HOLIDAY WISHES DO COME TRUE :
IS MOVING TO SATURDAY! SATURDAY, DEC. 12, 2015 AMERICASMART 3
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Cover and inside photo: Dean Stockings
SALES
BOY GEORGE
Culture Club is coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre this week and we caught up with Boy George who sounds off on a smorgasbord of topics: Culture Club nostalgia, the Madonna vs. Lady Gaga rivalry, his massive hat collection and the lack of any pop star “stand outs.”
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GENDERQUEER THE NEW FRONTIER
Russ Youngblood Senior Sales Representative russ@davidatlanta.com Steve Tyrrell steve@davidatlanta.com Jim Brams jim@davidatlanta.com
Jacob Tobia, a leading authority on genderqueer identity, talks to us about cis journey to be genderqueer, and the fight to be a part of the LGBT community. His intelligence, personality, and perseverance has ultimately won out.
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RADICAL FAERIES
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THE ALPHABET SOUP OF QUEER IDENTITY
Dustin Shrader Social Media & Web Coordinator dustin@davidatlanta.com Tony Gowell Chris Azzopardi Jesse Hancock Jason Mietelski Jeffery Silvey Bryan Tillman Gregg Wynn Christopher Confero Jonathan Shapero
As a group of free-thinking individuals that don’t have a centralized hierarchy, it is difficult to pin down what they stand for. Talking to a few of the individuals, we got a look on their perspective on same-sex marriage. You’ll be shocked.
Sometimes the self defining of our culture gets confusing, even for those of us that live in it everyday. Here’s a breakdown of the meanings of each letter of our alphabet soup to clarify what we stand for.
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datebook
where to go and what to do this week
COLBIE CAILLAT The Grammy Award-winning Colbie Caillat has chosen to release her latest album Gypsy Heart in a five track EP entitled Gypsy Heart Side A, with the rest of the record to follow later. She’s touring Gypsy Heart Side A (and B) this summer, along with her past hits like Realize and the Grammy Award winning Jason Mraz duet Lucky. Friday, Aug. 7 • 8 p.m. • Atlanta Botanical Gardens (1345 Piedmont Ave. NE) • atlantabg.org
CITY OF ATLANTA SUMMER MOVIE SERIES This weekend is your last chance to enjoy the outdoor city movies series that started in early July. Each Friday at dusk (8:30 or so) a different movie is played. This last movie will be Million Dollar Arm in the Historic Old Fourth Ward. Play Mobile is available for this last location. Get there early for the best seating. Friday, Aug. 7 • 8:30 p.m. or dusk • Historic Old Fourth Ward Park (680 Dallas St. NE)
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THE PIANO GUYS
SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKET
CULTURE CLUB
The Piano Guys first made waves on the internet with their self-made music videos showing off their unique blend of classical and pop music. In 2012, the group released their first studio album which included a range of innovative mash-ups, from Mozart to David Guetta, as well as covers of songs by One Direction, Adele and Christina Perri.
It’s getting to be that time of year again when the big antique shows are on full display. The Scott Antique Market is the world’s largest indoor antique show (and who would enjoy antiques indoors this time of year). They have an amazing 3,500 exhibition booths to peruse this weekend.
Led by funky hat wearing front man Boy George, Culture Club takes the stage with a new sound that is both reminiscent of their pop 80’s past and looking to the future of their sound as a group. Check out Boy George’s interview on page 34 and find out how he is finding his better self, Caitlyn Jenner and his massive hat collection
Saturday, Aug. 8 • 8 p.m. • Chastain Park Amphitheatre (4469 Stella Dr.)
Thursday, Aug. 6 – Sunday, Aug. 9 • • Atlanta Expo Centers (3650 Jonesboro Rd.) • scottantiquemarket.com
Wednesday, Aug. 12 • 8 p.m. • Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St. NE) • foxtheatre.org
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While I know it’s trendy to love their struggle right now, I have no problem saying fuck them. And fuck anybody that has a problem with drag queens be of part of a Pride event. It’s not called a Shame event. Jesus Fix It already! Rules should never be made based on the opinions of the few. And yes, people can have opinions. But they can also be wrong. It’s true, not every opinion is the right opinion. And before everyone gets real judge-y, think about it. If someone can’t back their opinion up with facts...then they’re quite possibly WRONG. Now I’m not talking about “I don’t like mayonnaise, and it sucks” opinions, but rather the “I think white people have to struggle with the same amount of racial prejudices as black people do” kind of bullshit opinions. There is no evidence to support some half wit’s perception, in that instance. Just look at how many white people have been President, to smell that dream come alive. Drag Queens are larger than life entertainers. They do not serve to politically add a different input on any transgendered person’s life. In fact, (see what I did there? Using the word FACT) many MTF transgendered persons make a fantastic fucking career out of doing drag. It helps fund their very expensive transitions.
What’s a Parade without a Drag Queen?
And I’ve yet to see a FTM complain about all those titties on display. Get real, Glasgow. This is a total fucking joke. I want to know who complained, and what committee heard their bitching to decide what a wonderful idea it would be, Who isn’t lovingly obsessed with a parade? Just give me a to ban drag. cocktail, a shady place to sit, and I will ogle and cheer all day; and so will thousands of other people. To name some Listen up, no one gets a participation award for being pridedo the great ones here: Dragon Con has an amazing one ful about their sexuality. The GLBT community all comes each Labor Day weekend, Little 5 Points has a Halloween together, to celebrate their personal pride as a society beparade just so the kids can fill their candy buckets, a night- cause there are those that are weaker, that can’t do it for time Lantern parade on the Belt-line is an awesome spec- themselves, and we have to be the strong ones to carry that tacle in itself, and Atlanta Pride has one of the largest pa- Pride flag down the street. We’ve all had enough hurt feelrades in the nation. ings, and scuffed emotions, for several lifetimes. It’s time we stop being petty, and learn to work together. But one particular Pride parade is right in the middle of yet another politically charged argument. The festival organizers Let’s face it, no one else is going to do it for us; and there for Free Pride Glasgow (Yes, that’s in Scotland) have decided are way too many watching us, waiting for us to fail. to ban all Drag Queens and Drag Acts in this year’s parade. Enough about this silly decision, that I’m sure was made in Now to be fair, this isn’t the MAIN Pride event in Glasgow haste; and will be quickly corrected. that is all-inclusive, but the alternative one. Proving to all of us, that homos in other countries, can’t get along either. I leave all of you with the wise and immortal words of the great RuPaul: *clap clap Silence! Now Glasgow, bring... I just don’t comprehend this idea; that a Pride event would back...my GURLS!! knowingly exclude a facet of its own group of people. Particularly, since drag queens have proven time and time Tony Gowell again, to be the greatest source of community entertainTony Gowell is a bi-weekly columnist, exclusively writing ment. The charity support for countless organizations alone for David Atlanta. Contact him at obsessed@davidatmakes this an extremely bitter pill to swallow. lanta.com with your latest obsessions. If you’re half way interesting, he might write about it, and if he doesn’t… It’s so much bullshit. This rule is based on some butt-hurt better luck next time! individual’s view on someone else’s feelings. That someone that is transgendered spoke out, finding drag to be offensive to so many people...that it was worth ostracizing them. 22 | 8.5.15
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lifestyle
a Faerie, you’ll get a different answer from everyone.” When I asked Britt Dunn, a queer cis white man, what the Faeries meant to him he explained the group as a haven for those who feel alienated from mainstream gay culture. He joined the Atlanta Faeries eight years ago after growing tired of a community that he felt to be “exclusionary, too catty, too wrapped up in meeting normative standards, and [having] a feeling of hollowness.” He traded all of that in for what he considers to be a place of acceptance.
Outside the Homonormative World
What I found to be most interesting is that in addition to the freedom to explore is the freedom to disagree. When the Supreme Court announced its momentous decision for gays to have the right to marry, not every Faerie lifted a flag in celebration. Dunn is not a supporter of marriage. He feels “it has a terrible seemed to leave no other place for in- history, it’s immensely heteronormative clusion for those who didn’t quite meet and based on monogamous pairing.” He the requirements. thinks the HRC is apathetic and that marriage restricts benefits to certain people Enter the Radical Faeries. Although that everyone should have access to. they lack a cohesive and written history, the Radical Faeries have been While I personally disagree with Dunn around for years. Their main purpose and look forward to the moment when is to break the definition of what it I can share my life with someone I means to be a member of the LGBTQ love in a sacred union of marriage community. They are radical in the and devotion, our disagreement would sense that they seek to break the main- have no effect at all on our relationstream definition of what it means to ship. Not all faeries would share my be gay and what it means to be per- views, but they do share compassion ceived as gay. Their very existence and understanding and they would all can be considered radical because the immediately welcome me to their next group has no one set meaning. monthly potluck. Because that’s what being a radical is all about– accepting There is a saying among Faeries that unconditionally. And perhaps that’s the “if you ask a Faerie what it means to be most radical thing of all.
Radical Faeries Take a Stand Against Gay Marriage by Jeffery Silvey
T
he word radical carries a connotation that often gets attached to extremists, wild behavior, and sometimes terrorism. Radicals in the Middle East commit crimes and isolate one group in favor of another’s glorification. It all breeds a level of discomfort that extends to the use of the word “radical.” But there is one group that is seeking to change the meaning, use, and understanding of that word: the Radical Faeries. In recent years, the heterosexually dominated mainstream media has presented an archetype for homosexuals. Homosexuals have also cultivated an ideal image of gym obsession and perfection seeking. There were two stark images of what it meant to be gay that 26 | 8.5.15
For the Faeries the word radical really becomes a new synonym for acceptance. “It means all sorts of things: geeking out over your nerdy hobbies, searching for a rewarding spirituality, embracing kink, playing with gender, practicing compassion,” says Dunn. Instead of worrying about the presence of abs or lack thereof, the Faeries focus on what makes each of them unique and truly celebrates differences, even if it is a contrast to the mainstream. They bond over heart circles, potlucks, gatherings, park days, discussion groups, and many other various get-togethers. It provides people who feel somewhat isolated and disconnected freedom to explore.
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DA: Awesome. Now, can you define genderqueer for me, and what it means to you? JT: The way I define genderqueer is not as having two options, but thousands of options. We look at gender as something that can be created, something that’s unique to each person. We don’t feel the need to identify with the label “Man” or “Woman”. We feel that we’re neither, that we’re just people. I don’t identify as either: I’m just Jacob, just me. Gender, to me, is a fluid dynamic that changes over time. DA: Is there a difference between “genderqueer” and “gender fluid”?
Beyond the Pronouns Jacob Tobia Shows True Gender Expression by Jason Mietelski
S
ome of us wake up each morning knowing just what we’re going to wear and who we’re going to be. We’re either masculine or feminine, boy or girl. But there are some of us who don’t really fit the mold. Neither boy nor girl. Sometimes we feel like getting glitzed up in a flowery dress and pearls, other days blue jeans and cowboy boots, or maybe even the jeans and boots with a blouse, pearls, lipstick and diamond earrings. That’s called gender nonbinary, or what’s come to be known as genderqueer. “Genderqueer is about acknowledging that gender expression and identity is not binary, that there are more than two genders,” explains Jordan Miller, a grad student in Atlanta who describes zirself as genderqueer, transmasculine, genderqueer, and femme. Multiple and constantly fluid labels seems to be prominent in this stage of genderqueer development.
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photo: Ashley Tsai
In my quest to find more about what it means to be genderqueer, I came across some YouTube videos by Jacob Tobia, who’s an activist and leading authority on genderqueer identity and issues. He’s intelligent, smart, handsome, colorful and funny. Luckily I had the opportunity to catch up with him for a few moments because he certainly opened my eyes to what it means to be genderqueer and a part of the LGBT community: David Atlanta: I’d like to start out with pronouns: which do you prefer? JT: I use gender-neutral pronouns, such as “they” and “them”. Basically you conjugate them like you would any pronoun, such as, “Jacob went to the store to pick up groceries, and they picked up bananas while they were there.” There are no complicated rules, you just use “they” instead of “he” or “she”.
JT: There are a lot of ways for people to identify that are non-binary. Labels really depend on the people that are using them. Being genderqueer, gender fluid, gender non-binary, these things all depend on each individual, but they all mean that someone is identifying outside of the traditional model of gender identity that’s used in our culture. DA: So it’s really about individuality? JT: Yeah! And if people understand what someone’s identity means to them, like, if someone tells you they identify as such and such, and you don’t understand, it’s best to ask that person, and they’ll be able to tell you what it means to them. DA: How do people usually respond when you tell them you’re genderqueer? JT: For the most part, people are very tolerant, and honestly it’s not something that I usually have to tell anyone. But I think that’s because I do a lot of very public activism. But also because I present myself in a non-traditional way; I wear my gender identity on my sleeve. Overall, most people are very positive, and I think that, at some point in their lives, most everyone’s had a period of gender non-conforming, or not fitting into gender stereotypes. So most people at least understand not fitting into traditional gender roles. Overall, most people have been very supportive, and I get very little flak from people I have relationships with and meet in day-today life. The stigma that I do experience is usually from strangers and people who see me walking down the street, but that’s rare. And even then, I’d say the positive
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reactions outweigh the negative. I also choose to ignore those people, because engaging people who react negatively only brings me down, and I’d rather save my energy for bigger things. I kind of feel sorry for people who react negatively, because I know they’re still working on their own issues with gender identity or whatever. If people disrespect me or treat me badly, I know that’s because they’ve been treated that way in their lives.
photo: Christy Kim
DA: Recently I read and interview with Miley Cyrus, where she said, “I don’t relate to being a boy or girl, and I don’t have to have a partner who relates to being a boy or girl, and I’m literally open to everything that is consensual and doesn’t involve an animal and everyone is of legal age.” I’m curious to know how you feel about this as she seems to be identifying as genderqueer, and with Miley being such a high profile celebrity, does this help or hurt the genderqueer community. JT: I don’t know about Miley’s gender identity, since she hasn’t actually used the label. But I do think the way she’s described her gender identity in recent interviews has been a powerfully constructive force for LGBT people around the world. I think she’s been a leader on this and has taken a courageous stance to own her gender and explain that it’s more complicated than what people think. She’s really giving back to the community in such a positive way. As someone who’s gender non-binary, I really felt affirmed by Miley’s statements. DA: I agree, just like Caitlyn Jenner has helped shed a lot of positive light on the Trans community. JT: I agree as well, but one thing you have to remember though, is that often the experience of celebrities who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming is quite different that most people because they have financial and other support where they don’t have to worry about the day-to-day discrimination that other people might face. And I think it’s wonderful that they’re out there in the spotlight, but also important not to take their experiences as representative of what others are dealing with. DA: On a lighter note, you’ve said that you like to have fun with your GQ identity…can you tell me how? 30 | 8.5.15
JT: I just love the fact that I can fully embrace who I am and that I have access to the things that make me feel happy. There is no feeling that can compare to feeling free and happy with your gender and who you are, and being part of a community who appreciates and respects that. I love when I can put on one of my favorite outfits and walk out my front door and someone reacts positively to me on the street. Like when someone says, “You go girl!” or, “Looking good!” Those moments mean the world to me. I love treating my gender as something playful. For me, being GQ helps me feel happy, celebrated and loved, and enjoy my life.
DA: Care to tell me a little bit about running across the Brooklyn Bridge in high heels?
JT: In 2012 I was studying in NYC for a semester when I was a junior in college, and that’s when hurricane Sandy happened. And a homeless shelter for LGBT youth called The Ali Forney Center was flooded and destroyed, and one day I was looking out at the Brooklyn Bridge, thinking about what I could do to help them rebuild. I was thinking, I’ll bet people would pay money to watch me run across the bridge in high heels, so I started a fundraiser, and raised eleven-thousand dollars by running a mile in five inch heels. But they were booties, DA: At first you came out as gay, but and sturdy, so they stayed on my feet! at what point did you realize you (Laughs) It was one of my favorite projects were GQ? I’ve ever done. But I don’t recommend running in heels, they’re not very ergonomic. JT: I think it’s something I’d always known about myself, but didn’t have the You can see more of Jacob and his language to describe. But it was really in activism on YouTube, or check him my high school years when I realized that out on Facebook @ Jacob Tobia, pubgender was non-binary and began experi- lic figure. He’s a bright, bubbly permenting with fluid expression and think- son, and sure to bring lots of light and ing of myself as being outside of mascu- laughter into your day! linity and as a man.
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LGBTQ A Beginner’s Guide to the Great Alphabet Soup of Queer Identity by Jacob Tobia
Alright y’all, I’ll admit it. This whole LGBTetc. acronym has spiraled into a gloriously confusing rainbow of identities is getting pretty damn confusing. and communities. As a matter of fact, there are probably more identities in the queer community now than there are colors in Back in the stone ages, “gay” just referred to anyone who was the rainbow. attracted to people of the same sex or who had a non-normative gender presentation or identity, but nowadays things have got- So how do you make sense of all this? Well I, Jacob Tobia, ten a little bit more complicated. It seems like there’s an identity am here to help you out as your benevolent, glittery, genderfor pretty much everything, and the marvelous global commu- queer tour guide through the queer alphabet soup. Let’s dive nity of same-sex-loving and gender-non-conforming individuals in, shall we?
L
L is for Lesbian. If you identify as lesbian, it *probably* means that you identify as a woman and are sexually attracted to other people who identify as women. (Notice that I did NOT specify whether or not you have to be a transgender woman or a cisgender woman to be a lesbian. Both trans women and cisgender women can identify as lesbians. Did that last sentence confuse you? Then keep reading, silly! ).
G is for Gay. People who identify as gay are *generally* men who find themselves attracted to other men. Man + Man + Intimacy + Desire = Gay. It’s a simple equation. Furthermore, because the goal of the gay rights movement is to confuse you and leave you hopelessly disoriented, gay can also refer to women. But only sometimes. And there’s no rule for when it’s appropriate to use it that way or not. Get over it. (Again, notice that I didn’t specify transgender men v. cisgender men. That’s because “gay” refers to sexual orientation, not how you experience gender, so both trans men and cis men can identify as gay if they want to, hun!)
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B
G
B is for Bisexual. People who identify as bisexual are attracted to both men and women. Note: There are some people out there who think that bisexuality doesn’t exist. Simply put, these people are dumb. If any of your friends every say this, either correct their idiocy or terminate the friendship immediately, because, seriously, you deserve more intelligent friends.
T* is for Transgender or “Trans.” Let me just start by saying this: Transgender is a complicated word that means a whole bunch of different things to a whole bunch of different people. If someone tells you that they identify as transgender, they are simply telling you that they have a relationship with gender that is complex and nuanced. For some trans people, this means that the sex they were assigned at birth, in one way or another, does not “traditionally” correspond with the gender with which they identify (i.e. someone who was assigned male at birth may not identify as a man, which is the gender identity that “traditionally” corresponds to people who are assigned male at birth). For other trans people, transgender simply suggests some sort of gender fluidity. That’s because the word “transgender” can function as an umbrella term or a specific identity.
T
Technically, anyone who is breaking gender norms is transgender — a frat boy in a tutu, for example, could be called transgender in some progressive circles. As a matter of fact, you’re probably a little bit transgender too. Condragulations! (If you don’t get the RuPaul reference here, you need to stop reading this article and watch an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race pronto.) DISCLAIMER: At this point, I think it’s helpful to clarify that, if someone tells you that they identify as transgender, it does NOT give you a license to interrogate their life story, ask them about their genitals, or make them educate you on transgender 101. If you do any of those things, I will promptly slap you through the internet.
T
(T) is for Transsexual. Surprise! In the great queer alphabet soup, the letter T can stand for more than one thing — that’s how you can tell that we’re living in the future, folks. The word “transsexual” is not usually included in the standard “LGBT” acronym, but given the confusion about this word and the common usage of it within popular discourse, I thought that I should cover it as part of today’s lesson. Transsexual people are people who have physically altered their body in order to better match their gender identity. It is a term that refers to biology, not to identity necessarily, and it is indicative of a change in one’s physiology. People generally don’t identify as “transsexual” nowadays, so don’t go around asking people if they are. That’d be like asking your gay best friend if they’re a homosexual or calling a train a locomotive — it’s pretty passé, y’know?
Q1 is for Queer. Queer is a beautiful, mysterious, and subversive word. Think of it as 85% dark chocolate: it’s complex in flavor, and while some people find it bitter, most people find it delicious. Back in the 1980s (i.e. when dinosaurs roamed the earth and zebra print was taken seriously), the word queer was used as a derogatory term. In the modern era, queer is more complex. For older folks, the word queer may still sting, but for the younger whippersnappers out there, the word queer has been reclaimed in a few different senses. In modern lingo, queer functions as both an umbrella term and as a specific identity. Used as an umbrella term, queer is often used as a replacement for the acronym “LGBTQQIA” So instead of saying the “LGBTQQIA community” people simply say the “queer community.” It’s basically a way to abbreviate the abbrev, because that’s what cool kids do. Used as a specific identity, queer attempts to reject the idea that the labels of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender are able to explain any one person’s identity. If someone tells you that they’re queer, all that you know about them is that they aren’t explicitly heterosexual or gender-conforming; also, if someone tells you that they’re queer, you can probably deduce that they’re pretty awesome and that you should be their friend. Just sayin’. ALRIGHT KIDDOS. That’s enough for today’s lesson, and frankly, I’m linguistically exhausted. You can only slurp so much alphabet soup at a time, y’know?
Q Mx. Jacob Tobia is a genderqueer writer, speaker, and advocate based out of Brooklyn. Follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@JacobTobia) and on Facebook (facebook.com/ jacobtobia4real) davidatlanta.com | 33
BOY I BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI
photos: Dean Stockings
BOY GEORGE ON FINDING HIS BETTER SELF, CAITLYN JENNER AND HIS MASSIVE HAT COLLECTION
David Atlanta: Why is now the right time for Culture Club to reunite?
Boy George: The idea first started about four years ago. With all the different management, and just so many complications, it’s taken this long to actually get everybody together. When I When Boy George sings now, a rich tone resounds. He refers to it suggested it four years ago it seemed like a really simple idea; it as “the voice of experience.” The voice, once fluttery and high, can turned out to be quite complicated! (Laughs) be traced back to the early ’80s by way of a long, glittery trail that George blazed as the front man for Culture Club. The band formed Now we’ve gotten into rehearsing, and we recently did Today, in 1981, at the onset of a second, MTV-aided British invasion, and although we didn’t have Jon (Moss) there, but it was our first live the foursome turned out a treasure trove of sonic gold, most no- thing together in a while. The thing about Culture Club, but also tably “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” just bands in general: The fun is always the playing and the recording and the writing. It’s the other stuff that’s kind of boring. Within a few years of their emergence, Culture Club was a bona fide act of great significance. Instantly, they became the first Culture Club makes the most sense when we’re on stage and conband since The Beatles with three songs from their debut album, centrating on what we’re doing musically. (The tour is) gonna be 1982’s Kissing to be Clever, to reach the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot interesting. It’s as much a surprise for me, but obviously, we know 100. And it wasn’t just music they were influencing. there’s a lot of affection out there for what we are collectively. The falsetto is gone.
It was fashion. It was politics. It was gender. It was the queer community as a whole. Now, Culture Club is back. After more than 12 years apart, the original members of Culture Club are reuniting for a tour and their forthcoming LP, Tribes, their first album together since 1999’s Don’t Mind If I Do.
DA: Do people expect you to be the same band you were 20 years ago? Are you still the same band?
BG: I don’t think anybody expects me to be what I was 20 years ago. If they do, they’re deluded. (Laughs) I’ve never spoken to anybody who said, “You’re nothing like you were 20 years ago.” There are some George, 54, recently rang to sound off on a smorgasbord of top- people in the world who believe you could be suspended in animation, ics: Culture Club nostalgia, the Madonna vs. Lady Gaga rivalry, his I think (laughs), but we all get older and we all develop. And, in fact, massive hat collection and the lack of any pop star “stand outs.” I think I’m a very different performer. I actually prefer what I do now. 34 | 8.5.15
I MAN DA: Why is that? BG: I like the noise that I make now because I feel like I’ve earned it. I feel it’s a voice of experience. I feel I’m more connected to what I do. Vocally and emotionally I’m more connected to my life, full stop, and I’m kind of happy with who I am.
BG: Obviously I don’t think of those past things as being wild days – I just think of them as being quite negative. I was talking about this last night at dinner. I think what you learn as you get older, if you’re smart, is that the joy is in the mundane things – the small things, like being with your family, taking a walk, having coffee with friends, having meals with friends, good company. It’s like that saying, “the devil is in the detail” – sometimes I have the most fun when I’m just walking around with no set plans. Because there’s so many special effects in my life in terms of the career thing and traveling and all of that kind of excitement, I counterbalance it with sheer ordinariness in a way, and that’s where I have the most fun sometimes.
There’s always room for improvement, of course, but I don’t have the sort of insecurities that I had when I was a younger man. People say to me, “You were so confident!” I probably appeared confident but, perhaps underneath, I wasn’t. I think life is about growing into yourself, accepting who you are and maybe having a better relationship with who you are, sort of liking yourself, and I think I’m closer now than I’ve ever been. DA: How did your signature look come to involve hats? DA: How long did it take you to reach that point? BG: It takes a long time to get there, but you know, some people just don’t get there. And I don’t know how you get there, and I don’t know how you know you’re there, but you operate with a sense of peace. In life, it’s very easy to do what you’ve always done. It’s very easy to slip back into bad attitudes, bad habits and personality traits.
BG: Going to clubs as a kid, we were always trying to over-exaggerate our look – a hat is definitely a way of over-exaggerating an outfit! Back then I was sometimes doing a kind of Carmen Miranda thing (laughs) and wearing a turban. It was just basically plundering every kind of theatrical idea you could imagine, and hats – I just love hats. Hats have to wear you. You can’t buy somebody a hat because that’s like buying somebody a haircut.
DA: How many hats would you say you have? DA: Speaking of bad habits, you’ve been very vocal in discussing your drug and alcohol use early on in your BG: I have quite a few that I can’t wear anymore because life. These days, what’s the wildest you get? What’s a they’re damaged, but I refuse to let them go. (Laughs) I have typical night for you like now? about 40 wearable ones, and I’m always adding new hats to the collection. davidatlanta.com | 35
I was in bed a few months ago – I had to get up really early the next day – and there was an advertisement for Gaga and Tony Bennett. There was a show on TV and I said, “Well, I’ll watch a bit of it and then I’ll go to sleep.” I ended up watching the whole thing and being gobsmacked by how great she was. DA: How fair are the comparisons to Madonna? BG: I’m not saying this to diss Madonna at all – I mean, Madonna doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone; she’s Madonna! – but I really felt all those comparisons were a bit stupid. Of course someone DA: You must have a hat room. like Lady Gaga, who’s younger than Madonna, is gonna be influenced by Madonna. It’s a complete compliment. That’s how you BG: They’re scattered around. Also: They’re a really good thing have to view it. Whenever I see anybody working a look that I to give to auctions. People are always asking me for things for might’ve had back in the day – I’ve done it. Why do I need to get charity, so I’m always giving them to people to sell. upset about it? DA: How many different hats do you wear on stage?
DA: As someone who’s always stood for gender fluidity and gender expression, what are your feelings on BG: At the moment I’ve got a few that I’m gonna try out. The Caitlyn Jenner? thing about stage costumes is, they seem like a great idea until you put them on. Trying to dance around in them in the heat – the BG: I think it’s amazing, but there are a lot of other people behat makes that decision for you. But I’ve got some quite fierce ing overlooked, like Candis Cayne. Caitlyn Jenner is getting the looks for this tour, and I’m gonna up the ante. I think it’s quite limelight because of the Kardashians, but there are a lot of peoimportant, because at the moment everybody looks like every- ple who have made that transition – her transition – possible. body else. Everybody in a band seems like they’re in the audience. You look at a band on stage and you say, “Oh, it’s really I feel in a way we’re starting to, in part, live in a world I always nice that they’re on stage and they’ve wore their gym clothes to wanted to live in. When I started my career, I was very naive. I the gig.” (Laughs) There aren’t really many artists – just a lot of wanted to change the world. I wanted to live in a world where it backroom boys pretending to be artists. A lot of producers who didn’t really matter if someone was gay or straight, transsexual, become pop stars. But there really aren’t many artists around or lesbian, whatever – and we’re certainly getting closer in some anybody that stands out. It’s a weird time for pop culture, and areas. I suppose you can only measure current pop culture by what it was like when you were doing your thing. So, I’m always gonna You gotta remember that myself and Caitlyn Jenner live in a cemeasure it by what I’ve grown up with: David Bowie, Annie lebrity bubble to a certain extent, and there are different rules Lennox, Prince, Madonna… Of course I’m gonna measure it by in that celebrity bubble. But I think it’s great. I think it’s always that, and I don’t see any of that around at the moment. I mean, wonderful when someone is allowed to be who they wanna be no Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna – they’re working a bit of a hot matter how long it takes. I think that’s a beautiful thing to watch. look. More the girls. When I saw that interview with Diane Sawyer, I was quite tearful. DA: What do you think it says about the current state I have to say, though: There’s a daisy chain of people who afof the music industry that Gaga ended up toning down fected change long before I was around, like Oscar Wilde and her image? Quentin Crisp. There are people no one knows about from the Victorian time. I’m always kind of coming across drag queens BG: Actually, what I think is interesting about Lady Gaga is she’s and Bohemians who were around 100 years ago who were a an incredible theatrical vocalist. She has a whole Judy Garland part of that daisy chain. So, I think it’s amazing that we’re edging / Liza Minnelli thing going on, and I’m actually more of a fan of toward the kind of liberalism that I always dreamed of. what’s she’s doing now than – I mean, I loved what she did in the beginning. It was great. I remember seeing her on TV and Culture Club will be performing at the Fabulous Fox thinking, “What’s she got on now?!” (Laughs) But in terms of her Theatre (660 Peachtree St. NE) on Wednesday, August 12 musicality, what she’s doing now is amazing. at 8 p.m.. Go get your tickets now at foxtheatre.org 36 | 8.5.15
SUMMER READS As you are lazing around the pools and beaches this summer, it’s not always easy to find that perfect gay novel that will titillate your mind
William of the Tafel
and imagination. These summer reads will have you flipping pages poolside no matter where your interests lie.
Bohunk’s Big To-Do
Exploring Post Apocalyptic An Unexpected Love Utopian Earth Where Triangle Between a GoGender Plays No Role Go Boy, His Boyfriend, and His Mother Author Hans M. Hirschi’s new LGBT novel is set 500 years into the future on a post apocalyptic Earth.. The main character, seventeen-year-old Willem, must navigate through a battered world that is the result of our generation’s carelessness. Luckily he meets Hery, another young man, who helps him along the path to his destiny.
Julian Jones’ new novel evokes some of the elements of Southern Gothic fiction within a Midwestern setting. Bo Mickey, a 22-yearold go-go boy tends to be a little selfish, but is also tenderhearted. He is hurting from the recent marriage of his boyfriend to his mother. Will he figure out a way to resolve his In their meeting, we learn how in this fu- twisted love triangle in time to find turistic world, people have evolved to look that honorable solution? beyond racial and gender lines. (At least most have; those that haven’t are doomed Thematically the book is about moral to pay the price for holding on to twenty-first conscience: how susceptible we are to century ideology.) That Willem and Hery discarding our values under particular decide to become a union – or ‘to mate’, as influence or provocation, how we somedescribed in the book - stirs no reaction from times seek reasons to justify betraying the other characters in the novel. 500 years our conscience, and ultimately how ininto the future, homosexuality has become trinsic personal pride is who we are and completely accepted. who we are destined to become. 38 | 8.5.15
The Holy Mark
The Tragedy of a Fallen Priest Leaving You to Ponder Good Vs. Evil Gregory Alexander has created a haunting and poignant tale of Father Tony, who has led his whole life knowing that he would become a priest. At birth his immigrant grandmother declared that his very particular birthmark was a sign from God. Because of his preordained life path, Tony foregoes many opportunities; in love and in life. Those marked by God, though, are often marked by men as well: Father Tony’s jealous uncle will never forgive him for finding favor with the Miggliore matriarch. And with his ties to the city’s Catholic hierarchy, he’ll plot to destroy his nephew if it takes the rest of his life. Meanwhile Father Tony is determined to outwit his uncle and the Church, even if he has to prowl the streets of New Orleans by night to do it.
Boystown A Series About Gay Life in Chicago That Has Taken New Life By Dustin Shrader Author of the ever popular and rising book series, Boystown, Jake Biondi is fast becoming a household name and somewhat of a gay icon with his salacious novels. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Jake has always been a lover of the Windy City. Upon graduating with degrees in English and Business from the University of Notre Dame, he returned to Chicago, his one true love, attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law and settled down in the renowned Chicago suburb, Boystown. While residing in the Boystown neighborhood for over 20 years, Jake felt it was time to bring his beloved town and his passion for dramatic storytelling to life. Thus, Boystown novels were born. Boystown follows the lives and loves of a group of friends as they navigate their way through tumultuous affairs, murder, revenge and so much more. The characters in Boystown are characters that a diverse group of audience members can relate. Originally perceived to be written for the gay community, the series has taken on a rabid female audience, balancing out the book’s diehard gay fans. The premise of the series revolves around the Mancini brothers, Derek and Emmet. While both gay, Derek is currently married to a woman, Joyelle, yet having an affair with the young, handsome blond college student named Cole who recently moved to town with his best friend Jesse. Emmet discovers his long-time boyfriend, Keith is harboring a dark past that when it is brought to light, sets off a catalyst with everlasting ripples of drama filling page after page for the remainder of the series. Friends and couple Max Taylor and Logan Pryce round out the core group and have to confront a crisis of their own neither expected. As the series evolves, Biondi weaves even more new faces in and out of the storyline, seamlessly complicating the beloved Mancini brothers’ lives further. In a fantastic way of paying it forward, Biondi incorporates a select few outstanding people in his life by writing them into the Boystown series as themselves
so readers would get to know them and their work, such as “Whiskey & Cherries,” a dynamic musical trio from Chicago. In tribute to them, they were written into Seasons Two and Three. Amy Armstrong, another fabulous singer who has performed all over the country and has actually given away copies of the BOYSTOWN books to audience members at her performances, was written into the third book along with gay country singer Steve Grand. Grand has always been an inspiration and role model for Biondi. Now, with three books filling out the series and the fourth due out in October, Boystown will be heading to television for your guilty-viewing-pleasure. Biondi is currently shopping the script around Readers can connect with Jake and the to different networks, with much gar- Boystown series at jakebiondi.com, as well nered interest. as Facebook and Twitter. davidatlanta.com | 39
WEDDING SECTION
photo: Chuck St. John
Delivering the Goods How to plan your wedding paper products
We’ve covered a lot so far, and there is still so much for me to share! I’ve told you that you need to hire a wedding planner, what to look for in a venue, how to establish a solid creative team and what is appropriate attire for your wedding day. Whew, I’m just giving it all away! I never thought I’d be so cheap and easy…. well, I suppose I did. Let’s continue along and talk about one of my favorite parts of planning a wedding - the stationery suite. Most people wouldn’t think of the paper as an exciting task, but let me tell you why it’s one of the most important things on the list. When a new movie is set to hit the theatre, how do you measure your anticipation level to go see it? The trailer. It’s the first glimpse into the vision of the movie and what you can expect to experience. The same can be said for the various pieces of the stationery suite. They are the first tangible items your guests will receive to form an opinion of what they think your wedding will be. Wedding planning is all calendar driven, especially the paper pieces. You have to account for the many processes of stationery: design, printing, assembly, calligraphy and the time in the mail system. We’ll talk about things in a chronological order so you can get a better idea of how things really work. 42 | 8.5.15
Save the Date These pieces are sent 6-9 months before the wedding date. My top piece of advice here is do NOT send a cheesy, cheap magnet. Some couples give the argument that “guests are just going to look at it once and throw it away, so why spend the money?” My reply is that style has nothing to do with budget. You can be conscious of cost or blow the bank on any of the aspects of your wedding, it’s just knowing how to establish priorities. If paper isn’t at the top of your list, you can send a digitally printed piece that is still stylish and in the creative vein of your big day. The save the dates allows for a bit more creative whimsy and personality. They aren’t a formal piece so the integration of a photo, fun artwork or even an abstract item are all okay to be sent as apart of the STD’s. I hate using that abbreviation. Moving on. Formal Invitations These pieces are sent 6-9 weeks before the wedding date. First things first, email invitations are not acceptable for wedding correspondence. Period. 99% of the time I would argue that electronic RSVP’s are not okay, but I know some of you are against the expense and hassle of a traditional snail-mail RSVP. The expense of all stationery is dictated by a few factors; printing method, paper choice and quantity. You can take the same design, but the biggest cost difference will be in the decision of digital printing, letterpress, foil stamping or engraving. Don’t forget the finishing touch to your invitations, calligraphy. That doesn’t necessarily mean a swirly curly script, but rather a hand-penned envelope that keeps in line with the style of the contents inside. Day-of items These are the welcome notes, welcome gifts, ceremony programs, table numbers, escort and place cards, dinner menu, bar signage, beverage napkins, washroom hand-towels – the list could go on and on. A lot of these pieces are overlooked, but shouldn’t be. They are another way to add a creative touch to your wedding. There are no etiquette rules that say any of these items have to be done. These are all certainly pieces that are for those who want to go above and beyond. I know this wasn’t a real kiki of an article, and there is even so much more to cover when talking about paper; custom stamps, logos & monograms, hand canceling, postage vs. weight, thank you cards… I didn’t even go that deep!! For seemingly such a simple part of the planning, there are endless variables to consider. This is why my clients let me be creative, manage the process and they just get the credit of having something fabulous delivered to their guests. Stay Knotty, Christopher
Christopher Confero
Christopher Confero is a weekly columnist exclusively for David Magazine. You can reach him at christopher@christopherconfero.com to inquire further about his event and wedding planning. Drop him a line, he may be able to help you create your perfect wedding.
#LOVEWINS Enjoy 20% off all wedding announcements through the end of 2015. - 10% off creative products napkins, tumblers, coozies, magnets, bags and more
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WEDDING SECTION
Dear Nosey, Are you proposing? LOL. I guess the right man hasn’t come along yet… but when he does, I know a great jeweler. Seriously, I have worked with so many people over the years I feel that my experience is invaluable for couples in the throngs of marriage. I have seen successful and failed relationships and have provided engagement and wedding rings and also taken them back upon divorce. Legal Marriage is new to the LGBT Community. It has been wonderful to see my friends that have been in committed relationships for many years finally tie the knot. My only advice is simple. Know yourself and know the person you love. Understand the necessity of compromise and the importance of forgiveness. Consider engagements of a year or more and take your time. Dear Jonathan,
ASK JONATHAN WITH JONATHAN SHAPERO
Dear Jonathan, I would like to include the diamond that my grandfather gave my grandmother in the ring I give my boyfriend. Is that possible and do you have any suggestions? I am perceived as a masculine jock type, but am truly a big teddy bear. Is it all right to be this sentimental? Sincerely, Manly in Midtown
I will be using my Grandmother’s diamond to place in a ring for my boyfriend when we get engaged. It is a 2.00 carat round stone that is quite valuable. Do I have the right to ask for it back if things ever go south, either before we get married, or even after? Please advise me as to how to handle this. I don›t mean to be negative... but it›s a family diamond. Sincerely, Conservative in Kennesaw Dear Conservative: Many family diamonds are used in engagement rings. I have designed many a setting for these stones. Yes, you do have the right to protect the ownership of that stone, so follow this simple path. Have the diamond appraised loose before setting it and determine a market value for the stone. Then have the ring appraised after its completion for insurance purposes. If you are the one to end the relationship or the marriage, it is customary for your husband or fiancé to keep the ring.... so you must replace the diamond with one of equal value.... or a check if preferred. If he ends the engagement, the ring should be given back to you. In a divorce settlement, the ring is not included in assets so again an agreement as to its value or possession after the divorce must be made clear initially. Many couples discuss the use of a family diamond long before it is given as its never a good time to discuss legalities after a romantic moment. So I would immediately discuss with your boyfriend the idea of using your grandmother’s diamond and the protection you would need in case anything ever happened to your relationship. Good Luck with your engagement... I am here if you need me.
Dear Manly, I am proud of you for not only being sentimental but writing to me. Yes, I have created custom designs for special family diamonds. There are many ways to butch up a diamond ring and I would be pleased to help. In addition, may I also suggest that you make sure the diamond is returned to you if the marriage goes south? That diamond belongs to your family. Determine its value and agree to replace it if your future husband includes its value in the Submit your questions to jonathan@davidatlanta.com divorce. Dear Jonathan, Why is it that you are advising people about marriage when you are single? Have you ever considered marriage? You seem like a great catch. Thanks, Nosey Nick in Buckhead
46 | 8.5.15
Jonathan Shapero
Jonathan Shapero is a private jeweler based in Atlanta, GA. With nearly 30 years of experience in the bridal jewelry business, Jonathan is a national expert in his field with clients from San Francisco to New York City. As a member of the LGBT Community and one of the first jewelers to offer exclusive and private appointments to LGBT couples at his shop, Jonathan Buckhead, he has seen and heard it all.
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Always committed. At last, married. #LoveWins
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Kickball in the Park with Pride Kickball
photos: Jonathan Bugg
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Forever Hung with Laganja Estranja
photos: Russ Youngblood
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60 | 8.5.15
DJ Joe Guathreaux at Heretic
photos: Sher Pruitt
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Twisted Dee at Jungle
photos: Russ Youngblood
davidatlanta.com | 65
kyle’s bed & breakfast
Website - www.kylecomics.com 66 | 8.5.15
E-Mail - KylesBnB@aol.com
by Greg Fox
davidatlanta.com | 67
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502 Amsterdam Ave NE
B2 Blake's
227 10th St NE
B3 Bulldogs
893 Peachtree St NE B4 Friends 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE B5 The Model T 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
68 | 8.5.15
Dining D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
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306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
Hair/Beauty H1 Helmet
970 Piedmont Ave NE
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F1 Urban Body Fitness
500 Amsterdam Ave NE
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H1
B3
R2
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Piedmo
Lin
Ansley
Dining
B1 Burkhart's
Retail
Bars Retail
R1 Barking Leather 2585 Chantilly Dr R2 Southern Nights 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd
Fitness
B2 B3 B4
1492 Piedmont Ave NE Felix's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave NE Oscar's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
F1 Gravity Fitness
B5
Spa/Bath
Not Shown
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
S1 Club Eros
2219 Faulkner Rd NE
S2 The Den
2135 Liddell Dr NE
S3 Manifest 4 U
2103 Faulkner Rd NE
Bars Faces Lounge 138 Powers Ferry Rd SE Mary's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE My Sister's Room 1271 Glenwood Ave SE Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW
D1 Cowtippers
1600 Piedmont Ave NE
R1 Boy Next Door
1447 Piedmont Ave NE
R2 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
Hair/Beauty H1 Bubbles Salon
1579 Monroe Dr NE
Dining Lips Atlanta 3011 Buford Hwy NE Club Club Rush 2715 Buford Hwy NE Spa/Bath Qi Clay Sauna 130 Buford Hwy A-107
davidatlanta.com | 69
bartab
got an upcoming event?
calendar@davidatlanta.com
Monday
Friday
10TH & PIEDMONT Half Price Wine Bottles BLAKE’S Trivia at 10pm. $250 Cash/Prizes • LGBT Kickball Host Bar 7pm-? BURKHART’S Blue Monday Karaoke with Darlene at 10PM EAGLE Music Videos with Scotty FELIX’S Free Pool All Day FRIENDS Texas Hold’em 8 pm G’S Half Price Wine Bottles HIDEAWAY Industry Night 1/2 Off Well, Domestic, & Wine JUNGLE Stars of the Century Show 11:30pm MODEL T Monday Night Madness 8pm OSCAR’S Service Industry Night with Eric SWINGING RICHARDS Hip-Hop Night, Sponsored by Hennessy 8:30pm
10TH & PIEDMONT Half Price Happy Hour Menu 5-7pm, Last Friday Swank by Bellisima BLAKE’S TGIF with Doug & Lateasha 3-9pm • “Deadly Vixens” Drag Show 11pm • Bill Berdeaux Spins Street Level • Mike Pope Spins Upstairs BURKHART’S FEMME FATALE with Destiny Brooks and Justice Taylor at 11PM CLUB RUSH “Got Leche” Free entry until 11pm 18 & up - Open until 4am EAGLE DJ Dance Party FELIX’S Pour It On Me Rock Party w/DJ Darlene and our Sexy Shot Bois10pm FRIENDS Happy Time Friday Kelly & Ken 6 pm G’S Friday Night Dance Party with DJ Ryan Baker 10PM HERETIC PUMP featuring Atlanta’s hottest deejays - Occasional special events. No cover b4 11 HIDEAWAY $5 Smirnoff drinks & Martinis DJ Marc J. Cubs @10pm in back room JUNGLE The Other Show with Edie Cheezburger 9:30pm LIPS ATLANTA Glitz & Glamour Las Vegas Style MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 9pm OSCAR’S Music Video Night SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review,$10 TEN ATLANTA Music & Videos by DJ Daryl Cox 10pm
Tuesday 10TH & PIEDMONT Shareable Tuesdays: 3 - course dinner for 2 for $25 BLAKE’S Latin Night with Guest DJ’s • 1/2 Priced Menu ‘til Midnight BURKHART’S DRAG-EOKE with Angelica D’Paige at 10PM CLUB RUSH “Tipsy Tuesday” 18 & up - Open until 4am FELIX’S Karaoke with Darlene - 10pm G’S Industry Night, Terror Tuesdays HIDEAWAY Game night: Poker and blackjack 7:30 Trivia with Jason Walker 8:30 LAS MARGARITAS Cuban Night - $12.95 All You Can Eat Cuban Buffet & $5 Mojitos MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 7pm OSCAR’S Show Tune Tuesday with Chad- 8 pm SWINGING RICHARDS 1/2 Price cover
Wednesday BLAKE’S Party Pop Hits with Doug 3-9pm • “Voyeur Wednesday” • Male Dancers 11pm - 1am BURKHART’S HUMPDAY KARAOKE with Darlene at 10PM FELIX’S Wild Out Wednesday w/Nicole Paige Brooks, Mychelle LaCroix DuPree & Mo’Dest Volgare - 11pm FRIENDS Hump Night with Regina Simms G’S Sing For Your Supper Karaoke with DJ Audio Prism 10PM HERETIC Pig Dance Black Out Party DJ Stan Jackson 10pm-3am NO COVER HIDEAWAY Beauty and the beat! Ruby Redd Charity Bingo @8:30 free to play. karaoke W/ Tyler @ 11:00 $ 3.00 well drinks all day long JUNGLE Drag Wars - doors open at 9 and show starts at 10 - $250 Cash Prize based on audience applause LIPS ATLANTA Bitchy Bingo MODEL T Wonderful Wednesdays 7pm
Thursday BLAKE’S Texas Hold em Poker 7pm “I - Candy” Street level with Shawnna Brooks 11pm BURKHART’S DANCEFLOOR DIVAS with Phoenix (RuPaul’s Drag Race s3) at 11:30PM EAGLE Balls Deep Karaoke w/ Mikey FACES LOUNGE The All Star Cabaret Drag Show & Karaoke FELIX’S Killer King Karaoke w/Tyler King - 10pm FRIENDS Texas Hold’em 8pm; Ladies Night 10 pm G’S Game Night with Brent Star 9PM HERETIC 3 Legged Cowboy Night 9pm Free dance lessons 8-9pm. No cover. HIDEAWAY Hot Mic’ Comedy w/ Ian Aber at 10pm followed by Karaoke at 11:30. Draft Beer Special LAS MARGARITAS Dirty South Trivia $5 Smirnoff & Cuervo Drinks. House Cash Prizes & $5 Wings LIPS ATLANTA Dinner with the Divas MODEL T Pre-Weekend Party! 7pm OSCAR’S Twisted Thursday with Eric SWINGING RICHARDS 2-4-1 VIP & Entry
70 | 8.5.15
Saturday 10TH & PIEDMONT Bottomless Mimosa Brunch BLAKE’S #TheBritandTheTit 1-9pm • “Glitter Bomb” w Edie Cheezburger, Shavonna Brooks • Shane V. Spins ‘til Close BURKHART’S SYNERGY with Shawnna Brooks and Monica Van Pelt at 11PM CAMPAGNOLO Legendary Musician Robert Ray on the piano 10pm-1am EAGLE DJ Dance Party FELIX’S Superstar Karaoke w/Diva Darlene and our Sexy Shot Bois - 10pm FRIENDS Free Pool with Bryan 2-6 pm; Let’s Make A Deal with Ken 6-10 pm G’S Bottomless Mimosa Brunch HERETIC Varies. EARLY COUNTRY (8pm-12:30am) & LATE NIGHT DANCE with Billboard DJ MIKE POPE @12:30-close. No cover except special events. HIDEAWAY $2.50 All Well Drinks JUNGLE Fantasy Girls 9pm; Club Night, Various Guest DJ’s LIPS ATLANTA Glitz & Glamour Las Vegas Style MODEL T Texas Hold’em Poker 3pm OSCAR’S DJ Christopher Kind SWINGING RICHARDS T-Shirt Review $10 TEN ATLANTA Music & Videos by DJ Rob Reum 10pm
Sunday 10TH & PIEDMONT Bellini Brunch | Flashback Showgirls with Angelica D’Paige BLAKE’S Open at 1pm - Bloody Marys w Robin, • Texas Hold em Poker 2pm Upstairs • CellBlock Sunday Drag Show wLateasha 8:pm • High Energy with DJ Rod Llaneza ‘til Close BURKHART’S Tossed Salad hosted by Brigitte Bidet - Music & Drinks 8pm - Showtime 9pm CLUB RUSH Hip Hop and R&B - 18 & up - Open until 4am FELIX’S Bloody Mary & Mimosa’s All Day FRIENDS DJ hosts Sunday Delights 2 pm-closing G’S Bottomless Mimosa Brunch, Karaoke with DJ Audio Prism HIDEAWAY $3.50 wells the Armorettes @8:00 LIPS ATLANTA Gospel Brunch w/ Bubba D. Licious LAS MARGARITAS Papi’s $17.95 Unlimited Brunch & Choice of Mimosas, Sangrias, Bloody Maria’s, & Mojitos MODEL T Karaoke for a Cause 8pm TEN ATLANTA Brunch 11am & music by DJ Rob Reum inside and DJ Robert Ansley on the patio 4pm
PRIVATE GAY COMMUNITY
2.57 acre lake lot for sale. Dakota East Subdivision, Whitesburg Georgia. Fifty minutes southwest of Atlanta.
404.625.8159
BASEMENT SUITE for RENT 3 Bedroom/Bath, Kitchen, Large Living Area, Hardwood Floors, Private Entrance, Sunroom, Large Yard, $1000/month includes utilities except cable, Cental Heating & Air Contact rc2840@aol.com for cell and visit $1OOO deposit & 1st month required
FULL BODY MASSAGE by Walter @ 404-872-5671 (8th St. @Monroe Dr.) Only $40..Shave too License No. MT003122
davidatlanta.com | 71
advice
Standard personal lube is not the stuff for cock stuffing. Bacteriastatic surgical lubricant is what you want. Squeeze some in and slowly insert a sound. It’s important to move cautiously. While the urethral membrane is loaded with sensitive nerve endings, the tissue is thin and fragile. It’s recommended to pee afterwards to flush out any possible contaminates. First-timers find the feelings oddly pleasurable and difficult to describe. Orgasmic sensations are particularly heightened. With tidiness and tenderness, you won’t need a prescription for antibiotics. You’ll also bring a whole new meaning to the footballer’s phrase, “Go deep!” Dear Dom, My guy’s birthday is coming soon and I’m stumped for a gift. I’m thinking about clothing. He’s a stylish & sporty fellow. Got any suggestions?
Dear Dom,
Every Single Question... Every Single Answer Dear Dom,
Keeping It Classy Kid Have you considered new sneakers, KICK? Athletic shoes are always in vogue. Maybe go old school with a pair Air Jordan’s. Beginning in 1985, the VIP dribbler’s endorsement has elevated this gym gear to status symbol. But priced upwards of $200, they can be a low blow to the wallet. For truly old school, with an affordably updated twist, Converse has redesigned the classic high-top Chucks. This functional footwear has been mostly unchanged since the 1920s. Newly released in July, the freshened Chuck Taylor All Star II keeps the iconic look while adding modern features: lightweight cushioning, a padded tongue, micro-suede lining, and a fully embroidered patch. At just $75, the All Star II is laced-up style that’s comfortable on the feet and your budget.
I want to expand our sexual horizons with urethral Dear Dom, sounds. My boyfriend is worried about getting a urinary tract infection. Can you convince him it’s safe and Now that same-sex marriage is legal everywhere, to give it a go? my man’s ready to pop the question. I just don’t want get married. How do I break the news without breaking his heart? Ramming One Deep Kink is fun. UTIs are nasty. If you keep everything clean and with Rejecting Immediate Proposal utmost care, ROD, urethral play can literally open up a whole new world of sensations. You’ve gotta tell him, just like you’d pull off a bandage. Tear it off quick, RIP. And you ought to do it soon. Nothing screams Sounds are metal probes that are inserted into the body through humiliation more than going back to the jewelry store for a the tip of the penis. Medical use of such devices go back to refund on an engagement ring. Yikes! ancient China. Nowadays, they come in a variety of types, from flat, to cylindrical, to bullet-shaped, and are typically purchased in sets. The diameters range from 4 to 17 millimeters; Dom tiny to titanic. Only recently are they employed by the sexually Advice columnist Dominic has been there and done that adventuresome. with most everything. He gives a new low to all levels of depravity. He’s heard every question and every answer. Cleanliness is key. The first step is to sterilize the equipment. Give him a try, email DearDom@davidatlanta.com. Nobody I know has an autoclave at home. (Okay, there is this one guy.) The best way is to boil them in water for a minimum of Warning: Advice given in this column is intended for entertain30 minutes and then allow to cool. Next, thoroughly wash your ment and novelty purposes. Please proceed at your own risk. hands and penis. Don’t touch anything that hasn’t been cleaned. 72 | 8.5.15
FREE TO LISTEN AND REPLY TO ADS Free Code: David
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davidatlanta.com | 73
fairyscopes ARIES (Mar. 20 – Apr. 19):
LIBRA (Sep. 23 – Oct. 22):
TAURUS (Apr. 20 – May 20):
SCORPIO (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):
GEMINI (May 21- Jun. 20):
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 – Dec. 20):
CANCER (Jun. 21- Jul. 22):
CAPRICORN (Dec. 21 – Jan. 19):
LEO (Jul. 23 – Aug. 22):
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18):
VIRGO (Aug. 23 – Sep. 22):
PISCES (Feb. 19 – Mar. 19):
Your mind may seem rather cloudy lately, but don’t let this hinder you. In fact, you can use this dreamy feeling to your advantage. Try to bring more magic into your life. The more you accept your bizarre feelings and ideas, the more things will fall into place.
This is an excellent week for you in which your emotions will be strong. Trust that your instincts are serving you well, better than any other sign. You have nothing to lose by following you heart. This is an important time for you to rekindle the dreams that you’ve let smolder.
Things may get a bit confusing this week. Don’t feel like you need to make sense of it all. In fact, that may be impossible. Whatever you do, make sure you’re being yourself. Let your creative nature shine through. Other people are quite malleable, so you should take the lead in just about any situation.
Mix your reality with a bit of fantasy this week. Kick back for a while and rest. Try to spend time meditating and clearing your head of daily worries. Calming, relaxing activities are the best way to spend your time. Take walks with friends and go deep into conversation about outlandish subjects.
Let yourself go into creative mode this week. Drift into a whole other world. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through artistic endeavors. Dream as big as your mind will allow. There’s no limit to the things that can be realized on a day like this. Push your limits and test your boundaries.
Things are slipping into place quite nicely for you. Your persuasive manner and gentle nudges are enough to get people where you want them. Control is all yours if you want it. Remember that as you accept praise for success, you also need to be willing to accept the blame of failure. 74 | 8.5.15
presented by
the armorettes
When faced with ten entrees on a menu, it may be hard for you to choose just one. Order two or more, Libra. Don’t let indecisiveness hinder you. At the same time, don’t view it as something negative. The key for this week is to go with the flow. Expand your dreams as you wish.
Your dreams will never come true unless you believe in and act on them. No one else is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take matters into your own hands. Realize that you can get there many different ways. The first step is always to believe in yourself and the fact that anything is possible.
If people start to hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance, pay them no mind, Sagittarius. You have the right to live your life any way you want. If that means you want to go around the house in a grubby shirt and sweatpants that haven’t been washed in months, so be it.
Reach for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It’s closer than you think. Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach. There are forces at work helping you to achieve your goals. You should be in a positive mood all week, and people will be very responsive to you.
Dream big. Think about what you want most out of life. Aim at the stars. There’s no limit to how far you can go. Your only limitation is your imagination. Don’t worry if your plan doesn’t seem to make rational sense. Worry more about what you want and less about how you’re going to get it.
Expand your mind to its furthest reaches this week. There’s an incredible opportunity opening up in which you can make great strides in a creative realm. Follow the music today. Pick up an instrument, go to the record store, or listen to a live band. Let the artist within you have room to shine.
Bitch
S E S S I O N It’s a simple drink order. It shouldn’t take ten minutes for a vodka cranberry. Learn your craft!
Throwback Thursday? Honey, you know that’s more like a Way Back Wednesday.
SEND US YOUR BITCHES! Text 404.969.BTCH, tweet @BitchSessionATL or email bitch@davidatlanta.com *This page reflects the bitchiness of the community not David Atlanta or its publisher (although we’re bitchy too!)
I swear if another guy asks me what my Grindr profile name is, I’m going to scream. Why would I come out to a bar if I used Grindr?
Just because you’re a bottom in Atlanta, doesn’t mean you have to be such a piggy bottom.
Your future partner is naked with someone else telling them how much they want to be with them forever.
I’m not saying I hate you, but I’d unplug your life support to charge my phone.
At what point do you tell your client that you continue to swipe left on their partner on Tinder?
Put your foot back in your mouth, because I’m not about to shove anything else in it.
The Real Drama Queens of Pensacola make their return to Facebook!
76 | 8.5.15
No means no, but I’ll still let you buy me drinks.