A&E news in brief

“We are in a time of struggle and rapid changes in our movement and we would be remiss to not recognize that many of the strides that have been made are a result of trans activism and the strength and perspective they have brought to the queer and feminist revolutions,” they wrote.

“We feel that if someone identifies as a womyn, they are a womyn and should be welcomed into our community with open arms. We will only be stronger for it.”

30 LOCAL LGBT WRITERS IN LESS THAN EIGHT HOURS

Organizers of the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival host a community reading April 20 featuring 30 local LGBT poets and writers, including Glenda Corwin, Alice Teeter, Harold Lefall, Collin Kelley, Dustin Brookshire, Mose Hardin, Young Hughley, Sharon J. Sanders, Megan Volpert, Gabe Moses, Iyana, Anthony Antoine, AntronRechaud, Lynne Huffler, Jef Blocker and more. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Decatur Library auditorium; for more information, visit www.atlqueerlitfest.com

SAY ‘I DO’ AT THE GEORGIAN — AND OUTSIDE OF GEORGIA

The Georgian Terrace is offering a unique promotion for same-sex couples who choose the historic hotel for their wedding receptions. Get married at the Georgian Terrace, and the hotel will also fly you and your beloved to a place where gay marriage is legal so you can say “I do” there, too. Some restrictions apply, of course, so contact the Georgian for details.

GAYS AND GIRLS IN THE GARDEN

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has released the schedule for its popular summer Concerts in the Garden series, and as usual, there’s plenty to draw LGBT fans. Gay music lovers will especially flock to gay-led party band The B-52s on June 28 and acoustic sensations Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin on Aug. 9. Tickets go on sale April 19 for members and April 26 for the public. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

SHE’S STILL SO UNUSUAL

Cyndi Lauper, long an LGBT favorite, brings her “She’s So Unusual” tour to Atlanta’s Symphony Hall on July 2. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. GA Voice chatted with Lauper before her Atlanta show in 2010, and besides asking about her activism on LGBT rights and her lesbian sister, we couldn’t help wondering if she had ever, you know, kissed a girl herself. “Yeah, I tried it. Just wasn’t for me,” she quipped back.

MIXFEST CELEBRATES LGBT PEOPLE OF COLOR

Mixfest, dedicated to film, music and creative arts for LGBT people of color, takes place April 12-14 at multiple Atlanta venues. Partners include the Black AIDS Institute, Safe Space at Morehouse College, the National Black Justice Coalition and Atlanta’s Evolution Project. Featured artists include artist Anthony Antoine, author and spoken word performer Red Summer, actor and filmmaker Maurice Jamal, singer Jurni Rayne and more. Full schedule at www.mixfestatl.com

DOGWOOD BLOOMS IN ATLANTA’S QUEER BACKYARD

It’s finally warm, bringing dogwood blossoms to Piedmont Park — LGBT Atlanta’s unofficial backyard — and of course, the Dogwood Festival, set for April 19-21 this year.

“The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the third oldest and one of the largest free fine arts and music festivals in the United States.  It was one of the great honors of my life to serve as the first openly gay chairman of the 77 year old festival last year,” says Jamie Ensley, immediate past chair of the festival.

“Visiting the 250 artist booths lining the trails around Piedmont Park is always a delight,” Ensley adds. “I’m proud that the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is consistently ranked as having one of the best fine arts exhibits in the entire South.” For details, visit www.dogwood.org

WOMEN’S MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS

Typically held at Swiftwaters Womanspace near Dahlonega, this year’s spring Women’s Musicfest is set for April 26-28 at Fox Mountain Camp & Artist Retreat in Cherry Log, Ga. Still organized by musician Ronnda Cadle, who is now the artist in residence at Fox Mountain, the event includes more than 15 female-oriented musical acts, plus artists, workshops and more. For tickets, visit www.foxmtncamp.com

GET AWAY TO TYBEE GAY DAYS

Get a head start on summer at Gay Days at Tybee Island, set for May 3-5 in the island community near Savannah. Highlights include a kick-off party and after party on Friday; a beach meet-up and the White Party on Saturday night, featuring original “Village People” cowboy Randy Jones in a fundraiser for people with HIV; and a tea dance Sunday with Kristina Foxx. Need details? Check out www.gaysavannah.com

 

Top photo: Indigo Girls (publicity photo)