WUSSY Rag Issue 1 - Digital Exclusive

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 1

contents: UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS:

Places To Be, People To Do, Things To See - Blake E.

artist spotlight:

6 Local Queer Artists to Watch - Jon D. Book Report + Interview - Jon D.

BLACK FRIDAY:

Missing Teens, Black President & Frank Ocean - Matt J.

BLESS HER HEART:

Experts In Shame - Zaida J

COVER STORY:

mykki blanco, cultural messiah - Zaida J.

missed connections:

Or, You’ve Got Stalkers - Stevie K. Editor in Chief — Jon Dean | Associate Editor — Zaida J. Managing Editor — Ryder McEntyre | Writing Editor — Nicholas Goodly Graphic Designer — Blake England | Featured Writers — Matt Jones & Stevie King Want to work with us? WUSSY is always open for proposals (editorial, art, photography, opinion) & written submissions.

Want to advertise your business or next event?

Send all submissions, proposals, questions, or media kit requests to info@wussymag.com ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 2

UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS: Places To Be, People To Do, Things To See Blake E. / March 2017

MYKKI BLANCO AND CAKES DA KILLA

3/18 @ THE DRUNKEN UNICORN 9PM

The Stunt Queen Tour headlined by queer hip-hop artists Mykki Blanco and Cakes Da Killa hits The Drunken Unicorn this Saturday night. Expect a lot of love, sweat, glamour as Mykki sets her sights on Atlanta. Concert followed by the Powder Room Afterparty in the MJQ Cafe with DJ Ree de la Vega and Leonce (MORPH, Fade to Mind).

MODUGNO & MALLORY PRESENT: PVPPYACITTSOTBWTYMFII! 3/22 @ HIGHLAND BALLROOM 9PM

Local comedians Julian Modugno and Jason Mallory present a new series of comedy talk shows. In this edition, they put their own political spin on the queer classic film, The Birdcage. You might hear some songs, you might see some celebrity guests (Mike Pence? Leah Remini?!), but this duo is sure to tickle your funny bones. $5 Online/$10 at the Door

WONDERROOT'S GENERALLY LOCAL, MOSTLY INDEPENDENT FILM SERIES 3/23 @ PLAZA THEATRE 7:30PM

The 41st annual Atlanta Film Festival kicks off with another edition of WonderRoot's Generally Local, Mostly Independent Film Series. Featuring locally-produced films by Adonis BC, Cali Berry, Drew Giles, and more! Guest juror: Gavin Godfrey, $10 General Admission

RPDR Season 9 Premiere Party/Baddest Bitch: Muriel 3/24 @ MARY’S ATL 8PM

Start the night off with your hosts Ellisorous Rex and Dax Exclamationpoint as EAV celebrates the premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race. The night continues with BADDEST BITCH: Muriel edition. DJ Headmaster will be spinning your favorite Muriel’s Wedding inspired tunes (ie: ABBA, of course, and famous Aussies like Kylie Minogue). No cover.

STARBENDERS PRESENT FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSIC! LNF BENEFIT SHOW 3/31 @ AVONDALE TOWNE CINEMA 8PM

Local “it” band, Starbenders, present a FREE, All Ages lineup of rad music to benefit the good folks at Lost-n-Found Youth. Hungry Girl and Cutcard are also on the lineup. Accepting donations of cash or Sanitary products (shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.), gift cards for food, clothing and household goods.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 3

ARTist spotlight: 6 LOCAL QUEER ARTISTS TO WATCH Jon D. / March 2017

Atlanta is brimming with so much raw and unrecognized queer talent. The past year alone has seen an influx of new players in the DIY music scene. Venues like Murmur and Mammal Gallery are playing host to these performers. Although ATL can be a competitive and cliquey place, our humble city is mostly kind to new artists and always thirsty for something new.

Here are six artists that have made an impressions on us and are sure to make a bigger splash in the months to come.

Abhorra

It often feels like television shows such as RuPaul’s Drag Race have mainstreamed the art of drag. With popularity comes a whole lot of homogenization, and we’ve been thirsty as hell for an Atlanta queen to shake things up in the local scene.

One queen that has consistently kept us on our toes for the last several months is Abhorra. With a trademark beat and a duct tape needle nose, she continues to surprise us with outlandish numbers and costumes that range from baby hands to a

performing at the Nashville Pride Festival!”

balloon-filled cow suit.

She’s only been performing in this city for a year now, starting with the Hogtied party at Heretic, then competing in Dragnificent at Jungle and Miss Glitz at Mary’s. You also may have seen her running around on stilts for our NYE Wonderland bash with TASTE Atlanta.

Abhorra is one of the latest performers to join the weekly alterna-drag show staple, The Other Show, at Jungle on Friday nights. She joins a roster of standout queens bringing camp, glamour, and a much needed dose of humor to the Atlanta drag scene.

“EXPECT ME TO FLARE UP around MARY'S WHEN I DOMINATE [sic] AND TAKE OVER GLITZ! NO ONE WILL STOP ME,” she said when asked what’s next for Abhorra. You heard it here first, folks.

MonteQarlo In March, MonteQarlo released Melt, a deep house track so smooth you will forget that the world is terrible and we are are all slowly burning to death.

The song, produced by Ben Oginz and engineered by Leonce, feels somehow timeless and extremely current. Layers of velvety vocals over hypnotizing beats leave us eager for more.

In addition to dabbling in modeling and drag, they’ve also gotten involved in the local poetry scene. Monte’s work was featured in the first edition of Loudspeaker: a Queer Reading Series and in the inaugural volume of the WUSSY art zine, The Body Issue. On April 20th, their event series CLUTCH returns with “CLUTCH:GREEN” featuring Dandy Warhol, YungBabyTate, and other local qtpoc musicians.

Sounds cute, right?

Follow Monte on social media @monteqarlo for more info and updates!

When asked what’s next, Monte said, “This summer, I'm dropping my new project called the Dew EP, a music video for my new song Melt, and I'll be ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 5

Jaxrenee

JSPORT

A year ago, we spoke to two emerging nightlife engineers, JSPORT (Jay Levy) and Leonce, about their plans to transform the Atlanta underground nightlife scene with their new event series, MORPH.

“I moved here with two missions: Get my degree and create something from scratch,” said Creative Director Jay Levy. Backed

by West Coast label Fade to Mind, the powerhouse duo has made good on their promise, throwing events on Edgewood, The Arts Exchange, and Mammal Gallery. MORPH makes space for QPOC artists in an often uninviting landscape and the team continue to make big plans for 2017.

In addition to producing MORPH events and creating music, Jay is also working on a project involving gender neutral fashions.

MORPH 7 kicks off on April 7th at Aisle 5 with special guest KINGDOM [LA; Fade to Mind]

One queer ATLien making a big name for themselves in the DIY music scene is Jaxrenee. With a style that can only be described as dreamy electropop, Jax is responsible for writing, performing, and producing all their own tracks. Their voice is haunting and beautiful, cutting and echoing through every lyric like a strange memory.

In 2017, they will release a conceptual EP about one of our favorite subjects: murder. Each track “will be in the headspace of a different character that experiences/expresses blood lust”.

If you’ve ever been out to Mary’s on a Friday or Saturday night, you’ve probably seen this queer femme with blood dripping down their lips or a prosthetic burn bedazzling the side of their face. It doesn’t matter what the occasion is—they are not afraid to take aesthetic risks. Jaxrenee is a true Atlanta club-kid.

“If someone asks me ‘why are you dressed up’ or like what the occasion is, I know I've done what I wanted to... ATL needs more ppl showing up in LOOKS.”

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 6

Hydrakiss Darionçé

Another handsome, new face in the Atlanta DIY music scene is Hydrakiss—although some of you might know him by his other names, Nick Wiggins or Minks.

Nick smashed onto the scene pulling lewk after sickening looq at the monthly femme party, Powder Room, before making his music show debut at Murmur. Since then, he’s released a 10 track EP on Soundcloud called DANTE and continues to experiment and refine his sound.

“I've been working on my 3rd project, going a completely new route focusing on ethereal soundscapes and unique beats to create an almost fantasy type journey. I'm really excited to finish this and let everyone see the growth and connection between my other projects— it's gonna be fucking great.” We can’t wait to hear more!

Darionçé Noxemma Lupita Jackson if you’re nasty.

In a tight-knit drag city like Atlanta, it can be hard to break into the scene and make your mark. Brave new baby-queens seem to pop out of the proverbial womb every week. One such queen has recently sprung upon the scene, although she’s been performing and traveling for over six years.

Darionçé Noxemma Lupita Jackson is currently in culinary school in Columbus GA, but makes regular trips up to Atlanta to perform and support other queens.

In February, she competed in the Single Ladies Showdown at The Heretic, placing third in a full lineup of fierce competitors. She is making a name for herself in Atlanta by performing guest spots at local shows such as Synergy at Burkhart’s Pub and Wild Out Wednesday at Felix’s.

But Darionçé is no one-hit wonder. In addition to drag, she’s also focusing her talents on fashion design and healthy cooking. “My collection Darius

by Darius Conway 2017 will feature myself and many ATL trans gay drag [sic] as models,” she told us. Be on the lookout for a new Youtube series featuring “healthy but hearty” #CHEFCHILD recipes.

Follow her on Instagram @only1darionce.

book report:

“ALL THE PEOPLE� DOCUMENTS QUEERS WORLDWIDE Jon D. / March 2017

Being queer these days sometimes feels like we are a hot commodity, with representation increasing to levels we've never seen before. Transpeople walking in major fashion shows, mainstream publications like Cosmo and Teen Vogue writing about the experiences of queer people, and that monumental win for Moonlight at the Oscars. Are we finally breaking boundaries into the mainstream? Is that even where we want to be?

ROBYN JAXX

Despite all this forward momentum, we must never lose sight of how far we have to go. Trans women of color are still being killed at disproportionate rates and queer people are being discriminated against all across the globe. Our Eurocentrism gives us a limited view on what it means to be queer in this world and all the ugly, wonderful, and often tragic experiences one might face. Our stories must keep being told.

When All the People, a photobook collaboration by photographer Bernd Ott and writer Emily Besa, landed on our doorstep, we were blown away by the queer magic that was leaping off the pages. The subjects of the book not only represent over a dozen nationalities, but their ages range from 5 to 69. Besa sat down with each of the 39 subjects to help tell their unique story, while Ott used his camera to capture their beauty.

Individuals from Jerusalem to Trinidad and Tobago, each person's story speaks to a universal truth about queer strength and resilience in an unforgiving world.

"We offer this document, so that connection, understanding, and acknowledgment of one another can be created," Besa wrote in the book's intro.

WUSSY spoke with the two creators about their creative process, queer representation, and moving forward with the project.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 7

YOUR BOOK INCLUDES SUBJECTS FROM 4 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, 5 CITIES, WITH OVER A DOZEN NATIONALITIES. EVEN WITHIN THE QUEER COMMUNITY, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE OPPOSING VIEWS OF GENDER IDENTITY AND QUEER POLITICS. DID YOU NOTICE THESE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION IN THE SUBJECTS YOU WERE DOCUMENTING? Bernd Ott (B): That is a tough question to answer. To be honest, views and thoughts differ between the individuals a lot. If you are looking for a more general answer: You certainly see major differences between age groups. We have people in there that grew up in the 50s and 60s and their experiences differ dramatically from young people that are today still in their teens. Things have certainly improved and acceptance in the Western hemisphere has increased.

As far as politics go: Trying to sum it all up, I’d say people were least happy with their options and help provided by the state in the UK compared to the Netherlands which offers the best

support network of all the countries we have been to.

Emily Besa (E): Yes, there were many differences of opinion—which is natural in any community especially when identity and identity politics are involved.

Inevitably, there is a push to define and delineate what trans or queer is. That can seem counter-productive or counter-intuitive when there is a fluidity of identity (trans) or when the concept itself is a rejection of (cis)heteronormativity and labelling (queerness). But we could talk about this for days!

I would say the the differences we found weren’t so much cultural but generational. Every decade between the age of five and 69 years old is represented in the book, and many of our older participants mentioned that they weren’t even aware of the concept of being transgender until fairly recently. But what I think most people in the book would agree on is that from their experiences spanning six decades, that things are slowly but surely improving for trans and GNC folks.

NANDO

WITH SO MUCH ATTENTION NOW BEING BROUGHT TO QUEER IDENTITY IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE WORLD, TRANS PEOPLE NOW VISIBLE IN HUGE FASHION MAGAZINES, ETC DO YOU THINK THERE HAS BEEN EVEN MORE PUSHBACK AGAINST US? WHERE DO YOU SEE THE QUEER COMMUNITY MOVING FORWARD IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS? B: The recent increase in public presentation of the trans community has certainly sparked a lot of controversy in a sense that suddenly people who didn’t even know trans people existed 5 years ago now open their mouth and find it hard to accept that transgender people claim the same rights as everybody else. But I believe that will pass. What I am hoping for is that gender fluidity, being transgender or gender queer won't be an issue anymore, that it can be seen for what it is, one of the many elements of human expression. And that we can move on from silly discussions like bathroom usage and passport alterations.

E: When people’s realities are challenged, there is bound to be pushback. But I think the positive effects of trans presentation, representation, and visibility far outweigh the pushback. I see these times as our growing pains. In ten yearsI believe we will have educated, engaged, and activated enough people to reach the next level of humanity. I’d love see the day when zero phobias are tolerated.

DAVON

WHO WAS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON TO SHOOT/INTERVIEW AND WHY? B: It’s like asking me to choose my favourite child…couldn’t do it. I have love and admiration for almost each and everybody in that project for very different reasons.

E: Same here, the book wouldn’t be what it is without each and every person who take part in it. It’s a big, rowdy, diverse, and beautiful family.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 8

HOW LONG HAVE THE BOTH OF YOU WORKED TOGETHER? HOW DID THE COLLABORATION COME ABOUT? B: This was our first collaboration ever and as a matter of fact the first real long term project we have ever done. I have been working for commercial fashion clients and magazines in the past and was very eager to do a long term photographic project focusing on portraiture. I really wanted to use my abilities as a photographer and create something that allows people to connect to each other on an emotional level. Emily had for the longest time an interest to do something about gender identity. When we got talking we realised quickly that this would work perfectly together. On top of that we both had close personal friends that are now part of the book.

E: We had collaborated on a fashion/beauty shoot before, but that was only a few days’ work. Bernd expressed that he wanted to return to his portrait work and take on a long-term project. I’ve been interested in gender identity forever so I pitched the idea of exploring gender diversity and fluidity to Bernd and he loved it. We developed book together—I wanted to contribute with writing so that there was another dimension to the portraits, the stories.

We’ve been collaborating since fall of 2013.

DO YOU BOTH IDENTIFY AS QUEER? WHAT DREW YOU BOTH TO DOCUMENT THESE INDIVIDUALS? B: None of us identifies as queer. We both might have experienced to a certain degree being an outsider in the world we were thrown into. For me it was what I would call a long term admiration born out of friendships for people that were able to live a live honest to themselves despite a lot of resistance. The joy I encountered in people that managed to break out of the mold.

E: I have queer friends and queer family. I carry the queer gene but it’s recessive in me. ;) I relate to being queer, even if I’m not. One of my friends, who is the book, really got me thinking about the complexity of gender identity and expression and how it’s possible to shed and add many layers of identity over one lifetime. Humans are much more magical than what the old hetero cisgender tropes lead us to believe.

Hopefully the book shows that in some way!

ARE THERE PLANS TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT? B: It is continuing in multiple ways as we speak. We are still working on creating additional events, hopefully more exhibitions with the project.

We would love to expand it to more countries and continents.

But the crowdfunding only raised money for the biggest part of the printing costs. All other expenses of this project came out of our pocket. And once you do something like this for two years you reach some limitations. To go further would require some sort of financial support and funding.

E: And we’re open to this! We’ve also started a new aspect called All The People: Voices and we will be engaging some of the people we meet through the project by videotaping an interview with them and photographing them. We want to continue the conversation, further the connection, and send positive ripples out into the world.

WHO INSPIRES YOU AS AN ARTIST? B: Everybody who expresses individuality, insight and kindness. And my partner Emily :) E: People who are fiercely individual, original, innovating and

PEPPERMINT

pioneering. I like the unexpected and the weird but a good heart really gets me. I’m inspired by people with open hearts and open minds, people with relentless curiosity and unflagging kindness. Like Bernd. :) ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD? B: This is the most important project I have worked on so far and some of the most exciting people I’ve met during my career. So glad and grateful that we were able to realize this book.

E: Ditto.This project and the people I’ve come to know through it have profoundly impacted my life and my being. I am so thankful.

Black Friday:

Black Culture, Black News, Black Bodies, Black, Black, & Black Matt J. / March 2017

WELCOME TO BLACK FRIDAY YALL! It’s not your one-stop shop for black news (prioritize black people all the time), but do check in for a corner of black-centric news—preferably of the queer and femme nature.

MISSING TEENS Please take a moment to google “black girls missing in D.C.” and tell me there’s not a serious problem. The issue highlighted by a viral thread of D.C. police department Twitter posts shows over ten teens missing in less than a week and it hasn’t gotten much mainstream press.

The DCPD have released a statement, expressing that the thread of tweets is not an indication of an uptick in abductions, but rather that the department is using social

media as a new method which is heightening public awareness. Still there are many concerns to be had here.

Not only is this an extremely high number, but many familiar with the D.C. area have stated concern about how distant these abductions have occurred from each other.

Also why so many black and latinx girls? Where is the press? Where are the search parties? Why are these faces reduced to a Facebook status instead of the situation being given the epidemic status it deserves? Let us not also forget that this is amidst so many other ongoing crisis in the US in reference to missing black women and sex trafficking, especially in D.C. Many are putting the pressure on news outlets, but as the days pass we are still left wishing for more.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 9

FEDERAL RESERVE HIRES BLACK PRESIDENT In politics, we seem to have made a step towards the representation quota for both black and gay, as Raphael Bostic has been selected as the next president and CEO of The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Bostic being the first black president president of the ATL Fed Reserve breaks a 104-year-old racial barrier. This announcement will also make him the first openly gay president of any of the Fed’s twelve regional banks.

There is a propensity for many of us Atlantan’s to tout the fair city as the cradle for civil rights, and I’m just happy this milestone could be coupled with a reason for my gay black ass to further yet another agenda. In all seriousness, Bostic looks to be a promising choice in this decision.

Hopefully, with his stint as assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development against discrimination, and other work focusing on housing, public policy and finance, Bostic will bring social issues to the institution that uses monetary policy as a blunt instrument with limited liability for some demographics.

“He is a seasoned and versatile leader, bringing with him a wealth of experience in public policy and academia,” says Atlanta Fed board chairman, Thomas A. Fanning in a prepared statement.

“Raphael also has significant experience leading complex organizations and managing interdisciplinary teams. He is a perfect bridge between people and policy.”

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 10

CHANEL BY FRANK OCEAN Last up we got your favorite fuckboi of the decade, Frank “dropped a pin in the Ocean to come fight me and not show up on the right day.” Throughout his Apple digital radio stream titled Blonded, Frank released a myriad of versions of his first single since the August release of Blonde. Serenading us once again with cascading melodies and that good ole emotional swooning, this new take on Chanel has evoked many a think piece and buzz. The track treads lines of duality, down from the lyricism to the mix of melodic experimentation versus vocal prominence, all with the same raw emotion we’ve come to expect from Frank.

In a refreshing take, Ocean’s bisexuality takes more of a comfortable seat as most pop stars would refrain from the gender line switch when speaking of romantic/sexual affairs.

It couldn’t feel more appropropriate, tracking the tale of his career and artistry. The lyrics roll along, spinning a contemporary tale that’s hypnotic and easy to get of get lost in, but can feel so familiar. Quite personally, it leaves me with a sense of drive and peace, although for some reason, there’s a bit of heartbreak in there—like a confident stumble from a strained bravado. Coming after Blonde, this track returns from less of the heavy experimentation and trades it in for more of a bop, which is really all we’ve been asking for from Frank, and this seems to be a good direction.

I know I may be tough on Mr. Ocean due to pain experienced from his release choices, but he once again makes me forgive him with this track. It’s a diary laid bare in which you may see yourself, but the result is pure Frank. These are his carefully crafted words and experiences, across a pool of torrid emotion and that really shines through.

BLESS HER HEART LOCAL ARTIST CREATES HIV STIGMA WITH NEW SCULPTURE Zaida J. / March 2017

Experts in

SHAME:

FEAR IS NOW THE CURRENCY OF THE LAND.

As evidenced by the past year, which yielded comfy spots for repugnant nationalists in mainstream media and politics. The ambitious seem to have rediscovered the tools of the trade. While the tools are rusty, and surely put

little thought into the concepts of humanity and decency, they are effective. In fact, they are so effective that established stewards of the things that make us human and empathic can be swayed by them, e.g. your Trump-supporting Aunt.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 11

Politicians now re-frame information at the speed in which it is disseminated; not as a detriment to their career, but as a boon to their lies. The same applies to anyone seeking to increase

their profile, be they an activist, writer, or a complete and total hack with a skill for quasi-socially conscious think pieces wrapped in recycled Dennis Cooper imagery:

FROM MATTHEW TERRELL'S THIS IS WHY PARENTS NEED TO TALK TO THEIR GAY SONS ABOUT PREP TO PREVENT HIV

I am talking about Matthew Terrell, the mind behind Atlanta's own monument to HIV/AIDS stigma, which ironically finds its home at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

If you are an HIV-positive person, you more than likely grapple with the ghost of stigma past frequently. You know that sometimes you develop a steely taste in your mouth--brought on by sudden and inexplicable anxiety, triggered only by listening to Klaus Nomi, singing loudly to Queen, or finding a Keith Haring sweater in a thrift shop.

What some consider kitschy throwbacks to the bright eras of yesterday, serve as reminders of brightly burning icons trampled by a disease, at least to those living with it.

HIV isn’t unique in that it commanded an army of scared neighbors and politicians, but it is unique in that, unlike

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 12

ebola or dengue, it affects 37.5 million people. It is unique in that unlike polio, it was not considered a public health crisis because of ideological reservations informed entirely by its mode of transmission: sex and needles. It is unique, because a U.S. President made so little effort to address the disease that an entire generation of gay men and trans women no longer exist.

It is unique in that it almost destroyed the very fabric a perpetually vibrant community because it was allowed to go unchecked by families, parents, even medical professionals. Knowing that all of these things make HIV/AIDS a unique threat to humanity, a misguided sculptor building a pyramid of shame or the junkyard-art equivalent to a bachelor’s little black book, in an effort to increase his profile is NOT unique. It is tired.

The creator of this piece has been enjoying a healthy round of press coverage. Local media has celebrated the presence of a serophobe’s ode to sexual shame as a sobering reminder that the fight is not over. As if the 30,000-plus HIV positive people in the Atlanta-area did not already know that. The AIDS quilt is also a sobering reminder that the fight is not over, the American South is a sobering reminder that the fight is not over. Hell, Terrell’s own writing is a sobering reminder that the fight is not over (you have Google).

Of course, this plexiglass viral node couldn’t have been possible without major backing. The monument is unsurprisingly funded by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an organization that has no issue holding queer men’s feet to the fire on the subject of ever-increasing HIV incidence (new cases) rates. They have called Grindr and other hook-up apps “digital bathhouses”, and used shitty references to double down on that claim when rebuked by another well-known app, Tinder. The AHF cited association studies that purported a rise in “casual hookups” in the age of dating apps. They also went a step further to cite a study released by the Rhode Island Department of Health, that observed a rise in in STD rates between 2013 and 2014.

To some, these receipts may seem compelling but they are anything but. If AHF wanted to prove that hook-up apps and not decades of failed American public health policy were the cause of increased STD rates, they would have to try a little harder than linking two completely unrelated studies together by way of sheer conjecture. That’s like saying an increase in undocumented workers is the reason murder rates increased in U.S. cities --and we all know that’s bullshit. We already know the cause of rapidly increasing HIV incidence rates among young queer men in the US: shitty policy.

If AHF spent more time funneling precious dollars into public health initiatives instead of shocking public art and advertising displays, then funding Terrell’s terrible project could be dismissed as a PrEP-shaming, creep (Terrell) duping a well-meaning, but out-of-touch organization.

That’s not the case here: this is a conglomerate of selfish and calculated interest seeking to capitalize on the culture of fear permeating America today. It’s like Milo teaming up with the Family Research Council to build a giant fetus statue or Jeff Sessions and the KKK painting a mural of burning crosses.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 15 3

TONE DEAF 2015 BUILDBOARD BY AHF

Not only that, Terrell’s piece is laced with the erasure of black queer men, who lie at the center of newly increasing HIV incidence rates. To reduce this population to a faceless number while ignoring their entire narrative is not only insulting, it is racist. If we consider that the increasing number of HIV cases are predominantly black queer men, then tabulating their growing numbers does little to shed light on Atlanta’s HIV rate, but it does illuminate Terrell and AHF’s disregard for black people within the context of public health. Further, doing this while perpetuating stigma does more to demonize black men, and not just those with HIV. When interviewed by Loise Reitzes, Terrell was asked to explain why his piece focused on the number of HIV cases as opposed to the humanity of those living with the disease. His response was typical of a white artist drawing conclusions of a demographic to which they are not connected, "My job as an artist is to ask questions and not provide answers." What does it mean when the questions posed do less to provide segues to dialogue and more to perpetuate stigma, fear, and loathing of those who are already suffering? It's one thing to colonize tragedy for relevance and social capital, but it's truly insidious to believe that when you do this you are helping people, that you are acting as the genesis of a conversation that has already been had.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 16 4

WUSSY asked Terrell why he chose AHF to fund his project, and whether or not their work as a non-profit align with his own views, he replied, "Part of their [AHF] mission is to provide 'cutting edge advocacy' which is where my work fits in."

If a serophobic, slut-shaming, racist pyramid is considered cutting edge, then my criticisms are off base.

To end, I request that anyone reading this look to those in their lives suffering or affected by the disease and give them a huge hug. I also ask that local media and established publications take a moment to step back and really question whether or not allowing Matthew Terrell to act as a voice for the voiceless is good sense. A disease acting as the ideal criteria which makes one an “untouchable”, a shameful reality, is not new. Still, the idea that this brand of stigmatization is riding a strong wave into 2017 is somewhat harrowing. Surely the NCCHR and other enabling entities know this, but there is the chance that they don’t. After all, the bad guys are winning.

WUSSY Exclusive: Zaida J. / March 2017

MYKKI BLANCO, CULTURAL MESSIAH PHOTOS: JULIA BURLINGHAM

Hip-hop speaks on the black experience. Even when it seems MCs are more interested in stunts like detailing their bank account in a verse, they are speaking on an experience exclusively shared by black folks. It’s not a reach, because while the lives of black people are varied and non-singular, the dream to get out, to defy the odds that non-black gatekeepers have placed around us—that is universal. Still, while people of color have used music and braggadocio to give a voice to a struggle often left without one, hip-hop has not always been welcoming to queers. The machismo of hip-hop is another piece for another time, because in this turn we focus on a force within the soundscape of rap music that has defied any entry barriers queer artists are expected to face: Mykki Blanco.

Mykki Blanco is the divine feminine extension of gay NYC multi-discipline artist and writer, Michael David Quattlebaum Jr. Before donning the visage of Ms. Blanco, Quattlebaum published a book of poetry through the Moran Bondaroff gallery’s publishing imprint OHWOW. Unsurprising, as poetry is the perfect segue to becoming an MC. Following this, in 2012 he released his first EP as Mykki, titled Mykki Blanco and the Mutant Angels. The project was heralded as “mental” and “fun”; welcoming the era of one woman seeking the truth.

DISCOVERING MYKKI’S MUSIC IS LIKE FINDING A BOOK OF ANSWERS...

She affirms the idea that a queer, gender-fluid, rapper can deliver bars, fabricate a bomb flow, and get grimy with the best of them without going full on Beam Me Up Scotty. Before her, I thought Nicki Minaj was the closest rap would ever step to the flamboyant and full-on nature of so many fags the world round. So it was an immense honor to finally speak with the trailblazer that is Miss Blanco, while she and fellow NYC-based queer rapper Cakes da Killa embark on their Stunt Queen tour.

I spoke to Mykki early in the morning, my time, and she was working on Mountain Time heading to Colorado. There is something about talking to famous people, or people you consider heroes—often, you don’t know where to start.

In a 30-minute conversation, I pressed Mykki on her own understanding of her place in many queer kid’s hearts and record collections. I was surprised to find her gravelly yet feminine voice carries just as much punch outside of a beat, particularly because she speaks with such affirmation regarding her own craft and herself.

Still, she is very unpretentious, “If people come to my shows and they take something away from that, [which] they find inspiring, that’s good,” she says. Often, when an iconoclastic artist makes their way into a mainstream medium, we assume they are bound to the image of a cultural messiah. Mykki may not be that to herself, but to fans she is.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 18

“That’s in the eye of the beholder. It feels good when someone comes up to me and says that [my show is inspiring] but that’s not exactly what I’m out to do,” she says. She is determined to craft a good product; what comes after is a welcome addition. This is why her music is taken seriously as a cultural marker. Respect aside, she is not immune to the trials of fame and prestige.

She’s noted for her brash condemnation of hip-hop head media outlets like Complex, Vibe, and BET over their lack of coverage of black queer artists. Of course, some of those trials have been more personal; in 2015 Mykki announced that she was HIV-positive, and by all standards many assumed Michael, the artist, would suffer detriments to his career—including himself. Yet, even though Michael opted to be vulnerable while in the public eye, he has no interest in being an advocate per se.

“I DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THAT’S ALL I’M CAPABLE OF,” she says speaking as Mykki, describing an understandable fear of being pigeonholed as not just a queer artist, but also an HIV positive one. Since the announcement, she’s released her first album Mykki to shining reviews (the long-game result of three EPs and three equally well-received mixtapes dropped years earlier) and she embarked on her Stunt Queen tour with Cakes, an artist she only recently formed a bond with.

“I knew of him before,” she says; she then goes on to describe the natural chemistry they shared as artists when they met before planning the tour, focusing on the ease of their connection.

That’s a welcome dynamic when you decide to tour the country with someone, hitting city after city at breakneck speed and cleaning post-show glitter out of your ass.

When I ask her to describe her show so we know what to expect here in Atlanta, she replies

“YOU CAN’T CONTROL HOW YOU IMPACT PEOPLE.” It’s that respect for her fans individual experiences that makes Mykki a special addition to not only the landscape of rap music but to black culture itself.

MYKKI BLANCO AND CAKES DA KILLA BRING THEIR STUNT QUEEN TOUR TO DRUNKEN UNICORN, MARCH 18TH. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR; THE SHOW IS 18+; DOORS OPEN AT 9.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 20

MISSED CONNECTIONS Stevie K. / March 2017

I’m Not Gay - m4m (Atlanta) age: 27 height: 5’4’’ (162 cm) body: skinny status: single I’m not gay, but when I saw you working out at the gym I really wanted to kiss your butthole. Just a gentle goodnight peck between your pooper-shooter ... nothing gay.

You were wearing what looked to be a crop top, but I could tell was a Batman shirt from the kids’ section at Walmart (I go there to pick up whey protein and my mom’s menopause medication) I could also tell you bench a lot because you kept shouting, “LOOK AT WHAT I CAN DO!!!” to everyone in the gym. God damn did I look man. From your mole, you should probably get checked out, to your lower back tattoo of an Applebee’s menu, I LOOKED. I hope you recognized me. At one point you came up to me and said, “Hey brah, I think you spilled smoothie on your shorts.” It wasn’t smoothie. It was dick sauce.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I just want to hang with a guy for an extended period of my life where we fall asleep and wake up to each other’s eyes. During the week, we’ll work hard at jobs that satisfy us, and build a future in a home we eventually buy together. Maybe there will be kids in that home. One boy and one girl: Ronald and Nancy Regan, named after my dead cats I still have sexual nightmares about. We’ll spend our weekends having dinner with each other’s families and whisper to one another at the table, “Woooow, your sister got fat.” I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound gay to me!

Anyways, if you think you’re interested in meeting up, send me pics of your butthole. Trust me, I’ll recognize it … again … I’m not gay ...

Yarn Store Grandma – w4w (Atlanta) age: 85 height: 5’2’’ (157 cm) resembles: my grandma status: applying for hospice care You - 85 year old white female - came into the yarn store on Briarcliff Road. I was the girl at the table knitting nipple tassels for my niece. I wore a t-shirt that said “Save the Girls from Toddlers & Tiaras.” My hair was pulled back in a bun, and I had Dorito chip stains all over my jorts.

You reminded of my grandma, but with less rabies. I could tell by your bedazzled walker that you have expensive taste. Your hips said, “I had a steel plate put in,” but your heart said, “2 years tops till the stroke hits me again.” What you lacked in hearing aids, you made up for in sagging breasts.

I tried to work up the courage to talk to you, but I could tell you had no idea where you were and left before I could give you my number.

I’m going to be honest, I want to roleplay with you. I want to be the nurse that neglects you at the country club, the grandchild that flicks the skin flap where your elbows should be, the telemarketer that sells you off brand toothpaste in bulk. I want to teach you how to use the internet and hold your hand as you wait for customer service to call you back. I want to make love so hard that you’ll press your life alert.

If you’re interested in meeting, please put “HELP I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP” as the subject line.

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 21

ISSUE NO. 1 - EARLY MARCH 2017 / PAGE 22