Welcome to August
Wednesday, Aug. 5 — The August issue of Georgia Voice is out now, featuring Schāf Shop, Out On Film’s new executive director Cindy L. Abel, a preview of upcoming Atlanta Black Pride events, a roundup of the latest headlines, plus Best Bets in arts and entertainment for the month. You can read the August issue here.
Here are some news headlines:
🌈 Fayette Pride held its inaugural festival and parade on Saturday in Fayetteville, and we’ve got some great photos from the event on IG.
🏳️⚧️ Solutions Not Punishments Collaborative (SnapCo.) is celebrating 13 years of Black trans-led organizing, collective care, cultural power, and community safety at the Forever Gala on Saturday, Aug. 8.
🎟️ Tickets are on sale for Open Hand Atlanta’s 23rd annual Party in the Kitchen fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 24.
📖 Atlanta Pride has announced the launch of the Grand Marshal History Project, a new initiative dedicated to preserving and celebrating Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ legacy.
🙄 A federal appeals court has upheld a Florida law banning minors from attending drag shows in the state.
🗳️ Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told a podcaster he is considering throwing his hat in the ring for president once again.
🏀 Former Atlanta Dream star and WNBA veteran Brittney Griner filed for divorce from her wife, Cherelle, last week, calling the marriage “irretrievably broken.”
💕 After performing together at WorldPride in Amsterdam over the weekend, Madonna and Kylie Minogue are dropping a remix of “Love Sensation” on Friday.
You’ll pass this on, won’t you?
Collin
🤝 Community starts with connection. Meet Rosemary Watts and Nikki Washington and discover how they’re helping shape Perimeter through connection, placemaking, and community in the Heart of Perimeter video series. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Lavender Fest to showcase queer theatre Aug. 5 – 9
🎭 Lavender Fest, an Atlanta-based performing arts festival showcasing queer talent from across the United States, returns Aug. 5 – 9 at Out Front Theatre Company.
This year’s festival theme is “Unerasable,” and the lineup includes eight shows produced by LGBTQ+ artists.
“We’re investing in Queer Southern stories because we believe artists shouldn’t have to leave the South to build a career,” Festival Director Ty Autry said. “These stories deserve to be created here, by the people who call this place home.”
➡ See the full line-up here.
MORE MUST-SEE THEATRE
🎭 The annual Essential Theatre Play Festival returns Aug. 7 – 23, showcasing new works by Georgia playwrights. The 2026 festival is being held at 7 Stages in Little Five Points, featuring world premieres, staged readings, and special events highlighting homegrown theatrical talent.
Meet the People at the Heart of Perimeter’s Community
SPONSORED BY PERIMETER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
🤝 Community doesn’t just happen. It takes people who create reasons to connect.
Meet Rosemary Watts of Create Dunwoody and Nikki Washington of Perimeter Connects, two leaders helping transform Perimeter into a place where people want to gather, explore, and belong.
📹 Watch their stories in the Heart of Perimeter video series and discover what’s bringing people together.
A conversation with Melissa Etheridge
🎸 Iconic singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge will take the stage on Aug. 7 at Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park as part of her tour with Wynonna Judd.
Ahead of the show, our Sammie Purcell spoke with Etheridge about her new album, “Rise,” her storied career, and coming out as a lesbian way back in 1993 when few artists were out.
‘I Want Your Sex’ director Gregg Araki talks creative freedom
📽️ For decades, Gregg Araki has been a trailblazing queer artist. He’s the filmmaker behind LGBTQ+ movies like “The Living End,” “The Doom Generation,” and the classic “Mysterious Skin.” His new feature, “I Want Your Sex,” is in cinemas now.
While it’s not as overtly gay as some of his other work, “I Want Your Sex” is still a naughty sex romp with gay characters and actors, including a lead character in Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde) who is pansexual and “a sex superhero.”
➡ Read Jim Farmer’s interview with Araki and check out Sammie’s review of the film here.
🤝 Community starts with connection. Meet Rosemary Watts and Nikki Washington and discover how they’re helping shape Perimeter through connection, placemaking, and community in the Heart of Perimeter video series. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Best Bets
🪽 Theatre Macon is staging part two of Tony Kushner’s award-winning drama “Angels in America: Perestroika” Aug. 7 – 16.
🛍️ Lucille’s Gift Shop in Atlanta’s Candler Park neighborhood is hosting a grand opening event on Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Read our feature story on Lucille’s here.
🧺 Athens Pride & Queer Collective is hosting Generations of Pride, a potluck and gathering, on Aug. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park. There will be food, fun, games, and storytime from multi-generational members of the LGBTQ+ community.
💃 The Armorettes will be hosting their Charity Camp Drag Bingo at The Atlanta Eagle on Aug. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.
➡ Find many more events and activities in our IG stories @thegeorgiavoice.
Advertise in new Destination Gay Atlanta travel guide
🏳️🌈 The Georgia Voice team is working on the 2026/2027 edition of the Destination Gay Atlanta travel guide in partnership with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
With Atlanta Pride coming in October, the guide is an excellent resource for lodgings, entertainment, dining, and shopping in the city. The guidebook will be available at local hotels and other venues around the city, as well as online, in September.
➡ If you would like to advertise in DGA, contact sales@roughdraftatlanta.com.
