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After racism controversy, Sharon Needles to return to Atlanta for ‘Miss Originality 2012’

The Georgia Voice Editors
Culture
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Sharon Needles

“RuPaul's Drag Race” winner Sharon Needles will return to Atlanta this November for the “Miss Originality 2012” fundraiser, although after her last visit, a more fitting name might be “Miss Controversial.”

Needles will judge a drag competition and will perform two numbers to raise funds for Lost-N-Found Youth and Pets Are Loving Support (PALS), organizers said today.

The Nov. 9 event is sponsored by Brushstrokes, David Magazine, Gayborhood, Boy Next Door and will be hosted by Jungle Nightclub.

Last year's “Miss Originality” fundraiser raised $2,700 for local charities, including Jerusalem House and PALS, according to a press release.

The press release makes no mention of the intense debate sparked by Needles’ last performance at Jungle, noting only that “she’s been lauded for a refreshing alternative ‘spooky’ aesthetic and self-deprecating humor.”

Sharon Needles pokes holes in Atlanta’s LGBT community

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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Sharon Needles

“Love you nigger.”

When Sharon Needles, winner of season four of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” used those words to autograph a photo of herself after an April performance in Nashville, she ignited a controversy that followed her to Atlanta late last month.

Out of drag, Needles is a white gay man. The autograph recipient identifies as a queer woman of color.

For critics, including the small group of activists who protested Needles’ June 27 performance at Atlanta gay bar Jungle, the contrast makes Needles a racist who had no right to use the slur.

Sharon Needles packs Jungle for ‘Fantasy Girls’ as protesters picket outside

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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Sharon Needles protesters

Some 15 local activists gathered outside Jungle to protest featured performer Sharon Needles at the club's monthly "Fantasy Girls" show Wednesday, June 28.

Needles, the winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race" season 4, has caused controversy for her performances and statements that included the word "nigger," wearing a swastika t-shirt and more. Check here for background.

The protestors, led by Enakai Ciseaux, gathered around 9:30 p.m. and stood just outside the entrance of the club holding signs that read "Racists: Sashay Away," "Racism is Not Art," and "Call me 'nigger' to my face," among other things.

[Video] Sharon Needles meets with LGBT protesters before Atlanta show

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
0

A meeting between Sharon Needles, winner of the past season of “Rupaul's Drag Race,” and LGBT activists angered by her use of the word “nigger” in her act ended abruptly today after two people planning to protest her show walked out.

Aaron Coady, who performs as Needles, attended the meeting out of drag. A tearful Coady said he felt berated by the activists who questioned his use of the racial slur. He defended Sharon Needles as a “transgressive” character meant to push buttons and shine a spotlight on all that is dark in society.

“If people educated themselves on the type of work and didn't just judge it by my costume choices and simple screen shots and really investigated why I use the imagery I use, I'm really more on their side than they think,” Coady said, tears rolling down his face.

Protest planned of ‘Rupaul’s Drag Race’ winner Sharon Needles’ Atlanta appearance

The Georgia Voice Editors
Atlanta
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LGBT activists say they are planning a protest of Sharon Needles' appearance in Atlanta on Wednesday, claiming the winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race" is guilty of racist and bigoted comments. But Needles has defended her work and the host of her Atlanta appearance said he has not been able to document instances of offensive behavior.

Needles, who hails from Pittsburgh, Pa., performs Wednesday at Jungle as part of the Fantasy Girls show. A nonviolent demonstration is being planned to educate those attending the show about Needles' racist comments, said Cortez Wright, an organizer of the protest.

"We want to show that not everyone supports what Sharon Needles is doing," said Wright, a person of color who identifies as queer.

[Video] The best reaction to Romney’s response to Gingrich’s presidential pull out

The Georgia Voice Editors
Politics
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Newt Gingrich FINALLY suspended his GOP presidential bid today amid dreams of moon colonies and hating on Barack Obama.

Gingrich didn't explicitly endorse his opponent, Mitt Romney, in his farewell speech/lecture today. (A full endorsement is forthcoming, apparently.) But Romney apparently tried to play nice, even though he and Gingrich are as likely friends in real life as Sharon Needles is with, well, any other drag queen who gets in her way.

Romney tweeted this after Newt's farewell speech today:

 .@NewtGingrich has brought creativity and intellectual vitality to American political life. Proud to call him a friend.