Outwrite’s closing seen as a clarion call for Atlanta’s LGBT literary landscape
The owners of Brushstrokes in Ansley Mall say they want to ensure Atlanta is not skipped over by noted LGBT authors due to the closing of Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse.
Mark Jackson and husband Tom Schloeder, owner of Brushstrokes, said today they have met with the owners of gay bar Mixx to arrange space for author signings.
"Space is a serious consideration and was the main reason we didn't seek author signings in the past. Mixx is the perfect location because it's non-smoking and convenient to the store," Schloeder said today.
"With the unexpected vacuum created by Outwrite's sudden closing, we are concerned that major authors marketing to the LGBTQ consumer might skip the Atlanta market entirely. We are actively seeking authors, publishers, celebrities, and artists, local and national, who need an Atlanta retailer to partner with," Schloeder said.
Dear LGBT Youth,
It is very likely that by the time you read this letter, you are doing so with the knowledge that the future of YouthPride, an organization which is so important to all of us, is in a time of crisis. You may be afraid that the programs and services YouthPride offers, the financial trust of funders, and the physical location of the organization are all in jeopardy. While it cannot be denied that there is great reason to be concerned, we come to you today with the committed and reassuring message that your LGBT leaders and allies across Georgia have joined together at a level of determination and unity rarely seen to make sure that we do right by the very young people who are the future and backbone of our community’s movement.
The board of directors of YouthPride is supposed to meet monthly with annual meetings in September and have a minimum of five members, according to the organization’s bylaws. But the YouthPride board has perhaps three current members and hasn't met since at least December 2010, despite the LGBT youth agency facing possible closure because of a financial shortfall of at least $40,000.
YouthPride today provided the GA Voice a copy of its bylaws following a written request.
According to YouthPride bylaws:
• The board shall exist of at least five directors and a maximum of fifteen directors.
• Regular monthly meetings of the board will be held at a time and place to be decided by the board. These and all meetings shall be open to the public, except those executive sessions, if required, in order for the board to consider matters affecting confidentiality.
• The annual meeting of the board shall be held in September.
Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse owner Philip Rafshoon, who closed his iconic Atlanta LGBT bookstore on Jan. 26 and filed bankruptcy the same day, said today donations to the Save Outwrite campaign are being returned to donors. He also said all employees were paid.
Rafshoon announced in November that Outwrite would have to move from its home at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue because its rent was too high. He told the public that the plan was to find a location with cheaper rent and started a “Save Outwrite Books” campaign soliciting donations for moving costs.
Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse owes $184,000 in state sales taxes from the past four years and has more than $500,000 in total debts owed, according to court documents filed in U.S. bankruptcy court. The store listed more than $78,000 in total assets, records show.
Outwrite owner Philip Rafshoon announced Jan. 26 the independent LGBT bookstore was closing permanently. Founded in 1993 and located at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue for the past 15 years, Outwrite was an iconic Midtown landmark. The bankruptcy filing was made early Thursday morning, about the same time a press release went out stating the store would not relocate as previously said.
Rafshoon announced in November that Outwrite would have to move because its rent was too high. He told the public that the plan was to find a location with cheaper rent and even started a campaign soliciting donations for moving costs, launched with a $1,000 donation from the Lloyd E. Russell Foundation. The store held a “Last Tango” event on Tuesday with numerous author readings.
The bookstore that became an unofficial community center for LGBT Atlanta and also attracted visitors from around the world to its landmark location in the heart of Midtown officially closed today. Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse will not reopen and is filing for bankruptcy.
In an interview Wednesday morning, owner Philip Rafshoon said he knew it was a long shot that the store located at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue would find a place to relocate because of the financial duress the LGBT bookstore has faced over the past five years.
Rafshoon said the hardest part of knowing Atlanta would no longer have an LGBT bookstore like Outwrite was that it leaves a void in the city where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people can come to be safe and gather — and buy books targeted especially to them.
The last chapter of Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse at its 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue is now closed.
The independent LGBT bookstore, located for the last 15 years at its iconic landmark in Midtown, held its "Last Tango" at the store last night featuring authors such as Franklin Abbott, Collin Kelley, Hollis Gillespie, Mose Hardin, Karen Head and Don Perryman.
Owner Philip Rafshoon confirmed the store is closing at its 10th and Piedmont location today. He said he could not say much more at this point. He said at the "Last Tango" event Tuesday night that there is no new location picked out yet. The store is open today and selling all of its infrastructure, including bookshelves, tables and chairs.
Owner Philip Rafshoon says LGBT bookstore will not relocate, files for bankruptcy
With YouthPride in the midst of a financial crisis and facing possible closure, Executive Director Terence McPhaul will only say that the nonprofit's board of directors met perhaps in December 2010 to elect a new member but that he doesn't recall specific dates.
McPhaul was interviewed after Monday's meeting of the Atlanta LGBT Police Advisory Board, of which he is a member. He said the board has met within the past two years, disputing a claim made by former board member Marlys Bergstrom.
"Well, that's not accurate," McPhaul said when asked about the board not meeting for two years. "Did she actually say two years or did she say 2010? That's an error, that much I'm sure of.”
Atlanta City Council member Alex Wan said at Monday's Atlanta Police LGBT Advisory Board meeting that as a community, LGBT people should not jump to a snap judgment about the Atlanta Police Department until all facts are gathered about arrests made at Blake's on the Park on Friday night.
Wan, the sole openly gay member of the council, represents District 6, including Blake's and Midtown. He said Monday that he became involved in the now open investigation into police conduct at the gay Midtown bar on Jan. 20 after police were called to the scene to help with a fight that broke out between patrons and staff.
"Within a half hour … I got responses from both the major [Major Chris Leighty, Zone 5 commander that includes Blake's] and from the city attorney," he said.