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05.25.12
NEWS
Mayor Kasim Reed pressed to support gay marriage in wake of Obamas afrmation. Page 4 Still gay in the GOP? Despite Obamas announcement, gay Republicans say theyre sticking with their party. Page 6 Coalition wants no wedge between black voters, Obama on gay marriage. Page 11 Redistricting pits gay against gay-friendly in Ga. House races. Page 13 Ga. governor changes Day Against Homophobia to Mistreatment Awareness Day. Page 14 Briefs: Police advisory board seeks members, TV reports exaggerate trans prostitues, Legalize Gay returns to Atlanta. Page 17

President Obamas evolution

For me personally, it is important to afrm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.
Photo by Gage Skidmore Photo via americansfortruth.com

OUTSPOKENIN THEIR OWN WORDS

VOICES
Editorial: an open letter to Mayor Reed on marriage equality. Page 18

Food Porn: the debut of GA Voices dining columnist Cliff Bostock. Page 23 Books: Alison Bechdels new graphic novel mines the Mother lode. Page 25 Theater: revisionist Alice in Wonderland premieres, Jersey Boys returns. Page 27 Photos: Good Cotillion Belles, ATL Sisters Give Back, Doggies on the Catwalk Page 29

Photo via Facebook

Lesbian alterna-grass band pays tribute to their foremothers. Page 21

COMMUNITY
AID Atlanta Honors celebrates generation of HIV/AIDS advocacy. Page 31 Event spotlights: CHRIS Kids Premiere Party, Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus, OurSong summer concert. Page 33

Let me make it very clear, that my preference is to have a national standard that denes marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman.
GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney (CNN, May 9)

CALENDAR
Pages 34-36

COLUMNISTS
Thats What She Said: Melissa Carter on remembering ALL of our fallen. Page 38 Domestically Disturbed: Topher Payne on religion and marriage equality. Page 39

What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. Thats their business. Its no different than discriminating against blacks. Its discrimination plain and simple.
Hip-hop artist Jay-Z, supporting President Obamas marriage equality announcement (Hufngton Post via CNN, May 14)

Once people begin to see the similarities between themselves and others, instead of focusing on differences, they come to recognize that equality is essentially a matter of human rights and human dignity. The presidents growth reects the growth of many Americans on this issue.
Civil rights icon and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) (via press release)

Civil marriage is a civil right and a matter of civil law. The NAACPs support for marriage equality is deeply rooted in the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and equal protection of all people.
Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the NAACP, on the historic civil rights groups passage of a resolution backing gay marriage (Press conference, May 21)

Call me cynical, but I wasnt sure his views on marriage could get any gayer.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), mocking Obamas announcement in a speech to the Faith & Freedom Coalition (Mediaite.com, May 12)

Photo via Facebook

A&E

President Obama, announcing his support for marriage equality in an interview with ABC News Robin Roberts (ABC News, May 9)

With his embrace of phony gay marriage, Obama outs himself as a soulless panderer with no core beliefs. He mocks his own Christian profession.
Peter LaBarbera, founder for Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (via Twitter, May 9)

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Wrestling with marriage equality

Atlanta mayor pressed to support gay marriage in wake of Obamas affirmation
By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reeds relationship with the citys LGBT community has been a rocky road. The Atlanta Police Departments botched 2009 raid on the Atlanta Eagle occurred during Mayor Shirley Franklins administration, but the long court battle and settlements of nearly $2 million to bar patrons who accused the APD of violating their constitutional rights came under Reeds watch. With the Eagles battles apparently finally put to rest with the last round of settlements in March, Reed faces a new challenge with LGBT Atlanta voters support for same-sex marriage. Reed was the only serious candidate for mayor in 2009 who did not support full marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. He stated clearly he believed in civil unions and legal protections for gay couples but has always stopped short of saying he supports gay marriage. And gay voters noticed. Many made it their litmus test when they supported Mary Norwood over Reed. He won the election by 715 votes, but lost District 6 home to the citys highest concentration of gay voters by a margin of 40 percent. Now, the stakes are higher for Reed among LGBT voters after President Barack Obama as well as the NAACP came out in support of same-sex marriage. The next Atlanta mayoral election is in 2013. I supported Mary Norwood for mayor and her position on marriage equality was a defining factor, said Charlie Stadtlander, a gay teacher and former Atlanta school board candidate who recently started the Facebook campaign, Mayor Reed Its Time to Evolve on Marriage Equality that now has close to 5,000 members. I had no allegiance to either candidate at the time, but she was very comfortable with LGBT equality and marriage and I thought she would make a great mayor, Stadtlander said. Stadtlander said he has come to see Reed as a great mayor who has done incredible works for the city and acknowledges his longtime support of LGBT equality. But he wants Reed to take that extra step and support same-sex marriage, especially as the mayor of a city known as a bastion for civil rights. He has that constant albatross around his neck, Stadtlander said. His longtime support of LGBT issues [as a state senator and representative] is overshadowed by this one particular issue. He could complete his entire career for equality like so many others have.

Mayors who support marriage equality

Freedom to Marry, a national group working for marriage equality, started an initiative to get mayors of cities across the U.S. to show their support for same-sex marriage. The list currently includes 210 mayors, but only one from Georgia: Pine Lake Mayor Kathie deNobriga, who is openly lesbian. A few of the other mayors are listed here. To view the full list of Mayors for Marriage Equality, visit www.freedomtomarry.org or http://bit.ly/wruNry Samuel Adams - Portland, OR Matthew Appelbaum - Boulder, CO Tom Barrett - Milwaukee, WI William Bell - Durham, NC Virg Bernero - Lansing, MI Michael Bloomberg - New York, NY (Chair) Cory Booker - Newark, NJ Bruce Botelho - Juneau, AK Michael Brennan - Portland, ME Stephen Buxbaum - Olympia, WA Julian Castro - San Antonio, TX Mark Chilton - Carrboro, NC Chris Coleman - St. Paul, MN Frank Cownie - Des Moines, IA Aron Cromwell - Lawrence, KS Kathie deNobriga - Pine Lake, GA Rahm Emanuel - Chicago, IL William Euille - Alexandria, VA Vincent Gray - Washington, D.C. Michael Hancock - Denver, CO Bobby Hopewell - Kalamazoo, MI Satyendra Singh Huja - Charlottesville, VA Frank Jackson - Cleveland, OH Sylvester James, Jr. - Kansas City, MO Joe Jaworski - Galveston TX Mark Kleinschmidt - Chapel Hill, NC Edwin Lee - San Francisco, CA Craig Lowe - Gainesville, FL John Marks - Tallahassee, FL Thomas Menino - Boston, MA (Chair) Michael Nutter - Philadelphia, PA Annise Parker - Houston, Texas (Chair) Kitty Piercy - Eugene, OR Stephanie Rawlings-Blake - Baltimore, MD Gary Resnick - Wilton Manors, FL Jerry Sanders - San Diego, CA (Chair) Greg Stanton - Phoenix, AZ Antonio Villaraigosa - Los Angeles, CA (Chair) Dayne Walling - Flint, MI Dawn Zimmer - Hoboken, NJ

Atlanta LGBT activists are pushing for Mayor Kasim Reed to support same-sex marriage following, in the footsteps of President Barack Obama and a number of mayors around the country. (Photo by Bo Shell)

On May 9, Pesident Barack Obama told the nation, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married. Stadtlanders Facebook page popped up later that night and on May 10 Reed issued a statement saying he is still wrestling with the idea of acceptance of marriage equality. I respect President Obamas decision to stand in support of marriage equality. I have fought hard for the rights of gays and lesbians my entire political career from protecting adoption rights for gay and lesbian families, to voting against Georgias constitutional ban on same-sex marriage as a state senator, to serving as the state house sponsor for the only hate crimes bill ever passed in the state of Georgia, Reed said. While I am still wrestling with my own personal beliefs on the issue of marriage, I deeply appreciate the contributions gays and lesbians make to our city every single day and I remain committed to Atlantas vibrant and diverse LGBT community, he said.

Faith and politics

The Facebook page and Reeds statement drew coverage from many Atlanta media outlets. Meanwhile, the national media questioned President Obamas decision to come out for marriage equality before the November election. There was also much speculation by pundits on whether Obama would lose votes among black voters who attend church every Sunday and hear from the pulpit the evils of homosexuality. Elder Antonio Jones, a gay pastor of Atlantas Unity Fellowship Church, said Reed, like Obama, has to consider black voters who have strong ties to the black church.

The support from the black church is a real concern for [Reed], said Jones, who said he has consulted with the mayor and also voted for him in 2009. The black churches are considered the gateway into the black community and you have to have that gateway, he said. Jones and his church recently became part of a coalition named NoWedge2012.com that will work against efforts by groups such as the National Organization for Marriage to drive a wedge between black voters and Obama because of Obamas support of gay marriage. This effort can and will trickle down to local races, Jones said. Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, which works on LGBT issues, said it will be Reeds personal decision on what side of history he wants to be on. But she said it paramount that strong black leaders, such as Reed, show leadership when it comes to showing support LGBT equality, and she hopes his evolution comes soon. Like Obama, Reed a member of Cascade United Methodist Church has said due to his religious beliefs he was resistant to using the word marriage for gay couples in committed relationships. That excuse doesnt fly, Jones said. This is not a matter of you offending your faith, Jones said. This is a civil rights issue. Religious convictions have no space in politics. All citizens deserve equal rights. Obama turned to educating himself and talking to others to evolve on the issue. Reed can do the same, Jones said. Jones is convinced the mayor will come

around and support full marriage equality, but he has to do carefully because, as a politician, he has to ensure he has constituent support. The mayor has always been very cautious for his entire administration. I think before he was mayor he was more aggressive on issue, Jones said. But he cant continue to be ambivalent. You dont have any other choice, he said of the mayors decision to support marriage equality. Wrestling with the issue is not going to cut the mustard.

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Still gay in the GOP?

Despite President Obamas historic announcement, gay Republicans say they are sticking with their party
By Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Lower taxes, more personal freedom and less government interference in the lives of Americans are the core principles of the Republican Party. At least, thats what the GOP says. According to critics, including many LGBT people, what it does once in power is actually very different. The anti-gay charge in recent years has been led by conservative groups, often with religious ties, like the National Organization for Marriage, the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family. These groups overwhelmingly support GOP candidates in local and national elections. Republicans know a large portion of their base view homosexuality as inherently sinful. They also know to get elected, they have to sell their conservatism as well as their religious credentials. Many LGBT voters shy away from the GOP and its typically anti-gay agenda, but for some gay voters, conservatism trumps gay rights. But why? And will that continue if gay marriage again becomes a wedge issue in the presidential election? The gay rights movement took a dramatic turn May 9 when President Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex unions. I think same-sex couples should be able to get married, President Barack Obama said during an interview with ABC News Robin Roberts. It was a welcome surprise for advocates of marriage equality. Obama had been evolving on the marriage issue for several years, but LGBT rights activists kept pressing the president for the evolution to complete. Some had expected the president would change his position after the November election, when there was less political risk, but hardly anyone expected Obama to make such an announcement the day after North Carolina passed its constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Even before the marriage announcement, no president had done as much to advance the LGBT equality movement as Obama. Since winning the 2008 election, Obama has signed into law a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. He has pushed federal agencies to make their policies more LGBT-inclusive and ordered the

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Justice Department to stop defending the antigay Defense of Marriage Act. The militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy is history. How, then, can gay voters continue to justify voting for Republican candidates?

Greater principles than the fight for marriage

GOProud is a national organization that advocates conservatism and gay inclusion in the Republican Party. Bruce Carroll, a GOProud boardmember and conservative blogger behind the website The Gay Patriot, told GA Voice in a recent telephone interview that despite the presidents work on LGBT issues, he would vote for former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney, the likely Republican nominee, in the fall election. For Carroll, gay issues like marriage arent the focus. Security and economic prosperity come first. Carroll said that the terror attacks on 9/11, which killed a close friend, changed his perception of the importance of some political issues, including issues that affect him personally, like

same-sex marriage. I had a good friend who was on the plane that his the Pentagon, Carroll said. In addition to the national mourning we all went through, I had to go to a memorial ceremony for one of my closest friends. I came out of it thinking to myself, there are people out there that will kill us for just having our constitution. There are greater principals than the fight for marriage. Carroll said he respects the work Obama has done on gay rights during his term but also offered a harsh criticism of the way the president has handled the economy and foreign policy. I think its fair to say hes done enough to warrant praise, Carroll said. Hes done enough to keep the gay community sending him checks. Romney, at least the 2012 Romney, is no friend to the gay rights movement. Hes gone from Ill be better than Ted [Kennedy] on gay rights in 1994 to a full-fledged supporter of the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage. I cant say I am enthusiastic, Carroll said of the presumed nominee. I doubt that Rom-

ney will take positions that are all that different from previous Republican candidates. Carroll said that acceptance for gays and lesbians would be a slow process, regardless of who was elected or what laws were enacted. It doesnt matter what you do, you cant legislate acceptance, Carroll said. Were 50, 60 years out from the Civil Rights movement, and there are still people who dont accept blacks in the same way they do whites. Still, Republican legislators are the ones who introduce federal laws like the Defense of Marriage Act, and constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage and adoption bans at the state level not Democrats, which makes justifying support for the GOP a tough sell for gay voters. Carroll hopes to work within the Republican Party to advocate change toward gays and lesbians. My point in being a voice was to bridge people I know and care about on the conservative side with folks who I know and care about who are gay, Carroll added.

istock.com/MaryLB

www.theGAVoice.com

News

May 25, 2012

GA Voice

Marriage equality has yet to be embraced by the Democratic Party as a whole, although there is a well-publicized petition calling on the Democratic National Committee to include marriage equality in its platform at this years DNC Convention in Charlotte. Even some progressive Georgia politicians, like Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Athens Mayor Nancy Denson, personally oppose same-sex marriage, while supporting domestic partnership agreements or civil unions. (See story, Page 4) But why would LGBT voters go against their personal interests by embracing the GOPs platform? In short, money. Its still a race about the economy, said Dr. Andra Gillespie, associate professor of political science at Emory University. The debate about same-sex marriage was originally not going to play much of an issue in this race, but its happened now after Obamas announcement, Gillespie said. Yet Gillespie said that gay Republican voters had already made up their minds about the election well before Obamas same-sex marriage endorsement. Theyve known for a long time that the establishment in the party doesnt support samesex marriage, Gillespie said. Theyve already reconciled their vote. Gillespie said that despite the prominent role the economy will play in the fall election, voters may be reminded of the candidates positions on gay rights, thanks to issue-specific Super PACs that operate outside of campaigns. It may not be from President Obama, it may not be from Mitt Romney, Gillespie said. Parties and candidates have less control of the message than ever before because this is the first presidential election where Super PACs are in play. Jamie Ensley, former chair of the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans and an Atlanta resident, said that he would not vote for Obama this fall, but added that he hoped Romney would back off gay issues. Are Democrats better on gay issues than Republicans? Of course they are, Ensley said. Ensley said he believes that the tide is turning and that within the next few years, the Republican Party will be forced to accept LGBT equality as it becomes a mainstream position. Its going to take a couple of national elections and losses in the culture wars theyre fighting to see theyre going to have to change, Ensley said. Some Republicans, especially those who are most religious, will likely never embrace gay rights. The right-wing Republicans, youre never going to change their minds, Ensley continued. Just move on, go to the ones whose minds you can change. Ensley said he believed fixing the countrys economic situation outweighs the gay rights movement. If you have equality, but youre broke

Its the economy, girl

fiscally-conservative liberal than a sociallyliberal conservative. Im a moderate Republican, I have the best jobs plan, Im pro-choice, support gay marriage and I want us out of Afghanistan now. If youre not excited about Mitt Romney or the direction of the Republican Party, then I ask you to vote for me, Karger says in the campaign ad. The commercial has been viewed more than 50,000 times on YouTube and features an parental advisory warning and kiss between two men, likely the first-time two men have positively embraced in such a way in a presidential campaign ad. I wanted to, as I do with most of my commercials, deal with the fact that Im an historic candidate, Karger said. I wanted to do a ground breaking commercial that included a gay kiss. As I do this, Im also not taking off my civil rights hat, thats what thats about.

Bring the Republican Party back to its roots

Republican Fred Karger is the first openly gay man to run for president from a major political party. He made waves when a recent campaign video featuring bikini-clad girls and kissing boys went viral, but never got any serious attention within the party, and was not allowed to participate in televised debates. (Publicity photo)

and live in a third-world socialist country... Ensley said.

istock.com/MaryLB

Are gays and lesbians even welcome in the GOP?

Romney was praised by gay conservatives earlier this year when he appointed openly gay Richard Grenell, a former Bush administration official, to serve as his spokesman on foreign policy. Gay conservatives hoped it would begin to heal the divide between the GOP and its gay constituents. Grenell lasted just a week in the position before pressure from prominent social conservatives forced him to resign from the campaign. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, wrote that he feared Grenell would advocate pro-LGBT policy abroad and dismissed his conservative credentials simply because he was a gay man. While past performance is not a guarantee of future results, there is strong evidence that Grenell would lobby for foreign policy more in line with the current administration than the last Republican one, Perkins wrote on the FRC website. Other social conservatives piled on the criticism and Grenell was gone just a few days later. He [Romney] caved in to the far right and didnt support his staff member, openly gay GOP presidential candidate Fred Karger told GA Voice in a recent phone interview. Mitt Romney, as he started to move a little more to reach out and get LGBT support, really let us down.

Karger, 62, is attempting to do what no openly gay man has done before: secure the Republican Party nomination for a fall run at the White House. Of course, his campaign was over before it ever began. Yet, he presses on. In a contest thats seen many of the GOPs current crop of stars rise and fall, many before a ballot was ever cast, Karger flew under the radar. So far under, in fact, he was never a consideration for the majority of the GOPs primary voters and was not invited to participate in a single Republican debate. Thats probably because Karger is not a typical Republican. Karger told GA Voice that his focus is the California primary on June 5 and and the Utah primary on June 26, two contests where he hopes to have a strong showing among the states moderate Republican voters. Karger has been campaigning heavily in California in the last few weeks. Its his home state and likely the primary contest where he can claim the largest share of votes. Any vote I get is significant, Karger said. Its major to have someone vote for you for President of the United States. Karger has been handing out free frisbees, coordinated with a state-wide commercial called Sexy Frisbee that features several bikini-clad ladies and a few shirtless hunks playing beach games while he overlays his political positions, which make him sound more like a

When asked why a gay moderate with fiscal conservative views identifies as a Republican, Karger, like GOProuds Carroll, said that hes working toward changing the Republican Party from within. Im trying to bring the Republican Party back to its roots, he said. There is a fine line in the two parties when were talking about moderates. I have moderate social views, but I believe in sound fiscal policy. Karger acknowledges that Romney, barring some kind of disaster, will be the GOP nominee come the fall. But he said he would have a hard time supporting Romney in the general election. Romney started out as a moderate, Karger said. Hes so driven to be president, hell say and do anything. At issue for Karger, Romneys signature on a NOM anti-marriage pledge, where the former Massachusetts governor promises to fight against the spread of same-sex marriage should he win the presidency. Romney, along with most of the other GOP contenders, signed the marriage pledge late last year. Karger, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and former Ambassador Jon Huntsman were among the handful of GOP contenders who did not sign the pledge. Ive said that I cannot support a candidate who has signed and embraced a NOM pledge, Karger said. Thats just an affront to my community and to me. Ive said they can endorse him, but hes conversely endorsed them by signing that pledge. Karger gave President Obama credit for his accomplishments on LGBT issues, but said the president has failed the country with his economic policy particularly the deficit and must go. If Obama had seriously worked on the economy, that would have made a big difference. Politicians are causing havoc thats going to be left with your generation, Karger said. Its going to be a very difficult hole to get out of.

www.egrifta.com

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In two separate clinical trials of HIV-infected people with lipodystrophy, each lasting 6 months, EGRIFTA (tesamorelin for injection) reduced HIV-related excess belly fat by an average of 18% in the first trial, and 14% in the second trial. This reduction in excess belly fat resulted in an approximate 1-inch reduction in waist size. Individual results may vary. On average, patients on EGRIFTA did not lose weight. Like HIV, HIV-related excess belly fat is a chronic condition. In clinical studies: People who used EGRIFTA continuously for 1 year maintained their results over this time period People who stopped taking EGRIFTA after 6 months had their HIV-related excess belly fat come back EGRIFTA is believed to work with your own body to produce natural growth hormone to reduce your excess belly fat. Indication: EGRIFTA is a daily injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. Limitations of use: The impact and safety of EGRIFTA on cardiovascular health has not been studied EGRIFTA is not indicated for weight-loss management Its not known whether taking EGRIFTA helps improve compliance with antiretroviral medications EGRIFTA is not recommended to be used in children Important Risk Information Do not use EGRIFTA if you: Have pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland Have active cancer (either newly diagnosed or recurrent) or are receiving treatment for cancer Are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA including mannitol or , sterile water Are pregnant or become pregnant
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swelling. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection-site reactions The most common side effects of EGRIFTA include: joint pain numbness and pricking pain in legs and arms nausea swelling in your legs vomiting muscle soreness rash tingling itching EGRIFTA will NOT cure HIV or lower your chance of passing HIV to others. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Please see Consumer Brief Summary of EGRIFTA on following page.

EGRIFTA may cause serious side effects, including: Serious allergic reaction. Stop using EGRIFTA and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: rash over your body, hives, swelling of your face or throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling of faintness or fainting Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare provider if you have an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) Increase in glucose (blood sugar) intolerance and diabetes Injection-site reactions, such as redness, itching, pain, irritation, bleeding, rash, and

Ask your healthcare provider if EGRIFTA the first and only , FDA-approved medicine for HIV-related excess belly fat, may be right for you. For more information, visit www.egrifta.com or call the AXIS Center at 1-877-714-AXIS (2947).

120127-102148 2/12

Consumer Brief Summary for EGRIFTA (tesamorelin for injection)

EGRIFTA (eh-GRIF-tuh) (tesamorelin for injection) for subcutaneous use Read the Patient Information that comes with EGRIFTA before you start to take it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. What is EGRIFTA ?

Swelling (fluid retention). EGRIFTA can cause swelling in some parts of your body. Call your healthcare

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Injection-site reactions. Change (rotate) your injection site to help lower your risk for injection-site reactions.

EGRIFTA is an injectable prescription medicine to reduce the excess in abdominal fat in HIV-infected

patients with lipodystrophy. EGRIFTA contains a growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) The impact and safety of EGRIFTA on cardiovascular health has not been studied EGRIFTA is not indicated for weight-loss management It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA helps improve compliance with antiretroviral medications It is not known if EGRIFTA is safe and effective in children. EGRIFTA is not recommended to be used in children Who should not use EGRIFTA? Do not use EGRIFTA if you: have pituitary gland tumor, pituitary gland surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland have active cancer (either newly diagnosed or recurrent) or are receiving treatment for cancer are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA See the end of this leaflet for a complete . list of ingredients in EGRIFTA are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using EGRIFTA and talk with your healthcare provider. See What should I tell my healthcare provider before using EGRIFTA? What should I tell my healthcare provider before using EGRIFTA? Before using EGRIFTA tell your healthcare provider if you: , have or have had cancer have diabetes are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if EGRIFTA passes into your breast milk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that HIV-infected mothers not breastfeed to avoid the risk of passing HIV infection to your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking EGRIFTA have kidney or liver problems have any other medical condition Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. EGRIFTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how EGRIFTA works. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list with you to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. How should I use EGRIFTA?
Read the detailed Instructions for Use that comes with EGRIFTA before you start using EGRIFTA .

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Your

healthcare provider will show you how to inject EGRIFTA Use EGRIFTA exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider Inject EGRIFTA under the skin (subcutaneously) of your stomach area (abdomen) Change (rotate) the injection site on your stomach area (abdomen) with each dose. Do not inject EGRIFTA into scar tissue, bruises, or your navel Do not share needles or syringes with other people. Sharing of needles can result in the transmission of infectious diseases, such as HIV What are the possible side effects of EGRIFTA? EGRIFTA may cause serious side effects including: Serious allergic reaction. Some people taking EGRIFTA may have an allergic reaction. Stop using EGRIFTA and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: a rash over your body hives swelling of your face or throat shortness of breath or trouble breathing fast heartbeat feeling of faintness or fainting

2012 EMD Serono, Inc. 120120-161843 2/12 All rights reserved. EGRIFTA is a registered trademark of Theratechnologies Inc. Distributed by EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA 02370

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News

May 25, 2012

GA Voice

11 23

Coalition wants no wedge between black voters, president over gay marriage
Group hopes to counter anti-gay National Organization for Marriage
By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com A new coalition of LGBT friendly churches and African-American organizations is coming together to combat efforts to drive a wedge between black voters and President Barack Obama in the 2012 election because the president now personally supports same-sex marriage. Elder Antonio Jones, a gay pastor of Atlantas Unity Fellowship, said he and others including the National Black Justice Coalition have formed NoWedge2012.com specifically to start healthy dialogues with black Americans over the issue of marriage equality. At the May 17 International Day Against Homophobia event held in Hapeville, Ga., Jones said the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage wants to drive a wedge between the African-American community and the LGBT community. We didnt start the marriage fight. Usually the fight comes to us, he said. We have started NoWedge2012.com to conquer their campaign. In a phone interview, Jones said the No Wedge campaign doesnt have as broad a base as NOM, but we want to make sure we are on the radar. With Obamas recent support of same-sex marriage and the NAACP also making a statement in support of marriage equality, Jones said he and others are trying to galvanize a crosssection of the LGBT and African American communities. The goal is to send a message to NOM and to those who voted for a constitutional amendment in North Carolina prohibiting same-sex marriage that the African American community is a diverse group of people capable of supporting all civil rights, including same-sex marriage. We want to dispel that myth that the African American community has no tolerance, he said. But why does the black church face so much stigma when it comes to LGBT issues, when there are also plenty of white churches that preach hate against gay people? The reason the black church gets a bad rap is because it is very charismatic in how we deliver our messages, Jones said. Our messages tend to be more brazen than our white counterparts. Sharon Lettman-Hicks is executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, which works on LGBT issues. A No Wedge participant, Lettman-Hicks said it is time for honest dialogue with black LGBT people. Now our moral leadership has spoken, she said. It is time to start having healthy conversations. There is no doubt that NOM and others have co-opted the evangelical right, she added, but now is the time to get started on bringing more awareness of black LGBT people into the churches and into African-American communities themselves. We will not let them divide our community, she said. Jones preached at the IDAHO event that the black community is filled with diversity and that diversity will survive the attacks made by organizations such as NOM who wish to conquer and divide the black community through political strategies. I have great hope because I believe lies dont live forever. Lies are founded in fear. And what is homophobia? Fear, Jones said. We will not allow fear to defeat us. When the president let us know we do matter, we know our community has the ability to hold different positions. We aint going nowhere. Weve come to far to turn around. We going to stand until justice is served, he said.

Elder Antonio Jones of Unity Fellowship Church speaks about No Wedge, a new coalition to combat efforts to divide the LGBT community and black community. (Photo by JD Harville)

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News

May 25, 2012

GA Voice

13

Gay vs. gay-friendly races shape up for Ga. House

Painful election predicted as friends face off in newly redrawn districts
By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com State Reps. Rashad Taylor and Pat Gardner face off in the Democratic primary for the newly redrawn District 57 and the results are likely to be painful to LGBT voters. Political districts are redrawn every decade to reflect population changes. Republicans control the Georgia legislature, and thus controlled redistricting after the 2010 Census. The entire General Assembly is up for election this year, and two of Georgias four openly gay state lawmakers were drawn into districts pitting two Democratic incumbents against each other. In the new District 57, voters in the heavily gay area of Piedmont Heights and Midtown, as well as neighborhoods below I-20 including some of West End, will be forced to decide between an openly gay black man and a white woman and longtime LGBT ally seeking her 12th term. With Rashad and Pat, we have a very challenging race, said Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, the states largest LGBT advocacy organization. Both have been endorsed by Georgia Equality in the past and the group stood by Taylor when he came out one year ago May 22, 2011 at the Phillip Rush Center after an ex-boyfriend threatened to out him to colleagues. Being forced to decide between these two wont be easy, Graham acknowledged. We have two people with proven track records. Certainly Pat has a long history and Rashad is one of only two gay black men in legislatures around the country, Graham said. Gardner and Taylor both said they are seeking the Georgia Equality endorsement, but Graham said a decision may not come for weeks or even a month. The two incumbents consider each other friends and have worked closely in the legislature on many issues. But at the same time, each wants to win this race. The Republican redistricting is unfortunate for the city of Atlanta, Taylor, vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said at his recent campaign kickoff at the Commerce Club. A lot of neighborhoods have been divided. Communities of interest have been divided. It makes it hard for us as candidates and for voters to understand, he said. Taylor said the redistricting seems to be racially motivated and his contest is the perfect example a gay black man against a white progressive woman. But I hope people support me not just beLong, expressed disappointment and even anger that Georgia Equality did not consider him for an endorsement before giving its nod to Bell in the new District 58. Bell made history when she was elected in 2009 and became the first out AfricanAmerican lesbian elected to a state legislature. I just want a fair chance, said Long, who is a co-sponsor of a hate crimes bill in the House sponsored by Taylor and also of the state Fair Employment Practices Act sponsored by Drenner. Ive never voted to discriminate against anyone. My feelings are hurt [about the endorsement]. The LGBT community has some straight allies and if we want equality we have to want equality for all. Having a straight candidate that represents their issues gives constituents a larger plate at the table, he said. Ive had doors closed in my face because Im not gay. For Bell, who said she has nothing bad to say about her colleague Long, the major opposition in her race is the map. The map is the challenge, not my opponent, Bell said during a May 12 meeting of the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party. But Im going to win. Bell also made it clear that she represents all constituents whether it comes to healthcare, womens issues, poverty and education. Its important I go back because as an out lesbian I fight for a womans right if she wants to or doesnt want to have an abortion, she said. If I am fighting for womens rights, I know Im fighting for lesbian rights.

State Reps. Rashad Taylor and Pat Gardner face each other in the Democratic primary on July 31. The two friends were drawn into the same district during the last session. Taylor is openly gay and Gardner is a longtime supporter of LGBT rights. (Photos by Dyana Bagby)

cause Im gay, he said. Ive worked hard on numerous issues. Pat [Gardner] has been an ally and a supporter of my leadership. We bonded in the House. Its unfortunate to be running against a friend. At a recent fundraiser for another candidate, Gardner said the redistricting process was simply painful. I worked very hard to keep communities of interest together, Gardner said. They [Republicans] had another agenda. We believe in Atlanta that we are an inclusive society, not just black and white, but men and women, the whole gay community. Its really hard to find ourselves in this position where trying to make Democratic Party look less inclusive. Hes my friend. But I have some issues I care deeply about and in process of putting everything I have into this race, she added. Gardner, who voted against the 2004 state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, has experience running against a gay candidate. That same year, current Atlanta City Council member Alex Wan challenged Gardner, but she won easily in the Democratic Primary. Alex [Wan] and I ran against each other and are now very close friends. He supports me in this campaign. It is my hope that the gay community realizes we need allies, gay people, as much as we can get for support, Gardner said.

Early endorsements make waves

Georgia Equality has made early endorsements of four openly gay candidates for Georgia House: state Rep. Simone Bell, who faces ally Rep. Ralph Long in the newly redrawn District 58; Rep. Keisha Waites of District 60; Rep. Karla Drenner of District 86; and Ken Britt, a candidate

for the open seat of District 56. At this point in time we made four early endorsements where the decisions were very clear to us. We are supporting these incumbents and supporting Ken Britt who helped form the organization [of Georgia Equality]. These are people who have worked and will be able to advance our legislative agenda. And Ken has worked at the Capitol to help us do that, Graham said. Britt volunteered as a lobbyist for Georgia Equality last legislative session on HB 630, the Georgia Fair Employment Practices Bill. But he does have an opponent Able Mable Thomas, a former state representative who also challenged U.S. Rep. John Lewis. When reached by phone and asked for an interview about the campaign, Thomas said she wanted equal time for the coverage GA Voice has given to Britt, including two stand-alone stories about her, before promising to send an announcement about her campaign and then hanging up the phone. The first GA Voice article was about Britts campaign announcement and was before Thomas entered the race. The second article was about Georgia Equality announcing early endorsements. The GA Voice received a text message Tuesday, May 22, saying Thomas was holding a fundraiser at the Capital on Wednesday, May 23. In an interview with the website Atlanta Progressive News and her friend editor Matthew Cardinale, Thomas said she was disappointed Georgia Equality did not consider endorsing her. Im a little sad theyve gone so quickly to endorse [Britt] without looking at the record and seeing Im a consistent strong vote to ensure the rights of the LGBT community are respected, Thomas said.

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Other gay incumbents

Drenner, who was Georgias first openly gay state legislator and is currently serving her sixth term, didnt have an announced opponent at press time. The official candidate qualifying period is May 23-25, with the primary set for July 31. My job I believe is to not only help Democrats get elected but to ensure LGBT candidates get elected, Drenner said. Rep. Keisha Waites, who won a special election Feb. 7 for the District 60 seat, said she was thrilled to receive Georgia Equalitys endorsement. She hopes she faces no opponent, but said she is sticking to her grassroots campaign of walking neighborhoods and especially working with children in her districts public schools. We hit the ground running since I was sworn in and I plan to work for the people, she said. Graham of Georgia Equality hopes the redistricting process does not divide progressive voters, who are already outnumbered in Georgia politics. I hope the progressive community as a whole does not fall in the trap of beating up each other because of race, class and sexual orientation, Graham said. This year is going to be very painful for a lot of people. I hope the leaders in our community can keep one eye on this election cycle and another eye on working together in the future to bring equity and fairness to Georgia, he said.

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GA Voice

May 25, 2012

News

www.theGAVoice.com

Governor changes Day Against Homophobia to Mistreatment Awareness Day

Event promoted sexual diversity in the workplace
By Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Atlanta celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia in Hapeville, Ga., at the affirming Village Church taking the May 17 event out of the safe LGBT bubble of Atlanta to areas where more education about LGBT issues is needed, said Betty Couvertier, IDAHO organizer. The keynote speaker this year was Vandy Beth Glenn, the transgender woman who sued the state in federal court after she was fired from her job as a legislative editor when she informed her boss she was transitioning from male to female. Her case made it all the way to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals where she won in a unanimous ruling from a three-member panel and got her job back. Glenn talked about how the world was changing for the better, especially for LGBT people, noting that in Georgia there are currently four openly state legislators. Its a great time to be lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, she said. Also speaking was Melissa Carter, columnist for the GA Voice and Huffington Post as well as from the governors office as to why the name was changed. During his Republican campaign for governor, Deal would not support gay adoptions, would not support taxpayer-funded domestic partner benefits, and said he would fight to uphold Georgias constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man, one woman. The proclamation from the governor never mentions homophobia, sexual orientation or gender identity. The State of Georgia does not tolerate the criminal mistreatment of its citizens in any way, shape, or form. Whether it is bullying on the playground, harassment in the workplace, or general mental and physical abuse, our state is one that will see that individuals who act against the law are held accountable for their behavior, the proclamation states. It concludes: Mistreatment Awareness Day is an opportunity to observe those who have suffered through any form of violence and to recognize those who campaign to raise awareness on this issue. They couldnt even use the word homophobia, Couvertier said. This [proclamation] is a documentation of homophobia. Couvertier promised to keep asking the governor for proclamations seeking recognition of the event in future years.

Atlanta IDAHO organizer Betty Couvertier reads the Mistreatment Awareness Day proclamation from Gov. Nathan Deals office on May 17. (Photo by JD Harville)

former co-host of the popular Q100 Bert Show. She praised President Barack Obama for publicly coming out in support of same-sex marriage. The majority of people out there are followers. Sometimes you have to be a leader, Carter said. You are just fine the way you are. Dont be discouraged. Have hope. Dont doubt yourself. Proclamations from the full Atlanta City Council and Fulton County Commission were presented at the event to honor May 17 as In-

ternational Day Against Homophobia. State Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) also presented a proclamation she issued honoring the day. But Couvertier also asked for a proclamation from the office of Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal. She received one, but it had been renamed Mistreatment Awareness Day. Couvertier said she was shocked when she received the proclamation that renamed an international event and received no answers

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GA Voice

May 25, 2012

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News

May 25, 2012

GA Voice

17

Atlanta Police LGBT Advisory Board seeks new members

Three seats are open on the Atlanta Police Departments LGBT Advisory Board after twoyear terms expired. The board, founded in 2010 by Mayor Kasim Reed during the fallout of the unconstitutional Atlanta Eagle raid, allows two-year terms for members. Those not seeking to renew their terms are Terence McPhaul, executive director of YouthPride; Betty Couvertier, radio host for Alternative Perspectives; and Ebonee Bradford Barnes, who has been absent for four meetings. Those who wish to remain on the board are current chairperson Glen Paul Freedman; Josh Noblitt of St. Mark United Methodist Church; AID Atlanta Executive Director Tracy Elliott; Melissa Carter; and Philip Rafshoon. The openings were discussed at the board meeting held Monday, May 21. Those wishing to apply for the position must undergo a background check conducted by the LGBT liaisons and fill out an application. The board is seeking diversity including transgender people, people of color and lesbians. For information, email Freedman at glenfreedman@thelmbgroup.com. At the board meeting on May 21, members present also thanked Senior Patrol Officer Patricia Powell who stepped down as LGBT liaison and is now working on recruitment of officers. She came in at a rough time after the Eagle raid and handled herself in a professional manner and helped the community heal, said Elliott. Officer Kristin Knight recently replaced Powell as the new LGBT liaison and serves in the position with Officer Brian Sharp. Knight and Sharp will attend a conference for LGBT people working in law enforcement beginning May 28. An advisory board meeting is being planned for June to hear about what the officers learned at the conference, Freedman said. Sharp also reported to the board that he con-

Glen Paul Freedman, chair of the Atlanta Police LGBT Advisory Board, said the board is currently seeking three new members. (Photo by Dyana Bagby)

ducted training for vice officers who conduct sting operations of prostitutes who are crossdressers and transsexuals. Dyana Bagby

Police: Despite TV reports, no increased violence among crossdressing prostitutes in Midtown

Atlanta television stations 11Alive and WSB-TV aired sensational segments May 16 claiming cross-dressing and transvestite prostitutes were terrorizing residents living in Midtown. The commander of the Atlanta Police Departments vice unit told GA Voice the stories are not true. The neighborhood in question is Piedmont Avenue and 3rd Street as well as Myrtle Street. Both stations interviewed residents of the area who alleged there were prostitute gangs as well as prostitutes approaching residents and threatening them. Ten or twelve prostitutes standing in the streets waving at cars, shaking their booty, wearing prostitute clothes, resident Michael Orloff told 11Alive. There are times when the prostitutes actually get into arguments amongst themselves over a john. And on WSB-TV, Graham Balch, who also ran for state senate in 2010, said prostitutes have confronted him on several occasions. I have experienced some who are very aggressive to me. Who swore at me, came after me, Balch said. Lt. Scott Kreher, commander of the vice unit for the APD, said there is no evidence of prostitute gangs or increased violence. Im not really sure why it was reported like that, he said in an interview. There is no more violence there than in any other part of the city, whether female or male prostitutes. There has been no evidence any increased violence, he added. And weve done details there as much as any other part of the city. We dont see any evidence of pimp or prostitute gangs. When residents approach prostitutes, how-

Pro-gay rugby star Ben Cohen to attend ATL screening of Legalize Gay documentary
Ben Cohen, a U.K. rugby star athlete and founder of the Atlanta-based to combat bullying and homophobia in sports, will be in Atlanta June 11 for a screening of Legalize Gay as part of Atlanta Prides Stonewall month of events. The screening is a collaboration of the StandUp Foundation, Atlanta Pride Committee and Out on Film, Atlantas LGBT film fest where Legalize Gay had its world premiere last year. It is also a fundraiser for all three groups, with tickets priced at $15. A Q&A with Cohen will take place after the movie screening, which is set for 7:30 p.m. at Midtown Art Cinema. Cohen is the first straight sports star to focus his philanthropic efforts on LGBT causes. He and his foundation are profiled in Legalize Gay along with Spelman University alumna Jeshawna Wholley, who organized the first Pride event at the historically black college and was later invited to meet President Barack Obama; and Danny Hernandez, the gay intern credited for saving the life Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. The Stonewall month screening of Legalize Gay is a fundraiser for Cohens StandUp Foundation, the Atlanta Pride Committee and Out On Film. Dyana Bagby

Graham Balch, who ran for state senate in 2010, told WSB-TV he has been confronted by very aggressive transgender prostitutes on several occasions. (Photo via Facebook)

ever, there may be issues, Kreher said. [T]he only violence I see is when citizens approach the prostitutes and are trying to challenge them, he said. I dont see it [violence] any other way. The APD makes sweeps in areas know for prostitution in the summer months, Kreher noted, including Midtown. He said there is no evidence of prostitute gangs and that prostitutes do typically travel in pairs for safety reasons. When asked if these prostitutes were transsexual or transgender women, Kreher said they were men who dressed as women. They are mostly men dressed as women, not transsexuals or transgender, he said, adding that LGBT liaison Officer Brian Sharp often accompanies the vice unit on details and trains the officers on transgender issues. The word transvestite is also considered a slur by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Dyana Bagby

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GA Voice

May 25, 2012

Voices

The Georgia Voice

EDITORIAL

1904 Monroe Dr., Suite 130 Atlanta, GA 30324 404-815-6941 | www.thegavoice.com Editor: Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Deputy Editor: Dyana Bagby dbagby@thegavoice.com Web Manager: Ryan Watkins rwatkins@thegavoice.com Art Director: Bo Shell bshell@thegavoice.com Contributors: Melissa Carter, Brent Corcoran, Jim Farmer, Shannon Hames, Topher Payne, Mike Ritter, Matt Schafer, Steve Warren, Justin Ziegler

VOICES OPINION & REACTION

An open letter to Mayor Kasim Reed on marriage equality
Editorial by Laura Douglas-Brown lbrown@thegavoice.com Dear Mayor Reed, Not quite three years ago, in November 2009, you and I sat across a conference room table in the ofce of the weekly gay newspaper where I served as editor. You were there to interview for our endorsement in the Atlanta mayoral election. Your opponent in the race, Mary Norwood, had sat at the same table, for the same reason. She supported same-sex couples right to marry. You did not. You chalked it up to your personal religious beliefs, but couldnt really explain why given the separation of church and state religious beliefs should play a role in setting public policy. We didnt endorse you, but we didnt endorse Ms. Norwood either. The newspaper locked its doors and led for bankruptcy without publishing another issue. You went on to win the election, but you lost District 6, home to Atlantas gayest neighborhoods, by a wide margin. A little over a year later, you and I sat down again, this time in your ofce at City Hall. It was March 2010, and I was there to interview you for an article in the new LGBT newspaper we had just launched, GA Voice. This time, you brought up gay marriage rst. You hadnt changed your position, but it was clear you were still smarting from the gay voters who had ocked to Norwood during the election despite your support for gay rights while you served in the Georgia legislature, which included serving as the House sponsor of a hate crime law that was later struck down for being too vague, and trying to stop passage of the bill that put a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot in 2004. Some critics had said you refused to support gay marriage for political reasons, that you had aspirations to higher ofce. You insisted repeatedly that your opposition was genuine and heartfelt, a belief for which you were willing to risk an election. Somehow, that didnt make me feel any better. The problem, Mayor Reed, is that your stand on gay marriage just doesnt make sense. Neither did President Obamas before May 9. Thats why critics thought his stand was purely political, and thats why many still think that about you. I believe in absolute full legal equality, I believe that gay and lesbian couples should have every right and benet that married couples have, but I do have a reservation where it comes to marriage, you told me back in that 2010 interview. But if you truly believe in full equality, why not call it marriage? Because the fact is that alternative legal statuses like civil unions do not grant the full rights, or the full respect, as marriage. The California Supreme Court explained this better than I ever could, though the point is so obvious it is hard to believe it needs explaining: Retaining the designation of marriage exclusively for opposite-sex couples and providing only a separate and distinct designation for same-sex couples may well have the effect of perpetuating a more general premise that gay individuals and same-sex couples are in some respects second-class citizens who may, under the law, be treated differently from, and less favorably than, heterosexual individuals or opposite-sex couples. And if you are afraid that being pro-gay marriage will hurt your future electability, you can cross that off your list of concerns. President Obamas announcement was groundbreaking for many reasons, the most important being that it afrmed the basic equality of all Americans. But it also gave cover to basically every other politician in the country. Really, think about it. Being opposed to marriage equality actually hurt you in the 2009 mayors race. It could hurt you again if you seek re-election next year. You have already served in the Georgia House and Senate, so you arent going back there. If you ran for Congress, it would be in a Democratic Atlanta-based district, and supporting gay marriage wont hurt you. U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta) already supports gay marriage; should he decide one day to retire, voters in his district wouldnt hold it against you. Running for an ofce elected statewide, like governor or U.S. senator, would be a long shot for you already. Sadly, Democrats arent winning statewide races these days, and even more sadly, Georgia has never had an AfricanAmerican governor or U.S. senator. Thats not to say it couldnt happen, but supporting gay

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Stop wrestling and start evolving

marriage would hardly be the biggest obstacle you would face. On the list of future political options for you, that leaves being appointed to federal ofce. But that will only happen if a Democrat is in the White House. And the Democrat presidential nominee is Barack Obama. And he, of course, supports gay marriage. Do you see where I am going with this? You might wonder why we care. Mayors dont pass marriage laws, which are set at the state level. And Georgia is nowhere close to legalizing gay marriage. That is, of course, exactly why your support matters. Elected ofcials wield the power of the bully pulpit, garnering the visibility and respect to inuence all kinds of issues where they dont directly set policy. To that end, Freedom to Marry launched the Mayors for the Freedom to Marry project, which now includes more than 200 mayors. They represent cities large and small, including Southern cities like Tallahassee, Fla., and Chapel Hill, N.C. We stand for the freedom to marry because it enhances the economic competitiveness of our communities, improves the lives of families that call our cities home, and is simply the right thing to do, reads the pledge from the mayors. Mayor Reed, as these other mayors know, marriage equality has become the new litmus test to judge whether someone is truly committed to lesbian and gay rights. Even those in our community who dont think it should be rst on the proverbial gay agenda dont like you when you say we should be denied that right. It isnt just President Obama who has evolved on gay issues. The whole country has evolved. You sponsored the state hate crimes bill in 2000. That was a courageous stand back then. The same year you helped ght the marriage amendment here in Georgia, Massachusetts became the rst state to legalize gay marriage. Now there are eight states, plus the District of Columbia, though laws passed in two states havent taken effect yet and could still be turned back by bigoted amendments. Still, polls show about 50 percent of Americans now support marriage equality, and as of May 9, so does the president of the United States. If you continue wrestling with this issue much longer, you wont be an ally youll be an anachronism.

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All material in the Georgia Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Georgia Voice. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. We also do not accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Georgia Voice, but we do not take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. Guidelines for freelance contributors are available upon request. A single copy of the Georgia Voice is available from authorized distribution points. Multiple copies are available from the Georgia Voice ofce only. Call for rates. If you are unable to reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 26-issue mailed subscription for $60 per year. Checks or credit card orders can be sent to Tim Boyd, tboyd@thegavoice.com Postmaster: Send address changes to the Georgia Voice, 1904 Monroe Drive, Suite 130, Atlanta, GA 30324. The Georgia Voice is published every other Friday by The Georgia Voice, LLC. Individual subscriptions are $60 per year for 26 issues. Postage paid at Atlanta, GA, and additional mailing ofces. The editorial positions of the Georgia Voice are expressed in editorials and in editors notes. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Georgia Voice and its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words and commentary, for web or print, should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verication. Email submissions to editor@thegavoice.com or mail to the address above.

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GA Voice

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May 25, 2012

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May 25, 2012

GA Voice

23

#1: Supper club for the husband-hungry

A desperate foodie begins his search for a mate in Atlantas restaurant world
Editors note: Food Porn is a new ctional series by longtime Atlanta food critic Cliff Bostock. Set in real Atlanta restaurants, it chronicles the adventures of Robert, a gay man in search of a husband or at least a good meal. Robert Lingston, a longtime resident of Midtown Atlanta, dipped his napkin in his water glass and rubbed a dribble of a garlic-laden sauce off his red polo shirt. He looked across the table at his friend Janet and sighed. Im having a midlife crisis, he said, looking around the room. He pushed each sleeve of his shirt up to better reveal his biceps. I really am. Isnt this like your second or third midlife crisis? Janet asked. They were at Pura Vida in Poncey-Highland. Robert, a dedicated but gym-compulsive foodie, loved Chef Hector Santiagos tapas. His favorite was the Puerto-Rican classic, mofongo mashed plantains, carnitas and bits of pork cracklings. Pura Vida was always crowded and noisy. Like most restaurants that serve small plates, its initial impression was inexpensive. As soon as you started multiplying the plates and fancy cocktails, though, the bill could zoom upward. I need a husband, Robert said. Im 49. Im like a grocery-store price. At 49, I might as well be 50 the end of everything. Im too old for shirtless bowling and every time I hook up, guys call me Daddy. Its like the anti-Viagra. Maybe you should shave the scruff, sweetheart, Janet replied, tipsy enough to be truthful. It looks okay on a lot of young guys, but at some point it ages you. Robert massaged his cheeks and looked at his hands to see if the Grecian Formula was rubbing off. Maybe youre right, he said, but its the big fetish now, so it matters more than anything else. By analogy, if your penis is gigantic, it doesnt matter at 2 in the horny morning online if you look like a esh-eating zombie. Nor does it matter if your hook-up says, Here, put on this grocery bag. Actually, Janet said, youre the opposite. Youre too damn picky the same way you are about food. Robert laughed. He licked a dab of tamarind sauce from a nger. It accompanied the steamed coconut buns with slightly sweet, smoked pork belly. So what is your plan? Janet asked. I dont have a plan. Its impossible to meet eligible men in this city. I dont want to go to bars. Im over the online thing. I even went to church

the last three Sundays. Ive met more interesting men standing at a urinal at Home Depot. Maybe you need to get a little kinky, Janet suggested. Maybe you need to introduce food into your sex and love life. You know food porn. She was making a joke, but Roberts eyes narrowed. His mind was whirring. So-called underground supper clubs were all the rage now. What if he started a gay food-porn dinner club? He could host dinners at various restaurants or invite chefs to secret locations. Everyone was doing it. Why not him? ******** Robert was excited, but he worried about peoples reaction. As an English professor at Georgia State, he specialized in queer theory and knew that people sometimes found his ideas uncomfortably radical. He decided to discuss the supper club with his regular Friday dining companion, Jimmy, who was 10 years younger than Robert. They had been dining at the Colonnade together for nearly 15 years. Robert invited Ralph to join them. He was a 27-year-old hair-stylist who helped Robert disguise his thinning blond hair and ripped the hair off his back every couple of weeks after dripping hot wax on him. Ralph had the clone look down: orid tattoos, buzz cut, patches of scruff, neon-green shoe laces. I hope you can handle this, Robert said to Ralph, as he snatched a yeast roll from the bread basket and dug into his favorite wedge of iceberg lettuce with blue cheese dressing. This

Recommended
Pura Vida, 656 N. Highland Ave., 404870-9797, www.puravidatapas.com. (Best choices: the mofongo, steamed coconut buns, anything on the menu.) The Colonnade, 1879 Cheshire Bridge Bridge Rd., 404-874-5642, www.colonnadeatl.com. (Best choices: wedge of lettuce with blue cheese dressing, fried chicken, turnip greens.) Uncle Julios, 1860 Peachtree Rd., 404350-6767, www.unclejulios.com. (Best choices: Waiting for a table.) HD1, 1664 N. Highland Ave., 404-815-1127, www.hd1restaurant.com. (Good choices: the Merguez, the Bratwurst, the Classic.) is a mature scene for you. The Colonnade was once renowned for its mix of gay men and 80-year-old Southern belles who sat at tables twirling ringlets of blue hair while sipping cocktails between deep inhalations from portable oxygen tanks. But most of the widows moved on to the Bingo Parlor in the Sky. Lunch was discontinued. Aging gay men still showed up, but younger guys found new places to hang out Fridays, like Uncle Julios (formerly Casa Grande), where the crowded, margarita-drenched wait for a table provided involuntary frottage, often better than the food. So, I dont get this idea, Jimmy said.

And I have no idea what food porn is, Ralph said. Generally, Robert said, it refers to the way cooking shows, dining reviews and photography depict food in gastronomically lascivious terms. The depictions cause hunger as effectively as porn gets you hard. Its all about desire. Okay, Ralph said, averting his eyes from a man who shufed by in a cloud of Aramis, staring at him intensely. But how do you work this into dinner? Before he could answer, dinner arrived a mountain of hot crispy fried chicken with turnip greens for Robert. Although a major foodie, Robert was as ruled by nostalgia as any other person. The chicken, which he regarded as the citys best, always reminded him of growing up in Savannah. Its just for fun, Robert explained. Men in Atlanta take sex far too seriously. Its valid as recreation. Hell, it can be performance art with or without an a audience. Jimmy took a bite of his favorite turkey and dressing and stared at Robert. You know, he said, a lot of people are gonna think youre nuts if you do this. Robert sighed. I do think its nuts, Ralph said. Its like all those guys in leather diapers humping drag queens in Gay Pride parades. It just makes all of us look so bad. And here you are talking about I dont know naked men serving oversized hot dogs from HD1. Robert frowned. I think HD1 is great fun but Im not that crazy about all of their hot dogs, he said about the restaurant started by Top Chef Richard Blais. Some of the dogs sausages, really are a little too baroque. They pile too many toppings on one small piece of meat, so to speak. Nobody likes a small piece of meat that tastes weird. But, if you pare the toppings down, you get some great avor. Ralph and Jimmy looked at one another. You really dont get it, do you? Jimmy asked. I get it, Robert said, drumming his ngers. Its my job to maintain a proper image of gay men. Its like the guys who got arrested at LA Fitness a few years back because they played around in the sauna. Everyone said they were an embarrassment to the entire community. Gay men can be amazingly prudish whores. Its your thing, Jimmy said. Id go. I think it will be fun, if the police dont raid it because of lewd eating. Too out there for me, Ralph said. Honestly, Ralph, Robert replied, I think treating sex and romance this way defuses its intimidation factor. Its not a literal sex party, but a chance to meet adventurous, interesting men. In any case, Im doing it to nd a husband. You are seriously deranged, Ralph said. Thank you, Robert replied. I just want to bring good food out of the closet.

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May 25, 2012

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Celebrate Steampunk and the best of the retro-futurists at Worthmore Gallery/Decatur, Opening May 25 Come on in to Worthmore in Decatur during the Decatur Arts Festival (and our anniversary!!) Experience the creations of Atlanta's Artice Club, meet guest curator Jeri Eader and see the glory of a future that never was. Great food, art, jewelry and music with Artice founder and Director of Musical Journeys, DJ Doctor Q. Prizes go to the two best-dressed in Steampunk attire! So if you have one foot in the future and one in the past, get both to Decatur and Worthmore.
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May 25, 2012

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Mother lode
Lesbian artist, author Alison Bechdel mines maternal relations in new graphic novel
Alison Bechdel gained legions of fans with her syndicated comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For, known for its mix of personal relationships and political issues, before turning her pen to even more overtly personal topics. Her celebrated rst graphic novel, Fun Home, published in 2006, focused on Bechdels relationship with her father, including his gay affairs during his marriage to her mother. Now, Bechdel uses her formidable storytelling and illustration skills to explore her relationship with her mother in her new graphic memoir, Are You My Mother? GA Voice: Your previous book Fun Home plays a considerable role in your new book, Are You My Mother? Were you prepared for reception that the rst book received? Alison Bechdel: No! I think, in a way this new memoir is kind of my own working out of what happened with Fun Home. It was surprisingly, almost freakishly, successful. I was not prepared for that. Therapy and therapists are central gures in Are You My Mother? and, as you said, this new book helped you work out that experience. But do you ever consider writing, drawing and making art in general to be an extension of therapy? I guess I do. I feel like I have such an odd life where my work is about my life. That was even true, to a certain extent, when I was drawing my comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For, where I was writing about the daily life I was

BOOKS

by Gregg Shapiro

living in the lesbian subculture. Now Ive gone further inward. My job is writing about my life, almost everything I do, including therapy, including my work. Everything just blends together in this sometimes confusing but mostly organic way. Each chapter of Are You My Mother? begins with a dream. Was it always your intention to begin them that way? That happened pretty late in my process. Even then I was kind of resistant to it, because it is sort of inexcusable to belabor people with ones dreams. Youre not supposed to even talk about your dreams, let alone put them in a book. I feel like they were the chronological key to the story. This book about my mother jumps around in time and in space so much that I felt like it needed some kind of spine or backbone. For me that was the sequence of dreams that I had in the process of writing the memoir about my dad. Those dreams happened in chronological order and I keep them in that order in the book as a kind of touchstone. In chapter four you write about Dr. Seuss Sleep Book. P.D. Eastmans Are You My Mother? from Dr. Seusss I can read it myself series also plays a role in your new book. As both an illustrator and a writer, how much inuence would you say that Theodore Geisel had on you? Dr. Seuss was a huge inuence. I loved all of his books as a kid. Strangely though, I read the P. D. Eastman book as a kid, but it wasnt

Photo by Elen Seibert

[laughs] that pivotal for me. I didnt click with that book. But I just loved Dr. Seuss. He was crazy!

Other writers, including Virginia Woolf and the recently deceased lesbian poet Adrienne Rich, gure prominently in the book. As someone who, like Dr. Seuss, both writes and illustrates, and even though drawing is still an essential part of the work, would you personally say that you identify more as a writer or an illustrator? Thats a very interesting question. I want to argue that I am both equally. But the truth is I do think that I am more of writer than a drawer. I think the drawing is a little more in service to the writing then vice versa. That balance varies a lot for different criteria. Sometimes the words have a little more

Lesbian illustrator/author Alison Bechdel explores her complicated relationship with her mother in her new graphic memoir, Are You My Mother? (Excerpted from Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel. Copyright 2012 by Alison Bechdel. Used by permission of Houghton Mifin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

primacy. Others are more driven by the images. We all want to think that its a completely inextricable balance and it is inextricable for me. Sometimes I feel like a crypto-writer, that I became a cartoonist as a way of being a writer that wouldnt annoy or challenge my mother. Have thought about your next project? Yes, I have. Im still excited about memoir and I have a lot more to say about my family. I need to sit down and talk with them about this, but I want to keep writing about my wacky family.

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May 25, 2012

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Down the rabbit hole

Revisionist Alice in Wonderland has outsider appeal
Alice in Wonderland June 1 July 28 at Serenbe Playhouse 9110 Selborne Lane Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268 www.serenbeplayhouse.com Jersey Boys Through June 10 at the Fox Theatre 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 www.JerseyBoysTour.com story, about how the events she faces gives her both self-empowerment and condence. We can all relate to this. I think Alice wants to be a tomboy who cant identify with the idea of parents trying to making their children into something they are not? The director was open to casting an adult in the lead role but came across young Skylar Nicholson, who has a TV career on her own, As Brian Clowdus prepares to open his new summer season at Serenbe Playhouse next week, the openly gay artistic director of the troupe is particularly proud of the new take on Alice in Wonderland his company is unveiling. He promises a version of the classic that audiences have never seen. Based on the Lewis Carroll story, Rachel Teagles revisionist version retains the central characters but throws a curve into the action. Here, young Alice comes across a band of actors in her journey, all wearing masks, and she becomes the main character in a story that they dream up. Part of what Clowdus and Teagle wanted to do with this new take was to make Alice less passive in the story and give her more to do. Clowdus feels gay and lesbian audiences in particular can relate to the lead character. He feels the character of Alice is very much an outsider. She is beautiful, gorgeous, but she doesnt know that, he says. She has no friends. She just doesnt t in with others and has no belief in herself. This is very much her coming of age

THEATER by Jim Farmer

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stead, with the main character coming in and out of the water. He staged that show as a result of all the bullying that had been going on locally and nationally. If theres a theme to this season, its about dreams. Alice is left to wonder was this real or all just a dream, Clowdus says. Following Alice in Wonderland will be William Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream and then the gay-themed Time Between Us, a regional premiere by Brett Schrier which will star Clowdus. The Broadway Across America 2011-2102 season is ending with Jersey Boys, the crowd favorite that won a 2006 Tony for Best Musical. Its rst Atlanta engagement was very successful so it has returned for a multi-week run. The story of Frankie Vallie and the formation of the band Four Seasons not only has a lot of terric music (Big Girls Dont Cry, Sherry, Cant Take My Eyes Off of You and many more) but has a gay theme as well. The unofcial fth member of the band was Bob Crewe, who wrote much of the music alongside Bob Gaudio, and served as the bands manager as well. Crewe was openly gay, a rarity in the rock and roll industry then, and his band mates had no problem at all with him or his male partners.

Jersey Boys returns to ATL

Skylar Nicholson stars as Alice in Serenbe Playhouses revision visit to Wonderland. (Photo courtesy Serenbe Playhouse)

and knew she was his Alice. The two actors who play the characters of Tweedledee and Tweedledum are both gay, says Clowdus, and he calls those two characters somewhat amboyant. Clowdus started his company in 2009 and this is the third season. Last year he presented The Ugly Ducking, another revisionist take on a classic. This time the stage was a lake in-

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Picture perfect
Good Cotillion Belles Atlanta Cotillion Kickoff Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Give Back
Photos by Dyana Bagby

PHOTOS by Dyana Bagby and Brent Corcoran

Good Cotillion Belles Atlanta Cotillion Kickoff

Doggies on the Catwalk

Photos by Dyana Bagby

Photos by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography

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May 25, 2012

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May 25, 2012

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31

The early days of AID Atlanta

HIV organization Honors its founders at June 14 gala
By Ryan Lee One weekend during the summer of 1982, Peter Aliberti went to an apartment complex near Monroe Drive and Dutch Valley Road to lounge poolside with a group of friends, and he wound up leaving as part of a group of prophets. Ill never forget that day because it was the day that everything changed, Aliberti recalled during a recent interview in Midtown. We were just kids we were in our late twenties, early thirties. Wed go there every Saturday and Sunday and be silly, lie in the sun, drink cocktails, whatever. The typically lighthearted banter between Aliberti and his friends turned frightening on this particular day, as the men shared news they were hearing from friends in New York and San Francisco about gay men in those cities suddenly dying of a mysterious disease. The initial conversation was kind of disbelief: Theres no such thing as gay cancer, its not possible, Aliberti said. And a little bit of shock: Oh my god, is this for real? It was pretty much decided that afternoon that we needed to do something. Graham Bruton had been the social coordinator for this group of friends, planning card games and lake outings. Now he was leading gay Atlantas grassroots response to the disease that would soon be known as AIDS. He was full of energy all the time, Aliberti said. Graham immediately sent off to New York and got a lot of pamphlets and brochures from [the Gay Mens Health Crisis], and Graham really coordinated all of that. Bruton became the president of the new organization AID Atlanta that the friends had started to raise awareness about the new disease, with Aliberti serving as vice president. Graham was always a visionary, said Mary Jenks, another founding member of AID Atlanta. He was always trying to gure out what the next step would be, and look way ahead to see where things needed to go. As the organization marks its 30th anniversary this year, it will show its appreciation to its founders at the AID Atlanta Honors party, The stands started disappearing, Aliberti said. People started stealing them, people who didnt want the word about safe sex to get out there, so we had to post guards at some places. However, opposition to AID Atlantas efforts was far from universal. Its important for people to understand that, immediately, a lot of people came forward to help get this started, Aliberti said. There were entertainers, Charlie Brown helped us raise some money in the very beginning, a couple of the club owners. The womens community came forward very fast, they were the rst bar to do a fundraiser for us [at the former lesbian bar The Sports Page]. Aliberti and Jenks both have bittersweet feelings about the 30th anniversary of the organization they helped found: gratitude for the services it continues to provide, and sorrow that its still necessary. Within a year, the plague that they had been warning about marched through gay Atlanta with a viciousness that would have given General Sherman goose bumps. Aliberti estimated he lost more than 100 friends in the subsequent years. And these were like friend, friends not just people you passed on the street, he said. Friends like Graham Bruton, who died in 1993, but not before saving thousands of lives. If Graham hadnt done it when he did it, how long would it have taken somebody before they did this? Jenks wondered. Who would have stepped up and done it? Its the same type of thing today you cant rely on the government to do everything. If you want something done, then do it. Thats just who Graham was, and thats the power of what one individual can do.

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Left: Among those being celebrated June 14 at AID Atlanta Honors are the CDCs Dr. Kevin Fenton (National Honors) and the founders of AID Atlanta (Community Honors). The founders include (pictured right) Graham Bruton, Brian Clark, Peter Aliberti and Mary Jenks. (Fenton photo courtesy CDC; founders photo courtesy Mary Jenks)

slated for June 14 at Schwartz-Goldstein Hall at The Temple. Tickets begin at $35 for the gala evening of awards and celebration, with higher donor levels available. The founders of AID Atlanta will receive the Georgia Honors that evening. The event also recognizes the contributions of Kevin Fenton, director of the HIV/AIDS division at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (National Honors), as well the employees of Gap Inc. (Community Honors), Autotrader.com (Corporate Honors), and Tom Roeck, former chief nancial ofcer of Delta (Kenneth F. Britt Service Award). Aliberti recently visited AID Atlantas ofces for the rst time in years, and was amazed by the size of the organization and the scope of services provided. The founders of AID Atlanta had a single mission in the earliest days: simply make people aware of the possibility that a new disease was on the horizon. Their morbid warnings were counter to the spirit of sexual liberation that lingered from the 1970s, and encountered resistance from some. AID Atlanta leaders wanted to produce their

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AID Atlanta Honors Thursday, June 14, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Schwartz-Goldstein Hall, The Temple 1589 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309 Tickets start at $35 www.aidatlanta.org/honors own informational brochure on the disease, and following the lead of a group in San Francisco, they wanted it to promote condom use. That was quite controversial, Aliberti recalled. No one had ever heard of safe sex. At one point, several gay bar owners asked to meet with AID Atlanta organizers to discuss the new groups goals. It basically was yelling and screaming at us because they told us, You cant tell people to have safe sex, you cant tell people how to lead their lives, Aliberti said. After AID Atlanta printed its brochures in early 1983, they were placed in racks inside most gay clubs and bars, but the message was either being ignored or sabotaged.

Gratitude and sorrow

No one had ever heard of safe sex

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May 25, 2012

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33

Don white for Premiere Party to help LGBT youth at CHRIS Kids
Premiere Party began in 2002 as a small gathering and has now grown into a massive white-themed cocktail party and silent auction, but the mission remains the same: raising funds for LGBT and questioning youth who are served by CHRIS Kids, a child welfare nonprot that provides services ranging from housing to counseling. Premiere Party has raised $800,000 since its inception. This years event is set for June 9 at Mason Murer Fine Art, with tickets starting at $40. What I enjoy most is seeing all our friends and supporters coming out to help LGBT children, youth and families, says CHRIS Kids CEO Kathy Colbenson. It warms my heart to see people caring enough to do something, to give so that those who have been met with rejection can have acceptance and the support they need to get their lives on track. Like Premiere Party itself, CHRIS Kids services for LGBT youth have changed through the years. The LGBT Rainbow Program is now part of the bigger TransitionZ program, which helps youth make the transition to living independently through housing, counseling and other support.

EVENT SPOTLIGHT
MORE INFO
CHRIS Kids Premiere Party Saturday, June 9, 6-10 p.m. Mason Murer Fine Art 199 Armour Dr., Atlanta, GA 30324 www.chriskids.org

OurSong, shown last year at a ceremony marking the end of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, performs And Nature Smiled June 8-9. (Photo by Laura Douglas-Brown)

We serve many more LGBT kids through housing now because of the expansion, Colbenson says. Not all of those LGBT young people want to self-identify as such. CHRIS Kids currently serves about 300 LGBT people and their families, about 15-20 percent of the nonprots total population. Some 23 of the 92 youth currently living in CHRIS Kids residential programs are LGBT, though Colbenson notes there may be others who are not comfortable identifying. Funds raised from Premiere Party are restricted to the agencys LGBT Fund, she says. All funds raised will be used to help LGBT

CHRIS Kids CEO Kathy Colbenson (center) joined in the white attire at last years Premiere Party. (Photo by Sher Pruitt)

folks those who are homeless, those who are living in families that are struggling with their orientation or gender identity, those who are without family support systems, those who need counseling, those who are bullied and to help provide training to end bullying and discrimination against LGBT folks, Colbenson says. Laura Douglas-Brown

Oursong gets in tune with nature for June 8-9 concerts

What do you get when you combine Adele, Ave Maria, and the brightly colored plastic percussion pipes known as Boomwhackers? And Nature Smiled, the new concert from OurSong, Atlantas gay and lesbian chorus. Set for June 8-9 at venues in Atlanta and Morrow, the show unites a variety of musical styles and composers under the common theme of nature. Tickets are $20 for the shows at St. Bartholomews Episcopal Church and Clayton State University. There is so much incredible poetry and imagery in nature, we wanted to explore that poetry and experience, says Robert Glor, OurSong artistic director. The chorus worked with three composers Rosephanye Powell, David Childs and David Dickau to create original pieces based on poetry and the theme of nature. The concert will also include more familiar pieces including Adeles Set Fire to the Rain, Huddie Ledbetters Bring Me Little Water Silvie, and even Ave Maria. Performing a wide variety of great music is important to us and to creating an interesting evening for our listeners, Glor says. Our theme of nature also ties the music genres together. OurSong is now in its 10th season and has been selected to perform at the Georgia American Choral Directors Association meeting in June. Other plans for this year include traveling to Denver for the Gay & Lesbian Association of Choruses Festival, hosting a gospel brunch fundraiser later in the summer, and auditioning new members in August. Laura Douglas-Brown

Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus salutes equality struggles

The Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus is preparing to present Red, White & You, a new mission driven concert devoted to equality and the struggle for human rights but not before rst having a little fun at the annual Big Wig party. The party, which this year features a fairytale theme of Once Upon a Wig, is set for June 2 at the former Fox Sports Grill location at Atlantic Station. Wigs are encouraged the bigger and more elaborate, the better with a best-wig contest as part of the festivities. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door, with those not wearing wigs paying $40. DJ Todd Skelton spins. I would say one of the biggest draws of this party is that its just that, says Kevin Robison, AGMC artistic director. This allows people who arent big concert goers to still support the chorus at an event. This is something that everyone has a great time at and all the proceeds go to the AGMC. Indirectly, it will enable us to make Red, White & You available to more young people. While never stuffy, the chorus gets more serious for Red, White & You, a patriotic concert that nevertheless reminds audiences that all Americans are not treated equally under the law. The concert, which debuts June 15-16 at Emory Universitys Glenn Memorial Auditorium, is made more poignant by President Obamas recent announcement that he supports allowing gay couples to marry. We knew it was an election year and time

MORE INFO
Big Wig Party Saturday, June 2, 7 p.m. Atlantic Station, former Fox Sports Grill 261 19th St., Atlanta, GA 30363 Red, White & You Friday, June 15 - Saturday, June 16 8 p.m. both days; 2 p.m. Saturday Glenn Memorial Auditorium Emory University 1652 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307 www.agmchorus.org

to do another mission-driven program. Our planning was prophetic, it turns out, Robison says. We plan concerts months and months in advance, and I gured that with the economy the way it is, marriage equality could easily get put on the back burner this election. I expected that we would simply be reminding people to not forget about it with this concert, he says. I had no idea things would play out this way. Atlanta theatre greats Freddie Ashley and Courtenay Collins will join in the show, reading excerpts from speeches and other American historical writings addressing equality, including abolition, womens suffrage and the civil rights movement, as well as LGBT rights. When you think of these historic movements, events, and burning issues, they all boil

The Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus, shown here performing the religious themed concert Shaken Not Heard in 2011, debuts a new mission-driven piece, Red White & You, in June. (Photo by Laura Douglas-Brown)

MORE INFO
OurSong: And Nature Smiled Friday, June 8, 8 p.m. St. Bartholomews Episcopal Church 1790 Lavista Road Atlanta, GA 30329 Saturday, June 9, 8:15 p.m. Spivey Hall, Clayton State University 2000 Clayton State Blvd. Morrow, GA 30260 www.oursongatlanta.com

down to equality, Robison says. While he acknowledges the clich, Robison promises the show really will offer something for everyone. You will hear everything from America to Taylor Swifts Mean in this program, he says. It is not all patriotic music, but it is 100 percent made in America. Laura Douglas-Brown

BEST BETS 05.25 - 06.07

MEMORIAL DAY
Friday, May 25 - Sunday, May 27

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May 25, 2012

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WEEKEND BIG PEACH

The 24th annual Decatur Arts Festival is a three day artist take-over with tons of events including an artist walk, dance performances, book signings, artists market and much more. Events throughout the days on the Decatur Square near Clairemont Ave. and W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, www. decaturartsfestival.com Queer Justice! Queer Beats! is the theme for this years MondoHomo queer arts and politics fest. Friday night sees the headlining music event featuring Double Duchess, GlitterLust, the Sexual Side Effects and KIN4LIFE. Saturday brings a day of workshops ending with a variety show and live music. Sunday is Mondo Meadow with aerialists and live music ending with party at Marys in East Atlanta. All events at the Arts Exchange, 750 Kalb Street, SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.mondohomo.com

SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
Friday, May 25
Photo by Laura Douglas-Brown

Almost as important as the plays on the eld, the Hotlanta Softballs Big Peach tournament hosts a registration party featuring the third annual Miss and Mr. Big Peach contest hosted by Ruby Redd. $1,000 in cash and prizes. 9 - 11 p.m. at Burkharts, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hslbigpeach. com, www.burkharts.com

Saturday, May 26 Sunday, May 27

Friday, May 25

Worthmore Jewelers celebrates the Decatur Arts Festival and the store anniversary with a Steampunk art show held in conjunction with the Artice Club. Enjoy the sounds of Doctor Q, drinks and appetizers. Come dressed in Steampunk attire for a chance to win two Best Dressed awards. 6 - 9 p.m. at Worthmore Jewelers in Decatur, 117 East Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030, www.worthmorejewelers.com Former Atlantan DJay McCracken returns to spin a benet for CHRIS Kids featuring a performance by DAX!, prize giveaways from Boy Next Door, shot boys, go-go dancers and more. 10 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, http://on.fb.me/J736av Ru Pauls Drag Race alum Morgan McMichaels is the special guest at Fab Five. 10 p.m. at Burkharts, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com Traxx Girls DJ M & Twee present Dance Fever, a Memorial Day Weekend kickoff with DJ Mary Mac spinning 80s, 90s, Top 40 and house. 10 p.m. at My Sisters Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.traxxgirls.com Mixx Atlanta continues its 3rd Anniversary Celebration at 4 p.m. with a Big Peach Softball Tournament pre-party at 5 p.m. and a grown and sexy part with DJ Smash at 10 p.m. Mixx Atlanta, 1492-B Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Hotlanta Softball hosts its annual Big Peach tournament, where teams from around the country converge on Atlanta for a weekend of competition and social events. Events throughout the weekend at Metro Softball Complex, 7310 Campbellton Road, Atlanta, GA 30331, www.hslbigpeach.com

Starting tonight, every Saturday is INK Saturdays with Girls in the Night, which honors and celebrates sexy ladies and their tattoos. TVs Dice Fixos hosts with Sweet Trive and Rhythm Gattii on the mic. 10 p.m. at Inkaholics Luxury Lounge,1878 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.facebook.com/girlsinthenight.usa Though it will technically be Sunday morning, DJ Eric Stecker (of DJ Duo Travis & Eric) hits the turn tables after the rest of ATL closes down. 3 - 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 27, at Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, http://on.fb.me/Me5diq

Sunday, May 27

After two days of play on the Metro Softball elds, the Big Peach Softball Tournament wraps up with a party and awards show. 6 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hslbigpeach.com, www.hereticatlanta.com

Monday, May 28

Saturday, May 26 Monday, May 28

DJ Ron Pullman and DJ Yusef take party-goers on a Sacred Journey Memorial Day house music party with a special performance by Miranda Nicole. 10 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 108 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xsultralounge.com

The Atlanta Jazz Festival is among the countrys largest jazz fests and includes headliners Roy Ayers, Tito Puente Jr. & Orchestra and the Robert Glasper Experiment. 1 p.m. in Piedmont Park, www.atlantafestivals.com

The Georgia Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights observes Memorial Day with a Taps and Wreath Placing Ceremony in Piedmont Park. 12 p.m. at the intersection of 12th St. and Piedmont Ave., http://on.fb.me/L9OeLV Memorial Day Sunday is a busy day for Heretic Atlanta as they host a Joining Hearts Foam Beach Party, the Big Peach Softball Tournament closing party and DJ David Knapp. Events through out the day at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Sunday, May 27

Saturday, May 26

Orlandos DJ Twisted Dee spins a set for a dance event hosted by Carioca Productions. $15 before 11, $20 after. Doors at 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.cariocaproductions.com XS Ultra Lounge separates the boyz from the men with their Boot Camp Memorial Day Weekend party with a beerfest, barbecue and more. 10 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, twww.xsultralounge.com

The, um, ladies of the Armorettes, Atlantas infamous fundraising camp drag troupe, perform a special Memorial Day weekend show with prizes for hot military boys and men in uniform. 8 p.m. at Burkharts, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/IF8Ue0, www.burkharts.com Ladies at Play breaks it down over Memorial Day Weekend, rst with a casual couture party with DJ Periodic and DJ D. Raban. 9 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Venetian, 50 Hurt Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303, http:// lapmemorialwknd2012.eventbrite.com, www.ladiesatplay.com

Monday, May 28

Ladies at Play follows up their Venetian party with an afternoon of open mic spoken word hosted by Red Summer with beats by DJ Sugarcut. 3 - 8 p.m. at Aurum, 915 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, http:// lapmemorialwknd2012.eventbrite.com, www.ladiesatplay.com

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Friends on Ponce brings Pensacola to you with a Memorial Day cookout. 2 p.m. at Friends Neighborhood Bar, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.friendsonponce-atl.com Join Traxx Girls for their annual SplasHer Memorial Day Pool Party. 3 - 8 p.m. at the Melia Roof Top Pool, 590 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, http://on.fb.me/KqyD6K

SPOTLIGHT

Writing With Intent is open to writers of ction and creative non-ction; group offers motivational exercises, constructive criticism and more to keep you on track. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Wednesday, May 30

Saturday, June 2
The Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus hosts its annual Big Wig Party, this year themed Once Upon a Wig. Admission is discounted with a wig, and theres an open bar, rafe and beats by DJ Todd Skelton. 7 p.m. at Atlantic Station in the space that was Fox Sports Grill, 261 19th St., Atlanta, GA 30363, www.agmchorus.org
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The Health Initiative hosts a screening of the documentary Trans, about the joys and challenges of being trans in the world today. Dr. Mark Schoen, a producer of the lm, will be present and a Q&A follows. 7 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/KpfkwM Gay playwright Timothy Gray presents The Hottest Ticket in Town, a comedy about three sad actors in a sad, sinking ship of a show with a backstage peek into the frustrations of talentless actors. Four shows only. Through June 2. $10 advance, $15 at the door. Doors at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. at the Arts Exchange, 750 Kalb St. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.oddmanouttheater.com LeBuzz hosts its 5th annual Turnabout Show where the bar staff does drag and the entertainers become bartenders for a night. 10 p.m. at Lebuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30067, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Pay it For-Red as Latino singer Andres Cuervo performs a benet show featuring drinks by Cuervo Tequila and BV Wins with nosh by Food Network personality Chef Alexis Hernandez, and, of course, the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Proceeds from the benet go to Positive Impact. $10 includes cocktails, bites and entertainment. 6 - 8 p.m. at the Wimbish House. 1150 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/KRlYNb

Thursday, May 31

Thursday, May 31

Saturday, June 2

Apres Diem Feeds the Soul with a monthly fundraising venture for a number of Atlantas non-prots. This month its Joining Hearts, and 20 percent of todays total receipts will be donated. Apres Diem, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.apresdiem.com Atlantic Stations Movies in Central Park offers a free, outdoor screening of Dirty Dancing. Film starts at sundown in Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30363, www.atlanticstation.com, http://bit.ly/HQxNjT Latino Fire Atlanta presents the Grand Opening Temptation Party featuring Latin, top 40 and dance music with special guests and a live performance. 9 p.m. at Josephine Lounge, 6235 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30306, http://on.fb.me/JhgygQ

The MEGA Family Project hosts a course of information and support about the different routes to LGBT parenthood. 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.megafamilyproject.org Gay singer/songwriter JL Rogriguez plays an intimate show to raise funds for recording and producing new music. 8 p.m. at the Mint Moose, 248 Josephine Street, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.jlrodriguezmusic.com The party boys of Bearracuda return to the Heretic with the Atlanta debut of DJ Paul Goodyear all the way from Sydney, Australia. 9 p.m. at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

k.d. lang performs an intimate show at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with special guest Jane Siberry. 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Saturday, June 1

Sunday, June 3

Friday, June 1

The Atlanta Bucks gay rugby team hosts a $10 all-you-can-eat wings and beer on the front patio of the Heretic. DJ Lydia Prim spins after. 8 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.facebook.com/atlantabucks

Saturday, June 2 Sunday, June 3

The Virginia-Highland Summerfest means two days of music, arts and even a 5k. Saturday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Virginia between North Highland and Park Drive. www.vahi.org/summerfest/

Kellis Childcare Collective of Atlanta presents a family reading and pizza day with local author Michele Yulo, who brings Super Tool Lula, a childrens book that teaches being different and kind is cool. 1 - 2:30 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Saturday, June 2
Lesbian acoustic duo Halcyon starts the night with a concert, then DJ Liz Owen spins the night away for Chase Daniels birthday. 9:30 p.m. at My Sisters Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

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Photo by Brent Corcran/RNZ Photography

Mixx Atlanta ends its 3rd anniversary celebration with a Memorial Day cookout. 5:30 - 10 p.m. at Mixx Atlanta, 1492-B Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

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UPCOMING
Friday, June 8 Saturday, June 9
and Nature Smiled is OurSongs spring concert and the beginning of the gay and lesbian mixed chorus 10th anniversary season. June 8: 8 p.m. at St. Barts Episcopal Church, 1790 Lavista Road NE., Atlanta, GA 30329. June 9: 8:15 p.m. at Spivey Hall, on the campus of Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Boulevard, Morrow, GA 30260, www.oursongatlanta.com

Photo by Dyana Bagby

Thursday, June 7

Every Thursday is 3 Legged Cowboy night at the Heretic with free line dance lessons at 8 p.m followed by open dance at 9 p.m. 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 303024, www.hereticatlanta.com

Saturday, June 9

EVENTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MORE LGBT EVENTS: Visit our website for our extensive daily calendar, including nightlife schedules, sports, worship services and community organization meetings. www.thegavoice.com/calendar

One of the summers hottest non-prot events, the CHRIS Kids Premiere Party is a fundraiser for the CHRIS Kids Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Fund, which provides transitional housing to LGBT homeless youth. A $40 ticket to the white party includes two complimentary drinks, which a $125 VIP ticket includes an open bar. 6 - 10 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art, 199 Armour Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.chriskids.org The lesbian-inclusive alterna-grass band Roxie Watson plays two shows at Decaturs famous acoustic hot spot. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Eddies Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com Unmasked: The Phantom of the Flopera is a send up of the Broadway classic with original music. Performance benets the First MCC outreach programs that includes a food bank, weekly hot meals for the homeless and a clothing closet. The event also includes a silent auction. $20 or two for $30, 8 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.thespiritofbroadway.com

Saturday, Jun 16

The unstoppable Kathy Grifn brings her celebrity trash talk to Atlanta for two shows. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org

Le Buzz hosts the Miss Gay Heart of the South and USA at Large pageant. 10 p.m. at Le Buzz, 585 Franklin Road., Marietta, GA 30067, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Thursday, June 7

Monday, June 4

T&F Transitionz: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz is an open forum to discuss gender and facilitating dialogue and activism around social issues led by social justice minded feminists Buttonz and SJ. 7 - 9:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com PFLAG Atlanta hosts its monthly First Monday support group meeting. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universality Congregation of Atlanta, slightly beyond 1587 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.pagatl.org

SAGE Atlanta, a services and advocacy organization for LGBT elders, hosts Emory Fellow Dr. Daniel Rivers for the lecture 1980s: Epidemic and Unexpected Effects. 11 a.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts an LGBT Business Certication Workshop. 3 - 5 p.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.atlantagaychamber.org The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are helping the Armorettes reach their $2 million mark with a fundraising night at Woofs. 6 - 9 p.m. at Woofs, 2425 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, http://on.fb.me/J9uVER Atlantic Stations Movies in Central Park offers a free, outdoor screening of The Muppets. Film starts at sundown in Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30363, www.atlanticstation.com, http://bit.ly/HQxNjT Join infamous drag personality Ruby Redd for the truly Dirty Boy Bingo. 10 p.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30312, http://thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com Start your thursday nights with Texas Holdem Poker at 7:30 p.m., then catch the Shawnna Factor drag show. 11 p.m. at Blakes on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Friday, June 15 Saturday, June 16

Tuesday, June 5

Co-sponsored by Atlanta Pride, Charis Books and More hosts a discussion of I Must Resist: Bayard Rustins Life in Letters. 7:30 - 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Luncheon. 11:55 a.m. 1 p.m. at Carpe Diem, 105 Sycamore Place, Decatur, GA 30030, www.atlantagaychamber.org

Red, White & YOU is the Atlanta Gay Mens summer concert and features patriotic songs from the American songbook and guest appearances by Courtenay Collins and Freddie Ashley. 8 p.m. both days, 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday at the Glenn Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Emory University, 1652 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.agmchours.org

Saturday, June 16

Wednesday, June 6

Find out why the East Point Possums Show was voted the Best Charity Event by GA Voice readers with the 15th annual production, this year a fundraiser for the Phillip Rush Center. 7 - 11 p.m. at the Commons of DOwntown East Point, 2727 East Point St., East Point GA 30344, www.eastpointpossums.com

via Facebook Photo

San Franciscos DJ Phil B. mans the turntables at Heretic. 10 p.m. at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Friday, June 15 Sunday, June 17

GA Boy Productions and Keith Young present Peach Party Atlanta, two days of non-stop beats at four of Atlantas biggest dance venues. Friday night, DJ Sin Morera takes over the Heretic. Saturday afternoon, DJ Corey D. and Micky Friedmann spin at Opera. Saturday night, DJ Paulo spins Jungle and in the wee hours of Sunday morning, DJ Abel takes over Xion. www.peachpartyatl.com

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THATS WHAT
Honor all of our fallen
Marking the rst Memorial Day without Dont Ask, Dont Tell
My father was a war veteran. During a debate on Dont Ask, Dont Tell with me years ago, he shared his thoughts on why straight men in the military were uncomfortable with gays serving. It had nothing to do with sexuality, my dad explained, but instead came from an interpretation of weakness. He personally had no concern about someone hitting on him, but he was convinced a gay man would lose his nerve in battle and cause my father to die along with him. That was based on the way my father grew up, thinking the only gay men he knew were the extremely effeminate men he saw around town and misinterpreted their character and womanly gait as frail. My dads views changed as he grew older, and he came to appreciate anyone willing to sacrice their lives in service to their country soldiers like Cpl. Andrew Charles Wilfahrt of Minnesota. Andrew was bullied at school after coming out at 16, once having to drive his car with Go Home Fag spray-painted on it, but continued to ght for his rights and the rights of others. He didnt enter the Army until he was almost 30, and was inspired to do so after seeking advice from a retired gay soldier who lived in his hometown. That retired Marine says Andrew, who was single, told him he wanted to serve so a soldier with a wife and children wouldnt have to go ght. Last year, on Feb. 27, Andrew and his platoon were on foot patrol in a region west of Kandahar, crossing a bridge toward a police checkpoint. Thats when a massive bomb detonated beneath Andrew, killing him. Cpl. Wilfahrt was 31, and is believed to be the rst gay U.S. soldier to die in battle since President Obama signed the repeal of DADT.

SHE SAID

Melissa Carter is also a writer for Hufngton Post. She broke ground as the rst out lesbian radio personality on a major station in Atlanta and was one of the few out morning show personalities in the country. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCarter

Alan Rogers grew up in Florida, and was elected Most Intellectual by his high school classmates. He became an ordained pastor shortly after high school, joined the ROTC at the University of Florida, and accepted a commission into the Army after graduating. He reached the rank of Major, and served as an Intelligence Ofcer. In July 2007, Rogers was deployed to Iraq and killed six months later by an IED while on foot patrol in Baghdad. Controversy followed, after initial reports of his death omitted his sexuality. It was later revealed that he was gay and worked to end the militarys DADT policy. Then there are those whose names we dont know. In February 2010, Congressman Jim Moran was on the oor of the House of Representatives and read a letter from a soldier in Afghanistan. It stated that the soldier had learned that a fellow soldier was also gay, only after he was killed by an IED in Iraq. The partner of the deceased soldier wrote the unit to say how much the victim had loved the military; how they were the only family he had ever known. It was the second publicly known case of a gay soldier killed in action during the recent wars in the Middle East. The rst was Maj. Rogers. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, but exactly how many gay or lesbian soldiers that includes is lost in the forced lies given to recruiters. On this rst Memorial Day holiday since the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell, let us honor those who risked their lives both on the battleeld and in the barracks. Let us also be thankful that now all our soldiers can serve openly and honestly, gaining the respect of guys like my dad. As one Sergeant said of Cpl. Wilfahrt, I just trusted him and was proud to be serving next to him right there on the battleeld.

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DOMESTICALLY
Pick a side
Bringing the ght for equality home
The producer of a talk show was looking for a married gay couple living in an area where their marriage isnt recognized. My friend Jeffery, who has his own show on LOGO and a book deal and is generally way more successful than I am, put the producer in touch with me. My husband and I both had work commitments on the day they were lming, so our talk show debut was not meant to be, but we still had a pleasant conversation. Ive never been prescreened for a talk show, but I watched every episode of Oprah: Season 25 Behind the Scenes, which was actually really solid prep work. I answered all of her questions about the logistics of health insurance, how we went about changing our names, and the business of daily life. I explained why Obamas endorsement of marriage equality mattered. I gave a few human interest slice-of-life anecdotes, including a dog story. Overall, it felt like a great rehearsal for my fantasy interview on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, which is my Mount Everest. One day, Terry Gross. One day, you will be mine. So, what are you and your husband doing in the ght for marriage? she asked. What are we doing? I replied. Well, were being married. Every day. Its not so much a ght as a persistent demand that we be acknowledged for what we are. I thought that was a pretty decent response, considering it was off-the-cuff. But even as I said it, I felt a rumble in my stomach. All of my nerves are located in my belly. Id be a terrible poker player. Every time I tried to bluff, Id poot. Anyway, my stomach growled in that particular moment because I didnt have actual evidence on what we were doing to ght for marriage equality. Id been working under the belief that being married and voting for Obama were sufcient. I dont have time to march to various locations holding a poster or banner of some kind. Plus, I sunburn very easily. But activism takes many forms, and one does not have to take to the streets to participate in the ght.

DISTURBED

Topher Payne is an Atlanta-based playwright, and the author of the book Necessary Luxuries: Notes on a Semi-Fabulous Life. Find out more at topherpayne.com

The last few weeks have been extraordinary. The president and vice president both endorsed marriage equality, after years of people asking each to clarify his position on the subject. Mitt Romney then made his position against marriage equality abundantly clear, so now we know where everybody stands going into the election. Am I a single-issue voter? Nope. But Im not voting for a candidate who has no respect for my marriage when theres a viable candidate that supports it. Plus, Mitt says his faith doesnt allow him to endorse marriage equality. The conservatives and Evangelicals who support him all seem to be ne with that, because their chosen religion agrees with that particular view. But theyre forgetting: Mitts a Mormon. They believe some wacky stuff, diverging from the Southern Baptists in pretty signicant ways. Hes made it clear his Mormon faith will guide him on this public policy. I wonder where else thatll turn out to be true. Since the presidents interview with ABCs delightful and ambiguous Robin Roberts, the pressure to pick a side has really amped up. The NAACP is on our side. So is Jay Z. Its the hot question in every celebrity interview. I have to be brave enough to ask that question of the people around me. I dont really ask. I just assume the support of some people, and with others, I avoid the topic because Im afraid of the answer. But Im married. And if someone in my life does not respect the authenticity of my marriage, if they wouldnt defend it on my behalf, then theyre working against us. Theyre a bigot. Maybe theyre a bigot because of their religion, or maybe its because okay, lets be fucking real here. It is ONLY because of their religion. Just because my God is awesome and theirs is apparently kind of a dick is no reason to infringe on my rights. These people are toxic, and they have no place in my life. From now on, no matter who they are, the people around me are going to pick a side. Thats how Im ghting for equality.