David Magazine V7-i06 | All About Love

I’m With Cupid!

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Speedo Santas do it in December, and now cupids in their sexiest Valentine’s outfits are running through Midtown in their undies for charity. It’s a sexy thing.

In February, thousands of undie runners come together to support people with NF, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves all over the body and affects 1 in 3,000 people. Runners will drink and dance, run a mile(ish), and end it all with a dance party!

Cupids who raise more than $250 at this year’s Cupid’s Undie Run will get amazing benefits. This year’s VIPs will get a Beer Only open bar at Eventide Brewing (pick from 20 drafts), exclusive swag, and a free concert featuring five of Atlanta’s hottest bands! That’s a party, a fun run, and a concert all in one day! And it’s all to fight Neurofibromatosis together.

How do the hunks of the Cupid Run stack up against those from the 5th Annual Atlanta Santa Speedo Run? Well, we suggest you line up and see for yourself – or maybe you want to in on the undie run fun?

See how you register to run at cupids.org. Whether you are an individual runner or part of a team, the entrance fee is $45, and you can donate more on top of that if you wish.

WHAT: Cupid Undie Run Atlanta

WHEN: February 11, 2023, 12-4 pm

WHERE: Eventide Brewing, 1015 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315

Register to run or donate at cupids.org.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

2023 TRIBUTES, VOLUME 2

DR. ELIJAH NICHOLAS

Dr. Elijah Nicholasis a 12-time published author, actor, and trans advocate. Assigned to the female sex at birth, Elijah spent almost half his life in the US Military as a woman. Retiring from the US Air Force as a Lt Col in 2012, Dr. Elijah now fully lives and embraces his core values: authenticity, integrity, and transparency. Dr. Elijah further resigned from his pastoral duties when he started his gender reassignment from female to male in 2018.

Dr. Elijah holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from The University of Phoenix, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Masters of Science in Leadership and Operational Art from Air University, a Masters of Art in Education Training & Leadership (MAET), and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Administration of Justice. Dr. Nicholas attended the Harvard Divinity Executive Education program in 2021.

Dr. Elijah currently serves on the Transgender Expansive Committee for OUT Georgia Business Alliance, the International Transgender Advisory Group for the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association’s Foundation, and the LGBTQIA+ Liaison for The Atlanta Veterans Administration Mental Health Advisory Committee.

As an author, Dr. Elijah created an LGBTQI+ friendly family and children’s book featuring Madoodle (aka Madison), a ten-year-old girl whose uncle Pete was once her favorite auntie Mary. Madoodle is based on Dr. Elijah’s personal experiences with family as he navigated his gender transition. Dr. Elijah creates stories of love, family, compassion, inclusion, awareness, and authenticity. As an actor, Dr. Elijah provides trans visibility in media and entertainment and can be seen in several films, television, and award shows.

As an advocate, Dr. Elijah delivers talks and training entailing authentic conversations around gender expression, LGBTQI+ inclusion, transgender awareness, and equitable employment for all.

Find more information about Dr. Elijah at www.ElijahNicholas.com.

All content provided by Miko Evans/Meak Productions Photos by Meak Probuctions, Mark Morin, Elijah Nicholas, PR

TYSHON LAWRENCE

With a global reach of over 20 million across all social media platforms our cover model, Tyshon Lawrence does it all: fashion, podcasting, comedy — he is the ultimate entertainer, constantly pushing boundaries and setting new norms. Tyshon stands out from the pack while coupling his bold personality to his liberated sense of style. In addition to comedy and fashion, Tyshon embraces authenticity as an LGBTQ+ influencer, positively impacting social media and his broader communities.

Tyshon has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Savage X Fenty, Michael Kors, YSL, and more. With his electric personality and contagious energy, he has turned his passion into his purpose (while loving every step along the way!)

Tyshon uses his robust platform to vocalize taking care of your mental health daily. Many people use social media to escape from the real world, but he advocates for taking everything you see with a grain of salt – you never know what someone is going through behind closed doors.

Born in North Carolina, Tyshon always knew from a young age that he meant to be doing something bold with his life; before hitting the ground running in the social media space, Tyshon worked three jobs at a time as a certified CNA Nurse. Even then, he used his infectious energy to help brighten the day of patients.

Photos courtesy by instagram

ANGELA DAVIS

Angela Yvonne Davis (born January 26, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American political activist, philosopher, academic, and author. She is a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Ideologically a Marxist and feminist, Davis was a longtime member of the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) and a founding member of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS). She is the author of more than ten books on class, gender, race, and the US prison system.

Born to an African-American family in Birmingham, Alabama, Davis studied French at Brandeis University and philosophy at the University of Frankfurt in West Germany. Studying under the philosopher Herbert Marcuse, an adherent of the Frankfurt School, Davis became increasingly engaged in far-left politics. Returning to the United States, she studied at the University of California, San Diego, before moving to East Germany, where she completed a doctorate at the Humboldt University of Berlin. After returning to the United States, she joined the Communist Party and became involved in numerous causes, including the second-wave feminist movement and the campaign against the Vietnam War. In 1969, she was hired as an acting assistant professor of philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). UCLA’s governing Board of Regents soon fired her due to her Communist Party membership; after a court ruled the firing illegal, the university fired her again, this time for her use of inflammatory language.

In 1970, guns belonging to Davis were used in an armed takeover of a courtroom in Marin County, California, where four people were killed. Prosecuted for three capital felonies, including conspiracy to murder, she was held in jail for over a year before being acquitted of all charges in 1972. She visited Eastern Bloc countries in the 1970s and, during the 1980s, was twice the Communist Party’s candidate for vice president; at the time, she also held the position of professor of ethnic studies at San Francisco State University. Much of her work focused on the abolition of prisons, and in 1997, she co-founded Critical Resistance, an organization working to abolish the prison–industrial complex. In 1991, amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union, she was part of a faction in the Communist Party that broke away to establish the CCDS. Also, in 1991, she joined the feminist studies department at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she became department director before retiring in 2008. Since then, she has continued to write and remained active in movements such as Occupy and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign.

Davis has received various awards, including the Soviet Union’s Lenin Peace Prize. Accused of supporting political violence, she has sustained criticism from the highest levels of the US government. She has also been criticized for supporting the Soviet Union and its satellites. Davis has been inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2020, she was listed as the 1971 “Woman of the Year” in Time magazine’s “100 Women of the Year” edition, which selected iconic women over the 100 years since women’s suffrage in the United States of America from 1920. In 2020, she was included on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

SEE THE FULL BIO ONLINE AT DAVIDATLANTA.COM

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Photos courtesy of Voices of Note

With the 2023 season, Voices of Note is not only planning spectacular shows and concerts. The organization has also started a partnership with the House of Heralds to promote the choruses and launch an ambitious capital campaign. DAVID spoke to David Aurilio, Interim Director for Voices Note, about the season ahead.

Although most people know about the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus, some may not know about Voices of Note. Can you tell us a little about it?

Voices of Note, the not-for-profit organization governing both choruses, is a catalyst for social change and was created in late 2012 as an umbrella under which the AGMC and any future programs would operate. The renowned Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and Atlanta Women’s Chorus comprise the largest community music organization in the Southeast. Each chorus presents three annual concert experiences defined by musical excellence and a commitment to promoting equality for all people. It provides an opportunity to be inspired, a journey to places in hearts and minds that have yet to be explored, and a voyage into the perspective of our neighbors, teachers, siblings, and friends. Above all, Voices of Note believes that the most effective way to deliver the message of equality for all people is with music. Through music, we are changing hearts and minds and hopefully opening hearts and minds as well!

You teased two upcoming concerts in a recent press release announcing the 2023 season. Tell us more! Two amazing shows that will truly resonate for ALL people navigating the hills and valleys of life. Our 2023 season begins with the Atlanta Women’s Chorus celebrating its 10th anniversary with its show “Finding Light and Resilience.” As the title suggests, songs elicit feelings of light and resilience in the human experience. Moving choral pieces such as “Where the Light Begins” by Susan LaBarr, “Does the World Say?” by Kyle Pederson, “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli, and “Song for Justice” by Kim Andre Arnesen represent both beauty and struggle.

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus premieres the “Songs of the Phoenix,” a large 10-movement choir work featuring original compositions by some of today’s most renowned composers like Stephen Schwartz, Ingrid Michaelson, and the late Stephen Sondheim. The piece will center on themes of triumph, rebirth, and joy, all of which are common responses to a devastating loss. The songs explore personal stories and anecdotes from the Lyricists and composers, reflecting their respective backgrounds in culture, religion, and the human experience. When tragedy strikes, we are given three choices: FIGHT, FLEE, or FREEZE. Songs of the Phoenix is about the beauty of the fight. It’s about the heart and the return of laughter, light, and the lifting of voices locked together in love and music. When we return to music, we ALL rise together!

Although they are a very unofficial part of Voices of Note, will the gals from the Ho Show also be gracing the stage this year?

Oh, the Gals are still around, and I have heard rumblings that something might be brewing! Since they are big fans of David Magazine, I promise you will be the first to know! You’ve been warned.

You’ve partnered with House of Heralds this year. Can you tell us more about the collaboration?

We’re thrilled to have House of Heralds join as our creative partner because we see the need to amplify the brand of Voices of Note by helping us tell the story and rich history of both choruses. Chris and his team are known for their outstanding creative capabilities and unique ability to connect with the LGBTQ community. The team at House of Heralds aligns perfectly with us in their commitment to serve those underrepresented audiences and help create equity and pride in the communities in which we live and work.

Besides promoting your concerts, another focus of the partnership with House of Heralds is an ambitious capital campaign. Can you tell us more?

For more than 42 years, the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and Atlanta Women’s Chorus have been an integral part of Atlanta’s artistic landscape, providing audiences with important and thought-provoking performance works and significant and impactful community service work. As we look ahead to the next 42 years, we recognize there is still so much to be done. The pandemic exposed many outdated and inefficient processes within our organization. We weathered the storm better than many other non-profit organizations through thoughtful leadership and innovative artistry. However, we recognize that to maintain our leading voice in Atlanta’s diverse arts community and to serve our members and donors more accurately and efficiently, this ask for help, and support must be intentional and focused. We’ve set this year’s campaign goal at $250,000 to help us begin fixing immediate needs and set the stage for larger future goals. Through the help of new and previous grants and a heightened concentration on corporate partnerships and individual giving, we’re confident that focusing on our mission and intention WILL create our reality.

Anything you’d like to add?

I truly believe that how you leave one situation is how you enter the next. This year, we are excited to continue to build on the momentum and high we left 2022 on, and a good practice is to always start in gratitude and recognition of our accomplishments from the previous year.

Visit www.voicesofnote.org for a complete listing of performance venues and ticket prices (participating show locations are subject to change). Use the handles @AGMC and @AWC to join the discussion on social media. Use #VON23, #AGMC23, and #AWC23 as the official hashtags.

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

Dining

BARS

BARS not on map

BARS

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

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.

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

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

FLEX SPA flexspas.com

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!

Dear DAVID

QI am in this beautiful relationship with a really great guy, and since the beginning, I felt like we really found each other, you know? There is one thing, though, that is starting to get to me, and that is his past. It seems that no matter what, he has already done it with past boyfriends or sex partners. I can’t help but think that I just don’t measure up to the apparently wild and crazy life he had before me. Don’t get me wrong, we have great sex, and our connection is real, but this is nagging at me. I haven’t told him about my feelings yet, and I want to try to move past this without ever letting him now that I am a little self-conscious. How do I do that?

AWhen you fall in love, one of the ‘perks’ and part of the appeal is that you kind of start fresh with a new person. It’s a wonderful and passionate part of the relationship where you feel like you’re alone in the world–but then the rest of the world and reality sets in. It seems like you are pretty open with each other, which has led to him (and you?) disclosing details of past relationships. As long as it is not used as a weapon, this can be a really great thing, and even deepen the connection between two people, or be the catalyst for even greater shared moments – except when that makes someone feel inadequate like you are feeling now. You can almost feel like you are left out of your own relationship because the person you love was (also) happy with someone before you.

The thing is, there is no allocation of happy, so even though your boyfriend was happy before you, that doesn’t impede on your present happiness. In fact, past experiences are probably the reason why he is with you now. So, take a second to wrap your head around that. He chose you. Keep the honesty and openness in your relationship and share with him how you feel about this. He loves you, and he will understand why this is bothering, and if he’s a superstar, he will even give you the reassurance that you are subconsciously looking for.

Gear Night

@ The Hideaway | February 8, 8 pm

Gear up for the February Gear Night and find to find that special person to give a Rose(bud) to.

BLESS YR HEART

@ Eyedrum Gallery | February 10 pm

Calling all cupids, QTs, and heartthrobs –come dance to your heart’s full content at the queer dance party with DJs La Superior and Corocnile.

Historic Theaters Expedition

@ Atlanta | February 11, 10 am – 5 pm

Go on a self-guided tour of some of Atlanta’s historic theaters, inclusing the Fox, Plaza, Grove,Balzer, and Academy Theatre. Tickets at georgiatrust.org.

Cupid’s Undie Run

@ Eventide Brewing | February 11, 12 pm

The 11th Annual Atlanta Cupid’s Undie Run to be held at the amazing Eventide Brewing near Grant Park! Come out, strip down, and run –or just enjoy the views of plenty of hunks and babes doing running! Tickets to register and run at cupids.org.

BREWHAHA! Drag Bingo

@ Wild Heaven Beer| February 11, 1-3 pm

TAYLOR ALXNDR hosts the Valentine’s Show and Newlywed Game with sprinkle of bingo on top.

Oysterfest

@ Park Tavern | February 11, 2-11 pm

It’s 2023, and it’s time to get shucked up at Atlanta’s Best Oysterfest as it returns to the Park Tavern in Piedmont Park.

SWITCH! Night of 1000 Rihannas!

@ My Sister’s Room | February 11, 8 pm

It’s time to SWITCH it up! In celebration of Rihannas Superbowl Halftime Show, Switch present you with a Night of a 1000 Rihannas.

Love On the Rocks

@ X Midtown | February 12, 4:30-7:30 pm

Come celebrate love just before the Superbowl festivities begin as Joining Herats kicks off their fundraising season.

SUPERBOWL WATCH PARTIES

Big Game Night

@ Woofs Atlanta | February 12, 4 pm

Come and watch the Big Game (you know what we’re talking about)! Woofs will have the game on all 30 TVs and the sound will be on in both rooms! Party starts at 4 pm with Jameson and Absolut reps fueling the party. Puppy bowl and kitty bowl will be shown earlier in the day!

Super Sunday Kick Off Party

@ The Hideaway| February 12, 5 pm

Your Super Bowl Sunday with starts at The Hideaway with free food, drink specials, surround Sound, and big TV views for the big game.

Game Day Party

@ Felix’s | February 12, 5 pm

The game of the season is here, and Felix’s has you covered with food, promotions, and more!

Superbowl Watch Party

@ Atlanta Eagle | February 12, 6:30 pm

Come for the game, watch the halftime show with Rihanna, and stay for all the fun!

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.

Before social media, you could just forget that someone existed completely. Good times!

I’m not a top. I’m just tall.

The key to looking amazing is looking shit most of the time, so it’s more of a surprise.

Oral sex ain’t sodomy, and I can prove it. Right here and right now.

When a gay guy tells me something about a celebrity, I believe it. I’m an ally.

Shout out to my best friend for always giving me the best advice, even though I don’t listen. I love you, and I’m sorry. Don’t give up!

“We’ve got over 50 craft beers on tap.” Oh nice, I’ll have a Miller Lite bottle, please.

When you’re in a bad mood, and someone says “cheer up,” like thanks Susan, I’ve never thought of that, I’m fine now, loving life…