V7-30 07.26.23 Splash In Style: Addicted USA Tom Goss Gets The Spread Eagle + Photos & More Embracing Diversity: Outdoor In Atlanta
DAVID
JULY 26, 2023
V7-30
DAVID Magazine
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CAUGHT DOiNG THE SPREAD EAGLE
BY MiKKEL HYLDEBRANDT
The Spread Eagle, co-hosted by Connor Lyons and Mason Frost at the Atlanta Eagle, is one of the newest, queer comedy variety shows in Atlanta. We caught up with the two to talk about the show and why comedy is particularly important right now.
First tell us a little bit about the Spread Eagle comedy night: When did it start and how long have you been hosting it?
Connor: The Spread Eagle is a new monthly comedy variety show featuring mostly StandUp, but also drag, DJs and improv. We love to call it a variety show to keep things open to different kinds of talent and themes. Our first show was February, so we have now had six shows so far.
Mason: There was a night at The Hideaway when Connor and I were talking about the show moving from its previous location to The Eagle, and he asked me what I thought about joining as a cohost. I didn’t remember this conversation until he called me a few days later asking for a picture for the flyer. I said, “flyer for what?” And the rest goes down in the history of me being a very agreeable person after a few drinks.
You’re now a part of the Atlanta Eagle’s entertainment offering. How is it to
perform at the Eagle and how has the reception been?
Connor: It great to have a show at The Eagle! The gays have been flocking there since they opened at Pride 2022, and the staff has been super helpful in making it all happen. The Eagle is a well-known bar in the LGBTQ community at large, so it’s an ideal place to host a queer-forward comedy show. Atlanta has a fantastic comedy scene with shows all around town every day of the week, but very few queer rooms. So it’s great to build a bridge between these two communities. We love giving opportunities to queer artists, but we also love having a straight ally talent involved. I love seeing how hetero comics interact with a queer audience!
Mason: I have been continuously impressed by the turnout and energy we’ve received month after month. The Eagle has been a hub of dancing and fun nights for decades, but it so nice to see different elements of entertainment succeeding in the space, especially the comedy and drag nights that bring a more inclusive environment. I’ve truly loved seeing the full rainbow being represented in the space.
It seems there is a queer comedy surge happening right now – why do you think that is happening?
DAVID Magazine pg| 8
Connor: Loaded Question! But I really think the general public are ready to tune in more to different perspectives and queer artists are becoming more bold to create more opportunities for themselves. Hell, we’ve been hearing plenty of the hetero narrative from the beginning of time, it’s time to hear more from the Queers. I think queer comics are really bringing something fresh to the stand-up world.
Mason: Politicians have made a joke of the queer community for centuries, and it’s our turn to get the last laugh. The simple fact that the queer existence lives so heavily in the minds of bigots IS comedy, so let’s mess with them a bit!
Why do you think the queer community needs humor and comedy right now?
Connor: Stand-up can be a more intimate form of entertainment and touch on more specific matters of the human experience. I like to think of it as having a conversation with the room. That’s definitely how we like to set things up at our show. We’ve had so many moments of comics and the audience bantering back and forth. I love it. Sure, we can see a drag show any time – and we got great drag in this city – but try something different! We have great queer comics in this city too!
Mason: As beautiful as it is to be a part of the queer community, it doesn’t come without strife, heartache, and darkness. Bringing some light and humor into the mix gives us moments of intermission during the fight for equality.
What are your aspirations as a queer comedian?
Connor: Doing comedy is fun but very challenging. Most of the time I do stand up, I’m the only gay dude in the room. It can be a struggle, but it can also be invigorating if you
lean into it. It’s on you to write good material and deliver it well. It’s a great feeling making a room laugh, it’s even better if you teach‘em something while you do it. I’m not sure where I’ll go with comedy, been doing this about four years and still feeling it out. It would be great for stand up to lead into sketch and film work. I just hope to keep doing it and improving as a performer. I love the people and the culture around it.
I’ve found I really love the producing side of Comedy as well and I want to continue to promote the queer artist scene in Atlanta & beyond. It would be great to bring in big name comics to the city. I’ve thought Atlanta could really pull off a queer comedy festival even. There are already 3 other successful comedy festivals here: Red Clay, West End Comedy Festival, And Laughing Skull Fest. Why not have a Queer One? Just an idea for now. We’ll see.
Mason: I don’t consider myself a comedian, more so a storyteller that tries to find the funny parts of this passionate and fanatical world we live in. I aspire to honesty, kindness, and to keep people thinking after they listen to what I have to say.
DAVID Magazine pg| 9
The Spread Eagle comedy is every first Monday of the month at 8 pm at the Atlanta Eagle.
SPLASH IN STYLE
Whichever style you are most comfortable in, Addicted USA has it all. Whether you prefer a sexy bikini style, the flattering sungas, or how about their one-of-a-king ‘swinderwear’ that doubles as underwear and swimwear at the same time, Addicted’s performance materials, great fits, and attributeenhancing features will be a great choice for your pool party shenanigans. All styles are available at addictedusa.com.
Photos courtesy of Addicted USA
By Simon Norris
Touchy Feely
Tom Goss’ ninth studio album, Remember What It Feels Like, is a 15-track collection of fast, fun, summery pop songs punctuated by beautiful ballads and raucous rock. In it, he reflects on the up and downs of the life he has lived, including his loves and losses. “The truth is, most things in life happen for no reason at all, and are completely out of our control,” Goss says. “There are sweet times and sad, highs and lows. I’ve learned to embrace them all because they’ve all shaped me into who I am today.”
Along with the album, Goss is debuting the single and music video for “Enemy of Good,” his song about his lifelong need to be perfect. “I’ve always been very selfcritical. Even as a kid, my mother would say, ‘Tom, the perfect is the enemy of the good.’ And she’s right.
My need to achieve perfection has done little in the way of producing happiness. I have noticed that joy and creativity flow when I allow myself to be flawed.”
We spoke with Tom from his home in Los Angeles.
In Remember What It Feels Like, you look back on your forty-two years. Is it true that forty is the new thirty? I have no idea. My body definitely doesn’t feel like it’s in its thirties. I’m really starting to feel the wear. But, nevertheless, I still laugh like I’m thirty, dream like I’m twenty, and I’m more comfortable in my own skin than I’ve ever been.
What are some of the biggest life events that have shaped you into the man you are today?
Growing up as an athlete and mid-
Photos by Dusti Cunningham
westerner shaped how I approach life and my intense work ethic. I am at the gym right now! Also, my parents bitter divorce, contrasted with falling in love and getting married, shaped and reshaped how I see love and connection.
In your last album, you explored your experience with infidelity and the opening up of your marriage. Yes, infidelity sucks. Falling in love with my husband saved my life. It opened me up in ways I never dreamed. Then, it hurt in ways I never imagined. That’s not to say the love’s not there, it is. It’s just there’s also some pokey bits swirling around in the deepest of places. Forgiveness, I’ve learned, is beautiful. We ended up opening our marriage, which has been hard, but learning how to expand my idea of what love can be is freeing.
In this album, you reveal that you fell in love with someone else… who turned out to be a con man. Oh, where do I begin? Falling in love a second time helped keep me open. It showed me a beautiful new way of life and taught me about my capacity to love more freely. But when I learned he was a con man leading a secret life, well, that changed everything. Falling in love with someone who turns out to be a con man is hard to explain. It’s like looking back at old photos and they’re all blank. You will never know what was real and what wasn’t. Everything and nothing is real.
Are you still in touch with the creep? He’s in prison now, and I haven’t spoken with him in a year and a half. Nevertheless, sometimes I grab the mail and there’s a letter from prison in it. It’s very strange. I don’t open the letters. I don’t throw them away, either. They just sit there. It doesn’t seem real.
Has he apologized?
Sure, he’s apologized. But what does that even mean? Apologizing for a lie doesn’t really do anything if there is no framework for the apology to exist in.
Did you learn anything about yourself through the experience?
I’m still here, still thriving and smiling.
That’s resilience and that’s something, I suppose. I’m in the process of falling in love with myself. Being my own savior. Loving me in a way that doesn’t need love from some else, but welcomes it, cherishes and embraces it. I sound hardened, but I’m not, really. The caveat is “need” verses “want.” I want love. I am in love. I want to give it and receive it fully and completely, but I don’t need it. I can be secure in who I am, and love myself unconditionally, without external help. Ultimately that’s life. We’re here, might as well make the best of it.
Based off of your new single, “Enemy of Good,” it sounds like achieving perfection is no longer the goal for you. Is that true? Heck no! I still want perfection. Nevertheless, I’m embracing the moment as it is, and loving the flow of energy and art that comes through me.
What is the biggest life lesson you can share with your younger gay brethren?
Be who you are. You don’t have to assimilate to heteronormative society if you don’t want to. You also don’t have to assimilate to homonormative society if you don’t want to. Wait, is homonormative a word? In any event, don’t question the things that make you smile, laugh, and bring happiness into your world. Be a dork. Be a nerd. Be uncool. Most importantly, be joyful. If you do that, the rest is irrelevant.
Final thoughts on love? Do it. Any opportunity you get. The risk is always worth it.
Visit tomgossmusic.com, and follow him everywhere on social media @ tomgossmusic.
F r r r
T T T S t t t
t T T T H i i e e w e w
S S T Y r Y A g e g g S o r g
DAVID Magazine pg| 22
Greg Barnard Luxury is a state of mind.” D: 706-453-6090 | O: 404-233-4142 Greg.Barnard@HarryNorman.com www.GregBarnard.com @GregBarnardRealtor.ATL FTK - Backpack in the Park Check out lots more online@davidatlanta.com and social media
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DAVID Magazine pg| 28 2 16 14 13 8 9 7 10 15 17 19 1 3 6 4 P ie dmo n t Av e . N E Ju n ip e r St. N E E N . t S e e r t h c a e P PiedmontAve. NE 14th St NE Ponce De Leon Ave . NE Ponce De Leon Ave . NE 4th St NE Monroe Dr. NE Mon r o e D r . N E 10th St. NE E N . t S r e p i n u J E N . l P n o e L e D e c n o P S p r in g S t . N W Amsterdam Ave . E N . r D n e l l A s e l r a h C W N . t S e e r t h c a e P . W 12th St. NE Pie dmont Park M I DT OWN BARS BARS not on map 2 Blake's 227 10 th S t NE 1 FUTURE ATLANTA 50 Lower Alabama St. SW Suite 180 3 Bulldo g s 893 Peachtree S t NE 4 Fr iend s 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 6 My Sister’s Room66 12th S t NE 7 X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave NE fitness 14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE spa /bath 15 F lex S p a 76 4th S t N W Dining 9 10th& P iedmon t 991 Piedmont Ave NE 10 Camp ag nolo 980 Piedmont Ave NE 16 G’s M id t o w n 219 10 th S t NE 17 Henr y ’s 132 10 th S t NE 19 L a H acienda 900 Monroe Dr NE
NEW ONLINE CALENDAR of EVENTS
DAVID Magazine pg| 29 BAR
20 B J Roo s t er s 20 43 Cheshire Bridge Rd 22 Tr ipp s 1931 Piedmont Cir NE Dining 24 L a s M ar g ar i t a s Closed Temporarily 18 42 Cheshire Bridge Rd Retail 26 B ar k ing L e a t her 1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 27 S ou t her n Nig h t s 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd clu bs 28 Her e t ic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 29 Tok yo Valen t ino 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd Fitness 30 Gr avi t ee F i t ne s s 2201 Faulkner Rd NE BAR
32 Atlanta Eagle 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 33 Felix 's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 34 T he Hidea w ay 15 4 4 Piedmont Ave NE 35 M i x x 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 36 O sc ar 's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Retail 39 B oy Nex t Door 14 47 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Fitness 41 E quilibr ium F i t ne s s 1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L M ar y 's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE S i s t er L oui s a’s Chur ch 466 Edgewood Ave SE L ip s A t lan t a 3011 Buford Hw y NE The T 465 Boulevard SE 494 Plasters Ave NE Woo f 's
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User submitted . See page for details
Embracing Diversity
Atlanta’s Top LGBTQ+ Outdoor Destinations
Atlanta, Georgia, a vibrant metropolis known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and thriving LGBTQ+ community, offers an array of outdoor destinations that warmly welcome everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. From lush green spaces to buzzing urban spots, these LGBTQ+-friendly locations provide a safe and inclusive environment for all to explore and enjoy.
Piedmont Park
Nestled in the heart of Atlanta, Piedmont Park is an iconic green oasis that stands as a symbol of unity and acceptance. As one of the city’s most beloved outdoor destinations, the park plays host to numerous LGBTQ+ events and festivals throughout the year, including the Atlanta Pride Festival. With its scenic walking trails, tranquil lake, and recreational facilities, Piedmont Park offers a delightful escape from the urban hustle, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
ATLANTA BELTLiNE
The Atlanta BeltLine, an impressive urban redevelopment project, has become a focal point for LGBTQ+ gatherings and celebrations. This multiuse trail system connects diverse neighborhoods
and features vibrant art installations, beautiful parks, and lively community spaces. Embracing a progressive atmosphere, the BeltLine encourages all individuals to come together, enjoy outdoor activities, and revel in the city’s spirit of inclusivity.
CANDLER PARK
Located in the eclectic neighborhood of Little Five Points, Candler Park boasts a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ families and friends. The park offers excellent facilities for picnicking, sports, and leisure activities, and it frequently hosts events that celebrate Atlanta’s diverse LGBTQ+ community. From outdoor concerts to familyfriendly gatherings, Candler Park exemplifies the city’s commitment to equality and acceptance.
FREEDOM PARK
Situated just east of downtown Atlanta, Freedom Park is a popular spot for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking an inclusive outdoor experience. Known for its history of promoting social justice, the park features scenic trails, a playground, and a dog park, making it an ideal destination for families and friends to gather and enjoy the great outdoors.
EAST ATLANTA ViLLAGE
East Atlanta Village (EAV) stands out as a vibrant and LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood brimming with character. With an assortment of quirky shops, trendy bars, and delicious eateries, EAV is an excellent spot for LGBTQ+ individuals to socialize, explore, and experience Atlanta’s dynamic street culture.
BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com
227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS
893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com
736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com
66 12th St NE
X MIDTOWN xmidtown.com
990 Piedmont Ave NE
THE T modeltatlanta.com
465 Boulevard SE
CHESHIRE
HERETIC hereticatlanta.com
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com
2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in DAVID & visit their websites for weekly event listings.
SNAPS
WESTSIDE
MARQUETTE
868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
840ATL
840 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
ANSLEY
ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
WOOFS woofsatlanta.com
494 Plasters Ave NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD
MARY’S marysatlanta.com
1287 Glenwood Ave SE
SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH
sisterlouisaschurch.com
466 Edgewood Ave SE
DINING
MIDTOWN
CASA ALMENARA
991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com
HENRY’S henrysatl.com
132 10th St NE
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com
900 Monroe Dr NE
TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM
1745 Peachtree Rd NW
DEKALB
LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com
3011 Buford Hwy NE
RETAIL MIDTOWN
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com
1510 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO
2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ANSLEY
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com
1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta.com
1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
FITNESS
MIDTOWN
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness.com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE
GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS ADULT
FLEX SPA exspas.com
76 4th St NW
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Why are all the bottoms in Spain right now?over.
I’m sorry I was so weird the other night. That’s how I am every night.
Might wake up early and go for a jog. I may also win the lottery. Odds are about the same.
e exact speed at which I drive is the most correct, and everyone else is stupid and should lose their license.
Everybody hates math until that paycheck looks funny, and now y’all know calculus.
I mean y’all broke up 23 times, pressed charges, and blocked each other’s social media. But yeah… Happy anniversary!
Guys, please keep me in your thoughts. Nothing happened, I just want you to think about me.
