08/04/17, Vol. 8 Issue 12

What is TRUVADA for PrEP?

Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP?

TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex.

This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

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

Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 positive, you need to take other medicines with TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-negative. ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you could have recently become infected with HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin.

While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1. ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell your healthcare provider right away. ® To further help reduce your risk of getting HIV-1: ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you. ® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

What are the other possible side effects of TRUVADA for PrEP? Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check your kidneys before and during treatment with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA. ® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

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

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

TVDC0139_PrEP_B_10x10-5_GeorgiaVoice_Vogue_p1.indd 1-2

I'm passionate, not impulsive.

I know who I am. And I make choices that fit my life.

TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you.

Learn more at truvada.com

7/26/17 9:56 AM

IMPORTANT FACTS

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

(tru-VAH-dah) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative.

• Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1.

• You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time.

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

TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1.

• To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.

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

• Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.

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

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

• Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices.

• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP” section.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

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

• Bone problems.

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

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

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

• Have any other medical conditions.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

• Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk.

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

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

HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners.

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

• Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners.

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

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

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

TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.

Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0139 07/17

TVDC0139_PrEP_B_10x10-5_GeorgiaVoice_Vogue_p1.indd 3

7/26/17 9:56 AM

GEORGIANEWS

Democrats line up to ‘flip the 7th’ Congressional District Former Georgia State professor among those challenging incumbent Republican

his pre-K program and he doesn’t know the difference — He’s got friends at school who have two daddies and two moms. He makes no distinction. He doesn’t know to think that’s anything new or different, and that’s what we need to get to here.”

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com

Can the 7th turn blue?

“This district is very winnable for the Democratic party because right now, Gwinnett County specifically is a minority-majority county,” Okoye said. “That is why we have quite some very strong candidates running this time around.”

Whoever represents the 7th will also represent openly gay state Rep. Sam Park (D-Lawrenceville). Like Okoye, he’s dissatisfied with the job Woodall’s done in Congress.

“I am very concerned that my Congressman has so far voted 100 percent in line with President Trump,” he said. “We need independent thinkers and leaders who will put the interest of all those they serve before partisan politics, rather than serve as a rubber stamp for an ideologically driven political agenda.”

Park hopes whoever wins in 2018 supports the Equality Act, which provides protections for the LGBT community in the realms of employment, housing and public accommodations.

“Further, I hope our elected officials will stop targeting vulnerable minorities, such as members of the trans community, for political gain, and the perpetuation of fear-mongering and division in our country,” Park said.

Jon Ossoff, who ran against Handel in the 6th District, said he believes it’s important for candidates to be accessible and show respect and humility to all voters. Ossoff has not endorsed a candidate in the 7th District.

“I think that there are some who would have been cynical about the possibility that a candidate could compete in the 6th District and take such a strong, pro-LGBT stand, but I felt compelled to stand up for human rights no matter the politics,” he said. “Democrats can compete everywhere, and we should compete everywhere. I’m glad that strong and qualified candidates are stepping up in the 7th. This is a moment in history that calls for citizens to stand up and fight.”

Following the nationwide move to “flip the 6th” Congressional District earlier this year, Democrats in Georgia’s 7th see a similar blue light at the end of a long red tunnel. “[Rep. Rob Woodall] has been missing in action. He just doesn’t represent the citizens of Gwinnett County. … He has failed and he needs to go,” said Gabe Okoye, chairman of Gwinnett County Democrats.

According to the Federal Elections Commission, five Democratic candidates filed to run: former Georgia State University professor Carolyn Bourdeaux, Steven Reilly, Ethan Pham, Kathleen Allen and David Kim. Incumbent Woodall is the only Republican on the ticket thus far.

Reilly challenged Woodall in 2012 and lost. Like Bourdeaux and Allen, Pham is running with healthcare as a major issue, but cites concerns regarding Trump’s “divisiveness and hateful rhetoric” as another reason for his candidacy. Both Pham and Kim are concerned with immigration policy as well, and education is a major talking point for Allen.

“All of our candidates are great … and any of them is a better option than what we’ve got now,” Okoye said.

Bourdeaux and LGBT equality The 7th district includes parts of Gwinnett and Forsyth counties, including Peachtree Corners, Grayson, Lawrenceville and Cumming. Okoye said the main issues his district is concerned with now include affordable healthcare and college tuition, suicide rates of veterans and issues related to youth. In terms of LGBT rights, “we will make sure that we don’t have a North Carolina here in Gwinnett,” he said.

Though healthcare and President Donald Trump are what pulled her away from academia, Bourdeaux said there is more at stake. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Former Georgia Georgia State University faculty member Carolyn Bourdeaux is one of five Democratic candidates running against incumbent Rep. Rob Woodall for Georgia’s 7th District in 2018. Bourdeaux played a major part in Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden becoming the first senator to support same-sex marriage in 1996. (Courtesy photo)

“To the extent I can be a voice to these issues of basic human rights and human dignity, that is something I aspire to be.”

—Carolyn Bourdeaux, candidate for Georgia’s 7th District “Honestly, the LGBTQ issues are ones all of a sudden that are really on the front lines, and what’s going on is crazy,” she said.

Bourdeaux has been on the front lines of that fight for decades.

“I worked for [Oregon Sen.] Ron Wyden back in 1995 when he was running for the Senate. During that time, that was the era of the Defense of Marriage Act. That was when even folks you think of being very liberal did not come out for marriage equality,” Bourdeaux said.

She said Wyden was about to be interviewed for his thoughts on DOMA and needed talking points. She was instructed to come up with something.

“I wrote, ‘marriage is about love and commitment, and I think we should treat people’ — and I think at that time it was the gay community — ‘just the same as we treat anybody else, and I support marriage

equality,’” Bourdeaux said. “I slid the talking points in front of him. He goes, ‘Marriage is about love and commitment,’ and he was the first senator to ever come out for marriage equality.”

Bourdeaux said if elected, she hopes to work as best as she can on both sides of the aisle, including with newly elected Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia’s 6th District, who will also be running for re-election in 2018.

Handel’s record has shown her to flip-flop on issues of LGBT rights, and she recently indicated she would be in favor of banning same-sex adoption.

“I’m happy to work with Republicans on issues where we can find common ground, and to the extent I can find common ground with her, I will,” Bourdeaux said. “To the extent I can be a voice to these issues of basic human rights and human dignity, that is something I aspire to be. My son just wrapped up

August 4, 2017 News 5

GEORGIANEWS

Atlanta march kicks off $20,000 fundraiser for trans nonprofits President’s tweets on trans troop ban engage LGBT activists, local politicians

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com On July 26, President Donald Trump issued a series of tweets claiming the US military “will not accept or allow” transgender people in the armed forces due to a burden of “tremendous medical costs and disruption” caused by trans service members.

The reaction was swift. Within 48 hours, a group of Atlanta LGBT organizations pulled together and formed a weekend rally and march in support of transgender rights, which organizer James Brian Yancey used to kick off a city-wide fundraising effort for trans nonprofits.

“We feel lucky to have the freedoms we have, standing at the rainbow crosswalks. We made so much achievement, but now there’s one segment of the larger community that’s not staying neutral. They’re legitimately going backward month by month, with legislation and the way they’re treated,” Yancey said.

“Some people will say it’s our duty, because whether they were trans or straight or gay all those people at some point came to the aid of us … we owe it to those people now.”

The march began at Midtown gay bar TEN and went to Bobby Dodd Stadium on the Georgia Tech campus, where Atlanta’s professional soccer team just began a match against Orlando. Once the official march ended, there were cries to take to the streets, and advocates led a line of cars all the way back to the restaurant.

Crystallizing commitment “One thing that I do want us to make sure is that this is the start of an effort, that you don’t go home and forget about stuff,” Yancey told the crowd. “Money is energy crystallized.

We love you being here. We love you chanting. We love you marching and we need your energy crystallized to help this community. …

It’s crucially important today is not a party.”

The rally was an opportunity to draw at-

Dozens of LGBT community members and ally Atlantans gathered for a rally and march in support of transgender rights in Midtown on July 29. (Photo by Dallas Anne Duncan)

tention to a number of issues faced by America’s transgender community, not just the president’s tweets regarding military service.

Activists and Rep. Keisha Waites paid homage to the transwomen who were murdered this year with a moment of silence, and there was plenty of talk about the president’s backpedaling on school guidance documents regarding what bathrooms students can use.

“I’m from the Vietnam generation. How many years was it between the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the signing of the civil rights legislation? We’re in this for the long haul,” Dani Atlanta, a trans activist, told Georgia Voice.

Atlanta trans activists issued statements, including one from Monica Helms, the Atlanta resident and Navy veteran who designed the pink, blue and white transgender flag. Activist and author Gabrielle Claiborne read Helms’ remarks to the cheering crowd.

“We fought long and hard to get open service and we will not give it up that easily,” her statement said. “This is not going to end well for the Trump administration.

The trans people are some of the strongest activists in the country. Decades of oppression have made us battle-hardened and experienced.”

Helms also had words specifically for transgender service members.

“I tell you one thing: keep hope alive. If you are kicked out of the military, we are here for you,” she said. “Trump will not be in office forever. His reign of hate and bigotry will come to an end sooner or later. Keep your uniforms clean and pressed, because if Trump kicks you out of the service, you will one day be back.”

Jon Ossoff, former Democratic candidate for Georgia’s 6th District, pledged to stand beside LGBT service members.

“Anyone who is brave and qualified and willing to defend this country should be welcome into our armed forces; should be applauded for their bravery and their commitment to the United States,” Ossoff said. “This president is attacking people who serve our country under his command to distract the country from his weakness and incompetence.”

Setting military policy Though his tweets were characterized as “effectively banning” trans individuals from the military, it will take more action than social media to make that policy.

According to Reuters, 58 percent of

Americans who responded to its poll on the subject support transgender military service.

The news organization reported that Marine Corps. Gen. Joseph Dunford said the military will not alter its policies until it receives additional guidance from the secretary of defense.

The New York Times reports that the Pentagon will provide “detailed guidance in the ‘near future’ on how Mr. Trump’s tweets will be turned into policy.”

The tweets were praised by anti-LGBT groups, including the Family Research Council, National Organization for Marriage and the Ku Klux Klan, while a bipartisan group of senators spoke out against Trump’s remarks.

Though neither of Georgia’s senators appeared to take a stance, Karen Handel, the newly elected Republican in Georgia’s 6th District, told the Marietta Daily Journal that “the military is not going to act on a 40-character tweet.”

“I think you have to see what the actual directive is going to be,” she said. “What I will say is this: I do not think that the military should be required to pay for the transition surgery. That is an elective.”

Daniel Dunlop, president of the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, issued a statement the day after Trump’s tweets, saying AGLCC stands united in its support of the transgender community.

“This policy shift further unveils an agenda by the present administration to deny LGBT equality,” Dunlop said. “As an organization, we stand with firm resolve against this policy and denounce all bullying tactics that seek to wage war with our transgender community.

An attack on one of us is an attack on all.”

Georgia Equality issued a statement saying staff members were “shocked” and “disturbed” to see the tweets.

“The US military is the largest employer of transgender people in the world, employing an estimated 15,000,” the statement read. “Coming from a president that ran on the promise of creating jobs, making a move to strip jobs from 15,000 Americans shows the president’s true feeling toward LGBTQ people.”

Donations to the fundraiser can be made at www.gofundme.com/support-our-atltransgender-orgs.

6 News August 4, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

NEWSBRIEFS Gay Atlanta man assaulted, robbed during trans march An Acworth man is in Atlanta Police Department custody following an attack on openly gay Atlanta School Board candidate Charlie Stadtlander.

Wilford Hardnett was charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault on July 29 after allegedly stealing Stadtlander’s phone and kicking him while Wilford Hardnett Stadtlander participated in a rally to support transgender equality.

“I was really caught up in the moment. I wanted to stream [the march] live on Facebook,” Stadtlander told Georgia Voice. “I lifted my phone up and before I could press play, a guy on a bicycle stopped right in front of me. He called me a gay slur; he snatched my phone and he tried to flee.”

He tried to stopped the suspect, who kicked him in the shin. Hardnett’s attempt to flee was hampered by the rest of the marchers, who were coming from the opposite direction. Stadtlander said the suspect yelled a number of gay slurs, claimed he had a Glock and threatened to shoot those participating in the march. It was then the crowd backed away and he fled.

Hardnett was apprehended about an hour later after he rode past the 10th Street MARTA station, where Stadtlander was standing with police officers. He was able to identify the suspect as the one who took his phone and assaulted him. At the time of his arrest, Hardnett did not have a weapon.

Atlanta Police sent Georgia Voice an incident report corroborating details of the account. It also stated that once Hardnett was transported to the Zone 5 Precinct, he made several statements about wanting to commit suicide, so he was transported to Grady Detention Center. The report also states that the city camera at the intersection of 10th and Peachtree was not working.

Atlanta mayor.

Woolard, the first openly LGBT elected official in Georgia history and first woman to be president of the Atlanta City Council, is one of two LGBT candidates running for the position in a very crowded field. She’s joined by several pro-LGBT candidates, many of whom are regulars at community events – five of them (Woolard, Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall, state Sen. Vincent Fort [D-Atlanta], Atlanta City Councilwoman Mary Norwood and Peter Aman) attended Georgia Voice’s Best of Atlanta awards last month.

“I have been advocating for our LGBT rights since the 1980s,” Woolard, a former lobbyist for Georgia Equality, said in a prepared statement. “I’m not someone who just shows up when it’s easy or to take a pretty picture. As a lesbian, the fight for fairness and equality is personal, and I will continue to advocate for the rights of every marginalized person. As mayor, I will use my position to push for full civil rights at the state, regional, and national level.”

The Atlanta mayoral race is one of several municipal elections that will take place this November, with the contest almost guaranteed to go to a runoff the following month.

Georgia Equality endorses Cathy Woolard Statewide LGBT advocacy organization Georgia Equality on Aug. 1 announced its endorsement of former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard in the race for

DeKalb sheriff pleads guilty in park incident DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a latenight incident in a popular gay cruising area of Piedmont Park in May. Mann, who

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Georgia Equality on Aug. 1 endorsed former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard in the Atlanta mayoral race. (File photo)

was accused of exposing himself to a man who turned out to be a police officer, then fleeing, was initially booked for indecency and obstruction. As the AJC reports, Mann reached a deal with prosecutors in which they would drop the indecency charge if Mann pleaded guilty to prohibited conduct and the original obstruction charge.

The sheriff was also ordered to pay $2,000 in fines and perform 80 hours of community service, which he reportedly already completed by volunteering DeKalb County Sheriff for Hosea Feed the Jeff Mann Hungry.

Mann was also banned from all city of Atlanta parks for six months.

Sheriff Mann will retain his position, which he was re-elected to a four-year term to in November, unless his license is revoked or voters petition to recall him.

While the criminal case against Mann is closed, the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, which certifies the state’s 58,000 officers, will now launch its own investigation, POST spokesman Ryan Powell told the AJC last month. The council has the authority to suspend or revoke his license.

A decision on Mann’s certification could come during the December meeting of the council, Powell said.

August 4, 2017 News 7

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Embracing my inner go-to gay

BY PATRICK SAUNDERS psaunders@thegavoice.com PO Box 77401 • Atlanta, GA 30357 P: 404-815-6941; F: 404-963-6365

EDITORIAL

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

PRODUCTION

Art Director: Rob Boeger rboeger@thegavoice.com

“One thing I hope that I’ve impressed upon those family members and other straight people that ask me about being gay is how thankful I am that they did so. Yes, sometimes it’s unfortunate what we have to address with people. Sometimes it’s annoying, and it might even be offensive. But it’s imperative that we keep doing it.”

BUSINESS

Managing Partner/Publisher: Tim Boyd tboyd@thegavoice.com

SALES

Sales Executive: Dixon Taylor dtaylor@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

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.

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

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8 Outspoken August 4, 2017

When I came out close to 15 years ago, a lot changed – some of which was expected, a lot of which was not. One thing that fit squarely in the latter category was that, now that I had announced this fact about myself to the world, I was therefore assumed by all straight people to be an expert in all things gay. A go-to gay. An Encyclopedia Gaytannica, if you will.

The most common questions I got were about sex. Ohhh, the numerous sex questions. “Yes, we actually do that.” “No, not that I’m aware of.” “Yes, we do, but I haven’t tried that yet. I’ll be sure to alert you as soon as I do, though.”

But people also inquired about all manner of the facets of LGBT life. One family member asked me early on after I came out why I had to go to gay bars. Why couldn’t I just go to “bars” in general? I explained to them that all “bars” are straight bars, so whether they called it one or not, they had been going to straight bars their entire adult life. I also talked about the role of gay bars in LGBT life, how they have been places of refuge and how, pre-Internet, they were one of the only places to go to find other gay people.

And there’s no statute of limitations on getting questions about being gay. I get asked things to this day, as I’m sure all of you do.

Just the other day, a family member started talking to me about how they don’t like labels, and how people should just love whoever they love without having to call

themselves gay or straight. I agreed with them in theory, especially about the “love whoever you love” part – it continues to confound me how some LGBT folks will be marching in the street shouting about equality and how love is love one day, but then abandon that entire message the second they meet someone who’s bisexual or doesn’t fit squarely on either end of the spectrum.

But the power and significance of saying you’re LGBT has not diminished. I talked to them about how it’s unfortunately essential that we tell people we’re LGBT. I talked about how important visibility is in the strength of our movement.

One thing I hope that I’ve impressed upon those family members and other straight people that ask me about being gay is how thankful I am that they did so. Yes, sometimes it’s unfortunate what we have to address with people. Sometimes it’s annoying, and it might even be offensive. But it’s imperative that we keep doing it.

It’s imperative that we keep that dialogue going with people, and while we’re the ones often put in positions of fear, we have to acknowledge that people outside of the community might feel scared off or intimidated or wary of being offensive, so they never ask the questions. It’s vital that we share our knowledge with people; it’s the only way we’ll understand each other instead of being afraid and scurrying off to our Facebook holes to have our views reinforced without question.

FEEDBACK Re: “Trump tweets U.S. Military ‘will not accept or allow’ trans troops,” July 26 “This idiot has got to go.”

-Jason Babb via Facebook Re: “Atlanta LGBT organizations plan Midtown protest for Saturday,” July 28 “Thanks for the support, everyone.

We love you and want to show our trans friends how much we love them. See you all tomorrow!”

-Rainbros. via Facebook Re: “We are LIVE from TEN Atlanta for the rally and protest in support of our trans community!,” July 29 “Really hope this sends a message to everyone – and thanks to the members of the community who are with us on this one.”

-Kristin Lee via Facebook “So happy to see so many out today.”

-Patrick Hagler via Facebook “We are all in it together!”

-Joel Tucker Todd via Facebook “Thanks for the support. I’m transgender and proud of you.”

-Abrianna Alyson Scarborough via Facebook “Hugs from Knoxville!”

-Greg Moats via Facebook Re: “Gay Atlanta School Board candidate assaulted, robbed during transgender equality march,” July 31 “Sickening.”

-Michael James Kelly via Facebook “Going through a rough spot in life is no excuse to commit robbery or assault.”

-Corey Lovins via Facebook Re: “Photo Gallery: Transgender equality march,” Aug. 1 “This is what unity looks like.”

-Tracee McDaniel via Facebook Want to be featured in Feedback? Leave a comment to a story via social media or on our website, or email editor@thegavoice.com with the subject line “Feedback.” www.thegeorgiavoice.com

OUT IN THE WILD

“At a ripe 34 years of age, I wish I could tell my younger self that this wasn’t my shit to deal with, that people who hate us must work it out themselves. That me wanting to live my life how I wish to supersedes whether other people hate LGBT people or not.”

By Simon Williamson

Lessening the burden of coming out Simon Williamson lives with his husband in heteronormatively-assimilative fashion in Athens, after a year of surviving rural Georgia.

One of the most frustrating things about coming out — even in these most contemporarily accepting times of homosexuality since Jesus was spread all over the globe to ban it — is that the entire risk, burden and fallout always rests with us. No matter the person’s reaction, we have to be the ones prepared for anger or tears or bigotry. We are the ones who have to worry about being hit, or being thrown out of our homes, or losing our family members.

I had two attempts at coming out: the first one shot a blank and I wish I had pushed it harder, but I retreated from my public self because I was scared of what my life would be like without the people and things in it that I was scared to lose. I was threatened,

my spine turned to mush and I spent a further 10 years leading two separate lives. The people I was doing this for … their lives changed not a whit. This was much easier for them than it was for me. I was left holding the bag. The entire bag. Every consequence affected me in some manner.

Even when I came out the second time, I still felt bad and guilty and miserable, while I was completely and 100 percent in the right.

I did nothing wrong and still felt like it was my fault some people were upset. At a ripe 34 years of age I wish I could tell my younger self that this wasn’t my shit to deal with, that people who hate us must work it out themselves. That me wanting to live my life how I wish to supersedes whether other people

hate LGBT people or not.

I was reminded of how I felt during those times when, last week, one of my best friends in the world was asking me whether or not she should approach her teenage son about his sexual identity. My first reaction was to get all up in her face about letting him do what he wanted, when he wanted without pushing him at all, in spite of the fact that she has created an incredibly comfortable environment for both her children, who have known many LGBT people their entire lives.

But upon reflection, I realized she was trying to take some of the burden off him.

I don’t know many mothers of teenage sons, so this was a first for me: watching a mother

try to lessen the load of coming out from someone who, as all of us who read this paper can understand, was forced to carry it.

Those of us who have been out for a long time might forget how incredibly risky it is to come out. When it is done it cannot be undone, and even in the safest family and social environments there is justifiable paranoia. She tried to alleviate some of that for her child, and I was overcome with gratitude on his behalf.

My coming out was difficult and horrible, and I still had it easy compared to many, many members of our LGBT family. A parent trying to take some of that pressure off their child? Well, if I could parent like that, I would give myself an A.

“

I get tested for HIV to stay healthy, so I can follow my dreams.

— Alfredo

I’M

”

DOING IT Testing for HIV #DoingIt Testing is Fast, Free, and Confidential cdc.gov/DoingIt www.thegeorgiavoice.com

August 4, 2017 Outspoken 9

DRAG

Inside The Armorettes’ record-breaking night Anonymous donor helps camp drag troupe raise nearly $2,700 for HIV/AIDS organizations

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com The date was April 9.

It started out like any other night for The Armorettes. The famous drag troupe, one of the longest-running in the country, took the stage at Burkhart’s in Atlanta’s Ansley Square.

But what happened that night was one of the most memorable Armorettes performances to date. In just a few hours, with the help of an anonymous good Samaritan, the drag queens raised nearly $2,700 to donate to HIV/AIDS research and treatment.

The night the stars aligned “During this show in particular it was actually really busy. We had a lot of our original cast members there and then we had one special guest,” said Kyle Tullos, social media and marketing director for The Armorettes.

One of the audience members upstairs that night came up to an Armorette and told her that during her performance, he wanted to match all donations up to three times.

“Whenever it got to her turn to perform, we had the two hosts say, ‘Hey, we have this offer on the table. This man, who is an anonymous donor, wants to match up to three times what we make. Let’s give as much as you can so we can make as much as possible,’” Tullos said.

That performance garnered $341 in donations, which the man — a pharmacist from the middle Georgia area — matched with a $1,000 gift.

After the show, the man came to the back with his debit card. Using a new digital tipping service The Armorettes started with the Venmo app, he was able to put the money directly into the troupe’s charitable account.

“As I’m helping him through the process of doing the digital tipping he asked us, ‘Hey, if you could do these two songs for

“All the stars lined up that night. We literally had every generation of audience member that night. To have such a donor and to have everybody from different age groups was incredible.”

— Kyle Tullos, social media and marketing director for The Armorettes my friend who’s here from out of town with me, I will again match whatever you make during that performance,’” Tullos said.

The Armorettes approached Burkhart’s management and got permission to go back on stage. By that time, though, most of the queens were back in their street clothes — except for Sharon Needles, whose original performance that night got the first $1,000 donation match. So back onstage she went.

“The interesting part in this particular time period [that evening] is it’s a transitional time period from people who are 30 or above, which is mostly our customers, to people who are 30 and below,” Tullos said.

“The two hostesses were in boydrag. They said, ‘Hey, we have this spectacular opportunity for y’all to learn what we do. … Please donate as much as you can.’”

Tullos estimated about 40 people were

An anonymous donor was so taken by a recent Armorettes performance featuring Sharon Needles that he matched more than $1,500 in donations, leading to the drag troupe’s biggest night ever in its 38-year history. (Photo by Rob Boeger)

in the crowd right then, and together they pulled in another $257, which was again matched by the donor. The Armorettes headed across the street to Oscar’s, their usual post-show hangout, to celebrate.

“All of us are over at Oscar’s, just hanging out, and ironically, normally Sharon — who is the one that performed both times for us — goes home. But for some weird reason, she and her husband stayed. We were talking about how amazing it was and how we’ve never had somebody personally donate that much money,” Tullos said.

The next thing they knew, another performer from Burkhart’s was dashing across

the parking lot. He told the group there was a man back at the venue who wanted them to perform one more time, and he would again match their contributions.

“We were like, are you fucking kidding me?

Are you serious? Literally, all of us completely leave our tabs, our drinks over at Oscars. We like, completely leave all of our shit at Oscar’s and run across the parking lot,” Tullos said.

Reaching a new generation Again, The Armorettes requested permission to perform, and again, management told them to get onstage. Sharon Needles, still the only queen in drag, got up to per-

10 Drag August 4, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

DRAG

Members of The Armorettes take to the stage regularly at Burkhart’s to raise money for HIV/AIDS research and care. Pictured are (l-r) Cherry Poppins, Autumn Skyy, Trashetta Galore, Kellie Devine, Roxy Cotton, Sharon Neadles and Electra. (Photo by Rob Boeger)

form the requested song.

“This time, the whole bar is filled with hundreds of young people. They’re not our typical audience members, so they don’t know who we are,” Tullos said.

Armorette queen Trashetta Galore said one reason the younger audience doesn’t know who they are is because HIV medications exist.

“People are not afraid of HIV anymore because of the medicines,” she said. “It’s great the medicines are out there, but sometimes it’s hard to still drive home the point that we still need further research and we need a cure.

The virus can mutate and there’s still a need to keep the medicines current.”

Knowing that difficulty, Tullos expected maybe a couple hundred dollars in donations. What happened next gave him the chills.

Trashetta Galore “Kids were giving $20s and $10s and $5s and $1s and it was incredible,” Tullos said. “I saw this young kid who I’ve never seen at Burkhart’s before come and tip a $20. We made $649 off that performance.”

The anonymous donor matched it. In total, he donated $1,926 by himself, for a total of $2,698 — more than The Armorettes had ever raised in one time during their 38-year history. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

Details

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Aiding the fight against HIV Nearly 40 years ago, six drag queens came together at the former Armory bar to do something for their community after it became clear the government would not.

Despite the darkness of an AIDS diagnosis, The Armorettes wanted to “turn the disease on its head” and use comedy to lighten and brighten the mood. They gave birth to camp drag in the hopes of using laughter to put HIV/AIDS victims in a better mindset.

“They started it in order to not only give money to those people, but also to create a hope throughout the community that just because you have HIV or AIDS doesn’t mean you’re blacklisted or a terrible person or anything like that,” Tullos said.

Even their anonymous donor in April assisted directly in the fight against these diseases.

In addition to donating nearly $2,000 out of his own pocket, the donor an-

nounced to the crowd that anybody who needed help finding low-cost medication, he would help them.

“Not only did he give us money, but he offered to assist them to get medication that evening,” Tullos said. “That doesn’t ever happen. Not only for you to donate a large sum of money, but for you to offer people free or next-to-nothing medication. He was saying to us that he tries to charge people as little or no cost as possible for any HIV/ AIDS medication. If you actually look at the cost of Truvada … it would blow your mind.

It’s astronomical. That was just — you can’t match that. All the stars lined up that night.

We literally had every generation of audience member that night. To have such a donor and to have everybody from different age groups was incredible.”

In the early days, The Armorettes took their tips and handed them to people in need of medical care. Once it became a registered nonprofit, the troupe started a People with HIV and AIDS, or PWHA fund, which serves as its charitable arm. The $2,698 raised on April 9 is in this fund.

Overall, the queens raised more than $2.2 million for HIV/AIDS research and supportive services, Trashetta said.

“We’re here, we’re queer and we got your back,” Tullos said. “We want people to know that at the end of the year, we’re going to donate money and we’re going to help treat as many people as possible until there’s a cure.”

Did you know?

Drag troupe donates thousands each year for HIV/AIDS research, care Whenever money is donated to The Armorettes drag troupe during their camp shows at Burkhart’s, it goes into the troupe’s PWHA — that’s People with HIV and AIDS — fund. Tips are collected there throughout the year, and distributed annually.

In 2017, The Armorettes awarded their PWHA funds to five Atlanta-area organizations. SisterLove and Positive Impact Health Centers each received $10,000. An additional $6,000 went to Someone Cares, Inc., which founder and Executive Director Ronnie Bass said was used to purchase HIV testing kits, condoms, lube, sharps boxes for biomedical waste, personal toiletry items for homeless transgender individuals, MARTA passes, food and housing for trans persons.

Over the past five years, The Armorettes donated more than $50,000 to this organization, Bass told Georgia Voice.

This year the troupe also gave to Poz Vets, which serves HIV-positive military veterans, active duty service members and their families, as well as Empowerment Resources. This group provides low-cost healthcare service and HIV and STD screening and treatment.

“What I really appreciate about The Armorettes is, you as a fan, when you hand that dollar to one of the performers, you can track where that dollar ends up at the end of the year,” said Kyle Tullos, social media and marketing director. “We can say well at the beginning of 2017, we gave $10,000 to Positive Impact and that provides 20 people [pre-exposure prophylaxis] for a whole year.”

He said SisterLove typically puts its donations in clinics or housing programs.

August 4, 2017 Drag 11

DRAG

Breaking down ‘these walls’ Athens drag king opens up about performing, coming out as transgender

By DALLAS ANNE DUNCAN dduncan@thegavoice.com There’s one alleyway in downtown Athens, Georgia, that holds special meaning for drag king Diego Wolf. Tucked down just past the intersection of Clayton and Hull streets, the aging brick wall serves as a reminder of a pivotal part of Wolf ’s life.

“I got to a point in my life when I was like, you know what? I could either let this close in on me and I could die in this alley, afraid of everything, or I could break through that crap, get out of the alley and see the world how I want to see it,” Wolf said. “So that’s what I did.”

The alley was the backdrop for Wolf ’s graduate school project at the University of Georgia, where he created a storyboard inspired by the Trapt song “These Walls.” “[That song] really inspired me and helped me kind of get to the point to where I had the courage to tell people and be more open about being transgender,” Wolf said.

A king is born Wolf realized at a young age he wasn’t a lesbian, but he wasn’t a straight woman, either.

“I was such a tomboy growing up,” he said.

“It wasn’t until I was about 14 and, I did some self-guided research that I discovered what it meant to be transgender. I had been pretty much rocking this drag thing most of my life because I’ve always worn boys’ clothes.”

Wolf grew up on a farm in “backwoods Arkansas” in a town of about 2,000. His part of the country was so conservative that there was a stretch of road adopted by the Ku Klux Klan, and his great-grandmother founded the Southern Baptist Church he was raised in.

Details

“Die Mommie Die,” presented by Town & Gown Players Aug. 10 – 13 Town & Gown Players 115 Grady Ave., Athens, GA 30601 Tickets: $10 Thursday with proceeds benefiting Boybutante AIDS Foundation; $5 Friday through Sunday www.facebook.com/ events/118656852084571

Race was a taboo subject, so gender wasn’t even something to be brought up, he said.

“The very, very first person I ever told was my little brother,” Wolf said. “It was my senior year in undergrad. … It was a heavy snow day in Arkansas. I was outta class, he was off work.

We spent the entire day in our barn, horse stable, smoking weed and talking.”

Telling his brother gave him the strength to tell his parents, and so during Thanksgiving 2003, back in Arkansas on break from school in Athens, Wolf gave a letter to his mom and dad. He said they both read it and their response was essentially to ask what he wanted for dinner.

“I was blessed with an amazing family. I really do feel terrible for any trans person or gay person or whatever that gets disowned or ousted by their family for being who they are,” he said. “Even though my parents don’t completely understand ‘transgender’ … We just don’t talk about it. [They said] as long as you know that no matter what, we love you unconditionally and that’s never going to change.”

It was during that year that Wolf was introduced to the Athens drag scene. He went to an open mic night at the local gay club and fell into an audition night for a drag king troupe.

“I showed up and I kid you not, for the first 20 minutes it was like, culture shock.

Like they had to pry me away from the bar.

It wasn’t that I was scared, it was just like a daze of, ‘This is happening? This is real?

People do this?’ and I finally got relaxed and

No matter what style of drag he’s performing, or perhaps boylesque or even bearlesque, Athens king Diego Wolf is unmistakable in his trademark black eyeliner. Wolf has been a fixture in the Athens drag scene since he moved there in 2003 for his master’s degree.

(Photo by Dallas Anne Duncan)

they asked me if I had a song,” he said. “I saw somebody performing and I was like, that’s what I want to do. I want to be this awesome guy. This is the perfect way for me to start developing my actual male persona.”

He nailed the lip-sync audition, his first time ever on stage, and made the troupe. But when it came to picking out his stage name, Wolf was momentarily stumped.

“I was like, I want something sexy, like ‘Diego.’ And I have lupus, which gets its name from the Latin name for wolf, so I was like, how about something like Diego Wolf? Because then it’s like, sexy but meaningful. And it was a joke, and it stuck,” he said. “And here I am, freaking almost 14 years later, same name.”

Transformations He also still has his same trademark black eye makeup after 14 years, though the styles of drag Wolf does now has changed somewhat. He participates in boylesque and bearlesque shows, does more acting — he’s in an upcoming show with the Town & Gown Players — and is a favorite in the annual Boybutante Ball, an area fundraiser for the Boybutante AIDS Foundation.

But no matter what he’s doing, drag will

always have a deeper meaning to him than just putting on clothes and makeup.

“I lost my brother in 2006,” Wolf said.

“The entire time, drag is what kept me grounded. That’s how I got my emotions out.

That’s how I dealt with my grief. … That was also kind of the point where I was ready to move forward with my transition as well.”

Sometimes people tell Wolf “it’s not really drag” for him.

“Everything I put onstage is something that people can not just be entertained by, but something people can be emotionally connected to,” he said. “I have a number that I did … to the song ‘Unsteady’ by X Ambassadors, and I come out and I’m in this white morph suit and I’ve got this small, dark lady’s wig on and a black dress, and I’m sitting in a chair. People are passing by, bumping into me. As the song opens up and progresses … I slowly start to remove these female attributes and right at the big reveal of the song, I have a pull-tab on the zipper on the back and I literally unzip it from the back and down the front. As I peel out of this white morph suit — because for a period of time I’m this faceless, genderless figure — underneath it I’m all dude.”

12 Drag August 4, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

DRAG

Your guide to the many sub-genres of drag Atlanta’s drag queens run the gamut from outrageous camp queens to sexy club divas

By RYAN LEE Not since male actors dressed up to play Juliet, Cordelia and Lady Macbeth at the Globe Theatre has the art of female impersonation been as forefront as it is today.

From RuPaul reigning as one of the most powerful forces in reality TV, to a stage full of drag queens stealing the show during Katy Perry’s spring performance of “Swish Swish” on “Saturday Night Live,” the spotlight is shining brightly on a genre that used to be relegated to dim and dank gay bars.

With drag queens becoming more visible, it’s useful to remember how much variety exists within what many folks mistake as a homogenous scene. Here’s a quick primer for some of the more popular types of drag, so you know which type of performer to schedule for your office holiday party, lesbian bachelorette night or after-school story time.

GLAMOUR If drag were a tree, glamour queens would be the trunk from which all the other branches grow – and the trunk would be dotted with sequins Phoenix and draped in boas, and would probably be contoured in that odd way that trees sometimes are, where you think you can see breasts and a vaginal imprint in the bark. Despite other types of drag gaining new exposure and popularity, glamour queens remain the popular image when one envisions a drag queen: an immaculately made-up, ornately outfitted homage to femininity.

These are the queens who make up the rosters of most drag shows at gay clubs, and work the circuit of drag pageants and house balls in search of the glory of realness. There are way too many glamour queens in Atlanta to name them all, but among the legends who have learned to represent this category are Raquell Lord, Mr. Charlie Brown, Phoenix and Shawnna Brooks. www.thegeorgiavoice.com

CAMP If glamour queens are the curvaceous trunk of the tree of female impersonation, camp drag is either the roots or the soil. These perform- Molly Rimswell ers are more focused on silliness than seduction, and there’s a chance their lipstick is smeared by their natural-grown mustache.

But even this category is evolving: whereas camp drag queens used to rely on raunchy numbers and lopsided boobs to get laughs, the new generation of “pretty girl” camp queens use brutal wit and musical satire to amuse crowds. Ruby Redd, Trashetta Galore and Molly Rimswell are some of the camp queens that keep locals in stitches.

ANDROGYNOUS Millennials are breathing new life into a genre of drag whose last heyday was the gender-fuck punk days of the late ’70s and early ’80s, reinventing the Brent Starr sleek chicness of androgynous drag. While androgynous queens have perfected face painting and fashion as much as any drag queen, they typically retain elements of a masculine persona and twist our perception of gender into knots.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” has brought the androgynous renaissance to center stage with stars like Sasha Velour and Ongina, while gender-bending queens like Brent Starr and Princess Charles subvert the masc/femme paradigm for Atlanta audiences.

AVANT-GARDE/ CLOWN QUEEN Another area of female impersonation that has exploded in popularity during the “Drag Race” era is avant-garde Violet Chachki drag, which is sometimes knowns as the anti-RuPaul category of drag. Rather than showcase an endless stream of glamour queens that you might see performing at any gay bar, RuPaul has given unprecedented exposure to queens who

think outside the box when it comes to their costumes, make-up and overall persona.

These experimental queens are kind of like the haute couture element of the drag community, showcasing stunningly creative looks which, beyond a runway or stage, don’t seem to be from or for this earth – which is why Clown Queen is another moniker for this colorful set of queens. Atlanta performer Evah Destruction is among the international vanguard of this innovative art form, as are other local performers like Edie Cheezburger and Violet Chachki.

CELEB IMPERSONATORS There was once a time when drag was synonymous with celebrity female impersonation, as you couldn’t go to a Alicia Kelly gay bar without seeing half-a-dozen Chers, Lizas and Marilyns.

Long gone are the days when queens devoted most of their career to a single celebrity, as drag has become more about creating one’s own legendary characters.

Today’s drag queens are more likely to use a single number to pay tribute to their favorite divas, such as Alicia Kelly’s spot-on impersonation of Tina Turner, although some locals have committed their stage careers to a particular artist, such as the Lady Shabazz’s incomparable portrayal of Janet Jackson.

DRAG KING One of the fastest-growing areas of drag shifts the dynamics into reverse, with female performers morphing into mustachioed, mus- Owen McCord cle shirt-wearing drag kings. While women performing in male attire goes back to at least the 1800s in the U.S., drag kings have strong-armed their way into mainstream LGBT culture over the past decade, and Atlanta’s drag king scene is one of the most vibrant in the county.

Whereas the early days of the modern drag king movement was heavily focused on achieving macho realness, the category has evolved to include vaudeville, camp, androg-

yny and many of the categories associated with the kings’ older drag sisters. Jordan Michael McCord, Hayden Fury and Owen McCord are among the Atlanta torchbearers in this emerging genre of entertainment.

ACTIVESSLE Drag queens have a long and storied history of rallying the LBGT community during times of need, whether it be the fundraising The Sisters of benefits they hosted Perpetual throughout the darkest Indulgence days of the AIDS crisis, or Irish drag queen Panti Bliss marshalling her country to marriage equality last year.

Many drag queens continue that legacy of philanthropy individually, while so-called “activessle drag” involves queens banding together to multiply their might.

Atlanta is home to several prototypes of this type of drag collective. The camp troupe The Armorettes donated more than $2.2 million to HIV/AIDS organizations over three decades, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence lead the effort to help LGBT homeless youth via its Lost-n-Found Youth initiative.

DANCING DIVA There was a time when preforming drag meant getting dolled up to stand on a stage, then remaining 90 percent stationary while lip-sync- Destiny Brooks ing, winking at the audience and thanking folks as they tipped dollar bills. But as the music switched from standards and showtunes to pop and hip hop, and as the illusion techniques became more sophisticated and revealing, more queens are shaking what their drag mama gave them.

Whether the dance style is burlesque, bubble-gum bounce or something you’re more likely to see at a Cheshire Bridge strip club, more queens are adding rhythm and physicality to their routines for younger crowds that expect non-stop stimulation. Veteran queens like Shawnna Brooks paved the dance floors across Atlanta, which now feature showstoppers like Destiny Brooks and Stasha Sanchez.

August 4, 2017 Drag 13

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Bring you to your knees

Filthy Rebel puts hard rock on Atlanta’s gaydar

By SHANNON HAMES

Rock isn’t a genre known for having many gay musicians, but that’s not stopping Filthy Rebel. This Atlanta group made it clear that queer married hard rock and put the genre on the city’s gaydar. Filthy Rebel, led by openly gay vocalist Jeff Dean, took third place in the Georgia Voice 2017 Best of Atlanta awards. Georgia Voice sat down with Dean and guitarist Chris Nichols to chat about their upcoming EP and what it’s like to blaze a trail for LGBT rockers.

Before I called you, I was thinking about who in the hard rock community is gay. All that came to mind was Rob Halford from Judas Priest.

Dean: And Freddie Mercury. That’s pretty much it.

There’s not a lot of us.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 19

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

August 4, 2017 A&E 15

YOU MATTER AND SO DOES YOUR HEALTH

That’s why starting and staying on HIV-1 treatment is so important.

WHAT IS DESCOVY®?

DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years and older.

DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. DESCOVY combines 2 medicines into 1 pill taken once a day. Because DESCOVY by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1, it must be used together with other HIV-1 medicines.

being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

•

Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

•

Bone problems, such as bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones.

DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. To control HIV-1 infection and decrease HIV-related illnesses, you must keep taking DESCOVY. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to reduce the risk of passing HIV-1 to others. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about DESCOVY? DESCOVY may cause serious side effects: •

Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV and stop taking DESCOVY, your HBV may suddenly get worse.

Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to monitor your health.

The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DESCOVY? •

All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis virus infection.

•

All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Other medicines may affect how DESCOVY works. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe to take DESCOVY with all of your other medicines.

•

If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DESCOVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking DESCOVY.

•

If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

What are the other possible side effects of DESCOVY? Serious side effects of DESCOVY may also include: •

•

•

Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking DESCOVY. Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys.

Your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking DESCOVY if you develop new or worse kidney problems.

Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain,

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

Please see Important Facts about DESCOVY, including important warnings, on the following page.

Ask your healthcare provider if an HIV-1 treatment that contains DESCOVY® is right for you.

DVYC0056_B_10x10-5_GeorgiaVoice_Nick_p1.indd 2-3

7/11/17 12:07 PM

IMPORTANT FACTS

This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment. ®

(des-KOH-vee) MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DESCOVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF DESCOVY

DESCOVY may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. DESCOVY is not approved to treat HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking DESCOVY. Do not stop taking DESCOVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

DESCOVY can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About DESCOVY” section.

• Changes in your immune system.

• New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure.

• Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.

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

• Bone problems.

The most common side effect of DESCOVY is nausea.

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

ABOUT DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a prescription medicine that is used together with other HIV-1 medicines to treat HIV-1 in people 12 years of age and older. DESCOVY is not for use to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection.

• DESCOVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. Ask your healthcare provider about how to prevent passing HIV-1 to others.

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

• Have any other medical condition.

• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

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

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

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

GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about DESCOVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

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

HOW TO TAKE DESCOVY • DESCOVY is a one pill, once a day HIV-1 medicine that is taken with other HIV-1 medicines.

• Take DESCOVY with or without food.

DESCOVY, the DESCOVY Logo, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. DVYC0056 07/17

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

and a guy would pass by and I would say something inappropriate about him to her.

She would say, “Oh my God — you’re such a filthy rebel!” I ended up getting it tattooed on my back. Then, it became the band name.

So what has your experience in rock been like, trailblazer?

Dean: My favorite album of all time is “Appetite for Destruction” by Guns N’ Roses.

When it came out, I remember being in awe of them and I was so conflicted. I knew I was gay at an early age, but these guys got all of the women. I was like, “I don’t want to get all the women!” [laughs] I have auditioned and been turned down by bands because I’m gay. But now, luckily, people are starting to care less.

Chris, when you started playing with Jeff, was it ever an issue with you or the band that he was gay?

Nichols: No — not at all! We did have some guys come in who were auditioning drummers who were not cool with it, but they just didn’t get the gig.

We all know that women go crazy for guys in bands. Jeff, is that a burden for you?

Dean: I love it! I eat it up. There’s only been a couple of times where a certain female has been really aggressive. I find it very flattering. Lots of beautiful women come up to me at my shows.

Do you write songs about men?

Dean: Two of the songs off our EP are written about an ex that cheated on me. I try to make my songs very universal. I want it for straight people as much as I want it for my gay fans. So I don’t have to use pronouns like “she” or “him.” But if I wanted to, my bandmates are some of the coolest guys ever.

Most everybody across the board knows that

Atlanta rock band Filthy Rebel, led by openly gay singer Jeff Dean, comes to Five O’Clock Sports Bar and Grill in Covington on Aug. 5. (Photo courtesy Quinn Glover)

Filthy Rebel’s lead singer is gay.

Nichols: At the end of the day, love is love.

It doesn’t matter where it comes from. I grew up in a small Georgia town called Mansfield.

I come from a very traditional Southern environment, but even I know that it doesn’t matter what your sexuality is — when you love someone, you love them and there’s nothing wrong with it. Everyone understands those emotions so everyone can connect with the music.

Where did you come up with the name Filthy Rebel?

Dean: I’m from just outside of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but was living in Chicago. I had this girl that I used to hang out with. Sometimes, we’d be out together

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

As a hard-rockin’ chick, it warms my heart to talk to a fellow queer rocker. I feel like an island, sometimes. It seems like everyone in the lesbian community loves women folk singers and the LGBT community as a whole is into musicals or “It’s Raining Men” type of music.

Dean: Yes, and I feel that way, too — like an outcast in our community. That’s another reason that being nominated for the Georgia Voice Best of Atlanta awards was so encouraging. I know that not a lot of gay boys listen to hard rock and metal. It was like they were saying, “He’s doing something different and it’s really good.” My community is finally paying attention and I appreciate it.

Who inspires you musically?

Dean: Gosh — there are so many! Klaus Meine from the Scorpions. Of course, Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. David Coverdale from Whitesnake. I think you can hear them all in my vocals. Ann Wilson of Heart made me want to start singing. I’ve been called the male version of Pink — she inspires me as a person.

Nichols: I’m a mood music listener. I’m all over the board. I can listen to older things like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, but then I can go weird ’80s stuff like The Cure and The Smiths, or current bands like Pop Evil, Seether and Shinedown.

Details

Filthy Rebel Five O’Clock Sports Bar & Grill Saturday, Aug. 5 at 4 p.m.

7189 Turner Lake Road Northwest, Covington www.facebook.com/ events/118299352133041 Tell me about your new EP. Nichols: Jeff and I, plus two of the original members, each picked a song that we wanted to put on it. After we parted ways with the original drummer, I decided to put “You” on it. That was the first song I wrote with Jeff. It’s such a powerful, inspirational song. It can be emotional on so many levels. It can be about losing someone through death or a break-up.

When I heard it, I connected with it immediately. It’s so powerful, both lyrically and musically. Jeff, your vocals are intense.

Dean: I wrote that about an ex that cheated on me and fucked my heart up.

Yep, that’s the part that I connected with! So where can people hear it?

Nichols: We’re on sites where you can digitally download music. Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, any of those places.

Jeff, asking for thousands of my gay friends. Are you single?

Dean: Yes! And tell them that I have a huge beard fetish.

To advertise, contact: sales@thegavoice.com

August 4, 2017 A&E 19

“Hey HIV —— understand this —— we’re living together but I give the orders.”

Ashley - Atlanta, GA Living with HIV since 2006.

Being in the military prepared me for a lot of things, but not my HIV diagnosis. I found it difficult to take medication every day.

Fortunately, with the help of my doctor at the VA, taking my medicine is just another part of my morning routine, brush my teeth, wash my face, and take my meds. By sticking to my medication, doctor visits and support groups, I stay healthy and happy. As a support group leader, now I’m helping others to get into their own routine.

HIV

TREATMENT

WORKS

Get in care. Stay in care. Live well. cdc.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks

ACTING OUT

By JIM FARMER

Iconic, gay-themed ‘Cabaret’ arrives at Serenbe As he was putting together Serenbe Playhouse’s 2017 season, Artistic Director Brian Clowdus locked in one show that led the way for all others: the iconic gay-themed “Cabaret.” Serenbe’s outdoor version of the classic just opened.

“I knew I wanted to do something that fit the theme of rebelling and for me, this is the perfect story of rebellion,” he said. “What I love about it, when people are in times of dire need and stress, they came to the Kit Kat Club as a coping mechanism.”

For this production, Clowdus is wearing more than one hat. Not only is he directing this version, but he stars as The Emcee, the role made famous by Joel Grey in an Oscarwinning role.

“I am wearing multiple hats,” Clowdus said. “Ryan Oliveti is my associate director and he and I are tag-teaming. I have a long history with the show and this is my fourth time doing The Emcee. It’s in me, in my body. It was something that felt really right.

I had a very specific vision of what I wanted to tell. The Emcee is such a unique character in that he is the controller and director of the Kit Kat Club. This is the perfect instance – it made sense to do both. It’s been wonderful doing both, and having my team around has made it seamless.”

Playing such an iconic character may be a challenge, but the trick is to make it your own, he said.

“You always have to acknowledge what has been done in the past, but you know me – I am going to put my stamp on it,” Clowdus said. “The Emcee is everything we wish we could do, but society tells us we cannot do. He is overtly sexual, he is emotional. He feels things deeply. He finds joys in things. In the moment of the demise around him, he is always helpful and in control of his life.”

The company is working off of the 1998 revival, which won Tony Awards for Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson. It is quite different from the original version, focusing a lot on the action at the Kit Kat Club, and blurring the line of what is reality versus what is in the characters’ minds.

“Having that script to work off of is

Serenbe Playhouse Artistic Director Brian Clowdus stars as The Emcee in ‘Cabaret.’

(Photo credit BreeAnne Clowdus)

Details

“Cabaret” Through August 27 Serenbe Playhouse 9110 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268 www.serenbeplayhouse.com

amazing, but our version is ours,” Clowdus said. “In that version, the club was seedy, broken down, but we’ve created a club that is based on the characters’ imagination. Our Kit Kat Club is very colorful, opulent and fun. I want people to enter as an escape, thinking that nothing is wrong – until it is.”

Clowdus feels that the show could not be more relevant.

“Great theater is here not just to entertain, but to remind us of what is awful,” he said.

“Not just the story of what has happened in the last hundred years, but to see possibilities of things bubbling up now, to see people in the LGBT community still facing issues. In 2017, this story needs to be told.”

22 A&E August 4, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

EATING MY WORDS

By CLIFF BOSTOCK

25 years of dining with drag queens When I was 20, I married a woman. Five years later, we divorced, and I began exploring Atlanta’s gay drag scene. I was totally intrigued with the Sweet Gum Head, located on Cheshire Bridge. After I became editor of the Atlanta Gazette, an alternative (not gay) weekly newspaper, I decided to write a cover story about drag in the city and I focused on Lavita Allen, a Sweet Gum cast member.

Lavita was the son of a wealthy Atlanta family and somehow was still in the closet with them. I loved her performances. She was a lip-syncing comedian who now and then performed country-western tunes. We became friends. After the club closed, we’d go across the street to the Dunk ‘n Dine.

The place was crazy – filled with drag queens and late-night drunk party boys. As far as I know, there’s no similar scene in Atlanta now. Scrambled eggs at dawn were a decent hangover cure – especially when someone throws them in your face, as happened to us one night.

My greatest moment in a restaurant with a drag queen occurred 20-plus years ago. I was a huge fan of DeAundra Peek, the totally lunatic drag queen on public-access TV’s “American Music Show.” I thought it would be fun to take the clownishly madeup DeAundra, nee Roger Shymanski, to dinner at Partners Restaurant (R.I.P.), for a column. My naïve thought was that the mainstream diners would get a kick out of her. Nope. People looked horrified. Even Alix Kenagy, my longtime friend who owned the restaurant, was totally disoriented. She didn’t know what to say. In fact, she later asked me something I’ve never forgotten: “Do you think it’s best for you to be openly gay in your column?” Hell yes.

Another edible interaction occurred well before that when I hosted a party for staff members of the Gazette. One of my neighbors was the super-corpulent Mickey Day. My partner had decorated a plate of hors d’oeuvres with a few flowers, including a thick chunk of a just-blooming gladiolus.

Mickey grabbed the gladiolous, popped it in her mouth, and said, “Tasty.”

Perhaps my favorite food-related incident

Cliff Bostock attended the monthly Atlanta Death Café at Oakland Cemetery with Diamond Lil, above, in the years before she died. (File photo)

occurred when I took Lisa King, another Sweet Gum performer, to my parents’ huge anniversary party. We spent most of the time standing over a table and eating my mother’s favorite shrimp dish. The next day, my mother called me. “I can’t believe you did that.” Huh? “You know, I’m no racist but you really should not be bringing black girlfriends to our parties.” She didn’t get that Lisa wasn’t a woman.

One of the saddest experiences was with Diamond Lil, one of the first drag queens to bring the art to Atlanta. Four years ago, I started attending the Atlanta Death Café, a monthly event at Oakland Cemetery. It was not hospice therapy; it was a discussion group, replete with endless pastries and fruit, devoted to exploring the subject of death. Every time I went, I ran into Lil, usually sitting at a table alone. We had known one another for years and she was not looking her best. I never asked what brought her there, but less than two years later, she died of cancer.

Finally, I’ll mention the incomparable Violet Chachki, a “Drag Race” winner. I saw her ordering food at La Fonda on Ponce not long ago. It was kinda like seeing Beyoncé at Burger King.

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

24 Columnists August 4, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9

Atlanta Symphony Hall LIVE and Zero Mile Presents welcome Stephen Stills and Judy Collins with special guest Numa Edema to Symphony Hall tonight, 7:30 p.m., 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantasymphony.org (Publicity photo)

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Our Guide to the Best LGBT Events in Atlanta for Aug. 4-17

EVEN FRIDAY, AUG. 4 – SATURDAY, AUG. 5

“Johnny Mercer … Too Marvelous for Words,” a Broadway-style musical revue of the Academy Award-winning composer, comes to Theatrical Outfit for two days. The show is produced and directed by Robert Ray, who stars alongside Marsha Dupree and Shawn Megorden, 8 p.m. both nights, Balzer Theatre, 84 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.theatricaloutfit.org

FRIDAY, AUG. 4

Queer performers, poets, artists and musicians band together for the Big Queer Sizzle fundraiser at Charis Circle. The suggested donation is $10 – $25 and all funds will go to help with Charis Circle’s new building fund. Featured artists include Collin Kelley, Theresa Davis, Susana Morris, Adriana Chiknas, Holiday Simmons, Phoeniz YZ and more, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com Serenbe Playhouse’s Brian Clowdus stars in the company’s new take of Kander and Ebb’s “Cabaret” as The Emcee, tonight at 8 p.m., running through Aug. 27, 9110 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268, www.serenbeplayhouse.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 5

Join a full day of kickball and fun to raise proceeds for HIV/AIDS, as Joining Hearts’ Kicking For a Cause Tournament begins, with the winning team taking home $1,500. Active Oval at Piedmont Park, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., www.gokickball.com The What-a-Crock potluck lunch, hosted by Shawn, features delicious food, delicious people, great drinks and fun.

26 Best Bets August 4, 2017

11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Heretic Atlanta, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road N.E, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com Who’s Your Daddy? Woofs hosts DILF night tonight at 9 p.m., 8 p.m., 2425 Piedmont Road N.E, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.woofsatlanta.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 6

Enjoy free pool tonight and beats

by DJ Dre today at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA, 30308

MONDAY, AUG. 7

Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people question-

ing their own gender and aspiring allies, providing a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues. 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBTQ children meets tonight from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, www.uuca.org

TUESDAY, AUG. 8

The Atlanta Dream host the Minne-

sota Lynx today at 7 p.m., Georgia Tech McCamish Pavilion, 965 Fowler St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30313, www.dream.wnba.com

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9

Impulse Repertory Co. announces the two-play rep for its inaugural season, “Julius Caesar” (opening tonight at 7:30 p.m.) and “Antigone,” Out Front Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.impulserep.com WUSSY kicks off a new series of Queer Camp Classics with the 1994 Australian drag queen comedy, “The Adventures

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

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

of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”

The screening will be hosted by two favorite East Atlanta Village queens – Brigitte Bidet and Dax Exclamationpoint.

Costumes strongly encouraged! Prizes awarded for the best Priscilla-inspired looks. 8 – 10:30 p.m., Plaza Atlanta, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.plazaatlanta.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 10

SAGE Atlanta’s bi-monthly meetings occur from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, Phillip Rush Center Annex, 1530 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.rushcenteratl.org The High Museum of Art is the exclusive East Coast venue for the Andy Warhol: Prints from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation retrospective featuring more than 250 prints and ephemera by artist Andy Warhol.

This comprehensive show is the largest exhibition of its kind and includes such iconic screenprint portfolios as Marilyn Monroe (1967), Campbell’s Soup I (1968), Electric Chair (1971) and Mao (1972), 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.high.org

FRIDAY, AUG. 11

What’s your damage, Heather? OnStage Atlanta opened a musical version of the cult classic film “Heathers,” with an 8 p.m. show tonight running through Aug. 13, 2969 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 3003, www.onstageatlanta.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 12

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of homeless or at-risk LGBT youth in Atlanta?

Learn about Lost-n-Found Youth and its mission to end LGBT homelessness at this orientation.

Organizers will discuss the severity of LGBT youth homelessness across the Southeast and introduce you to the program they created to address the problem. Following the class

www.thegeorgiavoice.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 12

“Feed me, Seymour!” Actor’s Express opens its version of the classic musical “Little Shop of Horrors” tonight at 8 p.m., running through Aug. 20, 887 W. Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.actorsexpress.com (Publicity photo) you’ll be prepared to work with existing clients and help to identify and assist homeless LGBT youth still living in non-supportive shelters and on the street. 2 – 3 p.m., Lost-nFound Youth, 2585 Chantilly Drive. N.E., Atlanta, GA 303224, www.lnfy.org “Sordid Lives” – You’ve seen the movie … now go see the play at The Vineyard Cafe and Dinner Theatre, running through Aug. 27, 21 W. Park Square, NE, Marietta, GA 30060, www.thevineyardcafe.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 13

The Rotten Peaches’ Queer Picnic is back! Bring yourself, friends, pets and picnic necessities for a gathering in the Meadow area of Piedmont Park, 3- 8 p.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 14

Making Space is a writing group for those who work, move or spend time serving others through human services and community professions. Here, organizers use writing as a means for deepening understanding of our private and public journeys, our relationships, work and how we make space for ourselves (or don’t) in the midst of it all. The suggested donation is $10. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Charis

Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

TUESDAY, AUG. 15

Play Let’s Make a Deal with host Ken tonight at Friends on Ponce. From 6 – 10 p.m., 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16

Channel your inner Patti Lupone at Burkhart’s Broadway at Burks event, hosted by Angelica D’Paige Brooks and Nic White, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 17

The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its Business Builder Luncheon today at Henry’s Midtown Tavern. Hosted by Chip Ivie and Chris Torrens on the third Thursday of each month at 11:45 a.m., the event is limited to 14 respondents with a $20 set menu. 132 10th St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantagaychamber.org

CONTINUES ON PAGE 28

EVENT SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY, AUG. 10 – FRIDAY, AUG. 11

Eddie’s Attic hosts “An Evening with Emily Saliers,” one half of the beloved Indigo Girls. 30 years into one of the most storied careers in popular music, Saliers decided to record her debut album and she will sing numbers from it tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 9:30 p.m., 515-B North McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com (Publicity photo)

August 4, 2017 Best Bets 27

FRIDAY, AUG. 18

Come revisit Frau Blucher, Inga, the Monster and more. Join Turner Classic Movies for an evening under the stars as Turner Classic Movies and Xfinity present the comedy classic “Young Frankenstein” in Piedmont Park. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the film begins at 8 p.m. (Publicity photo)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 As we are reminded daily of how hot it actually gets during the Atlanta summer, come out and cool down with MAAP and sponsor Gayborhood for Mix, Mingle and Cider at Atlanta’s first craft cidery.

Door prizes will be offered to the first 25 attendees as well as some raffle prizes, cider and light nosh. Open networking begins at 6 p.m. and welcome and announcements are at 7 p.m., Urban Tree Cidery, 1465 Howell Mill Road., Atlanta, GA 30318. www.maapatl.org

UPCOMING SATURDAY, AUG. 19

Atlanta Pride, along with Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta sponsors the Know Your Rights Community Immigration Forum, 12 – 2:30 p.m., Hearts to Nourish

28 Best Bets August 4, 2017

Hope, Angkor Resource Center, 640 GA 138, Riverdale, GA 30274-3908, www.arc707.org The Rainbros Volunteer with Open Hand event is an opportunity for 15 people to help with Market Basket packing. Open Hand’s Market Baskets provide a weekly supply of groceries to low-income, medically-eligible clients who have the ability to prepare their own meals, but who do not have the strength or income to purchase their own groceries. 1 - 3 p.m., 181 Armour Drive. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324-3916 Taste of Life 2017 is a food and wine tasting event to help house people living with HIV/AIDS. New infections of HIV are skyrocketing in Atlanta, and, without housing, staying healthy is impossible, especially for people living with HIV/AIDS. Be part of the solution by ensuring that no person living with HIV/AIDS faces homelessness alone. This seventh annual soiree

at Atlanta’s sleek and modern Westside Cultural Arts Center includes tastings of local craft beers, wines from around the world and bites from some of Atlanta’s most creative and delicious chefs and restauranteurs. You won’t want to miss the DJ or spectacular silent auction with incredible art and local experiences. 7 – 10 p.m., 760 10th St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-life2017-tickets-35332657931?aff=efbevent

MONDAY, AUG. 21

Atlanta Botanical Garden members of all levels are invited to watch the solar eclipse at the Garden. Join as Garden staff count down to the first total solar eclipse since 1979. Bring a chair to relax on the Great Lawn and make a pinhole projector or sun print to mark the occasion. The first 200 members receive a free pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses to safely watch as the sun slips behind the moon at approximately 2:36 p.m. EST, 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, atlantabg.org

EVENT SPOTLIGHT FRIDAY, AUG. 11

The Auburn Avenue Research Library, in collaboration with The Baton Foundation, will host American University’s Washington College of Law Professor, Dr. Angela J. Davis, who will discuss her latest book, “Policing the Black Man: Arrest, Prosecution and Imprisonment.” 7 p.m., 101 Auburn Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.afpls.org/aarl (Publicity photo)

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Saying goodbye to Sully “Go tell Sully bye,” I instructed Mr. Carter.

Sully could barely hold her head up, so Mr. Carter squatted until they were eye-toeye and told her goodbye while waving at her. Katie Jo and I teared at the moment, knowing it may be the last time our son would ever see his dog again.

Katie and I got Sully early in our relationship, before we lived together, making her our first real commitment to one another.

We had just been on the same cruise as the Indigo Girls, and got to know their super cool guitar tech, a woman known as Sully.

Upon our return and search for a goldendoodle puppy, we decided Sully was a great name for our new furry girl. Little did we know we’d spend the rest of her life correcting everyone who assumed by her name and size she was a male.

I already had my beloved golden retriever, Toby, so I took a backseat to Katie as Sully’s primary mom. Those two bonded as anyone would hope a dog and human would, and Sully was Katie’s constant companion and adored her master. When we adopted a special needs dog, GiGi, after Toby’s passing, Sully was the one who rehabilitated her scared sister and inspired her health. When Katie and I fostered two dogs during the course of our relationship, it was Sully who led the way for the canines to relax and play.

And when our son was born, it was Sully who served as teething toy, bed, stuffed animal to hug, horse and ski boat who pulled a toddler with her tail.

When Katie and I split, we attempted to separate the dogs, as Sully was connected to Katie and GiGi was my sweet companion.

But, after each went on a food strike without the other, we brought Sully back to the house and her yard, and Katie took her periodically on long road trips as well as beauty appointments with the groomer.

Sully had never been sick in her life, but I noticed she had an accident in the house a

“When Katie and I fostered two dogs during the course of our relationship, it was Sully who led the way for the canines to relax and play. And when our son was born, it was Sully who served as teething toy, bed, stuffed animal to hug, horse and ski boat who pulled a toddler with her tail.” couple months ago and I knew something wasn’t right. Katie also noticed some swelling on her back and took her to the vet, who found an infection, and at Sully’s age of 10, hoped that’s all it was. We treated it first to see if symptoms improved, which they did for a few weeks, but then one night she seemed to pant abnormally.

I asked Mr. Carter to say goodbye before Katie took Sully to an emergency clinic. Not 20 minutes later, Katie called, crying, “We have to put her down.” Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen, a malignant form of cancer.

For Sully it had spread, and the vet nearly begged Katie to put her down that very moment. I stayed home to entertain Mr. Carter, sneaking in the hall and kitchen every now and again to cry as Katie sat on the vet’s floor with her best friend and helped her leave this world.

Thank you, Sully, for being part of such an important part of our lives. I hope you and Toby are having a good time, and look forward to playing fetch again someday with you two. Your moms love you and really miss you.

Melissa Carter is recognized as one of the first out radio personalities in Atlanta and has been heard over the years on B98.5 and Q100. In addition, she is a writer for the Huffington Post. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter.

30 Columnists August 4, 2017 www.thegeorgiavoice.com

SOMETIMES ‘Y’

By RYAN LEE

The war at home Transgender women are being lynched in America, and people are making jokes about it on nationally syndicated radio shows. There may be no ropes in this modern version of societal-condoned killing, but the lives and deaths of transgender women are as much a spectacle as the strange fruit that regularly hanged above mobs of white folks a little more than half a century ago, with vengeance being an acceptable defense for murder, and death being a source of community merriment.

“If one did that to me,” comedian Lil Duval said while appearing on “The Breakfast Club,” a New York-based show that is broadcast online and on black radio stations across the country.

“If you had sex with [a transgender woman] and they didn’t reveal they were a boy,” host Charlamagne Tha God clarified for listeners.

“And they didn’t tell me,” Lil Duval continued, “I’m gonna be so mad I’m probably gonna want to kill them.”

The in-studio camera shows Lil Duval sticking out his tongue to punctuate his humor, or for whatever reason heterosexual men thrust their tongues in the direction of another man. While the laughs are a bit delayed, the studio soon erupts in jubilant bigotry.

“You might’ve already slept with one and don’t know – you in Atlanta now,” Charlamagne joked, honoring the conspiracy theory among many straight black folks that heterosexual African-American men once existed in Atlanta, but they, and a good number of visitors since, were all tricked by transgender girls or turned out by DL gangs.

I’m curious what jokes Charlamagne and Lil Duval would perform at the funeral of TeeTee Dangerfield, a young transwoman in Atlanta who was murdered a few days after “The Breakfast Club” got a hearty laugh about such killings. Dangerfield was at least the 16th transgender woman murdered in the U.S. in 2017, and the second to be killed in Georgia in barely a month.

“Hearing my little cousin is no longer here has just crushed my soul,” one of Dangerfield’s relatives wrote on Facebook. “I www.thegeorgiavoice.com

“As more families learn to cope after their transgender loved one is executed, more radio programs will mock and misrepresent transgender lives, more strangers will share eye rolls, head shakes and scoffs with other strangers when a clockable T-girl walks by.” can’t even find the words to express the hurt I have right now.”

“I just can’t stop thinking about my cousin,” wrote another. “What a beautiful soul.”

As more families learn to cope after their transgender loved one is executed, more radio programs will mock and misrepresent transgender lives, more strangers will share eye rolls, head shakes and scoffs with other strangers when a clockable T-girl walks by.

What is the world coming to, their expressions say to each other. Back in the day …

And of course “back in the day” almost always means awful things for the minority group being discussed, but it also means yesterday and last week for transgender Americans.

Transgender soldiers have offered their service and their lives for the protection of this country, and their commander in chief has told them their offering is worth nothing, their service unneeded, “in any capacity.” Like every other unsober proposal Donald Trump has made thus far in his presidential bender, it seems doubtful he’ll be able to turn his transgender troop ban into military policy, but his incompetency does not soften his assault on transgender dignity.

Whether Trump allows transgender Americans to go fight other countries or not, the war on the homefront is ongoing, and the stakes just as life-or-death.

Ryan Lee is an Atlanta writer.

August 4, 2017 Columnists 31

A T L A N T A

PRIDE Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff

10.13.2017

7:00pm - 11:30pm DJ EDIL HERNANDEZ (ORLANDO) & DJ JOEY ZEB (NYC)

$30 Advanced / $40 Door / $90 Lounge Portion of Proceeds Benefit Atlanta Pride

Plus Tax

Purchase Tickets Online At: www.georgiaaquarium.org/atlantapride This event will SELL OUT, Get your tickets TODAY!