It should come as no shocker that the faces we put forward in the world aren’t perfect reflections of the warts-and-all lives we lead. Even before social media, and certainly now in the peak age of it, humans gloss over their worst selves with their best intentions.

Playing with the duality of ideal alter egos vs. real or perceived inner demons becomes an especially favorite pastime at Halloween and into the no-mans-land between now and Thanksgiving. This week’s Q finds one local LGBTQ Atlanta creator and maker who makes an art form out of it year-round. 

Artist Brad Gibson gives visual life to my advice column at the back of each issue, but he’s so much more than an illustrator. A fulltime graphic artist, popular t-shirt designer, amazing cosplayer, talented drag aficionado and certified gay gadabout, Gibson lets us in on his life of transformation in the Q Cover story.

Speaking of the masks we wear, Pets Are Loving Support throws its annual Fur Ball gala on Saturday, and we have the scoop in Q Events. And speaking of events, this issue offers a breakout Queer Agenda calendar with every Halloween happening we could find.

If you are still comparing other people’s mask on social media to your just-woke-up visage in the mirror, stop it. Not only is it flawed logic, it’s unhealthy. The Q advice column digs into a couple cases from social media’s dark side.

Now, knowing under the masks that you are you and Q is Q, we also know that you'll turn pages to find photos in Q Shots, plus Q Community stories and fresh local Q News every day right here. It's also a given that I am here for you any time.

Until next time, put your best face forward, and we'll do the same. Read the full issue online here:

Pick up each new edition of Q at queer and LGBTQ-allied venues around town.