black pride legacy
history of black gay atlanta’s 10th anniversary press conference
the 1st lady of history of black gay america, angela hutchins
atlanta black gay prIde 25th annIversary sneak prevIeW
ABOUT OUR COVER MODEL:
Angela Hutchins was originally raised in New York City along with her 2 sisters, and relocated with her family to Atlanta Georgia in 1985. She graduated from Jonesboro Senior High School in Clayton County, Georgia and was a Top Athlete in Track & Field, Baseball, Gymnastics and the Girls Varsity Basketball Team, along with participating in the school’s Drama Club.
Her 1st opportunity came when she was selected as a Plus Size Model with legendary modeling agent and entrepreneur Rhonda Wilkins. She was featured as a Print Model in Hotlanta Hair Magazine from 2010-2011, and Salon Bliss magazine from 2011-2013.
She Joined Meak Productions’ LGBT EXCLUSIVE Talent Agency in late Summer of 2015.
(Model Photos by Meak Productions, Inc.)
In January of 2016, Meak Pro deemed Angela as the 1st Lady of History of Black Gay Atlanta (the Agency’s National Black LGBT Division). She was the main brand ambassador and media representative for the Agency’s annual presence at Atlanta Black Gay Pride.
She was recently casted for the pilot series by Sweet Boy Productions, “You Give Good Love” which is scheduled to debut this Fall Season. She is also currently a cast member of the premiere hit reality series, “Women In The Life”, now in production, and is a cast member of the new stage play, Four Wives & A Will” scheduled to debut this Summer Season. Follow Angela on Social Media IG: @angel.hutch FB: @1stLadyAngela
Whoopie Whoopsies: 5 Perilous Places to Have Sex
by Mikey Rox
Your bedroom may not be the most adventurous or appealing place to have sex, but at least it’s safe – unlike these five sought-after lovemaking destinations. From revving your engine in the car to taking flight in a locked and upright position, avoid these five lustful locations like your life depends on it.
In the Car
While it may seem innocuous to unbuckle your seat belt and delight your partner with an impromptu road head sesh, it can be dangerously distracting. Speeding, drifting out of the lane, and letting go of the steering wheel are common consequences of sex acts while driving, according to the journal of Accident Analysis and Prevention, all of which can lead to tragedy – and don’t expect to get off easy if that happens: Several drivers have gone to prison for manslaughter after their partners were ejected from the car and killed during auto-sex gone wrong.
At Your Place of Employment
Many employers prohibit workplace romance for one reason: When the relationship goes awry, it can affect productivity and morale. Throw sex into the mix (who hasn’t daydreamed about sending the contents of their desk to the floor in the throes of passion?) and it’s a ticking time bomb poised to decimate everything in its path – especially if one or the other’s business is shady. One survey conducted by the Vault reported that 45% of employees have known a married co-worker to have an affair at the office, while another 36% admitted to knowing a married co-worker who
engaged in sexual liaisons while on a business trip. Perhaps this is nothing to pursue if the covert dealings go off without a hitch, but expect HR to intervene if these ‘side gigs’ starts affecting the company’s reputation or revenue.
In the Great Outdoors
Sex outdoors is only illegal if you get caught, which is why you should ensure there’s no potential for discovery – California law will brand you a sex offender for life if you’re caught exposing yourself in the vicinity of anyone unsuspecting – so it’s wise to keep your au-natural lovin’ limited to secluded areas that have little to no traffic. But while enjoying each other physically deep on the woods during a hike may seem safe, you should take precautions: Examine the area for would-be deterrents, like unpleasant flora and fauna, to avoid insect bites and poison-plant exposure where the sun don’t shine.
At the Gym
It’s a common occurrence in urban gyms to witness or even participate in sex acts in the steam rooms and saunas, but you may reconsider the extent of your trysts with these staggering statistics. According to Men’s Health, “Those white, fluffy towels stacked neatly by the showers have the appearance of being fresh and clean, but they might be teaming with E. coli or MRSA. Sometimes gyms use the same transport containers for dirty and ‘clean’ towels, which often pass-through multiple employees’ hands before landing in the locker room.” If that’s not enough to make you
recoil before terry-snapping that hot guy’s ass, let this fester: Men’s Fitness revealed a few more common gym germs found on equipment and in the locker room, including HPV, Klebsiella, staph, Candida, strep and influenza –not to mention the potential STDs you can contract from physical contact or fluid exchange with another gym-goer.
On a Plane
Your hot-blooded relationship coupled with a long flight is basically an invitation to join the coveted Mile-High Club – 95% of flyers said they want to become members of the secret society, according to a Skyscanner survey – but you could be in for a rude awakening once you reach your final destination if you get caught, just one of the many unfortunate results of post9/11 heightened security. While flight
attendants still largely look the other way when a couple “moves about the cabin,” not all passengers get lucky. In the early aughts, two British men set off a full-scale security alert when they ventured to the bathroom for an in-theclouds quickie. Fighter jets were called in to escort the plane to landing at JFK, and the embarrassed blokes were sent back to the United Kingdom from whence they came.
Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He’s currently nomading across the country in his van, seeking queer excitement everywhere he roams. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @ mikeyroxtravels
MEAK PRODUCTIONS’ ANNUAL BLACK GAY PRIDE PRESS CONFERENCE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride Celebration. As always, the Annual Black Pride Press Conference series, produced by Meak Productions’ black gay outreach subsidiary, History of Black Gay America, will be return with its 1st public press event since the pandemic.
Now celebrating its 10th Anniversary, the Annual Press Conference will take place on Friday, August 23rd at 7 PM - 10 PM at Meak Productions’ Studio Office, located 1342 Glenwood Ave SE in the historic East Atlanta Village.
Launched & known under the brand signature, History of Black Gay Atlanta, this Annual Press Conference is designed to showcase ALL major organizers, event producers, non-profits and nightlife promoters who are responsible for the yearly success of Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride Celebration, known as the world’s largest black pride event since 2003.
“I never expected this event and movement to turn into what it is now”, stated Miko Evans - Executive Producer of Meak Productions, Inc. “At this year’s press event, we will celebrate 25 years of Black Pride by inducting the 1st 3 of our Premiere History of Black Gay Atlanta Hall of Fame & Justice: In The Life Atlanta, Traxx Atlanta & The Marquette Lounge.”
This Year’s 10th Anniversary Press Conference event will be hosted by the 1st Lady of History of Black Gay America, Angela Hutchins, along with Special Guest Star and Reality Sensation: Imani Vanzap (Self-Love Coach & Pop Culture Commentator). Special Anniversary award recognitions will also be presented, along with catered food and bar.
Representatives from the MAJOR organizers such as the Atlanta Black Pride, Inc. (Host organization), Pure Heat Community Festival, Blue Diamond Entertainment, Ebanman, Inc., along with NEW production groups to share and discuss signature events and celebrity guests that are scheduled and confirmed to appear this year.
All Media Representatives interested in attending MUST RSVP via our Eventbrite page (located below). Prior Questions can also be submitted in advance if desired at: media@meakproductions.com / meak2000@hotmail. com
All Participants and Attendees are ENCOURAGED to bring marketing materials, banners, postcards, business cards, etc., for networking purposes. The 25th Anniversary Celebration of Atlanta Black Gay Pride begins on Tuesday, August 31st and continue till Monday, September 6th. Some events will end on Tuesday, September 7th.
To RSVP Online for the Annual Black Pride Press Conferences, Visit the Eventbrite Invite at: https://historyofblackgayatlanta.eventbrite.com Written & Presented by Miko Evans for
Meak Productions, Inc.
LINGERING SHADE
Weird Like Us: dragon Con Is onLy as QUeer as We
by Scott king
You are not alone. Nor are you special.
That’s the good news – and the good news. It’s the paradox of assuming we’re all totally unique while secretly hoping we aren’t total freaks.
Then you go to a concert. Or a comic book convention. You see people who are just like you, and it heartens you. It also deflates you. One time at New York Pride I ran into a guy wearing the exact same Hole T-shirt as me. We took a picture and linked up on Facebook. It was fetch.
At the end of the day, and the beginning, people are all the same. We need a place to use the bathroom, we need to feel special, and we need to feel not alone.
Enter Dragon Con, the uniquely Atlanta version of comic book conventions, such as Comic-Con and MKnightShamalamadingdongCon. I made that last one up.
At the last Dragon Con, pre-Covid, I went with a few buddies to watch the pro wrestling show on opening night. I swear to God you have to get yourself to a pro wrestling show. It was like a cross between a gay strip club and a monster truck rally. The vibe was amazing. We scoped out the hot guys in the ring as well as the ones ringside. Yummy wannabe jock-superhero-wrestling fanbros watching every move attentively. Total babe fest. Then we walked around the rest of the convention hall checking out the monsters and gods on parade.
are
We spotted a guy in the cafeteria doing the same thing, except he was straight. And shirt- less. For no reason.
His costume was Lust. Naked-to-the-waist lust. Checking out babes wasn’t sport for him; it was crusade.
I think about that guy a lot. And my buddy. To go after what he wants, to articulate his desire, he can only be himself. He doesn’t need a costume. He barely needs clothes.
What character are we playing? Who are we when we’re at Dragon Con? Who are we when we’re at the bar? Who are we when we’re on the street or on the internet or, alas, in the break room at work. Remember work?
What costume, what mask, do we wear? And when we pull the mask down or fling the costume aside, is what lies underneath the revelation of our true character, or is it just another layer of subterfuge?
I often end my columns with whimsical bon mots of wisdom, with varying levels of applicability. This week, I’m going to put on the costume of rock and roll and quote one of my very favorite song lyrics of all time, which is, 25 years in, still very applicable to the queerness of modern life, and the modern life of queerness.
This is from “Balloon,” a song by Imperial Teen, copyright 1996.
“I’m the type of guy who doesn’t have a type at all/I’m not dressed for this climate, someone take me to the mall/Drink toilet water, learn to stare, and eat the food that rots/We’re living in the cloisters where our subtext is our plot.”
At Dragon Con, everyone is a voyeur and an exhibitionist, simultaneously. The exhibitionists are watching the voyeurs to make sure they’re watching, and the voyeurs are watching their phones watching the exhibitionists. They can’t believe their eyes. That’s why they always have their phones handy. So they can keep proving to themselves that it’s real, over and over.
One of my buddies’ buddies, he and I bonded. He was just like me. When he’s in the zone, he’s checking out every dude, and every hot guy makes him happier than a virgin in a whorehouse. Every. Time.
Ain’t that the truth.
See you at Dragon Con, whoever you are.
“Scott King writes and lives in
likes to go for
long
with no destination in mind. If you see him out walking, please say hello.”
midtown Atlanta. He
long,
walks
CHAT
BARS
2
iend
BARS & CLUBS
MIDTOWN
ATLANTA EAGLE CLOSED atlantaeagle.com
306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
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
TEN ATLANTA tenatlanta.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE
modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE
hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
of Gay
bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
DINING
MIDTOWN
10TH & PIEDMONT 10thandpiedmont. com 991 Piedmont Ave NE
EINSTEIN’S einsteinsatlanta. com 1077 Juniper St NE
FROGS CANTINA frogsmidtown.com 931 Monroe Dr
G’S gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE
HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE
JOE’S ON JUNIPER joesonjuniper.com 1049 Juniper St NE
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE
CHESHIRE
LAS MARGARITAS lasmargaritasmidtown.com 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ROXX 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
DEKALB
LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
RETAIL
MIDTOWN
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE
SOUTHERN NIGHTS
VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ANSLEY
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
FITNESS
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE
The history of cosplay is a long and very detailed one because the history of costumes goes back ages. For as long as people have been performing, people have worn costumes to represent themselves as various personas and recognizable characters. While costuming has always been an essential part of cosplay, the detail in which these costumes are developed has significantly increased over time. The level at which cosplayers now tend to their costumes is otherworldly. The dedication of a cosplay participant or con attendee ranges from those who are everyday fans to diehards who know extensive detail and intricacies that only a superfan would know. But how did cosplay come to be?
According to cosplay history: Meet Forrest J. Ackerman. Ackerman, a magazine editor and science fiction writer, was one of the first documented leaders in the cosplay world after wearing a costume to the 1st World Science Fiction Convention in NY (1939). According to reports, Ackerman thought that more people would be wearing costumes and was the only one besides a friend, Myrtle R. Douglas. However, the costume trend caught on at the second annual event, and Ackerman was not the only one donning a (later termed) cosplay outfit.
Although conventions such as these were around for some time, Star Trek and the fandom that surrounded that started the major trend of conventions, and in 1972, cosplay conventions took off. Costumes developed from a run of the mill costumes to fully developed and intricately detailed garments that were truly something special. Awards and prizes are often given to the best costumes in different categories, and the community that was built around the cosplay phenomenon became one of genuine camaraderie.
The term “cosplay,” however, was coined in Japan in 1984, meaning “costume” and “play.” However, it was not until the 90s when this coined term became the norm for what was happening at conventions. The cosplay world varies from Halloween or Mardi Gras-styled costumes because, despite the grandiosity of some costumes for these holidays, the costumes at Constyle events represent and replicate a particular character in the film, television,
gaming, or comics typically. Costumes can be handmade, or many companies now manufacture costumes that directly replicate the character’s own. Not only do these cosplayers represent the character through the physical depiction of the look, but they also often develop a character that they take on while in costume. The accuracy of the character is based on the full embodiment and the costuming.
So why do people participate in cosplay? Well, there are a number of reasons. Firstly, the act of putting together a costume to show off in a social setting that is often not influenced by societal norms relieves those who have been shunned because of their interest in this world. These con-goers find their tribe, and they realize who is around them.
Secondly, there is a market for this style of performance. Often at cons there are now people who attend the event solely to see and witness the level of complexity in these costumes. People travel from all over to meet their favorite cosplayers and to see what they are going to bring to the table this year. With the advancement of social media, many cosplayers have also gained an even more international following because of their reach on the internet.
And while there are more reasons as to why they have become so popular, the main one that I see is because society is changing. Much like the gay community, there has been a stigma that was loosely associated with the culture. Within the conworld, outsiders have a level of hesitation or judgment because they don’t see what it can do for people. Rather than having a live and let live approach, people attempt to judge based off their preconceived notions or trepidations of the community. But, as many cosplayers can tell you, there is a significant benefit to dressing up and enjoying yourself at these events. You can find family, much like you can in the gay community. You can find yourself through the self-esteem boost you get by being around yourself. Community has helped to build the con community to where it is today, and it will only continue to grow with the further development and outreach of the internet.
Crash Course on Cosplay
by: Chris Gonzalez
August 25th - 31st
Holetribe Presents: Phallus Palace @ Heretic | August 27th (10 PM - 3 AM)
Once upon a time
There was a palace
Welcome to Phallus Palace!
J. Riley playing tribal house and techno all night
Immersive 3D psychedelic decor provided by Lunosol
Dress up in enchanted fairy tale wear and jockstrap/leather/gear always encouraged along with other scantily clad creative attire.
HotMess Sports Atlanta : Free Kickball Open Play @ Frankie Allen Park | Saturday August 28th (12 Noon)
PLAY LGBTQ+ KICKBALL IN ATLANTA!!!
HotMess Kickball has a free day of open play at Frankie Allen Park! Get outside, be active, and meet some amazing people!
Free open play is Saturday August 28th. Games start at 12:00pm at the Frankie Allen Park softball fields! Come with a group of friends or come alone to meet new people. Everyone is welcome!
Moose Knuckles World Series or (Beer) Bust! @ Midtown Moon | August 28th (4 PM - 8 PM)
Join the Moose Knuckles for their Beer Bust at Midtown Moon that helps to benefit their participation in the Gay Softball World Series .
Isaac Escalante @ Heretic | August 28th (10 PM - 3 AM)
Alan Collins presents Isaac Escalante in person at Heretic on Cheshire Bridge. While the road may be shut down, the party keeps going at Heretic every weekend!
Halcyon LIVE in Concert @ MSR | Saturday August 28th (7 PM)
Doors open at 6PM. This show will sell out!! Come early for dinner and drinks.
Join us at the longest running lesbian bar in the Southeast MSR-My Sisters Room. We are celebrating our birthday month of 25 years in business with our favorites Deb and Steph of Halcyon. Concert starts at 8PM. Full dinner menu & bottle service
This will be an outdoor concert if weather permits.
Dear Peach,
My boyfriend has recently expressed to me that he wants to be open but I am pretty strictly monogamous.
How am I supposed to navigate my desire to be in a closed relationship while he wants to be in one where he can play with whoever he wants?
Funny you should ask this. I feel like during the COVID- era as I am calling it now, there are a ton of relationships which have now become open because of the stressors at home. I think that people have been wanting to be open for the longest time but with the increased amount of time with their significant others, they are really expressing their deepest desires
Now, in your case: if you are interested in seeing how things go or even interested in the potential of an open relationship, then you need to set boundaries. If you dont, there could very easily be trouble in paradise and with the way things are going... no ma'am, ain't nobody got time for that!
So first sit down with yourself and decide what it means to be open and see if it is even something that you could potentially deal with emotionally. Are you jealous? Possessive? Territorial? Then, maybe you need to have the hard talk.
Relationships are best when you communicate. If you stay true to yourself, then you will be able to really draw people in. Authenticity is your focus this week, so try to take the moment to be social, take a trip or speak about something you are passionate about in order to get people into who you are!
This is the time to treat yourself, Virgo. Your birthday is coming up fairly soon and you have been working non stop to rake in that dough! So, how can you make sure that you show your appreciation for your dedication to yourself? Because, you know you cannot count on anyone else to make you feel as special as yourself.
It is time for you to indulge yourself in some self-love. You need to take some time to entertain yourself, to distract from the stress surrounding you. Another way to do this is to find the most creative ways to entertain yourself as well. Do not fall into your typical trap; find something new to
You need to be smart this week and follow your gut. You have a lot of new stimuli that are surrounding you and in order for you to know if it is something that is going to benefit or detriment you, you need to breathe and relax. Do not overthink the pros and cons... just let things happen and follow your gut.
Your social network is slowly expanding and you need to decide if that is something that you want to happen or not. If you think that the people who want to be in your life are helping you be your true and authentic self, then let them in. If you start to realize that they are bad juju and you would reather be without them, get rid of the toxicity.
Your money is starting to make a return on it's investment. You have been waiting to really enjoy the benefits of your investment and now is the time that you are starting to see it. Revel in it. See the long term success of the time and money that you allocated to this particular endeavor.
Covid is not going anywhere, anytime soon so take this time to really figure out where you want to go next and start saving if possible. Because you want to see the world, you could travel now but given the widespread shut down... you might just want to save and plan for the biggest trip of your life when this is all said and done.
You have been working hard for quite some time on a project that means a lot to you. The personal investment that you have in this project far surpasses the amount of investment your co-workers on this project have. What you need to do is make sure that others know what this means to you, and their attitudes will change.
Being a natural leader, you need to find your copilot in these troubled times. You have been biting off more than you can chew and it's really starting to get to you. Do not let it. The stress of everything around you is going to eat you up to the point of not being able to suceed at ANYTHING. So breathe and divi-up the responsibilities.
You have been struggling with finding your groove lately and it's beginning to wain on you. You are a very passionate person and for you to not know what to do next because of the lack of organization, is killing you. Find a way that you can sit back and breathe for a moment to figure some things out.
Life is about to take a romantic turn for you! Love will be surrounding your life for the next week or two and you are going to feel all the positive energy floating around in your life more than you ever have before. The love will also be a bit different than you have ever experienced before, and that is A-OK! Just be willing to receive whatever comes your way.
Home Is going to be your safe haven this week, so you need to take the time to really make sure that it is all set up the way YOU want it. Do not allow anything or anyone else to dictate how you live in your personal space. No, ma'am. Your house, your rules.
