Disorder in the courts
Apr. 25 — While the U.S. grapples with new laws and executive orders targeting the LGBTQ+ community, the United Kingdom has also been roiled by a Supreme Court decision that ruled the legal definition of a woman is limited to “biological women” and does not include transgender women.
🙄 “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling continued to disappoint fans by smugly cheering the decision on social media and pouring her fortune into anti-trans campaigns and legislation.
📚 Here in the states, our Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week about banning LGBTQ+ books and inclusive curriculum in schools brought by conservative parents in Maryland.
💰 Trump’s move to strip schools and colleges of funding if they don’t erase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy and practices has trickled down to the City of Decatur Schools Board of Education. The mother of trans and nonbinary children was removed from a meeting last week for challenging board members, who later voted to revise policies to exclude the language.
⚖️ Harvard University is taking a stand against the administration, which froze federal funding to the college after it refused to remove its DEI policies. A court battle over Harvard’s First Amendment rights could set a precedent for the future.
Stay strong, folks!
Collin
Judge blocks Trump passport executive order
🛂 A federal judge on Friday ruled in favor of a group of transgender and nonbinary people who have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order that bans the State Department from issuing passports with “X” gender markers.
The Associated Press notes U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick in Boston issued a preliminary injunction against the directive. The American Civil Liberties Union, representing the plaintiffs, notes Kobick concluded that Trump’s executive order “is likely unconstitutional and in violation of the law.”
➡ Read more in this report from The Washington Blade.
Mythic creatures meet modern art!
SPONSORED BY THE FERNBANK MUSEUM
✨ Step into a world where mythology and art collide! Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures from the Workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles brings vibrant, hybrid animal sculptures to life in Fernbank’s WildWoods.
These whimsical sculptures blend Zapotec culture and contemporary art, each representing spirit guides tied to personality and destiny. Designed by renowned Oaxacan artists, this exhibit offers a soulful journey through indigenous culture, identity, and the natural world.
➡ Open now through August 3, with special after-hours viewings on select nights. Don’t miss this magical experience!
‘Trick! The Musical’ set to open at Out Front Theatre
🎭 “Trick! The Musical,” based on the 1999 film written by Jason Schafer and directed by Jim Fall, is having its world premiere on May 1 at Out Front Theatre Company.
“Trick” is considered a gay cult classic. The film is a romance between Gabriel (Christian Campbell), an aspiring musical theater writer, and Mark (J.P. Pitoc), a go-go dancer who is more comfortable in his body and has a more relaxed view of sex. The film also starred Tori Spelling and Coco Peru in a small role as a drag queen.
It’s fitting that “Trick” is becoming a musical, because musicals are Schafer’s first love. He fell for the genre growing up and was in a musical theater writing workshop in New York when he started working on the material that eventually became the film.
➡ Read more about the show in Jim Farmer’s preview.
MORE TO SEE
🎼 Out Filipino-American tenor Rodell Rosel is making his Atlanta Opera debut in “Siegfried,” which opens on April 26 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
🎥 Jim also spoke with director Andrew Ahn and actors Lily Gladstone and Kelly Marie Tran about reimagining the classic LGBTQ+ film “The Wedding Banquet” for a new generation.
From jazz to drag, Atlantans love a lively weekend brunch
🥞 Atlantans love weekend brunch, and lately, performances ranging from jazz to gospel to drag give people another reason to roll out of bed on a Saturday and Sunday, put on something a little nicer than sweatpants, and visit restaurants around Metro Atlanta for eggs, pancakes, and music and live performances.
Fans of drag can enjoy multiple performances around Atlanta during brunch, including at City Winery (pictured), pairing colorful acts with the midday meal that merges breakfast and lunch.
Dragalicious brunch at Lips ATL happens every Saturday and Sunday. And, over in East Atlanta Village, the recently opened The Pub at EAV does occasional weekend drag brunches and a weekly Friday drag dinner, both hosted by drag performer Cora Nova.
➡ Read about more favorite brunch spots here.
💚 Join Love is Love Cooperative Farm’s Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) and enjoy fresh, certified organic produce grown with care. Support a worker-owned cooperative while savoring seasonal vegetables and flowers. Pick up in Decatur, Atlanta, or at the farm. Learn more here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
Best Bets
📖 Georgia Voice’s own Katie Burkholder will host a poetry workshop, Poetry For Survival, inspired by contemporary queer poets on May 7 from 7-9 p.m. at The Supermarket. Both new and seasoned writers from the community are welcome to attend.
💃🏾 Onya Nerve from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will headline at Lore on April 26 with shows at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tickets are going fast so grab yours here.
🎭 Inspired by Frank Cottrell Boyce’s beloved novel and film, “Millions” is a hilarious and heartwarming new musical about two brothers, their newly widowed father, a train robber, and, possibly, a miracle. May 9 – June 15 at alliancetheatre.org.
Social Follow of the Week
📸 Decatur “visual activist” Mindy Dawn Friedman‘s sartorial choices have vaulted her to fashion runways and editorial pages as she stirs onlookers to engage in dialogue to drive visibility, awareness, and social change.
