to raise my son there, knowing they must be feeling the same as me.

They replied, “A lot of good memories were made there.”

So when you’re watching these shows where some pretty man is criticizing the dated kitchen or horrendous wallpaper, or thinking that yourself as you renovate a new place, just remember a lot of happy moments occurred in that space and that house really was a home to someone else … who might still miss being there.

One of the first out radio personalities in Atlanta, Melissa’s worked for B98.5 and Q100.

Catch her daily on theProgressive Voices podcast “She Persisted.” Tweet her! @MelissaCarter TheGeorgiaVoice.com

SOMETIMES ‘Y’

Finding the Joy of Butt Pain Ryan Lee The last few months have felt like my bicycle gave me an STD. The discomfort and embarrassment I’ve experienced periodically since April has reminded me of some of the riskier eras of my life. I would go to a follow-up appointment and meekly inform my doctor the rash he took care of during my previous visit had returned.

My physician’s bedside manner and familiarity with human sexuality, particularly as practiced by homosexual men at the dawn of U=U and PrEP, spared me from feeling as if any bacteria contaminated my character.

Still, there are few times more conducive to contemplating responsibility and consequences than when you’re bent over an examination table feeling a syringe full of penicillin penetrating your booty cheek.

I’m currently in what most people would consider a healthier era, having shifted from attending all-night sex parties to running marathons, and even I mistakenly associate morality with wellness. Despite my body aches and a 101-degree fever, there was a pleasantness to my last doctor visit knowing whatever was going on with my system was not the result of raw-dogging the wrong guy(s).

I could’ve had cancer, but at least I knew I was clean from illnesses that are cured with a shot or a Z-pack.

My doctor identified an abscess on my lower left buttocks as the source of my temperature and soreness, likely developed during a 200mile fixed-gear bicycle ride I went on the week before. He referred me to a specialist to have it drained, and never before have I been more grateful to have the rectal pain threshold of a gay man.

My butt specialist said I should be able to complete a 200-mile charity ride a few weeks later, but warned that even without the moisture and friction from pedaling non-stop for more than 10 hours, there was a greaterTheGeorgiaVoice.com

than-half chance a pocket of bacteria would again develop beneath my skin. Nonetheless, I felt a familiar shame when the specialist met me in his office a month later and I admitted to engaging in identical behavior to what originally brought me to him, and was experiencing an identical result.

I underwent a minor procedure to attempt a longer-term fix, and while anal surgery may be easier for gay men to endure, it’s not easier to talk about. The innocence that’s required for a medical condition to evoke empathy seems a stretch for a gay man having butt problems.

I’ve been a commuter cyclist for more than a decade, and finding two-wheeled social groups a few years ago opened this stage of my life where community athletics offer the casual companionship and affirmation that random sex and phone-cam porn once did.

Learning my favorite toy and tool could make visits to the booty doc a quarterly recurrence felt a bit like becoming vegetarian and the CDC announcing lettuce can kill you.

But the last few months have flushed my spirit of any residual embarrassment I may have had about the side effects that came from a celestial sex life during the most fuckable time frame of my biological clock. While there are precautions worth taking to try to avoid certain miseries, guilt and consequence stalk almost every part of our human experience, and they can convince us we’re going the wrong way when really we’re all just along for the ride.

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