Peach Magazine V4-38 by David Atlanta Magazine

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Grooming Essentials Look Great Skin Deep Shamir True to Form Success During a Pandemic No Excuses Self-Care On Top of Your To-Do

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OCT 14, 2020

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EDITORIAL Mikkel Hyldebrandt

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Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer Graphics

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FROM THE EDiTOR

Although we didn’t get to celebrate in-person this year, I hope that you took the time to celebrate the spirit of Pride instead. That same spirit of giving no f*cks, inclusivity, and open-mindedness you would normally experience during Pride is something that you can still carry with you like a torch through your everyday life. Remember the sentiment of feeling bolder and more beautiful, and how it felt to take part in that unique euphoria that only a Pride festival can fill you with. That should be yours to keep and to hold inside of you, so you can be an LGBTQ+ individual with no f**ks to give – even this year! So in a sense, we all still celebrated Pride together, and that’s a comforting thought right now.

Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Eric Hominick Jamie Kirk Mirza Muftic

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media | 908.232.2021

black lIveS maTTer mikkel hylDebranDT Editorial Director | IG @hyldebrandt

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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.

whaT’S on your lIPS?

Lips Atlanta have conducted their shows steadily and safely since reopening, and now they are ready to relaunch their dirty little secret, Taboo, in a revamped and even naughtier version with a new hostess, Taejah Thomas. See what happens when the sequined dresses drop, and the drag queens get down and naughty. The popular Taboo show is back again with a revamped look and lineup of performers and numbers. The new host, Taejah Thomas, will guide you through the array of drag queens behaving badly, so if you can’t handle a little dirty and nasty, you’d be best advised to stay home, because this show is not for the shy. And speaking of brand-new shows: the popular Dragalicious Brunch debuted on October 11 with a new show and new performers – but don’t worry; the iconic Bubba D Licious remains the host of the hilarious brunch favorite. Call 404-315-7711 to make your reservation. Masks required until seated.

WHAT Taboo, The Dirty Show WHEN Saturday, October 17, 2020 WHERE Lips Atlanta

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HAPPY PRIDE

ATLANTA!

THE FUTURE IS

“WE” + Q T

LGIB S NES S IT BUM M SU

JOIN US For an exciting three-day virtual event bringing Georgia’s LGBTQ+ and allied business community together to learn, support, and celebrate with each other.

November 17-19, 2020 Register today: outgeorgia.org/summit

PoST-lockDown reFreSh

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

With an ever-changing cosmetics industry that has experienced a significant shift during the COVID-19, it has also proven remarkable resilience during the pandemic. Peach spoke to Tassy Waliany from Be Flawless Atlanta about how the industry has adapted, and what clients look for when doing injectables like botox and filler. Your business, Be Flawless, specializes in minimally invasive treatments like fillers and botox. Besides those, what treatments do you offer? We also offer a treatment known as the AquaGold Facial. This is a revolutionary skin treatment that rejuvenates the skin, essentially tightening and brightening the complexion. It utilizes a technique known as Microinfusion. The skin is essentially infused with micro-droplets of filler, Botox, Vitamin C, and antioxidants. This treatment stimulates collagen, plumps, hydrates the skin, reduces hyperpigmentation and redness, and reduces pore size. The best part is that the results last 3-4 months! How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your business? We had to adapt to the situation and to ensure client safety has been a priority. I have a unique space, which is very individualized as it is appointment only. This business setup is beneficial as it allows more control in terms of a safe and sterile environment. My clients feel very comfortable coming to my office as they have been made aware of the precautions that I am taking. Although it has been quite challenging, the community has been very supportive! I am very appreciative to have such a loyal customer base. I feel there has been a shift with more focus on self-care, both internally and externally, which has positively impacted the business. Having lived and worked under a pandemic for so long, how has the demand for treatments changed? Initially, the demand was much higher because people felt isolated during the quarantine. This almost created a sense of panic as they could not come in for their scheduled treatment. My clients were very excited when I was able to re-open. They feel that injectables were a way to rejuvenate and refresh post-lock-down. With the stress of the pandemic, clients have a focus towards self-care, as this gives them a sense of fulfillment and hope. Men’s skin ages differently than women’s – what course of treatment do you recommend for someone who wants to keep a more youthful appearance? The techniques for injecting men and women do differ. Men require more units of Botox as

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opposed to women as the facial musculature is generally stronger. Also, Botox and filler are placed differently in men vs. women as not to overly feminize a masculine face. I discuss this with my clients in the consultation prior to treatment. I think it is very important to be clear with expectations and explain what can and cannot be done utilizing these treatments. I also like to take a more conservative approach with the focus to enhance them subtly and naturally. My clients typically return for Botox treatments every 3-4 months and filler treatment generally every 6-12 months, depending on the product we use. Maintenance is key! Looking ahead, how do you think the pandemic will change the beauty industry? Unfortunately, some small businesses have shut down. Numerous beauty retailers have been forced to shift to an online presence. However, from an injectable standpoint, the aesthetic industry has proven to be very resilient overall. Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and its future impact, many clients feel that now is the time to take advantage of the opportunity for self-care. Since many have transitioned to working remotely, they now have more flexibility to come in. I feel there is currently an overwhelming demand, and we’ve had to learn certain business strategies to adapt to the current situation. This has been a scary time, but I feel there is promise ahead. This situation may slow things temporarily, but I do not doubt that the aesthetic industry will recover from this crisis and be stronger than ever. Looking ahead for you – do you have any new and exciting treatments coming? New products? Botox and filler will always remain the bread and butter of my business. However, new techniques and products are always coming out! I attend aesthetic conferences to learn the newest, most innovative things going on in the industry. It is important to continuously learn and stay on the aesthetic industry’s cutting edge as it is ever evolving. Learn more and book your treatment at beflawlessatlanta.com.

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TheSe will geT you Through

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

With everything seemingly flipped upside down, our emotions are worn on our sleeve, and we connect to our world on a more emotional level. That also means that our focus has shifted from merely looking our best to feeling our best. We don’t just want products that make us look great – we use them to calm our spirits and provide us with moments of much-needed me time.

Not only will this body scrub leave your skin feeling soft and supple, but it will also feel like your skin had a refreshing breath mint. Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator Eucalyptus, $30 Apply this essential oil blend of chamomile and lavender to pressure points or breathe in the highest quality broad-spectrum CBD to recenter yourself. Sagely Calm & Centered Roll-On, $30 Using a jade roller is strangely addicting. The cooling sensation has a soothing effect on the skin that promotes drainage from the face and reduces facial tension. Herbivore Botanicals Jade Facial Roller, $30 Nothing more calming than a good soak with a good bath salt that will give you a good aromatherapeutic experience. Herbivore Detox Bathing Salts, $18 A great way to set the mood is to light a scented candle. This tender and sensuous fragrance will calm your spirits and transform your senses. Diptyque Musc Scented Candle, $68 Continuing in the musk trail, this body lotion will be the perfect companion after a relaxing bath. Kiehl’s Original Musk Body Lotion, $23

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MASKED UP AND ‘MASCNE’ Although the alternative is far worse, you run the risk of irritating the skin when you wear a face covering. That means a slightly new routine when caring for your skin, so you don’t get ‘mascne’ – and coincidentally, that means wearing a mask too, just a different one.

What is ‘Mascne’?

Mascne is a combination of the words mask and acne, which describes a condition many have experienced from wearing a mask for a prolonged time. The mask creates very humid conditions for the skin under, which can lead to irritation, redness, or even acne-like breakouts.

MASKED UP For those who need a quick couple of minutes of zen that will intensely hydrate and refresh your skin, this soothing 10-minute mask will give you just that. Clarins SOS Hydra Mask, $34 The gentle peeling action of the salicylic acid will leave your skin refreshed and smooth. Don’t neglect to moisturize the skin after with a lightweight moisturizer. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, $12 Even the day after a poor night’s rest, these under eye patches will give instant relief for even the darkest circles. Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks (6 pairs), $25

3 STEPS TO PREVENT MASCNE Cleanse your skin at night with a mild cleanser so that the skin can recover over-night Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser, $15

A light peeling action with salicylic acid will refresh and resurface the skin’s surface. Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, $29.50 Moisturizing mists or serum create a protective barrier to protect the skin from direct contact with the mask. YouthtTo The People Adaptogen Hydrate + Soothe Mist, $42

Skin DeePer

MAiNTAiNiNG THAT YOUTHFUL LOOK HERE & NOW AND LONG-TERM By Eric Hominick, edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Caring for your skin is essential – especially if you want to maintain a youthful look as you age. This is by no means saying that you shouldn’t be comfortable with your age, but wouldn’t you want to look your best at any age? Although skincare products go a long way, sometimes you need treatments that go beyond the skin barrier and go a little deeper to give you natural-looking and invigorating results. Peach spoke to the expert at Regenerative Med Spa in Buckhead about what you can you here and now for a little refresh, and what you can do long-term to look and feel your very best.

here & now TreaTmenTS Botox & Fillers Botox and Dysport treat dynamic wrinkles almost immediately and can smooth static wrinkles over time. Preventing the formation of static wrinkles in the first place is the most efficient way of preserving a youthful appearance. Many clients adopt the strategy of “Preventative Botox” as early as their 20s to prevent the formation of etched lines and wrinkles. HydraFacials Our HydraFacial uses patented Vortex-Fusion technology that cleanses, extracts, hydrates, removes blackheads, dirt, and impurities, all while hydrating, plumping, and nourishing your skin. Although it mainly treats the skin’s surface, the treatment manages to deeply hydrate the skin for a plump look and feel, and the microdermabrasion properties of the treatment pave the way for new skin cells to appear for fresh, clear-looking skin. EmSculpt Tighten and lift your buttocks, define your obliques, or get that six-pack you’ve always wanted. A 30-minute EmSculpt session is equivalent to doing 20,000 crunches without even breaking a sweat! EmSculpt uses 100% of your muscles’ work capacity with each contraction (versus the 30% used during regular exercise), making it the most efficient and effective way to achieve muscle tone and definition fast.

long-Term TreaTmenTS Hormone Replacement Therapy Men’s health and quality of life are dramatically impacted by declining testosterone levels, starting as early as age 30. Our bioidentical hormone replacement therapy reverses the symptoms of low testosterone levels by using FDA-approved, all-natural, plantderived materials that have the same structure as the hormones your body produces. Hair Restoration Therapy PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) contains numerous growth factors that effectively stop the shedding of hair and imitating the growth of new hair on the scalp and face. This non-surgical and noninvasive procedure regenerates new and dormant hair follicles with no stitches, scars, or downtime. The PRP treatment is done with micro-needling, which transports the PRP into the skin’s upper layers to be absorbed by the follicles. Sexual Wellness Using your body’s own blood derivatives (PRP) to repair the damaged tissues that cause ED, our sexual wellness therapy requires no medications, downtime, or risks of allergic or immune reactions. Improve blood flow, less time to arousal, a fuller, more dominant erection, and increased sensation with rapid results and long-term benefits. The initial PRP injection may be stimulated further with additional ShockWave therapy treatments, which are acoustic waves that enhance blood flow to the genitalia. For more information about the treatments featured on this page, please visit regenmedspabuckhead.com.

For Shamir, Success During a Pandemic Is True to Form

By Chris Azzopardi Photos by Shamir

want to know how musical chameleon Shamir Ilikefisyouright now, expect the 25-year-old to answer much he approaches making music. In both cases, he doesn’t like to repeat himself. “I’ve done a lot of interviews, so I’ve been trying to vary my answers,” he says, laughing. On the day we connect by phone, he’s not good, he’s not bad. “I’m alive, you know.” Considering his 2020, which has been one of his most successful years yet, that’s a very good thing to be. In March, just as the United States shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Las Vegas-born, Philly-based musician, known for his exploratory DIY style, released Cataclysm. It wouldn’t be his only album of the year. Six months later comes Shamir, his first self-titled album and, it’s obviously worth noting, his seventh altogether, all released within the five years since his 2015 breakout Ratchet dropped on the same label as Adele and garnered him prestige in the pop music world. Shamir, who identifies as non-binary and is open to being addressed by any gender pronouns, went on to release two albums in 2017, Hope and Revelations. Then came 2018’s Resolution and 2019’s Be the Yee, Here Comes the Haw. Genre-wise, his outside-the-box work is whatever he wants it to be, from pop to punk to country-inflected indie rock. With Shamir, his second album of 2020 on his own label, he modernizes the lo-fi, women-led alt-poprock sound of the ’90s. At this point, he finds a way to do what he wants, when he wants, with nothing stopping him. Not a label, not a producer. Not even a global pandemic. Is it a weird juxtaposition to be successful amid chaos and crisis? Definitely. But knowing the way my life works, it makes total sense. In order words, for you, this is just another year? Well, success in the middle of a pandemic? That’s who I am. Anytime anything great happens to me, there’s always a catch. If you think of my most successful era, Ratchet, yeah, that was my most successful release but it was in a genre I didn’t want to do, had no business doing, and didn’t even fucking understand. (Laughs.)

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Considering the artist you’ve evolved into, I wondered how you looked back at that era. Can you talk about the artistic journey you’ve been on? It was just all natural. I completely removed myself from electronic-based pop music. I had to go back to being behind the guitar because before that record that’s what I was doing. It was weird to see me sing without my guitar, and I think I kind of did the pop era as a way to prove to myself that I could step back from behind the guitar, and I did and I did it successfully. But I realize that it didn’t make me happy. And I’m happiest behind the guitar. I enjoy songwriting more that way, and I realize that, well, this is my job now, and my life now. (Laughs.) I have to do it how I want, in a way that make me the most comfortable With this being your first self-titled album, I wondered if the significance of that is that this is you at your purest. I t’s exactly that. Not even necessarily me at my purest, but it’s how I always imagined myself. It applies to every element that I love, because I do like to listen to electronic pop music and I am inspired by it, but I love playing guitar and I love grunge and I love indie rock but I also love country and I also love punk. I think this record encapsulates all of that but also makes it digestible for anyone who likes any genre of music, really. You seem more proud of this work than any albums you’ve done in the past. Is the feeling that you have now about this title different from, say, the feeling you had during the Ratchet release? Yeah. I feel different after every release. I think I only make records when I’m in a fairly transformative time in my life, and with every record, I can pinpoint what I was doing in that section of my life, what I was feeling, and where I was mentally and physically. I think it just varies with each release. Obviously, this release is so different. Even if I wanted to kind of treat it like every other release, I can’t just by virtue of releasing it in the middle of a pandemic (laughs). Everything I release is so different, and I’m in such a different mindset. I just got through this year relatively very sober – the most sober I’ve ever been. I mean, not necessarily on purpose but kind of. And also last month was a year since I last had a cigarette and quit smoking, so yeah, pandemic aside, I feel

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like a completely different person just from those two things. It sounds like you are finding personal fulfillment by controlling what you can even if the world is falling down around you. Yeah. This is the first record where I was not having a cigarette break between each vocal take. (Laughs.) That’s progress. My last engineer would joke because I’d do maybe a few vocal takes and then be like, “OK, I need to take a break and have a cigarette.” He’d call it my “vocal warm-ups.” I hear a difference in my voice. I’m sure other people can’t, but there’s a certain clarity that I’ve never heard. When it comes to making music, how did you learn to do so much on your own? I kind of have this jack-of-all-trades personality trait, and I don’t care to find out how something is made unless I feel like I can do it myself. Did you learn anything new while making this album? No, not necessarily. I’m such a jack of so many trades now at this point. (Laughs.)

There’s nothing more to learn! There really is nothing more to learn, (laughs) and if anything, it just kind of makes things more efficient. We made this record in only two weeks. You’ve really cultivated a space for yourself in the underground pop music world, and I’m not sure the best way to ask this question, but do you feel like your white gay contemporaries get more credit? People love to ask me that. I will say this: No one can deny that if I was white my career wouldn’t look different. A perfect example is how (British musician) Scott Walker died not too long ago and I did not know about him until he died, and I felt such kinship because his career trajectory was very similar to mine in the sense that he started off as a teen pop singer who kind of had a hit but then that wasn’t his vibe so he started to do more avant-garde stuff. No time throughout my career did anyone compare me to Scott Walker, but yet a lot of people who knew Scott Walker compared me to Prince. Why were you comparing me to Prince? (Sarcastically.) I wonder why! You really have to think about that. I would be looked at completely differently if I was a white artist just in general, straight or gay or anything. Also, Black people are just expected to be exceptional because to make it anywhere as a Black person you have to be exceptional. It’s kind of just expected of

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us. That’s why sometimes … I’m gonna say this on the record, but if you take this quote out of context, I’m gonna fight you. (Laughs.) There will be no fight, I promise you. I don’t need the Beyhive comin’ for me. But I love Beyoncé. Beyoncé is honestly one of the greatest performers of all time. It is not her fault that she is one of the greatest performers of all time. I’m not trying to chastise her for being as great as she is. But a lot of people think all Black people need to be on the level of Beyoncé or they’re not shit. And that’s not her fault; that’s structural racism. So we gotta be on the level of Beyoncé to be seen as exceptional. Beyoncé is just un-human-level exceptional. For anyone. But because she’s a Black woman and because she’s Black, if Black people aren’t touching that, then it’s just like, “Why should we care?” It seems Beyoncé has become the go-to name for Black artists in the sense that white people I think go, “Is it really a race problem? Because look at Beyoncé. She’s made it.” And in a way, it’s kind of ridiculous that she’s had

to get to this level to get to the level of success that she’s had when someone like … I love Britney Spears. Britney Spears is great, right? But Britney Spears did not work as hard as Beyoncé. But they’re seen on the same level. Yes, Britney worked a lot and everything, but the way that Beyoncé … Beyoncé never lip synced! The mic is always on! What other challenges have you faced in the music industry because of who you are as a non-binary Black artist? Producers undermining my taste or what I want, just in general. Not listening to me. That’s obviously really hard. Is that one of the reasons why you sought autonomy? That’s definitely one reason. Because I really don’t like confrontation. I’m the type of person who, a lot of times, would rather put my white flag up than really fight for something that feels frivolous in the grand scheme of things. One of the main reasons why I didn’t work with any producers (on past

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albums) is because every producer that would be willing to work with me already because of Ratchet had a preconceived notion of the type of artist I was and really couldn’t see past that. So I had to go and create this whole new world for myself to show the world and the industry what I’m becoming and kind of give them the picture of what I am doing. So I had to self-produce those records myself, and I was hoping that out of that a producer will hear that and eventually come to me. That’s what happened with Kyle (Pulley) who produced five tracks, and I recorded most of it at his studio. He liked my artistry and what I was doing as opposed to being, “This person has a cool, unique voice. I want to basically use it to further my ideas.” It’s a shame it took so long to find a producer to honor your vision. Yeah, it is a shame. But, honestly, that’s my life. It’s sad. But I can be sad about it or I can just pick myself up by the bootstraps and just do everything. Again, the jack-of-all-trades thing, it also comes from it being kind of a necessity at this point. I would get nothing done if I waited on people to help.

There were so many times in the recording process where I would override a decision and Kyle would just be like, “OK.” There was not a back and forth. I did not have to fight someone. I used to get in spats with the producer of Ratchet, honestly, to the point where at the end of the day of recording, I just gave up. I just didn’t care. I was like, “This is not my record anymore.” What was the motivation behind the aesthetics for this project? This was the first time where I kind of really felt like everything artistically did come with intent. I knew I wanted to have purple hair for this run (laughs). That came to me just in a vision. And I have spent all of last fall perfecting the very digital vintage look with the covers and the videos and the “On My Own” video. That video is very straightforward. It’s simple but it relies a lot on aesthetics, which I really loved. That was really fun for me, just styling and makeup wise. “I Wonder” was inspired by Keith Haring. So I think this of all eras was the most thought out artistic-wise.

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How did you land on the blue nightgown for the “On My Own” video?

what didn’t. I just want to make something that sounds good and feels cohesive.

I got that last summer in Seattle at a thrift sale at a pop-up shop. I just literally had it lying around, and I’m glad I got to immortalize it.

You leave a lot up to where you’re at during that moment, both physically and mentally.

You’ve released seven albums in five years. How do you do it?

The outside elements, basically. Which is how life is. I think art should flow in that way too.

I write like a crazy person.

But you could’ve just made On the Regular over and over.

Do you write like a crazy person for any particular reason? Because I am a crazy person. (Laughs.) I work so fast. It doesn’t actually take up a lot of my time, and that’s why I’m like, “Oh, I’m gonna start a label and work with other artists and do 50,000 other things.” How do you create so prolifically without repeating yourself? Because I approach every record completely differently. Ratchet was made in a basement with one other dude, and then Hope was made in the middle of a manic episode in a weekend, and then Revelations was made after I got out of the mental hospital and had nothing to do but stay in my aunt’s house because I wasn’t allowed to do anything else. I just approach everyone differently. I don’t produce the same way each time or try to figure out what worked,

I could have, but it wouldn’t fulfill me. That would’ve fulfilled my bank account, sure. (Laughs). And that’s really important for me. I’m not a materialistic person at all, unfortunately. I wish I were because I’d be rich by now. I wish I were a materialistic, capitalisticass person, I really do. I don’t like being this queer communist fool. Honestly, I’ve been bamboozled most of the time, but I can’t help it. I was just raised like that, and this goes back to my jack-of-all-trades personality, but I’ve always felt more wealthy with the knowledge that I have, and (with) what I can do.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

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Post-Pride Extreme Makeover We’ve all experienced the aftermath of a good night/weekend of hard partying. And with all the festivities from this year’s Gay Pride (while technically cancelled), many potentially-masked individuals will be requiring some post-Pride touchups to have them looking human again. So, I put together some friendly tips from friends of mine who know how to party hard. I drove to East Nashville, Tennessee to meet-up a long-time friend and aspiring Russian nesting doll collector, Dolly O’Molly. Dolly’s first bit of advice was to stay home since there is an ongoing pandemic. But if you are living in a hypothetical ‘no-pandemic Follow Mitzi @itsmitzip world’, Dolly has a recipe for a fantastic cocktail she swears will cure all! Originating from a dumpster fire in southern Moscow, the vodka-based drink Russian Hacker will slip into your body’s bloodstream and polarize your organs, separating whatever you’ve ingested from your natural bacteria. Your body then purges itself of the ingested materials, leaving you feeling normal again. The drink is so strong, it’s said to keep your body polarized for up to four years. To make it, simply mix three-parts vodka of your choice to one-part Elderflower liquor and two-parts of Hillary Clinton’s emails. Then shake until blended! With your internal body in tip-top shape, I wanted to share some tips on cleaning up your outer features. I scootered over to my high-school crush and former fraternity pledge, Shane Cocaine. He had a rough time growing up with that name, so he took to fitness as a way to cope with the bullying. Shane now runs a cross-fit gym and has developed an unhealthy obsession with physical beauty, so who better to ask about getting a partied-out body back into shape! Shane says for post-hangovers or other poor life choices, you need to get up before dawn so you can’t immediately see what you look like. Do ten minutes of five sets of fifteen pushups, jumping jacks, sit-ups, squats, burpees and (if readily available) box jumps. He says you should be able to get three-to-four rounds within those ten minutes. Then start your day in the bathroom mirror. For ‘extreme cases’, he recommends giving yourself a quick haircut and color to let the world know you’re not the person you were yesterday. With your physical body on its way to post-Pride recovery, one final step is to fix your fashions! I drove back to Atlanta to meet my personal stylist and runner-up in America’s Got COVID, Halista Clockfart. Halista has a sensible approach to post-partying fashion. She says you don’t want to stand out too after a long bender since there will probably be photos and videos of you acting ratchet. A good pair of slimming jeans and a jewel-tone shirt or blouse should be all you wear until your YouTube apology video makes its way back to the people you’ve drunkenly offended. If your drunken, awful behavior is shared only by word-of-mouth, pair up your look with a cute jacket and beanie hat! This year has been interesting, and many celebrations have been cancelled. If, however, you did act crazy and lived it up this pride, follow these tips to get yourself looking normal again. And probably get a nose swab test. Yours in post-pride extreme makeovers,

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.

MASKING IT UP OUT AND ABOUT ATLANTA Photos by Snow

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ATLANTA PRIDE

HAPPY PRIDE ATLANTA! (VIRTUAL)

ABETTERBUZZ IS PROUD TO BE A SPONSOR FOR PRIDE AND A MEMBER OF OUR AMAZING COMMUNITY. UNTIL WE CAN ALL CELEBRATE TOGETHER AGAIN, STAY SAFE AND STAY PROUD!

USE CODE “ATLPRIDE” FOR 20% OFF ONLINE ORDERS AT ABETTERBUZZBRANDGOODS.COM! OFFER VALID THROUGH 10/31/2020

MASKING IT UP OUT AND ABOUT ATLANTA Photos by Snow

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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Although born in Alabama, Luke has called Atlanta home most of his life. His biggest claim to Alabama is that he remains a major Auburn fan. He owns Market ATL, a marketing and advertising agency established in 2015. He has been fortunate to work with clients across various industries, including Blakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the Park, Rugby ATL, NPB (Nicole Paige Brooks), and more. Hobbies include music, playing the piano, singing, and hiking. Besides Auburn, he is also a major Rugby ATL and Atlanta United fan (and All Stripes Member) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; really any opportunity to tailgate and entertain.

@nluke

LUKE BENTON

No Excuses

By Jamie Kirk

There’s an old saying that says, “excuses are the tools of incompetence. They build monuments of nothing, and those that specialize in using them are seldom good for anything else.” This quote is so deep and appropriate right now because I think it’s an easy out for us to just continually give in and give up on our life plan and our destiny. I think many of us are so quick to defend our complacency, especially with our country’s state. Being able to blame a lack of diversity and inclusivity for not finding a new job. Being able to blame gender inequality for not asking for a promotion. Or perhaps eating junk food and snacking because you are always going to be “thick.” Excuses, excuses, and more excuses. Having the ability to put your self-care on the top of your to-do list is the most important thing you can do. Putting yourself first is intentional, it’s deliberate, and it’s rewarding. When you can prioritize what is important and act upon it, it will speak volumes to how we live our lives and how we want others to treat us. When folks watch us writing out a to-do list or seeing us heading out to the gym on a rainy, cold morning or sacrificing our weekend to go and care for an invalid relative or friend, they can’t but honor and respect our approach to life. Self-care is so important during this time of year, ironically, because of THIS time of year. Holidays seem far away, but yet so close. The weather is not hot or warm, yet we don’t have the need to have on a fleece. It’s not time to give up on the year, but we are a few months away from 2021. It’s like we are waiting for something to happen that may not occur. It

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then becomes increasingly hard to step away and recognize when things are out of balance. It’s not easy to sort out our lives while living our lives. When we are living our lives out loud on purpose, we don’t really care about judgment, opinions, or even criticism of our decisions or choices. Putting ourselves first means everyone and everything else becomes secondary. Secondary to everything that does not support our roadmap for self-care. Peeling back the onion on the word road map. We can’t expect to have a self-care initiative or initiatives if we don’t have a plan. We have to assess what is working, what isn’t, and the activities to get us where we need to be. And let me be clear, self-care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health and prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (quality and quantity), lifestyle (outdoor activities, sports, etc.), environmental factors (living conditions, social habits, etc.), socio-economic factors (income levels, volunteering, civic responsibilities, and our cultural belief system), and my personal favorite... self-medication. Our road map has to encompass each and every one of these for the plan to be successful. Omitting one of them becomes a danger to the rest of them. As we look in the rear-view mirror of what all has occurred in 2020, we can’t but help to wonder “why.” But in wondering “why,” we can’t put on the breaks and allow our lives to stall. This year will be looked back (at least

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in the history books) as likely one of the most challenging years in our lifetime. Have there been other years that were just as challenging - absolutely. But because we are in the eye of the storm right now, the issues of social injustice, racial divisiveness, questionable leadership in the White House, higher than normal unemployment rates, forest fires, and just an overall feeling of “what the hell could possibly be next,” feels like the absolute worse 365 days one could experience. But we can’t focus on that; we have to go onward and upward. We have to hunker down and avoid making excuses. These less than ideal circumstances could cut us some slack. We can’t allow abbreviated times or heck, even no gym times to cause us to avoid physical exercise. We can’t allow no races to have us not train for the Boston Marathon in 2021. We can’t allow no church to allow us not to tithe or stream our choice service. We can’t allow restaurants having limited seating to shy away from having a date night. Now, more than ever, we can’t allow excuses to dominate our thought process. We have to be diligent in our approach. We have to be steadfast in our position. We have to be determined that nothing or no one will hold us back. Not everyone you will find will be in your corner.

There is no need to broadcast your efforts; show people, don’t tell them. As we prepare to prepare for a new year, placing our emotional, mental, and physical health first must be the tip-top priority. Personal self-care and the ability to live our lives out loud is the biggest WIN we can ever have. People are watching, and our inner child is watching. We have to show up for ourselves for our family and our friends. The only way we can do that is to be good to ourselves. Not just good actually, but great to ourselves. Folks are gonna treat you the way they see you treat yourself. Make them exhausted in giving you what you want and desire from your life. No excuses, no exceptions. At the end of the day, we can celebrate Pride, march for BLM, join the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at work, volunteer to Feed the Homeless, help out with at the local food bank, but if we are not putting ourselves first and making our needs a priority; nothing else will matter. It won’t matter because we can’t give it 100%. We can’t give what we don’t have. We can give our mates, jobs, and community what is left over from our 100%. But we owe it to ourselves to give “us” every bit of our 100%! Anything less just won’t do.

| 33

OCT 14 - 20

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. Drive-In Hocus Pocus Two nights of Hocus Pocus with the classic 1993 Bette Midler Halloween classic romp! Safety first, so wear a mask and stay in your cars—tickets at plazaatlanta.com. October 16 & 17, 9:30 pm Plaza Atlanta Drive-In

Heyday by Day Block Party Grab your mask, your sunglasses, and your dancing shoes because we’re here to get through this thing called life — together. The Heyday block party is outside and socially distanced, so come dance with somebody! Saturday, Oct 17, 71 -5 pm The Basement Parking Lot

Sherri’s Saturday Night Celebrating the life of Sherri Demure, the Queen of Allure, this memorial engages all Sherri’s favorite places in Midtown Atlanta for a special night out in her memory. Raffles benefiting Rainbow House Coalition and drink specials everywhere. Saturday, October 17, 10 pm Midtown Moon, The Hideaway, Felix’s

O4W Artist Market The artist market behind Ammazza and Thumbs Up Diner on Edgewood Ave gives you various local vendors and artists. Masks are required, and social distancing is strictly enforced. Also, limited parking available on-site or surrounding street parking. Sunday, October 18, 11 am – 6 pm Edgewood Avenue (behind Ammazza)

Let’s Get Cheeky Virtual Speed Dating The perfect opportunity for Atlanta gay men to find a virtual companion. All the fun and efficiency of in-person speed dating events brought to your doorstep. Purchase your online speed-dating ticket and await instructions. Monday, October 19, 7 – 9 pm mycheekygaydate.com 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

NOT SHOWN

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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Fun Things to do This October

10 1. Vote early in person 2. Wear chunky sweaters

6. Watch a scary movie

3. Save the USPS by writing spooky letters and postcards â&#x20AC;&#x201C; buy stamps!

7. Request an absentee ballot

4. Bake fall desserts 5. Phone bank & text for candidates

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8. Carve pumpkins 9. Sign up to be a poll worker 10. Watch the foliage change

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WE'RE HIRING Playmates and soul mates...

WE ARE SEEKING Motivated, Hard-Working, Innovative People to be Our Next Superstar Ad Sales Representatives.

Jumpstart Your Career by Joining Atlanta's Newest Gay Media Company! One Year Sales Experience Required EMAIL YOUR RESUME TO

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Atlanta:

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What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?

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

What do you mean?

If the second I text you back, you call me because you know I’m holding my phone, I will call the police

So antibody parties are a thing now? Y’all are desperate for entertainment, huh?

ByLike cutting off the sleeves the dumbest thing ever? of all your t-shirts? Well, that’s rude Why?! Bold of you to assume that I’ve even peaked yet!

I’m dressing up as a piñata this Halloween because I plan on letting everyone hit it

Fun fact: the skin on your lips is exactly the same as your butthole skin Daddy Joke Alert I yelled ‘cow’ to this lady on her bike. She turned her head and gave me the finger. And then she hit the cow right on. I tried.

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I’ll have a café mocha vodka valium to go, please

I can’t wait to be back at the club standing in the corner and judging people in person.

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PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) This week you may feel especially warm and loving toward just about everybody in your circle, even those you usually find irritating. You could also be looking especially attractive and feeling more confident than usual. You might even feel like shopping for new clothes. Artistic ideas could flow freely, and you might think of different ways to put them to work for you.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) Someone you care about but haven’t seen for a long time could suddenly contact you. You’d usually love this, but you could be too caught up in projects of your own to want to put them aside. But you will have a lot of fun with this person, and you might even interest him or her in your project. After finishing your work, go out to dinner.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22) The home workouts have paid off, and you are looking especially attractive lately and glowing with robust health. You’re apt to feel warm and loving, particularly toward small animals. If you’ve considered adopting a pet, this is a good time to do it – otherwise smother your puppy boyfriend with love and kisses. Business, work, and money matters continue to go well. You should be in a pretty good space. This frame of mind should last you a long time.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21) Even though the weather is cooling, you are feeling especially warm and loving toward close friends and children. You could also especially appreciate the arts. You don’t want to attend a concert or play just yet but seek out those online offerings and get inspired by the arts streaming from your screen. Arrange a safe and socially distanced gathering with your friends, it will do wonders for your mental health. Celebrate just being together!

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) A goal that you’ve been working on during COVID could finally be reached. A group of friends you might not have seen for a long time could schedule a get-together that you will be all too glad to attend – after isolation you need this. Expect to have a lot of fun exchanging news and ideas with these people. You will probably feel particularly happy to see them. You won’t want to let so much time go by before you reconnect again.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20) You could meet some interesting new people this week. Among them is at least one person who shares a lot of your interests and could become a close friend. The joy you receive from meeting these people is likely to spill over into the rest of your day. You could be warmer and more congenial with everyone else in your life, too. In the evening, go out and have some fun.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

Your inner plant daddy is in full bloom, and you might decide to buy a plant for every room in your house or plant a garden. If the weather is good, you might visit a nursery or the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. You may not normally be attracted to plants and gardens, but both beauty and nature seem especially appealing right now. Make the most of this, however temporary. Your house will look that much more beautiful because of it!

A book or movie about a foreign country could capture your imagination and make that country seem especially appealing. You might toy with the idea of taking a trip there when we’re allowed to travel again. If you’re serious, it might be a good idea to start making your plans. You’re in a particularly practical frame of mind and have the enthusiasm to do it. Have fun browsing through travel brochures and maps.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

You may feel far away from everyone still, but a warm and loving communication could come to you this week from someone close. This could be an email, call, or even a gift of some kind. This could make your day, and you will probably pass whatever good feelings you draw from it to other friends and family members. Take a walk around your neighborhood and say hello to whomever you meet. It will make you feel even better!

Someone close who owes you money might suddenly turn up and repay you. This might be a surprise, but you will be glad to get it. You may want to blow some of it by taking a friend out to lunch or buying someone a gift. Some beautiful dreams could haunt your sleep tonight, perhaps to the point where you feel frustrated when you wake up. Write them down. They’re saying something about you.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

A very welcome sum of extra money could come your way, possibly out of the blue. You might want to put this money to work for you in some way, perhaps investing it or purchasing supplies or materials for personal projects. You should feel especially positive where your resources are concerned, and confident in your ability to earn.

You should feel especially warm and loving toward everyone close to you, particularly a love partner. You may want to spend some time with friends or family or schedule a romantic evening with your significant other - or both. If you have paperwork to take care of, this is the time to do it. You’re particularly practical and feeling good, so the drudgery won’t get you down. | 43

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.

o, Pride is over, and I had the best time. I didn’t go as crazy as last year, but I did go out, and yes, my good intentions of wearing a mask and social distancing didn’t last – and I ended up hooking up with this guy that I met on the dancefloor. So, now some of my friends are mad at me for being reckless, as they call it, and they suggest that I get tested for COVID and quarantine myself until the test results come back. I think that might be too severe because the guy said he already had has COVID and had antibodies. So I’m feeling great on one hand, because it was a fun Pride, but I’m also feeling a little weird, because I cold possibly have compromised my health? How do I deal with all of this? Sincerely Proud Pouty Dear Proud Pouty You didn’t possibly compromise your own health (and that of others) – you DID compromise your own health and that of others. I’m going to side 100% with your friends on this and urge you to get tested as soon as possible and quarantine yourself until you get a negative result back. That means no contact to others, minimal contact to the outside world, and definitely no sex. You know, I get it, I miss being out and partying too, but your scenario is the perfect example of what happens when the party gets going: all the precautions you think you might take go out the door, and you become, for lack of a better word, reckless. These aren’t normal times, and this Pride was not a normal Pride because it happened during a pandemic where it was generally ill-advised to attend any kind of gathering in the first place. Just because a club opens its doors to the dancefloor, it doesn’t mean it’s okay or even safe to go. Numerous examples from right here in Georgia have proven that over and over again. And that guy you hooked up with who says he is safe because he has antibodies? First of all, you don’t even know if that’s true, and second of all, it is quite the gamble to take given the very limited research that exists on how antibodies work with this virus. I’m glad you had fun, but do yourself a favor, and do the responsible thing: get tested and isolate!

I’ve had a new roommate for a couple of months now, and we don’t see a lot of each other because of work and social lives, but we do get along very well. He is really good-looking, and sometimes after he showers, he leaves his underwear in the bathroom, and that’s when I go to the bathroom and sniff them while I masturbate. I feel it’s a little bit creepy, but then I also realize this is a fetish of mine. Is this a violation of some sort? Sincerely The Big Sniffer Dear The Big Sniffer Yes, it is a little creepy what you’re doing, and you do need to stop it because it is a violation of his privacy. No, you’re not watching him shower, and as of now, it belongs in the category of ‘what he doesn’t know,’ but as long as he is not in on your secret perving, then you should stop immediately. Now that you have discovered that your secret perv is sniffing dirty underwear and crotches, why don’t you buy a dirty pair of underwear online or hook up with someone who will let you sniff his crotch as long as you want? There’s a whole world of nasty smells just waiting for you – so leave your roommate’s underwear alone!

NEED ANSWERS? SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS TO MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM

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