With five years as a state lawmaker and a recent Congressional race under her belt, Keisha Waites said she has the blend of experience needed to “make a measurable difference” during what’s left of U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ term. She is one of two LGBTQ candidates in the seven-person special election. Waites discusses her track record as a state lawmaker, the coronavirus pandemic, fighting HIV in the 5th District and the issues she would tackle if elected.

Chase Oliver jumped into the special election to complete the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. John Lewis to provide “more choices and more voices” on the ballot. He’s the only Libertarian and one of two LGBTQ candidates in the seven-person race. The former Democrat talks about becoming a Libertarian, protecting black transgender people, campaigning during corona, combatting HIV and breaking through to voters in Georgia’s heavily Democratic 5th District.

Jorge Estevez – WSB’s first openly gay and second Latinx prime time anchor – arrived in Atlanta just weeks before the world turned upside down. He talks with us about anchoring in a new city during crises, battling those pandemic pounds, his tough coming out story, besties and convincing a Republican mayor to preside at his wedding.

Jon Ossoff has embraced LGBTQ equality and made his support of LGBTQ people central to his campaign for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia. It’s the same refreshing approach he took during his 2017 U.S. House race in metro Atlanta. In an interview, Ossoff goes in-depth on his commitment to LGBTQ people, transgender healthcare and safety, reforming policing, the racial justice movement and the coronavirus pandemic.

Mariah Parker turned her political activism and Hip-Hop experience into a run for public office, becoming the first LGBTQ person elected to the Athens-Clarke County Commission. Throughout her transition from activist and artist to elected official, Parker has thrived to be her authentic self – blemishes and all. In fact, she argued, that’s why she’s won two elections in two years.

Charlie Paine is focused on saving LGBTQ Atlanta’s history and historic places, something the city is known for ignoring. He’s got a strategic plan and initiatives to help but the coronavirus pandemic is slowing the efforts and stalling fundraising. 

Gee Smalls is quick to admit that his biggest accomplishments haven’t been planned. But the Black LGBTQ restaurateur, author and non-profit founder continues to serve delicious hits across Atlanta.

In this episode, he does a deep dive into his new memoir “Black Enough Man Enough,” running a restaurant in a pandemic, whether the Gentlemen’s Ball is coming back, the ongoing racial justice movement and how tough it is to be the personal assistant to this hands-on creative.

Attorney Marvin Lim notched a commanding primary win in June and will join the largest group of LGBTQ lawmakers ever seen in the Georgia House. Lim talked about the campaign, his personal experiences with voter suppression and intersectionality, and LGBTQ issues during this wide-ranging interview. 

When a 13-year-old Kim Jackson saw her hometown elect its first black mayor, she knew she wanted to run for office. At 35, she’s on her way to becoming Georgia’s first-ever LGBTQ state senator. She talked with us about her historic achievement, coronavirus, racial justice, taking gaybies to the Atlanta Pride parade and the tiny lesbian enclave in her district.

Singer and “Pose” actor Dyllón Burnside discusses spending this coronavirus summer in metro Atlanta, dropping his debut single, living with his mom and advocating for racial justice and equality for black queer people.