Q ATLus Magazine | October 7, 2021

October 7, 2021

PRIDE With Or Without You

50+ Events Say That Pride Weekend Is On 16 Alternative Pride Flags Go Way Over the Rainbow Pride Lessons, Whether It’s Your 50th or Your Very First

Still PRIDE

WHO EVER SAID BEING DIFFERENT is a bad thing? Certainly not us, and certainly not when talking about LGBTQ Atlanta. So Pride 2021 will be different, super different. So what? Q ATLus is here for it.

We take the opportunity of Pride Weekend – such as it is, without a festival or parade but with plenty of DIY spirit — to take a closer look in this issue at the LGBTQ diversity behind and beyond the rainbow.

Nothing says LGBTQ Atlanta like its people, so we offer portraits of At-

lantans who make the city better. Community members show their Pride on our pages all year, so we revisit some of our favorite profiles of folks adding their true colors to Atlanta’s queer tapestry.

And about those rainbows. Q Voices revisits our ban on rainbow bullshit.

This issue embraces those traditional six colors — and the flaws surrounding people not represented in those stripes — and what it should and could mean.

There’s no funnel cake in the park. There’s no parade. But it’s still Pride, and the Q Events calendar lays out options to do it up. Q Advice finds a newbie and a skeptic and serves them each a little Pride.

Enjoy this issue, catch us online at theQatl.com, and Happy Pride, Atlanta!

MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER MIKE@THEQATL.COM GRAPHIC DESIGN DECATUR ATLANTA PRINTING JOHN NAIL, DESIGNER DECATURATLANTAPRINTING.COM

LOCAL ADVERTISING INFO@PROJECTQATLANTA.COM RIVENDELL MEDIA NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 theQatl.com 5

INSIDE THIS ISSUE VOLUME 4 ISSUE 43

O C T O B E R 7, 2 0 2 1

WALK TALL

AIDS Walk Photo Gallery

COVER

18

24

Pride 2021

Event Weekend Like No Other

14

26

16 THINGS

Q SHOTS

Let Your LGBTQ Pride Flags Fly

Popcorn and smiles at Out on Film

Banner Day

Q Voices.................. 10 10 Q Things............ 14 Q Events................. 18 Q Shots................... 24 Q Advice................. 29 6 theQatl.com

Movie Time

Q ADVICE

Old & New

Young and young at heart Pride tips

29

‘Firebird’ screens on Sept. 23 at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 7 p.m., then streaming online through Oct. 1.

Q

VOICES

True

COLORS

CALL ME JUDY, BECAUSE I’M OVER THE rainbow. Seriously. The knee-jerk overuse of that particular symbol has become so annoying to me as someone who’s job is queer all year, it’s all but banned from the editorial features of the Q family of publications.

Except this week — when Q and its contributors can do more than slap one on and call it gay. Usually, it’s lazy. This time, it’s on purpose.

across website banners, when it graces profile pics and corporate logos, we know it’s a special time.

For one weekend, it’s the rainbow Gilbert Baker intended back in 1978. It’s your rainbow, and yes, it even warms the cold heart of my cynical, eye-rolling self.

It’s been 50 years since a handful of LGBTQ Atlantans marched through Midtown for “gay liberation” the first time. Whether we gather or not to mark it, whether we attend a single event, it’s safe to say a lot has happened in five decades that’s worth noting.

It’s also a great weekend to remember that time will slowly reveal even more to love for all of us— for every stripe, every flag, every person behind that beleagured rainbow.

If we’re not wielding the rainPing me online this weekend bow with intention, too many M I K E F L E M I N G with your Pride thoughts. I’ll be assume showing it means “evED I TO R & P U B LI S H ER clicking, tapping and scrolling eryone” is included. Two-dozen around watching what y’all do. alternative LGBTQ Pride flags say plenty of And I’ll work on releasing my personal issues with people don’t feel that way. the rainbow and looking inward for my true colors.

For me, a carelessly flung rainbow whispers that Mike Fleming is editor publisher of Q ATLus Project we may be taking some people for granted. It feels Q Atlanta. Write mike@theQatl.com. hollow, and as if we don’t recognize or honor the diversity that Atlanta is and should be known for.

Pride Week is different — and not just because this year has no official festival or parade. This is the week that the rainbow flies and our people — ­ as well as those who oppose our equality — see it, really see it.

This week, the flag commemorates and celebrates achievements. It remembers and mourns losses. We notice it more collectively and purposely than the rest of the year. When it flies from Midtown porches or 10 theQatl.com

Andre Dickens

Kasim Reed

Antonio Brown

T H E H O U S E O F F U E G O P R E S E N T S

FUEG PRODUCTIONS

Q

10 16 QUEER THINGS Original Gilbert Baker Pride Flag

‘Traditional’ Pride

Hot pink = Sex Red = Life Orange = Healing Yellow = Sunlight Green = Nature Turquoise = Magic/Art Indigo = Serenity Violet = Spirit

Fly Your FLAG

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POC-Inclusive

Progress

Bisexual

Pansexual

Asexual

Labrys Lesbian

Polyamorous

Intersex

Which LGBTQ Pride flags might you see during Pride Week?

Genderfluid/Genderflexible

Leather, Latex & BDSM

Bear Brotherhood

Transgender Pride

Non Binary

Straight Ally

There are more queer Pride flags than listed here. Let us know what’s missing at mike@theQatl.com.

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Q

COVER

The Best

PRIDE EVENTS in Atlanta This Week THURSDAY, OCT. 7 Country Pride Line dancing, two stepping and other boot scootin takes on Pride Week with no over charge @ Heretic, 8 p.m. hereticatlanta.com

Pride ATL All Around Us Gay businesses in and around Ansley band together to roll out the rainbow carpet with specials, outdoor parties, indoor dances and good grub all weekend long. Come get you some at Hideaway, Woofs, Guac y Margys, Felix’s, Oscars and the Moon, day and night through Sunday. facebook. com/prideatl Pride Weekend Warmup GA Boy gets its parties started with DJs Ed Woodand Isis Murtech @ Future, 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. gaboyevents.com

FRIDAY, OCT. 8

MSR Welcome to Atlanta Lesbians know what you need to feel welcome, and these women are the best at it. The MSR Pride Kickoff beer bust features bottomless brews and multiple DJs @ My Sister’s Room, 9 p.m. facebook.com/msratl X Midtown Pride Kickoff Pick up your weekend-pass wristband or come in for the night with guys, cocktails and the always raucous X After Dark drag show @ X Midtown, 8 p.m. facebook.com/xmidtownx

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Wussy Pride Drag reality stars Adore Delano and Landon Cider kick off the Pride slate for the left-of-center queer loyalists of Wussy @ The Loft, 7 p.m. wussymag.com Out Night 2.0 After a June smash, the aquarium returns with its LGBTQ celebration for Pride. Multiple DJs, a performance by House of Balenciaga, that rainbow-clad cocktail crowd, and of course all those sea creatures @ Georgia Aquarium, 7 p.m. georgiaaquarium.org RuPride Cabaret Fantasy Girls Cabaret welcomes special guests for both nights of its Pride shows. Phoenix and crew host Kylie Sonique Love, Detox, LaLa Ri, Trinity K. Bonet and more @ Future, 7 p.m. future-atlanta.com

FRIDAY, OCT. 8 – SATURDAY, OCT. 9 A Queer Day’s Night Atlanta Fringe and Metro Studios offer a little Pride for everybody. “Gay History for Straight People” and the Candybox Revue stage on Friday @ Metropolitan Studios, 7 p.m. Saturday finds Brent Star Story Time, 2 p.m., Queer Arts Panel, 5 p.m. and encores of “Gay History” and Candybox, 9 p.m. metropolitanstudioseav.com Eagle Pride Night Reunion Dust off your leather and shine up your shoes. The Eagle gets its due with a warmup party at an outside bar then DJ Mister Richard whipping up all those daddies and boys inside @ Hideaway, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. facebook.com/atlantahideaway DJs Dan Slater & Alan T Pride Friday catches a wild-ass dance party Pride already in progress. This one serves as the official aquarium afterparty with wall-to-wall dancing queens @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com Pride Primetime Friday DJ GSP & Nikki Valentine The Grecian god is back, plus a special performance by the powerhouse @ Future, 10 p.m. DJ Warren spins Xion, 3 a.m. future-atlanta.com Glow Up Party It’s an outdoor block party with silent disco, DJ Exel headlining five DJs, Hellfire Harlots Revue and the Drew Friday/Coco Iman drag show @ My Sister’s Room, 10 p.m. facebook.com/msratl The Circus ft. Derrick Berry Britney’s biggest fan brings Pride to your pop princess heart while you have fun under the big top @ X Midtown, 10 p.m. facebook. com/xmidtownx Aurora Sunrise Party After staying up all night, don’t go to bed. Fuego Productions brings the one and only DJ Adrian Dalera to town for a “Friday night but really Saturday morning” Pride dance @ Believe Music Hall, Saturday 7 a.m. facebook.com/thehouseoffuego

SATURDAY, OCT. 9 Detox Pride Drag Brunch RuPaul’s Detox headlines with local girls LaLa Ri, Alissah Brooks, Taejah Thomas, Cici Nicole, Raquel Rae Heart, Aspen York and more while you eat up @ Park Tavern, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. parktavern.com Garden Disco Pride vibes, a queer artist market and daytime disco are guarantees from hosts A Better Buzz and Dirty South @ Georgia Beer Garden, 12 noon – 5 p.m. gabeergarden.com Kween on the Green 9.0 The 9th iteration of those beefy gays on the Meadow, this time with their coolers, tents, canopies and jams serving you the Park Pride Realness you so richly deserve. Bring Your Own Everything @ Piedmont Park near Park Tavern, 12 noon – 7 p.m.

Queen Butch Pride Tea Hear that kettle whistling? Grammy darling DJ Todd Terry serves the afternoon tea. Ree De La Vega and William Francis open @ Heretic, 2 p.m. hereticatlanta.com The Tea with Tony Moran DJ Seth Breezy opens for the circuit legend, and the party goes all the way to sundown @ District, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. gaboyevents.com Sunset Cabaret Ruby Redd hosts special guests Lena Lust, Heather Daniels and Trashetta Galore along with a cast of old and new favorites as the sun goes down. It’s part of Pride ATL All Around Us @ Midtown Moon, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. facebook.com/prideatl  theQatl.com 19

PRIDE EVENTS continued SATURDAY, OCT. 9

RuPride Cabaret ft. Kandy Muse Fantasy Girls Cabaret continues its RuPaul domination. Phoenix and crew welcome Kandy Muse, Trinity K. Bonet and LaLa Ri @ Future, 7 p.m. future-atlanta.com Pride Kiki with Aquaria You can’t stop, and Wussy won’t stop. The headline queen serves a live DJ set @ Amazza, 10 p.m. wussymag.com Future Pride Saturday ft. Tom Stephan You can’t stop, and he won’t let you. Get into the spirit @ Future, 10 p.m. Twisted Dee and Martin Fry spin Xion afterhours, 3 a.m. future-atlanta.com Pride Saturday w/DJ Dani Brasil Alan T hosts an opening set by DJ Stan Jackson before the man of the night hits the tables and turns you every which way but loose @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com

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Electric Circus The outdoor block party with silent disco continues, plus a Fire Show, DJ Mary Mac topping five DJs, and a late-night drag show @ My Sister’s Room, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. facebook.com/msratl Stars & Legends ft. Kameron Michaels and DJ Escape The one you don’t want to miss features two headliners for your 10th Street Pride Saturday @ X Midtown, 10 p.m. facebook.com/xmidtownx

SATURDAY, OCT. 9 – SUNDAY OCT. 10 Fall Festival on Ponce The gays of Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces are back with their annual arts booths, music acts and food vendors @ Olmstead Lineal Park ( Just east of Moreland @ Ponce), all day both days. festivalonponce.com

SUNDAY, OCT. 10 DILF Sunday James Anthony, Max Bruce & The Perrys Joe Whitaker’s traveling daddy show does double duty. The Out & Proud Tea Dance finds DJ James Anthony and Max Bruce @ Heretic, 3 p.m. Grab a bite and get back here for Pride DILF with the Perry Twins, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com 

Visit outonfilm.org for online passes, tickets and information on 150 titles.. theQatl.com 21

PRIDE EVENTS continued SUNDAY, OCT. 10

Pride Block Party DJs Chris Cox and Dave Aude That rainbow crosswalk means you are at the corner of Gay and Lesbian. 10th & Piedmont firess up with a crowd of revelers featuring outside bars, two superstar DJs and the party pumping all day and night @ X Midtown, 12 noon – 3 a.m. facebook.com/xmidtownx Pride Heifer Review Ruby Redd corrals the queens while you eat and drink @ Midtown Moon, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. facebook. com/prideatl Pride Tea Dance DJ Mauro Mozart takes his cue from Medusa Productions and runs with it @ The Piedmont Room

& Garden Tent, 3 p.m. medusaproductionsatl.com Pride Sunday at MSR SR feeds and waters you well as you enjoy Pride Brunch & Bubbly with DJ Wulf and Drew & Coco’s drag show @ My Sister’s Room, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. The party ten continues with the Women’s Pride Closing Party featuring three DJs, the Hellfire Harlots and DJ Mary Mac, 8 p.m. – close. facebook.com/msratl Pride Closing Party Alexander spins with a performance by Suzanne Palmer @ Future, 10 p.m. DJs Karlitos and Deanne keep it going for Xion, 3 a.m. future-atlanta.com

MONDAY, OCT. 11

Pride Morning Party ft. Nina Flowers The one-of-a-kind DJ returns to Atlanta to squeeze the last bit of Pride out of you @ Heretic, 6:30 a.m. hereticatlanta.com Coming Out Day Dance ft. Jesus Montanez It’s the last dance.

Last chance… for romance tonight. Oh-ho I need DJ Jesus Montanez @ Future, 10 p.m.

– 4 a.m. gaboyevents.com 22 theQatl.com

Q SHOTS

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

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AIDS WALK ATLANTA & 5K RUN

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Q SHOTS

PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

26 theQatl.com

OUT ON FILM

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

Q Advice

Happy

who might see you there: Most of them are LGBTQ themselves, and all of them are on your side. Instead of fearing that they see you, start hoping they do.

They can be your closest allies and support system.

PRIDE! Q

Newbie and Unwoke find equality teaching moments

Q

I love Pride – the parties, the sexy people everywhere you turn, the flowing alcohol. But for all the talk about “community,” there are a ton of people I can’t relate to.

daylight is scary.

Gross leather daddies, drag queens, lesbian moms with natty little kids, and those social justice freaks all just need to have a drink and chill out.

I could go on.

Does my fear mean that I’m not ready to “come

Dear Unwoke:

I’m considering going to my first Pride event ever, but I’m nervous someone I know will

see me. I know I’m gay, but admitting it in broad

out”? Should I wait until my confidence is better to dip my toe into the Pride pool?

Dear Newbie: Come on in. The water’s fine. Trusting yourself is difficult at first, but most of your early answers in the shallow end.

Confidence comes with every experience in which you face a fear. So you’re nervous

to come out of the closet

and into the light. Join the millions who came before

you – and the hundreds of

thousands celebrating in Atlanta this weekend.

It’s natural to be wary of the unexpected, but your entire

future awaits on the other side

of your first Pride. Buck up and go to a bar or in-person event

you’re interested in. You’ll most

likely be comfortable within 10

minutes, and unstoppable, never to look back, in less than an hour.

About those people you know

Please don’t go on. The bad news is that you don’t have the key to Pride. The good news is that it’s not locked.

Let’s start with a basic principle: There is no “normal.” Here’s another: There are as many different kinds of queers as there are different kinds of people. There is no “one community, one way” other than the hardfought right to live and love as we choose.

That includes you and yours partying through the weekend, as well as the fellow human beings that you so effortlessly mock.

The very acceptance we celebrate at Pride is sorely missing from your repertoire. If you don’t learn, you’re no better than the straight, cisgendered, fearmongering foes who’d rather not be subjected to your “lifestyle.” Think it through.

The Q is for entertainment, not counseling. Send burning Qs to mike@theQatl.com.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON

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