“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.
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.
PALS Atlanta presents Honey Bub Ba Bingo tonight at Jungle
What's old is new again, as the folks over at Lost-n-Found Youth come together Wednesday, May 16, for the second round of the Big Gay Game Show. Tickets for the show are $5.
Lost-n-Found Youth is a local nonprofit whose mission is to take homeless LGBT youth off the street and transition them into more permanent housing arrangements. The group operates a 24/7 hotline, as well as a six-bed housing facility.
Every third Wednesday, the organization enlists a bevy of local celebrities (ahem, including your's truly this month) to play a few rounds of America's favorite classic games shows. Match Game, Let's Make a Deal and Family Feud are slated for May's "episode."
Lost-n-Found is real winner of tonight's event at Jungle
Break out the parachute pants, PALS Bingo goes 80's tonight at Jungle
Atlanta's popular gay dance club Jungle may be in danger of being closed after a neighborhood panel postponed a vote to approve a permanent liquor license, according to a story in the Virginia Highland-Druid Hills Patch.
By a 5-4 vote on Monday, Neighborhood Planning Unit-F delayed a vote to give Jungle owner Richard Cherskov a permanent liquor license because he didn't follow procedure by first addressing its neighborhood association, reports the Patch.
Jungle's temporary liquor license expires in March and Cherskov must now make time to meet with the neighborhood association before returning to the planning unit. That process could take longer than April's expiration date.
As Atlanta DJ Jay McCracken prepares to officially move shop to Los Angeles next week, he spins for a goodbye party on Friday night at Jungle.
McCracken has lived in Atlanta for seven years and Georgia for 20. He says that goes somewhat against his grain, as he usually moves around every six months to a year.
Though McCracken is popular DJ around town, he got his start DJing only four years ago. He admits that he had always had an interest in electronica.
After moving to Atlanta, McCracken started handling promotions for former gay nightclub Wetbar with his production company, Spiked Entertainment. He did some bartending there and then turned to DJing for his own birthday party. That started his experience spinning.
P.A.L.S. Bingo gets in the holiday spirit at Jungle
Drag performers to raise money for children's charity