Peach Magazine Issue v3_i39 - The Double Pride 2019 Issue

COVER - Page1

WILD AND FABLED

404.873.2664 1447 PIEDMONT AVE NE BOYNEXTDOORMENSWEAR.COM

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2, 2019

V3-39 PEACH ATL MEDIA, LLC 925b Peachtree St. NE #168 Atlanta, GA 30309

MANAGING PARTNER

34

22

Brian Sawyer brian@peachatl.com

OPERATIONS Jeff Anderson Sales and Development Director

jeff@peachatl.com

EDITORIAL Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director

64

mikkel@peachatl.com

90

Brian Sawyer Graphics

Jessica Watson Graphics

EVENT MARKETING

From the Editor

Thomas Le

It looks like Atlanta is outdoing itself again this year when it comes to putting on a memorable Pride festival. The city will experience more parties than ever – check out the lineup on pages 66-67 – and every bar, club, and restaurant will be clad in the rainbow and supersize their shows to celebrate. I can’t wait!

tomthomas@peachatl.com

Another thing I can’t wait for: meeting all of our readers in the park when they stop by at our booth. This year, we’ll have plenty of magazines to give away, the photo booth is in place, and we have several exciting giveaways and visitors at the booth, which we will announce on social media during Pride. So stop by!

andrea@peachatl.com

Finally, I hope you enjoy this double issue of Peach, which will be out for two weeks, so we can fully promote and highlight everything that’s going on, and you have plenty of time to delve into all of the fantastic content we have curated for you. Bianca del Rio, Kristin Chenoweth, and local legends Vicki Powell, and Ruby Redd are but a few of the profiles we cover in this issue.

SALES | DISTRIBUTION Andrea Dwyer

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Kevin Assam Mark Dawson Darren Floro-Bryant Jeff Fuller Jamie Kirk

And that is, of course, not all, so enjoy this Pride issue of Peach!

Mirza Muftic

HAPPY PRIDE!

Gregg Shapiro

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director IG @hyldebrandt

NATIONAL AD REP

ONLINE

peachatl.com

Mick Sandoval

Rivendell Media 908.232.202

PRINT

At Distribution Points Across the City

SOCIAL

FB:facebook.com/peachatlmag

The content of Peach ATL Media is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed by any writer, advertiser, or other person appearing in the Peach ATL Media are not necessarily those of this publication, its management or staff. The information and materials appearing in the magazine are not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered for a particular purpose. It shall be your responsibility to ensure that any products, services, or information available through Peach ATL Media meets your specific requirements. Peach ATL Media is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, content of information, changes, events, and schedules. The magazine contains information and material which is owned by or licensed to Peach ATL Media, including but not limited to articles, advertisements, design, layout, graphics, and logos. No part or portion of Peach ATL Media may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Unauthorized use of Peach ATL Media may give rise to claims for damages and or criminal offenses. Your use of the information or materials in Peach ATL Media is strictly at your own risk.

8 | 10.02.19

WHAT

10th Anniversary Atlanta Pride Official Kickoff

WHEN

Friday, October 11, 7 pm – 12 am

WHERE

Georgia Aquarium Tickets ($45 general admission only) at georgiaaquarium.org/atlantapride.

As a decade-long tradition, the Georgia Aquarium opens its doors to officially kick off the Atlanta Pride weekend with an incredible party on more levels in the Aquarium Atrium and Oceans Ballroom. General admission tickets ($45) include two drinks, beats by DJ Drew G, DJ Mike Pope and DJ Ree De La Vega, and access to the Dolphin Celebration show. A cash bar is available, and the Café Aquaria will be open – unless you have one of the coveted (and sold out) Lounge Admission tickets where you get light bites and premium open bar.

| Atlanta Pride Parade 2018 GEORGIA POWER EMPLOYEES

We’re only as powerful as the people we empower.

We believe it is our differences that make us stronger. That’s why we are committed to growing a workforce that’s as diverse as the communities we serve. Southern Company and Georgia Power are proud to be named one of the Best Places to Work by the Human Rights Campaign, scoring 100% on their 2019 Corporate Equality Index. Of course, it is not about the recognition. It is about striving for a better Georgia, one we can all be proud of.

Learn more at georgiapower.com/diversity.

©2019 Georgia Power. All rights reserved.

Midnight Train ATL Presents SWEAT and PRIDE XL

Heretic Pride Events

Midnight Train ATL, who introduced the world-famous Papa party at last year’s Pride, brings you an even bigger party lineup to keep you celebrating Pride all weekend long. Friday night will have you SWEAT at the incredible Believe Music Hall to the sound of international DJ Rick Braile (Brazil) and the sight of GoGo boys flown in especially for this event.

A cutting-edge light and laser show along with a state-of-the-art sound system, will have you dancing all night long. Saturday night, the Pride celebration goes XL at a brand-new venue – The Cellar – where the repurposed basement will be transformed into a high-energy dance party with a topnotch laser show, and DJ Oscar Velazquez and the international Go-Go boys will work you into a frenzy.

True to form, the Heretic is packing the Pride weekend full of events and parties that will have you staying out until Monday and even takes you to the park for a Tea Dance! It all begins with the official aquarium after party on Friday night where superstar DJ and producer GBP (Greece) will take you on into the night. Saturday night, Mike Pope will open the dancefloor followed by DJ Cindel (Chicago) who surely pack the Heretic to the rafters. Sunday, the Heretic’s Allan Collins and Keith Young will host a Tea Dance in the Park before DILF takes over the Heretic with their Pride celebration.

A portion of the proceeds from both parties will benefit the Atlanta LGBTQ Institute.

Tickets ($35-$74) via Eventbrite.

WHAT

WHAT

SWEAT

PRIDE XL

WHEN

Friday, October 11, 9 pm – 4 am

WHERE

Believe Music Hall

12 | 10.02.19

WHEN

Saturday, October 12, 10 pm – 4 am

WHERE

The Cellar, 150 Carnegie Way NW

See the full lineup of Heretic events on the foldout on the cover of this issue.

Y

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Pride for me is a lot of fun and celebration, which translates into long days in the park connecting with readers, handing out thousands of magazines, and attending events and parties from start to finish.

I can’t wait, but I also need all the help I can get to look and feel refreshed after those long days and nights - and these favorites will help me do just that.

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editor-in-Chief mikkel@peachatl.com IG: @hyldebrandt

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Photo: PR, LaRue Caillet

HAT HEAD

PRIDE BUZZ

TRANSITIONAL FRAGRANCE

If last night got a little late, and you want to sleep in just minutes more, don’t worry about your hair and wear a hat.

These fun, stylish, and totally upcycled hats made from coffee burlap sacks are an excellent alternative to caps.

Every year ABETTERBUZZ Brand Goods creates a unique Pride design for a limitededition Pride collection. I love Buzz Busbee’s graphic flair, and I’ll be wearing this year’s retro-styled GAYTL T-shirt too.

I am in love with the fragrance brand Byredo, and this year I discovered their Bal d’Afrique – it’s subtly spicy, but balmy scent notes are perfect to transition from Summer to Fall.

ABETTERBUZZ Brand Goods Pride 2019 T-Shirt, $30 (available at abetterbuzzbrandgoods.com)

Byredo

Re-Hats Berlin Café Olé Hat, $65 (Available at Boy Next Door Menswear)

Bal d’Afrique eau parfum, $175

de

BE TRUE TO YOU FEET

PATCH IT UP

REHYDRATE AND REPLENISH

These limited edition Nike Air Max ‘Be True’ sneakers are practically nowhere to be found, but I wish I had them to cushion my feet for either working in the park or going out at night!

With long nights on the dancefloor and early days in the park at our booth, I will need a little extra to look refreshed.

These eye gel patches will cool, moisturize, and firm up the eye area where signs of being tired will manifest themselves first. I may need more than one pack!

I love coconut water, and if you’re dealing with a little hangover, it will rehydrate you really well. And once you’re done replenishing, it tastes so good with a shot tequila as well!

Nike Air Max ‘Be True’ Sneakers, $105

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Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, $32

Naked Coconut Water, $21 (12pack on Amazon)

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18 | 10.02.19

Bianca Del Rio Floats Too, B*tches

By Chris Azzopardi Photo: Rene Koala

Bianca Del Rio is in Stockholm on her It’s Jester Joke comedy tour, still subject to the fraught human realities of traveling despite her top-tier queen status. And packing – don’t remind her. “As a drag queen, you travel with so much shit,” says Del Rio (aka Roy Haylock).

Famous for her tart candor, the Louisianaborn stand-up comedian’s success is a result of saying what she thinks and not caring what you think. And you, of course, already know this if you witnessed the selfproclaimed “Clown in a Gown” reign over the other crown-pining contestants during season six of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2014.

Five years later, Del Rio, who has written a book, Blame It on Bianca Del Rio, and starred in her own film, Hurricane Bianca, is still coming out on top. In June, New York magazine named Del Rio one of the top 100 “Most Powerful Drag Queens in America.” Just before bringing her worldwide comedy tour stateside, Del Rio called to defend bachelorettes who celebrate at gay clubs, predict an inevitable 22 | 10.02.19

Lizzo backlash and roast Drag Race queens who use emotional manipulation to get ahead in the competition.

What is the one thing you absolutely cannot leave home without?

I’m a drag queen – there are so many elements. I definitely need makeup. But a razor, I would assume. The problem is, with drag you have to travel with so much stuff. You have to bring size 12 shoes, extra eyelashes; you can’t really find that stuff just anywhere. Definitely not in Stockholm. So I have to pack a lot of stuff. A lot more than I usually would like to admit.

How many suitcases do you travel with?

Four suitcases. Three of those are drag, one of them is what I call my “boy bag.”

It’s just to have options. The airport struggle – the security, the baggage, all that shit – really does start to wear on you.

And imagine if you went through airport security as – well, maybe you do go through as Bianca.

I’ve never had to fly in drag – thankfully!

As a self-proclaimed expert on nothing who has an opinion on everything, I need your take on John Travolta nearly giving Taylor Swift impersonator Jade Jolie a VMA because he mistook her for the actual Taylor Swift.

(Laughs) I mean, it’s hysterical. Obviously he’s got delusion problems. He’s not dealing with a full deck right now. He also is a Scientologist, which goes to show it.

And he had that Adele Nazeem moment.

Either he’s a drunk or he takes a pill, or he just doesn’t fucking care. I was just glad to see he was not wearing a wig. There’s a rarity! So, you know, he’s embracing his non-wig self. Next he’ll admit that he’s gay.

That he confused them – was it a compliment to Taylor or to Jade?

To Jade, because she’s a Taylor Swift impersonator. I think it’s great. I think it’s an honest mistake, because to be fair I can’t tell any white girls apart.

As Bianca, do you ever confuse people?

I do meet-and-greets, and when you have meet-and-greets, people are always like, “Oh, I just saw you in Stockholm!” or “I saw you in London!” and I have to really think. You do 150 people a night as part of the meet-and-greets, so it’s very hard to remember. There’s usually some characteristic that gets me there, but on occasion I’ve been like, “Have we met before?!” And they’ll say, “No.” I’m like, “Oh… OK. Thought we did.” So it can fuck with you, with that many people a night.

But I really haven’t mistaken anybody for anybody of importance, no.

If John Travolta met you, who knows who you might be mistaken for.

Who cares! I’m not interested! He’s not high on my list.

Who is high on your list?

I think every gay man would say Dolly Parton. She’s that rare one that is almost like some mythical creature. She’s just one of those who I love not only because she’s Dolly Parton and I’ve grown up with her, but also she’s just so fucking funny.

Some people might describe you as a “mythical creature” too.

Emphasis on the word “creature,” yes. But mythical? No. (Laughs) This is very controversial in gay bars, so I wonder if this translates to your shows. But do you let bachelorette parties come to Bianca shows?

Oh, I don’t care. Whoever buys a fucking ticket, I don’t give a shit. Gurl, listen: I think people have lost their minds. The gays don’t even wanna be in the gay bars anymore! They’re all on a fucking app anyway. Nobody is even paying attention.

And look, at least somebody’s in the bar.

Somebody has to buy a drink to keep gay bars open. You can’t rely on gay men to do that. So look, let the girls come in, let them have a good time. Not like I’ve never told a bitch to shut up. You can do that, but you can’t be offended. Who cares! As long as they’re there having fun, fuck it.

Isn’t the point of coming to a Bianca Del Rio show to be offended?

First of all, it’s important to laugh at ourselves. I laugh at myself, and I laugh at everything that I could possibly laugh at. But I think we’ve lost that because there’s so much with social media warriors constantly saying, “You can’t say this” and “I’m offended.” Well, then, fuck off! If you’re offended by me, then don’t come and see me. It’s very simple. I don’t like Kim Kardashian, but I don’t spend my life watching her on fucking TV or writing all over her Facebook or Instagram or Twitter saying, “I hate you, you’re a piece of shit.”

I just don’t care. You can live a successful life with someone not liking you.

Have you always been the kind of person who says what some people really want to say but are too scared to say? Has that always been your style?

Always. Yeah, yeah.

As a kid?

Yeah, as a child everything was always funny to me, and I would always try to find humor in all of it. It’s just what you have to do. It was just my survival skills. Imagine being different, being artsy, being gay. All that definitely can either turn on you or you can find a way through it, and that was just my way through it, which is being blunt and upfront. And the people who got it – usually the smart ones – understood it.

When did you know you could get away with more if you put on a costume?

When I got paid. I always said it, but it wasn’t until the packaging came with it.

And it’s not so much that I can get away with more – it’s just what’s easier for people to accept. For instance, with drag in particular, the average person would think, “I have nothing of interest with a drag queen.” But when they see it, they’re kind of fascinated by it. So, for me, it was

just this evolution into it. I mean, I fuck you…”). I was discussing someone could totally live my life without being being left at a bus stop, somebody being in drag and I probably will. I’m not sick. doing this forever.

All of that is part of the nonsense of being What do you think your post-drag life will look like? part of a reality show. And I’m entitled to That’s the stupidest question! I have no an opinion when someone’s about to lip idea! I know I don’t want to be schlepping sync for their life and they start pulling out around the world in a wig and heels at 60, all this fuckery. There’s a time and place I can tell you that. It’s one of those things to discuss serious topics. So my joke was where I’m like, look, it’s been 24 years so about people that find any way to bring up far, I’m all right, but I know it’s not forever. their heartache and pull on heartstrings, And I have no idea. I didn’t plan this far. that’s what I was discussing.

So I don’t know what the fuck I’ll be doing.

But it’ll be something fun, that’s for sure. And so no, I refuse to change anything that I say and do because, like I said, the You once said it’s important to know your limits. people who like it, like it, the people who What new limits have you set for yourself at 44? don’t, don’t. But as they have an opinion I said I didn’t want to do drag at 40 because about me, I can have an opinion about the at the time I think I was 37 and it was right ridiculousness of a drag show. It’s my take before Drag Race, and so I was working a on it. And I’m living proof that you can get regular job in New York City during the day through the show without fucking crying in making costumes for Broadway and then at every episode, for cripes’ sake! night working in a club. So at that point, 18 years of working in the clubs and trying I laugh at the fuckery. I laugh at the stunts to stay afloat – and the bars were fading, and gimmicks. It’s no worse than somebody not many people were coming out like they doing a death-drop. It’s been done! Just used to, so New York nightlife completely fucking be entertaining! I’m so sick of all changed and I thought I could wrap this up these sob stories! That’s what that’s about. at 40 and be OK. I’d had a great 20 years and that would’ve been that. But then at I’m guessing that even though you were named 38 – well, 37 is when I filmed Drag Race – one of America’s most powerful drag queens, it shifted everything, it elevated everything, it’s not true that with great power comes great and I was ready for the challenge. But I responsibility. don’t think I want to stay in that particular I think that’s absolutely ridiculous. There’s game. I mean, no one should. No one a list that says I’m No. 1; there’s another should stay in something just because list that says I’m the worst drag queen. you’ve been doing something. You have That’s just how it works! None of that means to trust your instincts and move on. I anything. And what’s this responsibility? definitely know this is not something I want I’m a fucking man in a wig making a living. to do forever on this level. It’s demanding I’m not a fucking superhero. And don’t put – and by no means am I bitching about it. me on a pedestal because I shouldn’t be I’m being realistic here. Options! (Laughs) on a pedestal, because they love to put you on a pedestal and then tear you the fuck After your controversial remark during Montreal down. You cannot fool me. They love to say Pride about Drag Race season 10 contestant Blair you’re amazing. Like, look, this girl Lizzo is St. Clair in 2018, did that have you reconsidering the one everybody loves right now. Just give how far to push the envelope? her a year and there’s gonna be something First and foremost, I have a problem with, someone is gonna bitch about and pull out when you’re watching a drag show and and say “she did this” and say “she did everybody has an ailment or an issue or that” and CANCEL her. That’s how they loves to tug at your heartstrings to try to are. That’s just the world. So look: I’m not get people to like you. That’s what I was looking for that type of acceptance. And discussing (during her set, Del Rio said, you shouldn’t be putting faith in fucking “You got the one going ‘Ugh, I’m fat.’ people that are on reality shows, for cripes’ Then you got the other one going ‘Ugh, I’m sake. That’s ridiculous. People that idolize a black queen,’” referencing season 10 me or Snooki have problems. contestants Eureka O’Hara and The Vixen.

She then mentioned Blair St. Clair opening Referring to the way the queens are depicted on up about being sexually assaulted: “Then Drag Race versus their actual persona, you said you got that other bitch, ‘I was raped!’ No, recently, “I’ve been behind the curtain. And when 24 | 10.02.19

you’re behind the curtain, it’s kind of weird to watch.” Do people get a better understanding of who you are from your shows than they did from Drag Race?

Yes and no. The thing is you can only be yourself when you’re on television, and of course if you say something they’re going to use it. So the people that say, “Oh, it’s the editing”? Well, if you didn’t say it, they wouldn’t have the footage. I’ve accepted responsibility for everything I said and everything I did, and sadly a lot of people don’t do that when they leave the show.

They have to blame someone, and it won’t be themselves.

If you could have been on a different season of Drag Race, which season of girls would you have wanted to compete against?

I don’t care. I don’t have an opinion.

(Laughs) I can’t even remember who was on what season when! It’s that much of a blur. It was six years ago, and I never watched the show when it was airing. I would watch marathons, but I would never watch it weekly, night after night after

night. I never followed. The only seasons I’m familiar with are four and five; the rest of them have become a blur. And, I mean, a lot of them are my friends, but I can’t remember which season they were on. I’m also a firm believer that it happened, it was great, I had a great experience and a great moment, but I wouldn’t change any of it.

So if an “All Stars: Winners” season ever happens, would you be interested in competing?

Nope. Why? Would you go back to high school?

--

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé.

His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

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BOOK BY HARVEY FIERSTEIN MUSIC & LYRICS BY JERRY HERMAN Georges is the owner of the La Cage Aux Folles nightclub, which features a drag show starring his partner and the love of his life, Albin. After twenty years of un-wedded bliss, the pair face the hardest challenge of their relationship, yet: meeting their son, Jean-Michel’s fiancé’s parents.

OCT 24-NOV 9, 2019

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By Mikkel Hyldebrandt For ten years, the Georgia Aquarium has set the stage for the official Pride kickoff party in Atlanta – and every year the massive event just gets bigger and better.

One of the people behind the massive success of the aquarium party is John Walker, who is the Senior Sales Manager at Georgia Aquarium, and who has been at the center of the event since its inception.

Peach got the exclusive about all the work and effort that is put into this massive endeavor – and there is no doubt that this year will wow us all once again.

Technology.

The kickoff party at the Georgia Aquarium has cemented itself as the massive opener for the festival – what is your role in creating this party?

The kickoff party seems to be only growing in scope and production each year – how do you come up with the ideas for all of this?

My job at Georgia Aquarium is to welcome all city-wide events to the attraction, and I felt our venue could be an incredible, whimsical and climate-controlled space to be incorporated into the Atlanta Pride weekend. Will Ramsey, Vice President of Sales and the entire Executive team at Georgia Aquarium, could not be more supportive of the LGBTQ community and this event from the beginning.

My love for travel, music festivals, and concerts helps feed my inspiration for the event. Each year I travel to other Pride festivals to check out what other cities are up to with their production. I am very fortunate to have the most amazing team that can take an idea and transform it into reality! And, I couldn’t do this each year without the support, encouragement, and expertise of my boss, Will Ramsey! Our décor and design experts at Your Event Solutions as well the technology gurus at Active Production and Design are the vendors that truly take the production to the next award-winning level.

Give us a few of the impressive stats for this party?

This is the 10th Anniversary of the Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff at Georgia Aquarium.

Our first Kickoff event was in 2009, and since then we have welcomed over 28,000 Pride attendees. Georgia Aquarium has been an Official Sponsor of the Atlanta Pride festival for ten years. The Atlanta Pride Kickoff has also been recognized by the Atlanta Event Industry by winning several awards for Best Themed party in Atlanta as well as Best Lighting and 34 | 10.02.19

Give us an impression of the scope of the work you put into this party.

The event is about an 8-month process from inception through execution. I am responsible for everything from creating the website, ticketing, marketing, budgeting, building vendor relationships, entertainment selection, as well as decor and technology brainstorming. This all comes from a labor of love for Pride.

… and what do you have in store for us this year?

No Spoilers, but I can say that Shangela, Phoenix, DJ Ree De la Vega, DJ Mike Pope, and DJ Drew G are all going to work us out that night and deliver a Pride to remember.

It will definitely be a SPECTACLE!

Few other cities with their own Pride festival have a party of this magnitude – what do you think it does to the image of Atlanta as a gay destination?

Oh my, we are so lucky to have an iconic attraction in Atlanta that opens its doors to embrace the LGBTQ community all year long. The size of the venue being able to accommodate such a large amount of people is so amazing for the city. Moving Pride to October was the most amazing move ever. We are pulling in guests from all over the world to showcase our incredible and diverse city.

You are personally very passionate about this, and you put your heart and soul into it. Why is this so important to you?

This event was fueled by an incredible and pivotal moment in my journey. Back in 1999, my husband and I just relocated from Pittsburgh to Atlanta. Pittsburgh was not a gay-friendly city at that time, and it was before the internet and social media.

We had no idea what “Pride” was, and there was no “Pride Festival” in Pittsburgh before 1999. One day, a few weeks after we moved to Atlanta, we set out to explore the city and see Piedmont Park, and by chance, we stumbled upon Atlanta Pride.

Midtown was filled with LGBTQ attendees and their allies living their best lives. We had never seen such a mass of people being PROUD of who they were. We were taken back with emotions. PRIDE has been very important to me since that special day.

There are critical voices that are against the party being at this venue surrounded by live animals – what measures are you taking to appease the critics?

Georgia Aquarium is a premier site for special events, and we always make sure that guests enjoy our state-of-theart facility, but we’re also a leader in education, conservation, exceptional animal care, and research.

That’s why for the safety of our animals (and guests!) all events must follow strict guidelines for lighting design, sound, etc.

We have a maximum limit on volume, and we constantly monitor sound levels near and around animal exhibits. Sound volume is also monitored by sound engineers at every large event at Georgia Aquarium.

We are certified by American Humane and accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and these agencies also have regulations and guidelines which we follow.

Once this party is over, what are your plans for the Pride weekend?

I get to play! I get to share the Pride festival with my husband and friends that travel to Atlanta from all over to support Atlanta Pride. I love to make an appearance at all the Official Atlanta Pride events across the city and then close out the weekend walking in the Pride Parade with the most incredible team from Georgia Aquarium.

The 10th Anniversary Atlanta Pride Official Kickoff is Friday, October 11, 7 pm – 12 am.

Few General admission tickets remain at georgiaaquarium.org/atlantapride.

peachATL.com | 35

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Eugene grew up in Atlanta in a culturally rich Korean-Puerto Rican family, and for the past nine years, he has lived permanently in the city. He works in PR and marketing for beauty brands that are primarily led by Black women and LGBTQ individuals. Alongside beauty-focused PR, he’s also helped organize fundraising for nonprofits like Lost-n-Found Youth. Eugene is recently recovering from heart failure, having spent over a month in the hospital for treatment. He is now well and focused on work and restoring his health while exploring the constantly growing city and setting up shop in coffee shops all over Atlanta.

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For more than 25 years, Vicki Powell has been synonymous with the soundtrack to Atlanta’s underground. For this Pride, she, along with her DJ collective Deep South, is planning a spectacular lineup of events that celebrate not only Pride, but also her 50th birthday. Peach talked to Vicki about beginnings, the importance of throwing queer, underground parties, and how she plans to celebrate her birthday the whole weekend long.

With a 25+ year career in DJing and party promoting, you are synonymous with Atlanta’s queer and underground party scene. How did it all start?

It all started with my mother’s love for dance music. She would fill our house with sound and was collecting vinyl before I was born. I still play many of those records today. That steered me into dance roller skate culture as well as my first job at one of many record stores. So the love of music was always there. I think in that time music collecting, and DJing was something you really had to seek out and travel to the record store and dig. Almost a compulsion. The limited access meant that not very many people were doing it, so it was a small, tight-knit scene. I think if you look at many of the great DJs of our time, they have been at it since a very 42 | 10.02.19

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Photo Nark

young age. Almost like they were born to do it. It took years to perfect mixing, and you really worked hard at it. Practicing in your basement for hours with the same two records, learning to play by ear, et cetera.

It’s not easy.

What are some of the parties – then and now – that you have created in Atlanta?

Early on it was mostly warehouse parties then we eventually moved into clubs with Viva La Libra, Flux, Boombox at Sound Table, Sunsets at Noni’s, Limpwrist, Selectro, Sunday Service at Sister Louisa’s Church, Easter and Pride nights at Mary’s and Henry’s, as well as events at various local hotels through the years. Deep South is my current project with Brian Rojas and Ash Lauryn. It is a DJ collective that is based in mentoring and nurturing talent, and we create events that promote an allinclusive vibe and prioritizes trans, GNC, POC, and femme-identified DJs and the like-minded community in Atlanta.

You seem to have this love affair with Atlanta, and you have mainly stayed here all the time – what is it about the city that speaks to you?

I love Atlanta. I was born and raised in Atlanta nightlife, so this is where a lot of my memories are of coming out and my

first real exposure to house music and rave culture. I love the community here and being able to work with music and artists every day is really special. I moved to NYC in the ’90s for about seven years, but when my father’s health started to decline, I moved back to Atlanta to be closer to him.

Atlanta Pride is a pretty good marker for how the queer music scene has developed. How would you describe the scene right now?

Thriving! The Atlanta music scene is full of so much talent. You can almost find something going on any night of the week.

Whether it’s dance music or live bands or drag shows. Atlanta has it all. … and how has it changed from before?

I think accessibility through technology is the biggest change. We have easy access to music now, so it doesn’t require leaving the house, which in turn limits time spent with other DJs in record stores and general hangout time outside of the venues we play. I miss spending time with other heads digging for treasure or hanging out at each other’s houses because only one of us had 1200’s at the time and the feeling of being a part of that energy and that family. It feels more isolating and lonelier now. Everyone is out there staying busy doing their thing, but it doesn’t feel as grounded for me as it once did. I have to stay very intentional with my time and make sure I’m staying connected in real life and not only social media. That is why Deep South is so dear to me because I get to really connect with other music lovers and curators. Also, throwing queer parties and events have grown to become so much more important to me because that is where the connection to my community happens. Even behind the decks, the energy from the crowd energizes me, and being on the dancefloor is, of course, a whole interactive story on its own. Those are some deep family vibes!

The time around Pride is special to you because it coincides with your birthday – and this year is a milestone too. How do you plan to celebrate?

Yes, this is a big birthday for me. I’m planning on celebrating surrounded by friends and family with a small, low-key cocktail party to kick things off, and then continue with a full lineup of fun throughout the weekend! Although I wasn’t a big fan of our Pride moving to October, I can say now that I’m a believer. The weather is

perfect this time of year, and we really do not have any other major competition with other cities, so in the end, I think it makes Atlanta a Pride destination again, and I love that.

Also, my mom is planning on attending, which is incredibly special for me as she survived a pretty major cancer scare recently, and she’s a warrior and my biggest fan. So to have her there with me is the best Birthday gift ever. My Aunt and Uncle are also traveling down from Ohio for the festivities. It’s looking like a very special weekend.

Your Deep South DJ collective always puts on some massive parties for Pride. Can you tell us a little about this year’s lineup of events?

Absolutely. This year I’m especially proud of our PRIDE Lineup. We will kick things off on Friday with Mariconera at Mary’s with Brian Rojas and DJ Esme Both DJs of the queer Latinx underground party La Choloteca. This is sure to be a fun night and there is no cover for this event. Saturday during the day, we are doing a free Pride Pool Party at the newly opened Moxy Hotel with DJs Sindri (LA), who I share a birthday with, Jeffrey Sfire (Detroit/Berlin), Mark O’Brien (SF), and MarceauxMarceaux (Memphis). Saturday night we are teaming up with Kudzu this year and doing a warehouse party at the Bakery with a stacked lineup: Shaun J. Wright (Chicago), Dee Diggs (Brooklyn), Mark Louque AKA Father Figure (NOLA), JSPORT (Atlanta), and Ash Lauryn (Detroit/ Atlanta). All of the DJs involved this year run underground events in their home cities and are an integral part of keeping interesting music happening worldwide.

Sunday we will be back at Henry’s on the deck for a full day of Parade viewing and music, and then Sunday night we are closing out the season with Sunday Service at Sister Louisa’s Church with myself, Brian Rojas, and Tom Deblase (Rochester).

Anything you are looking forward to in particular for Pride?

I’m really looking forward to spending some quality time with my queer DJ family mentioned above that will be in town for pride weekend. It’s a pretty tight network that we have built over the years, and we only cross paths a few times a year at various locations around the globe. It’s time I truly cherish. peachATL.com | 43

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt She is known as the drag mother to us all and Atlanta’s favorite charity queen – and this year she is celebrating her 20th anniversary as the hilarious and illustrious Ruby Redd!

Armory, Blake’s, and Burkhart’s, and it just caught on.

For twenty years Raymond Matheson, better known as the camp queen Ruby Redd, has strutted across the stage in drag with the primary purpose of supporting local charities and nonprofits, so they would get well-deserved attention and donations – something that she to this day instills in new drag talent that wants to get a start in the city and her shows.

Her signature style of drag may come off as less polished to some, but her firm belief in staying true to yourself and that no style of drag is wrong, has made her a mainstay and trademark of the Atlanta drag scene since she dressed up for a Halloween party as Ruby for the first time two decades ago. We sat down and talked beginnings, inspirations, challenges, and charity with Ruby Redd.

The inspiration comes from my grandmother Vona and even more from my two aunts, Sybil and Hazel. The red hair, the way too much makeup, dousing themselves on cologne, the gaudier, the better outfits the. And how can you not draw some sort of comedy from the names Vona, Sybil, and Hazel! I used to do the blue eyeshadow and the pin cheeks – like an oldtime small-town waitress at a diner. My look has changed, since twenty years ago when I started doing it. I shaved and plucked and did all that back then, but it was a losing battle for a bear in a dress. Back then I was told I couldn’t have a beard, but I started to realize that it is true what RuPaul says that we’re all born naked and the rest is drag, and I thought to myself that I don’t have to conform to everyone else’s way of drag. I can just be me. So when I got back from a vacation with a full beard, I didn’t shave because I was going out of town for a bear event next week – and I just went out there with the beard and people loved it. I did get a lot of flak from some of the other queens in the city at the time, and now it’s kind of a thing! I’m not saying it’s all because of me, but it’s definitely a thing.

Tell us a little bit about how Ruby came to be.

There was a place called Tully’s on Tenth across from Blake’s where Jason’s Deli is now. I was one of the managers, and we did a Halloween contest for patrons and employees, and I dressed up in the wig and the waitress uniform, and they were calling me Fraulein Ruby because of my German background. Shortly after that, I was at the Red Chair, where Ruby Redd was invented. For Sunday brunch, I would go up on the street corner with a sign saying ‘Red Chair Now Serving Brunch,’ and the manager named me Ruby Redd and it just stuck. I then started doing little gigs at the old Metro, Backstreet, 44 | 10.02.19

What inspired Ruby’s distinctive look?

How would you describe your style of drag?

Just campy and fun. And charity is very important to me because it runs in my family. So like a fun, camp queen who wants to raise money for charity, and if I can make a few dollars along the way, then great! I feel like drag queens have a

certain responsibility, and for someone like me who has been doing it for 20 years, I feel like I owe something back to the community. They’ve kept me around for 20 years, and it’s been an absolute blast, so the least I can do is show up to a charity event.

You have become a drag queen mainstay in the Atlanta community – where has 20 years in drag taken you?

I have done shows just about everywhere and at all the bars throughout Atlanta and Georgia and beyond. I ‘m at Midtown Moon, which I consider my home bar, where I host Birdcage Bingo every Wednesday night for charity, and in December it’ll be our tenth anniversary! If we keep up our good rate, we’ll be hitting over a $100,000 we’ve raised. Then we have Ruby’s Redd Light District on Saturday night, which is an early show at 8:30 pm, which I like because people can lounge around with a drink and take it all in. And then we do the Heifer review Sundays at Joe’s on Juniper at 1 pm, and afterward, we have the Heifer Stampede afterparty. And now we’re already going into the Holiday season which means I’ll be doing a bunch of stuff with the Sisters, the Rainbow House Coalition, and Joining Hearts.

You have an impressive lineup of events and parties behind you – and they all share the common trait that they somehow benefit and give back to the community. Why is that so important to you?

These different organizations like Rainbow House and Lost-n-Found they want to get their name out there and get the recognition to get that money, and even in my darkest days or when I think I’m broke, or can’t afford this and that, I just think of how petty it is. I see homeless youth on the streets, or our trans community being murdered, or kids being kicked out of their childhood homes for being gay, and I look at my life, and I feel pretty lucky. I was pretty blessed growing up with a family that always instilled in me that you should give back when you can. Yeah, it’s nice blowing money on things and taking that trip to Paris – you should be able to treat yourself and take care of yourself – but also look around in your community and take care of people there too. My philosophy for when I perform is to say to people that for a moment forget your troubles and enjoy yourself with a drink, and hopefully, I can give that to people – and raise some money and help relieve someone else’s pain in the process.

Your Birdcage Bingo is one of the longest-running bingo events in the city, but it has experienced a bit of a rocky road in the past few years. Tell us about that.

It started at the Mellow Mushroom Midtown, and after a while, it ran it to some problems because they wanted it to be ‘family-friendly,’ and maybe they were worried about appearances for the

straight crowd. So when they suggested taking the winter off, I thought this was a good time to make a move, so I talked to the Hideaway, and it worked out with them, and we were there for seven years. When we left the Hideaway, it was mostly because I and the girls wanted to make it more of a production with lights and music, and it just wasn’t set up for that. I’m very grateful that we had that spot for so many years and it worked out beautifully, and everyone was very supportive, but when an opening came up at Midtown Moon, I just had to take it. It is set up for a bigger show with the music and lights and different rooms. We have a bigger crowd, and I feel like people tip more and perhaps even enjoy the show more now that there is a stage and special effects. And Marco is amazing, and he is so supportive, so it’s been a very good and positive move.

Few other cities have such a great drag presence as Atlanta – why do you think that is?

Because it’s a large city, and it has one of the largest gay populations in the country, so it’s the location. People strive to be here. And it’s just fun! I mean if you are young and new to the city, what a fun way to meet everybody in the city.

What is the current status of the Atlanta drag scene?

I think it is bustling, but it is also going through changes. The nightlife is changing and with it the drag scene. I feel fortunate that people still want to have me around, but in order to keep up, you have to humble yourself and be willing to change. You never rely on a status quo, and you have to be able and prepared to rethink new ways. All the bars that are doing drag are doing an incredible and impeccable job, and they even manage to put a little different flavor to their drag in the different parts of the city.

Nobody’s drag is wrong, and everybody is going to grow into their own. There’s no right or wrong in how you look or perform; If you are having a good time, then that’s how it’s supposed to be. And that is what makes Atlanta a big drag capital, and I think it always will be.

Tell us about your Pride lineup of events – where can people experience Ruby Redd?

I’ve got VIP tickets for the park so I can come and go. We are doing supersized shows and events all Pride week at Midtown Moon, which we kick off Wednesday night with a special edition of bingo. Unless I get picked up by the Other Show on Friday, I have Ruby’s Redd Light District Saturday with a big Pride show, and then Sunday me and all the girls will be in the parade. After the parade, we will have the stampede afterparty at Midtown Moon – and maybe a little show too, but we’ll see about that! So I get to do enjoy Pride this year doing what I love! peachATL.com | 45

By Jeff Generation X gays grew up in a time with more rain than rainbows. We probably first learned about the LGBTQ community amid 1980s television reports about the deadly AIDS virus.

Many religious leaders proclaimed that the virus was divine judgment for a lifestyle of sexual sin and decadence. When we first realized that we were attracted to the same sex, some of us may have resisted because we associated being gay with disease and death. Positive portrayals of gays and lesbians in the media were few and far between. The idea of gay pride seemed shocking and foreign as shame wore away at our self-worth.

At some point, we decided to come to terms with who we were. We may have struggled with depression from feeling so alienated from straight society, but we found that we could not continue living a lie. Some of us had that one friend who opened our mind and who we were able to trust with our biggest secrets. It is easier to come out of the closet when someone you know takes those steps before you or helps you out in your own journey.

For a lot of us, it was an Atlanta Pride festival where we saw, for the first time, same-sex couples holding hands in Piedmont Park. We witnessed people in dazzling outfits marching down Peachtree with signs of protest, alliance, and affirmation. We danced the night away to the pulsating beats of electronic dance music.

For one weekend, our sexuality was affirmed rather than condemned, celebrated rather than scoffed at. Pride would become a holiday we looked forward to annually with our family of choice. Especially for those of us who lived in other parts of the South, a weekend at Atlanta Pride convinced us to pack our things and move to this big, beautiful gay city.

Those of us who lived in Atlanta since the turn of the millennium and now have seen incredible changes. Beloved bars like Backstreet, blü, The Armory, Red Chair, Hoedowns, and the Jungle are all but memories now. Neighborhoods once considered exclusively gay or edgy, have lost much of their former character. Midtown clings tenuously to its identity as a gayborhood.

Cheshire Bridge is going from a seedy strand of 46 | 10.02.19

Fuller fleshpots to pricy apartments and Pottery Barn.

With digital dating apps, gay bars no longer have the prominence and role they once had as centers of the gay community. The LGBTQ community is now more integrated into other parts of the city. Atlanta Pride itself has changed, having moved from the sweltering Stonewall anniversary to a more mild-weather weekend in the fall. However, doing so has allowed people from elsewhere in the country and even the world to experience our celebration. The event feels much more embraced by the city of Atlanta as a whole and its businesses than it ever did in the past. Nevertheless, Pride’s message is still the same; one of love, acceptance, and self-worth.

As our generation enters middle age, new generations have grown up – people who never knew life without a smartphone, never left a message on an answering machine, never had to write letters to a lover in another city because long-distance calls were too expensive, never experienced mortal fear of HIV/AIDS or lost any friends or lovers to it. We sometimes call them naïve, fragile, and narcissistic, but we might also recognize how they are also open-minded, creative, independent, and have struggles unique to their own generation.

We are older now, and while the younger generations might not always listen to our Backstreet memories or share our devotion to Madonna or the Indigo Girls, they can still be inspired by how we show each other love and acceptance. Even in a world that is less threatening than the one we grew up in, people still want to feel like they belong. Pride is as much about respect and inclusion as it is about parties, protest, and parades. We must also continue to share the struggles of those who went before and paved the way for the freedoms we enjoy, so they will never take them for granted.

To paraphrase the lyrics of one of our generation’s patron saints: the next generation – they are the future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of Pride!

18th Annual

HRC Atlanta

PRIDE BRUNCH The Official Brunch of Atlanta Pride Sunday, October 13 | 10:30am-2:00pm Empire State South | 999 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, Ga Celebrate Atlanta Pride at the 18th Annual HRC Atlanta Pride Brunch, the Official Brunch of Atlanta Pride! Guests will be treated to two hours of complimentary brunch cocktails and a delicious Southern brunch catered

by Empire State South -- while watching the Atlanta Pride Parade from the best location on the parade route!

Join us for fun, music, brunch, cocktails, and more -- as we celebrate our Pride! 100% of proceeds benefit HRC's essential work in Georgia and around the country.

10:30 AM: Doors Open (Cash Bar Available) 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Open Bar & Brunch Service Tickets: Each ticket includes brunch catered by Empire State South, bottomless cocktails, and an annual HRC membership or membership renewal. VIP tickets include reserved premier seating with access to an exclusive VIP-only bar and table side mimosas.

General Admission: $100 - Includes admission VIP Admission: $150 - Includes reserved seating with table service.

Host Committee: $400 - Two VIP tickets, name recognition on all print and digital marketing, and premiere reserved seating with table service.

VIP Table for 10: $1,500 - Includes reserved table with table service for ten. *The Atlanta Pride Parade will pass by the event beginning at approximately 12:30pm For sponsorship inquiries or other questions, please email zack.hasychak@hrc.org Buy tickets today at www.hrc.org/atlantapridebrunch

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By Jamie Kirk

Most of us have all been through jobs switches, relationships gone bad, health scares, family drama, financial woes, lost homes, lost cars and probably a laundry list of other «life wrinkles» that we tried to navigate on our own. We didn›t tell a soul. We grin, we bare it, and we go at it, alone. Without support, without advice, without comforting arms, without someone praying for us. We just man up (or woman up) and deal with it. I don›t know why or where or how we thought this was okay, ‹cause it›s not. We have to have support; we need it. None of us can make it in this life alone, and we don›t have it.

This month, as we celebrate Pride, it is so much more than a celebration of YOUR life. It should be a celebration of everyone that touches YOUR life. Pride in the people that help shape your decision-making process. Pride in people that challenge you and make you better. Pride in the family that finally “comes around.” Pride in the exes that made you stronger. Pride in the relationships that didn’t happen, that saved you even more life experiences. Pride should not be contained to just our individual contribution of our life; Pride has to be shared. And if you know anything about Pride, you know that when you are full of Pride, it overflows and oozes out of every pore.

It really kills me that we think of Pride as just something for the LGBTQ+ community. We should be displaying Pride daily, monthly, etc.

We don’t need a special month for people that are LGBTQ+ to be recognized and celebrated.

People that are not part of that community should also be celebrated because they have the burden of lifting up those people that are struggling with coming out, people that are uncomfortable in their skin, people that have had their families turn their backs on them. The people that are in their “village” needs to be uplifted and celebrated also. Pride has to be spread around, just like the love that people display in supporting the people in their lives.

It takes a village is an ancient African proverb which says it takes a whole village to raise a child. In other words, it takes everyone that touches that child, to help mold, shape, discipline, reward, love, and look after the child. To put this into context, the village in the LGBTQ+ community is the whole community.

The responsibility of allowing a person to be authentically who they are, unapologetically being their best selves. The village is the ones that take the person in when the world turns 50 | 10.02.19

their back. The village is support groups that allow people to come in, free of charge, and express themselves without judgment. The village is the landlord that understands that the female impersonator tenant, had to quit her job because the owner turned out to be a racist, and she needs some relief and a few more days to come up with the rent. The village is the corporation that bends the rules to allow the unmarried couple to have the perks of a married couple. The village is the editor that allows the contributing writer of an LGBTQ+ focused magazine to write articles to help supplement their income.

It takes the entire community to represent the village fully. The community, in our case, is not just Midtown; it is not just Decatur, or O4W, it is the entire city, state, country. The village needs to be considered as the representation of the people. The people that have been supported and the people that have survived despite the efforts to destroy them and everything they may stand for. The village is not the parents, the kids, the immediate loved ones; it is the spider web of people touched through daily interactions. People that bite their tongues when they want to give advice. The folks that have to deal with the fall-out of the bad choices.

These are the people that need to be celebrated also. These “village people” are the ones that really are doing the heavy lifting and need to be recognized and acknowledged.

Being prideful and feeling prideful is important to our ability to survive. We can’t do it alone. I know we think we can, but we can’t. We have to have a village. We need support. We need relationships that make us better people.

Relationships that remind us to love ourselves when it is hard. The people that make us face adversity with strength and courage. These are the real heroes. The people that matter. Our village is deserving of pride celebrations also.

Every time a flag is waved, an amendment is passed, or a person is vindicated in the LGBTQ+ community, the celebration needs to be for all.

All of the village. All of the folks that take a stand and say “that is not right, even though that does not impact me directly, it impacts someone in my village,” needs to be celebrated.

It is essential and necessary that they feel celebrated too. To each and every one of the members of anyone’s village, please know you also are celebrated. No one can do it alone.

6-11 PM | Sun. December 15th Atlanta Event Center | 1150 Crescent Ave NE

Purchase tickets in advance at forthekid.org and bring an unwrapped toy valued at $20+ VIP tickets: $250(+Toy) General admission: $35 (+Toy) peachATL.com | 51

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Dazzle in the Park

Pride is your time to shine in all the colors of the rainbow! Pride is about acceptance, love, and inclusion – and it is also a celebration of sexuality, so if you feel sexy; be sexy! Whether you are looking for a subtle rainbow accent or want to flaunt what you got, here are a few items to underscore your confidence.

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

PRIDE STYLE TIP Have that one piece of clothing that you think is too much for everyday? Wear it for Pride! This is your celebration, so you can be bold, and be who you are!

Paracord Rainbow Bracelet, $10

Pride Suspenders, $15 Stud Daytona Rainbow Harness, $44.99 Andrew Christian Pride Rainbow Heart Tee, $35

Olaf Benz Pink Sunpants, $59

Rainbow Shield Sunglasses, $10

Andrew Christian Pride Stripe Socks, $15

All items are available at Boy Next Door Menswear and boynextdoormenswear.com.

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SHINE ON THE DANCEFLOOR

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Pride equals a lot of parties, and this year the lineup is something extra. You know the dancefloor is going to be packed, so dress accordingly, and get ready to rid yourself of layers as the evening progresses and things heat up.

PRIDE STYLE TIP

Pick your color! Rainbows are everywhere, so why not be colorful by choosing one, bold color for your outfit?

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the year.

Is there a standout narrative that you were able to communicate through a successful product of Arcadia?

My standout success story of this season is undoubtedly my brooms. Truly functional works of art, they are made by one of the few remaining master broom makers in New England. He uses a millennia-old method of making brooms using broomcorn — a type of sorghum instead of straw — that must be soaked in formaldehyde to keep it from rotting. A well-maintained broomcorn broom can easily last for generations without any chemicals involved. The handles are made by a Shaker community in Pennsylvania. Each broom is signed by the artist and is visually stunning because the broomcorn is dyed to look like a rainbow. This is not an LGBT element, although it obviously works very well as an LGBT selling point.

Should adults make public displays of plush toys a thing?

The world is often a cruel place. People and the larger universe might benefit from keeping their cuddle buddy nearby throughout their day. It can only make the universe a better place for everyone.

By Kevin Assam After 15 years, Arcadia is open year-round and features handmade, ethically sourced, curated items all with compelling stories. Founder Jay Gurewitsch is happy to share these along with free shipping through ArcadiaPTown.com to boot. After starting out in an insolvent Tom of Finland storefront in Chelsea, NYC, Jay would later settle in the queer mecca, Provincetown.

Now, he discusses pushing back in the classroom as a child, explains how one product, in particular, is flying off his shelves and reveals why he thinks more adults should lean into the comfort of plush toy creations.

How were you taught to investigate and what were some of the earliest things you debunked?

In the second grade, I had a Talmud teacher who had an incredibly heavy accent. I had a hard time understanding anything he said, and it was the first time I was learning Talmud. I was taught always to ask questions. I would repeatedly raise my hand and only to be yelled at again by the teacher. After a few weeks of this, the teacher got so fed up that he threw me out and demanded that I call my mother and have her come immediately or he would ban me from class. I was a very well-behaved student.

Teachers always loved me. I was petrified. My mother left work to talk to the teacher while I sat outside, thinking I would be murdered on the spot. I heard him raising his voice. Then I heard my mother raising her voice. The door opened, and my mother came out and practically hissed at me, “don’t you dare stop asking questions in class. If you don’t understand something, you ask the teacher. If he doesn’t explain it to you, tell me, and I will fix it.” Let’s just say that the teacher answered my questions for the rest of 62 | 10.02.19

I sell only a small percentage of my stuffed animals to what I call “chronological children.”

The vast majority of them go to “nonchronological children.” The handmade, oneof-a-kind nature of most of my stuffed animals speaks to them in a particular way. I don’t sell mass-market made in China plushies. Even my plush toys are made by hand in Europe by a family-owned business in Germany. Most of my stuffed animals are actually made from recycled sweaters, sewn in Canada, so each one comes with a tag saying “handmade in Canada, one of one.”

Will LGBTQ artists and designers continue to beat back restrictions or marginalization that may narrow the markets of their creations?

I will quote President Obama, quoting Martin Luther King Jr, quoting Theodore Parker, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” As an LGBT businessman, I’ve never knowingly discriminated against anyone for anything, except dropping one long time straight, southern female artist when it was clear from her Facebook feed that she was a rabid Trump supporter. I don’t recall much of any discrimination aimed at me in a professional context. Being a northerner in Atlanta at the trade shows was generally enough for some folks to give me a, “bless your heart.” We as a community have accomplished incredible progress in the last few decades, building on the work of pioneers as far back as the 19th century. I, like others who use that quote properly, understand that with work we will get there. I like to think that my little store at the end of the earth contributes in a tiny way towards that goal.

The interview has been condensed for cohesion and clarity

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Yanni Burton is dangerously in love in his new single and music video, “Worth It,” a song he wrote with Nate Campany (Dua Lipa, Carly Rae Jepsen, Adam Lambert, Christina Aguilera, and Tove Lo) about the intoxicating and sometimes overwhelming sensation of an exciting new passion. “It was inspired by the time I was performing a classical music festival inside a European castle in the middle of nowhere,” Yanni reflects. “I met a boy, went boy crazy, and wildness ensued.”

Produced by Lars Soderberg (Lauv, Adam Rickfors, Black Eyed Peas’ Printz Board), “Worth It” is Yanni Burton’s fourth independent single release this year.

Directed by Tiger Darrow, the video takes the story of a playful fling between boys and explores what happens when it transforms into a toxic situation, where pushing the boundaries of fun and games turns into a life-altering moment.

It has a late seventies European summer vibe, depicting Yanni as fledgling gay being seduced by a charming, edgy bad boy (played by Kevin William Reed) and led into breaking into a mansion where the boys frolic around the gardens in their underwear, make-out in the massive swimming pool and have sex all over the house.

By Mick Sandoval Photos: Dusty St. Amand, Courtney Charles 64 | 10.02.19

“The idea is that relationships can be one-sided and dangerously blind,” says Yanni. “The price can be high, and you have to wonder, is it worth it?”

“Where I certainly wouldn’t want to go to jail for a fling, I can see how allowing a guy to take control and lead me down a risky path I would never normally take, can be exciting. The experience of that energy, lust, and passion from being dangerously in love will last a lifetime and so yeah, maybe for me; it is worth it.”

Yanni Burton grew up in Adelaide, Australia, a small town that also happens to be the birthplace of pop singer Sia. He lived in the city with his mother but holidays were spent in the country on his dad’s farm. “The farm was in the middle of nowhere, and I’d arrive in solid gold sneakers, booty shorts, and a tank top like I’d just come off the set of Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” he remembers.

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For college, Yanni attended the prestigious Juilliard School in Manhattan where he studied the double bass. In fact, he holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in orchestral performance and is Producer and General Manager of the Salome Chamber Orchestra, where he has performed alongside a long list of celebrated artists including John Legend, Michelle Williams, Natasha Bedingfield, and Rufus Wainwright. John Legend and Rufus Wainwright were instrumental in helping Yanni to obtain an artist green card. Both wrote letters of support for his US residency.

66 | 10.02.19

Yanni describes life today as a “gay thirtysomething in New York City” where he religiously attends Barry’s Bootcamp, pays too much rent and complains about it every second he can. He has also found love. He and his fiancé were engaged last fall and plan to walk down the aisle this spring.

Yanni Burton’s “Worth It” is available now on Apple Music, Spotify, and all digital platforms. Visit yanniburton.com and follow him on Instagram at @yburton.

MORE TO LOVE SEASON FINALE @ WOOFS

PHOTOS: MH

By Darren Floro-Bryant

Photos courtesy of ES Collection Photography: Tarek del Moreno Model: David Novoa All items from the Personal Trainer Collection are available at escollectionusa.com

We all want to look our best! And we all like to show our Pride in different ways. Clothing is one way we like to show our Pride, but how can you show off your latest rainbow attire to set yourself apart from the others out there? Work on the display accessory that you have the most control over...your body.

Some of you may be thinking that it’s too late to make changes in your body, but I’m here to tell you that anything is possible and you can easily do it with simple moves that won’t keep you in the gym for hours.

And some of these exercises will not require a gym at all.

The “Most Bang for Your Buck” Workout Let’s start with a quick full body exercise routine that will give you an overall transformation, without spending hours in the gym. This routine is based on very simple, but VERY effective exercises that target multiple muscle groups and areas of the body that will give you the biggest “bang for your buck” with regards to time spent in the gym. This workout also has multiple options with regards to sets and variations to make subtle, but very effective changes.

The program is broken down into very small circuits based on the foundational movements that target multiple muscle groups in very limited movements. Also, these movements are meant to be done in mini circuits of three exercises, done consecutively as if they are one set. You also have the option of increasing the weight with each set. These circuits can be done in 2-4 sets depending on time constraints.

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CIRCUIT #1 A. Wide Grip Cable Pull Down B. Wide Hand Position Push-uP C. Wide Stance Body Weight Goblet-Style Squat Each exercise is done for 20 reps. If you choose to do a 4th set, exercise A is done in a Full-Half-Full (full pull down-half way up-full pull down-all the way up = 1 rep) range of motion rep for 10 reps.

CIRCUIT #2 A. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with twist (Parallel or hammer grip at bottom of press, flat at top of press) B. Bent Over Dumbbell Scare Crows or High Row C. Narrow Stance (feet approx 2-3 inches apart) Body Weight Squats Each exercise is done for 20 reps for 2-3 sets. If you choose to do a 4th set, exercise A. is done in a Full-Half-Full (full press upall the way down-half, way up-back downfull press up = 1 rep) range of motion rep for 10 reps.

CIRCUIT #3 A. Seated V-Grip (narrow parallel grip) Cable Row B. Incline Bench Air Punches with Dumbbells (10-15lbs) C. Low Side-Step (Stay in a low seated position throughout movement) Exercise A is done for 20 reps. Exercise B is done for 30 seconds. Exercise C is done for 10 side steps in each direction (step right for 10/step left for 10). If you choose to do a 4th set, exercise A is done in a Full-Half-Full (full pull back-half way out-full pull back-all the way extended = 1 rep) range of motion rep for 10 reps.

CIRCUIT #4 (additional circuit) A. Cable Tricep Extension/Press Down with straight bar B. Cable Bicep Curl with straight bar

The Two-Move 10-Minute Workout Pride weekend and the weeks leading up to Pride can be very full with commitments from not just your professional life, but also from an increase in your social life. All the celebrations and the parties and the visitors. Why not give yourself a break from your regular routine and give this a shot to help free you up for the festivities. As mentioned, there are even exercises you can do that don’t require any equipment at all and can be done in 10 minutes.

Two simple moves that will not only fatigue your muscles but keep your body in check for when you can return to your regular exercise program. These two moves can also be easily be manipulated to focus on different areas of the body parts used.

Ready?

Set the clock for 10 minutes Do as many push-ups as possible for five minutes

C. Iron Chair or Wall Sit

THEN

Exercise A is done for 20 reps. Exercise B is done for 20 reps. Exercise C is done for 30 seconds. If you choose to do a 4th set, follow exercise C with 30 seconds Jump Squats.

Do as many squats as possible for five minutes

Again, you can really customize this workout routine depending on time constraints and energy or strength levels for the day.

Take as many short rest periods as needed during the moves, but also try to stay as true to form as possible.

HAPPY PRIDE peachATL.com | 71

The Pride party lineup this year is something EXTRA with plenty of opportunity to celebrate with your rainbow family and friends all weekend long. Here’s a full lineup of special event parties that don’t even include what all the bars are doing to Pride-supersize their regular shows.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

DJ GSP Official Aquarium After Party Where: The Heretic When: 9 pm – 3 am How: Tickets by Universe The Bunny Hop: ATL Pride Kiki with Lady Bunny Where: W Atlanta Midtown When: 9 pm – 2 am How: Tickets by Eventbrite

Pride Kickoff Glitter Ball with DJ Kitty Glitter Where: TEN Atlanta When: 7 pm How: Entry with Block Party Writbands

Maria, Maria Pride Kick-Off Fiesta with DJ Brian Rojas and DJ Esme Where: Mary’s Atlanta When: 10 pm – 3 am How: No Cover

Playhouse with Alyssa Edwards Where: MSR My Sisters Room When: 8 pm How: Tickets ($22-47) via Live Nation ATL Pride Warm-Up

PROUD Pride Celebration with Joe Gauthreaux Where: Georgia Freight Depot When: 10 pm – 3 am How: Tickets by gaboyevents.com

Where: District Atlanta When: 9 pm – 3 am How: Tickets via gaboyevents.com

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 Atlanta Sisters 10-Year-Anniversary Where: 1530 DeKalb Ave, Atlanta, Georgia 30307 When: 2 pm How: Free Glow Party (Official Aquarium Afterparty) Where: MSR My Sisters Room When: 10 pm How: Tickets via Eventbrite

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 Deep South Pride Pool Party Where: The Moxy Hotel When: 12-7 pm How: No cover, but limited capacity Bottoms Up! Drag Brunch ft. Tammie Brown Where: Annex Bookstore When: 12-4 pm How: Tickets by Eventbrite Queen Butch Tea Dance with Hex Hector Where: 554 Piedmont Avenue When: 2-8 pm How: Tickets by Eventbrite

Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff at Georgia Aquarium Where: Georgia Aquarium When: 7pm – 12 am How: Tickets via georgiaaquarium.org

Power Pride Live @ Atlanta Pride 2019 with Kesha, Daya, Max & More Where: Piedmont Park Coca-Cola Stage When: Program starts 2 pm How: No Cover

SWEAT Presented by Midnight Train Where: Believe Music Hall When: 9 pm – 4 am How: Tickets via Eventbrite

Dockside Tea Dance Where: Piedmont Park When: 2-7 pm How: Tickets by Eventbrite

72 | 10.02.19

Electric Circus (Official Women’s Event of Atlanta Pride) Where: District Atlanta When: 9 pm – 3 am How: Tickets by mysistersroom.com Cindel Heretic Pride Saturday Where: The Heretic When: 9 pm – 3 am How: Tickets via Universe The Official Atlanta Pride Main Event Where: The Coca-Cola Roxy When: 9 pm – 3 am How: Tickets via gaboyevents.com PRIDE XL Main Event Presented by Midnight Train Where: 150 Carnegie Way NW When: 9 pm – 4 am How: Tickets via Eventbrite Deep South ATL x Kudzu Pride Where: The Bakery When: 10 pm – 6 am How: Tickets via Universe Geared Stonewall Pride Edition Where: Atlanta Eagle When: 10 pm – 3 am How: No Cover

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 18th Annual HRC Atlanta Pride Brunch Where: Empire State South When: 10:30 am – 2 pm How: Tickets by act.hrc.org VIEW: Pride Parade Viewing Party Where: The Fox Theatre When: 12-4 pm How: tickets by foxtheatre.org 49th Annual Atlanta Pride Parade Where: Step-Off Civic Center Station When: 12 pm How: No Cover

Henry’s Pride Parade Party Where: Henry’s Midtown When: 12-4 pm How: No cover but limited capacity Pride Sunday Tea Dance Where: Piedmont Park When: 2-7 pm How: Tickets by Freshtix Sunday Service Pride Edition (The Last Supper) by Deep South Where: Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room When: 7-11:59 pm How: No Cover DILF Out & Proud Pride Party Where: The Heretic When: 9 pm – 3 am How: Tickets by thedilfparty.com

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14 ATL Pride Morning Party Where: The Heretic When: 7-11 am How: tickets by gaboyevents.com

AFTERS 10/12 - XION with Alex Acosta 3-7 am | XION 10/13 – After Glow with DJ Paulo 3-7 am | District 10/14 – Xion with Micky Friedmann 3-7 am | XION 10/14 – Sunday Service After Hours 12 am - ? | TBA

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October 2 – 16

Party with Impact Totally 80’s Concert

Atlanta Bubbles & Biscuits 2019 Join the LGBTQ Victory Fund, the President & CEO, Mayor A night of live music and dance benefiting Positive Impact Health Annise Parker, and local elected officials to celebrate victories Centers featuring Martha Wash (It’s Raining Men), Taylor Dayne and support the efforts to build another rainbow wave in (Tell It to My Heart), and all your 80’s dance favorites. Tickets ($45- 2019 and beyond. Tickets via victoryfund.org.

150) via universe.com.

Saturday, October 5, 8 – 11:30 pm Sunday, October 6, 11 am – 2 pm Tabernacle Atlanta The Wimbish House

Rocky Horror PALS Drag Queen Bingo It’s time to do the time warp and get into the Halloween spirit with hostess Bubba D. Licious, and the PALS queens, Erica Lee, Patsy Jon Benet, Desiree Storm, and special guests. Do you have what it takes to come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab? Tickets via palsatlanta.org.

Thursday, October 8, 7:30-9:30 pm Lips Atlanta

Atlanta Trans Equality Reception The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) and the NCTE Action Fund hosts the reception where participants will discuss issues impacting trans individuals and support NCTE and their work to end discrimination against the trans community. Tickets via transequality.org.

Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Address provided upon ticket purchase

Sissy That Run Celebrate Atlanta Pride with Sissy that Run, Atlanta’s only LGBTQ running, walking, and social group, for a fun run or walk suited for any every running level.

2nd Annual Mayor’s Pride Reception Join Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for the 2nd annual Mayor’s Pride Reception - an evening of celebration, as Atlanta kicks off its Pride weekend. Guests will enjoy speakers, live entertainment and more! Participation is free with registration through Eventbrite.

Wednesday, October 9, 6:30 pm Rendezvous at John Howell Park (playground entrance) Thursday, October 10, 7-9 pm Flourish

74 | 10.02.19

PRIDE TRINKETS

follow Mitzi @itsmitzip

I love a lot of things about Atlanta Gay Pride. It’s in October so it doesn’t share the spotlight with the other Prides. The weather is a little cooler, but you can still slut-it-up with your looks. And my greatest love about Pride? All the rainbowcolored tchotchkes (chachkies for you Drag Race fans) you can wrap your hands on! Every vendor, float and nearly every person you come into contact with has little useless items to help you make a Gay statement. But choosing which useless items to keep and which ones to pass along can be challenging. So, this year I am collaborating with several of my close friends to create our own knickknacks just in time

for the gayest month in Atlanta!

One of hottest items every Pride season is a fan. Simple, yet always in demand. Fans can make all the difference when standing outside in the sun all day. Most companies give away bland ones with their logos on them though. They’re too small and tend to break easily. I fixed this by making a steel-based fan. I got sponsored by the local Mikey’s Metal Works factory. They wanted to clean up their image after last year’s meltdown burned nearly all of West-Northwest Side. The fans are a lustful ten inches long and have a healthy girth of five inches around. They even come in silicon casings so you can use it over and over again! Be sure to see me on the parade route as I’ll be flinging these phallic fans everywhere.

If you find yourself unable to get in touch with your dealer during the weekend of the festivities, fear not! I partnered with a crazy artist known for her rainbow-inspired art to create a series of drug laced doodads. My good friend Lisa Anne has a long and successful career of creating merchandise for little kids who love everything in the rainbow. We got the idea to make cute artwork that doubled as drugs during her close relative’s funeral. They come in a variety of cute characters and drugs of choice. Come to my booth at the park to pick up a Unicorn Pony Patch. Stick this little guy to your bicep and enjoy hours of ecstasy absorption through your skin. Want to keep your skin free of art? Place a Marshmallow Princess Sugarplum Tab on your tongue. Loosely based on The Nutcracker musical, these sweet edibles come in two flavors: Molly or LSD. And for the old-fashioned partygoer, we offer the Hello Cutie scratch-n-sniff stickers! Simply scratch off the protective covering and sniff the flattened sheet of cocaine! You’ll be in for hours of fun.

I am offering one other doodad this year for those in need of some sexual fun. My friend, and dishonorably discharged former host of QVC, Tabatha Tabernacle, has created a fabulous line of sex toys that double as wearable fashion. Who doesn’t love a pearlescent bauble necklace? No one! And when that necklace stretches out into some shiny anal beads, it’s a win-win. Tabatha’s Intimates on a Budget is a new line of decorative fashions that she is giving away for free all Pride long! Be sure to also score her wildly successful Knickknack Patty Whack, a trendy belt that can harden into a double-sided twenty-inch vibrator. Don’t ask me where the batteries go, but I guarantee it works!

This Pride is sure to be one for the books if you know where to look! If I miss you in the park or at the parade, be sure to find me around every dark corner and after-hours bar if you wish to score some of these awesome collectibles.

Yours in party-monstering,

Mitzi Pennington is the self-proclaimed sex symbol and advice-giving-guru alter ego of Mirza Muftic. She came from humble roots of middle America and married into money shorly after dropping out of college. Her late husband’s fortune allows her to travel the world andhave a sense of enlightenment one normally gets from actually working for their money. Mirza has had none of those experiences in his life. On occasion, Mirza will perform as Mitzi around Atlanta. His other interests/day job include film editing, retouching, and stop-motion animation.

76 | 10.02.19

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PALS BINGO @ LIPS PHOTOS: GLENN PHILLIPS

78 | 10.02.19

You deserve Personalized Care & Individual Attention – that’s what we deliver at Family Health Care of Atlanta • Participating in many clinical trials • Certiied HIV Specialist, American Academy of HIV Medicine • 20+ years experience in Family & HIV Care SPECIALIZING IN DERMATOLOGY, STD’S, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, UROLOGY, PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

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Pushing Against Conversion Therapy

By Mark Dawson

80 | 10.02.19

Survivors of Gay Conversion Therapy Respond to Founder of One the Country’s Largest Conversion Therapy Organizations Coming out as Gay The founder of one of the largest conversion therapy organizations has come out as gay and is now apologizing for his role in pushing the practice.

McKrae Game, 51, the founder and leader of Hope for Wholeness in South Carolina, publicly revealed his sexuality back in June, but begged forgiveness in a recent Facebook post.

“I certainly regret where I caused harm,” Game wrote. “Promoting the triadic model that blamed parents and conversion or prayer therapy, that made people believe that their orientation was wrong, bad, sinful, evil and worse that they could change was absolutely harmful.”

Out author and singer Raph Solo, who underwent conversion therapy and writes and sings about the psychological damage it has caused to him in his new single, “Memory Lane”, is willing to forgive Game. He welcomes his voice within the LGBTQ community.

“Personally, I believe his experience is invaluable to share with the community. When you share that kind of knowledge and experience it can be of great use to those who have struggled and continue to struggle (with their sexuality). On a personal note, I have chosen to speak out about my reparative experience because I believe no one deserves to live a life of fear for being gay.”

Justin Utley, a former Latter-Day Saint who sings about his experience with conversion therapy in his new album, Scars, out today, says not so fast.

He points out that Game has caused irreversible harm, both mental and

physical, to kids, adults, and their families, and that he made money from a practice that has long been denounced from medical and mental health boards. He questions Game’s motives in coming out now.

“There have been a lot of these men coming out recently,” he says. “Is it because they see the legislative writing on the wall? Are their paychecks dwindling due to lawsuits? Or did they just get tired of pretending?”

Utley isn’t surprised Game has come out as gay because he points out that nearly all conversion therapists are gay themselves. “The men put themselves in dangerous situations and emotional relationships with other men at these retreats,” he adds.

Still, Utley is willing to welcome Game into the LGBTQ community.

“We all come from some pretty diverse backgrounds, and I don’t think it would be appropriate to deny someone refuge who has evolved and come to terms with their own identity and sexuality.

As a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon) we were told by church authorities to avoid associating with homosexuals, since the sin they commit is repugnant and next to murder. I embraced that at one time. Should I be told there isn’t a place for me at the table now? Some might think so.”

Nearly 700,000 adults who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual have undergone conversion therapy treatments or counseling, according to a study from UCLA’s Williams Institute last year.

Game now calls the process of Conversion Therapy “not just a lie, but very harmful. Because it’s false advertising.”

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BARS 1 2 3 4

Amsterdam Blake's Bulldogs Friends

6 My Sister’s Room 7 Ten Atlanta

Dining 502 Amsterdam Ave NE 227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE

10 th & Piedmont Campagnolo Einstein's F.R.O.G.S

clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

spa/bath 15 Flex Spa

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991 Piedmont Ave NE 980 Piedmont Ave NE 1077 Juniper St NE 931 Monroe Cir NE

fitness

retail 8 Barking Leather

9 10 11 12

76 4th St. NW

16 17 18 19

G’s Midtown Henry’s Joe's on Juniper La Hacienda

219 10th St NE 132 10th St NE 1049 Juniper St NE 900 Monroe Dr NE

billards/Darts drag dancers leather non-smoking area Patio

Celebrating YOU! Visit us at Pride savedandgay.com

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Piedmont Park BARS 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Cir NE 2425 Piedmont Rd NE

Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd 805 Lambert Dr. NE, Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd

clubs 28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd

Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa/bath 31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

32 33 34 35 36

Midtown Moon Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's

2103 Faulkner Rd NE 2135 Liddell Drive NE

1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Dining 38 Eclectic Bistro

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

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Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta The T

1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE

A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in Peach ATL & visit their websites for weekly event listings.

Bars & Clubs

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

Retail

MIDTOWN

MARY’S

MIDTOWN

amsterdamatlanta.com

1287 Glenwood Ave SE

AMSTERDAM

502 Amsterdam Ave. NE

ATLANTA EAGLE

marysatlanta.com

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

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CHESHIRE

SWINGING RICHARDS

BARKING LEATHER

1400 Northside Dr NW

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BULLDOGS

Dining

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

MIDTOWN

736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

10thandpiedmont.com

atlantaeagle.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK

blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

893 Peachtree St NE

friendsonponce-atl.com

466 Edgewood Ave SE

swingingrichards.com

10TH & PIEDMONT

MY SISTER’S ROOM

991 Piedmont Ave NE

66 12th St NE

einsteinsatlanta.com

mysistersroom.com

TEN ATLANTA

tenatlanta.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

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Halloween at The River’s Edge

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October 18-20

October 25-27

Text your Peach Pits to 540-30-PEACH, or e-mail mikkel@PeachATL.com

Him: Oh, he is hot!

Oh, so you think you can change my sexual orientation? Honey, no part of you is bigger than me being gay.

Her: I don’t think he is attractive

Him: But you’re not sexually attracted to men, are you?

Her: I’m not attracted to shoes either, but I can still tell if it’s a good-looking pair.

ASKING FOR A FRIEND

It’s okay to make out with just about every guy you meet during Pride, right?

You may not think I’m all that, but my taste in music is so much better than you

DADDY JOKE ALERT Why is Peter Pan always flying? He neverlands

If you see someone crying, ask if it’s because of their haircut

If you sneeze and fart at the same time, your body takes a screenshot!

No, being gay isn’t like some phase I can live through. But being straight was a phase I quickly put behind me!

88 | 10.02.19

Girls Scout - an interview with Kristin Chenoweth

By Gregg Shapiro 90 | 10.02.19

Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth could potentially have a Grammy Award in her sights with her new album For The Girls (Concord). On her most contemporary pop-oriented studio album in nearly 10 years, Chenoweth pays tribute to several of her musical icons including Judy Garland, Eydie Gorme, Barbra Streisand, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton.

Parton herself joins Chenoweth on a roof-raising rendition of the Dixie diva’s “I Will Always Love You”.

Other guests joining Chenoweth on the album include Jennifer Hudson, Reba McEntire and Ariana Grande. A longtime friend and supporter of the LGBTQ community, Chenoweth was kind enough to answer a few questions in advance of the album’s release.

Kristin, the presence of Linda Ronstadt can be felt throughout your new album For The Girls, especially on songs she covered such as “Desperado”, “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”, “Crazy” and “I Will Always Love You”. In terms of your personal music influences, where would you place Linda?

I’ve got to say that she’s going to be up there with Dolly Parton. She’s going to be up there with Judy Garland. That’s where I place her. Also, I remember when I was growing up, Linda had those Nelson Riddle albums that I wore out. She can do any song there is, and sing like that, and also do Pirates of Penzance. I was impressed with that. It was a career that I’ve always thought, “I want to be like that!” I think I’m lucky because I can do a lot of things and so can she.

Speaking of “I Will Always Love You”, you are joined on that song by the woman who wrote it, and whom you mentioned, Dolly Parton.

What was it like to sing with Dolly?

Just that I could retire now [laughs]. It made my musical life very complete.

Honestly, since I was a little kid, it was

Dolly Parton. Mainly because I felt like I kind of sounded like her, even the way she talks, and I know she’s petite and from the South. There were a lot of things about her that I understood. I’m also honored to know her not only as an artist but also as a businesswoman.

I’ve watched her and learned from her.

She does not sell any of the songs she writes! She owns them. When Whitney Houston did “I Will Always Love You” in The Bodyguard – which was an amazing version as well, a real barn burner – you go back to the original source and you listen to that. That’s what I connected with the most. And she’s never sold her music. She’s a smart lady!

She is a true genius. In addition to the Dolly duet, you are joined by Ariana Grande on “You Don’t Own Me” and Jennifer Hudson and Reba McEntire on “I’m A Woman”. How did those collaborations come to be?

Basically, I picked my favorite singers alive today and asked them to do it [laughs]. Reba and I have become closer over the past several years through our work with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and Celebrity Fight Night. Singing with Reba and Andrea has been a real high for me. She’s also a fellow Oklahoman.

When did you first meet Reba?

I met her when I was 19, working at Opryland USA. On my night off, they asked me if I wanted to hand out candy at this event where Reba McEntire was being honored. I said, “Yes! I want to do that.” I met her and I couldn’t speak. I teased her and said, “Do you remember the girl who went mute?” She said, “Yes, I do!” I said, “That was me [laughs]!”

What does it mean to you to be able to sing with Reba?

Of course, it’s cool to get to collaborate with great singers like Reba, who has peachATL.com | 91

her own stamp when she sings a song. As does Jennifer! There’s no confusion there. When you hear their voices, you know that’s Reba and you know that’s JHud. I think Jennifer has one of the best voices around today. I also appreciate the fact that both Reba and Jennifer have done Broadway, as well. I always love that. It makes you feel like you’re in a club. With Ari, I just watched her grow up. She came backstage with her mom and grandma at Wicked and I gave her a wand. She said, “I want to be a singer, too!” I thought, “Well, isn’t that sweet?” And as the years have gone by and I’ve watched her grow and evolve into the biggest pop star there is, I’ve been so very proud of her.

And you and Jennifer and Ariana also did Hairspray (on NBC) together.

Yes! I hadn’t met Jennifer before, but I knew Ariana. And Dove Cameron and I have worked together a lot. I kind of view myself as a mama bear, taking care of those girls like Ariana and Dove. I want to make sure they know they’re loved. Not just for their talent, although that’s the aspect that drew us together, but for who they are. And Jennifer just blew me away with her voice!

You mentioned Judy Garland and 2019 was a big year for Judy. It’s the 50th anniversary of her passing and the 80th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Does that have anything to do with why you chose to include “The Man That Got Away” from A Star Is Born?

Yes. Obviously, she’s another woman that I understand what she’s doing.

When I was a little girl, I said, “That’s me! I’m her!” The same with Julia Andrews. When you’re a young artist you look at other artists and you say, “I understand that.” I always understood her. Gaga had such a big success with her version of A Star Is Born, for which I was extremely proud of her. I think 92 | 10.02.19

it’s nice to show that it started with Judy and “The Man That Got Away” in A Star Is Born, and then it went to Barbra and then it went to Gaga. I think it’s important to show how things can change, but still say the same. I went back to the original source. In a way, I did it as an homage to Barbra and Gaga, too. But it would have never even mattered if Judy hadn’t done it.

I’m glad that you included “I Wanna Be Around” on the album, a song made popular

by Eydie Gorme, whom I think is one of the most underrated artists. What drew you to that song?

I’ve always been a huge fan of hers.

I remember when I was little and I saw her on The Carol Burnett Show a lot. Again, I went, “I can do that. I understand “I Wanna Be Around.”

There’s a part of me, and a part of all of us as humans, that says, “I don’t wish you ill, but I kind of want to be around when you get hurt like you hurt me.

‘Sit there applauding from a front row seat/When somebody breaks your heart like you broke mine’.” It also gave me a chance to do a big sultry number, like “The Man That Got Away”, too.

Another lane that I like to live in. And I wanted to honor her, too. I love her and I’m sad that I never met her. Doris Day is another one of those. When I think about “When I Fall in Love” sung

by Doris Day or Natalie Cole singing it with her dad, there are many reasons to sing that song.

On For The Girls, female singer/songwriters are represented by Carole King and Dolly Parton. If there was a For The Girls 2, do you think you’d ever consider covering more tunes by female singer/songwriters, such as Brandi Carlile and Patty Griffin for example?

Yes! I would love to cover them. Brandi happens to be on the top of my list right now. I’m also enjoying Maren Morris a lot. I love these girls that are writing and doing their own thing. Chely

Wright is another singer/songwriter that I very much admire, that I feel has been, like Eydie Gorme, hit it big at one time, but man would I love to honor her. I would love to honor Sandi Patty, a Christian artist that everybody knows I love. She had a major impact on my singing life. Of course, there’s (also) Julie Andrews.

I would love to do a For The Girls 2. I’m already thinking that way because there were so many songs that I didn’t get to do. I even want to do a Jennifer Lopez song.

I really want to go there. I know when Ari and I sang “You Don’t Own Me,” of course everybody knows the version by Dusty (Springfield), whom I love very much. But I went back to the original source who was Lesley Gore. Ari does Ari and I do my homage to Lesley.

On “I’m A Woman”, I’m doing an homage to Peggy Lee. I’m trying to find that line where I’m putting my stamp on it, but also paying homage to the women who did it originally.

Kind of like you and Dolly on “I Will Always Love You”.

Yes! When it first starts, you think, “Is that Kristin or Dolly?” Eventually when she comes in and starts singing and then as the song goes on, she really starts wailing, I thought, “Wow! She’s outdone herself on her own song!”

I was so honored, honestly.

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Trouble in the love department? With sex? Or just people in general? Send us your queries, questions, and problems, and you’ll get answers served straight up and with a little ice.

I recently hooked up with this guy, and something really strange happened: When we got to his place and started making out, he paused and told me that he would prefer me to use a dental dam when I was going down on him. I was really puzzled both because I didn’t know what it was, and when he explained it, I wondered if something was wrong. He then told that he had recently had a really unlucky run in terms of STIs, and even though he had gotten treated very quickly, he still felt that he wanted to protect himself as much as possible because he was particularly receptive – or so he thought.

We ended up having sex with dental dams, condoms, and all, and it was weird not having any skin on skin contact except for kissing.

Are dental dams the new thing? And are they effective like that?

Sincerely Latex Lover

Sincerely Latex Lover Although not new, a dental dam is something most people haven’t heard about. It works as a thin, flexible piece of latex that protects against direct mouth-to-genital or mouth-toanus contact during oral sex. This reduces your risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) while still allowing for clitoral or in your case, anal stimulation. The dental dam will protect you against syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and hepatitis, but not against HPV, herpes, and pubic lice. In these PrEP times where condom use is becoming more and more infrequent, it is also obvious that STI rates are on the rise – and your sex partner has felt that on his own body.

If you want to see this guy again, you probably want to keep using dental dams and condoms if that is what makes him comfortable, but over time when his comfort level with you heightens, you can maybe ease up on the latex. So, are dental dams the new thing? Chances are that you will probably see them more frequently when hooking up with future sex partners.

94 | 10.02.19

Pride is coming up, I feel f**ing hot, I’m on PrEP, and I am ready to party and have lots of sex. Is that totally bad – and besides being on PrEP; what can I do to be safe(r)?

Sincerely Always PrEPared

Dear Always PrEPared Pride is the time to celebrate who you are and being LGBTQ – and one of those things is a freer view on sex and sexuality! So go out and hook up with lots of guys and enjoy it – but make sure you consider these things to make it as enjoyable and, yes, safe as possible: - Consent is essential on ALL sides and for everyone - You have a right to say no and be respected and vice versa.

- Doing drugs blurs the lines of what you want and do, so handle with utmost care.

- Play safe – that means using condoms if needed and establishing rules for rough play.

- Get tested – once Pride is over, go and get tested for the most common STIs. - Stay on PrEP – this is not the time to get messy with your regimen

HAPPY F**KING PRIDE!

NEED ANSWERS? REACH OUT TO US, AND YOU WILL GET THEM! SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS TO OUR EDITOR AT MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) Instinct and determination drive you toward unconventional plans for making money. A finance counselor or other professional could be involved.

You may see this as an opportunity to restore your ailing bank account. You may have future purchases in mind, perhaps even a new home. Consider your plans carefully before going ahead. You’ll want to be sure it’s what you need.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) Today you may feel a passionate attraction for someone intelligent who perhaps makes a living in law, education, or publishing this week.

Conversations with this person could touch on some deep issues, such as spiritual matters, the human psyche, or the nature of the universe. You should be deeply affected, not only by the person but also by the subjects. Wait till after Pride to clear your head.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

You might have to play nurse this week. A love partner could claim to feel unwell, and you might expend a lot of energy trying to make your friend feel better. Don’t overdo it. There may be psychological factors at work. Your friend could be jealous of the attention you’ve been giving your other friends. Be attentive, but within limits!

This could be a quiet week for you and your partner.

Or you could spend some time reflecting on past achievements and future goals. It’s important to get a clear picture about the past so you can draw conclusions and make workable plans. If you have a family, you’ll probably be interested in activities that everyone will enjoy. Make some time to get together. Leave tension behind.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

You’re generally focused on the material world, but something about the energy generated by your planetary alignments causes you to look within. You might think about the joys and pains of past Prides and wonder how they affect your life now. This is a positive, healing process, so don’t fight it. It won’t interfere with what’s going on around you.

All the positive energy generated by the celestial atmosphere seems to come together this week as you experience a rush of sensual passion for a romantic partner. An unexpected encounter could not only fulfill this desire but also bring you closer.

If you aren’t already committed, expect to discuss it soon. Be careful to exercise restraint. Your lover could panic if you push too hard.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

A group event like Pride could put you in contact with a number of people interested in doing a healing meditation for the planet. This sort of activity can work wonders to strengthen the bond among those performing it. You might not talk much during the discussions, but you’re apt to be in total agreement with the idea. Enjoy your weekend.

The arrival of a surprise visitor for Pride could generate mixed feelings. On the one hand, you’re probably glad to resume contact with this person.

On the other, because you weren’t expecting this guest, it could create extra work for you - as if you didn’t already have enough on your plate! Recruit others to help with necessary tasks so you can enjoy your weekend.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) Happiness reigns in the home as everyone feels the energy changing. It seems that the end of one cycle brings closure, and now you’re free to start a new journey of rebirth. You, above all, are apt to feel a powerful rush of intuition, which could reveal positive events coming up for you and those close to you. A few doubts may cloud your impressions, but let them go.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) Someone who’s been ill and perhaps undergone surgery might phone you this weekend. You could invite this person to join you for a little social gathering we call Pride. Several people could be involved. All of them will have some interesting and useful information to offer. Natives of Leo in particular might attract your attention. Enjoy your day.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

Are you going to go away soon? If not, you may be planning a trip for another month, perhaps going for educational purposes, such as to attend a workshop. You might have agreed to some overseas business travel. You should feel especially energetic, enthusiastic, and optimistic now. You’ve done well thanks to your diligent work, and you should continue on that path.

With the planetary atmosphere this week, your sensual nature is in full bloom. If there’s a romantic partner nearby, that person should be on guard!

There will be a lot of other people around this weekend, so a chance to be alone probably won’t present itself until the end of the weekend. If you don’t connect with a potential partner, at least you’ll have a good time. Hang in there and be patient!

96 | 10.02.19

G8YTIES @ THE HERETIC PHOTOS: HALO PHOTOBOOTH

98 | 10.02.19