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Editors’ Choice: Beth Littrell
Rachael Smith, known by many as “The Donna” of Atlanta’s own Femme Mafia, founded the organization in 2005 with a handful of members dedicated to honoring the queer feminine identity. Smith has earned her reputation as an entertainer and the emcee of choice for many nightclub and charity events and even keeps “office hours” at My Sisters’ Room for anyone needing some sexy and smart suggestions on life and love. Mayor Shirley Franklin took the number two spot, and Indigo Girls round out the top three.
Editors’ Choice: Rev. Bradley Schmeling
Melvin Arundelli, a beloved trans performer also known as PeeWee Hymen, suffered a catastrophic motorcycle crash in late August. His heroic fight to recover has inspired ongoing vigils of friends and supporters at Grady Hospital, where he remains a patient, and numerous fundraisers that have brought out the best in queer Atlanta. Rev. Bradley Schmeling, the Atlanta pastor who battled to keep his ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, placed second with our readers; Byron Noel of Stage Door placed third.
Editors’ Choice: Shawnna Brooks
After making the top four of Atlanta Drag Idol 3, Sonique summersaulted her way to first place in our reader survey. Stage Door’s Rose Alexandria captured second place, and Bianca Nicole took home the bronze.
Editors’ Choice: Chase Daniels
It’s been a sizzling year for drag kings in Atlanta, and none are more hot than Justin, a sexy heartbreaker who looks like he was plucked from a boy-band casting call. Readers awarded second place to Tristan Skye, who barely edged out A.J. Royalle.
Best Politician & Straight Ally: Mayor Shirley Franklin (Photo by John Amis/AP) |
Editors’ Choice, Politician: State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale)
Editors’ Choice, Straight Ally: Judi O’Kelley
First elected in 2001 on a platform that included support for gay residents, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is our readers' choice for best politician for the third consecutive year, and your choice for best straight ally for the second year in a row. For best politician, readers voted U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) second and Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) third. For straight ally, Rep. John Lewis again placed second and state Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) was voted third.
Editors’ Choice: Christine Hunsaker, Paws, Whiskers & Wags
Defying conventional wisdom, Bryon Noel took the gay party outside the perimeter and into Tucker, Ga., making Stage Door a stop on the Atlanta club circuit. Outwrite’s Philip Rafshoon finished second, and third place went to Susan Musselwhite of My Sisters’ Room.
Editors’ Choice: Tracee McDaniel
A self-described "warrior for the beloved community," Sir Jesse of Decatur is a familiar face at protests in Atlanta, fighting the good fight on behalf of the Feminist Outlawz or anyone else who needs a voice. An educator by day, he knows injustice when he sees it and is never afraid to speak out. Second place from our readers went to Monica Helms and third went to PeeWee/Melvin Arundelli.
Editors’ Choice: Justin Ziegler
SoVo readers love activists with all our best interests at heart, so first place was a three-way tie between HIV educator and community activist Stephaun Clipper-Wallace, also known as Stephaun Elite Manolo Blahnik; Alex Wan, founder of For the Kid in All of Us, and Brad DiFiore of HRC Atlanta.
Editors’ Choice: David at Mary’s
You want a PBR, or a cosmo? The lovely Juli can whip up any and everything from behind the bar at My Sisters’ Room to help you take the edge off for a fabulous night of dancing and drinking. And when she’s got time for a chat, ask her about living in Japan, France and India. Oui, ma’am. Matt at Stage Door earned second place honors and Felicia, also from MSR, took third.
Editors’ Choice: Doria Roberts
Sonia Leigh’s musical career began as a ...
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