The University of Georgia, as well as Athens and the United States as a whole, has had a growing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community over the past years. This is due in part to the increasing acceptance and understanding of individuals who identify themselves as non-heterosexual. Though the world is now a safer place for LGBT individuals than it was 20 years ago, there is still much room for improvement. Marriage, for example, is a right reserved for heterosexual couples in almost all 50 states. Some states offer civil unions which give almost all of the rights enjoyed by marriage, but with a different name. As a country known for its opportunities, equality, and freedom, this concept of “separate but equal” seems to put us back a few decades. Who knows? Maybe we should also ban same-sex marriage proposals. How romantic: “Honey, will you civil union me?”
Dawgspeak Slanguage
bottom: a gay man on the receiving end of anal sex
fag hag: a girl with a lot of gay male friends (mildly offensive)
fudge packer: an offensive and crude word to refer to a gay male
gaydar: a blend of “gay” and “radar”, this alleged intuitive sense helps to determine if someone in question is or is not gay
queen: a very effeminate gay man
stone butch: a lesbian who does not let her partner touch her below the waist
suspect: someone who is possibly gay
T-boy/girl: an in transition transgendered individual who has noticeable, visible signs of their transformation
top: a gay man on the giving end of anal sex
versatile: a gay man who considers himself to be both top and bottom
Special Note: the word “faggot” is incredibly derogatory and offensive and should be used with extreme caution or, better yet, not used at all.
Local Resources
As one of the top 20 public institutions in the United States, the University of Georgia continues to advance in many ways. In the fall of 2005, UGA opened the LGBT Resource Center, which creates a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBT community within the University of Georgia. “The Center” is located in Memorial Hall and offers a variety of groups, discussions, and great people with whom one can connect if they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, or if one simply wants to expand one’s horizons.
http://www.uga.edu/lgbtcenter/
The Boybutante AIDS Foundation, Inc. and AIDS Athens are two of the most respected and deserving organizations in Athens. Boybutante has a variety of fun events throughout the year that raise money for their AIDS foundation. Boybutante Bingo is always exciting, but the annual Boybutante Ball is, by far, their biggest event. It is held in April at the 40 Watt Club and is the party of the year for the LGBT community in Athens as well as its supporters. AIDS Athens is commended for their efforts in helping with the fight against AIDS, a cause which is greatly needed and appreciated. They educate individuals as well as offer anonymous testing and services. Both of these organizations are advocates for the fight against LGBT discrimination.
http://www.boybutante.org/index.html
http://www.aidsathens.org/
Downtown Athens offers a variety of places for LGBT individuals and their supporters to get together, drink, dance, and have fun, without fear or risk of being discriminated against.
Blur: Athens’ only true LGBT bar, Blur offers almost everything one could expect from an Atlanta club, but on a smaller scale. It is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with fabulous drag shows every Friday.
http://www.myspace.com/blurathens
Mercury: Although not really a gay bar, Mercury, a.k.a. Mercury Lounge, is a wonderful bar where one can go to relax after a long day with a martini or a glass of wine. Mondays offer a martini and a massage for just $10! For winos on a budget, Wednesdays are best, because every single bottle of wine is ½ off all night.
http://www.mercuryathens.com/
Go Bar: Go Bar is an Athens staple and is a great alternative to the typical body shot, Jager Bomb bars this city is known for. Their Thursday Karaoke Nights are especially entertaining.
http://www.myspace.com/gobar
The 283 Bar: Located in the busier part of downtown Athens, The 283 Bar is an awesome spot for both college students and non-college students alike. Regularly themed parties, drink specials, DJs, and the famous $1 Happy Hour PBR in a boot mug make this unique bar the go-to place when you want to have a good time, any day of the week.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=22431893
Tasty World: As an Athens landmark, Tasty World is, perhaps, the most eclectic bar in Athens, with everything from heavy metal bands to drag shows.
http://www.tastyworld.net/index.html |
