Atlanta's LGBTQ influencers, bar owner dies, Eagle's last call
Plus: Podcasting lesbians, Democratic electors, weekend events
As we tiptoe into the holiday season, thanks for sticking with us through this challenging year. The newsletter is taking Thanksgiving week off but returns Dec. 4. For now, enjoy this week’s edition. If you’re seeing it for the first time, please subscribe. If you already do, please regift by sharing with a friend. ‘Tis the season!
Meet the real influencers of LGBTQ Atlanta
It’s been a week to celebrate the movers and shakers of LGBTQ Atlanta, from the Out Georgia Business Alliance to City Hall.
On Tuesday, the business group unveiled its first-ever list of the 100 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Georgians. Two days later, Out Georgia announced the winners of its annual Community Awards. And today, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms officially appointed nearly two-dozen new members to her LGBTQ Advisory Board.
“It is our honor to recognize these Georgians who are using their influence to impact the lives of countless LGBTQ+ people, here in Georgia and beyond,” said Michael Daniels, Out Georgia’s board president.
So let us bathe in our influence, from politics to media, business, entertainment, activism and civic affairs. Then, let’s get to work on LGBTQ equality and making metro Atlanta a better place for LGBTQ folks who are struggling. There are too many to count.
Felix’s on the Square owner David Camp dies at 66
Friends throughout LGBTQ Atlanta mourned the loss of David Camp (photo), the longtime owner of Felix’s on the Square who died during Atlanta Pride weekend.
Camp was a “staple of our community,” according to a Facebook post from Felix’s on Oct. 11, the day after he died.
“Owning and operating Felix’s for 20+ years, David did his best to lift the community and bring a little joy and fun into everyone’s life,” the post said. “He believed in creating a fun environment where everyone, absolutely everyone was not only welcome but made to feel like part of the family.”
Q ATLus reads the femme writing on the wall
This week’s Q ATLus photo essay finds the youngest LGBTQ generation running with their predecessors’ groundwork against gender norms. Also breaking barriers in this issue are Georgia’s first LGBTQ state Senator and our own str8ppl columnist. We check in with more locals in Podcast Q, Q News and Q Community.
What LGBTQ Atlantans are talking about
The Atlanta Eagle celebrated its last call on Nov. 14 with a series of limited capacity parties (photo). The bar is shutting down with plans to reopen somewhere, sometime in 2021. The closing of the bar came the same week the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation worried that the historic building faces demolition. Check out our photos from closing night.
Atlantans Melisa Raney and Alli Vaccaro are on a podcasting mission to help other lesbians like them – ones that came out later in life. And their weekly show “Lesbian Chronicles" has been a hit, notching more than 250,000 downloads and 70 episodes.
Georgia’s 16 electors – you know, the folks who vote next month to officially turn Georgia blue and make Joe Biden president – are a collection of Democratic power brokers. The list includes at least one LGBTQ person – former Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard.
Things to do
FRIDAY
Atlanta steps up to the occasion of Transgender Day of Remembrance with events including a TDOR Virtual Vigil & Worship Service streamed online, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Fire up bar fun with social distance and masks during 90s Night at My Sister’s Room (photo), 9 p.m.; DJ Alexander at Heretic, 10 p.m.; and Divas of the Moonlight at Midtown Moon, 11 p.m.
SUNDAY
Honeypot Sunday. Dip your paw into a leather, bear and friends night with Victor and Tim @ Hideaway, 9 p.m. Happy Hour specials 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.