A gay with a gun stares down Atlanta’s crime

This is the story of a gay guy with a gun, a locked and loaded business owner hit five times by burglars without much more than a shrug from the Atlanta Police Department.

So Rad Slough, the owner of Urban Body Fitness on Ponce in Midtown, took matters into his own hands this week. He bought a shotgun and prepared to camp out in his fitness center to nab the burglar in the act.

Fortunately, police -- their headquarters in City Hall East visible from the gym's parking lot -- picked up the criminal first as they camped out on Slough's roof. Busted early Wednesday: Donald Rayfield, 41.

More after the jump.    READ MORE »

Ricky Martin, benefits, sacked ref, GOP affair

• Obama grants partner benefits for gay federal employees.
• Gay activists, donors to boycott Democratic fundraiser over displeasure with White House.
• Federal gay marriage challenge is a Hollywood tale.
• U.S. Rep Barney Franks says to expect revised version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to be introduced next week.
• Ricky Martin (photo): I'm open to a gay relationship.
• Maine gay marriage foes to use Calif. Prop 8 firm.
• Sacked gay soccer referee fights to get his job back.
• Anti-gay marriage senator, who is married, admits to affair, resigns Senate leadership post.
• Former state senator from Massachusetts to head gay rights group GLAAD.
• Anti-bullying bill in jeopardy in North Carolina.    READ MORE »

Thursday: 19 gay things to do today

• Transgender activist, HRC official and software executive Megan Stabler (photo) headlines the Atlanta Executive Network. 6 p.m.
• Learn more about becoming a foster parent with MEGA Family Project's Foster Parenting Workshop. 7 p.m.
• Author Marcel Emerson talks about his literary debut at Outwrite. 7:30 p.m.
• Hydrate Thursdays brings the boys to the W Atlanta-Midtown. 9 p.m.
• Old School Underwear Night is back at the Eagle. 10 p.m.

View the full list of gay things to do today on Project Q Atlanta's new interactive community calendar. You can also submit your events.    READ MORE »

Thursday: Ryan Reynolds and his new fuzz

   READ MORE »

City: No fine for My Sisters Room deck

The East Atlanta lesbian bar My Sisters Room won't face a fine from city building inspectors for a deck that collapsed June 12, despite the city having no record that the structure ever was inspected and permitted.

But if the bar decided to rebuild the deck, which has since been removed, it would have to pay double the usual fee for a permit, a city spokesperson said Wednesday.

More after the jump.    READ MORE »

Sunday fun and sun with Hotlanta Softball

The Hotlanta Softball League hit the fields again Sunday as its summer season unfolds. The Open Division plays June 21 before the league takes a two-week break. Check out our photos.    READ MORE »

Talking salary can be tough in a recession

Contributing blogger John Long is a career coach in Atlanta who founded Two Roads Resources. He answers: "In the current job market, is there any point in trying to negotiate the salary level?"    READ MORE »

Pinkett Smith, Obama, book burn, murders

• Anti-violence group says gay bias killings highest since 1999.
• Police officer cleared in gay-rights protest case.
• Obama to offer benefits to gay partners of federal employees.
• Jada Pinkett Smith: 'Will and I laugh at gay rumors.'
• Gay-marriage advocates to mark 1-year anniversary.
• Gay activists wary about flamboyant "Bruno."
• Christian 'civil liberties' group wants to burn gay book.
• Let's march: October event in Washington, D.C. a go, longtime activist says.
• U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder advocates for new hate crimes law.
• Senate vote on hate crimes legislation expected this week.    READ MORE »

Wednesday: 13 gay things to do today

• Bowl with the Decatur Women's Sports League or run with Front Runners of Atlanta. 6:30 p.m.
• Get a little Feminist Feedback at Charis. 7 p.m.
• Join Charmain Johnson (photo) and Kay Greene for their "Lovers & Friends Show" DVD release party at Outwrite. 7:30 p.m.
• Dip into the Honey Pot at Mary's. 8 p.m.
• Men go on the prowl at Vita. 9 p.m.

View the full list of gay things to do today on Project Q Atlanta's new interactive community calendar. You can also submit your events.    READ MORE »

Wednesday: Ruggers nude for healthy nads

   READ MORE »

Flag football league finds a makeshift home

The National Flag Football League of Atlanta, season is bogging down in repeated closures of the Piedmont Park athletic fields. They got creative Sunday in Grant Park, and we caught the action.    READ MORE »

Liz Coyle enters race for District 6 post

Neighborhood activist and communications consultant Liz Coyle is stepping into the race for the District 6 post on the Atlanta City Council.

The Atkins Park resident was in the process of filing her official paperwork Tuesday morning. Coyle, who is heterosexual and married, joins two gay men – Alex Wan and Steve Brodie – in the campaign to represent a heavily-gay area that’s had an openly gay council member since 1998.

More after the jump.    READ MORE »

Obama critics, marriage windfall, bar ban

• Howard Dean (photo) to Rachel Maddow: Obama DOMA brief a 'big mistake.'
• If same-sex marriage were legalized nationwide, it would bring a $9.5 billion gay marriage windfall.
• Ballot measure to block gay marriage in Washington, D.C. stopped.
• HRC criticizes Obama over Defense of Marriage Act brief.
• ACLU: California hospital discriminated against gay couple.
• New York City limits IDs for marriage license after trick by two men.
• Chicago gay bar won't host bachelorette bashes.
• Will Minnesota have the first gay U.S. Marshal?
• Gay man could face jail for helping ill partner die.
• U.S. Conference of Mayors passes a resolution supporting marriage equality.    READ MORE »

Tuesday: 13 gay things to do today

• The Alter Ego Pop Art Show, featuring work from gay artist Paul Wolski, continues at ART Station. 10 a.m.
• Lunch and network during the Business Builder Luncheon with the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. 11:55 a.m.
• Social Tuesdays continues its flirtation with the upscale W Atlanta-Midtown. 7 p.m.
• Performance artist Barry Brandon (photo) brings his "In My Own Words" to Shakespeare Tavern. 7 p.m.
• Spike with the Hotlanta Volleyball Association or jump in the pool with the Atlanta Rainbow Trout. 7:30 p.m.

View the full list of gay things to do today on Project Q Atlanta's new interactive community calendar. You can also submit your events.    READ MORE »

Tuesday: Stu Dugan’s broccoli fix

   READ MORE »

Gay chamber taps into social media buzz

It's no surprise that gay men and lesbians turn to blogs and social media outlets in higher numbers than straight folks. We always seem to be on the cutting edge, whether it's inhabiting and renovating that sketchy neighborhood no one wants to claim, fashion or grassroots activism.

With that in mind, the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce tackled social media last week during its WOW Wednesday event.

More after the jump.    READ MORE »

Dr. Laura’s moralistic crusades get new slot

We just knew something was missing from our daily grind, but couldn't quite figure out what it was exactly.

Thanks to a press release delivered to our virtual mailbox this morning, we now know: Radio gabber "Dr. Laura" Schlessinger. The reformed gay-hating personality -- third in popularity behind only radio jocks Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, no friends of gay equality -- now has a much-improved time slot in metro Atlanta. Newstalk 1160 announced Monday that it shifted Dr. Laura from her evening slot to a time when people might actually listen -- 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

More after the jump.    READ MORE »

Dustin Lance Black, fertility, Pride, marriage

• U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in speech to LGBT employees.
• Los Angeles gay pride parade darkened by U.S. stance on marriage.
• Gay couples lobby for immigration benefits from U.S.
• Gay pride event in Des Moines draws 15,000.
• Thousands join gay pride parades in Europe.
• 'Milk' screenwriter Dustin Lance Black (photo) apologizes for leaked unprotected gay sex photos.
• New York unwittingly marries same-sex couple.
• Wisconsin Democrats elect gay advocate as nation’s youngest chair.
• Spanish clinic and travel agency offer gay marriage and fertility deal.
• Gay couples' access to IVF and donor sperm delayed in Australia.    READ MORE »

Monday: 10 gay things to do today

• Empowered Men get to talking at YouthPride. 6:30 p.m.
• Run the streets of the city with Front Runners of Atlanta. 7:15 p.m.
• Got mad poker skills? Use them for Texas Hold'em at Woofs. 7:30 p.m.
• "Pretty Woman" is on tap for Movie Mondays at Joe's on Juniper. 8 p.m.
• It's time for the Big Fat Wii Party at Mary's. 10 p.m.

View the full list of gay things to do today on Project Q Atlanta's new interactive community calendar. You can also submit your events.    READ MORE »

Monday: Sing (and flex) like Billy Dortch

   READ MORE »