Being in the military prepared me for a lot of things, but not my HIV diagnosis. I found it difficult to take medication every day. Fortunately, with the help of my doctor at the VA, taking my medicine is just another part of my morning routine, brush my teeth, wash my face, and take my meds. By sticking to my medication, doctor visits and support groups, I stay healthy and happy. As a support group leader, now I’m helping others to get into their own routine.
“Hey HIV —— understand this —— we're living together but I give the orders.” Ashley - Atlanta, GA Living with HIV since 2006.
HIV
TREATMENT
WORKS
Get in care. Stay in care. Live well. cdc.gov/HIVTreatmentWorks
CONTENTS AUGUST 2, 2017 V1-4
PEACH ATL MEDIA, LLC 925B Peachtree St. NE, Suite 168 Atlanta, GA 30309 404.439.9838
PUBLISHERS William Duffee-Braun william@peachatl.com Mike Fleming mike@peachatl.com
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38 OVER IT
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8 | 8.2.17
The
Name Game By Mike Fleming Peach ATL Co-Publisher “IT WAS A DATE, BUT I’M NOT DATING. Nothing sets my eyes rolling and tongue clucking faster than guys who create elaborate rules for the words they use — and the ones they allow others to use — to define the men in their lives.
12 | 8.2.17
When the terminology we use for dating and sex gets in the way of communication I’m all for defying labels. As gay men, we have an unprecedented freedom to define our own relationships. Quite literally, we live life on our own terms, but that privilege presents a real challenge with the language we choose and the abstract rules we set.
Forget verbal conundrums like “husband” vs. “partner,” and set aside the proper use of “rights” and “community.” We can’t even agree on “gay.” Some of us are “queer.” Others are
your date go?” until they comply with our own gay dictionary is silly.
“same-gender loving.” Still others reclaim “fag” as a term of empowerment. I still don’t know anyone who identifies as “LGBT” but rather one or two subparts of it, but maybe you’re out there.
“Went out a few times.” Cool.
“We’re talking.” Whatever.
Just have fun with it. Mix and match terms to suit your mood. Make up your own.
It’s the same when it comes to sex. “We messed around, but we didn’t have sex” can mean different acts to different people. It’s all good, until it gets in the way. And from where I stand, we’re tripping all over it.
My personal favorite is “We’re hanging out.” Uh-huh. You’re hanging out of your pants and hanging the truth out to dry. Face it, boys: you’re dating.
My best friend and I joke that we’re “sexless husbands.”
When I ask if you’re dating someone, you know what I mean, right? The question is clear, right? But with increasing regularity, I hear an emphatic, “It was not a ’date,’” or the even more confusing, “It was a ’date,’ but we’re definitely not ’dating.’”
“Friends.” OK.
Even after we admit coupledom, the challenge continues. “He is not my ’boyfriend.’” “I would never call anyone my ’husband.’” “’Lover’ is so old-school.”
I’M NOT SURE WHY CERTAIN WORDS make some people so uncomfortable. Beyond hook-up-only relationships — think, “friends with benefits” and “fuck buddies” — guys who have sex regularly, see each other socially outside the bedroom and acknowledge an interest beyond sex are still flailing in the terminology pool.
“’Partner’ sounds like a business arrangement.”
“Seeing each other.” Great.
Refusing to let someone ask, “How did
ENOUGH ALREADY. USE WHATEVER terms you want, but inflicting our personal glossaries on each other is getting ridiculous. We’re impeding simple conversation because we can’t agree on the words to use.
We share each other’s triumphs and tribulations. He offers handyman and financial advice, and I offer input on clothing, interior decorating and boys. We laugh when asked if we are a couple, which happens a lot. We don’t dig in our heels and demand a rewrite before just answering the damn question. I have no desire to box in anyone, and I’m not denying any man his wiggle room. I just ask that we nip the nitpicking and cut ourselves enough slack to have a conversation and get on with enjoying each other. Now get out there and ask someone on a “date” — and mean it.
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peachATL.com | 13
What is TRUVADA for PrEP?
® Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. ® Do not miss any doses of TRUVADA. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. ® If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. TRUVADA can cause serious side effects: ® Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV and stop taking TRUVADA, your HBV may IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION suddenly get worse. Do not stop taking TRUVADA What is the most important information I without first talking to your healthcare provider, should know about TRUVADA for PrEP? as they will need to monitor your health. Who should not take TRUVADA for PrEP? Before taking TRUVADA for PrEP: ® You must be HIV-negative before you start Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: taking TRUVADA for PrEP. You must get ® Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do tested to make sure that you do not already not know your HIV-1 status. If you are HIV-1 have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA to reduce the positive, you need to take other medicines with risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed TRUVADA to treat HIV-1. TRUVADA by itself is not to be HIV-negative. a complete treatment for HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 ® Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become in a person who has recently become harder to treat over time. infected. If you have flu-like symptoms, you ® Also take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B could have recently become infected with infection. HIV-1. Tell your healthcare provider if you had What are the other possible side effects of a flu-like illness within the last month before TRUVADA for PrEP? starting or at any time while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection Serious side effects of TRUVADA may also include: include tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, ® Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in check your kidneys before and during treatment the neck or groin. with TRUVADA. If you develop kidney problems, While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking TRUVADA. ® You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP ® Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic may not keep you from getting HIV-1. acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your ® You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking healthcare provider right away if you get these TRUVADA for PrEP: symptoms: weakness or being more tired than ® Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath ® If you think you were exposed to HIV-1, tell or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and your healthcare provider right away. vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or ® To further help reduce your risk of getting lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat. HIV-1: ® Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can ® Know your HIV status and the HIV status of lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right your partners. away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” ® Get tested for other sexually transmitted urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for infections. Other infections make it easier several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area for HIV to infect you. pain. TRUVADA for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a prescription medicine that is used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about how to prevent getting HIV. Always practice safer sex and use condoms to lower the chance of sexual contact with body fluids. Never reuse or share needles or other items that have body fluids on them.
Please see Important Facts about TRUVADA for PrEP including important warnings on the following pages.
We’re adventurous, not reckless.
We know who we are. And we make choices that fit our lives. TRUVADA for PrEP™ is a once-daily prescription medicine that can help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 when taken every day and used together with safer sex practices. ® TRUVADA for PrEP is only for adults who are at high risk of getting HIV through sex. ® You must be HIV-negative before you start taking TRUVADA for PrEP.
Ask your doctor about your risk of getting HIV-1 infection and if TRUVADA for PrEP may be right for you. ® Bone problems, including bone pain, softening, or thinning, which may lead to fractures. Your healthcare provider may do tests to check your bones. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP are stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking TRUVADA for PrEP? ® All your health problems. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. ® If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if TRUVADA can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking TRUVADA for PrEP, talk to your healthcare provider to decide if you should keep taking TRUVADA.
Learn more at truvada.com
® If you are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can be passed to the baby in breast milk. ® All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. TRUVADA may interact with other medicines. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. ® If you take certain other medicines with TRUVADA, your healthcare provider may need to check you more often or change your dose. These medicines include certain medicines to treat hepatitis C (HCV) infection. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
IMPORTANT FACTS
(tru-VAH-dah)
This is only a brief summary of important information about taking TRUVADA for PrEPTM (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 infection. This does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your medicine.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP Before starting TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must be HIV-1 negative. You must get tested to make sure that you do not already have HIV-1. Do not take TRUVADA for PrEP to reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 unless you are confirmed to be HIV-1 negative. • Many HIV-1 tests can miss HIV-1 infection in a person who has recently become infected. Symptoms of new HIV-1 infection include flu-like symptoms, tiredness, fever, joint or muscle aches, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, night sweats, and/or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a flu-like illness within the last month before starting TRUVADA for PrEP. While taking TRUVADA for PrEP: • You must continue to use safer sex practices. Just taking TRUVADA for PrEP may not keep you from getting HIV-1.
• You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you think you were exposed to HIV-1 or have a flu-like illness while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. • If you do become HIV-1 positive, you need more medicine than TRUVADA alone to treat HIV-1. If you have HIV-1 and take only TRUVADA, your HIV-1 may become harder to treat over time. • See the “How to Further Reduce Your Risk” section for more information. w
TRUVADA may cause serious side effects, including: • Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. TRUVADA is not approved to treat HBV. If you have HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking TRUVADA. Do not stop taking TRUVADA without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.
ABOUT TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA for PrEP is a prescription medicine used together with safer sex practices to help reduce the risk of getting HIV-1 through sex. This use is only for HIV-negative adults who are at high risk of getting HIV-1. • To help determine your risk of getting HIV-1, talk openly with your healthcare provider about your sexual health.
Do NOT take TRUVADA for PrEP if you: • Already have HIV-1 infection or if you do not know your HIV-1 status. • Take certain medicines to treat hepatitis B infection.
HOW TO TAKE TRUVADA FOR PrEP • Take 1 tablet once a day, every day, not just when you think you have been exposed to HIV-1. • Do not miss any doses. Missing doses may increase your risk of getting HIV-1 infection. • Use TRUVADA for PrEP together with condoms and safer sex practices.
• Get tested for HIV-1 at least every 3 months. You must stay HIV-negative to keep taking TRUVADA for PrEP.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TRUVADA FOR PrEP TRUVADA can cause serious side effects, including: • Those in the “Most Important Information About TRUVADA for PrEP" section. • New or worse kidney problems, including kidney failure. • Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
• Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain. • Bone problems. Common side effects in people taking TRUVADA for PrEP include stomach-area (abdomen) pain, headache, and decreased weight. These are not all the possible side effects of TRUVADA. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking TRUVADA for PrEP. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with TRUVADA for PrEP.
BEFORE TAKING TRUVADA FOR PrEP Tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had any kidney, bone, or liver problems, including hepatitis. • Have any other medical conditions. • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. • Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. If you become HIV-positive, HIV can pass to the baby in breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take: • Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist. • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about medicines that should not be taken with TRUVADA for PrEP.
HOW TO FURTHER REDUCE YOUR RISK • Know your HIV status and the HIV status of your partners. • Get tested for other sexually transmitted infections. Other infections make it easier for HIV to infect you.
• Get information and support to help reduce risky sexual behavior, such as having fewer sex partners. • Do not share needles or personal items that can have blood or body fluids on them.
GET MORE INFORMATION • This is only a brief summary of important information about TRUVADA for PrEP. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more, including how to prevent HIV infection.
• Go to start.truvada.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5 • If you need help paying for your medicine, visit start.truvada.com for program information.
TRUVADA FOR PREP, the TRUVADA FOR PREP Logo, the TRUVADA Blue Pill Design, TRUVADA, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. All other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Version date: April 2017 © 2017 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. TVDC0136 08/17
SERVING FOR EQUALITY WITH HRC ATLANTA PHOTOS: James Hicks
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TEN ATLANTA PHOTOS: Russ Youngblood
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BACKPACK IN THE PARK WITH FOR THE KID PHOTOS: Matt Hennie
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Relax. Call your digestive experts. We can help. www.atlantagastro.com 1.866.GO.TO.AGA [468.6242] AGA, LLC and its affiliates are participating providers for Medicare, Medicaid, and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn.
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peachATL.com | 25
What’s the use of all that work to get perfect abs and a chiseled chest if you can’t show it off? That’s the philosophy of the Peach of the Week cover guy for our Fitness issue. Check out that sultry come-hither stare too – if you can peel your eyes away long enough to look up that far.
26 | 8.2.17
Photos by Anders
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LOCATED BETWEEN THE ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENS & BOY NEXT DOOR peachATL.com | 27
MEET YOUR PEACH
We’re prime for picking, and you’re invited to our August launch party By Mike Fleming You already know Atlanta is a real peach, and you’re likely as thankful as we are that our gay community is among the most vibrant in the world, including a rich LGBT media landscape that outpaces even larger cities. To that scene came Peach ATL. You’re reading our fourth issue, and to celebrate our start in the middle of last month as the city’s newest weekly gay nightlife magazine, we’re taking the beginning of this one to host our launch party. You’re invited, of course, to join us Saturday, Aug. 5, at 8 p.m. at Ten Atlanta. Atlanta is in exclusive company with only the world’s largest cities when it comes to gay media. The sheer number of LGBT publications in print and online beats most metropolises except for places like New York and London. Access to information, interviews, coverage and calendars is so plentiful, locals take fierce ownership of their content, and might even take them for granted. For that, we at Peach ATL are eternally grateful. William Duffee-Braun, myself and our staff combined our 54 years in local gay media and launched Peach ATL on July 12. Every week, Peach brings you discussions of gay pop culture, nightlife and event previews, interviews and fun features. The magazine also features opinion pieces by local guys, party pics from gay happenings all over town, and my own popular Hey Daddy! advice column. It also offers new features like the sassy Peach List and a map of the must-stop destinations in our hometown, the Big Peach. William and I are confident that our combined experiences are the right mix to keep the good traditions of gay men’s entertainment zines like Etc., Buzz, Eclipse, and David alive, while forging new ones in print, online and on social media. Our commitment also extends to participating fully with the community, its leaders, and its organizers. To that end, Peach ATL welcomes you to the party on Saturday. The debut Peach of the Week cover guy Travis Russo will be there, as will entertainment, surprises, and of course the staff of Peach ATL. A suggested $10 donation at the door goes directly to Joining Hearts. “We couldn’t be more enthusiastic to be part of Atlanta’s social scene with Peach ATL,” William says. “We are even more excited to let our hair down and celebrate the readers, advertisers and supporters that make it happen on August 5.” You already know our work through Goliath Atlanta, as well as our former careers at publications including Southern Voice, Fenuxe, David magazine, David Atlanta, and Project Q. Now we can all take some Saturday downtime to chill together at Ten and get to know you even better at one of our favorite places. The Peach ATL Launch Party takes place Saturday, August 5, 8 p.m., at Ten Atlanta, 990 Piedmont Ave. NE. peachatl.com’
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PERSONAL PATH Gay Atlanta serves up places to get fit with a side of tips to get would-be body buffs started. By Shannon Jenkins
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For some gay men, exercise can be intimidating. Longtime Atlanta fitness master Rad Slough offers words of wisdom for beefy beginners who want to get in shape. Start with what you’re eating. If it’s green and it was once alive, you can eat it. Whether it’s Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, or green beans, or salad. The catch with salads is that’s a salad with dressing, not a dressing with salad. Also, eat your proteins appropriately. And sorry, cocktailers: Booze is hollow calories. If you’re not doing anything to burn those extra calories off, that’s just weight going to your waistline. If you do continue to drink, it’s going to slow that progress down a lot. Now for the moment you’re really here for. It’s time for exercise. Slough lays out seven basics that help put getting started in perspective.
1 / START SLOW
Don’t jump into weights. Start with cardio. Build that stamina up a little bit for at least a couple of weeks. Work out three or four times a week. A simple way to start burning calories is to walk as much as possible.
Don’t start out so hard that you’re so sore that you don’t want to lift again. If you’ve never lifted weights before and do a full-body workout, you’ll have to prop up your arm to brush your teeth. To dry your hair, you’ll be so sore you have to put your towel on the wall and move your head back and forth.
6 / IN THE ZONE
Once you’re working out, ask an expert. Even if you got started off alone, or work out on the road, professionals like the 24 available at local gyms guide you in using the proper form to avoid injury.
7 / VARIETY IS THE SPICE
Don’t do the same exercise routine for more than approximately a month. Take classes along with your weight workouts to vary what you’re doing so you aren’t bored and your body doesn’t get used to what you’re doing. Keep those muscles guessing.
GET FIT HERE
Don’t go to the grocery store in the car. If you’re within a half mile of the store, get one of those folding carts. If you eat out a lot, walk to the restaurant.
2 / GET MOVING
Find an active interest or hobby. Rock climbing, bicycling and hiking North Georgia’s miles of scenic trails are just a few ideas.
3 / HOME REMEDIES
When you can’t get to a gym on a given day, online video series usually offer alternative moves based on your fitness. There are a ton of options on YouTube. For those, we recommend videos by Men’s Fitness, Men’s Health and London-based Team Body Project, which offers an array of cardio, resistance and Pilates videos for all fitness levels.
4 / ATTAINABLE GOALS
These are our Peach Preferred Partners for your fitness. EQUILIBRIUM FITNESS 1529 Piedmont Ave. NE equilibriumfitnessatl.com FIT: 2B/ FIT: TO BE 842 N. Highland Avenue fit-tobe.com GRAVITEE FITNESS 2201 Faulkner Road NE graviteeatl.com LION’ DEN FITNESS 900 Peachtree St. NE lionsdenatlanta.com
Set realistic goals, accomplish them in small chunks, and reward yourself each time you meet one.
MIDTOWN TRAINERS 2115 Piedmont Road NE midtowntrainers.com
5 / DON’T OVERDO IT
URBAN BODY FITNESS URBAN BODY SPA & SALON 500 Amsterdam Ave. urbanbodystudios.com
The best advice is sometimes the simplest: Don’t overdo it.
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BROADWAY BABIES Local song and dance man Robert Ray brings it in Too Marvelous for Words BY MATTHEW HOLLEY
Broadway vet and legendary Atlanta thesp Robert Ray is bringing back his critically acclaimed original show, Johnny Mercer…Too Marvelous for Words at Theatrical Outfit for two nights only this weekend. The show follows the illustrious career of the Georgia born, award-winning composer, highlighting his greatest hits with accompanied dialogue and audience interaction. Now for those not in the know of Robert Ray, his incomparable career, or the powerful history of Johnny Mercer himself, have no fear, for Peach ATL has all the deets that every gay who’s any gay needs to attend this ‘Marvelous’ production. Who is Robert Ray? Ray is an experienced professional piano player, Broadway veteran, concert producer and all-around powerhouse entertainer. He is a local legend having
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starred in several productions on Broadway and while in New York City won awards as Best Cabaret Artist. After a ten-year absence from the stage, he returned with critical praise in the lead role of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert at gay Atlanta theater Out Front last year. Ray was nominated by GaVoice readers as Best Actor for that tour de force performance. But Ray’s talents far exceed the stage. He was musical director and writer for three sold-out productions of Heartstrings at The Fox Theatre, culminating in a national tour. Heartstrings helped to raise money in the fight against AIDS and support those who are affected by the disease. You may also catch him serenading patrons with his piano skills at the ever popular Campagnolo a few nights a week.
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BROADWAY, continued
What is Johnny Mercer… Too Marvelous for Words about? This Broadway style musical revue originally appeared at Libby’s Cabaret in 2002. Johnny Mercer was a native Georgian and accomplished singer/songwriter. Throughout his musical career, Mercer won four Academy Awards out of the impressive 18 Academy Award nominations he received for Best Song. While some may not even know Mercer’s name, they are well aware of his music. Mercer is composer of some of his era’s most iconic classics. He helmed musical backdrop for the film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set and filmed in his hometown of Savannah. He’s responsible for songs like “Too Marvelous,” of course, and other classics like “Moon River,” a song that immortalized the historic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Too Marvelous for Words is a testament and celebration of Mercer. Ray has expertly selected two-dozen of Mercer’s best songs into an electric all-performing musical extravaganza featuring seven singers and a dynamic sixpiece orchestra. Who brings the show to life? Too Marvelous for Words stars Ray and the cabaret’s original co-stars from 15 years ago, Marsha Dupree and Shawn Megorden, two of Atlanta’s dynamic leading ladies. This time, Ray adds eye and ear candy for gay fans in the form of Truman Griffin, Forrest Flemming and Chris Saltalamacchio. While the original production only featured Ray and his two female counterparts, he tellsus that the insatiable talents of the male trio, as well as their bodacious bods would add the right amount of flavor. The cast will perform Mercer favorites such as Mercer favorites as Goody Goody, You Must’ve Been a Beautiful Baby, Jeepers Creepers, Come Rain or Shine, Blues in the Night, Fools Rush In, I Remember You, PS I Love You, Skylark, In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening, Satin Doll, One for My Baby, Days of Wine and Roses, Moon River and Accentuate the Positive. Sold! Where and when? Too Marvelous runs Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4 and 5, at Theatrical Outfit, 84 Luckie St. NW Atlanta, GA 30303. Visit robertrayproductions.com.
40 | 8.2.17
Now Selling Limited Time Only Purchase a To-Be-Built Home and Receive:
Up To
Enclave at Druid Hills
$5,000*
Toward Closing Costs when financing with our affiliate lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage, and using our affiliate CalAtlantic Title Atlanta, LLC, as your closing agent/title insurer
Townhomes from the upper $500s
For more information, please call Heather Isaac at 404-634-4485. *Available only when you close on a To-Be-Built home in the Enclave at Druid Hills community pursuant to a contract you sign on or between 7/1/17 and 7/31/17. Receipt of up to $5,000 in Closing Costs and Additional Lender Credit is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage or, where permitted by seller, another seller preferred lender, and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Title Atlanta, LLC. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897, Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL363
peachATL.com | 41
WHY DO GUYS STAY WITH
MEN WHO CHEAT?
Last week, we looked at why some gay men cheat. This week, those guys who stay. By Jerry Plaza Infidelity is a bitch. If we’re not careful we can let it define our worth and value in the world. “I’m not good enough to keep a man.” “I’m doing something wrong.” “He didn’t want me anymore.” All these things are totally untrue and completely destructive to our well-being. If we decide to stay with a cheater, we’re always going to be dragging a dirty puddle of self-doubt and insecurity. It’s hard to think outside ourselves when we’re in a situation like this, but we have to do it. Here are a few of the main reasons why some gay men might choose to stay with cheaters. We think it’s our fault so we try to change ourselves instead. Usually the first person we blame when our man starts creeping up and down the block is ourselves, not him. Only after we clear away the fog do we realize it was never our fault.
man to cheat. It’s not ingrained in us to be natural cheaters. If you want a monogamous relationship and express it to him as such, there are no excuses. The fear of failing… This is a major pattern happening particularly with young guys, or, older men who new to gay relationships. The idea of not having a successful relationship from the get-go keeps us blinded from the truth sometimes. Our eagerness to prove the world wrong becomes the very thing keeping us from exploring potential endings. We want to play it out until the very last breath no matter the consequences. Breakups = Loneliness. Singleness and loneliness don’t go hand in hand. If you’ve spent all your life jumping from man to man to man, you’ve barely had a second to think by yourself. Choosng to stay with a man who’s giving you a fraction of his affection is lonelier. Learn to rely on your own approval.
Too often, people in cheating relationships keep a hold to their cheating boyfriends thinking that if they tweaked, altered, or rearranged whatever it is that’s fractured, all will be well again. It won’t.
Denial. Me? Someone cheated on me? Believe it or not, there are tons of guys who continuously deny the fact. In an effort to preserve hierarchy, their ego convinces them to withstand it. At the end of the day it’s a survival mechanism that will fall apart.
You’ve come to expect it. Just because you’re a gay couple doesn’t mean you need to expect your
We think we can’t do any better. Low self esteem has us feeling like we’re not good enough and that we
42 | 8.2.17
deserve to be cheated on. No one deserves infidelity. Don’t let a man define your worth and value. We think he’ll change. The term “once a cheater always a cheater” is kind of true, but that’s not to say a man can’t discipline himself hard enough. There comes a time, however, when we need to accept the fact that words don’t speak nearly as loud as actions. The history is too much to forget. You have an apartment, a dog, maybe even kids, and countless of Christmases, birthdays, drunken scrabble nights and everything else that’s made the foundation of your relationship. Still, you can’t base present decisions of the past. We’re dependent on him. He owns the house, has the money, supports you while you go back to school, etc. You might believe he can “do whatever he wants” because he has the power. No. Money or not, you handed him the power. Take it back and watch the paradigm shift. The unfamiliar is scary. It’s hard to imagine your life another way. Habits have been formed, new friends were made, your schedules were set. How can you live with the changes? Don’t let the unfamiliar keep you from getting the treatment you know you deserve.
peachATL.com | 43
HSL WET DEMONS MARGARITA BUST @ ZOCALO PHOTOS: James Hicks
44 | 8.2.17
BOOMER BANKS AT BLAKE'S PHOTOS: Matt Hennie
48 | 8.2.17
peachATL.com | 49
PRIDE GM RECEPTION PHOTOS: Matt Hennie
52 | 8.2.17
HSL REIGN BEER BUST AT BJ ROOSTERS PHOTOS: James Hicks
54 | 8.2.17
peachATL.com | 55
Aug 3 - Aug 9
Wussy Prom
Wet Demons Pool Party
Oh those Wussy kids. So creative in their parties, so earnest in their artistry. They come for you with their annual take on high school archetypes. Violet Chachki, Fade-Dra Phey, Pozsipozsi and King Atlas helm a Disco Bloodbath 3017 contest to crown prom royalty.
Another year, another trip to the Gay Softball World Series means another set of parties for you to enjoy. Hotlanta Softball’s Wet Demons team pulls out the stops with DJ, raffles, and bottomless cocktails to raise funds for their exodus to vie for a trophy.
FRIDAY, AUG. 4
SATURDAY, AUG. 5
HERETIC 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE | hereticatlanta.com
SMITH’S OLDE BAR See Facebook for Address | facebook.com/wetdemons
Screamin' Divas Errbody loves a diva, and one man’s got ‘em for you every time he hits the decks. With DJ Mike Pope, you can always count on female vocals to the stars and back. We’re looking at you, every gay anthem from 70s Disco through current faves.
SATURDAY, AUG. 5
HERETIC 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE | hereticatlanta.com
STAFF PICK!
'Priscilla' Screening
Blondie
The alternaqueers are on fire this week. Queer Camp Classics kicks off with the 1994 comedy, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Wussy organizes, and East Atlanta Village Queens Brigitte Bidet and Dax Exclamation Point host. Costumes strongly encouraged, with prizes going to the best Priscilla-inspired looks.
Once you had love, and it was a Blondie song. Then it just kept happening. For decades. And you were at the mercy of the band and its titular lead singer Debbie Harry. Well into their 70s now, Blondie’s back with Garbage, plus a new album and all the hits.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9
SUNDAY, AUG. 6
PLAZA ATLANTA 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE | plazaatlanta.com
56 | 8.2.17
CHASTAIN PARK AMPHITHEATRE 4469 Stella Drive NW | chastainseries.com
MIDTOWN 1
Monroe Dr. NE
14
Amsterdam Ave.
12th St. NE
NE ve . tA
Piedmont Park
on
11
dm
6
18
Pi e
Juniper St. NE
14th St. NE
7
9
2
10th St. NE
10
. NE
19
oe Dr
e. NE Piedmont Av
Juniper St . NE
Peachtree St. NE
3
Monr
Charles Allen Dr. NE
12 W. Peachtree St. NW
15
16
4th St. NE
8
13
BARS Amsterdam Blake's Bulldogs Friends The Model T My Sister’s Room Ten Atlanta
5
Dining 502 Amsterdam Ave NE 227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE
9 10 11 12
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
58 | 8.2.17
991 Piedmont Ave NE 980 Piedmont Ave NE 1077 Juniper St NE 931 Monroe Cir NE
fitness
retail 8 Barking Leather
4
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
Spring St. NW
17
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
www.SavedAndGay.com NEW COVENANT Church of Atlanta
404.929.1400
Cheshire 23
ansley 21
37
eR
on
Piedmont Park
ir .
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 Jungle
2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2115 Faulkner Rd NE
Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
Spa / bath 31 Manifest 4 U
32 33 34 35 36
Burkhart's Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's
2103 Faulkner Rd NE
1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
Dining 37 Cowtippers 38 Eclectic Bistro
Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights
NE
d.
tC
BJ Roosters Opus 1 Tripps Woof's
e. nt mo ed
39 38
BARS 20 21 22 23
41
Pi
28 20
25 idg
Av
ge Rd Brid hire
.
24
r eB
E
Ches
.N
35
29
r.
Dr
Rd
40
32
oe
hir
36
nr
dm
es
31 er
Mo
Pi e Ch
e ll D
kn
27
33
. NE
Manchester St. NE
Piedmont Rd. NE
22
Lidd
ul
IX
34
x Rd
Fa
26
BL
Le no
30
Lambert Dr.
PU
St.
.
A l co
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
1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L
NOT SHOWN
The Cockpit Atlanta Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta
465 Boulevard SE 1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE peachATL.com | 59
A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in Peach ATL & visit their websites for weekly event listings.
Bars & Clubs
MIXX
MIDTOWN
1492 Piedmont Ave NE
COWTIPPERS
AMSTERDAM
OSCAR’S
cowtippersatlanta.com
oscarsatlanta.com
1600 Piedmont Ave NE
1510 Piedmont Ave NE
DEKALB LIPS ATLANTA
306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK
THE COCKPIT
amsterdamatlanta.com
mixxatlanta.com
502 Amsterdam Ave. NE
ATLANTA EAGLE atlantaeagle.com
blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE
FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MODEL T modeltatlanta.com 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE
TEN ATLANTA tenatlanta.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE HERETIC hereticatlanta.com
thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com
ANSLEY
atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
Retail
465 Boulevard SE
MIDTOWN
MARY’S
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK
marysatlanta.com
barkingleather.com
1287 Glenwood Ave SE
306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch.com 466 Edgewood Ave SE
SWINGING RICHARDS swingingrichards.com
CHESHIRE BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com 805 Lambert Dr NE
1400 Northside Dr NW
SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO
Dining
2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
MIDTOWN
ANSLEY
10TH & PIEDMONT
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR
communitashospitality.com 991 Piedmont Ave NE
EINSTEIN’S einsteinsatlanta.com
boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta.com
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
1077 Juniper St NE
1510 Piedmont Ave. NE
JUNGLE
FROGS CANTINA
Fitness
jungleatl.com 2115 Faulkner Road
BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
OPUS 1 1086 Alco St NE
TRIPPS 1931 Piedmont Circle N
WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 2425 Piedmont Road NE
frogsmidtown.com 931 Monroe Dr
G’S communitashospitality.com 219 10th St NE
HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE
JOE’S ON JUNIPER joesonjuniper.com
MIDTOWN URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com
1049 Juniper St NE
2201 Faulkner Rd NE
LA HACIENDA
Spas/Baths/Adult
lahaciendamidtown.com 900 Monroe Dr NE
MIDTOWN
BURKHART’S
CHESHIRE
FLEX SPA
burkharts.com
LAS MARGARITAS
76 4th St NW
ANSLEY 1492 Piedmont Ave NE
FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
60 | 8.2.17
lasmargaritasmidtown.com
flexspas.com
1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
CHESHIRE
ROXX
MANIFEST 4U
1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
manifest4u.org 2103 Faulkner Rd NE
HELP WANTED
FOR 2017 SEASON
Timberfell Lodge Men's Resort and Campground is seeking energetic team players for the 2017 Season. Base wage, tips, housing and meals included for staff position.
Please contact us at
800-437-0118
or at timberfell@timberfell.com
FULL BODY MASSAGE by Walter @ 404-872-5671 (8th St. @Monroe Dr.) Only $40..Shave too License No. MT003122
Hot Tub and Swim Spas
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Peach ATL Media Sales Representatives Contributing Writers Event Photographers Email your resume or qualifications to William@peachatl.com
peachATL.com | 61
10 EXERCISES
FOR #DATASS
1
2
3
4
5
Barbell Squat
6
Roman Chair
7
Dead Lift
8
Hip Hinge
9
Walking Dumbbell Lunge
Squats
Lunges
Step-Ups
Bridge with Pelvic Thrusts
62 | 8.2.17
10
Kettle Bell Swing
Text your Peach Pits to 256-60-PEACH, or e-mail Mike@PeachATL.com Illustrations by: Jerel Ely
Does this soapbox make my ass look big? Welp! It’s amazing how in my mind this shirt fit perfectly, then the mirror happened.
Constantly making plays to get into his pants isn’t ‘mentoring.’
I’m going to have to stop skipping leg day. I look like a balloon on a stick.
I’ve been waiting since high school for the dad from Juno to be correct, that the right guy will come along and think the sun shines out of my ass.
I heard you’re a player. Nice to meet you. I’m the coach.
I’m 100% fluent in three languages: English, Sarcasm and Profanity. #%&*!
Hey. You. You’re amazing. Shine on.
64 | 8.2.17
Playmates or soul mates, you’ll find them on MegaMates Always FREE to listen and reply to ads!
Atlanta:
(678) 528-2525 www.megamates.com 18+
peachATL.com | 65
66 | 8.2.17
ARIES (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)
LIBRA (Sep. 23 - Oct. 22)
Try to be gentle with your partner. Remember you’re on the same team. If resentments come up, look at your own underlying worries. A playful slap at authority will be taken much harder than it was intended.
Consolidating your authority can mean shifting alliances. Try to make new friends without alienating older ones. The less you like advice from your partner, the more you should listen to it. You may not have to agree; just listen and consider it!
TAURUS (Apr. 20 - May 20)
SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)
Sweetness and charm can be powerful and revolutionary; infiltration and subversion are more effective than a frontal attack. Seduce people to your side. Build your network and get in the back door. Be ready to improvise. With time and patience you can succeed.
Worrying too much about the competition will just undermine your work and your mental health. Simply do your best and take enough time to rest so that you can do your best. Stay focused and your dedication will earn you praise.
GEMINI (May 21 - Jun. 20)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
Setting limits is necessary, but will probably anger some people. A conciliatory tone may be necessary, but don’t let that open the door to compromise. You can be firm and gentle, although it will take some work and creativity.
Rather than speaking out on issues that matter to you, try researching them. Resist social lures. Take time out to focus on yourself, to meditate. In your earliest memories, what do you remember your parents wanting of you? How does that influence you now?
CANCER (Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
New financial ventures can prove very successful, but don’t trust anything that doesn’t promise lot of hard work. Nothing will come easily. Your mate’s criticism is more trustworthy than his or her praise. Either way, appreciate that your baby means well.
Pressure to succeed can be overwhelming. Remember to relax; think ahead. Does sex really get you more in balance or is it a distraction that undermines your efforts? Some time off might help. Your partner should understand. Breathe. Think. Prioritize.
LEO (Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Fumbling, confused seductions can work out well. Keep your sense of humor and don’t get thrown off your game. At work maintain some humility and listen more than you speak so you can make big changes. Ego and assertion can wreck it all.
Everyone wants an argument so you should be in heaven, but where is your feistiness coming from – an eagerness to play, or some deep-seated worries? Remember you have nothing to prove, and there’s a time and a place for everything.
VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22)
PISCES (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
You’re probably worrying too much about your job. Ignore rumors and be as productive as you can. Sexual experimentation can work off the tension, but with new techniques come new safety concerns. Be careful!
Sexual frustration could push you to ask yourself hard questions about your habits and your priorities. Don’t blame others. Assess your needs and priorities and look at changes, perhaps big ones, you need to make.
relationship? When do I know I’m ready to take the plunge again? My husband dumped me while I was recovering from a major medical issue. We divorced and sold our lovely little home. But girl, that was last week. This week, I met this cute little guy, and now I want to take him home to meet my mama. I can totally see us getting married. Is it too soon? Anyway, Love Or Tragedy?
Dear A LOT: You’re right. That is a lot. First, take a breath. Now take another. Deeper. There ya go. Love isn’t on a timeline, but just by asking if it’s too soon, a little voice inside may say may be saying that, for you, right now definitely feels like Fast & Furious 8. What’s your hurry? You’ve heard of rebound relationships, and we know serial monogamy is a longstanding epidemic. When it happens to you personally, it may be hard to tell the difference between real deal and fake news.
ARE MY ORGASMS WEIRD? Hey, Daddy! When I’m about to have sex with a guy, I sneeze. Sometimes I sneeze upon orgasm too. Is this just me being crazy old me, or is it an actual thing? Normal to Orgasm Sneeze, Yo?
Does it feel like a rush job? Do you need to get married again, or want to be with this man forever? Would it hurt to continue dating to find out? Therein lies your answer.
Hey, Daddy! Here’s a gay conundrum for you. I want a guy named Paul, but Paul has the hots for Noah. And, yep, Noah is all about me. Help! Could Lads Undo Seriously Tangled Relationships?
Dear CLUSTR: That you’re all friends is a great start. Buy a bottle of wine and call a meeting. The knots can’t get more twisted by applying some honest communication to the situation.
Dear NOSY: It’s both! We’re all crazy, but impending sex does cause some guys to sneeze. When your horny brain titillates spongy areas with lots of capillaries, some signals misfire on the way to raising your flagpole and detour to the nasal passages. Other men experience tearing and salivation.
DADDY LOVES HIS BOYS
Hey, Daddy!
Warning: Advice given in this column is intended for entertainment and novelty purposes. Please proceed at your own risk.
How long is long enough after a breakup before I get into another
68 | 8.2.17
He knows the answers you need, and you’re going to get them. Reach out to him with your burning questions via our editor, Mike@PeachATL.com.