Peach v3i15- Join The Party

JOIN THE PARTY

Feel the Rush

Leather & Bear Pride

Reclaiming Focus

The New Atlanta Black Pride

Mitzi Pennington The April Prides

Interview: Dido

… Who Has Stories to Tell!

RÜFÜS DU SOL

BIG GIGANTIC • san holo

WHAT SO NOT • SNAKEHIPS • LANE 8 • BOOGIE T MAY 10-11, 2019

SOLARDO • SNBRN • DOMBRESKY • MOON BOOTS WHIPPED CREAM • GG MAGREE • DIRT MONKEY • WIN + WOO PAZ • MANTIS • EDDIE GOLD • MOVIN’ KEYZ

TICKET INFO AT

SHAKYBEATSFESTIVAL.COM

MARTIN GARRIX

galantis • fisher • gryffin

CHRIS LAKE • BIG WILD • EKALI • PARTY FAVOR CLOZEE • VANIC • SQUNTO • DUCKY • CRAY • SLUMBERJACK MIDNIGHT KIDS • ZEKE BEATS • XIE • PLS&TY FUNK HUNTERS • DJ ZOE GRAY • AIRWOLF

beck • incubus

FRIDAY, MAY 3

tears for fears • tash sultana • dashboard confessional

liz phair • sharon van etten • oh sees • black lips yellow days • the joy formidable • foxing • idles • curtis harding face to face (ACOUSTIC) • peach pit • devon gilfillian • wilderado low cut connie • hannah wicklund and the steppin stones i don't know how but they found me • duncan fellows • taylor janzen SATURDAY, MAY 4

cage the elephant

gary clark jr. • interpol • jim james • the struts

music festival MAY 3–5 • ATLANTA, GA CENTRAL PARK

TICKETS AT SHAKYKNEESFESTIVAL.COM

fidlar • the dandy warhols • bad books • japanese breakfast wallows • mark lanegan band • soccer mommy • jade bird • chon pedro the lion • natalie prass • mipso • julia jacklin • cleopatrick ruen brothers • bones owens • liily • walden

tam e i mpala

SUNDAY, MAY 5

foals • Maggie Rogers • grouplove phosphorescent • tyler childers • deerhunter • honne calpurnia • electric guest • caamp • rayland baxter • the murlocs lucy dacus • slothrust • welshly arms • the nude party • demob happy the blue stones • illiterate light • the inspector cluzo

CONTENTS APRIL 10, 2019

V3-15 PEACH ATL MEDIA, LLC 1874 Piedmont Ave NE Suite 580-E Atlanta, GA 30324

MANAGING PARTNER Brian Sawyer brian@peachatl.com

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OPERATIONS Jeff Anderson

Sales and Development Director

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EDITORIAL

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer Graphics

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EVENT MARKETING Thomas Le tomthomas@peachatl.com

SALES | DISTRIBUTION From the Editor Atlanta Leather Pride and Atlanta Bear Pride are here in the month that will also serve us an extensive lineup of Easter events (more about those in the next issue).

The two pride celebrations are, of course, dwarfed in comparison to the big bashes of Atlanta Black Pride and the Atlanta Pride Festival in the fall, but they still hold a good deal of significance in our community. Because even though it may be the parties and special events that get the most attention, there is so much more going on around those parties that are community building and supporting.

Take the upcoming Leather Pride which also hosts a gear swap and a celebratory brunch. Or the Ready4Hope Beer Bust & BBQ which raises money for local nonprofits besides throwing a magnificent all-you-can-eat-and-drink fest. So when you go out to party with the leatherclad or with the bears, be mindful of that purpose. It is unique to Atlanta. See the event lineup on page 14 & 16.

Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Mirza Muftic Gregg Shapiro

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media 908.232.202

Another pride celebration that will focus more on purpose than partying is the Atlanta Black Pride, which this year will resolve to focus on empowering and educating the LGBTQ community of color. Read our Q&A with board member Amber Moore about the new initiative under the hashtag #ReclaimingATLBlackPride on page 32.

That, and so much more in this issue of Peach!

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director

ONLINE

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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 | 04.10.19

Brunching for Full LGBTQ Equality

This is some serious ‘gay agenda’ stuff with an all-you-caneat brunch for a good cause!

Come out Guac y Margys, the new hotspot conveniently located on the Beltline, for a special Sunday brunch, benefiting the Human Rights Campaign.

The $35 ticket (where $10 will be donated to HRC’s mission of full LGBTQ equality) will include an all-you-can-eat brunch featuring Guac y Margys famous breakfast tacos, and bottomless Bloody Marias and Mimosas. The ticket also includes an HRC membership or membership renewal.

About Gauc y Margys All three of Gauc y Margys’ owners were either born in Atlanta or have lived here for over ten years. Their love for the city is reflected in the fact that they work with local non-profits to give back to the community.

Check out guacymargys.com for more.

About HRC Atlanta Throughout the year, HRC Atlanta hosts many engaging events that aim to reach a wide and varied a group as possible. Acknowledging the many dimensions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer population, our Atlanta Steering Committee is diligent in creating diverse and inclusive gatherings for all. Learn more at hrcatlanta.com.

And to encourage safety and responsible drinking a 20% Lyft discount is included with the code: GUACBRUNCH. Go to hrc.im/guacbrunch to get your ticket for a fun brunch with a purpose.

THE WHAT, WHEN,

and WHERE

WHEN: Sunday April 14, 12:30-2:30 pm 8 | 04.10.19

WHERE: Guac y Margys (on the Beltline)

WHAT:

HRC Sunday Brunch

May 4th, 2019 | Heretic 9:00PM - 3:00AM $20 ADVANCE (AND UNTIL 11:00PM DAY OF) $25 AFTER 11:00PM | 21+ ID REQUIRED

Tickets available at: joininghearts.org

Representing District 3

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Byron Amos hopes to win the City Council District 3 runoff election on April 16.

Peach caught up with him to talk experience and his lifelong service to the residents of District 3 – including its LGBTQ residents.

What experience from your previous career has prepared you for a possible seat on the District 3 City Council?

I am a lifelong resident of District 3. My 20 years of public service has been spent in direct service to the residents of District 3. From the time I was a young man serving as SGA Vice President at Booker T. Washington High School, the alma mater of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. My community service continued as both Chairman and Vice Chairman for our local NPU. Further, I have served as the PTA President, Civic Association President, and finally was elected official to the Board of the Atlanta Public School (APS) System. I have represented this District on the Atlanta Board of Education for the past seven years. My experience in preparing and providing oversight for a budget of 818 million dollars has provided me with a foundation to thoughtfully represent the people of District 3 as a member of the Atlanta City Council.

What do you hope to achieve if you win the runoff election on April 16 and you become City Council member?

Today, I believe the most significant issues facing the City of Atlanta and District 3 are public safety, affordability, and job creation. Right now, the City has approximately 500 repeat offenders that are responsible for a disproportionate amount of violent and petty crime. I will focus on having the Fulton County Superior and State Court Judges appropriately sentence individuals who are convicted of multiple criminal offenses.

By holding the Superior and State Court Judges accountable, I believe that we can cut crime in Atlanta by an additional 13 percent over the next four years. This will bring the total crime reduction in the City of Atlanta down by 50 percent since 2010. Second, public-private partnerships are essential to providing housing options that are accessible and affordable for the residents of District 3. My community is a close-knit working-class community, so it is my intention to build on the work of the House Atlanta task force recommendations. Third, I believe the future of District 3 will be tied to the success of new and historic small business ownership. My office will be the center of entrepreneurship as I connect and coordinate new and historic small businesses with new opportunities. Both the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta - in addition to the Metro Atlanta Chamber - will be essential partners for this effort.

You are a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ community. Tell us about your involvement with the LGBTQ community.

Early on in my career, I held the security contract at the oldest black LGBTQ social club and lounge in Atlanta, the Marquette.

That experience taught me as a professional to respect and to

10 | 04.10.19

be sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ community. I carried this experience with me as I was elected to the Atlanta Board of Education. As a member of the Board, I supported a number of policies that were aimed at supporting gender and sexual identity. As a school district, APS was a leader in the No Place for Hate Campaign which states that students shall not be subjected to discrimination or harassment because of the student’s gender identity or expression. I also supported the District’s efforts to begin sensitivity and awareness training on how to be supportive of diverse students, including diversity of gender identity and led the way in supporting a policy that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their chosen identity.

Are there specific issues that pertain to the LGBTQ community you wish to pursue?

I have had extensive conversations with members of the LGBTQ community. The most pressing issues raised with me during those conversations included Atlanta’s HIV epidemic and lack of sufficient funding to address prevention, treatment, and housing. Additionally, I have had extensive conversations about Atlanta’s HIV crisis, LGBTQ youth homelessness in the City of Atlanta, HIV drug TRUVADA, and housing discrimination. These are all issues I would like to pursue and address if elected to the Atlanta City Council.

Why should LGBTQ residents of District 3 vote for you on April 16?

I hope to earn the support of the LGBTQ community because I strongly believe that as the cradle of the Civil Rights movement, Atlanta has a moral and civic obligation to upholding human rights for all people – regardless of sexual orientation or identity. If elected, I will work with the Mayor’s LGBT Advisory Committee and LGBTQ residents of District 3 to ensure that we create a city where all people feel safe and supported in living openly as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. I am committed to having on-going conversations with the LGBTQ community to discuss how we can address the most pressing issues facing their community.

-Learn more at byronamos.com.

peachATL.com | 11

Unbending Love

By Gregg Shapiro

It’s been said that timing is everything. The new Blu-ray reissue of Sean Mathias’ 1997 film adaptation of gay playwright Martin Sherman’s Tony Award-nominated play “Bent” (Film Movement Classics/MGM) arrives at a time when brutal homophobic and anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise. It is a terrifying reminder that the past is never that far behind us.

Max (Clive Owen) wakes up in his flat after a night of debauchery. A Berlin grifter, Max revels in the decadence of the period. At a nightclub where drag diva Greta (Mick Jagger) makes her performance entrance by being lowered from above, Max is hit on by hot SS man Wolf (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Naturally, this doesn’t sit well with his boyfriend Rudy (Brian Webber). But that doesn’t stop Max from bringing Wolf back to their shared apartment.

This sets a series of unfortunate events in motion. Wolf, the boyfriend of high- ranking Nazi deputy Karl Ernst is killed by a pair of soldiers. Max and Rudy are on the run.

They get to Greta’s, now dressing like a man and going

by George, just in time to see her set fire to her makeshift drag wardrobe. George declares that suddenly “queer is out, queer is dead”, but is good enough to give them some money.

On the lam and homeless for more than a year, Max meets with his gay Uncle Freddie (out actor Ian McKellan).

Freddie can only provide Max with one new passport and identity, but Max refuses to leave Rudy behind. Estranged from the rest of his family for 10 years for being a “fluff”, Max promises to marry (which would be good for the family business) and be discreetly queer. But shortly thereafter, Max and Rudy are found by Nazi soldiers.

In a cattle car on the way to a camp, Rudy is badly beaten by soldiers. Gay prisoner Horst (Lothaire Bluteau) saves Max’s life by stopping him from going to help Rudy. A former nurse, Horst fills Max in on their situation, gives him the lowdown on the code of the yellow stars and pink triangles. Ultimately, a sadistic Nazi officer (Rupert Graves) forces Max to beat Rudy to death, and then rape a woman to prove he isn’t queer.

At the camp, Max is given a yellow star, while Horst is presented with a pink triangle for having signed a Magnus Hirschfeld petition. Horst wants nothing to do with Max for not admitting to being gay. Max, who has been given rock pile duty, involving moving boulders from one side to the other, bribed a guard to get Horst to work with him, desperate for human contact and conversation. The long shift, which includes a three-minute rest period every two hours, is designed to drive them mad. Horst is furious with Max for having him brought there.

Eventually, the reach détente, and so begins the series of scenes for which Bent is perhaps best known. Without making eye contact, they use erotic language to “make love” to each other. At one point, Horst even tells Max he loves him and creates an eyebrow rubbing signal to represent an expression of love for Max. During the winter, their pointless work shifts to moving piles of snow from one side to the other. Horst’s health begins to fail. Max provides comfort and support, he gets medicine for Horst, whose health improves. Of course, Horst is upset when he learns that Max blew one of the evilest captains in order to get the meds. It is the same sadistic captain who eventually brings about the film’s tragic finale.

Mathias’ adaptation opens up the play, but it still feels stagey, especially the dialogue. Owen and Bluteau do their best to do the difficult material justice, but in the long run, this adaptation falls short. Nevertheless, the timeliness of the subject matter makes it worth seeing. Blu-ray bonus features include behind the scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, a music video of Mick Jagger performing “Streets of Berlin” and a new essay by Steven Alan Carr.

P

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404.795.5100 peachATL.com | 13

Strap In! Atlanta Leather Pride Is Here!

Atlanta Leather Pride was founded in 2010, and since then it has only grown bigger in scope. The purpose of the Leather Pride was to find the Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle, and even though the competition is still the focal point of the weekend, it has been filled with additional events. Leather Pride is also an excellent opportunity for the kink-curious to get a taste of what the Atlanta leather community has to offer in a friendly, social setting, sso come out to one or more of the events listed below.

Friday, April 12 Private Puppy Play Party Hosted by International Geared Up Pup Manifest 4U, 5-9 pm Meet and Greet Check out the contestant and scope out who is in town for the weekend Atlanta Eagle, 10 pm

Saturday, April 13 ALP Gear Swap Trade or sell the gear you’re not using anymore and get into some new stuff!

Atlanta Eagle, 12-11 pm BBQ and Beer Blast Socialize and get your grub on at this cozy back patio beer bust.

Atlanta Eagle, 5 pm

14 | 04.10.19

Mr. & Ms. Atlanta Eagle Contest The judges have interviewed the contestants, and it’s time find the Mr. & Ms. Atlanta Eagle Atlanta Eagle, 8 pm SWEAT Victory Party The victory party will bring you sweaty beats by DJ Neon the GlowGoBear.

Atlanta Eagle, 10 pm – 3 am

Sunday, April 14 Atlanta Leather Pride Brunch The winners have been found, and it’s time to Sunday Funday.

Roxx Tavern, 11 am – 1 pm Inaugural “Tacos & Tequila Sunday” The fundraiser benefits the National Coalition of Sexual Freedom The Hideaway, 3 pm

Register, volunteer and/or donate to a participant at actioncyclingatl.org

Let’s Roar!

The Atlanta Bear Pride (April 19-21) is three days of bear-themed events and parties that celebrate the bear culture while also supporting and raising funds for local businesses and charities in metro Atlanta. The weekend manages to lure out all the bears, cubs, otters, et cetera from all over the Southeast to Atlanta for a big party weekend with an impressive lineup of events.

Friday, April 19 Atlanta Bear Pride Warm Up Party Start the weekend off right with a bar night at Atlanta’s most popular gay sports bar Woofs, 7-10 pm Bear Invasion The official kick-off party serves beats by DJ Manny Lehman.

The Heretic, 9 pm – 3 am

Bear After Hours Play party – get $5 off when you mention bear pride.

Manifest4U, midnight-?

Bear Pride After Hours Keep on dancing to DJ Alain Jackinsky.

BJ Roosters, 3-7 am

Sunday, April 21

Bear After Hours Play party – get $5 off when you mention bear pride.

Manifest4U, midnight-?

Bears and Beers Sunday Funday Head to the Midtown gayborhood for more Bear Pride fun.

Blake’s, 4-7 pm

Saturday, April 20

Bear Pride Closing Party This underwear party will provide you with a nice closure to a hot weekend.

BJ Roosters, 9 pm-Midnight

Ready4Hope Beer Bust & BBQ $20 all you can eat and drink for a cause!

The Heretic, 12-5 pm Bearracuda Dj Tony Moran will spin so bring your dancing shoes!

The Heretic, 9 pm – 3 am

16 | 04.10.19

Bear After Hours Play party – get $5 off when you mention bear pride.

Manifest4U, midnight-?

peachATL.com | 17

Dido Has Stories She Might Tell You With her first album in six years out, the musician talks confidence from Madonna and her real-life drag name

By Chris Azzopardi

If you want Dido to tell you a story, don’t be weird. It helps if you’re a fan. It especially helps if you’re a fan in a sea of other fans, “White Flag” sweeping you away to that soothingly introspective Dido place at one of her shows. Just don’t be some nosy journalist out to get a good Dido story – you won’t get a good Dido story. And don’t ask her to say her full, iconic birth name. She’ll playfully decline because the name, Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O’Malley Armstrong, is “terrifying,” she says.

18 | 04.10.19

peachATL.com | 19

But when I recently jumped on the phone to discuss the British chill-queen’s first album in six years, Still on My Mind, Dido did tell stories (“Sand in My Shoes,” from her 2004 album Life for Rent, is literally about sand in her shoes). In fact, according to a rep for the artist who called me after with some feedback, she apparently broke through her usual press-shyness, laughing her way through our talk about dressing like Madonna, getting over stage fright and being a “messy” producer.

What about Madonna appealed to you at that age?

She just felt so strong and could sort of do everything, and so unique and so confident.

She just has this confidence that as a teenage girl I was looking at like, “Wow.” Everything she wore in the video, when you’re a teenage girl and you’re just feeling really insecure and anxious and not comfortable in your own skin, you see this woman being so proud to be herself. I think she’s so inspiring.

Has a gay man ever told you your full name would make a good drag name?

(Laughs) Oh, I love that.

What song of yours do gay fans tell you they connect with most?

Originally it might’ve been “Take My Hand.” That was the first song I wrote, I think, that ever got recorded and I remember that always used to connect.

If I asked you to say your full name, would you?

Do I have to? (Laughs) It’s just terrifying. I love getting other people to say it and it’s actually really funny because they always say it slightly differently, but I’ve never thought about it like that. But I feel better about it now!

In dance clubs and collaborations with your brother Rollo’s dance act Faithless you cultivated an LGBTQ fanbase early. When did you realize you had a loyal LGBTQ following?

I don’t know. I think it’s just always been there. Probably because everything I was doing at the beginning was in the clubs, and I think because I just started off in the dance music world, I didn’t really know any different.

You grew up as a Madonna fan, like many gay boys.

Yeah, like most everyone! She’s just amazing.

Was your interest in her something you shared with your gay friends?

With everybody. I was trying to dress like her in the “Papa Don’t Preach” video as soon as I could, as soon as I was allowed to cut my hair off and dye it blonde. But I remember going to see Desperately Seeking Susan with my mom, and I think even my dad came, and we were all just completely enamored with her. She was just the most awesome thing ever.

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After 20 years, how do you end up coming back to a sound that is quintessential Dido?

I don’t really know.

I did this album in a very instinctive way; I didn’t really overthink anything.

Because when I was making the record, I didn’t have a record deal. When I was doing this album and I wasn’t even sure I was gonna put this out, I just thought, “We’re just gonna do it.” It inadvertently ended up very similar to when I made No Angel, and I didn’t think anyone was going to hear that record. I think a lot of the feeling of starting again and that feeling around that time 20 years ago sort of crept into this record, just because I felt like what I’m having is a good time here and I might put it out; there was a point I even thought I’d give these songs to someone else. I just didn’t know.

Are the long breaks you take between album releases a necessary part of your creative process?

I think it is. It just sort of happens. I don’t know how to write any differently because I’m writing from such a personal point of view, like I have to go through the experiences to be able to write them. I’ve never approached making records in any sort of methodical way; it just happened. I go

through life and I write songs because that’s how I see the world, and it’s what I see when I look around the world and how I process any thought I have, and then it sort of builds up into a record.

It feels like they all sort of just appear.

What’s the most unusual place that has given you inspiration for a song?

I wrote “Sand in my Shoes” literally on a plane when I took my shoes off and they were full of sand. One of those really stupid moments (laughs).

It was actually a really stressful flight because my dad had got really ill and I just arrived in L.A. and I wanted to go straight home. While I was on the plane, I was just writing, because it’s all I know how to do to get through. I sort of took my shoes off and I literally had just run off the beach onto a plane and all this sand went everywhere and sort of followed. Anyway, it was cool. It gave me the idea for the song. I wrote that whole song on the plane.

Because you’re used to recording in an intimate setting with your brother, I imagine taking songs from the record this close to you and performing them in front of massive crowds must feel a little different.

I sort of love it. When I first went on tour with No Angel, I was just like, “Oh my god, why are you making me sing these songs with other people (around)?” Like, they are so personal. I remember my manager saying to me, after running on stage and running away as soon as I’d sung, “It wouldn’t hurt for you to talk a little. You could say your name. You could say what city you’re in.

Anything, just the basics. Like, ‘Hello, New York!’

Anything. Just say something because you just look so scared right now.” And it was really scary for me! Then I performed on stage for nine years, and I just have to say I genuinely have such cool fans and they make me feel we’re part of something together.

Before the days of having recording devices at shows, I remember journalists used to get so annoyed with me, like, “Why do you tell all these stories when you’re on stage that you would never tell us?” Like, “You tell stuff to your fans that you don’t ever say in an interview.” It’s not intentional. It just felt like a really friendly environment and I’m quite an instinctive person and if I feel comfortable, I’m a very open person, so it was just really funny.

So you’ll tell me a story then?

(Laughs) No. You’re gonna have to come to a show.

I just think I’ve always felt pretty comfortable singing the songs because I always have felt a lot of love coming from the fans, that they’ve made the effort to come out and see you and you’re sharing an experience, and it just feels good to sing the songs live. It always feels different every night.

-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 GQ, Vanity Fair and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @ chrisazzopardi.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via his website at www.chrisazzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

peachATL.com | 21

TITANS BEER BUST @ MIDTOWN MOON PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

22 | 04.10.19

In the guise of satiric exploitation-horror, the all-female cast of The Secretaries takes an unflinching look at the warping cultural expectations of femininity. Pretty Patty Johnson is thrilled to join the secretarial pool at the Cooney Lumber Mill under the iron-fisted leadership of sultry office manager Susan Curtis. But she soon begins to feel that all is not right—the enforced diet of Slim-Fast shakes, the strange clicking language between the girls, the monthly disappearance of a lumberjack. By the time Patty discovers murder is part of these office killers’ skill set, it’s too late to turn back!

By The Five Lesbian Brothers

MAY 2-18, 2019

Tickets: $15 and up Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Avenue, Atlanta

www.OutFrontTheatre.com

PROJECT RUN-A-WAY @ HERETIC PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

W

INNER

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32ND ANNUAL HRC ATLANTA GALA DINNER & AUCTION

As the lives of LGBTQ Americans hang in the balance, we cannot afford to take one step backward. We must build upon our momentum and move FORWARD.

05.04.19 To purchase tickets visit HRCAtlanta.com

HRC ATLANTA CORPORATE SPONSORS As of March 11TH PRESENTING

PLATINUM

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CRYSTAL

Brian Cave Leighton Paisner, Littler Mendalson, Boston Consulting Group, Positive Impact Health Centers, Creative Approach

Morris, Manning & Martin, Kilpatrick Townshend & Stockton, The Fryer Law Firm, Seyfarth Shaw, Troutman Sanders, Intercontinental Hotels Group

AFTER PARTY 5 Star Office Furniture

peachATL.com | 25

MOULIN ROUGE PARTY @ THE HIDEAWAY

PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

26 | 04.10.19

Grab a coffee, coffee take a survey,

change the world.

Making a Difference is Easy.

Take the 13th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey

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Your information is confidential, used for research purposes only.

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Roby was born in raised in Charlotte but has called Atlanta home since 2015.

He runs his own eBay store (The Queer Nerd) that focuses on vintage toys and pop culture memorabilia, and he is a bartender and server on the side. You can also catch Roby on stage as a member of the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus (he is a Tenor 2). As a queer writer and activist, he focuses on mental health and HIV/ AIDS issues, and his typical hangouts are in the EAV where he spends time with his fellow queer weirdos and art school dropouts.

@RAbraham88

Roby Abraham

30 | 04.10.19

Empowering the Black LGBT Community

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

This year, Atlanta Black Pride is being relaunched to focus on empowering, educating, and celebrating the Black LGBTQ+ community in Atlanta. Peach spoke to Amber Moore who is one of the board members of the Atlanta Black Pride.

Under the hashtag #ReclaimingATLBlackPride, you recently launched a new marketing campaign to reclaim the heritage of Atlanta Black Pride. Tell us a little about the initiative.

The Reclaiming Atlanta Black Pride is us taking the pride back to its roots of empowering, educating and celebrating the Black LGBT community. For several years Atlanta Black Pride hadn’t protected its brand, and the focus has been on the nightlife and parties, so we lost the purpose of empowering and educating.

So we are bringing that back. Having the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center as host hotel this year, it will allow us to bring back that focus of workshops and lunch and learn events along with our marketplace.

Why do you think it is essential to reclaim Atlanta Black Pride?

It is important because we had lost the purpose or focus of what Atlanta Black pride is due to previous not protecting our brand. So, people saw the nightlife and parties while the empowering and education piece was being put on the back burner. But now we are bringing it to the forefront along with good, affordable nightlife.

A few people still voice the opinion that there should be only one, diverse Pride in Atlanta. What do you have to say about that?

We must have two prides because the Atlanta Black Pride concentrates on making sure that we know what is happening in healthcare and how that affects us.

Plus, the Black LGBT Community has different needs because all resources are not available to us or do not know about some of the resources and Pride gives that information as a workshop. It is not all about partying when it comes to Atlanta Black Pride. This is why we say Atlanta Black Pride is about empowering, educating, and celebrating the Black LGBT Community.

32 | 04.10.19

How will the next Pride be different under the leadership of Atlanta Black Pride?

It’s a new day at Atlanta Black Pride. It’s a new day how we handle business and interact with our partners, new leadership and structure, new community-driven programming, and town halls. We are 23 years old this year, and we could not continue to operate and perform as we did during our founding of 1996. We are committed to upholding our legacy while building our future. That means we are more community focused and driven to bring to the forefront issues that plague Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community of color, that are often overlooked by mainstream entities. While our focus remains on LGBTQ+ community of color we advocate and partner with everyone to make Atlanta a better place to live, work and play.

Tell us a little bit about the lineup of events at the next Atlanta Black Pride.

We are bringing back the Interfaith Service which will be held Tuesday, August 27. This will start the weekend, but Thursday is the opening ceremony. We will have our signature events Speakfire (erotic poetry), Literary Café, Film Fest, two days of workshops/ lunch & learns, and Marketplace. On Sunday, We are at Candler Park to celebrate with stage, entertainers, food trucks, and lots of fun.

How can people get involved with Atlanta Black Pride?

We are looking for committee chairs and volunteers. To get involved go to the website: www.atlantablackpride. org or email amoore@atlantablackpride.org. We welcome any individual, group or organization that wants to host an event, workshop or a party to contact us at our community meeting which is every second Monday of each month at the Rush Center from 7 pm – 9 pm.

peachATL.com | 33

“The Prides of April” Late April beacons the end of hibernation for many of Atlanta’s local bears. The city hosts its annual Bear and Leather Pride back-to-back, so be sure to hit the bars and dance floors with the burliest and slickest of gays.

If you’re nervous about heading out during either pride weekend because you feel you won’t fit in with the masses, I have a story that is sure to inspire you! There was a woman, named Bearelle Woods, who wanted to be with all the bears during Bear Pride, but never felt they saw her as good enough. She decided to go into Harvard Law to impress the bears and be with them. Over the course of her hour-and-a-half adventure, Bearelle learns she only needs to impress herself, and not anyone else. That was, of course, the plot to Legally Blonde, but if you want to read into it (as I do most things), it can apply directly to not having confidence in celebrating leather and bear pride. For this month’s two prides, I’ve decided to describe how I go about celebrating them, instead of asking for my friends’ suggestions. I hope my life choices and semi-true past stories get you hyped!

Leather Pride is an easy weekend to celebrate through. The main star of the weekend is the judging contest. I enter every year, and I always come close to coming close to winning. I start the weekend by replacing the water in my shower with baby powder and getting a good coating of the stuff before I slip into something a bit more comfortable. Once my body is wrapped into a body suit, I head over to a nearby drive-thru to get me a pre-drinking meal. This is also a great way to raise awareness to Leather Pride since everyone will be staring at you. After I’m done eating, I’m off to compete. If you don’t mind losing, the event is a great way to get some daytime drinking and not look like an alcoholic. Also, you meet a lot of wonderful people!

If this weekend gets your pride-party mode going, and it will, it should prepare you for the following weekend: Bear Pride. Some of the bars (like Woofs and Heretic) will have their grizzly spirits high to celebrate the bear in everyone’s life. Back in my youth, I had three bears in my life. We lived in a blissful ecstasy, and I was their Goldie Locks. Then, a man the gay community would identify as a “wolf”, came by and gave us some Gummiberry Juice. I took a gulp and bounced off into the sky so far, I landed in Atlanta, never to see my bears again. My story’s moral is, while you’re out having a gay ole time with the bears, don’t drink anything codenamed Gummiberry Juice! Or: don’t take anything questionable from strangers would be a more general message. Once you’re partied-out and have traversed your way through the Manifest4U’s after hours, come over to my after hours after-party: Care Bear-a-palooza. It’s a bunch of bears who are tired and snuggled up in a giant pile. Don’t be alarmed if you’re greeted by the Cheerios bee, that’s just the bouncer. I’ll be serving some Honeycomb-vodka shots, “powdered” donuts and my famous Brother Bear cake. That much sugar after drinking all night should be enough slide you into Sunday’s brunch!

If you plan to celebrate either, or both, of the pride weekends, be sure to stay hydrated, wear something ridiculous (looks are always encouraged), and for the love of God don’t drink anything named “Gummiberry Juice”. I hope to see all of your fuzzy faces in slicked-up suits this month!

Yours in bearing and leathering,

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 shortly after dropping out of college. Her late husband’s fortune allows her to travel the world and have 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.

34 | 04.10.19

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Apr 10 – Apr 17

Duke Dumont The British musician, songwriter, DJ, and record producer Adam George Dyment, better known by his stage name Duke Dumont, comes to Atlanta for a Private Label event.

Friday, April 12, 10 pm – 3 am The Ravine Atlanta

STAFF PICK!

HRC Atlanta Gala Chairpersons’ Reception 2019 Gala Co-Chairs Rebekah McCorvey and Percy Brown invite you to the inaugural HRC Atlanta Chairpersons’ Reception that honors former HRC Atlanta Gala Co-Chairs and award recipients and announces this year’s community award winners.

April 10, 6:30-8:30 pm Caravaca Market (Midtown)

KUDZU Teknox Crew Takeover The Teknox crew is on tour and takes over all night for a special edition of Kudzu featuring DJs Alex Falk, Dialectic Sines, Nikki Nair, and St. Thomas LeDoux.

Friday, April 12, 11 pm – 5 am The Bakery

More Twisted Broadway AID Atlanta returns at Lips Atlanta for its second annual event. Hosted by Edie Cheezburger, the Ladies of Lips Atlanta welcome six celebrity servers to the kitchen to prepare a special four-course dinner and raise funds at the same time. Tickets ($45) at aidatlanta.org/ twistedbroadway.

Wednesday, April 10, 6;30-9:30 pm LIPS Atlanta

38 | 04.10.19

The Room with DJ Aron ft. Beth Sacks This new party concept is imported from NYC and brings Billy Banderas Productions, the Heretic, and DJ Aron together for a night of circuit beats. Special performance by vocalist Beth Sacks.

Saturday, April 13, 10 pm – 3 am The Heretic

HRC SUNDAY FUNDAY @ OUT FRONT THEATRE PHOTOS:MIKKEL HYLDEBRANDT

40 | 04.10.19

OCTOBER 11-13,2019 atlantapride.org

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

14

Amsterdam Ave.

NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

on

11

dm

6 12th St. NE

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

Charle s Alle n Dr . N E

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

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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

4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

P o n ce D e Leo n Pl . N E

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

When the world throws you Let be your savedandgay.com

Cheshire 23

ansley 21

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Piedmont Park BARS 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Cir NE 2425 Piedmont Rd NE 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd

32 33 34 35 36

Midtown Moon Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's

805 Lambert Dr. NE, Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa / bath 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

Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness

NE

.

clubs 28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

e. nt mo ed

39 38

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

41

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28 20

Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

Av

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.

25

BJ Roosters Opus 1 Tripps Woof's

31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

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32

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33

. NE

Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

22

42 L

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34

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26

BL

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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

Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta

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

peachATL.com | 43

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

BARKING LEATHER

1400 Northside Dr NW

805 Lambert Dr NE

BULLDOGS

Dining

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

MIDTOWN

736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

10thandpiedmont.com

atlantaeagle.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK

blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

893 Peachtree St NE

friendsonponce-atl.com

466 Edgewood Ave SE

swingingrichards.com

10TH & PIEDMONT

MODEL T

991 Piedmont Ave NE

699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

einsteinsatlanta.com

modeltatlanta.com

EINSTEIN’S

MY SISTER’S ROOM

1077 Juniper St NE

66 12th St NE

frogsmidtown.com

mysistersroom.com

TEN ATLANTA

tenatlanta.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

CHESHIRE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO

ANSLEY BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE

GCB & PLEASURES

brushstrokesatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

FROGS CANTINA

Fitness

931 Monroe Dr

MIDTOWN

G’S

gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE

HERETIC

HENRY’S

2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

132 10th St NE

BJ ROOSTERS

JOE’S ON JUNIPER

hereticatlanta.com

barkingleather.com

henrysatl.com

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com

500 Amsterdam Ave NE

CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com

bjroosters.com

joesonjuniper.com

2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

1049 Juniper St NE

OPUS 1

LA HACIENDA

Spas/Baths/Adult

900 Monroe Dr NE

MIDTOWN

1931 Piedmont Circle N

CHESHIRE

FLEX SPA

WOOFS

LAS MARGARITAS

76 4th St NW

2425 Piedmont Road NE

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

CHESHIRE

ANSLEY

ROXX

MANIFEST 4U

MIDTOWN MOON

1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

FELIX’S

LIPS ATLANTA

THE HIDEAWAY

3011 Buford Hwy NE

1086 Alco St NE

TRIPPS

woofsatlanta.com

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

MIXX

mixxatlanta.com

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

OSCAR’S

oscarsatlanta.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

44 | 04.10.19

lahaciendamidtown.com

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

DEKALB

atldragshow.com

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

flexspas.com

manifest4u.org

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN

thedenatlanta.com

2135 Liddell Drive NE

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peachATL.com | 45

Ten hanky codes decoded

YELLOW = watersports

LIGHT BLUE = oral sex

RED = fisting

BEIGE = rimming

BLACK = S&M

HUNTER GREEN = daddy/boy

GREY = bondage

PINK = dildos

MEDIUM BLUE = uniform fetish

ORANGE =

anything anytime

WORN LEFT = RECEIVER WORN RIGHT = PERFORMER 46 | 04.10.19

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

Me: I won’t let you hurt me again!

Him: Come on, it’s not bad. *Me in hell*: Excuse me, I was told there would be a special place for me here?

Me: I don’t think I can see you again!

Him: You’re overreacting.

I never understood the “thanks for the add” comments. I read them as, “thx I’m officially your stalker now!”

Me: This pain will never go away!

Him: One sit-up. You did one sit-up.

When you are dead, you don’t know you are gone. It’s just difficult for everyone else. The same goes for being stupid.

I could change my opinion, but then we would both be wrong!

Asking for a friend: Can you get road rage just by walking behind someone?

48 | 04.10.19

Dad Joke Alert iSleep – there’s a nap for that!

Shutting the f**k up is gluten-free.

Why don’t you add that to your diet?

NO COVER

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22) If you start working on small details today, you’ll end up making major headway with a project that has gotten somewhat out of control lately. Recent confusion will resolve into clarity today.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22) Several worrisome minor problems are adding up to a somewhat heavy load today -- but you mustn’t let them weigh you down into immobility. Take things one at a time -- by the end of the day, you’ll have made good progress.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21) ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) If you need to take a break from your long to-do list today, don’t waste it on surfing the Internet (though you may be tempted to simply veg out for a while).

A bit of exercise will clear your head and give you energy.

It may be time to reveal a secret you’ve been keeping -- something about yourself that embarrasses you.

Someone close to you has the same secret, and your revelation will help you both understand that you’re not alone.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21) TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) Express your love for other people in tangible ways today -- material (flowers or a small gift) or physical (a hug or a gentle stroke). Today is one of those days when actions really do speak louder than words.

An authority figure of some sort may find fault with you today, or ask that you redo a job you’ve already done. Don’t react in anger. Take a deep breath and get to work. Tonight, exercise will release the tension.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

Pay bills, take care of errands and attend to household chores -- today may not be the most exciting day you’ve ever had, but it would be a good idea (and personally satisfying) to take care of these humdrum matters today.

An authority figure of some sort may find fault with you today, or ask that you redo a job you’ve already done. Don’t react in anger. Take a deep breath and get to work. Tonight, exercise will release the tension.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22) When was the last time you hosted a dinner party?

Well, today is an excellent day for event planning.

You’ll likely find some inspiration in a cookbook or a food magazine. Try out a new recipe tonight.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) Although you may be in the mood for decisive action today, find time for a session of clearheaded strategizing. Don’t make any moves forward until you have the entire route (and a realistic budget) mapped out.

50 | 04.10.19

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) Today you should shift your focus from the big picture to the fine print -- all your wonderfully innovative, creative ideas will come to nothing if you disregard these small (but significant) details.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) Expect to gain a new understanding of a relationship today -- you may discover that someone’s feelings for you are deeper than you thought. Alternatively, you may realize that you’re the one whose feelings have deepened.

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.

A

fter going through a rough spot, my boyfriend and I have struggled to get intimate again.

Overall, it is a good thing because it has sparked a conversation about what really turns us on, and what we fantasize about. But something that my boyfriend confided to me, is that he enjoys wearing women’s clothing – especially lingerie – and he has even suggested that he could wear panties or stockings when we have sex. I’m pretty openminded, so I’m not opposed to the idea, but now I am wondering if he may be transgender, and this is a way for him to come out to me as trans at some point.

This is his deepest desire and secret, so could it be that he is finally getting the courage to come out?

Sincerely Underlying Desires Dear Underlying Desires Trans is everywhere right now – and rightfully so! It is about damn time that one of our society’s most marginalized and exposed groups gets a voice and are heard, so the rest of us can listen and learn about what it means to be trans. But even though there is a focus on trans right now, it doesn’t mean that your boyfriend is trans. He might be – but he could also simply be into cross-dressing which fetishizes women’s clothing often in a sexual way. In your case, time is your friend. And communication. If you’re into his fantasy, and you get turned on by him wearing lingerie, then enjoy that and expand your own sexual horizon. And now that you have managed to open a good line of communication talk to him, and engage in creating that safe space where he can be his true self. Who knows, he may end up coming out as trans, or he may just enjoy a pair of panties for kicks. What you can do, is to be there in this moment with him and continue to re-establish and deepening your connection.

A

fter being in a long relationship, I am back to dating again, and I am seeing this guy that I really like – but I may have scared him off: The last time we hung out, we were lying in bed after having sex, talking and laughing when I let out a loud fart. It wasn’t on purpose; it just slipped out, you know. He had just fucked me for a long time, so there was some air in there, and I just thought in the moment and the intimacy we shared, a little fart wouldn’t hurt or maybe even be a source of amusement. But he kind of freaked! He got all weird, and the cute, cuddly moment we just shared evaporated, and then he said he had to go home to feed his dog. Since then, we have only texted, and it seems to me he is a little hesitant about meeting up again. So, could he really be scared off by a fart? And when is it appropriate to fart in front of each other?

Sincerely As the Boat Bloats Dear As the Boat Bloats Is there a ‘too soon’ when it comes to farting in front of each other? Oh yes, there is. Big yes! When is it appropriate to fart in front of each other? That really depends on the relationship. You just came out of a long relationship where you were probably fine with farting. I have friends who after decades of being in a relationship still avoid the entire topic of bodily functions in front of each other, and others who literally poop with the door open so they can continue talking to each other. It all depends on the level of intimacy and even more how comfortable you are with each other. It’s a delicate progression that can only develop with time. Could this guy be scared off by a fart? Sure he can! It could be the one thing that just kills his boner, and he won’t be able to keep his mind off it the next time you are intimate. So for now, keep the ball in his court and wait for his response. If he’s turned off, fine, his loss. If he’s not, maybe you have unlocked a new level of intimacy.

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

52 | 04.10.19