Meet 2 LGBTQ biz owners who say pot could solve Georgia's COVID problems
Plus: Mask4Mask for safety, saying goodbye to Regina Simms, virtual events
Happy Saturday! It’s the weekend and a long holiday one at that. The newsletter is back after a break for some self-care. It’s a pandemic, y’all, so cut us a little slack! Now, let’s get to all the latest in LGBTQ Atlanta.
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Miss Rona, meet Mary Jane
The pandemic lockdown has left many of us with time on our hands. To make masks. To help feed those in need. To cut our bae’s hair. To smoke good weed.
That last one is where we find Johnny Martinez (photo left) and Brandon Ley (right), the owners of Joystick Gamebar and Georgia Beer Garden. The guys combined their love of weed, their business savvy and their progressive politics to formally launch an effort to legalize marijuana in Georgia.
Martinez and Ley said legalizing marijuana in the state will bring in tax revenue at a time when lawmakers are considering slashing the state budget, create a new industry as Georgia grapples with record unemployment, help struggling farmers, and end criminal cases involving marijuana that often disproportionately impact people of color.
So they’ve started an online petition calling on state lawmakers to get it done. They want 5,000 signatures to build grassroots support before lobbying lawmakers.
Our coronavirus coverage includes:
City stops event permits, but Atlanta Pride is not canceled
Atlanta designer offers fashion, safety with Mask4Mask
Grindr taps gay Atlanta couple to give each other quarantine haircuts
Kemp keeps bars, nightclubs closed through May
Atlanta essential worker steps up and ‘still standing’ in hard times
Gay Atlanta deaf interpreter ‘honored’ to serve during pandemic
T-shirt designer puts new graphics on face masks in the COVID era
LGBTQ Atlanta sports leagues cancel tournaments, go virtual
Joining Hearts cancels summer pool party fundraiser
Survey says …
Did you know that 40% of our readers say they’re single? Or that they prefer wine over beer? And that nearly half of our readers have attended a live concert or event in the last 12 months — pre-pandemic, of course. We didn’t either. But those are examples of the important insights we gain from the annual LGBTQ Community Survey. The information helps us serve you better.
So please take a few minutes to complete the 14th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. When you reach the last question, select Project Q / Q Magazine in the list of outlets. Thanks!
What LGBTQ Atlanta is talking about
Regina Simms (photo), the longtime mentor and mother to drag queens and trans entertainers, died at 61 just four days after her birthday. We talked with friends and fellow performers about her impact and her battle with cancer.
The June 9 primary is fast approaching – in-person voting opened on Monday. To help LGBTQ voters, Georgia Equality and Georgia Stonewall Democrats have issued endorsements across several local and state races.
Thieves, apparently taking advantage of the coronavirus shutdown, broke into BJ Roosters and stole the safe from the Cheshire Bridge Road gay bar. The perps damaged the alarm and camera system on their way to snatching the safe, which reportedly had $10,000 cash inside.
The killing of Ahmaud Arbery near Brunswick has renewed calls for Georgia lawmakers to pass a hate crimes law. An LGBTQ-inclusive bill has been pending since the state House passed it in 2019 and could get a fresh look when lawmakers return to the State Capitol next month.
Things to do
SATURDAY
DJ Kimber (photo) takes her popular dance party out of the Basement and goes virtual with the Atlanta Disco Society, 9 p.m. It’s bound to be the night of fun we all need in our lives right now.
SUNDAY
You know you miss the ladies of Lips. So make a batch of mimosas and prepare for the Digital Draglicious Gospel Brunch, 1:30 p.m.
MONDAY
Make your Memorial Day special with a virtual Netflix and chill from Out on Film and Atlanta Pride. They’ll be screening “I Am Divine” with director Jeffrey Schwarz on hand after to answer questions, 7:30 p.m.
That’s all for this week
Stay safe and enjoy your holiday weekend. We’ll see you on the other side. And don’t forget your homework – completing this survey for us. Thanks!