Described as a "drag comedy musical," George's Truck Stop and Drag Bar centers around a truck stop diner where a cast of drag queens have taken refuge after the only drag bar in Krisco County burned to the ground.

The queens attempt to solve the mystery of who set fire the Krankshaft Lounge as they take over the greasy spoon.

There are four scheduled performances at Evergreen Theatre (1705 Poplar) this weekend — 7 and 10 p.m. on both Friday, Feb. 1st and Saturday, Feb. 2nd.

To find out more or buy tickets, go here. There will be a cocktail hour before each show.

In the locally made film Tennessee Queer, a gay Tennessee native returns to his rural hometown after spending a few years up north in New York, only to find that nothing has changed there with the treatment of LGBT teens.

Eager to help the teens boost their self-esteem, Potts helps them put on the town's first gay pride parade. But a conservative city councilman and a closed-minded minister plot to round the teens up and send them to a straight camp.

Mark Jones' comedy will screen on Thursday, January 24th at Studio on the Square as a fund-raisier for the annual Outflix Film Festival. Tickets are $10, and all sales go toward the film fest. Tickets can be bought in advance at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center (892 South Cooper). Remaining tickets will be sold at the movie theater on the 24th starting at 6PM.

Lez Go, a social group for lesbians, hosts monthly activities, such as hiking, camping, basket weaving (no joke), and water volleyball.

But this weekend, the Lez Go ladies are headed to the bowling alley. They'll meet at Billy Hardwick's All Star Lanes on Sunday, January 20th at 2:45 p.m. Lez Go needs an RSVP in advance, so they'll know how many lanes to reserve. Call 808-640-1647 or 901-485-4998 to let them know you're coming.

The cost is $9 for two hours of bowling, plus the cost of shoe rentals.

Want to help a kid in need? Become a foster parent. The Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center is hosting an informational meeting on foster parent requirements on Thursday, January 17th.

Representatives from Youth Villages will be on hand to talk about their fostering program. Snacks will be served. The meeting runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at 892 S. Cooper.

The first Cherry party of the New Year promises to be the biggest yet. The monthly "lezzie shindig" features a burlesque performance by Kitty Wompas, Kissame Suga, and Lady Doo Moi. Also, Foxy Fairmont and Passion Fruit will present their 50 Shades of Gay number.

The party is scheduled for Friday, January 12th at Cafe Society at 10:30 p.m., but doors open at 9 p.m. There's a tropical tiki theme, so beach and Hawaiian attire is encouraged. Host Julie Wheeler will act as the MC as always. And there are drink specials ($5 martinis and $5 glasses of wine) and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. The cover charge is $10.

With miles and miles of new bicycle lanes added over the past two years, it's safe to say that Memphis is now a bike-friendly city. But is it really safe to ride in the streets?

The Memphis Rainbow Riders, the city's LGBT cycling club, is hosting a free "Bicycle Safety In the Streets" workshop on Saturday, January 12th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kyle Wagenschutz, the city's bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, will lead the workshop, which will cover safety tips for using the new bike lanes and other bike paths. Afterward, the group will move outdoors for a hands-on bike safety lesson, weather permitting. Attendees who want to participate in the interactive component will need to bring their own bikes and helmets.

The workshop will be held at First Congregational Church (1000 S. Cooper). Use the rear entrance next to the playground. Look for a red set of double doors.

For gay couples in Tennessee, where marriage rights are denied, medical emergencies can bring about unwanted conflicts if plans aren't made in advance. Family members of the person in need of medical attention may be asked to make decisions, but what if you'd rather leave that up to a partner?

You can legally designate a specific person to act on your behalf for medical decisions, and the Rev. Ayla Heartsong will lead a free workshop on how to go about making that designation on Saturday, January 12th at the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center (MGLCC). "Your Wishes, Your Choices: A Presentation About Advance Healthcare Planning" runs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

MGLCC is located at 892 S. Cooper. For more information, call 901-326-8861 or email elders@mglcc.com.

It's almost time for the Tennessee Equality Project's annual Gumbo Tasting Competition and Mardi Gras Party. Registration is now open for gumbo-cooking teams.

The event will be held on Sunday, February 10th at 4:30 p.m. at Earnestine & Hazel's, but teams must register by February 1st. Registration is limited and teams will be assigned on a first-come basis.

Gumbos are judged by professional chefs, restauranteurs, foodies, and other public figures on the basis of aroma, consistency, taste, and after-taste. Teams can be any size, but at least one team member must be present to serve their gumbo. Non-seafood and vegetarian gumbos are allowed.

The $25 entry fee benefits TEP's work to advance and protect LGBT equality in the state.

Click here to enter.

Club Spectrum officially opened its doors for the first time on New Year's Eve two years ago, and the club is celebrating both its anniversary and the New Year's holiday with a party on December 31st.

The first 100 guests will receive a free bottle of champagne, and all guests will receive 2013 memorabilia at the door. The club's all-star cast will perform a drag show as well.

The party starts at 8 p.m. There's a $10 cover. Spectrum is located at 616 Marshall.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

Dru's Place is having their obligatory apocalypse-themed party a few days after the official end-of-the-world.

On December 29th, "Dru's Apocalypse" rings in the new year with a $5 beer bust and a drag show hosted by Mr. Freak Nasty. The show begins at 10 p.m. There's no cover charge. Dru's Place is located at 1474 Madison.

For more information, check out the event's Facebook page.

The Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center will be closed on the following dates so volunteers and staff can spend time with their families and friends.

Dec. 23rd - "As I Am," a discussion group for LGBT men of color, will NOT meet, but the center will be open.
Dec. 24th - Closed
Dec. 25th - Closed
Dec. 26th - Closed (and that means there will be no regularly scheduled HIV screenings)
Jan. 1st - Closed

The first planning meeting for the 16th annual Outflix Film Festival, which usually takes place in September, is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11th at 7 p.m. at the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center (892 S. Cooper).

No experience is needed, but a love of film is preferred.

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama took administrative action to see to it that benefits were provided for same-sex partners of federal employees, but those protections don't extend to federal contractors.

This weekend, the Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) is hosting rallies across the state to call attention to the need for basic workplace protections for LGBT employees of companies that contract with the federal government. Benefits aside, the group is asking the president to simply bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity for federal contractors.

The Memphis rally will take place on Sunday, December 8th from 2 to 3 p.m. at the federal building at 167 N. Main. Advocates are asked to wear purple (or if you have one, a TEP "Equal Protection for All" t-shirt). Similar rallies are also being held on Sunday in Nashville and Cookeville.

The Memphis rally is co-sponsored by Latino Memphis, First Congregational Church, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region, the Shelby County Democratic Party, Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center, Perpetual Transition, the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, and Tennessee Friends of People's World.

• Chai Feldblum

In April, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission issued an opinion that said any employer who discriminates against an employee or applicant on the basis of gender identity is violating the prohibition on sex discrimination contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On Thursday, December 6th from 5 to 6:30 p.m., EEOC Commissioner Chai Feldblum will discuss the significance of that opinion at Evergreen Presbyterian Church.

The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Equality Project's Shelby County Committee and the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition.

The Tennessee Equality Project Foundation and The Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center are having a Holiday Art Show and Silent Auction Fundraiser from today through December 8th.

The art and other items are currently on display and open for bids at at the MGLCC (892 S. Cooper) during regular hours (Monday-Friday, 2-9 p.m.). A closing reception is scheduled for Saturday, December 8th from 5-7 p.m. The auction closes at 6:15 p.m. on the night of the closing ceremony.

Full disclosure: A copy of my cookbook — Cookin' Crunk: Eatin' Vegan in the Dirty South — is included in the auction.