Thank you, Gloria
Thursday, Sept. 3 — We’ve lost another icon and ally. Gloria Steinem died Wednesday at age 92 at her home in NYC. The trailblazing activist and journalist was constantly labeled as a lesbian by critics in attempts to scare women away from the feminist movement. Steinem said that when people tried to use “lesbian” as an insult against her, she replied “thank you” to confuse the accuser and show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ movement.
More news headlines:
🚨 Police in Arizona have confirmed that a shooting at a Tucson gay bar on Monday that left three people dead, including the shooter, was a hate crime.
⚖️ A federal judge has struck down a Texas law restricting drag performances, ruling for a second time that the legislation is unconstitutional.
🙄 Far-right provocateur and “ex-gay” Milo Yiannopoulos, who loudly called for the U.S. government to deport millions of immigrants, was deported last week by the Trump administration. Talk about the leopard eating your face.
🤬 The South Carolina Arts Commission approved funding for all the state arts groups it supports, except two LGBTQ+ organizations – the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus and the Proud Mary Theater Company.
And RIP Cassandra Wilson and Tim Curry…
Collin
Atlanta Black Pride Weekend
🏳️🌈 Atlanta Black Pride Weekend is back this weekend with entertainment, empowerment, and community engagement.
ABPW includes an expansive lineup of signature events, including the Pure Heat Community Festival at Piedmont Park, Influencer’s Dinner, R&B Brunch, the all-new Atlanta Black Pride Blood Drive, and nightly parties at some of Atlanta’s premier venues.
“For 20 years, Atlanta Black Pride Weekend has been more than a celebration; it has been a space where our community can come together to be seen, supported, empowered, and celebrated,” Atlanta Black Pride Weekend co-founders Melissa Scott and Julius James said in a statement. “This milestone represents the countless individuals, organizations, artists, advocates, and allies who have helped us build something that reaches far beyond one weekend.”
➡ Tickets, festival registration, and a complete schedule of activities are available at Atlanta Black Pride’s website. See more details in our story here.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
🎨 You’ve seen Amy Sherald’s iconic portrait of Michelle Obama. Now, her largest exhibition to date is here in Atlanta, featuring rarely seen paintings and monumental portraits spanning nearly two decades.
Amy Sherald: American Sublime is in its final weeks, marking the last chance to see one of the leading artists of her generation on view in her home state. Get your tickets before the show wraps.
Can only make it in the evening? We’ve got you covered. The show stays open after hours every Friday. Grab a drink, snag an exclusive exhibition poster, and explore the galleries at your leisure.
AIDS Walk Atlanta returns Sept. 26
🏃🏿♀️➡️ The 35th Annual AIDS Walk Atlanta Music Festival and 5K Run returns to Piedmont Park on Sept. 26 to raise money for HIV and AIDS organizations.
The event begins at 9 a.m. with registration before the walk/run begins at 11 a.m. Following the run will be a music festival at 11:45 a.m.
Globally acclaimed, award-winning singer, songwriter, and actor Kelly Rowland will headline this year’s music stage. Atlanta-based contemporary R&B artist Algebra Blessett will also join DJ Sed to kick off the music festival.
➡ Find out more and register for the event here.
Read the September issue of Georgia Voice
👓 The September issue of Georgia Voice is out now, with a preview of the Out on Film festival, Pride celebrations happening across the state, a guide to the Decatur Book Festival, and more.
➡ Read the September issue here.
Best Bets
🐉 Dragon Con, one of the biggest pop culture and gaming conventions in the country, returns to Atlanta starting today, Sept. 3, and running through Labor Day. Expect a weekend of cosplay, celebrities, panels, and the annual parade on Saturday.
🎂 Atlanta drag icon Shawnna Brooks will celebrate her birthday at the Atlanta Eagle on Sept. 5 at 9 p.m. Nicole Paige Brooks is co-hosting the special performance.
🎤 Grammy-nominated spoken word artist Queen Sheba will host the Poetry Slam and R&B Brunch on Sept. 6 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Starling Midtown as part of Atlanta Black Pride Weekend.
🪲 Queer artist and educator Charlotte Woolf has curated “You Are Not Alone: BUGS!,” a group exhibition featuring Atlanta-based artists at Georgia State University Perimeter College, through Oct. 7.
➡ Find many more events and activities in our IG stories @thegeorgiavoice.
