We will not be erased
Feb. 11 — From Stonewall to the state house, LGBTQ+ visibility and rights remain under persistent attack from the right-wingers. We’ve got more below on the Trump administration’s directive to remove the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, plus Republicans in the Georgia Senate amended HB 54 to include a ban on medical care for transgender Georgians, including youth and those of all ages covered by state health insurance. It’s just two more instances of the blatant move by the regime to erase LGBTQ+ people and push us back into the closet. You can’t erase history.
Here are a few more headlines:
🥇 With 47 openly LGBTQ+ athletes competing at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, “Team LGBTQ” has already won three gold medals, including skiers Breezy Johnson and Mathilde Gremaud and figure skater Amber Glenn.
🪧 Human Rights Campaign in Georgia is urging LGBTQ+ people and organizations to join Pride to the Capitol on March 10 for a day of action beginning at Atlanta City Hall and ending at the State Capitol.
🎉 Gay Days at Walt Disney World in Orlando is still on despite social media rumors that it had been cancelled.
🗳️ Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation on Friday for a slate of constitutional amendments, including a measure to erase the state’s ban on same-sex marriages and replace it with the right to marriage equality.
⛪ The Episcopal Church is encouraging members to take part in a survey about LGBTQ+ inclusion and experience in the church.
⚕️ Mark your calendars for the second annual Savannah LGBTQIA+ Health Summit on March 6.
Tamos pa las cosas que valgan la pena…
Collin
Pride flag removed from Stonewall Monument as Trump targets LGBTQ landmarks
🏳️🌈 A rainbow Pride flag flying at the Stonewall National Monument in New York was removed at the direction of Trump administration officials at the National Park Service, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to the Blade on condition of anonymity.
The source said the move had been in the works for weeks and is part of ongoing efforts by the Trump-Vance administration to erase LGBTQ identity from federally controlled landmarks.
“We will not be erased. We will not be silenced,” New York State Sen. Erik Bottcher said. “And the Pride flag will fly again at the birthplace of our movement.”
➡ Read Joe Reberkenny’s reporting for Washington Blade here and 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 until May 3.
‘Alphabet Redacted’ celebrates diversity of LGBTQ+ photography
📸 Local LGBTQ+ photographers are on display at Georgia State University’s Clarkston campus in “Alphabet Redacted,” an exhibit celebrating the diversity of both the LGBTQ+ community and the medium of photography curated by Charlotte Woolf.
“Alphabet Redacted” brings together a group of Atlanta LGBTQ+ photographers whose work expands the possibilities of contemporary photography. While curating the exhibition, Woolf – a photographer and assistant professor of studio art at GSU Perimeter College – wanted to combat the erasure and stereotyping of the LGBTQ+ community.
The exhibit features work from 13 queer photographers: Haylee Anne, Jason Arel-Klein, Nydia Blas, David Clifton-Strawn, Cindy Elizabeth, Ross Landenberger, Montenez Lowery, Madison Nunes, Keamber Pearson, Tatum Shaw, Royce Soble, Parker Thornton, and Lynsey Weatherspoon.
➡ Find out more about the exhibition here.
MORE A&E
🩰 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre is at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta tonight through Feb. 15. Check out Sammie Purcell’s interview with dancer Caroline Dartey.
Breaking down queer films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival
🎞️ Contributor Jim Farmer takes a look at his favorite queer films screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
On the list: Gregg Araki’s “I Want Your Sex” (pictured), Moshe Rosenthal’s “Tell Me Everything,” and Brydie O’Connor’s “Barbara Forever,” a fond remembrance of lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer.
➡ See Jim’s full breakdown of favorites here.
Best Bets
💘 Macon Pride is hosting a special Valentine’s cocktail-themed evening called Partners in Pride tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Longleaf Distilling Co.
💃 The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans 2 Tour is stopping at Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta on Feb. 13 for a night of glamour, filth, horror, and drag excellence.
🥳 Roswell Empowered is hosting its Pride Prom 2026 on Feb. 14 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Melrose & McQueen in Roswell. DJ Biggz will be playing hits from the early 2000s as part of the “Millennial Magic” theme. All ages are welcome, but parental supervision is encouraged for those under age, plus ID will be required. Come with a date, friends or solo.
👑 Lips Atlanta is hosting Queen of Hearts on Feb. 14, featuring drag from the Ladies of Lips, plus a Galentine’s Brunch on Feb. 14-15.
💔 Charis Books & More in Decatur hosts the virtual All Our Exes Poetry Reading on Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m., featuring poets Subhaga Crystal Bacon, Chen Chen, Richie Hofmann, Luther Hughes, Margot Kahn, Keetje Kuipers, Rajiv Mohabir, Laura Read, and Leigh Sugar reading poems on past lovers and flings.
🏒 Lore is hosting a Heated Rivalry Drag Brunch on Feb. 15 at 11:30 a.m. featuring Atlanta’s best drag performers, comedians, and boylesque dancers paying tribute to the hottest new gay TV show.
➡ For more events, be sure to check our IG stories @thegeorgiavoice.