David is back! We are very excited to announce that David Magazine is back after more than five years. We want to thank Peach for carrying the torch in that time and ensuring that Atlanta always had a weekly entertainment guide even through a global pandemic and economically challenging times.
The past years have taught us that we need to provide support and extra care for our community to keep it thriving and growing. So even though you may see David change a little in its transition from Peach, we will still center around providing you with the best content inspired and driven by the voices in our community.
With the shift to David, we will be continuously committed to providing you with the premier weekly guide to all things gay in Atlanta.
We want to publish the best version of David yet and work with you to do just that. So, get in touch with us if you’re going to promote an event, have an idea for a story, or want to launch your business with us – we can’t wait to show you what we have in store for you!
Have ideas for content?
Please email Mikkel at mikkel@davidatlanta.com
Want to promote your event or business?
Please contact Russell at russell@davidaatlanta.com
Comments or feedback?
Please email Mikkel at mikkel@davidatlanta.com
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Lost-n-Found Youth is starting 2023 out strong with various new initiatives, affecting their thrift store and drop-in center. DAVID spoke to Director of Development Randall Burks about all the exciting changes and their invitation to see it all at an open house event on January 30.
Lost-n-Found Youth has started the year strong. Please give us a quick overview of your thrift store and new drop-in center changes.
We wanted to expand the services offered at our thrift store and be more centrally located. We will still service drop-ins at our shelter if they stop in but with the services offered, pantry and clothing vouchers, for example, being located at the thrift store, we reimagined an all-in-one location for our youth.
Can you provide us with more detail on what changes have been made to the thrift store?
We began the renovations by moving our production and sort process to the back of the building, where we take donations. This emptied the much-needed space at the front of the building for our dropin center. The drop-in area houses a bathroom, shower, washer & dryer, a small kitchen area, and space to charge equipment, apply for jobs, or schedule services with our outreach coordinator.
Tell us about the new drop-in center. Is it relocating from the youth center in Grant Park?
We are relocating the drop-in center, but we will not turn away people that happen to drop in at the Grant Park location.
Tell us about your open house event on January 30 and why it is so significant. The entire thrift store has been reimagined and changed, along with the addition of the drop-in center. We felt it was important to reintroduce the space to those that had not shopped in some time or those who had simply never shopped in the store. We are looking to broaden our base of supporters and allies. It makes sense for us to invite the public in to see the changes and to tell our story. We are an organization dedicated to ending
homelessness for all LGBTQ+ youth by providing them with the skills and support needed to live independently.
What other initiatives have you planned for 2023?
We want to continue to grow our services and capacity as we search for larger space to serve more youth. Growth of services offered and youth supported is a critical driver for our organization in the coming year.
How can we help to support your mission to end LGBTQ+ homelessness? Helping us communicate our message to an ever-growing audience is vastly important.
Lost-n-Found is hosting its Open House on January 30 between 6-8 pm to celebrate the relocation of the dropin center. In addition, they will offer an exclusive shopping experience in the newly redesigned thrift store with light bites, cocktails, and 50% off your entire purchase.
As one of the largest providers of care for the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia, AvitaCare is improving its patient experience with the acquisition of AbsoluteCare. It is not only a refresh but an improved patient experience, according to Executive Medical Director at AvitaCare, Joel Rosenstock, MD, MPH, who underlines why it is essential to choose a pharmacy specializing in LGBTQ+ care.
First, tell us how you got started in this field.
My name is Joel Rosenstock, MD, MPH, and I am the Executive Medical Director at AvitaCare Atlanta in Buckhead. I established this clinic, formerly known as AbsoluteCare Medical Center and Pharmacy, in 2000 in an effort to offer choices to many people living with HIV who had limited options for care in Atlanta. The clinic has grown over the 23 years of operation to be one of the largest care providers for the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia.
Tell us about the transformation the medical center and pharmacy, now AvitaCare, has undergone in the last couple of months.
Avita Care Solutions acquired AbsoluteCare just over 100 days ago and has significantly improved the clinic’s patient experience. From a refresh of the office to moving the pharmacy to improve patient access, the excitement is palpable among the staff that Avita is dedicated to our community and is helping us continue the excellent service to our people and improve the patient experience.
What will the relaunch mean to those you serve?
Our clientele will see a difference in the ease of making appointments, simpler ways to get their medication refills, and improved access to their care team.
Why is it essential for the community to have a pharmacy specializing in LGBTQ+ care?
Having a pharmacy that is experienced in dealing with the LGBTQ+ population is essential in delivering compassionate, empathetic, and knowledgeable pharmacy services. Avita is experienced in delivering gender-affirming care in a nonjudgmental and open fashion.
What are some recurring challenges or disparities that LGBTQ+ people face concerning healthcare?
Stigma and inherent biases often hinder the care of the LGBTQ+ population. That never occurs at AvitaCare Atlanta and never will.
With the relaunch, how have you improved your healthcare options?
The community can more easily access the clinic, including our new walk-in STI clinic. Soon, we’ll offer a new outreach, testing, and connection to care for treatment and access to PrEP.
What do you hope to achieve with AvitaCare in the next year?
In the next year, we will continue delivering superb compassionate evidence-based care to our patients, increasing access with same-day STI screening, testing, and PrEP initiatives.
How can our readers get started using an LGBTQ+ pharmacy?
We are always open to accepting new patients. Readers can call for an appointment to transfer or start their care with one of our providers.
Call 404-231-4431. We are happy to see people looking to receive care for their HIV infection, those seeking gender-affirming care, anyone solely needing primary care for other comorbidities, and those seeking care in our Long COVID Clinic.
The clinic has been around for almost a quarter of a century delivering empathetic, compassionate, non-stigmatizing care to people from all walks of life. The clinic has won awards and has been recognized as an HIV Center of Excellence by the Georgia Department of Public Health, and individual practitioners have been recognized as “Best of Atlanta.” We look forward to continuing this legacy in the future.
-Get started at avitacareatlanta.com.
joel rosenstockAre you looking to lose weight? Lift weights. Looking to get strong? Lift weights. Looking to put on size? Lift weights.
It’s the new year, and you’ve made the resolution to get in better shape. What a fantastic goal to give yourself! You’ve joined a gym, perhaps for the first time, but now what? You walk in, and you see a ton of machines that look like torture contraptions. You glance over to a wall of giant dumbbells you’ve ever seen. And you look around, and everyone seems to know what they are doing and working really hard at it. Now, what do you do?
No matter your fitness goals, lifting weights or some form of resistance training is necessary to achieve any of those goals. Why is this? Building muscle makes you stronger. Building muscle can add on lean pounds. And building muscle will help your body lose weight - even better than cardiowhen combined with a diet that comprises fewer calories than your body burns each day and incorporates protein in each meal.
Where to start?
The entire experience can be intimidating when walking into a gym for the first time. Too many choices. Not enough information on what to do or how to do it. If it’s your first time in a gym and they offer a complimentary session with a trainer, take them up on the offer. Even better if you can afford to hire a trainer for at least your first few sessions. If those aren’t an option, ask a buddy that already lifts weights if you can join them in working out. Even if they are way more advanced and lifting heavy weights, it doesn’t matter. Ask questions, watch their form, and pay attention to
how they group exercises together for a workout. And understand that it is NOT about how much weight you can lift but how well you can lift a weight you’re comfortable with while you learn proper form.
Whenever I start with a client new to lifting weights and new to getting in shape, I always start with an introduction to basic non-weighted movements for the first couple of sessions to get their body accustomed to the natural resistance of their body weight. This is definitely the time to follow the KISS maxim - keep it simple, stupid.
This is where working out with a knowledgeable friend or a fitness trainer is helpful to get down your form. Forget “weights” as you start your learning process. Get to know your body and its mechanics first. YouTube has a plethora of great videos by all sorts of fitness trainers - just make sure you’re looking at beginner calisthenic-type workouts to start. Forget the fancy-looking advanced stuff. A time will come for that, but it’s about starting with the basics.
When trying out these first bodyweight exercises, trust that it does not matter how many reps (or repetitions) you accomplish your first few times. Three push-ups. One pull-up. Five dips. Ten walking lunges. Whatever. The quantity does not matter. Getting your body accustomed to new
ways of being stretched and moving is first and foremost. Quantity will come with repetition over time. The quality of your form is what’s most important.
Here are some great examples of bodyweight exercises that you can do to start gaining strength: push-ups, pull-ups (assisted), bench dips, walking lunges, and crunches.
What else to do as you start your introduction to gym workouts? Never forget stretching and cardio. I usually like to have clients start with 5-10 minutes on the treadmill, walking with a slight incline at a brisk pace. This is not about running and overexerting yourself. It’s merely a way to warm up your cardiovascular system and muscles to prepare for your training. At the end of your workout, you can finish with 10–20 minutes of the same cardio or a different one, like an elliptical machine or stair climber, if you want some variety.
Stretching is also essential, and one of the things first-time gym goers skip overeither because they don’t really know basic stretching and feel stupid doing it or are so anxious, they just wanna get the heck out of the gym. Don’t let that get in your way. Push through. Stretching will begin the process of making you more limber as well as help alleviate any tightness built up doing exercises for the first time. Again, start with the basics - think of the few things you remember from PE class in elementary school and do them. Watch an intro to stretching video to learn the different stretches and breathing techniques to get the most out of your time on the mat.
Try this for the first week or two to acclimate your body to your new exercise routine. Then it will be time to continue your calisthenics and begin to use free weights (dumbbells, barbells, machines). Hopefully, you’ve spent the time learning from a friend or trainer how to do the basics with proper form. It will make the next steps into weight training much easier, and you’ll be far less prone to burnout and injuries.
With over 20 years of experience, Jay Knowlton brings his training expertise to you. Jay’s pursuit of health and wellness extends beyond the gym environment, utilizing a three-pronged approach through exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness. Jay is available for one-on-one and couples training at Gravity Fitness
On the last day of the year, at the stroke of midnight, the mantra “New Year, New Me” becomes widely adopted. While most of us are guilty of subscribing to this four-word phrase year after year, the query arises, what makes the “New Me”? Are we working out five days a week and hiring a personal trainer to push us into peak physical condition? Are we practicing better mental health and finding inner peace? Or are we gearing up for greater financial prosperity and setting ourselves up for yearly success, continuously adding more green to our wallets? Whichever version of “New Year, New Me” you want to take on this year, consider your first choice to be “New Year, More Green.” Kick it into high gear this year with these tips on how to make 2023 your greenest year yet!
Coming up with a budget and sticking to it might seem quite daunting. Reviewing your monthly, quarterly, or even your yearly finances can either bring a sigh of relief or feel like a slap in the face. If you have a budget and believe you stick to it, then perfect – you’re on the right track. If you are someone who does not have a budget or needs to reevaluate their current one, there’s no better time than the present.
First and foremost, you need to have an overall scope of what you are spending each month. There are dozens of ways to categorize your expenses; utility bills, credit card debt, student loans, personal loans, vacations, subscriptions, groceries, charities, etc. Pull your financial statements, analyze each month, and put each transaction in its corresponding category. Looking at each month, and your overall year, where can you cut back on spending? In what category are you spending the most? Do you have any additional funds to contribute to a savings account?
If you spend cash only and do not typically utilize a bank to make purchases, you can still create a budget and track your expenses. Keep your receipts each time you buy something, and add up the cost of each category at the end of the month. A good spending baseline can be seen after tracking for at least three months.
For the technology-savvy and convenience-seeking individuals, most banking institutions have created bankbranded budget snapshots for you to view on the go and in the moment. Other download utilities include Mint, YNAB
Whether you follow financial gurus, use the 20/30/50 method, decide to only spend the cold hard cash in your wallet, or want to thrive off your color-coded excel sheet, through trial and error, it is up to you how you decide to maintain a personalized budget.
“Do you know your credit score?” This question can make even the most financially sound person shake in their Gucci loafers. Surprisingly, many consumers do not understand their credit score and what factors can make or break it. What’s the big deal, you ask? Well, you need credit to purchase big-ticket items and be approved for a loan or credit card. Needless to say, it’s a piece of the financial puzzle that should be taken seriously.
There are three credit reporting agencies/bureaus in the U.S. that calculate what is called your FICO (the Fair Isaac Corporation) score. FICO collects information from your credit report from either of the three bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) and develops a credit score based on your credit report published by each agency. Being that there are three competing agencies, it is common for your credit reports and scores to differ by agency. Your score can range from 300 to 850 but can change over time based on how you utilize your credit. Financial institutions rate 300 as ‘very poor’ and 850 as ‘exceptional .’The current average score in the U.S. is 716, which is considered ‘good.’
So, what impacts your score? When a company is calculating your score from your credit report, the following are considered: current unpaid debt, the volume of credit applications submitted in your name, bill-paying history, availability of credit being currently used, number of loans you have, and what kind, length of time loan accounts have been opened and any debt sent to collections, foreclosure or bankruptcy and when.
To keep your credit score trending upward, it’s important to keep your credit usage to about 10% of your available limit, pay your bills on time, and limit the number of open debt accounts. If you’re working to rebuild or starting from scratch, consider applying for a secured credit card and using them responsibly by purchasing small items like gas or groceries. By utilizing a secure card and making your payments on time, you can easily see a boost in your score
within several months. Track your score using your online banking profile, apps like Credit Karma, or by subscribing directly to one of the bureaus’ programs.
What’s the most expensive purchase you can make in your life but gain the most significant return? Property, of course! Real estate is one of the best ways to establish and sustain financial wealth. The act of purchasing property may feel like a complete emotional roller coaster, but it can leave you flying high with outstanding equity.
There are a few ways you can go about building your real estate portfolio. The first step is to decide what type of property you’re interested in purchasing. Singlefamily, multi-family, townhouse, condominium, or even land can all act as your jumping-off point. Second, find a realtor you trust. Developing a relationship with a realtor whom you trust to help educate and assist you in making a sound decision around real estate is paramount. Ask questions of each other and work together to find what you are looking for — this is your investment and your dollars being spent, and your realtor should take that seriously. Lastly, connect with a mortgage lender who can provide you with all the financial information required before taking the leap and making an offer to a seller. Your lender will be able to qualify you for a pre-approval amount based on your financial standing and be your sounding board when you have burning questions on property taxes, insurance, mortgage payment, interest rate, etc.
The last couple of years created a very interesting real estate market for both buyers and sellers. While we are now experiencing a time of increased cost of living, property owners can take solace in knowing their mortgage expense will not follow the inflation trend. Property taxes and utilities can increase in cost over time; however, your mortgage payment remains constant. When you are the renter of a property, you face the volatile game of increased rent payments or lousy landlords who, at a moment’s notice, can dictate your living situation. Why pay someone else to live in their home when you can pay yourself to live in your home?
If you are already a homeowner and are interested in getting into the investment game, second to your budget, consider purchase location. Where do you want to buy and later sell or lease? What area will give you the greatest return or provide a long-term lease investment? Get connected with your favorite realtor and discover up-and-coming neighborhoods, areas seeing an influx in relocations, and where economic development is on the rise. Let your Realtor and lending institution guide you on your path to assembling a robust real estate portfolio. Investment properties can provide you with the opportunity of generating a residual monthly income, which you can then allocate to other investments or simply add a little green to your wallet.
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
“What do you like about your body?”
That’s typically one of the first questions that therapist, life coach, author, PrEP promoter, and longtime HIV activist Damon L. Jacobs asks his guests on his YouTube show, “Tub Talks With Damon L. Jacobs.” This query is posed while Jacobs and his guests (mostly men, but sometimes women, too) are naked and sitting inches from each other in a sudsy bathtub.
The series allows people like a U=U proponent (Randy Davis), a sex writer (Alexander Cheves), a “thickfluencer” (Alex Borsa), a journalist and ACT UP legend (Liz Highleyman), and even one of President Obama’s HIV experts (Greg Millett) to talk about everything from self-esteem to selfcare to substance abuse to sex positivity. “Tub Talks,” now with dozens of episodes available, is the latest feather in Jacobs’ cap, a New Yorkbased marriage and family therapist who first became known in HIV circles for his early support of PrEP and U=U knowledge. Jacobs spoke to us recently about the origin of “Tub Talks” and why so many people let loose when their clothes come off.
Tell us about your work as a therapist and the kind of folks you specialize in helping. I have been proudly serving the LGBT community as a psychotherapist since 1996, in private practice in New York City in 2010. My work utilizes facets of cognitive behavioral therapy, Buddhism and a little bit of Cher, to help people experience peace, power and pleasure in their daily lives.
How did you get connected with the HIVpositive community?
I came out as a teenager in the 1980s, at a time when AIDS was devastating our community. I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1990 where I loved and lost several friends, coworkers, lovers, clients, roommates, to AIDS. It seemed incumbent on me to challenge my training as a traditional “therapist” i.e., the kind that sits on their ass in an office all day. If I was going to take my role seriously as a healer, it means standing up, getting out, acting up, fighting back, doing something, anything, to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. I started volunteering facilitating “Rubberward Parties” on college campuses in 1991 and have just continued to work/volunteer in HIV prevention in some capacity ever since.
Your “Tub Talks” series is incredible. Where did the idea spring from?
Thank you! I originally got the idea from a friend of mine in San Francisco, Mike Enders, who did his own bathtub series in the early 2010s. I got to be a guest on one of his last shows and it was the most fun interview I ever had. I thought — what a wonderful way to talk about ideas, hopes, dreams, struggles, by sitting naked in a bathtub with another person! When I turned 50-years-
old in 2021 I wrote an online series about the 50 Lessons that helped me to get older with power, purpose, and pleasure (50lessonsof50. com). It was while writing this series that Covid vaccines became widely accessible, rates were coming down, and I was reminded that New York City is home to some of the most interesting individuals in the world. Actors, activists, healers, leaders, educators, entertainers, AIDS historians — wouldn’t it be interesting to capture their experiences and words of wisdom on video? Wouldn’t it be fun to listen to their experiences of aging, healing, grieving, celebrating sexual empowerment, creative expression, while taking a bath together? In the summer of 2021, I asked a few friends if they would be willing to come take a bath with me and almost all said yes. I started airing these interviews on September 13, 2021, and from there the momentum went forward.
Yet another source of inspiration was the fact that I continuously go to HIV conferences where people sit around and say, “Why can’t we get people to use PrEP? How do we get people to learn about U=U?” And I’m like — maybe it’s time to try to not do the same thing over and over again and expect different results! What if we communicated and taught about sexual health and pleasure in creative ways that aren’t being done by hundreds of other people? That was part of it as well — could I deliver education and information in a way that is innovative and entertaining? I’m trying!
Have to ask: Have all your guests actually been naked? Yes. Except for one.
Do conversations flow easier while folks are squeezed together with little to no clothes on? Conversations flow so much more naturally when we are naked! Whether it’s in a bathtub, on a beach, by a pool, in a bed. People’s minds and thoughts are so much freer when they are not being encumbered by clothes. I have done so many bullshit interviews in my time — I used to do some red carpet stuff at the Daytime Emmys and at the GLAAD awards. Those are absolute piffle — they rarely contain any meaning or depth. It’s three minutes of me asking people how they’re feeling and who they are wearing. So I reevaluated during Covid — if I ever was to do interviews again they have to be real, not fake.
Talk a little about how different life is now than two years ago — you’re hosting a bathtub series now and in 2020 we couldn’t even be in the same room as strangers. Right, so this is one of the reasons I waited until 2021 to start filming. I really wanted to start the series back in 2018 but at the time I was too busy with my private practice and traveling/teaching about PrEP to commit adequate time to the tub. Then Covid hit — and that clearly was not an ideal time either. But by the time I started shooting the first episodes in the summer of 2021, everyone
had access to the vaccines. So shooting interviews in 2022 is delightfully different from anything we could have done safely in 2020, and I’m just so grateful that science and technology made it possible for us to connect and take baths together again. “No masks, no underwear.”
How are you feeling about the state of HIV right now? Are you hopeful with some of the advances, like injectables and Covid research, or discouraged that we’re not yet at a vaccine or cure stage?
I don’t get discouraged so much as I’m a realist. I’ve been working in this field for 31 years. It was dubious then that we would ever have a vaccine or a cure for HIV, and it’s pretty dubious now. Are there strides forward? Yes. Are there incredible people working their asses off to make that happen, yes. Is there sufficient money and funding to make it happen — as far as I know, yes. But HIV is a very tricky virus to cure and I’m not sure I’ll see a cure or an effective vaccine in my lifetime. Meanwhile — injectable PrEP allows you to reduce your risk of acquiring HIV by nearly 100 percent and all you have to do is get a shot every eight weeks. What is the effective difference between that and a vaccine?
My hope rests more in people understanding and utilizing biomedical interventions to embrace sexual health and pleasure. We have three FDAapproved ways of using PrEP now, and more than 50 FDA-approved medications that help someone living with HIV become undetectable. Some of those drugs only have to be taken once a day. When someone is undetectable they are untransmittable, meaning they cannot give HIV to their sexual partners (“U=U”). When I see people organizing, celebrating, and connecting around their joy of sexual empowerment, that is where I feel hope, that is where I’ve witnessed substantial change.
Neal Broverman is the editorial director of Plus magazine. This column is a project of TheBody, Plus, Positively Aware, POZ and Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ+ wire service. Visit their websites –thebody.com, hivplusmag.com, positivelyaware. com and poz.com – for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS.
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 fb.com/XMidtownX 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.
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
10TH & PIEDMONT SOMETHING NEW COMING SOON
991 Piedmont Ave NE
G’S gsmidtown.com
219 10th St NE
HENRY’S henrysatl.com
132 10th St NE
LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com
900 Monroe Dr NE
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
1447 Piedmont Ave NE
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com
1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
FITNESS
MIDTOWN
URBAN BODY FITNESS
urbanbodyfitness.com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE
GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS ADULT
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76 4th St NW
EMAIL info@D A vi DA t LA nt A .co M for fr EE BUSI n ESS LIS t I n G S t HE r E IS roo M for Y o U!
QEvery year, I do the same: I make all these resolutions about exercising more, eating better, and just being an overall better person. This year, I included a resolution about not hooking up with that many guys and seeking quality over quantity. But as with every year, my resolutions don’t last for long, and I end up hating myself for not being able to keep these promises to myself. So far, I’m doing great on the exercise and diet portion, but I have had so much casual sex already. I feel like I let myself down. How can I make changes that will last?
ASo many of us roll into the new year with a list of resolutions and that “new year, new me” mindset. Never mind that the list of resolutions is the same as last year, now is the time for “new YOU!” And just as many end up letting those resolutions down and return to our old habits feeling defeated. But here’s the thing, a resolution is nothing but a decision made in a mindful moment, and that’s it. If you think of it, it’s more like a quick fix to a larger overall process in your life, and that doesn’t come as easy as making a resolution–and that’s why so many resolutions are unfulfilled! Goals, on the other hand, are much more concrete and they are not tied a particular time of year like a new year’s resolution.
When it comes to your wish to hook up less and have more meaningful connections, you may want to start with examining why you end up with casual hookups. If you start thinking of this as a process and not something to merely spring into effect because of a resolution, then you may learn to shift your focus onto self-discipline and self-awareness. There’s no way around the fact that significant self-change requires motivation and work, but that work also leads to confidence and self-improvement.
Kai Lin Art Presents Paper Boxes
@ Atlanta Eagle | January 27, 5 pm
Kai Lin Art is pleased to announce their first exhibition for 2023, PAPER BOXES: a solo exhibition featuring ten new artworks from Asheville-based artist Kevin Palme.
Heretic Harness Party w/DJ Brian Rojas
@ The Heretic | January 27, 10 pm – 3 am
Deep South and La Choloteca resident DJ, Brian Rojas, will be spinning all night at the Harness Party. Come out, wear your best harness, dance the night away to some sexy house beats.
Front Runners Atlanta Membership Drive
@ Woofs Atlanta | January 28, 2-5 pm
Want to run your first 5k, train for a marathon, or want a healthy social outlet? Come out and learn what Front Runners is all about! Join us for food, socializing, and become part of the community.
Felix’s SOUPerstar!
@ Felix’s | January 28, 4 pm
It’s cold and wintry, so let’s get some soup goin’! Felix’s is trying to find a real souperstar, so let’s keep our tummies warm and decide the winner!
Gear After Dark
@ The Atlanta Eagle | January 28, 9 pm
Come out to the first Gear After Dark in the new year and get over your MAL blues by showing off all your new gear.
Bearracuda Atlanta Winter Beef Ball 2023
@ The Heretic | January 28, 10 pm – 3 am
Bearracuda is back in Atlanta to kick off 2023!
The first Bearracuda of the year welcomes back DJ Paul Goodyear from Sydney so you can cruise and socialize all night!
Luxx Noir London at MSR
@ My Sisters Room | January 28, 10 pm
Luxx Noir London from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15 is headlining at My Sister’s Room. Don’t miss this drag show and dance party with some of Atlanta’s best drag entertainers.
The Gaga Ball
@ The Basement | January 28, 10 pm – 3 am
A whole night of music and fashion inspired by Mother Monster herself. Calling all Little Monsters! The winter Gaga Ball is here! Let’s have some fun, this beat is sick!
Bottom’s Up! Drag Brunch with Luxx Noir London @ City Winery | January 29, 1 pm
Enjoy this boozy drag brunch featuring special guest Luxx Noir London from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15! Tickets at citywinery.com.
Cabbage Patch
@ Wild Heaven Beer| January 29, 1-3 pm ARIES ALXNDR & the House of ALXNDR invite you to Cabbage Patch – a family-friendly drag show, open to all ages.
LET’S EAT! Queer Community Potluck
@ Neighborhood Church | January 29, 2-6 pm Southern Fried Queer Pride and Neighborhood Church invite to join the community potluck.
Dita Von Teese: GLAMONATRIX
@ Tabernacle Atlanta | January 29, 7 pm
The queen of pinup glamour and sexy burlesque comes to the Tabernacle with tantalizing show that will awaken your senses.
Atlanta All Stars Week 3
@Future Atlanta | January 31, 9-11 pm
The 7-week drag competition to name Atlanta’s top all-star is in its third week. Hosted by LaLa and judged by Phoenix, Tahjee Iman Star, and Niesha Dupree, 11 contestants will compete for the title and a cash prize of $10,000.
We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’
Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
Bold and fitting that you save GRINDR in your games folder on your phone
“Don’t make me use my power bottom voice!”
Gay culture is rejecting a gay romcom but embracing a movie about a murdering doll.
On weekends I identify as He/Him/Hole
Two things that are always true about me and the party: I’m running late, and I will leave early.
He thinks he’s kinda famous in this town, but we all know it’s because he is just a slut.
He is so into you that you’ll be wiping condensation off your c*ck later
