Violent incidents tarnish Atlanta's rainbow intersection
Plus: Jon Ossoff talks LGBTQ equality, Black Gay Pride, hope from pandemic hardship
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Rash of violence mars summer at 10th and Piedmont intersection
As if the last six months haven’t been hard enough for all of us, the city’s gayest intersection – 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue – has seen a rash of violent crime this summer. But after a stabbing and two shootings, LGBTQ business owners in the area say the Atlanta Police Department and civic groups are stepping in to help.
X Midtown owner James Nelson said police have increased patrols.
“We’re very aware of it and taking steps to make sure that’s it monitored and doesn’t get any worse than it did,” he said. “We’re in a much better position now than over the last three or four weeks.”
We talked with other business owners and uncovered the details of the three recent incidents.
Q ATLus wraps weirdest summer ever with Labor Day issue
Even in a pandemic, Atlanta fills Q ATLus magazine with LGBTQ ways to celebrate Labor Day Weekend, topped by Black Gay Pride. Even Decatur Book Festival and Dragon*Con go on, virtual but inclusive as ever. Coverage also includes scoop on Heretic’s WarpZone Wednesday, the worst date ever in Q Advice, and juicy queer culture in 10 Q Things.
Mariah Parker on protesting, policing and public office in Athens
In the latest episode of Podcast Q, Mariah Parker (photo) talks about how her activism and experience as a Hip-Hop artist turned into a run for public office. She’s won two elections in two years to become the first LGBTQ member of the Athens-Clarke County Commission.
“I'm a Hip-Hop artist. I cut my teeth in political speeches and organizing through telling my stories and they're being myself and then making audiences laugh, cry, connecting with them on a person to person level,” Parker said.
Parker also discussed how she would fight coronavirus as governor, turning protests into lasting political reform, reimagining police and the rainbow crosswalks coming to an Athens intersection.
Jon Ossoff on LGBTQ equality and his U.S. Senate campaign
Q Conversations – our live Q&A event series – continued on Friday with Jon Ossoff, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Georgia. He discussed LGBTQ equality, being a “true ally,” trans healthcare, racial justice and voter suppression.
What LGBTQ Atlantans are talking about
Gay Atlanta HIV educator Peter Stinner dies at 54. The beloved HIV health educator, activist and advocate for the homeless (photo) passed away Aug. 16 at home in the arms of his husband. Reactions to his death – and celebrations of his work – came in from around metro Atlanta.
Dany Flores creates a queer love letter to Atlanta. The LGBTQ filmmaker’s latest work – “Vanilla Milkshake” – is inspired by her own journey of self-discovery and puts Atlanta front and center. Flores gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the film and her work.
Missy and Kristin Koefed are creating hope from pandemic hardship at their retail outlets. They are used to overcoming challenges, but nothing prepared the couple for the wrench thrown into their business model since March. Here’s how they pivoted.
Charlie Paine has a passion for preserving. His focus is trained on saving LGBTQ Atlanta’s historic places. Those efforts recently earned him a $5,000 grant to help implement those goals through the LGBTQ Historic Preservation Advisory Committee of Historic Atlanta.
Things to do
SATURDAY
Atlanta remains a mecca for LGBTQ people of color all weekend, despite Miss Rona. Check out virtual and IRL events all over town through Monday.
DJ Drew G pumps up the gay Labor Day Weekend schedule with this dance party at Heretic, 10 p.m.
SUNDAY
Pull into the lot at Ammazza for the Pull Up! Drag Drive-In, an outdoor show of kings and queens, plus DJ beats and concessions, 8:30 p.m. Benefits Atlanta Pride.
MONDAY
Black Gay Pride and Labor Day come to a close at Stars of the Century, one of the best drag shows in town with a mind-blowing cast led by Stasha Sanchez and Niesha Dupree at Heretic, 11 p.m.
That’s all folks!
While enjoying your long holiday weekend, let me know if there’s a topic you want to see in Q Conversations or a guest you’d like to hear from on Podcast Q. Reply to this email, leave a comment if you’re reading the web version or drop me a quick email. Thanks for reading and subscribing!