Best Place to Meet Women
My Sister’s Room
Every night is Ladies’ Night at My Sister’s Room (www.mysistersroom.com), which reclaimed its top spot as the Best Place to Meet Women. The long-time lesbian bar has been reinvigorated with new energy, and continuously proves its commitment to showing lesbians can party with the best. Second place went to Mary’s (www.marysatlanta.com) and LeBuzz (www.thenewlebuzz.com) finished in third.
Best Musician
Amber Taylor (The Sexual Side Effects)
It’s been a huge year for Amber Taylor (www.thesexualsideeffects.com) and the Sexual Side Effects – where she is the lead singer and guitarist — and her work has not gone unnoticed. Besides numerous local gigs, Amber and company debuted the video of their first single, “All She’ll Ever Hurt.” Dylan Michael placed second and Amy Andrews of The Lovely Drifters was in third.
Best Local Chef
Kevin Gillespie (Woodfire Grill)
After kicking ass on the Bravo reality show, Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill (www.woodfiregrill.com) earns the crown of Top Chef of gay Atlanta. Not only does Gillespie bring some serious Southern cred to the palate, but the furry hunkster is the dream of many bear fantasies. Kevin Kusinski of K Squared Meals (www.ksquaredmeals.com) earned second place, while Billy Allin of Cakes & Ale (www.cakesandalerestaurant.com) finished third.
Local Icon
Blondie
Hands down a favorite of GA Voice readers, Blondie easily soared to the top as the city’s Local Icon. A longtime stripper at the Clermont Lounge who is famous for crushing cans between her breasts, she is also a poet and the subject of the documentary “AKA Blondie,” (www.akablondiefilm.com), which tells the story of a complex figure. She is also no stranger to LGBT issues — she was once married to a gay man and dates women as well as men. Placing second is favorite politician and straight ally U.S. Rep. John Lewis. Cathy Woolard, the first gay person elected to office in Georgia, placed third.
Best Charity Benefit
Toy Party
Long considered the close of Atlanta’s social season, Toy Party, put on by For the Kid in all of Us (www.forthekid.org), collects thousands of toys and dollars to provide children with holiday gifts. The Joining Hearts Pool Party (www.joininghearts.org), scheduled for July 21, nabbed second place as it raises funds to support housing for people with HIV. Atlanta’s HRC Gala Dinner (www.atlantahrcdinner.org), a black-tie event in May which raises money for the national Human Rights Campaign, finished third.