Local

Measure to Establish Human Rights Sanctuary in District Introduced

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Brianne Nadeau

In anticipation of a Supreme Court ruling that would criminalize rights long held by women and our LGBTQ community, today, Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, along Chairman Phil Mendelson, Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Charles Allen, Vincent Gray, Christina Henderson, Janeese Lewis George, Elissa Silverman, Robert White, and Kenyan McDuffie, introduced the Human Rights Sanctuary Amendment Act of 2022.

“It is rare that we get a sneak peek into a court decision that will have such a devastating impact to our residents, and it’s clear from the draft opinion that even more than the right to abortion is at stake,” said Nadeau. “Under Samuel Alito’s regressive, political, results-oriented reading of the Constitution, all substantive due process and equal protection rights, such as the rights to marriage, non-procreative sexual conduct, and the use of contraception are under threat. With this legislation I am hoping we can solidify the rights of our own residents as well as those who may now be forced to travel here to preserve their own.”

Earlier this week, Politico circulated a draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization suggesting that the Supreme Court will eliminate the constitutional right to abortion later this year. At a press conference with other government representatives on Tuesday, Nadeau promised District residents that she would take legislative action to defend the rights protected by Roe v. Wade.

Nadeau has been involved with Planned Parenthood since high school, and recounted in the press conference Tuesday that it was the March for Women’s Lives of 2004 that inspired her to change her career focus to government and political work.

The proposed legislation would prevent the District from cooperating with investigations in furtherance of proceedings that seek to impose civil or criminal liability for the protected conduct identified in the statute. It also creates a private right of action against parties who successfully bring Texas-style bounty claims against others for engaging in protected conduct.

The bill is modeled, in part, on Connecticut’s recently passed Reproductive Freedom Defense Act.  It protects the rights of District residents to live with whom they please, love whom they love, and control their reproductive destinies. It makes the District a safe haven for trans youth who need gender-affirming care, LGBTQ+ individuals who need to preserve their families, and all people who need reproductive freedom to flourish as meaningful participants in American life.

“While I am hurt and horrified by the assault on human rights perpetrated by the Supreme Court,” Nadeau added, “I am resolved to do all that I can to protect women and other District residents whose liberties are endangered.”

Disrupting Disparities for LGBTQ Older Adults in Illinois

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Disrupting Disparities for LGBTQ Older Adults

Groundbreaking New Legislation Will Break Down Barriers for LGBTQ Older Adults, People Living with HIV in Illinois

AARP Illinois commends lawmakers for passing measure inspired by report organization commissioned with SAGE last year

On behalf of 1.7 million members across the state and all adults 50-plus, AARP Illinois commends the bipartisan passage of SB3490, “The Disrupting Disparities for LGBTQ Older Adults Bill.” LGBTQ people and people living with HIV have long faced unique challenges as they age because of a lack of affirming resources and services, and stigmatization, and this bill is an important step in ensuring that their voices are represented in state programming and policymaking.

AARP Illinois applauds the work of bill sponsors, Senator Karina Villa and Representative Lakesia Collins, who championed the passage of this bill.

The passage of SB3490 will:

  • Create a 3-year Illinois Commission on LGBTQ Aging;
  • Require the Director on Aging to appoint an LGBTQ Older Adult Advocate to ensure the needs and experiences of LGBTQ older adults and older adults living with HIV are considered and incorporated throughout the department’s programming and policymaking; and
  • Require state-funded service providers to complete LGBTQ older adult awareness and competency training.

The legislation will ensure continuity of the groundbreaking work of the Illinois Department on Aging under the leadership of Director Paula Basta, in support of LGBTQ older adults and older adults living with HIV.

“LGBTQ older adults face unique challenges, and we want Illinois to lead in valuing their identities, expanding access to inclusive services, and meeting the critical needs of this population,” said Director Basta. “I’d like to thank AARP Illinois, Pride Action Tank, Equality Illinois, stakeholders, and our legislators for affirming the administration’s continued commitment to supporting LGBTQ elders in our communities.”

This legislation solidifies years of work by advocacy organizations who supported this bill, including AARP Illinois, Equality Illinois, Pride Action Tank,  the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Center on Halsted, and SAGE.

“LGBTQ older adults are a key part of Illinois’ rapidly growing elder population, and yet they remain largely invisible,” says Mary Anderson, Director of Advocacy and Outreach – Northern Illinois for AARP Illinois. “This bill is a critical step to break down barriers to access and to address the disparities faced by older LGBTQ adults, especially for the 1 in 5 LGBTQ older adults of color for whom those disparities are compounded.”

“More than half of people living with HIV in the United States are over the age of 50 and face innumerable challenges as they progress in their later years including stigma, isolation, and various comorbidities,” said Timothy Jackson, Director of Government Relations for AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC). “AFC and Pride Action Tank are proud to support SB3490, critical legislation that will address some of these challenges faced by LGBTQ older adults and older adults living with HIV head on.”

“We must tackle the disparities LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults living with HIV face. By directing resources, training, and attention to meeting the needs of this critical population, SB 3490 helps make sure Illinois is a more affirming and equitable state for LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults living with HIV,” said Mike Ziri, Equality Illinois Director of Public Policy. “We applaud the leadership of Sen. Villa, Rep. Collins, and the Illinois Department on Aging for shepherding this bill to the Governor’s desk.  And we are grateful to the broad coalition of partners from across the state who helped build the case for this important law.”

“SAGE applauds the hardworking advocates on the ground in Illinois and our champions in the legislature, particularly Sen. Villa and Rep. Collins. Thanks to their leadership, Illinois continues to be at the forefront of making sure that LGBTQ+ older people and older people living with HIV receive the culturally competent aging services and supports our community deserves,” said Lynn Faria, Executive Vice President at SAGE. “LGBTQ+ elders will continue to have a voice both alongside and within the Illinois Department on Aging.  We look forward to Governor Pritzker signing this bill into law.”

LGBTQ advocates across the state expressed enthusiastic support for the passage of the bill:

“The passage of SB3490 of represents a pivotal moment for LGBTQ older adults across Illinois. Not only does the Commission on LGBTQ Aging represent a historic recognition of LGBTQ elders, but it represents an investment in the future of the entire LGBTQ community across our state,” said August Hieber, Manager of Advocacy & Programs at The Chicago Bar Foundation. “As a transgender Illinoisan, I am so grateful to Representative Collins and Senator Villa for centering the histories and experiences of the older adults in my community.”

“As an LGBTQ+ elder, and native-born Illinoisan, I am proud of the long history that the Prairie State has in progressive legislation that has made this state one of the minority of U.S states where  LGBTQ+ citizens enjoy full civil rights,” said Don Bell,  LGBTQ+ Elder and Advocate. “In stark contrast to the legislatures of many states across the country where LGBTQ+ rights are currently under assault, Illinois continues to reinforce the rights of all members of our community, whether they reside in the Chicago metropolitan area, or in the downstate, small town, rural, or exurban parts of Illinois. The Great State of Illinois is a great place to call home!”

“I salute everyone who had a role in getting the LGBTQ 50 + Older Adults Bill passed,” said Billy Rogers, co-founder of the Golden Rainbows of Illinois South (GRIS), a group formed in 2021 through the Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center in Carbondale. “My spouse of 32 years is 87 years old and I am 66 years old. You might say I am in the ‘fourth quarter’ and my spouse is in ‘overtime.’ We are living in this culture of disparity, having been victim to insults and discrimination, but we celebrate this moment.  GRIS is now working to provide programs and resources for the aging 50+ LGBTQ seniors throughout Southern Illinois.  As co-founder of GRIS, I realize the work is far from over.”

The solutions in SB3490 are based on findings from a ground-breaking report from AARP Illinois and SAGE, Disrupting Disparities: Challenges and Solutions for 50+ LGBTQ Illinoisans, as well as the work of advocacy organizations and direct service providers that serve LGBTQ older adults and older adults living with HIV in Illinois.

As a critical final step, AARP Illinois encourages Governor Pritzker to sign this meaningful bill into law.

Equality Caucus Welcomes Jordan Dashow as New Executive Director

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Jordan Dashow

Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus have announced Jordan Dashow as its new Executive Director. Dashow brings to this role a wealth of knowledge on the legislative process and a proven track record of advancing LGBTQ+ rights. As Executive Director, Dashow will help steer the Caucus’s work promoting LGBTQ+ equality, supporting members of Congress, and coordinating outreach to outside organizations.

Dashow most recently served as a professional staff member for the House Committee on the Judiciary where he worked on a range of topics including LGBTQ+ rights and equality, disability rights, voting rights, reproductive rights, racial justice, unlawful evictions, campaign finance, and church-state issues. Dashow worked closely with Judiciary Committee Chair Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) on the successful committee consideration of the Equality Act in both the 116th and 117th Congresses. Before his tenure with the House Judiciary Committee, Dashow worked for multiple years in advocacy at the Human Rights Campaign as a Policy Assistant, Policy Coordinator, and Federal Policy Manager.

“I am excited to welcome Jordan Dashow as the next Executive Director of the Equality Caucus. I have had the pleasure of working with Jordan in his previous role with the House Judiciary Committee where he was instrumental in the successful House passage of the Equality Act in both the 116th and 117th Congresses. Jordan’s experience both on the Hill and in advocacy make him the perfect fit to guide the Equality Caucus as we confront the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation from conservative state legislatures across the country. I am looking forward to working with him in this new role to advance LGBTQ+ equality here in the United States and abroad,” said Congressman David N. Cicilline, Chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.

“I also want to acknowledge our outgoing Executive Director, Shawn Gaylord, for his dedicated service to the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus over the last 3 years. We thank Shawn for bringing his expertise on LGBTQ+ issues and advocacy to the Hill while navigating the Caucus through the peak of the COVID pandemic. With Shawn’s leadership, we welcomed the largest-ever class of membership and advanced some of the most pro-LGBTQ+ legislation in history, including the Pulse Nightclub Memorial Bill, which was signed into law by President Biden last year. We wish him all the best in his new role off the Hill.”

Founded in 2008, the mission of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus is to promote equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Caucus, which is led by the nine openly LGBTQ+ members of the House of Representatives, is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. and around the world.

San Francisco Hosts Largest Display of AIDS Memorial Quilt in a Decade

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AIDS Memorial Quilt

The National AIDS Memorial will mark the 35th anniversary of the AIDS Memorial Quilt with an historic outdoor display in Golden Gate Park that will feature nearly 3,000 hand-stitched panels of the Quilt.

The free public event will take place on June 11 & 12 from 10 am – 5 pm each day in Robin Williams Meadow and in the National AIDS Memorial Grove. Expected to draw thousands of people, the display will be the largest display of the Quilt in over a decade and the largest-ever in San Francisco history.

“This year’s historic community display will be a beautiful celebration of life and a recognition of the power of the Quilt today as a teaching tool for health and social justice,” said National AIDS Memorial CEO John Cunningham. “The Quilt is an important reminder that the HIV/AIDS crisis is still not over and there is much work to be done, particularly in communities of color, where HIV is on the rise in many parts of the country.” 

The two-day 35th Anniversary event, presented by Gilead Sciences, will feature 350 12’x12′ blocks of the Quilt laid out on the ground, each consisting of eight 3’x 6′ individually sewn panels that honor and remember the names and stories of loved ones lost to AIDS. Visitors will be able to walk through the display to experience each panel, remember the names, and see first-hand the stories sewn into each of them. Featured Quilt blocks will include many of the original panels made during the darkest days of the pandemic and panels made in recent years, a solemn reminder that the AIDS crisis is still not over.

“The Quilt remains an important symbol of hope, activism and remembrance that reaches millions of people each year, opening hearts and minds,” said Alex Kalomparis, Senior Vice President, Gilead Sciences, a long-time partner of the Quilt and its programs. The company provided a $2.4 million grant to the National AIDS Memorial in 2019 to relocate the Quilt from Atlanta back to San Francisco. “Through community displays such as this, the Quilt is connecting the story of HIV/AIDS to the issues faced by many people today, touching their lives in a very personal, compelling way.”

An opening ceremony and traditional Quilt unfolding will start at 9:30 am on the 11th, followed by the continuous reading of names of lives lost to AIDS aloud by volunteers, dignitaries, and the public on both days. There will be panel-making workshops, community information booths, stories behind the Quilt, displays of memorabilia, and the ability for the public to share their personal Quilt stories. Volunteer opportunities and community/corporate partnerships are available. The public is also invited to bring new panels that can be displayed in a special area to become part of the Quilt.  

More than 100 new panels will be seen for the first time at the San Francisco display. Many of them were made through the Memorial’s Call My Name panel-making program, which helps raise greater awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS in communities of color, particularly in the South, where HIV rates are on the rise today. Panel-making workshops are organized around the country, working with church groups, quilting guilds and AIDS service organizations to continue the Quilt’s 35-year legacy of bringing people together and to serve as a catalyst for education and action by pulling the thread from then to now for justice. 

“The AIDS Quilt has always been an important part of Glide Memorial Church and many Black churches around the country. Throughout the years, we have made panels and displayed them from the pulpit as a backdrop to worship, with parishioners calling, singing, and preaching their names,” said Marvin White, Minister of Celebration at Glide. “We are honored to be a community partner of this historic display, to celebrate their lives and to share their stories so future generations always remember.” 

According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, while new HIV infections in the U.S. fell about 8% from 2015 to 2019, Black and Latino communities — particularly gay and bisexual men within those groups — continue to be disproportionately affected. In 2019, 26% of new HIV infections were among Black gay and bisexual men, 23% among Latino gay and bisexual men, and 45% among gay and bisexual men under the age of 35. African American and Hispanics/Latinos account for the largest increases in new HIV diagnoses, 42% and 27% respectively. Disparities also persist among women. Black women’s HIV infection rate is 11 times that of white women and four times that of Latina women. Racism, HIV stigma, homophobia, poverty, and barriers to health care continue to drive these disparities.

The first panels of the Quilt were created in June of 1987 when a group of strangers, led by gay rights activist Cleve Jones, gathered in a San Francisco storefront to document the lives they feared history would forget. This meeting of devoted friends, lovers and activists would serve as the foundation for The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.  Each panel made was the size of a human grave and they saw the Quilt as an activist tool to push the government into taking action to end the epidemic.

“What started as a protest to demand action turned into a national movement that served as a wake-up call to the nation that thousands upon thousands of people were dying,” said Jones.  “Today, the Quilt is just as relevant and even more important, particularly in the wake of Covid-19, and the fact that the struggles we face today that result from health and social inequities are the issues we will face again in the future if we don’t learn from the lessons of the past.”

That year, the nearly 2,000 panels of the Quilt traveled to Washington, D.C. for its first display on the National Mall.  It then traveled to several cities, including a large display at the Moscone Center in San Francisco to raise funds for AIDS service organizations.

Today, the Quilt, considered the largest community arts project in the world, is under the stewardship of the National AIDS Memorial and has surpassed 50,000 individually sewn panels with more than 110,000 names stitched into its 54 tons of fabric. The Quilt continues to connect the history of the AIDS pandemic to the ongoing fight against stigma and prejudice through hundreds of community displays around the country and educational programs that reach millions of people each year. In 2021, an outdoor Quilt display system was constructed in the National AIDS Memorial Grove, located in Golden Gate Park, which allows for regular outdoor displays.

“Golden Gate Park has long been a place where history is made and where people come together for change, to heal and express themselves,” said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. “The National AIDS Memorial is an important part of that history, and we are honored to be part of this event that will bring thousands of people to our beloved park to honor a national treasure.”

A special web page at www.aidsmemorial.org has been created for the public to plan their visit to see the display that will be updated regularly with the latest details and information about this historic event.

SOURCE The National AIDS Memorial

Palm Springs Gay Bars, Restaurants, and Clubs

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Chill Bar Palm Springs

Chill Bar Palm Springs
www.chillbarpalmsprings.com
217 E Arenas Rd
This roomy gay bar & lounge offers cocktails in a sleek, contemporary space with an outdoor patio.

Toucans Tiki Lounge
www.toucanstikilounge.com
2100 N Palm Canyon Dr
Gay cocktail bar & lounge with drink specials, drag queen performances & other entertainment.

Hunters Palm Springs
hunterspalmsprings.com
302 E Arenas Rd
Long-running gay club draws a mostly male crowd for DJ beats, happy hour, BBQ events & theme nights.

Tool Shed Palm Springs
www.pstoolshed.com
600 E Sunny Dunes Rd
This gay-friendly joint provides drinks, DJs, go-go dancers & special events in a laid-back setting.

Eagle 501 Bar
www.eagle501bar.com
301 E Arenas Rd
Light-filled bar catering to a lively, varied gay crowd, with events on weekends.

Street Bar
www.facebook.com/psstreetbar
224 E Arenas Rd
Anyone can be a performer at this lively gay bar offering standard cocktails & live entertainment.

Photo: Chill Bar Palm Springs. Photo by @crispypicsphoto

Executive Director Fred Swanson to Leave Gay City

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Fred Swanson Gay City

Gay City’s Board of Directors announced Executive Director Fred Swanson is stepping down from his position after more than two decades. Fred will remain involved with the organization until June 1, 2022, and Bekah Telew, Gay City’s Director of Development, will serve as Interim Co-Executive Director during the transition.

“I am so grateful for the friendship and partnerships that developed over two decades,” said Swanson. “We have such talented and creative staff and volunteers and a leadership team that understands what is necessary to continue to move Gay City forward. It’s hard to imagine not being there, and also liberating to know that the special place we have built together will continue to grow and thrive in new ways under new leadership.”

Under Fred’s leadership, Gay City’s programming and impact expanded significantly. This growth included assuming the programs of the Seattle Gay Clinic in 2004, continuing critical parts of Verbena’s work in 2008, and assuming the programs of the Seattle LGBT Community Center in 2009. Gay City created new office spaces to accommodate for the additional service offerings, launched Gay City Arts, created a Youth Advisory Council, implemented core equity trainings for staff, and offered a home to queer organizations Ingersoll Gender Center, Equal Rights Washington, and Three Dollar Bill Cinema.

“Gay City has benefitted tremendously from Fred’s leadership over his two decades as Executive Director,” said Ronn Arii, Gay City’s Board Co-Chair. “He has steered this organization through challenges, great successes, unprecedented growth, and has cemented Gay City’s position as a vital and integral part of the LGBTQ community in Seattle and beyond. He leaves us in a solid position to move forward with the evolution of Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center.” 

With the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the news that the building Gay City has called home since 2006 had been sold, Fred worked with the Board of Directors to find a new home for Gay City. A space and location that are responsive to the changing needs of LGBTQ people in Seattle and focuses on community members furthest from health equity.

Gay City’s Board of Directors and staff leadership will be working through a 90-day transition plan and have formed a Leadership Model Task Force. The Task Force will collaboratively explore the next iteration of Gay City’s leadership. Internal and external stakeholders will be consulted and the Task Force will solicit information from other nonprofit organizations that have implemented new and non-traditional leadership models. 

“Building a new leadership model aligns perfectly with our organization’s goals to always innovate, remain resilient, and respond to our community’s needs,” said Arii. “Our history of innovation coupled with our stable financial position and move to a new space present the right timing for a thoughtful exploration of a new and progressive leadership model.” 

The 90-day transition plan and the work of the Task Force will culminate with an announcement of the organization’s new leadership model, and Gay City will begin implementing next steps to bring this new model to fruition. 

“Gay City will always be part of my life, now and in the future,” said Swanson. “My primary focus over the past twenty years has been to build stability and sustainability,” said Swanson. “And we have done that. It is time to give this wonderful opportunity I have had to someone else. The new leadership will step into an organization that is financially strong and continues to build new ways to show up for and serve Seattle’s LGBTQ communities.” 

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About Gay City: Seattle’s LGBTQ Center
With more than 25 years of supporting and advocating for LGBTQ communities, Gay City provides a place for you to be authentically yourself. Our mission is to cultivate access and connections to promote self-determination, liberation, and joy in our communities. We center health equity and are the leading HIV/STI testing provider in King County. For more information, visit gaycity.organd @GayCity on Instagram and Facebook and @GayCitySeattle on Twitter.

The Trevor Project Condemns Florida “Don’t Say Gay” Bill 

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The Trevor Project Condemns Florida “Don’t Say Gay” Bill Targeting LGBTQ Students

The bill would effectively erase LGBTQ students and history by banning classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

January 20, 2022 — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, condemned the Florida House Education & Employment Committee for passing HB 1557/SB 1834, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which would ban classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, erasing LGBTQ identity, history, and culture — as well as LGBTQ students themselves. The bill also has provisions that appear to undermine LGBTQ support in schools and include vague parental notification requirements which could effectively “out” LGBTQ-identifying students to their parents without their consent.

“The Trevor Project’s research has found that LGBTQ youth who learned about LGBTQ issues or people in classes at school had 23% lower odds of reporting a suicide attempt in the past year. This bill will  erase young LGBTQ students across Florida, forcing many back into the closet by policing their identity and silencing important discussions about the issues they face,” said Sam Ames (they/them pronouns), Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project. “LGBTQ students deserve their history and experiences to be reflected in their education, just like their peers.”

The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that more than 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth. According to a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of The Trevor Project, 85% of transgender and nonbinary youth—and two-thirds of all LGBTQ youth (66%) — say recent debates about state laws restricting the rights of transgender people have negatively impacted their mental health. When asked about proposed legislation that would require schools to tell a student’s parent or guardian if they request to use a different name/pronoun or if they identify as LGBTQ at school, 56% of transgender and nonbinary youth said it made them feel angry, 47% felt nervous and/or scared, 45% felt stressed, and more than 1 in 3 felt sad.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678. 

About The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people. The Trevor Project offers a suite of 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs, including TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, and TrevorChat as well as the world’s largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, TrevorSpace. Trevor also operates an education program with resources for youth-serving adults and organizations, an advocacy department fighting for pro-LGBTQ legislation and against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric/policy positions, and a research team to discover the most effective means to help young LGBTQ people in crisis and end suicide.

Southern Spirit: A very queer vacay in historic Savannah

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Southern Spirit: A very queer vacay in historic Savannah

by Lawrence Ferber

The ghost of Kevin Spacey haunts this room. 

Actually, it’s the ghost of a rich, gay antiques dealer and preservationist, Jim Williams, whom Spacey portrayed in the 1997 film “Midnight In the Garden of Good And Evil,” although the latter seems somehow more likely to impart chills and cringe these days. I’m touring the Mercer-Williams House, one of Savannah, Georgia’s most famous 19th-century homes, including the actual study where Williams shot and killed his hustler boy toy, Danny Hansford (played by Jude Law in the movie, and I’m sure many queens would welcome his spectre), reportedly in self-defense.

Adapted from gay author John Berendt’s bestselling 1994 nonfiction novel, director Clint Eastwood’s movie shined a Hollywood spotlight on Savannah and its quirky denizens, including iconic transgender entertainer The Lady Chablis, who famously played herself, regularly performed at LGBTQ bar Club One and, sadly, passed away in 2016, which helped attract even more millions of tourists annually. In 2019, 14.8 million visitors came for Savannah’s mix of historic architecture, gorgeous willow-draped parks, movie locations (including the spot where Forrest Gump sat on a bench babbling inane philosophies about chocolates), a buzzing riverside entertainment zone and live-and-let-live genteel Southern attitude. Bless their hearts!

Today the lush, compact and walkable port city, hometown of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 8 queen Dax ExclamationPoint and Georgia Democrat Senator Raphael Warnock, boasts an even more progressive open queerness. There’s Halloween weekend’s vibrant Savannah Pride, the hipster Starland District, an influx of creative young energy thanks to Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD for short — fashion icon André Leon Talley sits on its Board of Trustees) and, this being one of America’s most haunted cities, an expanding population of spirits (including the drinkable type at Ghost Coast Distillery). 

Ultimately, Mercer House — once owned by the family of another iconic homegrown talent, prolific songwriter Johnny Mercer of Oscar-winning “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” ditty “Moon River” and Elvis’ “Fools Rush In” fame — proved an illuminating experience replete with photos of Williams and his parties, original antiques, paintings and furniture, especially for fans of the film and book. But the upper floor, where Williams’ sister still lives, and its working pipe organ remain off limits.

SAVANNAH STAYS

Many tourists stay around the tourist-heavy, shop-lined River Street, newly developed Plant Riverside district, and adjacent downtown, which all form Savannah’s equivalent of NOLA’s French Quarter and an active port where cargo ships routinely zip past along the city’s namesake river and hotels include an Andaz and new 416-room JW Marriott. However, my husband Matt and I opted for the neighboring, slightly inland Historic District. Its Perry Lane Hotel, which splits 167 rooms between two buildings and boasts a cheeky, upscale camp aesthetic in design, decor and property-wide collection of contemporary art, proved perfect and more chill. Just two blocks from Chippewa Square (site of the Gump bench, a temporary prop), there’s also a rooftop bar and pool where local queers regularly congregate for the gorgeous views and a kiki… but not so much for the pedestrian cocktails, one noted. “Nobody goes there for the drinks!” However, if you prefer gay B&Bs that capture the city’s historic flavor, and are allegedly haunted to boot, there’s the Foley House Inn, 

DIGGING YOUR SCENE: SAVANNAH’S TO DO’S

To get one’s bearings in Savannah, a tour is well-advised, and there are dozens listed on official tourism website Visit Savannah, from trolley to bicycle to themed walking tours. The latter include Black heritage, food, local indie boutique shopping, ghost/haunted (I’ll get to that later!), and openly gay guide Jonathan Stalcup’s engaging Architectural Tours of Savannah, which we joined and enjoyed. Stalcup juxtaposes structures and stories with photos of Savannah’s evolving cityscape since its founding in the 1730s by General James Oglethorpe and, as it turns out, some sassy queer facts if you take him aside post-tour. 

Many essential attractions are historic, educational and kid-friendly in nature, including the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters, Bonaventure Cemetery, and 100-plus-year-old Leopold’s Ice Cream, which draws snaking, hours-long lines of tourists daily for old-timey frozen treats. It honestly isn’t worth hours-long waits unless you’re the 8-year-old with extremely limited travel and life experience who loudly declared “This is the best ice cream I ever ate!” as I consumed a sundae and rolled my eyes so far back the time traveled to 2015 (pro tip: there are two satellite Leopold’s locations at the airport with little to no wait). Yet some of Savannah’s most intriguing musts are surprisingly modern and edgy. 

Incorporating an antebellum railroad depot in its design, the contemporary SCAD Museum of Art hosts multidisciplinary, provocative exhibitions by international talents like queer French artist Mehryl Levisse, whose immersive “White Wig,” featuring five sculpted wigs by Parisian drag queens, will be on display through December 12, 2021. Artwork and home goods by SCAD’s own faculty, students and alumni, plus books, accessories and more, fill out sister retail space shopSCAD. 

Only open Thursday through Sundays, Graveface Museum is destination-worthy for those obsessed with serial killers, cults, sideshows and pinball machines, with a permanent collection of artifacts related to the above, including a pair of underwear worn by lesbian serial killer Aileen Wuornos and artwork by John Wayne Gacy (shockingly, John Waters hasn’t been by yet!), plus a horror-movie-themed arcade and shop. 

And Chocolat by Adam Turoni is one of Savannah’s retail musts. A queer chocolatier who channels Southern culture and flavors through his sophisticated, high-quality, artful creations, Turoni’s Historic District Bull Street boutique is designed like a home library, its shelves displaying trays of Red Velvet, Mint Julep and Georgia Peach truffles plus gold-dusted honeycomb bars and much more. To the rear, a glass-enclosed kitchen provides views of chocolate-making in action, while Turoni himself often works the register and can be chatted up. Another Chocolat location, on Broughton Street, is dubbed the “Dining Room,” while a third can be found in nearby Charleston, South Carolina (there’s a lot of brand crossover between the two sibling-esque destinations, including Savannah Bee Company, Byrd’s Famous Cookies and the trailblazing Husk restaurant). Private chocolate-making classes with Turoni can also be arranged via the Perry Lane Hotel.

COFFEE AND CUISINE

Being a coffee snob and caffeine junkie, a priority was finding Savannah’s best cold brew. Conveniently, a branch of popular local cafe Franklin’s was a few blocks from my hotel offering a solid cold brew and yummy pastries. Downtown’s queer-owned Blends roasts its own beans, as does Perc, whose owner Philip Brown, a hipster-bear literal daddy, staffs his flagship warehouse-cafe with LGBTQs and is himself the proud father of a trans child. Perc also sells a killer dehydrated instant version, plus excellent bagged beans (Perc expanded to Atlanta in 2020 and opened its second location there in 2021, so this could well become the Southeast’s Stumptown!).

Hungry, we had our first breakfast at local and tourist fave B. Matthews, where reservations are highly recommended during peak hours. Passing numerous rainbow flags, I noticed its listing as both “LGBTQ friendly” and a “transgender safe space” on Google Maps, while the lowcountry Southern-tinged food was excellent. I savored a cheesy, decadent shrimp and grits bowl I would happily return for, plus fried green tomatoes. Another brekkie-must with outdoor seating to boot, The Collins Quarter serves brunch daily and its “Swine Time Beni” — bacon and hollandaise-topped poached eggs over pulled pork and French toast — is bar none the most decadent, heart-clogging eggs Benedict iteration I’ve encountered. And if you’re hungry and hunty, once a month the Moon River Brewing Company and Club One collaborate for a family-friendly Sunday drag brunch. 

Savannah has upped its culinary game substantially in recent years with enterprising young chefs bringing color, presentation and locavore ethos to plates. As a foodie I was psyched to try Husk, and while the interior design proved stunning, drinks lovely, and a bonus to be greeted by a seemingly nonbinary host, the food was hit-and-miss (my boneless heirloom pork entree was shockingly tough, but its side dishes sublime and brightly flavored). 

Happily, 2021 arrival Common Thread and Savannah native Zach Shultz’s Cotton & Rye proved high points, with outstanding, fresh, memorable cuisine; request a table with view of the kitchen at the former, and do not sit outdoors during summertime at the latter lest you risk being tormented by hangry flies while eating. As for supporting LGBTQ-owned restaurants, the traditional French Circa 1875 and Italian La Scala Ristorante are the work of gay couple Jeffrey Downey and Donald Lubowicki.

NIGHTLIFE IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL

If you’re a natural at networking, befriending queer locals is well-advised, since even before COVID hit private house parties became Savannah’s dominant form of local socializing and nightlife for LGBTQs (Grindr and Scruff, we’re giving you stink eye). Only one LGBTQ+ bar, the multi-level dancing and drag queen destination Club One, still stands — there are 18+ nights, a plus for SCAD students — since the delightfully divey Chuck’s Bar closed in 2019. 

As with many cities, drag shows have become a magnet for godforsaken decidedly un-gay bachelorette parties and rowdy (albeit ally-ish) heterosexuals. This certainly proved true with Savannah’s Yes Queen! Pub Crawl. My hubby and I were the sole queers participating besides the delightful Venezuela-born queen and aspiring fashion designer leading the tour, Marie Con, and her lowkey boyfriend. It basically entailed Marie creating a loud public spectacle while we searched for her fictitious sugar daddy, Richard, aka “Dick”; stopped at non-gay bars for drink specials; and, at her insistence, grabbed each other’s butts to form human centipedes while crossing the street. It was a bit #MeToo and I really wished #TimesUp, but I did cull valuable intel from Marie about the scene and local drag collective, House of Gunt, before fleeing early. 

We didn’t flee early from another popular and quintessential Savannah after-dark activity: a ghost tour. Although hoping for the guide known as “Prince,” who styles himself like the iconic late musician, our adults-only Sixth Sense haunted tour was led by the black-clad “Lady Ravenwood,” whose ensemble included an LGBTQ+ rainbow and a shiny pair of steampunk glasses (not sure how steampunk figures in here, but OK). 

Being a skeptical Scully to my hubby’s I-want-to-believe Mulder, I rolled my eyes as Ravenwood told us of murder victim ghosts and flashed images of blue orbs hovering on her phone, and I begged for a spirit or demon to attach itself to us to spice things up (“Burn sage!” my hubby’s fellow true believer friend texted in a panic). Alas, no blue orbs or demons followed us home, but darned if glowing happy memories of Savannah don’t frequently haunt and beckon us back.

NY-raised entertainment and travel journalist Lawrence Ferber has contributed to publications including Entertainment Weekly, New York Magazine, National Geographic Traveler, The Advocate, NewNowNext, The NY Post and TripSavvy. He also co-wrote/co-created the 2010 gay romcom “BearCity” and authored its 2013 novelization.

Heather Mizeur Runs for Congress

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Heather Mizeur

From the Victory Fund: Heather Mizeur has spent her professional life over the last 25 years passionately engaged in public service. She is a policy expert, a former legislator, a small business owner, a farmer and the founder and CEO of a non-profit organization focused on social justice. 
 
Heather’s life is defined by a commitment to service and stewardship that was formed in her early years. She is the oldest daughter of a factory welder who was an active United Auto Worker for more than 30 years. Five generations of family farming also run deep through her DNA. Heather’s spiritual life, rooted in her Catholic faith, is the animating force behind her dedication to social justice — a passion and faith shared by her wife, Deborah. They met on Capitol Hill while Heather was U.S. Senator John Kerry’s Domestic Policy Director and were married in 2005, pledging then to do everything they could to bring marriage equality to Maryland. 
 
Heather was known in Annapolis as a legislative powerhouse during the eight years she served in the Maryland General Assembly — leading the charge on passing marriage equality, banning fracking, enacting criminal justice reforms, and expanding health insurance for children, women, and families. After leaving elected office, Heather founded Soul Force Politics, a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the worsening divisions in American politics and civic life. Heather’s career also includes four years of national service as a member of AmeriCorps. 

Find out more at www.heathermizeur.com

Dallas Native Venton Jones Launches Campaign for House District 100

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Venton Jones

DALLAS, TEXAS –Non-Profit CEO and community leader Venton Jones announces bid for the open House District 100 seat in the March Democratic Primary. Jones, who has devoted almost two decades of service in public health, seeks to represent a district with some of the highest rates of uninsured families and mortality in Texas.

Jones stated, “Public health must be at the top of the agenda for any Texas public official. I grew up, live, and operate a non-profit all within the district. I see every day how the lack of adequate healthcare leads to the economic disparity of Black and Hispanic communities and if elected, I look forward to leading the effort to change that.”

Jones, 37, boasts an impressive resume of public service from Dallas, TX to Washington D.C. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health and received his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. After college, Jones moved to Washington, D.C. working for almost a decade on initiatives impacting public policy and building community coalitions. He then returned to the District 100 neighborhood he grew up in and founded the non-profit Southern Black Policy & Advocacy Network; an organization that aims to improve the health, social, and economic conditions facing Black communities living in the U.S. South. Jones also currently serves as a Democratic Precinct Chair, Election Judge, appointee to the City of Dallas MLK, Jr. Community Center Board, an appointee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Health Resources and Services Administration Advisory Committee on HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and STD Prevention and Treatment by Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar, and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

It’s also quite fitting that Jones launches his campaign on December 1st, which marks the observance of World AIDS Day. Jones has been a tireless fighter for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS including serving as the current Chair to the Dallas County HIV Taskforce, and former Vice-Chair to the Dallas County Ryan White Planning Council.

With the March 1st Democratic Primary quickly approaching, Jones’ campaign is gearing up very fast. Jones is proud to have already received the endorsements from Commissioner John Wiley Price, former House District 100 Representative Lorraine Birabil, and a host of Precinct Chairs and community leaders.

District 100 is currently served by Representative Jasmine Crockett who is not seeking re-election, and covers South Dallas, and parts of Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, East Dallas and West Dallas. “District 100 has with a wide range of racial, social and economic diversity, and I look forward to representing the needs of all communities”.