Oscar buzz and bits
Mar. 18 — Sunday night’s broadcast of the Academy Awards ceremony was full of zesty moments – from queer film “Two People Exchanging Saliva” tying for Best Live Action Short to “One Battle After Another” editor Andy Jurgensen planting a big smooch on his husband before going to collect his Oscar. I love Barbra Streisand, but I wish Jane Fonda had given the tribute to Robert Redford. I was thrilled that “Sinners” star Michael B. Jordan beat opera/ballet basher Timothee Chalamet for Best Actor. And the best red carpet moment: “Heated Rivalry” stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in those matching sheer tops. Yowsa!
Here are a few more headlines:
🗣️ GLAAD is hosting “Generation Z and HIV: Human Issue. Southern Solution” tonight at 6 p.m. at Morehouse College.
🗳️ LGBTQ+ civil rights advocate Bentley Hudgins announced their campaign for the District 90 Georgia House seat. They would be the first Japanese American and openly nonbinary person in the state legislature.
🙄 Former Trump administration staffers testified under oath that federal grants referencing LGBTQ+ people were flagged for cancellation as part of an effort to eliminate funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
🤬 The Idaho House passed legislation that could make it a felony for trans people to step foot in a bathroom matching their gender identity.
👋 Longtime Trump ally and openly gay “Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions of the United States” Richard Grenell is stepping down from his leadership role at the Kennedy Center. Bye!
📁 LGBTQ+ philanthropic organization Horizons Foundation’s report, “Project 2025 Goes Global: The American Export of Authoritarianism and Christian Nationalism Worldwide,” traces the growing international network behind the far-right initiative to remake democratic institutions.
⚕️ LGBTQ Health Awareness Week continues through March 20.
Time won’t wait for me…
Collin
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Trump proclamation targets trans rights as State Dept. shifts visa policy
🏳️⚧️ In a proclamation issued by the Trump White House last week, the president said he would, among other things, “restore public safety” and continue “upholding the rule of law,” while promoting policies that restrict the rights of transgender people.
“We are keeping men out of women’s sports, enforcing Title IX as it was originally written, and ensuring colleges preserve — and, where possible, expand — scholarships and roster opportunities for female athletes,” the proclamation reads. “At the same time, we are restoring public safety and upholding the rule of law in every city so women, children, and families can feel safe and secure.”
One day before the proclamation was issued, the U.S. State Department announced changes to visa regulations that could impact transgender and gender-nonconforming people seeking entry into the United States.
Updated language in the regulations standardizes the use of the term “sex” in place of “gender,” a change that LGBTQ advocates say could create additional barriers for transgender and gender-diverse applicants.
➡ Read Joe Reberkenny’s full report for the Washington Blade here.
Experience Atlanta’s COOLEST Adventure
SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MUSEUM
🦣 Discover mammoths, saber tooth cats and Neanderthals as you explore how the Ice Age shaped our planet at Fernbank Museum.
Immersive galleries, incredible specimens and interactive experiences bring history back to life in this limited-time exhibit, on view through May 3.
New app to facilitate community among LGBTQ+ Dungeons & Dragons players
🐉 Fans of the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons will be able to find new friends more easily with a new app coming to Atlanta later from queer app developer Rachel Dove.
Dungeons Not Dating is a first-of-its-kind platform connecting D&D players across the country through shared values, play styles, and creative interests. The character-forward platform is designed to make D&D more accessible for all people – especially marginalized folks.
“For folks who are people of color, neurodiverse, or queer, oftentimes they’re looking for a group that’s going to be relatable to them, or at the very least they want people who are going to respect them, not just tolerate them,” Dove told Georgia Voice. “Finding a group online can be scary and dangerous.”
➡ Find out more about the group in Katie Burkholder’s story here.
Writer/actor Alex Sarrigeorgiou discusses ‘In Transit’ film
🎥 Alex Sarrigeorgiou first had the idea for her film “In Transit” when she was working as an artist model back in 2019.
“In Transit” stars Sarrigeorgiou as Lucy, a young bartender who lives in a small town in Maine. While dealing with the aftermath of the death of her father, Lucy meets Ilse (Jennifer Ehle), a painter who has just recently moved to town looking for inspiration. When Ilse invites Lucy to come pose for her, a surprise attraction changes both women’s lives.
The film screens tonight at the Midtown Art Cinema as part of Out on Film’s Spring Mini Fest.
➡ Read Sammie Purcell’s interview with Sarrigeorgiou here.
MORE A&E
🎤 Check out Katie’s review of FKA twigs’ queer-coded “Body High” concert at the Coca-Cola Roxy on Monday night.
🏌🏼 Celebrate one of the world’s biggest golf events by letting The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee be your premier destination. Culinary experiences, championship golf courses, and a newly transformed spa welcome you back after a visit to Augusta National. Find your reason to linger longer. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Best Bets
🎤 The legendary Dionne Warwick will be singing more than 60 years of hits at Atlanta Symphony Hall on March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
🎶 The Atlanta Women’s Chorus will present “We Shake, We Shine” on March 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church.
🌳 The annual Growing With Pride event, hosted by Atlanta Pride in partnership with Piedmont Park Conservancy, is on March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will help plant over 60 trees in Piedmont Park.
💻 The Pride Alliance at Georgia College in Milledgeville is hosting PowerPoint Night on March 24 at 7 p.m. to give students a chance to discuss topics they are passionate about.
🪩 Atlanta queer nightclub Lore will hold a One Year Anniversary Party on March 28, starting at 10 p.m.
➡ To see more upcoming events, visit our IG stories @thegeorgiavoice.