CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 13, 2019
V3-44 PEACH ATL MEDIA, LLC 925b Peachtree St. NE #168 Atlanta, GA 30309
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EDITORIAL Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com
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Brian Sawyer Graphics
Jessica Watson Graphics
EVENT MARKETING Thomas Le
From the Editor
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Whether you want it or not, the Holiday season is upon us! Check out our Holiday gift guide with a few choice items for the gay guy who has it all – you may be surprised! – or how about giving something genuinely priceless? We guide you to that as well. The Holiday season is also the busy season with good reason, and it can all amount to a little bit too much at times. Luckily, Peach is here to help with columns that will help you not to over-commit, and you get some excellent ways to calm TF down too. Our celebrity interview is with the gorgeous and talented John Duff, who talked to Chris Azzopardi about being out in the music industry, why ‘iconic’ is overused, being understood, and Paula Abdul calling him ‘strange.’ All that and so much more in this gifted issue of Peach!
SALES | DISTRIBUTION Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com
CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Jamie Kirk Mirza Muftic Andy Reynolds Mikey Rox Mick Sandoval Matt Sunderland
NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media 908.232.202
ON THE COVER
Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director IG @hyldebrandt
Photography: Mike Ruiz Photo courtesy of Mike Ruiz from his Bullies & Biceps 2020 Calendar
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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.
6 | 11.13.19
The international circus show sensation, Cirque du Soleil, invites you to a special Equality Night off their VOLTA show in support of Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community. Energetic, urban, and contemporary, VOLTA is a captivating voyage of discovery that showcases never-beforeseen under the Big Top acrobatics in a visually striking world. Driven by a stirring melodic score and inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, VOLTA is about finding yourself and unveiling your personal powers. VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own ability to make it possible. Ultimate freedom comes with selfacceptance, and with the liberation of the judgment of others. Waz is a gameshow contestant that has lost touch with himself. He’s ashamed of who he is because of his difference. Follow him as he enters the show in search of fame, thinking that this will bring him love and acceptance from 8 | 11.13.19
others. What he will find is something else: that fame is not the answer. If fame doesn’t provide freedom and acceptance, then what does? Will Waz reconnect with his true self – and stand up for all that makes him truly unique? Will he realize that his difference is what makes him extraordinary? VOLTA is playing until January 5 under the big top at Atlantic Station in Atlanta. Get your tickets at cirquedusoleil.com/volta. --
W H AT
Cirque du Soleil “VOLTA” Equality Night
WHEN
Thursday, November 14, 8 pm
WHERE
Under the Grand Chapiteau at Atlantic Station in Atlanta Tickets at cirquedusoleil.com/volta
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By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
The queer art scene in Atlanta is bustling, and the FABNORMAL queer art show showcase is valid proof of that. Peach spoke to Rigel Cable, who is one half of the duo behind the art event, about the showcase that combines art exhibition with a huge party. Tell us about the couple behind Fabnormal. We moved to Atlanta from Los Angeles in 2017. And now Atlanta is home! Cameron (@cameronleeart) is a visual artist and a real estate agent at his newly formed Arthouse Real Estate. I (Rigel) work full time in the eCommerce space for a technology company and in the rest of my time I work on my influencer platform, Rigel Gemini (@rigelgemini), on Instagram, YouTube, and my blog. We are both committed to fostering creative community and expanding opportunities for the LGBTQ community in Atlanta. How did you come up with the idea for Fabnormal? This will be our third art show that marks the release of one of Cameron’s new art collections. We started with “Flores Fatales” in Los Angeles in 2017, then in 2018 “SPECTRA” in Atlanta (our first sponsorship with Lexus), and now “FABNORMAL” at The Moxy sponsored by Lexus and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The event has grown each year, and for the first time we have planned an entire night of entertainment and queer creativity. Can you shed some light on the featured artists? We curated a range of queer artistic talent from several different communities including a range of genders, communities of color, and of course artistic focus. Cameron Lee (@cameronleeart) creates digital photography and collage. Adelaide Tai (@hi.adelaide) is an abstract painter and musician. Chris Barker (@cb_ analog) shoots beautiful artistic, portrait photography. Lisette Correa (@arrrtaddict) is an incredible illustrator and has created some new works for this show featuring her latinx background. Nick Khan (@suivannt) is an edgy, young photographer who will be sharing prints and also projecting a show of some of his best work. We are honored to have each artist in this show, and we are so excited to create an art moment with them in Atlanta. ... and the featured entertainment? We have a huge party lined up featuring the most exciting and innovative performers we could think of. The evening will be hosted by the iconic Brigitte Bidet. 10 | 11.13.19
We will have several drag performances including Molly Rimswell, Miss He, and drag king TJ MAXXX. The queer raptress Yani Mo will be performing her own music. Ree de la Vega will be DJing the whole night. We will be closing out the night with a vogue set by Titus and Sookie Sookie Tenchi. The art showcase benefits TRANScending Barriers, a nonprofit that supports the transgender and non-binary communities in Atlanta and Georgia – why did you choose them as a beneficiary? From the start of planning this event, we wanted to support a non-profit, and we wanted to focus on the transgender and non-binary communities. TRANScending Barriers is the largest (if not the only) non-profit focused primarily on the trans and nonbinary communities of Georgia. We will be hosting a raffle with donations from The Moxy, Lexus, and one of Cameron’s artworks to raise funds for the non-profit. Why is an art showcase like this important to the queer art movement in Atlanta? Our city is an oasis for queer creativity. This event is a platform for creatives. Unlike some gallery events or shows that require visual artists to pay a wall fee or charge a commission, we pay all of our artists, including our visual artists, and charge no commission or fees. We feel strongly that creatives should not be used as a platform, but instead a platform should be created for them to be showcased and seen for all their hard work. That’s what we have tried to create with FABNORMAL. Who in the community have you partnered with on this? We have partnered with our incredible sponsor Lexus for the third time. To have such an amazing, global brand supporting and caring for what we do is incredible. They put so much personal attention into our events each year, and they care a lot about the Atlanta LGBTQ community. Tito’s Handmade Vodka jumped onto the opportunity to work with us to support Transcending Barriers. We also partnered for the first time with Bill Kaelin Marketing and MAAP, who have helped make this the biggest ever. And thanks to our crew Rahjiv Staten (videographer) and Toni Williams (sound) because they also make this event possible. -FABNORMAL: Atlanta Queer Art Showcase is on Friday, November 15, 8-11 pm at the Mammal Gallery. Tickets are free with RSVP through Eventbrite.
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…for the gay guy who has everything By Mick Sandoval
Photos: PR
Let’s face it: the best gifts are more about want than need. They simultaneously create and satisfy a desire you probably didn’t even know you had. Necessities are great, but uh, you can only get so many socks and ties. This holiday, it’s time to skip the lame gift cards and clothes for the guy who seems to have everything. Instead, surprise him with one of these items, he never even knew he wanted. He’ll remember them much longer than he’d remember the same recycled gifts he always gets.
Big Gay Bidet’s Bio Bidet TP-200 Portable Travel Bidet Bidets have long been popular in Europe and Japan, but they are finally making their way to America as more and more people learn that not only are bidets more efficient and hygienic than tissue paper, they are also more environmentally friendly. They’re no longer stand-alone fixtures. Today’s home bidets are usually built-in into the toilet seat, with fancy features like the ability to warm the body and dry afterward. They can be a substantial investment, but most who have them agree it’s a worthy one. That’s what makes The Bio Bidet TP-200 Portable Travel Bidet such a perfect gift. It’s much lower in cost yet offers many of the important benefits of the full-sized home models. It does not require batteries and is instead chargeable through a USB cable that plugs into any computer, wall outlet, even a car! A convenient carrying case is also included. The portable will likely convince your loved one to upgrade to the fullsized home model… but let them pay for it! Bio Bidet TP-200 Portable Travel Bidet, $59.95 at BigGayBidet.com
Bullies & Biceps 2020 Calendar
Mike Ruiz’s Bullies & Biceps 2020 Calendar is seventeen months of perfection (from December 2019 until April 2021) that will put a smile on your face every day of the new year. It makes a wonderful gift for the special animal lover in your life! Besides some of the most lovable (and adoptable!) pups, the calendar features the biggest and bulkiest male fitness models working today, all of whom also happen to be passionate animal advocates and bully owners themselves. As always, Mike’s vision is captivating and provocative, but his message is timeless… to end the discrimination and misunderstanding of the beloved Pit Bull type pooch. Bullies & Biceps 2020 Calendar, $26.99 at nybullycrew.org 12 | 11.13.19
CREATED BY
RICHARD WINCHESTER
WRITTEN BY
MARK SARGENT
DEC 5–21, 2019
This riotous camp classic is based on the actual Christmas Eve live radio broadcast from Joan Tickets: $15 and up Crawford’s Brentwood mansion in 1949, filled with exaggerated silver screen icons such as: Out Front Theatre Company Judy Garland, Carmen Miranda, Gloria Swanson, 999 Brady Avenue, Atlanta Hedda Hopper, Ethel Merman, the Andrews Sisters, and more!
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Pso-Rite Self-Massage Tool Deep tissue massages have been found to be the most effective tool for releasing tension throughout the body. Unfortunately, most of us cannot afford an on-call masseuse. That’s where Pso-Rite comes in. Designed to replicate the hands and elbows of a therapist, the handy tool allows men and women to selfmassage problematic areas away themselves. It works on the neck, hips, shoulders, back, and knees, chest, inner thigh, calf, shin, and rotator cuff. For athletes, using Pso-Rite for ten minutes before workouts improves performance by enabling an increased range of motion. Using it after workouts helps with recovery by introducing new blood flow and releasing toxins. Also, this holiday season, Pso-Rite is introducing its portable version, the Pso-Mini! Designed to replicate two fingers or the thumb, it works deep into muscles and can be used on sensitive areas, including the temples and jaws, back of neck, elbows, and the bottom of feet. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer! Pso-Rite (full-size) is $79.97 and Pso-Mini is $13.99 at Pso-Rite.com
Addicted’s Flammable Ice Underwear Collection Who says sports briefs have to be hidden under snow pants? This winter’s “Flammable Ice” underwear collection from Addicted is designed to transport men to the kingdom of their deepest and coolest fantasies. The collection features tight-fitting briefs, boxers, jocks, and long johns in bold primary colors and camouflage prints. Some have padded garments; others include faux fur; all include their new 3D spacer. What is that, you ask? It is two separate fabrics joined by a microfilament yarn. It creates a breathable, 3D “microclimate” between each layer of the brief. Heat and vapor leave the body, moving to the brief’s first highly permeable layer. Then, cool air provided by natural ventilation pushes the heat and vapor out, providing temperature control and maximum air circulation in the brief. It is water-resistant, highly breathable, and provides a solid and comfortable fit. All garments in the collection are finely and meticulously crafted by Addicted’s artisan team. $28 - $56 at Addictedusa.com
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By Matt Sunderland
Dallas-native Alex Riley has five survival tips for anyone considering a career in adult film. The first: make sure that you’re comfortable with people knowing you work in adult film. The years of having a hidden porn career are over. Movies last forever and you can’t unfilm a scene. Second, hydrocortisone cream is a necessity. (Huh?) Third: Be yourself on camera. Don’t pretend you’re a big, dominant top when you’re really a hungry bottom because fans can spot a phony on their computer screen. Also, be cool around the other models when you’re not on cam. Four: Have fun! Enjoy the exotic locales and the wild and crazy guys you get to hang out with while on set. Alex says he makes it a vacation every time he heads out to film. And last: Work out your body. It’s important to stay in shape because they’re not kidding when they say the camera packs on extra pounds. We spoke with Alex Riley in Las Vegas while he was on the set of his next Helix Studios film. What compelled you to get into adult film? There was a moment in the fourth grade that I knew I wanted to get into adult films. I was watching a clip on my grandmother’s computer thinking, “Wow. I want to be one of those guys one day!” 16 | 11.13.19
Tell us about growing up in Dallas. As a child, discipline, respect, school and sports were my whole life. My baby brother and I lived with my grandparents from, I believe, the middle of fourth grade until the middle of ninth grade. We lived with my mom for all of the other years before and after. I’ve never met my father, but it’s never been something that’s made me feel weird or different. As far as sports, I excelled in football, crosscountry and track & field. Being good at sports didn’t necessarily make me popular in high school, but I was well known and liked. Do your mom and grandparents know about your adult film career? Yes, I’ve told everyone, including close friends, and, for the most part, all have been supportive. I’ve learned to totally ignore mean things that people say to, or about, me. They have their lives and shouldn’t be worrying about mine. Who is the real Alex Riley when the cameras are off? I’m pretty much the same crazy, giggly, ADHD young man that I am on camera. I’m smiling and laughing a solid 23 hours of any given day and eating snacks like it’s no one’s business.
THANK YOU! THANKS FOR A GREAT 2019 ATL PRIDE! WE’LL SEE YOU IN 2020!
What is the best thing about porn? The people and the traveling. Traveling is so much fun and I’ve had sex with some really hot guys that have become close friends. Worst? It can be physically draining at times. Luckily, I love what I do, so the worst isn’t really that bad, yenno? Weirdest place you’ve had sex? On the third story rooftop of my last boyfriend’s parent’s house. What is one thing your fans would be most surprised to learn about you? My nationality. I’m black, Caucasian and Italian. What is your least favorite part on a guy? Hole hair. A clean-shaven hole is unbeatable. Life Motto? I’m the superstar of my own life and I decide my future. What makes you angry? Uncalled for disrespect. Also, slow walkers and people that take the good things in life for granted.
Cameron Boyce, before he passed away. When was the last time you cried? I cried a couple of days ago when I started thinking about myself and about how well my life is going. Then I prayed and started crying some more. I normally only cry for good purposes. What is your most treasured possession? I have a box at home that is completely full of sports items that I’ve been collecting my entire life. It’s packed with NFL helmets, posters, books, footballs, cards and autographed memorabilia. If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? Work hard. Be smart. Go be great and no matter what, remain humble! What items have you checked off your bucket list? None yet, sadly. What items do you have on your bucket list? I want to buy a home. A car. I want to invest in a company. I want a dog of my own! I want to go to Ibiza and get drunk with friends on a yacht. I’d also like to visit San Francisco, Cabo, Vancouver and Italy! I want to experience skydiving.
You can the run the world for a day. What would you do? I would go on national television and act like an absolute child, until someone stopped me!
That’s some list! I have a lot of life yet to live.
Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Learn more about Alex Riley at Helixstudios.net
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By Chris Azzopardi Photo: THEGING3RBEARDMEN / Steven Trumon Gray and Chad Wagner
In h i s 2 0 1 8 debut music video “Girly,” singer-songwriterdirector John Duff is seen imitating some of music’s biggest pop icons, replicating the shot-by-shot choreography of Madonna’s “Hung Up” video and Mariah Carey’s gesticulations and eyelash-batting in “Heartbreaker.” It was impressive, like Duff had been practicing his whole life. And, well, basically he had been. In the case of Britney Spears’ “Stronger,” he’d been mirroring Spears’ choreo since grade-school summer camp. For the hip-pop mid-tempo “Rich,” his followup to “Girly” released in September, the 30-year-old performer created a satirical and celebratory commentary on pop culture’s love-hate obsession with the rich and famous, in part by impersonating Kim Kardashian’s internet-breaking, buttexposed cover shoot. Duff, who graduated with a B.F.A. in musical theater from Syracuse University, also currently stars in Cubby, his film debut that its director, Michael Blane, describes as a story about “three different generations of men looking for acceptance and love.” When I connected with Duff recently, he had just
gotten acrylic nails and was feeling “very Marilyn Monroe-Mariah Carey, like helpless, like I can’t pick things up with this hand.” He clanked his nails on a table for me to hear over the phone while we talked about making a place for himself in the music industry after believing there wasn’t one for him, experiencing homophobia from Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul on The X Factor, and being understood. How did you end up here? Is this what little John Duff envisioned for himself? I started as a talent show kid because there aren’t really outlets for an artist when you’re in third grade, but I think my idea was to always be a performer. Growing up in a suburb of Baltimore, there weren’t many opportunities to really be on a stage, so I did get into public speaking, I did get into musical theater, and those became my main outlets. Then, of course, I went to college for musical theater, graduated, did shows in New York for years and then found my way to Los Angeles to write music. The rest just made sense to me. I like the big imagery of the old days, and people who really were doing something, not just ... well, I don’t know what the other people are doing, honestly. (Laughs.) Growing up, you were a Janet, Madonna and Mariah fan, and so you do seem to have an appreciation for an era when real artistry flourished. Well, it’s not just real artistry, it’s also budget that they put into everything. My sisters are 43 and 45, so I had them in high school driving me around when I was in first grade, second grade. And my sister had (Mariah Carey’s) “Fantasy” CD single and I stole it from her. Did you start imitating Mariah and other pop icons in your youth? Yeah. I spent most of my time in my basement, and I had Janet Jackson’s video collections and Michael Jackson’s HIStory video collection, and I had Mariah’s live Thanksgiving special and I was an American Idol kid, so I had all these things on tape and I would just watch and watch and imitate. When it came to start performing in talent shows, I think I wanted to do Britney Spears just because I could really dance then, but my parents were very insistent that I stick to the classics, so I did Elvis and Frank Sinatra. Michael Jackson was the first time I was allowed to bend a little. I mean, I didn’t have friends until junior year of high school – that was the first time I had any semblance of a social life – so it was just me, by myself. So I know the words to every song. I’m like a savant. In 2018, you posted a video of you singing a song you wrote called “Thoughts and Prayers” to YouTube, and I think I was surprised to find out that you can actually sing, only because I don’t expect much from gay Instagram.
Oh yeah. I kind of had fun with that when “Girly” was just coming out by letting people think I was going to do something stupid and then once it came out I think a lot of people wrote it off as a fluke, which is like, go off. You can totally do that. Because I know what I am. With “Rich,” we’d done the video a while back and the song is like – god, my manager’s gonna kill me for saying all of this, but it was never my favorite song, but the imagery made such sense to me. So it was sort of supposed to follow up “Girly” right away, but we were having some issues with the original producers of the song because not everyone in Hollywood is nice, I don’t know if you knew that. What’s to come? Is there a full album on the way? At this point I would say that I can genuinely look at my playlist of songs that I’ve created and we have about 30 that I think are good enough to stand in their respective realm. We’re trying to hone in on what exactly the introductory sound is, and “Girly” and “Rich” have kind of set that up. But I think the next moves get a little more specific in terms of who I am and what my inspirations are and what I want to be. Are you still figuring that out? And as a pop artist, is authenticity important to you? Well, that’s the thing: I’m a very, very layered human being like everybody else is. I guess I am actually a very deep-feeling and -thinking person, so that’s kind of a hard thing to cover off the bat. I think I’m being very authentic to my ideas, my wit and parts of myself in terms of the next couple of things we’re putting out, and there is sincerity there. But it’ll be a minute before I get to really give you some of the depth of my humanity. Well, it took seven years before we got Mariah’s _ Butterfly_ album, where she went her deepest musically. Sure, yeah, and we know that some of Mariah’s really great, serious, deep works were written long before they came out or had been in the works for years, and so I’ve got three songs on here that I’m like, “Oh my god, these are gamechanger.” They’re so important, but they’re not for right now. It doesn’t make sense to lead with them. And my parents really don’t understand that. Because they heard all of my music and they’re like, “What about this one?” There’s this ballad that they just – it’s about death and I’m like, “How the hell am I gonna put out a song about death after ‘Girly’ and ‘Rich’?” It’s just not gonna happen. You’ve expressed some frustration with the industry. Is it hard to convince these industry heads which songs you think should be out at this current moment in time? Absolutely. I say it all the time and we know this is common talk around town: Nobody
knows what is going to work now. Now, 10 years ago? Sure, they knew. Twenty years ago? They definitely knew. But no one could’ve ever predicted (Lil Nas X’s) “Old Town Road” would’ve been the biggest hit of all time. So there’s a lot of people whose literal job it is to try to predict what’s gonna happen.
aired on television, but within three seconds of being on stage he asked if I would’ve preferred to have been born into a female’s body. This was 2011, so there was no representation. I think Sam Smith had just come out with a single, and I don’t think he was gay. It was super hard for me to go on a show that’s run by the same people who are selling those records and have no Does being an out gay artist add to the challenge? comment on my talent whatsoever. Paula Abdul It’s really weird. It’s weird because we just all called me “strange.” What was strange about get compared to each other. We’re looking me? That I was gay. to get on the same public interviews and the same whatever and that’s probably how you Did you challenge her on that? end up getting compared is the same people No, I didn’t because I had just graduated from are promoting you. So being an out gay artist, musical-theater school, so the whole training I don’t personally think it helps or hurts me. I is, “OK, thank you,” “OK, thank you.” Looking don’t know about everybody else. And I don’t back, I would’ve been like, “You know what, even know what I mean by that (laughs). I can Paula, this is a singing competition. Why don’t only speak for myself, I guess, is what I mean. you come up here and we can sing ‘Straight Up’ and we can see who’s better, me or you? Because Have you ever experienced any kind of homophobia in the you calling me strange is a high compliment, industry? because if I’m strange to your whack-ass… .” I Absolutely. Look, in 2011, I was on The X Factor, mean, the strange thing is that she sang flat on Simon Cowell’s show. And of course, this was not her records. (Laughs.)
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Being a Paula fan, this seems like something that must’ve been difficult for you to hear. Especially standing on stage in front of an audience of 4,000 with your family watching. Everything about it was mortifying. I’ve read that you were told that you would fare better in this industry if you played up your masculinity. At what point did that happen? We shot this music video that’s about to come out, and I’m not playing a girl in it, but I’m very androgynously behaved. I don’t know, it’s just the mannerisms I wanna give. It’s a little diva energy. And we went back and added another scene to play up masculine whatever because I think the song is the most mainstream I’ve done, but is it just so we can make it easier for other people to digest? Sure. Sometimes it’s like, “Oh, you’re handsome so you should be doing it this way.” I’ve been told by other people, “I see you being like a Sam Smith,” and it’s funny because they bring up a gay person. Well, Sam Smith is already doing Sam Smith. There are also a lot of people who say I shouldn’t be playing up my gayness in my videos. I view it like drag, sort of. It’s just who I am when I’m performing. Not that there’s not elements of it in my life. Like, I’m standing next to a giant Mariah Carey portrait in my living room; I’m not pretending that I’m a jock when I’m off the field. I’m the one walking around with acrylics. Had ’em for two weeks. So all the other girls using their press-ons can have fun, but, you know, I’m committing to this. Also, we can’t be more complex that just one thing now? What it is, and I’ve talked to my therapist about this: There’s this desperation currently to find identity within separation rather than within what makes us similar. People are desperately clinging to anything that keeps them misunderstood, and for me, I would be happy to be understood. I’m happy for people to see me and say, “Yes, I relate to that.” For me, it’s been the most rewarding part of being who I am. And some days I wanna put on a pink shirt. That I wanna do the Mariah Carey “Heartbreaker” video doesn’t mean anything more than I wanna do the Mariah Carey “Heartbreaker” video. -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.
24 | 11.13.19
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FUR BALL MASQUERADE @ FOX'S EGYPTIAN BALLROOM PHOTOS: PEACH PHOTOBOOTH
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COMEDY ON TAP @ THE HIDEAWAY
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Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.
28 | 11.13.19
Your will can break any barrier. You have the power to redefine what’s possible and your journey has inspired others. We call that being empowerful. 50 years ago, Stonewall began a movement to push the world forward, and your courage continues to pave a path. As you relentlessly strive for equal access and the opportunity to flourish financially, Wells Fargo walks right beside you helping to make it happen. You’ve come this far. We can help you go further. Learn how at:
wellsfargo.com/empowerful © 2019 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. IHA-25269
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CALAVERA PARTY @ THE HERETIC PHOTOS: SNOW
30 | 11.13.19
FREE HIV TESTING FREE PrEP PLUS, low-cost STI screening 678-365-4300 523 Church St. Decatur, GA 30030 32 | 11.13.19
FREE HIV TESTING FREE PrEP LOW-COST STI SCREENING 678-365-4300 523 Church Street Decatur, GA 30030
PositiveImpactHealthCenters.org
Sebastian was born and raised right here in Atlanta! He is a huge fan of all things Auburn University, loves a good dance floor, and, of course, BeyoncÊ. He’s an IT Consultant and enjoys providing software solutions for associations and non-profits. Sebastian is passionate about LBGTQ+ rights and causes, and in his free time, you can find him at a local restaurant with close friends, or on a run on the beltline.
@ itsjustseabass
34 | 11.13.19
by Jamie Kirk
I am all for commitments. I am all about having and keeping a schedule. I believe that proper planning is an indicator of maturity. I think that planning avoids emergencies. When you have control over our schedule, you seldom make decisions out of fear, urgency, or desperation. In short, when you can extend invitations, it shows that you respect people’s time. However, the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. There are times when you make plans that just don’t come to fruition. The plans are sometimes made months in advance, and your calendar is absolutely clear. But as the date comes closer, the day is still open on your calendar, but your interest level of keeping your commitment is hovering around zero. Depending on the event, if tickets are involved or you’re traveling out of town, it can become almost impossible to cancel. If you have paid a deposit or other people are depending on your mode of transportation, canceling could be costly, not only financially, but could severely impact relationships. I think it’s okay to cancel, but when canceling will affect others, you have to really consider the downstream impacts. But when you dig deep, and you are honest with yourself, and you really don’t want to go – then don’t go. Fully understanding that the holidays are fast approaching and winter getaways are being planned, we have to be careful about over-booking ourselves. Overbooking occurs, in many cases, when we want to weigh our best options. We accept EVERYTHING, and then as the date occurs, 36 | 11.13.19
we determine which event wins the grand prize - our attendance. This is fine for us because mostly, the other folks don’t know they lost out on the grand prize. Obviously, our conscience knows, but we can talk ourselves into or out of most decisions we make. We have to get into the pattern of saying NO when we don’t want to do something. Saying no is not offensive. We don’t need to offer an excuse. We don’t need to quantify our choice. We don’t have to broadcast our declination. In many cases, it is merely checking the box that says NO on the evite. It becomes so much more stressful to accept an invitation, knowing that you have no intention of fulfilling your commitment. So don’t say yes to invitations, meetings, trips, or appointments you really don’t want to do. We need to be more intentional. Meaning we need to schedule and accept invitations that purely will meet our needs (or whatever, we “think” our needs are). Most often, our desire to do something or not to do something doesn’t change over time. NO today, will likely still feel like a NO in three weeks. Unless your schedule absolutely changes, and you have a lifechanging event, when you decline an invite, it’s what you wanted to do. Don’t be sucked into guilt or shame for honoring what you want to do when you want to do it. Your time is something you can and should be extremely selfish about. Because after all, of all the things in this short life we can return or get back, time is not one of them and never will be.
By Andy Reynolds at Popular Publicity Photos: Chad Wagner
Many in the LGBTQ community have been traumatized by the current political climate, which feels inescapable. International yogi, meditation teacher, and author of the frank and funny new book “Sage Sapien: From Karma to Dharma,” Johnson Chong offers five things that even a meditation newbie can do to calm the panic feel a little more hope and love on a daily basis.
Whether you want to dance it away, write it away, bake, body build or create a performance art piece, it is all up to you. Fear is an emotion. Animals experience fear, and then choose fight or flight. The same physiological responses happen in human bodies. If fear doesn’t go down the path of fight or flight, then it crashes our entire system. Think of it as purposefully repurposing your pain.
“Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to understand what is going on in the bigger picture, especially when it seems like the world is falling apart,” says Chong. “We have the choice to either let our external environment bring us down or to accept it as it is, for better, or for worse. By ‘accept,’ I don’t mean by succumbing to complacency. Complacency would be resigning to indifference, while acceptance means taking charge of our anger, and turning it into passionate/compassionate action. Activism and taking a stand is a whole other subject here, but on a more personal level, herewith are my five tips for self-care when dealing with a sense of panic.
3. Download Meditation App
1. Feel Everything
Download Insight Timer, and try their free meditations. I have a few on there (Johnson Chong, insighttimer.com/sagesapien). And there are also many amazing teachers who have also put up free meditations for download. You can search by type, length, and even themes that resonate with you your current mental/emotional state. Even if you’re extremely busy, download the meditation and play it while you’re on the subway.
4. Get a Deep Relaxing Massage
A monthly massage, if not bi-weekly, is a great selfcare routine to take care of your muscles, calm the nervous system, and to soothe the emotions.
5. 'Retreat' Yourself
My first piece of advice is that you need to give yourself full permission to feel everything that you are feeling. Without honoring the truth of our how emotional or not emotional we are, we create a fracture in ourselves, and perpetuate the okay-ness of not feeling whole. Panic is an intense mutation of fear where our heart might race, we may shake and tremble, sweat and even feel like we are losing our minds. We need to have a dialogue with our emotions, like we need to dialogue with an angry child who is throwing a temper tantrum. Fear and anger happen when we there are two conflicting needs that are having trouble getting met. So in the same way, when an angry child will simmer down after he accepts that he will not get a popsicle for lunch, our fear can dial down so we can meet that fear halfway and understand why we fear what we fear. Understanding is key to softening out of heightened states of emotion, and that cannot happen if we don’t give ourselves permission to feel our rawness.
Take the weekend off and go on retreat. Whether it’s yoga, meditation or writing, retreats are designed so that you can take the time out to pause and recalibrate. You get a moment to breathe and connect to nature, and reflect on what it is you really want, instead of worrying about the things that you cannot control. Easton Mountain Retreat is a spiritual retreat center for gay men in upstate New York that focuses on self-development, healing and transformation. If you don’t have the means to get to a retreat, go to your state park with a bunch of friends, leave the phones in the car, take a long walk, and have deep, meaningful conversations over a campfire or picnic. Or just find a comfortable spot in your city park, unplug, and watch the clouds or stare at the fountain. It’s all about removing yourself from the daily grind and remembering what is truly important in life.
2. Turn Feelings into Art
Find a list of LGNTQ-friendly retreats at retreatfinder.com, keyword gay-friendly.
Take your feelings and turn them into conscious art. 38 | 11.13.19
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
Jenny From Da Block Grand Dame Jenny Jessie Jingle-Heiner Schmidt is practically family to most residents of Atlanta, Georgia. Just walk into any local establishment and you can be sure that someone will talk your ears off about Jenny. She is perhaps the mother we never had, the sister we would want and the friend we all deserve. Born Genevieve Jessabelle Jingle-Heiner, she was conceived on a lifeboat escaping the sinking of the Titanic. Through her wild and adventurous life, one that puts mine to shame, she has met little-to-no adversity and achieved feats many only follow Mitzi @itsmitzip dream of. In honor of celebrating this living legend, here is a brief look-back at some of the pivotal moments of her life. Before she got into college in 1930, Ms. Jingle-Heiner Schmidt was a rising acting star. She auditioned for the role of Dorothy from Wizard of Oz eight years before the screenplay was even written! Some say her walking into the MGM offices and demanding she get the part of Dorothy was what actually got them to make the movie in the first place. Sadly, like many great talents, she got bored chasing roles that didn’t exist and went on to other pursuits. While in college, she stayed active in theater by starring lead in four Broadway productions including Elizabeth the Queen, Brown Buddies, Julius Caesar and His Majesty’s Car (as the voice of the car). The acting won her several Tony Awards and even an Academy for her supporting role in the 1939 feature Confessions of a Nazi Spy. After graduating with a degree in Special Needs Education, Jenny traveled for a few years to find herself and avoid WWII. She lived in Antarctica for most of the late 1930s through early 1940s. While there, she learned the language of the penguins and even helped modernize the natives that populated the continent at the time. Sadly, within a few short years, the natives all vanished without a trace and Jenny decided she would give acting another shot. She was nominated for her brave role in The Other House of Dracula in 1945. After the bombing of Hiroshima, she moved to Japan to teach English to elementary school students. During her time there, she fell ill due to radiation poisoning, but survived through the various thots and prayers the locals sent her way. Once fully recovered, she moved back to the states and settled in San Diego, California. Jenny’s later years in life were filled with new and exciting careers. Never one to stick with something, she dabbled in owning a gym (the high-profile fitness center Chateau Muscle Plateau), owning a Michelin restaurant Dim Sum By the Dozen (the only one to earn fiftyfive stars), and she even helped open the famous budget-conscious, clothing retailer Cents of Style. She has earned vast fortune through her many businesses and used her knowledge in special needs education to win Entrepreneur of the Century! Being such an incredible and successful individual, it’s no wonder all of Atlanta, the place she currently calls home, considers her a local celebrity. Some Atlanta residents say she’s the greatest icon that ever lived, others claim she’s simply someone I made up as a conversation starter at parties. But whichever side you choose to believe, you can’t deny the wonder that is Atlanta’s own Grand Dame Jenny Jessie Jingle-Heiner Schmidt
Yours in living legendarily,
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.
1. SKINCARE There’s no shortage of vegan skincare products on the market. It’s the category’s most abundant non-edible, even though you can technically eat it – but, ya know, don’t. Favorites include Fork & Melon’s fine cleansing wash and rich hydrating cream with imported French watermelon oil, and daily eye cream from America’s first 100% men’s grooming and skincare brand Act of Being with its fancyschmancy (and totally smooth) roll-on applicator. forkandmelon.com actofbeing.com
Want to be more eco-conscious but draw the line at eliminating animal products from your diet? Here are seven ways to live a semi-vegan lifestyle without going whole hog.
2. NAIL POLISH Make a statement without opening your mouth (don’t want that purse to fall out) when you paint on chip-resistant, quickdrying, high-shine ella+mila cruelty-free, vegan nail polish available in more than 140 color shades. ellamila.com
3. HYGIENE Crystal Mineral deodorant sticks and stones (comprised of only one odor-preventing ingredient – pure mineral salt) allow you to raise your pits with PRIDE while Sprinjene’s vegan, kosher, gluten-free, halal toothpaste leave your chompers beaming with it. thecrystal.com sprinjene.com
5. BAMBOO STRAWS Now that we’ve all ditched single-use plastic straws (you’re welcome, turtles) and turned to alternatives, it’s time to make this choice: theotherstraw bamboo straws hold up where paper crumbles and is easier on your pearly whites than unforgiving stainless steel. theotherstraw.com
6. HIKING SHOES Eco-fashion isn’t generally associated with on-trend style – sorry, vegans, it’s true – but Boulder, Colorado-based Lems changed that with its selection of vegan hiking shoes, like the Trailhead V2 and Mesa. The shoes’ mesh keeps feet airedout and fresh while their natural foot shape keeps your dogs from barking on a lengthy roundtrip trail. lemsshoes.com
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4. BACKPACKS Wanderlust with a clear conscience when you stack your rations into Fjallraven’s ReKanken backpack, constructed of vegan polyester made from recycled water bottles and available in a rainbow of colors, or the all-weather Safari backpack from Adventurist Backpack Co. (a lesbian-owned business), each sale of which provides 25 meals to families in need across the U.S. fjallraven.com adventuristbackpacks.com
7. FAUX FUR JACKET Velu’s faux fur reversible vegan jackets, particularly the Instagram-worthy Mac Daddy collection, lets you cruise the streets like a beast without killing any to keep you warm. velufur.com
LEATHER MASQUERADE @ THE EAGLE
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wedding & commitment ceremonies • thirty years experience within our community • in-house award-winning metrotainment bakery • sustainable, local, seasonally-inspired custom menus • experienced, friendly staff of catering professionals • extensive network of award-winning local venues www.epiceventsatlanta.com | 404.991.9128
November 13 – November 20
The GAYties ‘80s Dance Party - Soundtracks
Wahine’s Hideaway feat. Funk District
You don’t want to miss this blockbuster of a party with tracks that will not only have you dirty dancing all night long but also get you footloose while you dance back to the future to the beats of Mike Pope.
For one night only, experience the intoxicating sounds of tropical disco and aphrodisiac funk provided by DJ The Funk District who makes their North-American debut. A special B2B opening set by DJ Brian Rojas and Wahine.
Friday, November 15, 10 pm – 3 am The Heretic
Friday, November 15, 10 pm – 3 am SPKEZ (Edgewood Speakeasy)
STAFF PICK!
Cirque du Soleil VOLTA Equality Night In celebration of the LGBTQ community in Atlanta, Cirque du Soleil is hosting a special Equality Night of the VOLTA show under the Big Top at Atlantic Station. cirquedusoleil.com/volta. Thursday, November 14, 8 pm The Big Top/Atlantic Station
Stroke
Todrick Hall’s Haus Party Tour
Introducing a new bi-monthly queer-centric party by the Hz Like Hell crew that offers a sex and body positive late-night party to the tunes of DJ Alexander, JSport, and DJ NSA with lighting installations by Nolan Georgenes. Come correct and get sexy.
Check your nails, hair, hips, and heels and come out to experience Todrick Hall’s latest Haus Party Tour, where he will be performing songs promoting his most recent hit album.
Saturday, November 16, 10 pm – 5 am The Mammal Gallery
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Sunday, November 17, 7:30 pm The Atlanta Symphony Hall
Atlanta Running Festival & 5k road race The Atlanta Running Festival is a celebration of all things running. Located in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta, this event features a Festival kicked off with a 5K Run. Expected attendance is 2,000 for the festival and 1,000 for the 5K.
Distance: 5K Date: December 7th, 2019 Location: Atlanta, GA - Piedmont Park www.roadraceservices.com register: active.com
More imformation or sponsorship Ed Williams - roadraceservices@comcast.net
Sponsorship of the Atlanta Running Festival allows your business to market directly to thousands of fitnessoriented individuals!
SERVING THE COMMUNITY WITH PRIDE LEATHER SOFA WAS $2895 NOW $1795
VANCOVER SECTIONAL SOFA WAS $2695 NOW $1850
LIVE EDGE WALNUT TABLE WAS $2680 NOW $1899
SWIVEL CHAIRS IN 4 COLORS WAS $895 NOW $599
ALL NAME BRAND MATTRESSES IN STOCK AT 50% OFF
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MIDTOWN 1
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Juniper St. NE
14th St. NE
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Piedmont Av e. NE
Juniper St . NE
Peachtree St. NE
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Monr
C h a r l e s Al l e n D r . N E
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P o n c e D e L e o n Pl . N E
Spring St. NW
17
4th St. NE
8
13
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
4
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
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
When the world throws you Let be your savedandgay.com
Cheshire 23
ansley 21
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Piedmont Park
ir .
BJ Roosters Sequel Tripps Woof's
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 1510 Piedmont Ave 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
NE
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1600 Piedmont Ave NE 1425 Piedmont Ave NE
Retail 39 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
Fitness 41 Equilibrium Fitness
NOT SHOWN
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
sisterlouisaschurch.com
CHESHIRE
SWINGING RICHARDS
SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO
1400 Northside Dr NW
ANSLEY
BULLDOGS
Dining
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
MIDTOWN
1447 Piedmont Ave NE
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
THE T
modeltatlanta.com
EINSTEIN’S
1077 Juniper St NE
GCB & PLEASURES
brushstrokesatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE
BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com
1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A
Fitness
931 Monroe Dr
MIDTOWN
frogsmidtown.com
G’S
CHESHIRE
219 10th St NE
gsmidtown.com
HERETIC
HENRY’S
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
132 10th St NE
henrysatl.com
BJ ROOSTERS
JOE’S ON JUNIPER
2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
1049 Juniper St NE
bjroosters.com
boynextdoormenswear.com
FROGS CANTINA
465 Boulevard SE
hereticatlanta.com
2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
joesonjuniper.com
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com
500 Amsterdam Ave NE
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SEQUEL
LA HACIENDA
Spas/Baths/Adult
TRIPPS
900 Monroe Dr NE
MIDTOWN
CHESHIRE
FLEX SPA
LAS MARGARITAS
76 4th St NW
1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Circle N
WOOFS
woofsatlanta.com
2425 Piedmont Road NE
lahaciendamidtown.com
lasmargaritasmidtown.com
flexspas.com
1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ANSLEY
CHESHIRE
ROXX
MIDTOWN MOON
MANIFEST 4U
1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S
1510 Piedmont Ave NE
THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
MIXX
mixxatlanta.com
1492 Piedmont Ave NE
OSCAR’S
oscarsatlanta.com
1510 Piedmont Ave NE
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DEKALB
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atldragshow.com
3011 Buford Hwy NE
manifest4u.org
2103 Faulkner Rd NE
THE DEN
thedenatlanta.com
2135 Liddell Drive NE
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10 WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A CHANGE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
… the little things make a difference too
Share an experience: Plan an outing together Abundance swap: Give away an item you really don’t need
Send a care package to our troops
Spend time with the elderly or those who don’t have a family Offer your time to a charity
Couple’s trip! put money for presents towards a trip together Make a custom coupon book (perhaps a sexy one?)
Adopt a family in need Deliver treats to people who have to work during the Holiday season
Instead of buying do DIYing 54 | 11.13.19
WE'RE HIRING WE ARE SEEKING Motivated, Hard-Working, Innovative People to be Our Next Superstar Ad Sales Representatives.
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Text your Peach Pits to 540-30-PEACH, or e-mail mikkel@PeachATL.com
A must-have character trait in a boyfriend: His family drinks mimomas instead of running 5ks on Sundays
Me: I don’t like the way this guy types
Him: On his phone?
Me: Yes, I think I’m moving on
Once you figure out you’re gay, each year you level up to an even gayer version of yourself!
Him: So you ignored 50 red flags in your last relationship because you ‘loved him,’ but you don’t like how this guy texts?
Me: Point taken, I’ll text him back
I got trust issue because people got lying issues
Asking for a Friend It is okay to be more compatible with the dollar sign than a zodiac? 63 earths can fit inside Uranus. I will never be mature enough to read this without giggling
And here we are, another week where I’m not unexpectedly rich
56 | 11.13.19
Is it “for fuck’s sake” or “for fuck sake”? It’s for work, so I want to make sure this email sounds professional
ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) It’s very possible that you will want to take a step back this week in order to take a closer look at your relationships. Your address book is full of names. Your phone rings off the hook. You receive tons of texts and emails every day. Yet isn’t it funny that you feel alone?
TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) If you feel you’ve been looking to the past lately, it’s in order to liberate yourself from it. You may feel like revisiting your childhood or rekindling certain relationships with old friends. Looking backward isn’t the best way to move toward the future. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be!
SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)
You hide your emotional needs from others. You need to be able to trust someone in order to share your feelings. They have to guess at your deepest secrets. Today you could save a lot of time in your love life if you just tell your partner what you want out of your relationship.
Sometimes your relationships are like magnets. When you want to get close, the other person tries to get away from you. When you take a step back, he or she runs back into your life. Human nature is complex. Right now you’re probably taking a step back, although you haven’t given up completely.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21) This week you may want to change some of the moral and social values that get in the way of relationships. After surmounting these kinds of obstacles yourself, and watching others struggle with them, you’ve decided that it’s time to do away with them once and for all.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) The people around you sometimes have a hard time understanding where you’re going. You’re living in an imaginary world that has little to do with reality. If you decide to stay home and lie around the house, you will have no problems. If you have to go to work, try to be as clear as possible with others.
CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22) You’re entering a period of doubt, especially about your love life. You like your relationships and feelings to be clear. You may think a lot about your relationships over the next few days. Are you sure you’ve chosen the right person? Are his or her feelings sincere? Could you live without this person?
LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) For a month you may have had problems communicating with the people close to you. This is nothing to worry about, yet it might make you feel off balance. This is a great week to settle conflicts from the last month or make your feelings clear to other people.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)
You may have doubts over the next few days. Don’t make any important decisions about your future during this relatively unproductive period. If someone in your personal life asks you to make more of a commitment, you may be tempted to put on the brakes without really knowing why. Wait a while before answering this kind of question.
You have a tendency to live your life vicariously through your partner. This week you may come to the realization that this isn’t healthy for you. You may realize that you give more of yourself than you get back, draining you of energy. In fact, you’re almost completely out. Be selfish this week.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) What are you afraid of, Pisces? Is it contact with other people? It’s as if an invisible rope were holding you back from getting close to people, or worse, pulling you back. What’s this about? You’re going through a period that’s closely linked to your past. Get rid of the skeletons in your closet!
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LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22) You see new horizons. It’s possible that the changes you’ve been going through lately aren’t completely finished. You may even have a hard time keeping yourself from running away from it all. Use this week to think about what you want. Things aren’t completely clear.
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’m seeing this great guy, and we seem to be really compatible together – except in the sex department! He has a really hard time getting off, and he usually has to either fuck me really hard for a long time (10+ minutes) or spend an even longer time jerking off on his own (after I have already come). I sometimes feel he coaxes me into coming by pretending he is ready when he is really not because he doesn’t want the pressure on him. That means that I usually always get off when we have sex, and he only gets off maybe 20% of the time. It is frustrating to him, and it is frustrating to me, because I don’t really enjoy the ferocious and prolonged pounding, and I want us both to be satisfied when we have sex. He says it’s all okay, and that he has always had issues getting off, but are we maybe sexually incompatible? Sincerely Chill Drill Bill Dear Chill Drill Bill The first thing you need to do is to stop pretending you enjoy the prolonged pounding, especially if it is actually hurting you. Then you need to talk about this – and not just in a way where it ends up being shrugged off as unimportant! He is probably embarrassed about this, too, and shares the frustration of not being super compatible in the bedroom with you. There is a chance that he is just not that focused on his orgasm and likes the sex over the climax, and maybe you are inadvertently putting some unwanted pressure on him as well, so try to voice those things. And then, try to find things that are sexy and can get you both in the end game. Maybe watch porn together or he uses a fleshlight that he can really pound to a finish. Perhaps you just masturbate together and don’t focus on penetration at all. The fact that you are very compatible outside the bedroom should make this conversation a little easier for you both, and hopefully, that ease can be transported into the bedroom too.
NEED ANSWERS? REACH OUT TO US, AND YOU WILL GET THEM! SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS TO OUR EDITOR AT MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM.
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I met a guy online three months ago who lives in another state. It’s a quick and cheap flight, so we met about a month ago in person, and we really hit it off. He talked about getting together again as soon as possible, about me meeting his friends and family, and when we were at a bar, I even overheard him referring to me as his boyfriend. Yes, it was all admittedly a little fast – for me too – but we did have a great connection, so I went with it. Two weeks ago, I went for another visit, and he talked about the possibility of me moving out to his city, and again, I was not entirely opposed to the idea. However, when I went online to deactivate my account, I noticed that his profile was still active, that he had logged in recently, and that he had updated photos of himself even after he started seeing me. So, now I’m not so sure what to think of it all. If he’s practically planning a future with me, why is he still active on this site? Am I overthinking it? Should I bring it up? Sincerely Moving Too Fast? Dear Moving Too Fast? There is nothing wrong with making a great connection and moving kinda fast. But you need to ask yourself (and him!) a lot of those questions you would otherwise get the answer to if you spent more time dating and getting to know each other. Maybe he is keeping all of his options open? Perhaps he realized he was too forward with you? Maybe you read too much into what he said? Maybe he does not understand how what he is saying is making you feel? You have every right to ask him about this – and it doesn’t have to be direct either, you can simply say something like ‘I still get notifications from this app even though I’m off it. How about you?’ That can lead to a conversation about online presence and potential boundaries in your relationship. It is obvious communication is vital here, since there are already some things that are not disclosed openly between the two of you. If you want to call him out in a more undercover way, create a fake profile, and approach him online; that’ll tell you immediately if he really is playing you. But be prepared for the consequences of this one, because it is not exactly conducive to an open and honest relationship, to begin with.