Friday, Sept. 3 – Sunday, Sept. 5
The Decatur Book Festival features a robust selection of LGBT writers, including Rakesh Satyal, David Levithan, Charles Jensen and Rigoberto Gonzalez, among others. Most events at Decatur Conference Center. www.ajcdecaturbookfestival.com.
Friday, Sept. 3 – Monday, Sept. 6
The world’s largest Black Gay Pride celebration continues through Monday in Atlanta, with dozens of community, cultural, social and nightlife events.
The Atlanta Peach Tennis Tournament brings almost 200 LGBT tennis players from around the country to Atlanta for competition and camaraderie. Events at DeKalb Tennis Center, 1400 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA 30033, www.atta.org.
Dragon*Con, the world’s largest fantasy/sci-fi convention, comes to Atlanta with plenty of special guests of interest to queer fans. The roster includes actor Nelsan Ellis, who plays out gay Lafayette Reynolds on HBO’s popular vampire series, “True Blood.” www.dragoncon.org.
Friday, Sept. 3
Charis Books & More hosts a Sizzling Summer Poetry Party, featuring Meredith “Miz” Avakian and queer black slam poet Tamesha S. Hawkins. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Model, poet and author Dwayne Vernon signs “Roman,” about a street hustler dealing with love, lust and lies. 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.
Le Sexoflex and Athens Boys Choir perform to commemorate Dragon*Con. 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. at the Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, www.lesexoflex.com.
DJ Lydia Prim spins at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
DJ Mike Pope spins at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com.
DJ Turz and DJ Karlitos spin at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
Saturday, Sept. 4
International DJ/producer Hector Fonseca spins at Jungle. Doors open at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
The State Of, the duo of Steph Taylor and Nabedi Osorio, performs. 8:30 p.m. at Bellissima, 560-B Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306. www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge.
Outwrite hosts several authors in conjunction with Black Gay Pride: Aaron Powell at 5 p.m., Nikki Rashan at 7 p.m. and Timothy Michael Carson at 9 p.m. 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.
“Genderblind,” the first black lesbian film shot in HD, screens for the first time in Atlanta. 7 p.m. at Historic Plaza Theater, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, http://genderblindmovie.webs.com.
Filmmaker and drag queen Peaches Christ will be on hand with special guest Mink Stole for a pre-show party celebrating the opening of her film “All About Evil.” Midnight at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Dr., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.landmarktheatres.com.
DJ Mark Alvarado spins at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
DJ Jay McCracken spins at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com.
Sunday, Sept. 5
Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse hosts several authors in conjunction with Black Gay Pride: Rigoberto Gonzalez, David Groff, Charles Jensen and Rakesh Satyal at 12 p.m.; “Noah’s Arc” actor Jensen Atwood signing calendars at 2 p.m. 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.
Chris Coleman hosts an all-night party at Spring4th Center, with DJ Martin Fry spinning from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., followed by DJ Alyson Calagna until 8 a.m. Spring4th Center, 728 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.
DJ Mike Pope spins at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
DJ/VJ Ron Lianeza at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com.
Monday, Sept. 6 – Sunday, Sept. 12
The annual Southern Comfort Conference brings transgender people and their allies to Atlanta for education, inspiration and just plain fun. The packed schedule includes workshops and special events, including an appearance by Chaz Bono, the child of Sonny and Cher who came out as transgender. Crowne Plaza Hotel – Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30345, www.sccatl.org.
Tuesday, Sept. 7
Charis and MobileHomeComing (described as “an experiential archive project amplifying the brilliance of queer black womyn, gender non-conforming folks and transmen”) collaborate to present “Real Reading Rainbow: Intergenerational Black Book Lust,” with black feminists sharing books that have helped them through difficult times. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
The Atlanta Executive Network hosts a Mix and Mingle “OTP.” 6:30-9 p.m. at Lebuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30067, www.aen.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 8
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce holds a Business Builder lunch at 11:55 a.m. at Soho, 4300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30339. www.atlantagaychamber.org.
Just in time for the fall softball season, “Jocks & Jills” is the theme of this month’s PALS Bingo to raise money for Pets Are Loving Support, which helps people with HIV and other health concerns keep their pets. 6:30 – 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org.
The Dixie Dyno’mos, Atlanta’s LGBT rock climbing club, meets at 7 p.m. at Stone Summit Climbing & Fitness Center, 3701 Presidential Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30340, www.dixieclimbers.com.
Gilbert’s Mediterranean Café hosts a dining out event with a portion of proceeds donated to For the Kid in All of Us. 7-11 p.m. at Gilbert’s, Gilbert’s, 219 10th St., Atlanta, GA, 30309, www.gilbertscafe.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 8 – Friday, Sept. 10
Congregation Bet Haverim, Atlanta’s gay-founded Reconstructionist synagogue, hosts several services to mark Rosh Hashanah. Most held at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1790 Lavista Road, Atlanta, GA 30329. Please visit www.congregationbethaverim.org for full schedule.
Thursday, Sept. 9
Atlanta’s two largest gay business groups, the Atlanta Executive Network and the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, join forces for Fall Madness Networking. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.aen.org, www.atlantagaychamber.org.
Party in the Kitchen is a benefit for Open Hand, which provides meals for people with HIV and other health concerns. Tickets start at $150. Patron reception from 6-7 p.m., main event 7-10 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art, 199 Armour Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.projectopenhand.org.
Charis welcomes Kennesaw State University professor Linda Niemann reading from “Railroad Noir: The American West at the end of the 20th Century.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Minette Magnifique burlesque headlines the Midtown Comedy Show. 9:30 p.m at Bellissima, 560-B Amsterdam Ave., Monroe Dr., Atlanta, GA 30306,
www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge.
Friday, Sept. 10
The mostly lesbian Decatur Women’s Softball League kicks off its fall season. Games every Friday (except Oct. 8) through Nov. 5. 6-10 p.m. at Kelly C. Cofer Park, 4259 N. Park Drive, Tucker, GA 30084, www.decaturwomenssportsleague.info.
The Queer Power March takes to the streets of Savannah. The march begins at 6 p.m. in Johnson Square and move downs the streets of Broughton, Montgomery, and Congress ending at Ellis Square with speakers including Cochran, Ga., prom teen Derrick Martin. The Queer Jamz After Party follows at the Mirage Hookah Lounge, 20 East Broughton St., Savannah, GA 31401. www.queerpower.webs.com.
Saturday, Sept. 11
Lesbian singer-songwriter Michelle Malone brings her rock and blues to Eddie’s Attic. 8 p.m. at Eddie’s, 515-B North McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com.
Savannah hosts its 11th annual Pride festival with headliners God-des and She and Jason & deMarco. Noon to 10 p.m. at Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA 31401. www.savpride.com/wordpress/.
The gay Southern Southpaw League holds opening ceremonies and the start of games for its fall softball season, with games every Saturday through November. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southside Sports Complex, 3460 Jonesboro Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30354, www.southernsoftpaw.com.
The Armorettes, Atlanta’s fundraising camp drag troupe, holds the Miss Natural Disaster Pageant. 7-9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.armorettes.com.
The legendary Debbie Reynolds takes the stage. 8-10 p.m. at Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech, 349 Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332. www.ferstcenter.org.
Sunday, Sept. 12
The gay Hotlanta Softball League’s fall season gets underway with games starting from noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday through Oct. 3 at Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 31132, www.hotlantasoftball.org.
Monday, Sept. 13
Tony Award–winning actress Patti Lupone reads and signs her new memoir. 1 p.m. at Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, www.outwritebooks.com.
Tuesday, Sept. 14
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce holds a Business Builder lunch at 11:55 a.m. at Kirkwood Public House, 1962 Hosea Williams, Atlanta, GA 30317. There is also a lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at Marlow’s Tavern, 4156 La Vista Road, Tucker, GA 30084, www.atlantagaychamber.org.
Gay glam rocker Adam Lambert performs at 7:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.ticketmaster.com.
Georgia Equality hosts an LGBT reception for State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta), who faces Democrat Sandy Murray on the November ballot. Jacobs recently won Georgia Equality’s Political Advancement Award for his work passing anti-bullying legislation and supporting other LGBT issues. 6-8 p.m. at Cowtippers, 1600 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.georgiaequality.org.
Wednesday, Sept. 15
“American Idol” finalist Adam Lambert performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com.
This month’s “Faiths and Feminisms” discussion features Emory University religion professor Laurie Patton presenting “Through the Looking Glass of Comparative Religions: Living Well and Staying Spiritually Grounded in a World of Multiple Faiths.” 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Thursday, Sept. 16
MEGA Family Project hosts its free Coming Out Support Group for adults. 7-8:30 p.m. at Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.megafamilyproject.org.
The monthly Cliterati Open No Mic features Cliterati founder Erin O., a.k.a Erin O’Briant, and celebrates the release of her novel, “Glitter Girl.” 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Friday, Sept. 17
Bedlam Presents: 80’s Betch! to celebrate Barry Brandon’s birthday. ‘80s attire encouraged; performances by DJ Shane V and Dax! 10 p.m. at My Sisters’ Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com.
Friday, Sept. 17 – Saturday, Sept. 18
Congregation Bet Haverim, Atlanta’s gay-founded Reconstructionist synagogue, hosts several services to mark Yom Kippur. Most held at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1790 Lavista Road, Atlanta, GA 30329. Visit www.congregationbethaverim.org for full schedule.