V10-41 10-14-26
Rocky Horror Returns to Atlanta
Pride is Over! Now What?
Lavender Lens: The Voting Purity Test
Plus Photos & More
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OCT 14 2026 V10-41
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The Rocky Horror Picture Show Returns to Atlanta
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
A “Spooktacular” night of corsets, callbacks and queer cultural history gets an added poignancy following the passing of Tim Curry.
Some things simply refuse to die. Fifty years after The Rocky Horror Picture Show first invited audiences into the bizarre world of Dr. Frank-NFurter, the cult classic is still drawing crowds, inspiring costumes and encouraging generations of fans to shout things at the screen that would make most movie theaters call security. Now, Rocky Horror is returning to Atlanta for a very special night—and following the recent passing of Tim Curry, the man who made Frank-NFurter an unforgettable icon, the occasion carries a little more emotional weight.
forever known as the adorably square Brad Majors, and Campbell, the gloriously glittery Columbia, will host an evening built around the original, unedited film, a live local Shadow Cast and all the audience participation that has made Rocky Horror unlike virtually any other movie experience. And yes, costumes.
that
means
The evening includes a “Spooktacular” Costume Contest, audience rituals and plenty of opportunities to yell, dance and generally behave as though you have just stumbled into the Frankenstein Place. Curry died on August 25 at Every ticket also includes a his Los Angeles home at age bag of Rocky Horror props for 80. While his career stretched audience participation. across stage, film and television, his performance as For longtime fans, there is an the seductive, gender-bending especially delicious bonus: Frank-N-Furter remains his Bostwick will perform “Once most defining cultural legacy. in a While,” Brad’s song from the original stage production That makes the upcoming that was ultimately cut from Rocky Horror Picture Show: the movie. Spooktacular Tour feel less like a simple anniversary Bostwick has always celebration and more like understood the deeper a chance to celebrate impact of the film. “Rocky the performer—and the has changed lives and had a character—who helped profound effect on how we generations of outsiders feel a accept our differences in this little less outside. world,” he says, recalling how the cast slipped into On Sunday, October 18, corsets and heels and created the tour lands at Atlanta something that would outlive Symphony Hall, bringing virtually every expectation. original cast members Barry “And ‘dammit Janet!’ I have Bostwick and Nell Campbell made nerds cool.” back to the stage. Bostwick,
Campbell is equally delighted to be back in the madness. “I never would have thought all these years later we’d be touring our little ole film,” she says. “I’m so thrilled to get back on the road and to meet several generations of fans.” It is difficult to overstate just how improbable Rocky Horror’s longevity really is. Released in 1975, the film was a gleefully strange collision of science fiction, horror, rock ’n’ roll, sexual liberation and pure theatrical camp. Curry’s FrankN-Furter was at its flamboyant center, surrounded by Bostwick and Susan Sarandon as Brad and Janet, Campbell as Columbia, Patricia Quinn as Magenta, Meat Loaf as Eddie and creator Richard O’Brien as Riff Raff. Rather than fading away, the film became a midnight-movie phenomenon and eventually the longest-running theatrical release in film history. But its real legacy isn’t measured in box-office numbers or longevity records. Rocky Horror created a place where being different wasn’t merely tolerated—it was celebrated. Its message of sexual freedom, selfexpression and chosen community has resonated particularly deeply within LGBTQ+ culture, where the movie’s invitation to throw away the rulebook has become part of its enduring appeal.
costumes, callbacks and memories to the experience. In Atlanta, that tradition gets another chapter. Come as Brad. Come as Columbia. Come as Frank. Come as a virgin. Just don’t come boring. After all, as Rocky Horror has proved for half a century, the Time Warp waits for absolutely no one.
HOW TO SEE IT
Curry’s death makes that legacy even more striking. His Frank-N-Furter was outrageous, seductive, funny, unapologetically queer and utterly unlike the conventional leading men audiences were accustomed to seeing in 1975. His performance didn’t simply
play with gender and sexuality; it made flamboyance magnetic. And that is precisely why the Rocky Horror tradition continues. Every new generation gets to discover Frank, Brad, Janet, Columbia and the gang— and then add its own screams,
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Spooktacular Tour takes over Atlanta Symphony Hall on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. The evening features Barry Bostwick and Nell Campbell, the full unedited film, a live Shadow Cast and the costume contest. VIP Meet & Greet packages include premium seating, a photo opportunity with Bostwick and Campbell, an exclusive VIP laminate and an autograph opportunity. General admission tickets are also available. Atlanta Symphony Hall 1280 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30309 Tickets and VIP information are available through Atlanta Symphony Hall.
Pride Is Over. Now What? Your guide to surviving the post-Pride blues, recharging your body, and keeping the queer joy alive. Atlanta Pride has come and gone, the glitter has (mostly) washed off, and suddenly you’re expected to return to emails, errands, and everyday responsibilities like you didn’t just spend an entire weekend surrounded by thousands of fabulous queer people. Rude, honestly. The transition from unadulterated queer joy to your regular routine can feel downright cruel. After days of dancing, celebrating, connecting, and maybe making a few questionable decisions (no judgment here!), it’s perfectly normal to experience a little post-Pride crash. But don’t despair! Just because the party is over doesn’t mean the good feelings have to disappear. Here’s your guide to recovering your body, resetting your mind, and keeping that Pride energy going long after the last rainbow flag has been folded away.
1. Hydrate Like Your Fabulous Life Depends on It
3. Give Your Body Some TLC
Your feet hurt, your legs ache, and you’re Between the cocktails, dancing, Atlanta discovering muscles you didn’t know heat, and possibly forgetting that water existed. Instead of jumping straight exists, your body has been through a back into an intense workout, consider lot. Start by replenishing those fluids. a gentle walk, stretching, yoga, or a Water is your best friend right now, and relaxing bath. A little movement can help an electrolyte drink can help if you’ve you feel human again without pushing been sweating excessively. Throw in your already exhausted body. And if your some nourishing meals, fresh fruit, and voice is still somewhere on the dance vegetables. Your body deserves more floor, give those vocal cords a break, too. than leftover pizza and iced coffee, even if that’s all you’re craving. 4. The Post-Pride Blues Are Real
2. Beauty Sleep Isn’t Just a Saying If your weekend involved more afterhours than actual hours of sleep, it’s time to catch up. Sleep is essential for physical recovery, emotional regulation, and immune function. Aim for seven to nine hours a night and give yourself permission to skip a social engagement or two. That cute guy from the dance floor can wait. Your pillow cannot.
After a weekend filled with connection, acceptance, and celebration, everyday life can suddenly feel a little quieter and lonelier. That emotional dip is understandable, especially if Pride provides a rare opportunity to feel completely yourself. Be gentle with your mental health. Take breaks from social media if the endless Pride recaps make you feel like you’re missing out. Journal about your favorite moments, call a friend, or simply allow yourself to decompress. If feelings of sadness or anxiety linger or become
THANK YOU! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
HAPPY ATLANTA 2026
overwhelming, reaching out to a mental health professional can help. Remember, you don’t have to be fabulous every single day. 5. Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby Pride can bring plenty of opportunities for flirting, intimacy, and spontaneous connections. No shame in that game! But a little post-Pride sexual health check-in is always a good idea.
let those connections disappear when the weekend ends. Text that new friend, follow up with someone you met, or make plans with your chosen family. Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community doesn’t vanish after Pride. There are queerowned businesses, community organizations, volunteer opportunities, and events happening throughout the year. Staying connected is one of the best ways to keep that sense of belonging alive.
Remember, Pride Is a Feeling, Not If you had new sexual partners, consider 7. Just a Weekend scheduling STI testing, even if you’re feeling perfectly fine. Many infections The rainbow crosswalks, fabulous don’t cause noticeable symptoms, outfits, and packed dance floors might and testing windows vary. If you may be what make Pride unforgettable, have been exposed to HIV and aren’t but its true magic comes from being on effective PrEP, PEP must be started unapologetically yourself. within 72 hours, so seek medical care immediately. If you’re not already taking PrEP, now might be a great time to Carry that energy into your everyday life. explore your options. Wear something fabulous on a random Tuesday. Support queer businesses. Check in on your friends. Stand up for And remember, sexual wellness includes your community. And most importantly, emotional well-being, consent, and remember that you deserve the same joy, feeling good about your choices. freedom, and love every other day of the Celebrate your sexuality while taking year. care of yourself. 6. Keep the Connections, Not Just the Photos
Atlanta Pride may be over, but your Pride doesn’t have an expiration date.
One of the most beautiful things about Pride is the community it creates. Don’t
Now drink some water, take a nap, and start planning your next queer adventure.
The Lavender Lens
When Did Voting Become a Purity Test? By Tristan Lane for The Lavender Lens There is a peculiar ritual that takes place every election season. Gather a group of gay men around a table, add cocktails, mention an election and wait approximately seven minutes.
disappoint us. Democracy almost guarantees that nobody gets everything they want. But purity offers something much more satisfying: certainty.
Someone will announce that they simply cannot vote for Candidate X. Not because they prefer Candidate Y. Oh no. Because Candidate X disappointed them.
I refused to compromise. I stood by my principles. My conscience is clean.
Twenty years ago they supported the wrong legislation. They aren’t sufficiently progressive on Gaza. They compromised on transgender policy. They didn’t say enough about something. They said too much about something else. And suddenly we aren’t choosing elected officials.
But elections continue counting ballots while we polish our consciences. That doesn’t mean people should automatically vote for a party regardless of its candidate. Quite the opposite. There are perfectly rational reasons to cross party lines, vote for an independent, abstain from a particular race or decide that an issue is simply non-negotiable.
We’re auditioning saints. Politics becomes less about deciding who should exercise power and more about demonstrating what sort of person I am. That distinction fascinates me. Because voting can perform two very different functions. It can be expressive: This vote represents me, my values and my conscience. Or it can be instrumental: Given the choices actually available, which outcome most closely produces the government and policies I want? Neither approach belongs exclusively to gay voters, Democrats, Republicans or anyone else. Indeed, the numbers challenge one of our favorite political stereotypes. In the 2024 presidential election, 95 percent of Republican voters supported the Republican candidate. But 95 percent of Democratic voters supported the Democratic candidate too. So perhaps the interesting divide isn’t really between disciplined Republicans and hopelessly emotional Democrats. Perhaps it lies somewhere else. Within communities like ours, politics can carry an additional emotional weight because politics has quite literally determined the boundaries of our lives. Who could serve openly. Who could marry. Whose relationships were legally recognized. Who could be fired. Who could adopt. Whose existence could be discussed in a classroom. For many LGBTQ people, politics has never been an abstract argument over marginal tax rates. It has been personal. And when politics is personal, compromise can feel suspiciously like betrayal. That is where the purity test begins. We stop asking, What will this election produce? And start asking, What does my vote say about me? Those are not the same question. One is about consequences. The other is about identity. There is also something seductive about moral absolutism. Compromise is messy. Coalitions contain people we don’t particularly like. Candidates have histories. Governments
Fine.
Those decisions belong to the voter. But perhaps we should be more intellectually honest about what we are doing. A protest vote is still a political action. Not voting is still a political action. Voting for the lesser of two imperfect choices is a political action. And every one of those choices has consequences beyond the satisfaction—or discomfort—we feel walking out of the voting booth. Maybe the mature political question isn’t: “Does this candidate deserve my vote?” Maybe there are several questions. What policies matter most to me? What compromises am I prepared to tolerate? What are my nonnegotiable(s)? What happens under each possible outcome? And which consequences am I prepared to live with? Those questions are considerably less glamorous than declaring someone morally unacceptable over brunch. But democracy was never designed to provide us with soulmates. It gives us choices. Usually imperfect ones. Perhaps the greatest political maturity isn’t abandoning principle. It is understanding the difference between principle, protest and consequence and consciously deciding which one you are voting for. Because your ballot is secret. Its consequences aren’t.
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227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
6 My Sister’s Room66 12th St NE 7 X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave NE
9 Casa Almanera 991 Piedmont Ave NE 10 Campagnolo 980 Piedmont Ave NE 16 G’s Midtown 219 10th St NE 17 Henry’s 132 10th St NE 19 La Hacienda 900 Monroe Dr NE
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14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
spa/bath 15 Flex Spa
76 4th St. NW
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26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights
1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd
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1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
35 Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 36 Oscar's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Mary's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave SE Lips Atlanta 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE The T Woof's 494 Plasters Ave NE
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39 Boy Next Door 40 Barking Leather
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1447 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
41 Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L
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Atlanta Pride Parade 2026 @ Atlanta Midtown More (& larger) online at davidatlanta.com
Photos by: Russ Youngblood
A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in DAVID & visit their websites for weekly event listings.
SNAPS BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE CHESHIRE HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE WESTSIDE MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW 840ATL 840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd
BOGGS SOCIAL & SUPPLY 1310 White St. SW Atlanta, GA 30310 boggssocial.com ANSLEY ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE TRIPPS fb: tripps-bar 1931 Piedmont Cir NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK, EDGEWOOD, & DECATUR MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE ỂRE ATLANTA loreatl.com 466 Edgewood Ave loreatl.com CHOO CHOO’S 3711 N. Decatur 770-374-4343
DINING MIDTOWN CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE TUK TUK THAI FOOD ỂFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW DEKALB LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
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MIDTOWN BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear. com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A
SPAS/BATHS ADULT FLEX SPA flexspas.com 76 4th St NW
ANSLEY
SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
Pride Weekend 2026 @ BJ Roosters More (& larger) online at davidatlanta.com
Photos by: Russ Youngblood
Natalie Venetia Belcon, Photo by Bradley Credit
Oct 27 - Nov 1 • Fox Theatre For tickets visit BroadwayInAtlanta.com
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It ’s Cocktober which means SWALLOWEEN! I wonder how many people meet me and think “wtf was that?!”
Gay people can’t just say that they like a song…
Life ain’t all hotdogs and handjobs. I’ve decided I’m not old. I’m 25 plus shipping and handling. or some tissue! I’m not famous yet, but my therapist says I have the energy.
It’s gay law that if a guy calls you cute, he wants you to top, and if he Venus is in retrograde. calls you handsome, he wants you to Nobody change their hair. bottom.