Peach Magazine V4-36 - Atlanta is OUT ON FILM by David Atlanta Magazine

Atlanta is OUT ON FILM LGBTQ Cinema Celebra�on A Virtual Film Festival

Four Important LGBTQ+ Films Don’t Admit You Haven’t Seen These!

And the Nominudes Are… Mr. Man’s Best and Barest Leading Men

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SEP 23, 2020

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Representation is important. Before I was even out, I used to secretly cheer for any gay LGBTQ character in movies or on TV. Today, we have come so much further, and even though we are not at all there yet with ample and fair depictions of all facets of the LGBTQ+ community, we are certainly out on film! Although a raging pandemic has drastically changed the circumstances, Atlanta still manages to become the Southeast center for LGTBQ cinema when the annual Out On Film festival takes oﬀ. Instead of rolling across the silver screens across the city, the festival is virtual this year but has still managed to collect more than 125 LGBTQ-themed films, shorts, and docs that will be presented in the course of the 11 days the festival goes. How’s that for representation!

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CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Assam Matthew Blanco Connor Davenport Jim Farmer Mirza Muftic

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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.

MORE TO LOVE’S COMMUNiTY CARE DAY

As part of More To Love’s mission to spread love and give back to the community, they gather volunteers each year to participate in a Community Care day - a time where More To Love helps other organizations, groups, people, etc. This Community Care day will be helping the Lost-N-Found youth center and thrift store, and it is easy to participate: simply show up and dedicate a few hours to working as a team with whatever needs to be done. Masks are required, and social distancing will be enforced for the safety of everyone involved.

What More To Love Community Care Day When Saturday, September 26, 9 am – 12 pm. Where Lost-N-Found Youth and Thrift Store 2585 Chantilly Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 8 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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Between Two Passions:

Real Estate and Helping the Community

Marsha Siso REALTOR

arsha Siso, of ExP Realty’s Homes Sold By Siso, takes pride in serving the community she loves in Metropolitan Atlanta and the Suburbs.

A proud Georgia peach, when she’s not renovating her home or spending time with her family and friends, she’s helping make an impact on the community she calls home. She’s been recognized with top honors as an accredited buyer’s representative, a sellers representative specialist, and an expert in finance. She’s been awarded membership into the highly prestigious Million-Dollar Club from the Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of Realtors to top that off.

by Daniel García

I’m fervently working in their best interests. I never shy away from chipping in to make the transaction go smoothly. Providing excellent customer service is the most important thing we can do. People want to know they are heard, taken care of, and can trust you with their largest investment. How important is diversity to you, and what does it bring to the real-estate world? Diversity is crucial to maintaining a balance in the community, and our generation has such an opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact. That’s one reason I listen respectfully and intently to my clients’ different needs and desires in homeownership. It’s the American dream, and it’s something that’s intended for everybody.

We caught up with Marsha to learn more about her passion for helping and serving clients in the community and obtain What makes Atlanta a great place to purchase some insightful real estate tips for today’s hot Atlanta market. a home in today’s market? Aside from property How did you first get values continuing to started in real estate? go up at almost 4% Believe it or not, my life over the last year, has been a stepping stone Atlanta’s got a distinct towards real estate. At first, blend of quintessential I ignored my calling because timelessness, while at I was too shy to speak with the same time being a people. I used my Business fresh, young community degree to take baby steps to that takes pride in its overcome my social fears. diversity. I started in bookkeeping at the age of 12, working my What’s one hot way into customer service real estate tip you at an insurance agency, and can share with us finally built-up my confidence today? to jump into real estate. Don’t shy away because Now, several years later, I’ve of minor cosmetic had the pleasure of being updates needed. Looking able to help a melting pot of past wallpaper, paint, hundreds of people and never looked back! and dated kitchens or bathrooms gives you an opportunity to get more house for the money. Are you involved with any volunteering or activism in the LGBTQ community? I enjoy running for charity events, and I’m always looking for new ways to contribute where and when I can to support my LGBT community. With such an amazing start to your career, how do you continue elevating your goals? Every year, my main goal is to help more and more people in the community with the largest investment of their lives; their home. Being well-informed in the market is of the utmost importance. I participate in podcasts, attend weekly sales meetings, read up on the news, and have attended all the big-name conferences, but honestly, I learn the most just being in the field and working with different kinds of people each day.

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You have a perfect 5-star rating in serving your clients. What’s your secret? I treat every client as an individual and personalize everything I do according to each client’s situation and needs. I’m always available to my clients 24/7, and I believe they know Sold By Siso LLC fully supports the principals of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is indepentently owned and operated.

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Although it’ll be vastly different, this year’s Out On Film festival has still managed to collect more than a 125 entries for a full 11-day festival – and it’s all virtual! Peach spoke to festival director, Jim Farmer, about challenges and positive outcomes of this year’s festival. The Out on Film festival is going to look very different this year. Tell us about the journey and decision to go all virtual? Earlier this year Out On Film got the news that we had become an Oscar® qualifying film festival and we wanted to make this a celebratory year and give back to the community. When COVID-19 hit we had to give serious thought on how we wanted to proceed and after some thought realized we could still do a splashy virtual event. We started doing online events in the summer and the response from patrons was positive. We are doing a virtual event this year, as well as one drive-in event. Has the global pandemic and the concurrent movement towards police brutality and racial injustice impacted the selection of films for this festival? Towards the end of our submission process we did receive some COVID-era films and are even showing one, a short film called “Contained.” Obviously, having to cancel the in-person event has been the negative of this film festival. What has been a positive outcome? Patrons have been very grateful that we are still able to produce. Many festivals have canceled this year and others have scaled back. We are doing a traditional festival with the same number of days and amount of programing. An online event gives people more flexibility in when they can watch. For the most part, all of this year’s films are available for 72 hours and can be watched any time during that period. As well, an online world gives us more access to filmmakers that we might not have had access to before. We are trying to take advantage of that.

And why do you think people, in general, need a free and frivolous video podcast like yours in this day and age? Not all of our films are frivolous and carefree. Some dig deeper and deal with issues of the day. But movies allow us to escape and forget what is going on elsewhere in the world. Looking towards next year, do you think there will an in-person film festival? Or maybe a combination of booth in-person and virtual? We hope there will be an in-person festival next year. We’ll have to gauge what is going on in the world. We all miss the human connection; not being able to see our patrons and filmmakers is sad. But we have Zoom for those purposes in the interim. Honestly, I think an online component of Out On Film will have to be a part of who we are moving forward, regardless of when we get back to “normal.” How do you think the pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement will impact the creativity and creative spark of future filmmaking? I think it will have a serious effect. People are mad and confused now and need to get their voices heard. Filmmaking is a way to tell your story and get your voice out there. What do you look forward to when this pandemic is over? Going to the movies, going to theater, having dinner with friends and socializing and relaxing more.

JIM FARMER FESTIVAL DIRECTOR OUT ON FILM 10 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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ilm F n O Out

Must-S

ees

A lot of people have asked me how I would describe Out On Film this year. Well, there is the obvious answer - our look. For the first time in our 33-year history, we will not be an in-person event. Our top priority is the safety and health of our patrons and as such Out On Film is virtual this year with the exception of one drive-In event. That gives people around the state more of a chance to see what we are about and also allows patrons to watch a film when they want. In terms of themes, Out on Film is all over the map this year. Anniversaries are one theme. On Saturday, Sept. 26 we will host a 20-year anniversary screening of “Margaret Cho: I’m The One That I Want” and during a talkback after we will honor Margaret with our Icon Award. It’s also the 20-year anniversary of Del Shores’ “Sordid Lives,” which had one of its first screenings ever at our festival and has become one of the most beloved LGBTQ films of all time. We’ll talk to Del this year about the legacy of the film and be joined by some very special guests.

In between we have so much, including a pair

Another big name we’ll be talking to is Kevin Williamson, who has become a huge part of pop culture writing TV shows such as “Dawson’s Creek” and “The Vampire Diaries,” as well as being the mastermind behind the “Scream” movies.

Dry Wind of true crowd pleasers - the romantic “Breaking Fast” and the exuberant prom comedy “Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie’s Dead Aunt”). We host the world premiere of Todd Verow’s sexy, nostalgic “Goodbye Seventies” and also showcase “Stone Fruit,” a comedy drama about a couple who take one last trip together before they decide to get a divorce. “Dry Wind” Is an unbelievably erotic film about the arrival of a stranger in a town and the sexual Intrigue that follows. The film has a very “Tom of Finland” vibe. Atlanta’s own Mitchell Anderson is seen in the second season of the Emmy Awardwining “After Forever” and one-time Atlantan Anthony Bawn debuts his feature film “As I Am” this year.

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We have a lot of films geared for women that anyone can enjoy, such as our opening night film “Surviving the Silence,” by Atlanta filmmaker Cindy Abel, which looks at how two women were able to help overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” There’s much more to savor as well, including a Horror Night and 16 shorts programs. As always. we feel there is something for everyone. Grab your (at home) popcorn for 11 days between Sept 24 - Oct 4 and enjoy!

Cicada One of our finest films this season Is “Cicada,’ about a young bisexual man having to deal with a childhood secret, while “Los Fuertes” is the sexy story of two men who meet and fall in love, while one visits his sisters. Speaking of falling In love, that is what happens to two men in prison in the romantic drama “Luz.” Another don’t miss film is “Give or Take,” starring Norbert Leo Butz of “Bloodline.” Documentary film lovers can watch “The Capote Tapes” and the wonderfully entertaining “Steelers: The World’s First Gay Rugby Team” with a special Q and A after with its director.

Breaking Fast

Join Peach and Out On Film for the virtual world premiere of “Goodbye Seventies” – a sexy, seventies film about the golden age of pornography in New York City. A promising chorus boy is injured and told he will never dance again. Distraught and unimpressed with the “art” films playing seedy Times Square theaters, he gets his friends and lovers together, and they start making their own hard-core movies. Against all odds, the films are wildly successful until drugs, AIDS, and cheap video technology bring it all crashing down. How to watch Go to Out On Film’s website and select the movie. You’ll be taken to the virtual Eventive theatre, where you can pre-order your ticket. The content becomes available on September 28th at noon, and you’ll have 72 hours to start watching. Once you begin, you’ll have 48 hours to finish watching the film. The September 28th livestream can be viewed anytime until October 1st at noon. You can also purchase an all-access festival pass or a ten-pack or five-pack bundle. Go to outonfilm.org to get your passes!

Mr. Man’s 2020 Emmy Nominudes By Connor Davenport Photos Courtesy of MrMan.com

The 71st Primetime Emmy Awards just took place, and in celebration, Mr. Man has ranked the 2020 nominees according to their best nude scenes. Whether they stripped down in their Emmy-nominated role (Yahya AbdulMateen II’s massive debut in Watchmen, we’re looking at you) or previously got nude on screen (sadly Brad Pitt didn’t deliver an X-rated Dr. Fauci, but he did once show some skin in Twelve Monkeys), all of these sexy studs are guaranteed to give viewers an Emmy semi. #10 Dylan McDermott This year Dylan McDermott’s hard work was rewarded with an Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series Emmy nomination for his role in Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood. We were rewarded with a brief shot of his God bod, but it’s in another Murphy series, American Horror Story. #9 Chiwetel Ejiofor Chiwetel Ejiofor nabbed an Outstanding Narrator Emmy nomination for his work on The Elephant Queen. But it is for his work in 12 Years a Slave and Dancing on the Edge that earned him a spot on this Top Ten list.

#8 Andrew Scott Fans love him as the sexy priest on Fleabag, but it’s his role on Black Mirror that garnered gay actor Andrew Scott his Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. For some awesome looks at Andrew’s back side, head to The Bachelor Weekend, where he bares all. #7 Dev Patel Acclaimed actor Dev Patel continues to make waves in the industry with his Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy nomination for Modern Love. He makes the Nominudes list for his work in the cult hit series Skins, where Dev shows off his tush.

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#6 Jason Bateman For the third year in a row, Jason Bateman has received an Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy nomination for Ozark. He bares his booty on Ozark but is honored here for baring mostly all in the movie The Change-Up. He appeared completely nude with just his hands covering his private bits. #5 Hugh Jackman Hugh Jackman competes for Best Lead Actor in a TV Movie or Limited Series for his role in Bad Education this weekend. He has appeared nude in several X-Men movies as well as the rom-com Someone Like You.

#4 Brad Pitt Two-time Oscar winner Brad Pitt took on the small screen to portray Dr. Fauci on Saturday Night Live - a move that landed him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. But it is Brad’s work in movies like Twelve Monkeys, Troy, and Thelma & Louise that earns him a spot on the Nominudes list. #3 Adam Driver Like Brad, Adam also earned an Emmy nomination for his appearance Saturday Night Life. He edges Brad out on Mr. Man’s Nominudes list for his many bare all appearances on the hit HBO series Girls.

#2 Mark Ruffalo Mark Ruffalo is competing in the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, for his work in the series, I Know This Much Is True. He gets runner-up honors from the team at Mr. Man for his full-frontal scenes in XX/XY and In the Cut, and his gay scenes in The Normal Heart. #1 Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is up for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in Watchmen, but he’s already a winner, triumphantly topping Mr. Man’s Nominudes list with his jaw-dropping performance in the series.

You can watch all Ten nominees in their nude scenes for Free at MrMan.com.

| 17

Hot Hands

Johnny Gets Real on Inside Helix

By Matthew Blanco

At 6’2” Johnny is hands down the tallest of the Helix boys. He grew up in a strict religious home in Indiana. After being kicked out at 18 for dating someone outside of his family’s faith, he found work as a farmer and then a welder. He eventually made his way to Chicago where he landed a union job as a pipe fitter. In his spare time, Johnny does what most guys do: plays video games and works out. He eschews labels, referring to himself as an equal opportunity fornicator. Still, he isn’t shy about his proclivity for bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism. In fact, in addition to his work in gay porn, Johnny is a popular BDSM cam model. He also stars in the new Youtube reality show, Inside Helix. We caught up with Johnny Hands from his home in Chicago. Is there a story behind the name, Johnny Hands? Yeah, there’s a bit of a story. When I was picking out my porn name, I originally wanted to go with Johnny Deepp or Johnny Deppth, but when I googled the names, they were already taken! I got a bit stuck on the name Johnny. My friend suggested Hands as a nod to my seven years as a welder. Good story! What have you been doing to keep yourself busy during the quarantine? I’ve been cooking every day. I’m on a bit of a Korean binge. I’m also hooked on Minecraft and have been playing a fair amount of Valorant. What do you miss most about life preCOVID? It will sound lame but I miss the gym. I need to release a lot of pent up energy. Your Youtube show has really taken off! Tell us about Inside Helix. Inside Helix chronicles what it’s like to be a Helix model during awards season. For the most part, we attend like eight million parties! Are you a big partier? No! Pretty much the only time I party is when I’m in Vegas with Helix. We see a lot of hooking up between Helix models on the show. Is that normal? I don’t know if I’d call it normal, but I wouldn’t call it uncommon.

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games, eating, and partying. Everybody, for the most part, gets along pretty well, and everybody does the best they can to look out for each other. There is no drama between any of the guys? Really? So, I won’t lie, there’s some drama between a couple of models. I try really hard to stay out of it. As far as I’m concerned that’s their business and absolutely none of mine. Who do you connect with most on a social level? I don’t know if I could pick just one. I really like hanging out with Ashton Summers because he’s so funny. Corbyn Colby and I pretty much play Smash Bros non-stop and just shit talk each other the whole time. Max Carter is super sweet. He doesn’t stay at the Helix house but always comes down to hang out.

Don’t studios frown upon talent hooking up off-camera? Models hooking up when they have to film the next day doesn’t always make everyone at the studio happy. For the most part, though, we are all pretty professional when it comes to our obligations and making sure that we’re ready to perform when the cameras start rolling.

Is there anyone in the studio that you might consider taking it to the next level? There are a couple I would consider dating, sure, however since I’ve started taking on more behind the scenes and camera responsibilities, I really want to keep things as professional as possible with everyone in the studio. Watch Johnny Hands in YouTube’s “Inside Helix”, and visit helixstudios.net.

What do fans learn about the Helix guys from Inside Helix Helix? I think the big thing that I’ve noticed is a lot of the guys are very different than they seem. Guys who appear very quiet or shy at first often come out of their shells once they start to find their place in the dynamic of everything. How did you get your start in adult film? Through webcamming. After camming for about six months I quit my day job and started making adult content as my sole source of income. How did you connect with Helix? If I remember correctly, Tyler Hill came into my chat room and suggested I apply to Helix. Then I ran into Kyle Ross at XBIZ Miami, and he also suggested I apply. Finally, it was another male cammodel who ended up going to the studio side that convinced me to apply and see what Helix was all about. What was that first day on set like? Oh, the first day on set. I remember I was super nervous! I really wanted to do well, but I’m terrible under pressure. My first scene was with Dylan Hayes, and we filmed in what Helix refers to as the Charger room. To be perfectly honest, the thing I remember most was how hot it was in that room. We kept having to stop so we could run the AC to cool down! Was joining Helix a wise decision? I love it! You’ve got a bunch of guys all staying in the same house, and most of the time we’re all hanging out together, either watching movies, playing video | 19

In & Out On Film

Follow Mitzi @itsmitzip

Everyone loves a good movie. Whether you’re hosting a viewing party for the $30 you spent on the Mulan remake so each of your friends can pitch in a few bucks, or you’ve discovered the secret adults-only section of “Netflix”, movies are a universally-loved pastime. For some, moves are an escape from reality, others like to see themselves represented through diverse characters, and for a few extra specials like myself, movies are what we wish to be in. It might come as a shock to some, but I once longed to be on the silver screen, only to be used by the Hollywood system and left to dry. In celebration of being out as LGBTQIA+ on the big screen, I will share my cautionary tales of what NOT to do when you’re trying to become a star.

My first leap into the film industry began like most people’s. I was an extra in a production being filmed in Atlanta. The production crew noticed my beautiful, yet manly figure so they bumped my pay to become a stand-in for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. It was for a fantasy/comedy film and overall the experience was great. It was towards the end of the filming that things took a turn. There was a party scene being filmed and they asked me to do it full-nude. I’ve seen some very nicely done nudity in the past like in Thir13en Ghosts or anything Shannon Elizabeth ever did. I was tempted with yet another pay bump so I went ahead and did it. This was my first error in becoming a star. If you pose naked as an extra, you will never be taken seriously as an actor. The big celebrities that have done it in the past only went nude once their contract was several million dollars higher. After the production finished, I made an IMDB page for myself. When making a page for yourself, it’s good not to use ‘extra’ or ‘background’ as your character’s name. I credited myself as “Titzy Boobington”. I went to seek out an agent to represent me as I was ready to get starring roles. After several rejections, I realized you need to have acting experience and special skills on your resume. Being that I was immensely wealthy and have traveled the world learning about cultures and their traditions, I made a lengthy list of skills like scuba-diving with sharks, rock climbing, removing sacred rocks from volcanoes to awaken evil spirits, and of course horseback riding. I eventually got an agent who got me an audition that required me to jump out of an airplane. It wasn’t until the plane took off with the crew and myself inside, that I realized I would be diving by myself. I never specified that I was strapped to an experienced diver when I used to sky dive. The production replaced me and I was black-listed from Atlanta films. My agent dropped me and I felt I had only one option left. I wrote a book about how Hollywood wronged me and why they suck. The book was very successful but upset many studio producers, leading them to blacklist me from every production in the U.S. After all that, I decided to leave the acting life behind and return to my world-setting wealthy woman lifestyle I had always loved. If you’re looking to get into the film industry to become the representation the LGBTQIA+ community needs, please don’t do nudity unless you are getting top billing, and will be in a period drama. If you have any other suggestions of what not to do, you can chat with me from a safe distance of ten feet and eleven inches anywhere you find me. Yours in not being nude on film,

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

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We are artists. We are your friends. We are your neighbors. We are a local non-profit. We are your community. We tell your stories and we need your help. Donate today so the stories of our community can come to life on stage again.

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CARSON COWAN REALTORÂ® c. 404.998.9944 / o. 404.874.0300 / carson@carsoncowan.com / CarsonCowanRealEstate

Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

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

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No Place Like Home. Marsha Siso REALTOR

1230 Peachtree Street NE Promenade II, 19th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30309 678.887.2584

Sold By Siso LLC fully supports the principals of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is indepentently owned and operated.

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Daniel is originally from Chickamauga, GA, and now lives in Atlanta with his boyfriend and two Boston Terriers. He has been in real estate for seven years specializing in the high-rise condo market. Danielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main hobbies are playing tennis, softball, and riding the silver comet on his bike. He is a passionate volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Chastain Horse Park, where he gives riding lessons to kids with disabilities. He also loves a night out with friends just as much as a night at home cooking with his boyfriend.

@dmartini1

DANiEL MARTiNi

Four LGBTQ+ Films You

By Kevin Assam

Photo: Sony Pictures, Music Box Films, Sundance

You won’t admit you haven’t seen these and that’s OK. I was also late to the burning Parisian train. Here are four LGBTQ+ films and documentaries from across the globe that you should catch up on. Along with their probably incorrectly assigned letters. There may be subtitles involved. Minor spoilers ahead. Pain and Glory (2019)

reunion. There are also funny and touching “flashbacks” to Salvador’s first homoerotic experiences as a child living in the white cave working class communities. Paris is Burning (1990)

Antonio Banderas has still got it. The it here referring to a beautiful mop of hair, a penchant for color blocking, and just the right level of character broodiness to make you fall in love. Banderas plays Salvador Mallo, an accomplished filmmaker fumbling his way through a world of pain. Tinnitus, a developing taste for heroin, achy joints, and depression have combined to momentarily hamper his artistry. His journey back from the edge is a romantic and well-paced hour and a half jaunt from childhood to the death and rebirth of art and life around him. The G: Salvador’s trauma is partly connected to a younger romance that fell apart when his lover became an addict. Revisiting one of his earlier works potentially opens the door to a serendipitous 32 | follow us @ peachatlmag

This is here largely for everyone who can quote Jennie Livingston’s groundbreaking documentary but hasn’t actually seen it. It wasn’t until two years ago that I was mercifully forced to sit down and be educated by this chronicling of New York’s early ballroom scene (which has happily returned). The documentary was admittedly filmed by white outsiders and, many would say, for outsiders. Still, watch it. Particularly if you are under the age of 30 and are only going off the ballroom references of FX’s hit TV series POSE.

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Secretly Have Not S n The LGBTQ+: Everyone. That’s who was allowed to “walk” the categories. Anyone with nerves of steel that is and a dramatic flair. You’ll be introduced to drag queens, House mothers, trans people, brown people, queer kids. The documentary captures those who are different and struggling but hell bent on becoming somebody in the scene and world.

A Fantastic Woman (2018) Maria Vidal (Daniela Vega) is on edge. Her lover perishes. As if that wasn’t enough, the ensuing fallout from a bitter grieving family as well as daily harassment leads to some beautifully shot rage induced scenes. The plot holds but this is all about Vegas’ performance, which propelled the film to snag an Academy Award (yet, you still haven’t seen it). Vegas draws on her real world encounters to deliver this unforgettable tale of mourning. The T: Vega and her character are transgender making the amount of despise hurled her way all too believable. As much as a non-transgender individual can relate, the film feels very much in step and of the now.

And Then We Danced (2019)

Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) is a wiry rising Georgian dancer on the brink of his academic breakthrough and discovery of queerness. Possibly sensing the latter, Merab’s boisterous instructor continues to hurl semi-useless feedback criticizing his “softness.” If only he recognized how fierce Merab actually is. As the beautiful final scene displays. This is very much a coming of age tale wrapped in the gorgeous cloak of one country’s traditional dance and conservative hyper-masculine reinforcements. The G: The arrival of a new broad shouldered “in your face” dancer gives way to a classmate bond and, eventually, countryside lust. The film hits some of the usual youthful gay pains we’ve come to know: outing, verbal and physical harassment, and dances out of, back into, and around the closet. It’s far from a paint by numbers approach and maintains fascinating character developments.

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SEPT 02 - 09

Due to the ongoing pandemic, please keep yourself updated on an event’s status as it may change last-minute. We believe in safety first, so this lineup features mainly virtual events or in-person events with limited capacity that enforce CDC guidelines. Out On Film This year, the film festival has gone virtual except for one in-person drive-in event where health guidelines can be enforced. Check out the more than 125 LGBTQ selections that show who we are and how we love. Outonfilm.org. Sep 24 – Oct 4 Online Event More To Love Community Care Dare Come out and help More To Love give back to our community. Give love, and get love. Simply show up and get ready to do whatever Lost-n-Found needs done. Wear a mask and practice social distancing. Saturday, September 26, 9 am – 12 pm Lost-n-Found Youth Center and Thrift Store

Big Gay Market Atlanta The Big Gay Market is coming to Atlanta! The outdoor market features over 50 artists, designers, makers, vintage and antique dealers, drag performances, food trucks, and much more! Due to COVID 19, please check the status of this event. Saturday, September 26, 11 am – 6 pm The Heretic Parking Lot

Café Nube Café Nube is giving Atlanta a taste of Miami Saturday, at their pop-up coffee shop featuring Cuban coffee, Miami style treats, live vinyl set, local art, and tropical vibes. Saturday, September 26, 9 am – 1 pm 569 Cherokee Ave SE

TEAM AID Atlanta: DIY 5K Virtual Starting Line COVID19 prevents us from having the AIDS Walk Atlanta in person this year, but Team AID Atlanta is opting to DIY 5K. There will be a Virtual Start-Line on Facebook Live, and you can support the cause whether you choose to walk, run, or support from your sofa. More on how to participate or donate at aidatlanta.org Saturday, September 26, 11 am Facebook Live 34 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

Amsterdam Ave.

12th St. NE

NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

Pi e

Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

10th St. NE

. NE

oe Dr

e. NE Piedmont Av

Juniper St . NE

Peachtree St. NE

Monr

Charle s Alle n Dr . N E

12 W. Peachtree St. NW

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

Spring St. NW

4th St. NE

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

BARS

Dining

2 Blake's 3 Bulldogs 4 Friends

227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

6 My Sister’s Room 7 Ten Atlanta

66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE

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

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

clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

fitness

retail 8 BarkingLeather

9 10 11 12

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

spa/bath 15 Flex Spa

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

ansley 21

idg

on tC ir .

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

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd

32 33 34 35 36

Midtown Moon Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's

1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd

Fitness 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa / bath 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

clubs

30 Gravitee Fitness

e. nt mo ed Pi

Piedmont Park

Retail

28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

Dining

26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

BARS

24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

ge Rd Brid hire Ches

28 20

25 r eB

26 35

20 BJ Roosters 21 Sequel 22 Tripps

42 The Den

hir

ll D

. NE

Pi e

idde

x Rd

Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

42 L

Le no

Lambert Dr.

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

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Mary's Sister Louisaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta The T Woof's

1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE 494 Plasters Ave NE

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

BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN ATLANTA EAGLE atlantaeagle.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE TEN ATLANTA tenatlanta.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE CHESHIRE HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE SEQUEL 1086 Alco St NE TRIPPS 1931 Piedmont Circle N

ANSLEY MIDTOWN MOON 1492 Piedmont Ave NE FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE SWINGING RICHARDS swingingrichards. com 1400 Northside Dr NW

DINING MIDTOWN 10TH & PIEDMONT 10thandpiedmont. com 991 Piedmont Ave NE EINSTEIN’S einsteinsatlanta. com 1077 Juniper St NE FROGS CANTINA frogsmidtown.com 931 Monroe Dr G’S gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE

RETAIL MIDTOWN BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE CHESHIRE SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ANSLEY BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE

HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE

GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

JOE’S ON JUNIPER joesonjuniper.com 1049 Juniper St NE

BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A

LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE CHESHIRE LAS MARGARITAS lasmargaritasmidtown.com 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ROXX 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE DEKALB LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE

FITNESS MIDTOWN URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave N

CHESHIRE

GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

SPAS/BATHS ADULT FLEX SPA flexspas.com 76 4th St NW CHESHIRE THE DEN thedenatlanta.com 2135 Liddell Drive NE

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Things We Should Normalize

We are pretty much all dealing with our mental health right now, and we don’t have to act or say everything is okay when it is not. Here are some of the things we should normalize saying or talk about.

1. Not “having it all together” 2. Saying “I was wrong” – you don’t always have to be right

6. Admit to yourself and others when you have a bad mental health day 7. Prioritize your mental health like your physical health

3. Saying “I need your support”

8. It’s okay to feel disconnected and anxious

4. Setting realistic expectations

9. Address stigma and shame about mental health

5. Feeling things are okay although they’re not ideal 40 | follow us @ peachatlmag

10. Ask others about how they tend to their mental health www.peachatl.com

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E-mail your Peach Pits to mikkel@PeachATL.com

Wait, What?!

Stop thinking that you’re ugly. You are ugly but stop thinking about it! I’m going to take a break from social media for my mental health. I will see you all in 2 minutes

ByThere’s cuttingaoff the sleeves giraffe too! of all your t-shirts? Where are you? There’s a lion next to me!! Get your drunk ass of the carousel!

My mask broke in the store and now I know how Janet Jackson felt at the Super Bowl

Madonna directing her own biopic is the most Madonna thing Madonna has ever done Daddy Joke Alert Liquor: (noun) The glue holding this 2020 shitshow together

42 | follow us @ peachatlmag

This ‘killing them with kindness’ is taking longer than expected!

I’m seriously the nicest and meanest person you’ll ever meet. Now f*ck off and have a great day

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PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) Instinct and determination drive you toward unconventional plans for making money. A finance counselor or other professional could be involved. You may see this as an opportunity to restore your ailing bank account. You may have future purchases in mind, perhaps even a new home. Consider your plans carefully before going ahead. You’ll want to be sure it’s what you need.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) Today you may feel a passionate attraction for someone intelligent who perhaps makes a living in law, education, or publishing. Conversations with this person could touch on some deep issues, such as spiritual matters, the human psyche, or the nature of the universe. You should be deeply affected, not only by the person but also by the subjects. Take time to clear your head and then take the next step.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22) You might have to act the nurse and caretaker this week. A partner or lover could claim to feel unwell, and you might spend a lot of energy trying to make your loved one feel better. Don’t overdo it. There may be psychological factors at work. Your friend could be jealous of the attention you’ve been giving your other friends. Be attentive and caring as it in your nature, but within limits!

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) This could be a quiet week for you and your partner. Or you could spend some time reflecting on past achievements and future goals. It’s important to get a clear picture about the past so you can draw conclusions and make workable plans. If you have a family, you’ll probably be interested in activities that everyone will enjoy. Make some time to get together. Leave tension behind.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

You’re generally focused on the material world, but something about the energy generated by your planetary alignments causes you to look within. Normally, you would be getting ready to get out and celebrate Pride, but this year is so different, soo the time is right for you to focus on yourself internally. This is a positive, healing process, so don’t fight it. It won’t interfere with what’s going on around you.

All the positive energy generated by the celestial atmosphere seems to come together as you experience a rush of sensual passion for a romantic partner. An unexpected encounter could not only fulfill this desire but also bring you closer. If you aren’t already committed, expect to discuss it soon. Be careful to exercise restraint. Your lover could panic if you push too hard.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

Maybe it is the Pride season kicking in and the energy that comes with, but you will get in contact with a number of people interested in doing a healing meditation. This sort of activity is not normal for you, but go with it, and it can work wonders to strengthen the bond among those performing it. You might not talk much during the discussions, but you’re apt to be in total agreement with the idea.

The arrival of a surprise visitor could generate mixed feelings. On the one hand, you’re probably glad to resume contact with this person. On the other, because you weren’t expecting this guest, it could create extra work for you - as if you didn’t already have enough on your plate! Recruit others to help with necessary tasks so you can enjoy your own time too.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

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

Someone who’s been ill and perhaps undergone surgery might phone you. You could invite this person to join you for a little safe social gathering. Several people could be involved. All of them will have some interesting and useful information to offer. Natives of Leo in particular might attract your attention. Enjoy your day.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

Are you going to go away soon? Would you feel safe venturing outside of the safety of your quarantine bubble? If not, postpone the planning of a trip for another month, so you can be fully in it without fear. You should feel especially energetic, enthusiastic, and optimistic when going away. You’ve done well thanks to your diligent work, and you should continue on that path.

With the planetary atmosphere this week, your sensual nature is in full bloom. If there’s a romantic partner nearby, that person should be on guard! There will be a lot of other sexual and romantic prospects in your presence, so a chance to be alone probably won’t present itself until the end of the weekend. If you don’t connect with a potential partner, at least you’ll have a good time. Hang in there and be patient!

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.

have come to realize that my boyfriend under just a year might have a huge crush on his straight(ish) friend whom he hooked up with shortly before meeting me. My boyfriend always wants to invite him to social gatherings, and I have also realized that many things we do, we do for the odd chance that we can casually meet this guy – like stopping at a bar even though I don’t feel we should right now because of the pandemic. My boyfriend has even suggested that we introduce this guy to having a threesome with us, because even though he identifies as straight, he is still curious or whatever, and he wants me to spend more time with him alone, so we can build a friendship too. Either way, it is becoming increasingly obvious that my boyfriend obsesses over this guy to a point that could ruin their friendship - and our relationship. I’ve tried talking to him about it, but he denies everything of course, so maybe it’s just time for me to move on and let him do what he needs to do with this guy? Sincerely Crushed Dear Crushed It seems like this obsession has been going on throughout your entire relationship without easing up at all. Fleeting distractions are fine but this level of obsession may be your cue to move on. Also the fact that he is trying to loop you into his obsessive circle is another red flag. You could try to make a list of what is good about your relationship (which your note says nothing about), but if you fail to be able to do even that, well, then it’s a surefire sign that you should throw in the towel and move on – and let your boyfriend possibly burn all bridges with this complicated friendship he has with this guy!

y partner and I have been together for a very long time, and we have a deep and fulfilling relationship. One thing I’d like to change is our sex: we have sex frequently, but they are always quickies right before bed or a quick romp before going somewhere or doing something. It’s like it is only fulfilling the physical part of having sex and not the intimate part if you follow. When the pandemic hit, I was hoping that we could rekindle the passionate fire where the sex is not an intermission but the main attraction. But that never happened, and we haven’t been able to grow our intimacy, even during this pandemic - so how do we get that back? Sincerely Inti-Mates Dear Inti-Mates Sex is a physical need and release, but ultimately sex is about the intimate connection you achieve with a partner. It seems like you used to have that type of connection, so of course, it can be frustrating if it’s veered off to being more about the physical release thing instead. Ask your partner if he has noticed the switch and if he’d like to get the intimate connection back – that’ll also give you an excellent opportunity to let him know that you miss him, intimately. Next, instead of having unplanned, sporadic quickies, plan a romantic, sexy night where you take time to be all about each other. You don’t necessarily have to have sex, but after courting each other all night long, that may end up being the outcome. Another little exercise that builds an erotic, intimate connection is to lie next to each without touching and revealing a sexual fantasy to each other. Keeping it entirely in the head – at least for a while – helps to switch the sexual connection from the merely physical to an allbody experience. Low-key sex and quickies are fun, but not nearly as fulfilling as drawn-out sex in terms of pleasure and intimacy.

NEED ANSWERS? SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS TO MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM 44 | follow us @ peachatlmag