The Georgia Voice 8/6/10 - Vol. 1 Issue 11

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08.06.10 NEWS

OUTSPOKENIN THEIR OWN WORDS

Lesbian candidates head to run-off for Fulton Commission. Page 4 Aug. 10 runoff races to watch. Page 4 Teens arrested in anti-gay crime charged as adults. Page 6 Photo via Facebook

Atlanta police to select LGBT advisory board. Page 6 Judge orders trans woman reinstated to Ga. General Assembly job. Page 8 Ga. student sues university after asked to change anti-gay views. Page 10

“I don’t ever really think of things as out or in. I just think I am who I am, and when topics come up that are appropriate, I’ll talk about them and share when it seems right.”

Tenofovir found safe among gay, bisexual men in new study. Page 12

Speaking Out: Reader reaction. Page 15

PETS The power of unconditional love. Page 17 Profiles: LGBT pet owners share their stories. Pages 17-19 Dining: Pet-friendly restaurants. Page 20 Events: Piedmont Dog Park reopens. Page 23 Products: Everything for your pampered pet. Page 24 Photos: Our readers’ furry family members. Page 26

A&E Film: ‘Patrik, Age 1.5’ explores gay couple’s unusual adoption. Page 28 Theater: ‘Shopping and F***ing’ is meaty, and decidedly adult. Page 29

COMMUNITY Marietta Rainbow Fest celebrates Gay Pride. Page 30 Georgia Spotlight: Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Page 31 Business Spotlight: Brushstrokes. Page 31

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

— Actress Sara Gilbert, known for her work on “Roseanne,” discussing how she will be open about her real-life role as a lesbian mom on her new CBS chat show, “The Talk.” (Entertainment Weekly, July 28)

— Memphis, Tenn., City Councilmember Janis Fullilove on why she is sponsoring a measure to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the non-discrimination policy for city workers. Fullilove has received death threats over the measure, which will be discussed by the council on Aug. 10 (Memphis Flyer, July 20; WREG.com, July 28)

“To boost development, a city needs to be open to a full range of people, especially the innovative ones who break barriers, like people of the gay community.”

BY THE

Photo via Facebook

Mike Ritter Cartoon: ‘I Want You.’ Page 14

“If you had a daughter or son who was gay, would you not want them to be able to work and support themselves?”

NUMBERS

26 53 76

7

Countries — not including the United States — that recognize same-sex unions (through marriage, civil unions or other status).

Countries — again not including the United States — with anti-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation

Countries that prosecute people based on sexual orientation

Countries where being gay is punishable by death

Source: International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), reported by The Independent

— Houston, Tex., Mayor Annise Parker, the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city, in remarks at the Shanghai World Expo. Parker led a 60-member Houston business delegation to the Chinese city.

(Xinhua, Aug. 2)

ABC publicity Photo

Editorial: NOM’s ‘Summer of Marriage’ tour a bust and a sham. Page 14

Photo via Facebook

VOICES

“Maybe it would be a destination wedding. Us going somewhere that gay marriage is legal. But they have to save some of that stuff. We hope to be on the air for seven years.”

— Actor Eric Stonestreet, commenting that there is “no doubt” his character, Cameron, will eventually wed his partner, Mitchell, on the ABC sitcom “Modern Family.”

(New York Post, Aug. 1)

“Target and Best Buy’s long history of inclusion and fairness makes these donations all the more troubling. These multi-billion dollar companies have spent years treating the LGBT community with respect and dignity. Now they have slapped us in the face for $250,000. We had no choice but to call them out in Minnesota’s biggest newspaper.”

— Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese, on why the national LGBT group purchased ads denouncing the companies’ donations to a political action committee backing Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who has praised a Christian rock band that supports killing gays.

4

GA Voice August 6, 2010

News

www.theGAVoice.com

Lesbian candidates face off in Fulton Commission runoff Garner, Waites on Aug. 10 ballot to represent District 6

Other races to watch

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Keisha Waites and Joan Garner are vying to be the first openly gay Fulton County Commissioner as they face each other in a runoff on Aug. 10.

During the July 20 Democratic primary for the District 6 seat, Waites placed first in a field of four with 3,576 votes, or 41.46 percent, with Garner in second with 3,408 votes, or 39.14 percent, according to official Fulton County Elections results.

Only 168 votes separated Waites and Garner, who advance to the runoff because neither received more than 50 percent of the vote. David Holder received 837 votes, or 9.7 percent.

Sally Smith finished last with 807 votes, or 9.55 percent.

Waites is now touting Holder’s endorsement in the runoff. Waites declined to participate in the Georgia Voice candidate survey before the primary and declined to be interviewed for this story after an email request last week.

“Thank you for your email. Unfortunately due to the short 1-week window remaining in the campaign we are directing all of our efforts to field outreach canvassing District-wide.

“Upon completing the election cycle we welcome the opportunity to participate in an interview with GA Voice. We recognize GA Voice as the premier GLBT media outlet in the region and would appreciate the opportunity to engage your readers and provide them with our campaign information below to reach us. Regarding my platform and civic involvement that information is located on my website at www.keishawaites. com,” Waites answered this week.

Garner took time out from calling supporters to talk to Georgia Voice about how she is staying on the course she has followed since before the primary.

“We’re building on what we did during the general primary and try to get out voters more than ever,” Garner said Monday. “We continue to get our message out there, but even harder.”

“I have 20 years of service to my community and I know what the issues are,” Garner added.

“I bring experience on working on issues that affect our well-being, delivery of services, public safety, financial accountability. I am qualified and spent the time working on the ground — I am the best person for this position.”

Garner was endorsed by three LGBT groups — Georgia Equality, the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats and the Victory Fund, a national organization that supports LGBT candidates — as well

The Fulton County Commission will soon have an openly gay member. The Aug. 10 runoff will determine whether it will be Joan Garner (left) or Keisha Waites. (Photos courtesy candidates)

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Joan Garner www.garnerforcommissioner.com Keisha Waites www.keishawaites.com

Visit theGaVoice.com on Aug. 10 for election results as the Atlanta Board of Realtors and the AtlantaNorth Georgia Labor Union (AFL-CIO).

Garner, a longtime activist and philanthropy expert who worked for Mayor Maynard Jackson as senior adviser on gay and lesbian issues, is principal of Garner Results Inc., a nonprofit and philanthropic consulting firm.

Her previous roles include president and CEO of the Historic District Development Corporation, a nonprofit that works to preserve the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District and other areas; serving as chair of Neighborhood Planning Unit-M in 2009; and serving as executive director of the Southern Partners Fund and the Fund for Southern Communities, among others. This is her first bid for public office.

Waites works for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and in 2005 was invited

by FEMA to serve on the Hurricane Katrina Long-Term Recovery Team, according to her website. She previously worked for the Small Business Association. Her community involvement includes past service on the Fulton County Democratic Party Executive Committee, as an Atlanta Leadership Institute graduate, and on the board of the Georgia Stonewall Democrats

in 2001, among others.

She has a long record of seeking elected office. In 2001, Waites ran for the at-large Post 1 seat on the Atlanta City Council. In 2002, she ran for State Senate District 36. In 2004, she was one of four candidates who applied to temporarily fill the Atlanta City Council District 12 seat, but council members did not pick her for post. Waites then ran for the Atlanta City Council in 2005 and ran for Fulton County Commission chair in 2006.

She ran for State House District 61 in 2008 and received the endorsement of Georgia Equality in that race, where she reached the runoff. Waites again ran for Atlanta City Council in 2009.

“I’m proud of every race I’ve been in and I believe it shows I’m committed to the process and have a strong desire to serve,” Waites told the Georgia Voice shortly after qualifying for this year’s ballot.

In addition to Holder, Waites is endorsed by Atlanta Progressive News, a website run by activist and writer Matthew Cardinale.

Holder has mixed record on LGBT issues, according to a candidate survey he filled out for the Georgia Voice before the primary. When asked his opinion on the 2004 state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, Holder answered, “I have no opinion.” Asked if the amendment should be repealed, he again answered, “I have no opinion.”

Georgia law is currently silent on adoptions by gay and lesbian citizens, leaving decisions up to the courts based on the best interest of the child. Holder answered that “supports the current status.”

Waites did not respond to an interview request about Holder’s positions.

Garner stated she voted against the state constitutional amendment and she supports legislation clarifying that sexual orientation should not be used as a reason to deny adoption.

The General Primary Runoff will determine the winner out of the top two finishers in contests where no candidate received the majority of votes in the July 10 primary election.

In addition to the contest between lesbian candidates Keisha Waites and Joan Garner in Fulton County, here are two of the top races of LGBT interest on the primary ballot.

While few candidates for the state’s top offices have openly campaigned for LGBT votes, many have long records — some positive, more negative — on issues that impact our community.

• Governor (Republican):

In one of the most anti-gay campaigns in recent Georgia history, former Secretary of State Karen Handel was attacked by her opponents for her membership in the pro-gay Log Cabin Republicans and support for domestic partner benefits.

Handel has denied both since seeking state offices, and in the run-up to the GOP gubernatorial primary, went so far as to say she “would consider” legislation to ban gay adoptions.

The winner of the Republican runoff will face former Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, and John H. Monds, a Libertarian, on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Nathan Deal

Primary results: 22.9 percent (155,946 votes) Occupation: Former Congressman Residence: Gainesville, GA Website: www.dealforgovernor.com

• As a member of the U.S. House, consistently received scores of zero on HRC’s Congressional report card for LGBT issues and has voted for a federal constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

• In current campaign, has repeatedly attacked Karen Handel for her past support of gay issues.

Karen Handel

Primary results: 34.1 percent (231,990 votes) Occupation: Former Secretary of State Residence: Alpharetta, GA Website: www.karenhandel.com

• During her campaigns for Fulton County Commission, supported domestic partner benefits, and was endorsed and a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay GOP group.

Please see RUNOFF on Page 6

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6

GA Voice August 6, 2010

News

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Teens charged in anti-gay bias crime to be tried as adults

Gay victim is torn about juveniles facing adult punishment

RUNOFF, continued from Page 4

Karen Handel (cont.)

• Has flipped from these positions during her subsequent campaigns for Secretary of State and now governor, stating that she never joined Log Cabin and emails supporting issues like domestic partnerships were written by campaign staff without her knowledge.

• Includes video against same-sex marriage on her campaign website.

• “Would consider” banning gay adoptions.

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com The six male teens charged with felony armed robbery in the bias crime against a gay pastor and his friend will be charged as adults and face a bond hearing Aug. 19.

The teens, ages 13 through 19, have been indicted for felony armed robbery and were arraigned Aug. 2 in Fulton Superior Court when the bond hearing was set.

Those charged are Sam Johnson, 17; Benjamin Johnson, 16; and Daequan Lewis, 15, who are all listed as living at the same residence in Stone Mountain. Also charged is Jarvis Johnson, 19, of Parkway Drive in Atlanta. Sam Johnson was identified by APD as the gunman.

Atlanta Police reports identified Jamal Bryant, 13, and Tyrone Smith, 16, as two other suspects who are also charged as adults.

Rev. Josh Noblitt of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, one of the victims of the armed robbery on July 2, attended the court hearing on Aug. 2 and said Senior Patrol Officer Patricia Powell, the Atlanta Police Department’s LGBT liaison, was with him the entire time.

He said that before he and his friend, Trent Williams, were attacked last month while having an evening picnic in Piedmont Park, three of the suspects walked up to them and asked, “Are y’all gay? Two men laying on a blanket.

We ought to beat y’all for that.”

The three youths walked off and returned later with a stick and got into a fight with Noblitt and his partner. During the fight, Noblitt called police from his cell phone. At the same time one of the three youths called for reinforcements, according to Noblitt and APD reports.

Several more teens showed up on the scene and one pulled a gun on Noblitt, held it to his head, and demanded their money.

Despite the seriousness of the crime, Noblitt admits he is torn about some of the teens being charged as adults. Knowing one of the suspects is 13 is “heartbreaking,” he has said.

“I honestly don’t know how I feel about these young people being tried as adults, because I don’t know a lot about the differences between the adult system and the juvenile system, and whether in these type of circumstances either one of them offer any meaningful rehabilitation other than prison time or paying a fine,” Noblitt said after the Aug. 2 hearing.

“I still know nothing about these young people,” he added. “Why were they in the park to begin with that night causing trouble? Have they done this before? What is their home life

Other races to watch

• Secretary of State (Democrat): Rev. Josh Noblitt (left), a victim of an anti-gay bias crime, says it is ‘heartbreaking’that one of his alleged assailants is only 13 years old. Atlanta Police Officer Patricia Powell, the LGBT liaison, said that the LGBT advisory board to the APD will be selected by the department without input from the community. (Photos by Dyana Bagby)

like? Do they have any mental health problems that have been undiagnosed or untreated?

“Where did they get their anti-gay rhetoric from and what led them to believe that they were justified in committing acts of violence on someone because they were perceived to be gay?

Noblitt noted that he is “also interested in examining ways in which we can change the climate of our culture so that young people do not end up in these situations.”

“Better yet, I’m interested in changing the hearts and minds of young people so that they will embrace diversity and understand sexual orientation and gender identity to be just another part of who a person is the same way that things like being left handed, tall, curly haired or introverted are,” he said.

At a July 22 LGBT town hall forum with top brass of the APD including Chief George Turner and Powell, the LGBT liaison, Noblitt asked what the city was doing to try to curb juvenile crime in the city.

Mayor Kasim Reed, who was also at the forum, explained that his promise to open recreation centers throughout the city to offer young people a place to go and participate in activities such as basketball tournaments and other sporting events was one way his administration was working to address the issue.

Police will pick members of LGBT advisory board

Also at the July 22 LGBT town hall forum, longtime activist Lorraine Fontana asked how the APD would select members for an LGBT advisory board to the police department and suggested asking for input from gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Atlanta residents.

Powell said at the forum she would ask her superiors about that possibility, but told Georgia Voice on July 30 it was decided the APD would make the choice as to who would serve.

“I appreciate the suggestion of having the community have a hand in picking the GLBT board. There’s some merit to that idea. However, in the interest of getting the board up and running soon, I think it’s best for the Atlanta Police Department to guide this process,” Powell said.

More than 100 people had applied or been nominated to serve on the nine-member board that is expected to meet quarterly and could begin meeting as soon as this fall, she said.

“We think it’s important for the department’s GLBT board to have a good cross-section of individuals that are representative of the diverse GLBT community. We have given careful consideration to various sectors we want represented, and we also hope to include community leaders who have specific knowledge and expertise they can bring the APD, and will be able to reach an audience of their own to help the APD in communicating its messages,” Powell added.

“By allowing the community to ‘pick’ the board, we would have no assurance those goals would be met. Also — as you well know — the GLBT community is not monolithic, and getting a committee to agree on who would be best suited to serve on the board would likely be difficult and time-consuming. At this time, I think it’s best that I work closely with Chief Turner’s office to populate the board — which we hope will be very soon.”

Powell said she understands many people may not be happy with this decision, but the department is embarking on a “good-faith effort” with the LGBT advisory board.

“Undoubtedly, there will be those who are unhappy with our board members, no matter whom we select. It is certainly the community’s prerogative to disagree. But we have embarked on a good-faith effort, and hope to name qualified people who will work diligently and conscientiously to improve relations between the community and the police department,” she said.

Georgia Equality chose to sit out the race for Secretary of State, while the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats endorsed Michael Mills, who did not make the runoff.

The winner of the Democratic runoff will face Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, and Libertarian David Chastain on the November ballot.

Gail Buckner

Primary results: 35.1 percent (119,956 votes) Occupation: Communications Marketing Residence: Jonesboro, GA Website: www.gailforgeorgia.com

• Applied for but did not receive the Atlanta Stonewall Democrats endorsement.

• As a member of Georgia House, voted for the state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Georganna Sinkfield

Primary results: 22.6 percent (77,423 votes) Occupation: Real Estate Sales Residence: Atlanta, GA Website: www.sinkfield2010.com

• As a member of the Georgia House, voted against the state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and against a bill to prevent cities from requiring private businesses to offer domestic partner benefits to be eligible for city contracts.

— Laura Douglas-Brown

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com General Primary Runoff Tuesday, Aug. 10 Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• To find out where you vote: www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/Login.aspx • You do not have to have voted in the primary to vote in the runoff.

• If you voted in the primary, you must vote in the same party’s primary runoff.

www.theGAVoice.com

August 6, 2010

GA Voice

7

8

GA Voice August 6, 2010

News

www.theGAVoice.com

Judge orders transgender woman reinstated to job at Ga. General Assembly Vandy Beth Glenn was illegally fired as legislative editor

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Vandy Beth Glenn took a step closer to vindication Tuesday when a federal judge ordered the Georgia General Assembly to reinstate her to her previous job as a legislative editor. Glenn was fired in 2007 after disclosing her plan to transition from male to female.

“I’ve always know we were in the right,” a tearful Glenn said in an interview in the courtroom after the hearing. “This is our time. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are no longer disposable. We can’t be thrown out with the trash and this decision affirms that.”

The Aug. 3 hearing came after the court ruled July 2 that the Georgia General Assembly illegally discriminated against Glenn when Legislative Counsel Sewell Brumby fired her for being transgender.

All along, Glenn has said that her ultimate goal would be to get her job back. On Aug. 3, Judge Richard Story granted that request — although when, or if, it will actually happen remains unclear at this time. Glenn will not receive back pay as part of Story’s ruling.

Brumby attended Tuesday’s remedy hearing, during which his attorney, Richard Sheinis of Atlanta, asked for a stay on the reinstatement until they could appeal the decision. Sheinis, who declined an interview request, noted that they would be willing to pay Glenn her salary, but not have her return to work, during the appeal process.

No date was set for Glenn’s reinstatement.

At press time, a hearing was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, on whether to stay the reinstatement.

“It’s been a long road,” Glenn said. “But this isn’t about me, it has never been about me and it’s not even about LGBT people but about people being treated with respect. It’s un-American the way I’ve been treated.”

Glenn was hired as a legislative editor in 2005 when she was living as a male, Glenn Morris. In 2006, she was diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder and informed her supervisor, Beverly Ying, of her intention to transition to female. Glenn presented Ying with photographs of her as a woman and also gave Ying educational materials about an employee transitioning in the workplace.

Ying saw no problem with this news and gave the information to Brumby.

But when Glenn came to work dressed as a woman on Halloween in 2006 — when two other employees were dressed in costume — Brumby

A federal judge ordered Vandy Beth Glenn reinstated to her job as legislative editor with the Georgia General Assembly. She was fired in 2007 after informing supervisors of her decision to transition from male to female. (Photo courtesy HRC)

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com • Visit www.thegavoice.com for coverage of the Aug. 6 hearing on whether to stay Vandy Beth Glenn’s reinstatement

ordered her to go home because he said her attire was not appropriate. He then fired Glenn on Oct. 16, 2007, after learning she planned to transition.

Brumby stated during court depositions that the thought of someone with male sexual organs in women’s clothing was “unsettling” to him, was “something I don’t like to think about,” and was something he viewed as “unnatural.” Brumby also freely admitted he thought Georgia legislators would think Glenn’s presence at the Capitol would be “immoral.”

He also stated in depositions that keeping Glenn on the job “was inappropriate, that it would be disruptive, that some people would view it as a moral issue, and that it would make Glenn’s coworkers uncomfortable.”

Lambda Legal attorney Greg Nevins, who represents Glenn, said he wants Brumby to attend sensitivity training as part of Glenn’s return to work. He also commended Glenn for her courage throughout the legal process.

“She’s a tremendous fighter. I think she’s put a great face on discrimination for trans folks,” he said. “This has been very rough and she’s shown tremendous courage. It will be a great moment when she goes back to work.”

Nevins noted that Brumby and his legal team have not given a reason for not wanting Glenn to return to work; that reason may be part of its filing for a stay of reinstatement slated to be discussed Aug. 6.

“A lot of her co-workers are her supporters,” Nevins said. “He [Brumby] really was the source of the problem. When he asked around about firing her, nobody else was biting.”

10

GA Voice August 6, 2010

News

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Student sues Ga. university, claims bias over her belief that being gay is immoral Keeton says her religious freedom was violated

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com An Augusta, Ga., graduate student is suing her university alleging the school violated her constitutional rights by saying she needed to change her anti-gay views in order to graduate.

The Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian organization dedicated to defending “traditional family values,” represents Jennifer Keeton, 24, a counseling graduate student at Augusta State University.

Keeton claims in her suit, filed July 21, the school threatened to expel her because of her Christian belief that being gay or transgender is immoral and that she needed to go through a “remediation program” that included diversity and sensitivity classes about LGBT issues. The remediation program also included the suggestion Keeton attend Augusta’s first Gay Pride parade on June 19 and write about it, the suit claims.

The lawsuit is filed in United States District Court Southern Division in Augusta.

ADF claims in the suit that Keeton’s First Amendment rights were violated by the university because it stated her biblical opposition to homosexuality — that she would state in class and to other students — went against the professional code for being an ethical counselor.

“Miss Keeton stated to the faculty members that she believes that she will be able to avoid imposing her beliefs on a client, while also maintaining her convictions that certain behaviors are improper.

“However, Miss Keeton did state that she would not in a counseling session agree with the propriety of homosexual relations, nor affirm the propriety of a client pursuing a life of, and a selfdefinition based on, homosexual relations,” the suit states.

The judge in the case issued an order July 29 prohibiting attorneys from discussing the case with the media. However, before that ruling, ADF attorney David French discussed the case on numerous socially conservative television and radio shows.

“A public university student shouldn’t be threatened with expulsion for being a Christian and refusing to publicly renounce her faith, but that’s exactly what’s happening here,” French said in a statement. “Abandoning one’s own religious beliefs should not be a precondition at a public university for obtaining a degree. This type of leftist zero-tolerance policy is in place at far too many universities, and it must stop. Jennifer’s only ‘crime’ was to have the beliefs that she does.”

The university declined to speak publicly about the pending litigation, but issued a statement on its Facebook page on July 28.

Augusta State University graduate counseling student Jennifer Keeton alleges the school violated her First Amendment rights due to her Christian belief that being gay or transgender is immoral.

(Photo courtesy Alliance Defense Fund)

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com • Read Jennifer Keeton’s lawsuit • See Keeton speaking about her lawsuit in a video released by the Alliance Defense Fund

“There has been much media attention focused on an allegation of discrimination by a student in our counseling program. Augusta State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, does not discriminate against any individuals on the basis of their personal, social, political, or religious beliefs or views. No student is asked to change their religious beliefs or views in order to participate in any program,” the statement says.

“The counseling profession requires its practitioners to recognize that people set and adhere to their own moral compass. The professional counselor’s job is to help clients clarify their current feelings and behaviors and to help them reach the goals that they have determined for themselves, not to dictate what those goals should be, what morals they should possess, or what values they should adopt,” ASU further stated.

The ADF represented a student in a similar federal lawsuit at Eastern Michigan University.

The school expelled graduate student Julea Ward, also in the counseling program, for her refusal to counsel people who are gay because she considered homosexuality a sin according to her Christian beliefs. The judge ruled against the student and ADF on July 26. ADF has vowed to appeal the decision.

The ADF is also currently appealing a March ruling against a counselor, Marcia Walden, who declined to counsel a person employed with the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control & Prevention about her same-sex relationship.

Walden referred the client to a colleague because she said counseling someone who is gay went against her religious beliefs. Walden was a counselor with Computer Sciences Corporation.

This suit was filed in U.S. District Court of Northern Georgia.

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A Phase II study of 400 gay and bisexual HIV-negative men who took tenofovir daily through pill form showed no serious safety concerns and could be a resource in the future for the prevention of the spread of the virus, according to researchers.

The study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, was presented at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, on July 23. The study was conducted by the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta, the San Francisco Department of Public Health and Fenway Community Health in Boston.

Tenofovir is an oral drug, also known by its brand name Viread. It is used alone or in combination with other antiviral drugs to treat HIV. Tenofovir is not a cure nor is it known for sure if it will prevent the spread of HIV to other people, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Using antiretroviral drugs, such as tenofovir, to try to prevent HIV infections is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. There are currently numerous studies taking place to determine if PrEP is effective in stalling the spread of HIV among people at high risk, including gay and bisexual men.

More information and data needs to be gathered from these PrEP studies, but this Phase II safety study “lends additional assurance that the strategy may be safe among MSM (men who have sex with men), should it prove effective,” according to an ARCA press release.

“This idea is like malaria prevention in that, if effective, it would keep the virus from establishing an infection,” said Dr. Melanie Thompson, principal investigator at ARCA and senior author of the study.

While this safety study does not prove tenofovir is effective in the prevention of HIV, the fact it is safe among HIV-negative men gives the overall PrEP studies more hope in finding future ways to prevent the spread of HIV, Thompson said.

“Previous large tenofovir studies have been conducted in persons with HIV, so it was important to be sure that the drug was safe in uninfected people,” she said. “For that reason, our study was much smaller (400 men) and not capable of determining whether the strategy would be effective for HIV prevention.”

But this study is helpful, she stressed, because

Researchers hope tenofovir, marketed as Viread, might one day help people from contracting HIV. (Photo courtesy Gilead)

PrEP is considered one of the most promising new prevention methods currently being explored. If effective, PrEP could be used along with condoms and other risk-reduction methods, to help slow the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and around the world.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the study,” Thompson said in a statement. “We need to explore many different avenues to prevent HIV infection, an epidemic that disproportionately affects African Americans and gay and bisexual men of all races in the United States.

“If other studies show that PrEP is effective, millions of infections could be prevented globally,” Thompson said.

The CDC estimates that 56,000 new HIV infections occur in the U.S. every year, and more than 2.7 million people are infected around the world on an annual basis.

The study’s main goal was to examine whether it was safe for the 400 HIV-negative gay and bisexual men to take daily a 300 milligram tablet of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

ARCA enrolled 121 patients from Atlanta and had the most enrollees of color —32 percent were non-white (27 percent African-American, 1 percent Asian- Pacific Islander, 4 percent other races) and 12 percent were Hispanic. The tenofovir study ran from February 2006 to summer 2009.

The median age of participants was 39 and overall the races were 73 percent white, 15 percent African American, 4 percent Asian Pacific Islander and 9 percent Hispanic.

Scientists note that one of the greatest risks of PrEP is those using PrEP might start undertaking riskier sex behaviors, believing they are now immune because of a drug. This phenomenon is known as “behavioral disinhibition” or “risk compensation.”

For this study, however, researchers found no overall increase in unprotected anal sex in men taking a study pill compared to those not taking a study pill during the first nine months of the study.

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Voices

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VOICES OPINION & REACTION ‘Summer of Marriage’ tour a bust and a sham Anti-gay group plays the victim in public rallies Editorial by Chris Cash ccash@thegavoice.com The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) bus tour comes to Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 7. Let me fill you in on this mediahungry anti-gay marriage group.

Its leadership is Catholic but numerous allegations abound that it is an arm of the Church of Latter Day Saints, which contributed massive amounts of money to the passage of Proposition 8 — the ballot measure that amended California’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

Articles in Mother Jones and the Wall Street Journal, among others, have documented this relationship. Founded in 2007, specifically to put Prop. 8 on the ballot in California, NOM has since backed similar measures in Maine, Washington and Iowa. Now the group has taken its show on the road with the “Summer for Marriage Tour.”

Whether Catholic or Mormon, NOM sets lofty funding goals and uses social media to keep followers informed on almost an hourly basis. As of this writing, NOM had 9,300 Facebook fans.

But few of those fans are turning out for the “One Man, One Woman” marriage tour. Pro-gay

marriage protestors have substantially outnumbered the NOM crew in most cities. In Indianapolis on July 26, there were approximately 40 NOMers and 200 gay marriage supporters. Attendance in other cities has been equally low.

On July 29, after an underwhelming rally in Madison, Wisconsin, NOM President Maggie Gallagher blogged with the headline “Gay Marriage Radicals Reach New Low.” Gallagher tells her minions “they’ve come to our peaceful marriage rallies in city after city to harass and intimidate us...”

“We’ve seen protestors draped in the rainbow flag storm the stage and scream, red-faced into the microphone to prevent our speakers from talking. We’ve seen them bait a five-yearold child, asking her if she’s being raised by her mother to be a bigot. We’ve even heard a gay marriage supporter threaten to kidnap a child in attendance at a rally.”

Gallagher ended her blog with a desperate plea for people to attend the rallies and, oh yes, to send money immediately.

So why are Gallagher and NOM Executive Director Brian Brown attacking gay “radicals” and continuing the unsuccessful tour?

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT political group, issued a press release July 27 calling the NOM tour a “sham” and offered an explanation of the real agenda here.

Far from being an attempt to galvanize op-

ponents of same-sex marriage, it appears NOM is using the rallies to claim that they are the innocent victims of harassment from same-sex marriage proponents. Gallagher’s blog on July 29 and previous blogs on the website (nationformarrigae. com) certainly bear out that claim by HRC. “The bus tour is a total sham, plain and simple,” said Fred Sainz, HRC’s vice president of communications. “NOM’s highly-touted bus tour is less about so-called ‘traditional marriage’ and more about creating an elaborate and cynical stunt. NOM rolled out a summer of nationwide events in order to draw lawful protesters, all so that NOM and its allies can pepper ongoing lawsuits challenging public disclosure laws with made-up stories of harassment.”

NOM has had a number of legal setbacks recently including an 8-1 decision handed down by the Supreme Court in June. In Doe v Reed, Protect Marriage Washington (a NOM affiliate) claimed that the names of the 130,000 signers of a petition to place a referendum on the ballot in 2009 to overturn a Washington State domestic partnership law are protected by the First Amendment.

But the Supreme Court ruled that petition-signers don’t have a constitutional right to privacy.

On the same day the Supreme Court ruled against NOM, the Maine ethics commission dealt the anti-gay marriage group another blow. It refused to drop an investigation into a complaint that NOM violated state campaign laws by refusing to disclose its donors. That suit is ongoing.

Hence the victim status that NOM has assumed on their so-called marriage tour. In Madison, Brown went so far as to claim equal status with the civil rights movement.

“We’ve taken great pains to make clear what we’re all about. We view ourselves as a new civil rights movement…. committed to something that in the 1960s was key: the right to vote,” he told the very small crowd.

But as HRC concludes: “The bread crumbs of their deceit are clear. ... NOM and its allies are making a last-ditch legal stand in Washington and Maine that they should be specially entitled to hide their political activities, and they’re saying that harassment and intimidation should provide them this cover.

“At the same time, Brian Brown schedules a series of virtually unattended weekday afternoon events hoping for counter-protests that they can then use as evidence of harassment and intimidation. Why else would NOM execute such halfhearted non-events and then completely subjugate its so-called ‘pro-marriage’ message in favor of devoting its energies almost exclusively to condemning lawful protesters?”

Why indeed?

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SPEAKING OUT Should Mayor Reed apologize on behalf of the city for the Eagle raid?

Re: “Mayor Kasim Reed, Atlanta Eagle attorney have testy exchange at LGBT town hall forum” (www.thegavoice.com, July 23) I have to side with the mayor a bit on this one... even if the parties to the current suit were to all agree in writing that they would drop the suit for an apology, that would not bind the others from the Eagle raid from suing and using the mayor’s words of apology to prove guilt and get a huge legal win against the city. How responsible is it to the “gayest city in America” to subject the city to a multimillion payout to one person in order to save a few thousand earlier. That would hurt us all as well. (Not to mention the rates the city pays for legal insurance could skyrocket based on such moves being made by the mayor.) Is the goodwill worth the risk? Reed is putting the good of the city above his chances of re-election.

So where is Shirley Franklin while all this investigating is going on? Had this not been a gay bar there would have been a shit storm of lawsuits and police firings! Why is it gay people are always expected to just shut up and turn the other cheek? Oh, the poor city might get sued, boohoo. Perhaps if the city wasn’t not wasting millions on bloated departments run by incompetent officials it could settle this and move on without issue.

Before relationships can begin to mend, the LGBT community needs to see actual proof that the people responsible for that raid have suffered substantial punishment for their part in that violation of citizens rights! That would be something considerably more than a meaningless “reprimand” in their file. Demotions and firings are probably appropriate depending on individual guilt. There also needs to be some level of conviction that incidents like this will not happen again.

I thought that was quite straightforward on the mayor’s part. If indeed an apology from the current mayor can stop this, then it is in Grossman’s purview to state that clearly and mean it. Alas, attorneys seem to have a really hard time talking in truth — and politicians are usually right there with them.

Slavery happened centuries ago and presidents from this era have said they were sorry

Mayor Kasim Reed at the July 22 LGBT town hall meeting. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

Editor’s note: These comments on Georgia Voice articles were submitted via our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thegavoice). Want to weigh in? Follow us there or submit comments on our website. about that. Why can’t the current mayor say he is sorry for past mistakes and be done with it?

How much money would that cost the city?

Many to fault for the ongoing HIV epidemic Re: “Health blog: The Top 10,” about Atlanta being ranked 8th in HIV infections (www.thegavoice.com, July 29) We all know there are a lot of things — and people — to fault. Younger guys often think they are immortal and don’t use even common sense precautions when doing anything (probably because their pre-frontal cortex isn’t fully developed yet); some guys want the attention that they believe becoming HIV positive might give them; some guys don’t use safe sex because homophobia (especially in their own family) drives them to not care if they get infected and die (suicide by sex, like suicide by police officer).I think a lot of drug companies are at fault, too. They posterize and make the disease sound so manageable (which it is) and glamorous (which it is not).

Sadly, people haven’t seen anyone struggle with the disease. The “youngins” think it’s all one damn big cocktail party. They haven’t seen the death or known anyone to die from it yet.

They think it’s a pill in the morning, a pill at lunch and a sensible vodka martini for dinner.

Slap, slap — to them, for thinking that and to society for allowing them to think that way.

Voices

August 6, 2010

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PAGE 17

By Ryan Lee Sure, many of us giggle at the misspelled “I can haz cheezburger” adventures of felines on websites like LOLcats.com, or forward the viral videos of dogs playing when their parents aren’t home that seem ubiquitous on Facebook and YouTube.

But the unconditional love that pets are known for can be extra meaningful for people who go through life being judged. Few episodes illustrate this more clearly than the early days of the AIDS epidemic when cats, dogs and other pets took the place of the mothers, brothers and best friends in the lives of those dying from the disease.

“Back then, if you were diagnosed with HIV and AIDS, you were pretty much cut off — you lost your job, you lost your family, you lost all your friends — because no one really knew how you could get it,” recalls Kevin Bryant. “So you lost everyone you had contact with, and most people only had their pets as their companion.”

The desire to preserve the nurturing bond between pets and the gay men who lacked the resources — financial, physical and familial — to support them inspired two veterinarians to found Pets Are Loving Support, where Bryant serves as executive director.

As the nature of the AIDS epidemic dramatically improved, PALS has extended its services — primarily, providing pet food and assistance with medical care — to cover individuals with disabilities, senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses, but Bryant says gay pet owners continue to make up a majority of PALS clients.

“It’s still a source of companionship, and it’s nice to have someone to care for,” says Bryant, who adds that pets were, and continue to be, a way for gay men and lesbians to create their own families.

“It’s been very easy for me to relate to, when a client or a potential client calls and I hear how frantic they are about what they’re going to do when some unfortunate incident has happened to them and they don’t want to get rid of their pet,” Bryant says. “My own dog, I got him when he was a few weeks old and now he’s 10 and going through cancer, and honestly, he’s the most important thing in my life.

“I think about him when I wake up and I think about him when I go to bed — he’s my best friend, my companion,” he adds. “He’s got me through a lot of rough years, and partners come and go, but your pet is with you for life.”

LGBT people across Atlanta cherish their bonds with their cats, dogs, birds and other pets every day, animal souls who are there during life milestones and help create new ones, who are quick to lift spirits or offer a shoulder to lean on.

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Pets Are Loving Support 2115 Liddell Drive NE , Atlanta, GA 30324 404-876-PALS, www.palsatlanta.org

esy photo) Arthur & Fire (court

THE COMPASSIONATE PARTY ANIMAL

Arthur Graves’ best friend sounds like a fairly typical gay party boy in Atlanta.

They marched together in last year’s Gay Pride parade alongside their Southern Bears brethren, and the best friend spent the day flashing his incredible blue eyes and broad smile, luring men close to him so he could sniff their crotch, then acting stand-offish when they would start paying more attention to Graves.

“He managed to last the whole day, and then he got home and he just pooped out for like 30 minutes, and then he was ready to go again,” Graves says of his best friend Fire, a nine-year-old huskie that Graves adopted from DeKalb County Animal Control five years ago.

While he’s generally a high-energy animal who loves to frolic about the yard — especially during torrential thunderstorms — Fire also has a calm and tender side that has earned him a place in Graves’s heart alongside his childhood hero, his dog named BeBe, who helped police locate Graves’ parent after he had been hit by a car at age 7.

“Fire’s just an amazing part of my life,” Graves says. “A couple of years ago I was in

the hospital for about a week, and my roommate said Fire would just lie on my bed with the saddest look on his face, and he could barely get him to go out that week, and Fire lives for going outside. When I finally got home, he just exploded and started jumping all over me.

It was a really nice welcome home.”

Graves says he owes his relationship with Fire in large part to Pets Are Loving Support, also known as PALS, the non-profit organization that provides pet assistance to people who are critically ill or disabled. The organization that started as resource for people living with HIV/AIDS is most known for distributing pet food and its monthly bingo nights hosted by Bubba D. Licious, but Graves says that PALS helps pay for Fire’s legally required shots, annual check-ups, flea and heartworm control, and the cost of implanting a medical and identification chip.

“I couldn’t have him without that support,” Graves says. “Without PALS, I don’t think a lot of people would have lived as long as they have, without the support to keep their pets and probably their best friends.”

Please see PETS, continued on Page 18

More readers’ pet photos on Page 26 Elizabeth

Bianca

nn

Belle Baker-Bauma

Ru & Frannie

Thatcher

Oliver

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GA Voice

August 6, 2010 A&E

FIERCE DISHES

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by ROB ANDREWS

More than just doggy bags Pet-friendly restaurants welcome you and your furry friends They’re staring at you with those big sad eyes as if to say, “Please take me with you.” You’re heading out to dinner and you want to take them, but where? Luckily, Atlanta is filled with petfriendly restaurants — well, mostly I mean dog friendly, but some cats like to go on trips also. The other day at Moe’s in Midtown I saw two gay guys bring their pet Lemur named Moxie – fierce.

One of my favorites is the groovy Universal Joint in Decatur, which has a great dog-friendly patio. If you go to their website you’ll even see a pooch on their patio. Take a stroll around Oakhurst Park and then head to U Joint for excellent pub fare. The warm convivial scene is urban which means no one cares if you’re gay or straight.

I love their take on eggrolls with spicy chicken and mango chutney, or if you’re feeling bad, get the scratch fries smothered in melted cheddar, bacon and jalapenos. The joint has superb specials and burgers, including a black

bean version for vegetarians.

Going to the new Piedmont Park dog park?

On the Piedmont side of the park try Willy’s Mexicana Grill for good, huge $6 burritos, tacos and quesadillas, plus you get free chips and the salsa bar. On the 10th and Monroe side, for something less casual you might want to try Park Tavern, but look out for lots of drunk “hetero” frat and sorority kids. Still, when it rains you can get $1 pints of beers there.

If you want better food take Fido across the street to the Midtown Promenade shopping center (where Trader Joe’s is located). There are lots of patios to tie your pooch to like the gay friendly Metro Fresh.

Cocktails and wagging tails

For something fun and truly different this summer try Canine Cocktail Hour at the very pet-friendly Hotel Indigo in Midtown Atlanta across from the Fox Theatre. The event includes complimentary water and treats from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday. There is also a special K9 menu with steak and chicken, plus donations will be made from drinks to the Atlanta Humane Society. They even have a Dog Spa treatment which would make a good birthday gift.

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Universal Joint 906 Oakview Road, Decatur, GA 30030 www.ujointbar.com Willy’s Mexicana Grill 1071 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309 www.willysmexicanagrill.com Hotel Indigo Midtown 683 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308 www.hotelindigo.com The doggy desserts at Taj Ma-Hound Bakery look so tempting you may be jealous that they are created especially for four-legged foodies. (Photo via Facebook)

The Thirsty Dog Tavern in South Buckhead has a dog-friendly patio with a special hot kibble menu and “milk bone happy hour.” It’s a masculine guy, upscale pub scene with lots of flat screen televisions. But listen up, lesbians: Some of the waitresses dress like Catholic schools girls if that’s your thing. Best to stick with the pub fare like big juicy burgers, salads and wraps.

Featured in Southern Living, try Taj MaHound bakery in Decatur for really cute pet treats, K9cookies, and GrrrrNola. They will even make custom cakes on special occasions

Thirsty Dog Tavern 2110 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309 www.thirstydogtavern.com Taj Ma-Hound Bakery 707 D East Lake Drive , Decatur, GA 30030 www.tajmahound.com

for your pet child. Their products are baked fresh daily and contain natural ingredients. Taj Ma-Hound will even host a party for you pooch and all their friends.

I actually found hundreds of dog-friendly restaurants in the city and ‘burbs. If the restaurant has a patio you can usually bring your well-behaved pet but call first. Some others include Park Grounds Coffee on Flat Shoals in Reynoldstown with its own fenced dog park; all Chipotle and Moe’s burrito places; the very gay-friendly Joe’s on Juniper in Midtown; and Babs on Juniper for breakfast and lunch says bring your dog.

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August 6, 2010

GA Voice

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A&E

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EVENTS by Jim Farmer

Piedmont Dog Park returns Popular pup retreat to reopen in gay Atlanta’s unofficial backyard Area pet owners will soon be able to bring their beloved pooches back to Piedmont Park’s popular Dog Park. The park re-opens Aug. 12, complete with a grand opening ceremony.

The former Dog Park opened to the public back in 2002, but closed when the Piedmont Park Conservancy decided to upgrade it. According to Yvette Bowden, president and CEO of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, there has been much discussion since that time on how to expand the Dog Park location and make it as enjoyable as possible to everyone.

Bowden acknowledges that the Dog Park has long been one of the most frequented areas of Piedmont Park and that she, like many others, is looking forward to the opening.

“We are excited, and excited that others are excited about the opening,” she says.

The new park will have many new features.

Some of the amenities include a dog run — nearly three acres in space — and separate enclosures for large and small dogs (described as less than 30 pounds). The small park will be four times the size of the previous one.

The new Dog Park will also have new trails and landscaping along with seats and restrooms for owners, and perks that visitors have enjoyed before such as water fountains, rocks for climbing purposes, and free dog waste bags for owners.

Guests at the opening ceremony will receive a special doggy bag. Other available goodies (for an increased registration fee) include a personalized caricature souvenir and a special commemorative dog bone plaque, inscribed with the name of your faithful companion.

One of the trademarks of the Dog Park has been its reputation as an off-leash site. A City of Atlanta ordinance proclaims that all dogs must be leashed, but the Dog Park is one of the few metro area locations where that rule is relaxed and dogs can run free with supervised care.

The Conservancy estimates 600,000 Dog Park visitors a year, although Bowden feels that is probably a conservative number.

She says that the majority of pets in the park are – as expected – dogs, although over the years she has been surprised at what she has seen.

“One guy brings his pig out for a walk,” she laughs. “I’ve also seen cats on a leash.”

Some people even borrow other people’s dogs and bring them to the park.

“It’s a place people truly enjoy,” she says.

“So many communities consider it their park.”

But remember, pets are not allowed in Piedmont Park during major festivals. Although Bowden would love to be able to find a way to work around that, dogs will not be allowed in the park for the upcoming Atlanta Pride in October.

The newly renovated Piedmont Park Dog Park reopens with a ceremony on Aug. 12.

(Photo courtesy Piedmont Park Conservancy)

Other pet-friendly parks and events • Piedmont Bark’s “Yappy Hour,” a social hour for canines and their owners held throughout the year. www.piedmontbark.com/yappy_hour.htm • Atlanta Dog Park at Grant Park Berne Street and Boulevard Atlanta, GA, 30315

• Waggy World Paw Park at Wills Park 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009

• Mason Mill Dog Park 1400 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA, 30033

• Brook Run Park

4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338, www.dunwoodynorth.org/brookrun/

• Oakhurst Dog Park 450 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA, 30030

• Glenlake Dog Park 1121 Church St., Decatur, GA, 30030

• Adair Dog Park 716 W. Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030

• Red Dog Park Third and Pool Street, Stone Mountain, GA, 30083

• Burger Dog Park 680 Glendale Place, Smyrna, GA 30080

• Sweat Mountain Park

4346 Steinhauer Road, Marietta, GA 30066

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com Piedmont Park Dog Park Grand Opening Ceremony Thursday, Aug. 12, 6 – 8 p.m.

Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive NE Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-875-7275 www.piedmontpark.org/do/dogpark.html

August 6, 2010

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Products that pamper

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Images courtesy retailers

From puppy biker gear to a toy that sings to your bird, eight great ways to spoil them rotten

There are infinite ways to spoil your pet. The pet product industry rakes in about $38 billion of your dollars every year, and pet companies are constantly creating new ways to help you do just that. Here are eight ways to pamper your pets:

Dog Motorcycle Helmet, $49.99-$125 www.rockstar-puppy.com More from the Rockstar puppy folks who, we think, have a very strong gay sensibility … check out the photos on their website. The company even takes into consideration that your dog’s ears might stand up and designed this helmet to prevent “pushing the ears flat to the head.” Sizes range from extra small to large.

There are a huge range of colors and designs (you can even customize with name, logo, etc.) and each helmet is airbrushed free hand.

Pup Ryder Motorcycle Dog Carrier, $228 www.rockstar-puppy.com Get your pooch (18 pounds or less) on the road in this hard shell carrier. It comes with a windshield, padded backrest and safety strap.

Made to attach to your luggage rack, it comes with a mounting kit and is pre-drilled for easy installation. The black high gloss finish will look great on a black bike, or add contrast to any color bike...like pink or purple.

Condo Canine Tray, $129 www.cosmopolitancanine.com The Condo Canine Tray solves the problem of Fido doing his business wherever he pleases.

The 36-inch × 24-inch dimensions give smallto-medium size dogs plenty of room and the 3-inch height makes it easy for even the smallest dogs to use. Its polyethylene construction is slightly elevated at one end to direct all liquids into a small reservoir. The Condo Canine Tray can be very handy on road trips and in hotels.

Motel 6, anyone?

Kittywalk Cozy Climber, $161.45 www.thecatandkittenstore.com It’s not cheap, but then, neither are those giant carpet-covered cat climbing toys. At least this climber hangs neatly on the back of a door, and comes in both green and tan to match your décor.

Fluffy has five levels to climb and play, including a fleece-lined “privacy parlor” at the top.

Stainless Steel Drinking Fountain, $69.99 www.esmartcat.com Does your kitty love to drink out of the sink, or does your dog prefer flowing water? Now there is a stainless steel pet drinking fountain with continuously filtered water for your pets that looks like it belongs in your kitchen. In the past the only option was a tacky plastic one. The manufacturers, Pioneer Pet Products, claim the stainless steel drinking fountain is easy to take apart and clean, which is a real plus.

K-9 Float Coat, $50-$70 www.ruffwear.com This stylish preserver will help keep your dog safe on the boat or at the beach (not all dogs can swim) and the bright reflective trim makes her easy to spot. The float coat is available in six sizes.

Bubble Buddy Flavored Bubbles for Dogs, $12.95, www.activedogtoys.com Can’t afford a motorcycle carrier or even the pup helmet? You can still make Fido happy with these flavored bubbles like bacon, peanut butter or Bar-B-Q chicken. A perfect way to make sure your dog gets enough exercise and you can just sit and watch!

Sing-Along Jukebox, $10.49 - $12.29 www.drsfostersmith.com No dog? No cat? Entertain your bird with some of your favorite tunes like “Over the Rainbow.” Hang the jukebox on the side of your bird’s cage and start the music. Some birds may even be able to mimic the tracks.

— Chris Cash and Tim Boyd

August 6, 2010

www.theGAVoice.com

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August 6, 2010 A&E

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Rocco

Motley

Rufus

Moses

PETS WITH GAY PARENTS Forget what certain politicians might say about gay parenting. All of these “furkids” have LGBT (or allies) as parents, and they look like they are doing pretty well to us!

Out of all the pet photos submitted by Georgia Voice readers, five were drawn at random as winners of pet prizes generously donated by our advertisers.

ll DJ Cornbread Powe

These lucky pets will enjoy the following services at Chateau Animalia: Bianca (one night of luxury boarding), Gracie (one aquatic treadmill session), and Kindle (free grooming with Joey).

And these adorable pups will get to play at Piedmont Bark: Rufus (10 days of doggie daycare) and Otto (1 day of doggie daycare and spa).

FOR MORE PET PHOTOS FROM GEORGIA VOICE READERS, VISIT

WWW.THEGAVOICE.COM

Nicky

Coco

Pepe & Dudley

Blazer

Rocky

Abby

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GA Voice

August 6, 2010

A&E

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FILM

by Steve Warren

Gustaf Skarsgård, Torkel Petersson and Tom Ljungman star in ‘Patrik, Age 1.5’ (Photo by Tomas Michaelsson)

Another kid is all right — maybe

‘Patrik, Age 1.5’ explores a gay couple’s unusual adoption

How do you say “Lifetime Television” in Swedish? The story told in “Patrik, Age 1.5” (“Patrik 1,5”), which debuted in last year’s Out on Film, is very familiar, but in most versions the principal couple is heterosexual. (“Breakfast with Scot” was a recent exception.)

Göran (Gustaf Skarsgård) and Sven (Torkel Petersson) are not hetero, and they’ve got the wedding rings to prove it. Oh, Sven was married to a woman once, and she brings their reluctant 16-year-old daughter around periodically to remind him.

The men have just moved into a colorful neighborhood that looks like something out of a fairy tale directed by Tim Burton. The neighbors are outwardly accepting at first, but soon their children are yelling taunts at the male couple and vandalizing their house.

To make their world — or at least Göran’s — complete, they’ve applied to adopt a baby.

But even though they’ve been approved and decorated a nursery in anticipation, it seems no one will let them have a child.

At last they get good news: “Patrik, age 1.5” is on the way! Then they get bad news. There was “a small typographical error” in the letter, and Patrik, age 15, arrives on their doorstep.

Not only is he ten times the age they expected, but he’s not happy with the situation: “I’m not living with homos!”

Göran and Sven don’t want a teenager, even a nice one, but especially not one who tries to call them pedophiles but can’t pronounce it. Not only is Patrik homophobic but he has a criminal record: theft, assault and carrying a concealed weapon.

‘Him or me’

Patrik is played by Thomas Ljungman, who looks like Macaulay Culkin when he was outgrowing the kid roles. He seems to be quite a good actor, though he’s more convincing when

he warms up than in making us believe the men should be afraid of him.

You know the rest of the story. Only the details change, some for better and some for worse. Patrik arrives on Friday afternoon before a long weekend so the men are stuck with him until Tuesday. At first they fear having him in their house but Göran softens a bit because Patrik shares his love of gardening.

The strain is enough to crack the marriage along previously established fault lines. Sven, less domestic than Göran, goes out and gets drunk. When they learn on Tuesday that Patrik’s the only child available to them, it becomes a “him or me” situation and Sven leaves.

With him out of the picture the bond between Göran and Patrik strengthens and the boy begins acting like a typical teenager, only nicer. He hires out to the neighbors as a gardener and teaches their kids skateboarding. At last a new home is found for him and there’s a chance of Göran and Sven reuniting, but is it still “him or me”?

There’s some really sloppy writing in a couple of scenes because the formula requires additional obstacles to be overcome, but the anticipated ending is still a crowd-pleaser.

Ella Lemhagen’s direction occasionally makes you wonder whether “Patrik, Age 1.5” is supposed to be a drama or comedy. Drama is the correct answer but she’s more concerned with warming our hearts than giving us serious cause to worry about the outcome.

You might say “Patrik, Age 1.5” is the antithesis of “The Kids Are All Right.” Not only is the central couple male, but parenthood is a new challenge for them and their homosexuality is something of an issue. Both films are worth seeing, but if you can only see one, “Kids” wins.

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com ‘Patrik, Age 1.5’ Opens Aug. 13 Landmark Midtown Art Cinema 931 Monroe Drive Atlanta, GA 30308 www.landmarktheatres.com

A&E

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THEATER by Jim Farmer

GA Voice

29

FERST CENTER

Racy for a reason

FOR TH E ARTS AT G EORG IA TEC H 2010 -2011 S E A S O N

DEbbIE REyNOlDS

STEp AFRIkA!

Saturday, September 11

JON FADDIS JAzz ORCHESTRA

Season Opener!

‘Shopping and F***ing’ is ‘black and meaty’ — and decidedly adult

A play named “Shopping and F***ing” brings with it the potential to be on the bawdy side, and Process Theatre’s take on the dark comedy – opening next week — promises just that.

“Shopping and F***ing,” first produced in 1996, is gay English playwright Mark Ravenhill’s first full length play, one that is considered by many to be among the most controversial of the ‘90s. It’s set in the underbelly of London — a world sprinkled with rent boys and drug lords, shoplifting and desperate attempts to get money, as well as lots of the titular f***ing.

The characters are mostly twentysomethings trying to figure it all out. Mark (Scotty Gannon) is a drug addict living with two other roommates: Robbie (Ian Gaenssley), who is his current lover, and Lulu (Jillian Fratkin), who once was Robbie’s lover. When Mark decides to go to rehab, the others are left on their own, trying to make ends meet and not doing a good job. At one time they try running phone sex lines to get money.

According to director DeWayne Morgan, who also serves as the company’s artistic director, the bond is close between the three. Morgan feels that Mark is the caretaker of the group. At the beginning of the show, Mark tells a story about how he “bought” his two roommates from a colleague. Morgan says it’s never quite clear if he is telling the truth or not, but the others clearly have a hard time without him.

“Shopping and F***ing” was met with decidedly mixed reviews and some scandal upon its debut. Besides adult themes and sexuality and nudity, there is some violence and one eyeopening scene involving a 14-year-old hustler, Gary (Caleb Lawton), who Mark becomes involves with.

Morgan calls the play undeniably racy.

“I’ve know about it for a few years, but I have never read a play like it,” he says. “There is a lot of sex and a lot of naughtiness. This is the most risqué of Mark Ravenhill’s work, his most out-there play.”

At first Morgan was a little concerned that audiences might not be ready for the content, but he now feels they are, saying it is dark but funny.

“I like it because it is black and meaty, but it does have comedy,” he says. “It can gross you out but make you laugh.”

August 6, 2010

bREAk OF REAlITy SINGlE TICkETS ON SAlE AuGuST 10!

Friday, September 17

DAvID SANbORN TRIO FEATuRING JOEy DEFRANCESCO

Friday, October 1

ROCkApEllA Sunday, October 3 Robbie (left, Ian Gaenssly) and Mark (Scotty Ganno) are lovers in gay playwright Mark Ravenhill’s ‘Shopping and F***ing.’

(Photo by Dewayne Morgan)

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com ‘Shopping and F***ing’ Aug. 13 – Sept. 4 Onstage Atlanta 2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033 404-897-1802 www.onstageatlanta.com

One of the attractions for him was the characters, who he feels are especially vivid.

“I love all the characters in this show, and I knew it would be fun for the actors to do this,” he says. “The people in the play do what they have to do for money.”

Gay actor Scotty Gannon plays Mark, a character who he feels wants to help his friends but isn’t quite able.

“He is trying to take some of what he has learned and put it in action,” he says. “He comes home and tries to control every situation, but he hasn’t learned what he needs to know.

He hasn’t gotten through the basic work.”

Mark enters into a sexual relationship with a teenage hustler and struggles to keep his emotions out of the equation.

“He pays for sex with this kid and gets involved but tries to not make it a personal relationship,” he says.

Gannon admits that the show is for adults but that the content is not there just for shock value.

“The racy parts are done with a purpose,” he says. “They are tied into the fabric of the story.

It means something. It’s not gratuitous.”

“Shopping and F***ing” is the first show of the new 2010-2011 season for Process Theatre. Morgan will announce the rest of his season soon.

DIAvOlO

Friday, October 15

pAulA pOuNDSTONE Friday, October 22

MICHAEl bOlTON

Thursday, October 28 AN EvENING WITH

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Saturday, January 29

Saturday, February 12

CIRquE MECHANICS

Friday, February 18

MARGARET CHO Saturday, February 19

DOuG vARONE & DANCERS Saturday, March 5

MElINDA DOOlITTlE

Saturday, March 12

ERIC MARIENTHAl Friday, March 25

NRITyAGRAM DANCE ENSEMblE Sunday, March 27

Friday, November 5

JONAH bOkAER

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Friday, November 12

Saturday, April 2

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kATHy MATTEA SONGS AND THE SEASON

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Friday, December 10

Select 6 or more performances and SAVE 20% off the single ticket price! sponsored by

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30

GA Voice

August 6, 2010

Community

COMMUNITY LOCAL LIFE

www.theGAVoice.com Celebrating a MILESTONE? Share your engage-

ments, weddings, births, adoptions, anniversaries, birthdays and other events! Announcements can be up to 200 words and can include a photo. E-mail editor@ thegavoice.com with your milestone and contact info to see your name in print!

Safety in numbers

Tight security as hundreds turn out for first Marietta Pride

By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com

Some 17 years after Cobb County made international headlines for a resolution condemning the “lifestyle advocated by the gay community” as incompatible with its standards, the county seat of Marietta held its first Gay Pride.

Security was tight for the Marietta Rainbow Festival on July 24, just as it was for the dozens of protests that followed the resolution almost two decades ago. But instead of outrage, the day-long event was a celebration of progress and strength in numbers.

“We’re having a really good time. We’re really pleased with support from the gay community and the straight community,” said Johnathon Murphy, who heads up the North Georgia Rainbow Coalition, which organized the festival.

“There were no major issues. The only thing we can hope for is a bigger one next year,” said Murphy, also president and managing partner of LeBuzz, Marietta’s gay bar. “We hope this festival wipes away that stigma of Marietta being the most anti-gay city in America and just become Marietta. This is about taking a step forward. That’s all we’re trying to do.”

Hundreds of people packed into the plaza where the new LeBuzz is located for the festival; Murphy said more than 1,000 people throughout the day.

“The event far exceeded our expectations,” he said.

The theme for the event was “Our Declaration of Independence.” Nicole Paige Brooks, who is from Marietta and was a contestant on last season’s “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” was the mistress of ceremonies at her hometown’s first Pride. More than 60 performers plus several DJs also donated their time for the first fest.

There was some concern, however, that antigay protesters may show up to the event. There were numerous security guards on hand and Murphy wore a bulletproof vest under his shirt all day after being advised to do so by the event’s security team. Murphy also had a personal security team with him at all times, he said.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” Murphy said. “There was an article in the paper and some of the reactions to that were negative. We were expecting protesters, but not one single one showed up. We just didn’t want to have something happen and not have a contingency plan in place.”

‘A complete success’

Some anti-gay groups also apparently called the city of Marietta and Marietta officials let Murphy know about some of the threats. There were numerous police officers working the event and everyone had their bags checked as they entered the plaza.

But there were no negative or threatening incidents that took place, Murphy said, and he’s already set to plan next year’s fest to be held in June.

“It was incredible,” he said. “It was a complete success. Everything went extremely well — I think it was awesome.”

Jeanie Ward, 58, of Marietta, was shocked when she heard Marietta was holding a Gay Pride event.

“I saw this on Facebook and I have to tell you I almost passed out. I was just stunned,” she said at the fest.

Ward has lived in and out of Georgia over the course of many years and worked for the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative at one time.

Times have changed since the Cobb County Commission in 1993 passed a resolution stating the “life style advocated by the gay community” was “incompatible with the standards to which this community subscribes.” This resolution then led to the formation of Olympics Out of Cobb, a group of LGBT activists that successfully campaigned to keep the Olympics from holding volleyball competitions in Cobb County in 1996.

“I’m just delighted to see this happening in Marietta. I truly had to pinch myself,” Ward said. “This is truly a wonderful thing.”

Andrew Keller, 25, is the DJ for the band La Chansons that played at the fest. Keller, who is gay, is in the band with his older brother, Greg, and his brother’s wife. His parents, Lynn and Gary Keller, were on hand to watch the group play at the first Marietta Pride.

“It’s very exciting. I grew up in Marietta, so it’s really awesome they even have a festival now,” Andrew Keller said.

Jessica Rutledge, 19, of Marietta, was also thrilled about having Pride in her hometown.

Festival organizer Johnathon Murphy (right) with performer Brent Star.

Photos by Dyana Bagby

MORE INFO www.theGAVoice.com MORE INFO • Photo gallery from Marietta Pride North Georgia Rainbow Coalition www.rainbowgeorgia.com

“I think it’s great. I usually go to the one in Atlanta, but it’s great to just drive down the street,” she said.

Timothy Harper, 41, of Marietta and a bartender at LeBuzz, is a classically trained singer with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in opera.

He has sung with the Atlanta Opera and with other orchestras. He wowed the crowd at the Marietta Rainbow Fest.

“Because I believe with all societies and all people, there should be diversity and everybody should have the same rights as everyone else — that’s why I’m here to support this,” he said.

Community

www.theGAVoice.com

GEORGIA SPOTLIGHT

Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce The motto of the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is simple but powerful: “advocacy through economics.” On Aug. 20, the organization hosts its 12th annual Community Awards Dinner, which honors leaders, companies and organizations that bridge the two.

“We’re trying to build the gay dollar and build businesses working together and supporting each other, and the dinner definitely raises that awareness and shows the importance of looking out for each other, making sure our voices are heard, and making sure we are putting money back into our community,” says Ted Bruner, AGLCC president.

AGLCC solicits nominees from its members and others in the community in the categories of Business Woman of the Year, Business Man of the Year, Member of the Year, Corporate Ally and Guardian Angel (which goes to a nonprofit).

The AGLCC narrows the submissions down to five nominees in each category. Winners are then selected by an eight-member committee made up of board members and other commu-

nity leaders. The winners will be announced at the Aug. 20 gala dinner, which will be held at the W Midtown Hotel. An after-party follows at the Artmore Hotel.

Over the last decade, the dinner has grown in respect and influence, Bruner says, particularly for large companies that want to be known as supportive of LGBT employees.

“I do think that the larger corporations are definitely looking at this as a much stronger event, and are taking it much more seriously,” says Bruner, who notes that he first joined the AGLCC in part because his employer, Cox Enterprises, backed the chamber.

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT group, compiles an annual Corporate Equality Index that rates companies on LGBT issues.

The AGLCC was founded in 1994 as the Greater Atlanta Business Coalition. In 1997, it became the first recognized LGBT chamber of commerce in the U.S. The organization held its first community awards dinner in 1998, and changed its name to

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Brushstrokes This year marks a milestone for Brushstrokes, the Atlanta gay variety store that has become the city’s go-to source for Pride items, gifts and many other products.

“Mark Jackson opened the first Atlanta location on Dec. 1, 1989. So this year will be our 21st anniversary,” says Tom Schloeder, who met Jackson in 1992 and has been running the business with him ever since. “Twentyone years is a monumental occasion for most people and we’re really excited about achieving this milestone.”

Brushstrokes’ first store was only 400 square feet, located on North Highland. Its current location in Ansley Square totals 4,200 square feet.

But then, as now, Brushstrokes was dedicated to supporting the LGBT community.

“All of our suppliers had to prove that they supported gay causes, hired openly gay employees, and believe in fairness and equality for all,” Schloeder says.

Brushstrokes is actually now divided into two stores. Brushstrokes/Sensory Overload is a variety store that includes gifts, greeting cards, DVDs, CDs, books, magazines, mag-

nets, collectables, and much more. Capulets/ Brushstrokes Pleasures stocks items like adult toys and novelties, condoms and erotica.

Through the years, Jackson and Schloeder have seen trends and products change, like the transition from VHS to DVD and now Blu Ray. But according to Schloeder, the most notable has been “the need for Pride items.”

“Early on, it was very political. It took a lot of courage for someone to put a rainbow bumper sticker on their car for fear that they might be harassed or fired from their job,” he says, noting that “as public opinion as turned in our favor there has been a lesser demand for these items.”

But that is changing again. “Recent political campaigns have put gay issues back in the spotlight and I think the GLBT community feels newly empowered,” he says. “We think Pride is making a comeback.”

MORE INFO

— Laura Douglas-Brown

Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 404-876-6567, www.brushstrokesatlanta.com

Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in 2003. Its current activities include frequent Business Builder luncheons, Wow Wednesday celebrations and Fourth Friday networking (although there is no Fourth Friday networking in August due to the dinner).

The chamber now cites 420 members and includes as many as 3,000 employees, Bruner says. Members range from large corporations to small companies and individuals.

“I tell people that whatever you need during your day, we have a member who can help with that,” he says.

Community Awards Nominees Business Woman of the Year • Simone Bell, Ga. State Representative (D-58) • Laura Douglas-Brown, GA Voice • Cindy Gardner, Life Touch Coaching • Renee Weese, Minerva Planning Group • Kelly Spurgeon & Pam Ridgway, Advantage Graphics Business Man of the Year • Matt Hennie, Project Q Atlanta • David Hober, Hober Realty • Rick Kern, MixIt Marketing • Gary Raches, Midtown IT • Thomas Ryan, Carma Productions Member of the Year • The Artmore Hotel • John Benthal, The Mission Motif • Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) • Perry Phillips, PerriSparkle Cleaning Services • Pam Schloemer, Schloemer Bookkeeping Corporate Ally • Carma Productions • The Coca Cola Company • Cooper Atlanta Transportation • SunTrust • Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Guardian Angel • For the Kid In All of Us • Gay Fathers of Atlanta • Out on Film • Positive Impact • Stonewall Bar Association

MORE INFO Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce www.atlantagaychamber.org Community Awards Dinner Friday, Aug. 20 VIP reception & silent auction: 6 p.m.

General admission: 7 p.m., Dinner & program: 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $130 VIP; $99 general admission (Tickets can be purchased at the door) The W Midtown 188 14th St., Atlanta, GA 30361

August 6, 2010

GA Voice

31

August 6, 2010

Calendar

BEST BETS 08.06 - 08.20 Photo via Myspace

SPOTLIGHT

Wednesday, Aug. 11 Whoa, Nellie! Actress and activist Alison Arngrim reads from her memoir “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated,” about her experience playing the iconic brat on the “Little House on the Prairie” television series. 7:30-9 p.m. at Outwrite, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309. www.outwritebooks.com

Photo via Myspace

DJ Tony Moran spins at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Singer-songwriter Nathan Beaver plays two shows at Eddie’s Attic to celebrate the release of his new CD “Universal You.” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030. www.eddiesattic.com

Friday, Aug. 6 – Sunday, Aug. 8

Enjoy Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week through Aug. 8, where you can enjoy three-course meals for $25 or $35. Visit www.atlantadowntown.com for a list of participating restaurants.

“Cats,” including gay actor John Jacob Lee as Skimbleshanks, plays at the Fox Theatre through Aug. 8. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.ticketmaster.com The National Organization for Marriage — you know, the group that said a “gathering storm” was brewing because gay people who love each other want marriage rights— is coming to Atlanta to protest gay marriage. A counter protest is planned. The “Love + Commitment = Marriage” rally by Queer Justice League of Atlanta is set for 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Woodruff Park, followed by a “counter witness” and protest from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the front side of the state capitol. www.facebook.com/QJL.Atlanta The gay Atlanta Bucks hosts a Rugby 101 MiniCamp to recruit for the fall season. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Charles Allen entrance of Piedmont Park. www.atlantabucksrugby.org

Photo via Myspace

Looking for LGBT-inclusive worship services? Visit www.thegavoice.com and click “Community,” then “Organizations,” then search our list of Religious Organizations for the right faith community for you.

Cliterati’s open no-mic is hosted by the spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis; this month’s featured guest is prize-winning poet Lacey Roop. 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org

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

Cyndi Lauper joins forces with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and David Rhodes. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.classicchastain.com. After the concert, join Chris Coleman Enterprises for an after party at Compound. No cover with wristband from concert. A portion of each ticket sold will go to Pets Are Loving Support. DJs Sean Mac and Mike Pope spin. 1008 Brady Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.compoundatl.com, chriscolemanenterprises.com

Sunday, Aug. 8

Thursday, Aug. 19

ADD YOUR EVENT

Friday, Aug. 6

Saturday, Aug. 7

Saturday, Aug. 14

www.theGAVoice.com

The Hotlanta River Expo was one of the world’s first gay circuit parties. Remember the glory days with Atlanta River Raft Race: Reunited, a benefit for Atlanta Cotillion, which raises funds for AID Atlanta. 10 a.m. at Powers Island in the Chattahoochee National Park. $60 reservation includes raft and safety gear; prizes for group with most creative raft. www.atlantacotillion.com/riverraft

Saturday, Aug. 14

Perpetually on the D-List but tops on the gay-list, comedian Kathy Griffin brings her live show to the Fox Theatre. Shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Fox, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308. www.ticketmaster.com

MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS

www.theGAVoice.com www.theGAVoice

Photo via mansionelan.com

GA Voice

32

Looking for more events? Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife schedules and community organization meetings, provided by our friends at ProjectQAtlanta.com.

Join all of Atlanta’s International Gay Bowling Organization teams for a no-tap and fall bowling league sign-ups. 1-4 p.m. at Midtown Bowl, 1936 Piedmont Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30324. http://www. facebook.com/event.php?eid=133121246725243

Grant Harris signs “Under the Red Velvet Cover,” his memoir about childhood sexual abuse. 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com

The Atlanta Freedom Bands and Color Guard start their “Step off to Pride,” preparing for the marching season leading up to the October festival.

Rehearsal from 6-8 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 501 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. www.atlantafreedombands.com

Atlanta Women’s All About Business Networking meets the second Tuesday of each month. Tonight’s meeting is hosted by Marshall Graham, sales executive for the Georgia Voice. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Agave, 242 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

Enjoy same-sex couples dance lessons with Toni Ralston, followed by a dance party with DJ. 6-8:45 p.m. at Mei Zhong Taiji Studio, 533-D West Howard St., Suite D, Decatur, GA 30030. meetup.com/lgbtfriends-174/

Monday, Aug. 9

YouthPride, Atlanta’s center for LGBT young people, hosts free HIV testing, the Empowered Forum, and Trans & Friends discussion group tonight. All meet at the YouthPride center, 1017 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. For times and the full weekly schedule of discussion groups, drop-in hours and other events, visit www.youthpride.org It’s sushi with a side of sass every Monday as Nickiemoto’s hosts the family-friendly Dragamaki show with Bubba D. Licious, Alexandria Martin and Diamond Monroe. 8:30-10:30 p.m. at Nickiemoto’s, 990 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.

Tuesday, Aug. 10

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts one of its series of Business Builder lunches.

11:55 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Kirkwood Public House, 1963 Hosea Williams, Atlanta, GA 30317. Also check their website for upcoming lunches at SOHO in Vinings (Aug. 11), Cowtippers (Aug. 17) and Marlow’s in Northlake (Aug. 18). www.atlantagaychamber.org The Atlanta Dream takes on the Seattle Storm.

7 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com

Wednesday, Aug. 11

The theme for this month’s PALS Bingo is “Red Hat Society,” so don yours and head out to Jungle for the popular monthly fundraiser for Pets Are Loving Support, which helps people with HIV and other serious health conditions care for their pets.

6:30-11 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324. www.palsatlanta.org

Calendar August 6, 2010

www.theGAVoice.com Photo via Myspace

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young play Philips Arena. 7:30 p.m. at 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com

Thursday, Aug. 12

Catch up with Carrie and the girls as “Sex & The City 2,” featuring out actress Cynthia Nixon as Miranda, shows on the big screen at the Fox Theatre.

Film at 7:30 p.m., party before at 5:30 p.m. $30 party ticket includes film and a martini; $8 ticket for movie only. 60 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. www.ticketmaster.com It’s the grand opening of Piedmont Park’s new dog park. Opening party is $5 per dog, with special packages for $10 and $50. Party is from 6-8 p.m. Online registration at www.piedmontpark.org Charis Circle presents author and professional organizer Judith Kolberg with tips on how to make your life less-cluttered and more organized. 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org

Friday, Aug. 13

Fourth Tuesday, a networking and supportive social group for lesbian and bi women, hosts its monthly happy hour. 6-8 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 B Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306. www.fourthtuesday.org The Atlanta Dream takes on the New York Liberty.

7 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com My Sisters’ Room hosts the Friday Night Beat Down, a competition between top female DJs. Tonight: DJ Annalyze vs. Beverly Skillz. Doors open at 10 p.m. 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com Process Theatre presents “Shopping and F**king”

by Mark Ravenhill, which opens today and runs through Sept. 4 at OnStage Atlanta, 2597 N. Decatur Rd. Atlanta, GA 30033, www.onstageatlanta.tix.com “Patrik Age 1.5,” about two gay men who adopt a child who doesn’t turn out to be quite what they expected, opens today at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Dr., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.landmarktheatres.com

Saturday, Aug. 14

Singer-songwriter Roseanne Cash, daughter of Johnny Cash, reads and signs her memoir “Composed,” and will also perform a few songs on a custom Martin D-41 guitar that will be auctioned at the event to benefit the Decatur Book Festival. 7-9 p.m. at Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College, 141 E College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030.

Experience the “alterna-grass” music of the fiveperson Roxie Watson band, which includes Beth Wheeler, Lenny Lasater, Linda Bolley, Sonia Tetlow and Becky Shaw – all veterans of Atlanta’s queer-inclusive acoustic music scene. 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030. www.eddiesattic.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 12

Atlanta Queer Literary Festival Fundraiser is part music, part comedy and all very queer.

Lineup includes KenJ, Lucas Mire, Bucky Motter, Andy Ditzler, Guyton Maurice, and the debut of Julia Carroll and Amy Lashley’s band, Without a Net. Comedians include Alyssa Barnett-Schott, Mindy Dawn Friedman, Sanders Hulsey and Vivian Alford. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515 B North McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, eddiesattic.com, atlqueerlitfest.blogspot.com

Erykah Badu performs at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 8 p.m. at 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com Remember the Chamber? Mon Cherie’s Club Fetish has a second annual reunion with live fetish performances and DJ 313 at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com “He/She & Me: A Love Story,” about a woman whose husband decides to transition to female, plays through Aug. 15 at the Academy Theatre, 119 Center St., Avondale Estates, GA 30002, www.brownpapertickets.com

Sunday, Aug. 15

Sunday means Papi’s Brunch at Las Maragaritas with DJ Karlitos. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Las Margaritas, 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324. www.lasmargaritasmidtown.com The gay National Flag Football League of Atlanta holds a beer bust to raise money for teams traveling to Arizona for the gay Super Bowl. 2-9 p.m. at FROGS Cantina, 31 Monroe Drive #A107, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.nffla.com

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GA Voice

August 6, 2010 Calendar

“Sunrise was our first and very best choice” - Cathy Luce, Magical Meals Personal Chef Service www.mychefsite.com/magicalmeals

Families trust Sunrise as their choice for Senior Living.

My mother has been lovingly cared for at Sunrise of Decatur for ten years now. There is an inexpressible comfort to know she is happy, peaceful, content and lovingly cared for in the safety of Sunrise of Decatur. It has been such a blessing to my partner and me to see my mother’s contentment and happiness. It allows us to sleep well at night knowing she is “at home” and that my partner, our son and I are always welcomed and communicated with as a family.

-Cathy Luce, Magical Meals Personal Chef Service, www.mychefsite.com/magicalmeals

Call 404-377-6111 to schedule a personal tour today!

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

Monday, Aug. 16

The “Superfraiche” pop concert series comes to Atlanta, with Dragonette, Shy Child and Barry Brandon performing at the Drunken Unicorn at MJQ Concourse. 9 p.m to 11:30 p.m. at 736 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306. www.arjanwrites.com

Tuesday, Aug. 17

Tuesday night is Gay Film Festival at the Heretic; call 404-325-3061 for tonight’s feature. 9:30 p.m. at 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Wednesday, Aug. 18

The Atlanta Police Foundation holds Dine Out for a Safer Atlanta to benefit the reward fund for Crime Stoppers Atlanta. 5 p.m. to midnight at restaurants across the city, which will donate 10 percent of sales to CSA. For participating restaurants, visit www.atlantapolicefoundation.org

404-377-6111

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Assisted Living • Memory Care For more information and a FREE online newsletter, visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com

Color 40436 Sunrise Senior Living Community: Decatur PUB: GA Voice Title: Ellis Testimonial Size: 4.917”X 7.583” Insertion: 6/11, 7/9, 8/6 Material: 6/4

FRIDAY, AUG. 20

DJ Vicki Powell spins at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316. www.mysistersroom.com

UPCOMING

Butch? Femme? What makes a man? The Gay Men’s Outreach Program at AID Atlanta holds a discussion of “The Butch Factor: Defining the Modern Gay Man.” 7 p.m. at AID Atlanta, 1605 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309. www.aidatlanta.org Heart performs with Neko Case at 8 p.m. at Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com Barry Brandon presents live music with Kyle Kirkland and Tim Essary. 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com

Sunrise of Decatur

www.theGAVoice.com

Dr. Mary Anne Bellinger, education coordinator for First Afrikan Church’s HIV/AIDS Initiative, discusses “Sex & Spirituality in the Christian Church” as part of the monthly Faiths & Feminisms discussion group. 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org

Thursday, Aug. 19

MEGA Family Project holds “Coming Home,” its free monthly coming out support group for ages 18 and older. 7-8:30 p.m. at Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. www.megafamilyproject.org

Friday, Aug. 20

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual gala Community Awards Dinner.

Black-tie optional; tickets $99 or $130 for VIP. 6-9:30 p.m. at the W Midtown, 188 14th St., Atlanta, Georgia 30361. www.atlantagaychamber.org

SATURDAY, AUG. 21

Queer rockers Scissor Sisters plays Atlanta. 8 p.m. at Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30305 www.ticketmaster.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 22

Donna Summer plays at 8 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25

The B-52s and Blondie rock Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 7:30 p.m. at 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1 – MONDAY, SEPT. 6

Labor Day Weekend brings the world’s largest Black Gay Pride celebration to Atlanta. Events kick off Wednesday with a candle light vigil and run through Monday with film screenings, literature readings, a health expo, community luncheon, jazz brunch, fashion show, and packed schedule of nightlife offerings. www.inthelifeatl.com

www.theGAVoice.com

August 6, 2010

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