???? Strange Bedfellows

Strange bedfellows

Feb. 19 — Hi, y’all. Happy Wednesday despite the dreary winter weather.

???? The MAGA theater of the absurd continues with Georgia Log Cabin Republicans making headlines by cozying up with GOP Chair Josh McKoon, renowned for his anti-LGBTQ+ crusade under the Gold Dome a decade ago. Why? To fight against — wait for it — discrimination. Smyrna Pride denied the Georgia Log Cabin Republicans (a very, very anti-trans group) a booth at their Pride event in June. This is a  violation of the Log Cabin Republican’s constitutional rights, they say, and they are ready to take the small volunteer group to court. Ah, politics make strange bedfellows.

????️‍⚧️ And then they came for the National Park Service. The words “transgender” and “queer” were removed from the Stonewall National Monument website despite the legacy of the Stonewall Riots and its participants. The erasure is part of sweeping executive orders from President Donald Trump to remove resources and references to transgender and queer Americans from government websites. Good luck. We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it.

???? “Dunk you under, deep salt water” begins the haunting “Long Snake Moan” by PJ Harvey, one of my fave songs by one of my fave artists. The song inspired the nomadic wine bar, Long Snake, created by Joshua Fryer. But it is time to rethink the future, Fryer says. Read more about what’s happening in this story, part of our Georgia Voice series highlighting LGBTQ+-owned restaurants in Atlanta.

???? In this newsletter, we have stories about the expansion of Open Hand, a group founded nearly 40 years ago to feed people with AIDS; how a Georgia LGBTQ+ Latinx group is handling concerns by those worried about deportation, and a slate of LGBTQ+ films screening at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

Take care of yourself and each other.
Dyana
(she/her)

???? Announcing Giving Kitchen’s biggest food and drink lineup ever for Team Hidi 2025! Get your tickets before they’re gone. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Open Hand’s expansion offers more meals, services 

When Michael Edwards-Pruitt founded Open Hand in 1988 in a church kitchen, he wanted to cook and deliver meals to his friends who were dying from AIDS and, thus, too sick to cook for themselves.

In October, Open Hand opened its new 43,000-square-foot facility in West Midtown, near Westside Reservoir Park, recently renamed for former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. 

Today, the nonprofit has a skilled staff and around 60 volunteers who make and deliver more than 5,000 made-from-scratch meals a day to those with serious chronic health conditions. The organization also provides nutrition counseling to its clients with HIV, heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, and cancer.

The new space has also allowed Open Hand to start a new workforce development project to help unemployed and underemployed individuals thrive in the food service industry. It also now offers a cooking course with clients of Covenant House to teach young people facing homelessness how to grocery shop and cook nutritious meals. ???? Read Katie Burkholder’s story here.

Build your LGBTQ+ family with support

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❤️ Join Men Having Babies at the Surrogacy Conference & Expo in Atlanta, Feb. 21-23.

This event offers vital resources for LGBTQ+ parents, including cost-saving tips, medical and legal insights, and a supportive community. Attend to learn from experts, save on reproductive services, and connect with like-minded individuals. This “boot camp” experience is designed to support your family-building journey, with specific programming for HIV-positive parents. Learn how to navigate surrogacy, avoid common pitfalls, and access valuable financial assistance.

⮕ Registration starts at $30—sign up today!

LGBTQ+ Latinx organization deals with new immigration concerns

Barely a month into the new presidential administration, LGBTQ+ Latinx immigrants are fearful for their futures – and advocacy organizations are struggling to keep up.

Latino LinQ, a Georgia LGBTQ+ organization, has been overwhelmed with calls from HIV-positive immigrants concerned about ICE raids, clinic raids and access to medications if detained.

“We’re quickly realizing that we’re going to have to expand beyond [health care] now, and we’re having to reach out to other nonprofits and get training,” Eric Rangel, the executive director of Latino LinQ, told Georgia Voice. “We’re being stretched a little thin here, you know?” 
➡ Read the entire story here.

AJFF showcases strong slate of LGBTQ+ films

When it comes to local film events, none are bigger than the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF). Known for its programming and its numerous guests, the festival always celebrates diversity, and has an impressive slate of LGBTQ+ films for the 2025 event.

“Sabbath Queen” (pictured), screening on Feb. 23, is one of the most high-profile offerings. Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie, the subject of the documentary, is a spiritual leader, a father, a drag queen, and so much more. It premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, and out director Sandi Simcha DuBowski is well-known for his acclaimed 2001 film “Trembling Before G-d.”

Another standout AJFF feature is Tom Nesher’s “Come Closer,” screening Feb. 22. It was Israeli’s official submission for the 97th annual Academy Awards and was nominated for 13 Israeli Academy Awards, taking home wins for Best Film and Best Director.

????️ Read Jim Farmer’s preview here.

???? Join award-winning journalist Dave Schechter as he discusses his new book, “A Life of the Party,” about his great-aunt’s struggles on behalf of working men and women as a Communist in the 1920s-50s. March 9, 1-4 p.m., Waller’s Coffee Shop in Decatur. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Best Bets

???? Feb. 20 – Charis Books hosts Cliterati Open Mic featuring poet Elizabeth Michaud, author of the new collection “The Bones in the Garden (and other things found there).” More info: charisbooksandmore.com.

????️ Feb. 21 – RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite Plasma brings her one-woman, Broadway-inspired show “All That Plazz”to Out Front Theatre. Show is at 8 p.m.Tickets and details at outfronttheatre.com. (Photo by @thegingerb3ardmen)

???? Feb. 21-23 – Men Having Babies hosts its Surrogacy Conference and Expo this weekend at the Atlanta W Hotel. Read about the 20-year-old organization’s history here.

Social Follow of the Week

???? Cyrus Veyssi (pronounced see-roos), the queer Persian beauty influencer, is spreading joy on TikTok and on Instagram. As your bougie gay uncle, they share sassy dating advice. Clips of them bonding with their straight “Baba” (father) are heartwarming. They also have wise, encouraging and amusing takes on gender. Put some fun in your algorithm.

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