The chaos continues
Jan. 28 — The Republican Party has been doing Olympic-worthy mental gymnastics over the weekend killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis. They’re even backtracking on the beloved Second Amendment about who can carry a legal firearm and where. And, of course, the gaslighting from the Trump administration never ends. In Atlanta, ICE has opened a new field office near College Park just as weekend protests over Pretti and Renee Good’s deaths are scheduled to take place. A memorial for Pretti is set for tomorrow night, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. at Virginia-Highland Church.
Here are a few more headlines:
There were 1,042 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents across 47 states and Washington, D.C., in 2025, according to the ALERT Desk, GLAAD’s Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker.
The U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization is raising concerns among public health experts about the future of HIV funding, research, and global health cooperation.
The DeKalb County Commission has approved a policy statement for equitable policing in the county in lieu of establishing an LGBTQ+ liaison officer.
Atlanta Pride has appointed three new members to its board of directors – Luis Feliciano, Dr. Chicora Martin, and Dr. Christopher A. Thompson.
You’re broken when your heart’s not open…
Collin
P.S. I’ll be at the Pride Across the Peach State event hosted by Atlanta Pride on Saturday with my Georgia Voice colleagues Katie Burkholder and Keith Pepper for a morning of media training with grantees. Looking forward to seeing some of you!
Task Force urges renewed organizing amid growing political threats
The National LGBTQ Task Force, the nation’s oldest LGBTQ advocacy organization, wrapped up nearly a week of programming as snow began to fall across the nation’s capital — a fitting backdrop for a moment defined by urgency, reflection, and resolve.
The week featured everything from local leadership training to high-energy ballroom parties, but its emotional and political centerpiece was the annual State of the Movement address delivered by Task Force President Kierra Johnson (pictured).
Throughout the address, Johnson returned repeatedly to the idea of community as the movement’s greatest asset, thanking activists for their commitment and sacrifice.
Johnson offered a sharp critique of past movement strategy, warning that success itself can create new vulnerabilities — particularly following major federal wins such as marriage equality and workplace protections for transgender people under. Those victories, she said, risk lulling parts of the movement into a false sense of security.
Read the full story from Washington Blade reporter Joe Reberkenny.
Fashion meets art at the High Museum!
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
Experience Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Statements – a bold, breathtaking exhibition celebrating avant-garde fashion visionaries who blurred the line between haute couture and art. Only at the High, the exhibition’s sole U.S. stop.
Director Robby Myles talks staging ‘BLKS’ at Out Front Theatre Company
“BLKS,” a play from Aziza Barnes, opens at Out Front Theatre Company on Jan. 29.
“BLKS” follows a group of Black women in New York City over a period of 24 hours as they navigate intimacy, health, and more. The play explores what it takes to be a queer Black woman, navigating that experience with humor and humanity. The production stars Taylor Pasqualetti-Campbell, Kierra Danielle, and Tatyana Mack (pictured).
The production is directed by Robby Myles, a Chicago native who moved to Atlanta about seven years ago and has worked with local theater companies such as True Colors and 7 Stages. This is the first show that Myles has directed for Out Front.
Read Sammie Purcell’s full interview with Myles here.
Best Bets
Steve Yockey’s new play, “Bleeding Hearts,” is in previews tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta. Tickets are still available.
Award-winning trans actor and creator Scott Turner Schofield’s film “Becoming a Man in 127 Easy Steps” debuts on streaming service Kinema tonight.
Lore Atlanta is hosting its first-ever Lana Del Rave on Jan. 31, starting at 10 p.m. and featuring favorites, deep cuts, sing-alongs, and drag.
Kevin DuRard performs at the Atlanta Eagle on Jan. 31 with music starting at 11 p.m.
It’s open mic night on Feb. 2, starting at 8:30 p.m. at 4West ATL. The event is hosted by D Lyric along with Keyboardist Sheldon.
The post 🌈 ‘BLKS’ opens at Out Front appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
