How LGBTQ Atlanta is powering through the pandemic
Plus: Raising millions for trans spaces, progress in Gwinnett and an arrest in an LGBTQ killing.
Happy Friday! We’re back with the newsletter after a little hiatus. You know, self-care and such. To all of our new subscribers, thanks for joining us. And if you’re reading this newsletter about all things LGBTQ Atlanta for the first time, please subscribe. It’s easy (and free).
Hanging tough during the coronavirus pandemic
Even in these difficult times, there’s a bright spot. And that’s how LGBTQ businesses in metro Atlanta are powering through the pandemic. We’ve seen it time and time again as we chronicle their struggles in our ongoing coronavirus coverage.
Woofs owner Gregory Hughes (photo right):
“I told my employees that I want them to be careful even when they’re not working, because if an employee ends up positive, that affects 30 other people,” he said. “They realize it’s not just them that it affects if we have to shut down. They’ve really stepped up in a very great way. I’m very proud of them for doing that.”
“My customers, the community in Atlanta and East Point, everyone’s just been wonderful,” he said. “Everyone’s been so understanding. We’re definitely in this together.”
Brushstrokes owner Mark Jackson:
“Our customers are family,” he said. “I’ve known some of these people since they were 18 and now they’re in their 40s, so you worry about family naturally.”
We’ve also talked with Rad Slough at Urban Body Fitness, the owners of Gravity Fitness, 2Qute Salon’s Sam Roni, and Jennifer and Jami Maguire, the owners of My Sister’s Room.
Q ATLus gets you through the corona chaos
This week’s edition of Q ATLus is hanging with you – see what we did there? – during the slow burn of corona chaos. To help, there’s a take on reimaging the Atlanta Police Department, 10 former LGBTQ slurs that we’ve reclaimed as our own and Q Advice on your queer conundrums.
‘Perfect storm’ fuels support for trans fundraisers in Atlanta
Q Conversations – our weekly live Q&A series – continued on July 17 as we explored creating safe spaces for black transgender people in Atlanta with three activists raising millions to do just that. Jesse Pratt López, Taylor Alxndr and Justine Ingram talked with us about their campaigns, what will they fund and the challenges trans people face.
“It really revealed all of the underlying issues that have existed for decades that people have been trying to alleviate but the rest of the world wasn’t listening,” Jesse Pratt López told Project Q Atlanta. “And now with the movement for Black lives, it seems like suddenly people are caring.”
Watch the replay of the discussion above and check out the recap here on Project Q Atlanta.
What LGBTQ Atlanta is talking about
Gwinnett County became the latest municipality in Georgia to add protections for its LGBTQ employees. The effort – led by Ben Ku, the only LGBTQ member of the Gwinnett County Commission – narrowly passed with a 3-2 vote.
A recovered handgun used to kill transgender woman Candace Towns in Macon led to the arrest of her suspected killer last week – more than two years after the shooting. Horace Jamal Marsh, 26, is now in jail facing a murder charge in the October 2017 shooting.
LGBTQ state Rep. Park Cannon (photo) – a progressive wunderkind first elected to the Georgia House in 2016 – was among five finalists considered to replace U.S. Rep. John Lewis. State Rep. Nikema Wiliams, the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, was ultimately selected. But Cannon rising to the top of 131 applicants is an encouraging statement on just how much has changed in Democratic politics in recent years.
Things to do
FRIDAY
Mary’s is selling tickets in for your safety so you can kick back and relax during Happy Hour. Drinks are included with the ticket, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
Wussy and Queer Appalachia team up again for a few hours of amazing entertainment during the Big Ass Telethon 3 (photo), 8 p.m.
SUNDAY
The Sisters of Sequins strap on their high heels for his holiness as Lips returns with brunch and limited seating, 1 p.m.
That’s all for this week
Stay safe, wear a mask and enjoy your weekend! Have an idea you’d like to see discussed during our weekly live Q&A? Reply to this email (or leave a comment if you’re reading the web version) or drop me an email. I’ll see you next week!