Peach Magazine V4-45 - You Deserve This!

you

Deserve

this

Gifts On Gifts Your Holiday Briefs Meak Productions A New Vision In the Making Peach Premiere!

What Do You Want to Ask the Lesbo?

DRIVE-UP

TESTING Free HIV testing • Results in 5 minutes • Safe & easy • No need to leave your car Offered by appointment at our Decatur Center: 523 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030

678.365.4300

positiveimpacthealthcenters.org

C

ontents

media & printing

dec 2, 2020 v4-45

PEACH MEDIA 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O Norcross, GA 30093

MANAGING PARTNER Brian Sawyer

PAGE 10 PAGE 12

brian@peachatl.com

OPERATIONS Jeff Anderson Sales and Development Director jeff@peachatl.com

EDITORIAL Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director

PAGE 16 PAGE 32

mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer Graphics

SALES | DISTRIBUTION

FROM THE EDiTOR

Andrea Dwyer

You know what’s already so nice about this Holiday season? I am not stressed out of my mind trying to stitch together a social calendar while wrapping up the year and wrapping up presents ordered online! Although I miss socializing with friends dearly, I am relieved that December this year will not be a whirlwind of work and events.

I’m also excited about introducing a new segment in Peach called Ask The Lesbo, where household name and community powerhouse Marci Alt will give her advice on just about everything. Read her new column on page 20, and submit any questions to marci@peachatl.com.

That and so much much more in this issue of Peach.

andrea@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS Marci Alt Chris Azzopardi Mirza Muftic Vince Shifflett

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media | 908.232.2021

BLack Lives stiLL matter! mikkeL hyLdeBrandt

Editorial Director | IG @hyldebrandt ONLINE

PRINT

peachatl.com

At Distribution Points Across the City

SOCIAL FB:facebook.com/peachatlmag

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.

meak productions’

vision of the LgBtq+ community Meak Productions, Inc., the World’s 1st LGBTQ-exclusive Talent Agency & Production Company, presents its 4th Installment of its Limited-Edition campaign, SUIT & TIE/BLACK & WHITE. Starring the CEO, Miko Evans along with premiere Make-Up artist, Elijah Jones and featuring Angela Hutchins (1st Lady of History of Black Gay America) and Eddie “Clark” Posey (Mr. Meak Productions 2016) who are both celebrating their 5th anniversaries of being part of the Meak Productions talent pool.

Inspired by the platinum-selling single by award-winning artist, Justin Timberlake, this campaign showcases talents on the roster in a debonair, couture and professional manner, reflecting the feel of the 1960’s with modern-day style.

“Very seldom do you get to see in the media members of the LGBTQ+ community in professional style and class, like business suits, couture wear and business attire. With our agency, one of our missions is to show our community in a more diverse and inclusive light that doesn’t confirm the usual stereotypes about LGBTQ+ people”, stated Miko Evans, Meak Pro’s Executive Producer.

2021 will mark the 5th Anniversary and the Finale of this limited-edition campaign.

Future couture-style and business wear will be incorporated in Meak Productions’ annual signature campaigns, which happens every quarter with a theme that reflects the changing seasons and major holidays. Each campaign features talent photos, along with keepsakes such as campaign posters and signature talent wallpaper posters in digital format.

Visit the campaign website now to download the signature wallpapers, posters and feature photos at stbw.meakproductions.com.

This campaign is sponsored by the MAE Corporation USA & Peach ATL Media.

Created and produced by Meak Productions, Inc. / Learn more at meakproductions.com.

8 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

Free • Results in 5 minutes • Safe & easy • No need to leave your car

Free HIV testing at our Decatur Center: 523 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030 Make your appointment:

678.365.4300

positiveimpacthealthcenters.org

Revry Launches 1st Queer Game Show Versus remember a series of increasingly strange objects that pass before them on a virtual conveyor belt. They’ll spend as much time smiling at the question as sweating about the answer because in this game, accurate In a year full of firsts for the network, includ- scorekeeping never gets in the way of having ing the launch of OML on Revry, the first a good time, and winning prizes isn’t as im24/7 live TV channel for queer womxn fea- portant as winning laughs. tured in issue 41 of Peach, Versus will expand the network’s diverse lineup of content and Meet the Hosts with the Most make the holidays just a bit more jolly this Originally from Canada, now based in Los year. Versus will arrive to delight audiences on Angeles, Deven is an award-winning comedic December 4, 2020. chanteuse. You know her from the cult parodies “Welcome To My Home” & “Welcome Developed and hosted by RuPaul’s Drag To My White House,” as being a judge on Race icon, Deven Green, and award-winning “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” portraying the satirmusician, Ned Douglas, Versus is a charming- ical Betty Bowers, hosting high-profile aucly absurdist game show where instincts and tions, legendary bingo, and comedy panels fun override smarts and knowledge. It’s a ver- at DragCon. bal version of Wipeout mixed with a gentler Billy On The Street.

Ned is an award-winning music creator, proThe rules are simple: two contestants are pit- grammer, composer, and engineer, originally ted against each other in six rapid-fire chal- from London, now based in Los Angeles. Ned lenges that will test their trivia skills, mem- has an extensive client list: Mick Jagger, No ory, and even knowledge of their own social Doubt, Katy Perry, Steve Nicks, and Celine media. Each episode features a new set of Dion, to name a few. Ned has also worked on mini-games that no one can prepare for! stage and screen projects, including GHOST the Musical, and Madagascar 3.

Contestants for this inaugural season include: iconic drag queen Varla Jean Mer- Together, Deven and Ned have been honored man (aka Jeffrey Roberson); TV talk show The to perform with the top Drag Queens in the Q Agenda hosts Enrique Sapene and Lianna world, headline Pride events, and perform Carrera; reality TV star On Mekahel; musician sold-out shows internationally. Fun Fact: Christopher Saint; actor Cole Jenkins; Channel They’ve created two of the top Apple Apps Q radio host Ryan Mitchell; and actor Matt in fashion, written the book, “Everyone F*ck Baume.

Off!” and made a Christmas album.

Revry, the first global LGBTQ+ TV network, will celebrate the holiday season with the release of the first-ever queer game show, Versus, hosted and developed by Deven Green.

Contestants will be continuously surprised by the challenges posed. They might find them- Versus will be available starting December 4 at selves counting animated kittens or trying to watch.revry.tv.

10 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

All images are provided by Modus Vivendi. Shop all styles and the exclusive Holiday briefs at e-modusvivendi.com.

12 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Model: Max Emerson @maxisms Photographer: Henry Wu @hello.henry

| 13

Picking out that gift for that someone special in your life (or someone you want to get closer to) is easy this year! Modus Vivendi has put together a limitededition collection of briefs for you, and if that isn’t enough, you can find plenty of inspirational gifts on their extensive online shop.

Explore a vast selection of underwear, loungewear, party-inwear, and accessories and choose between velvet, satin, vinyl, sheer, metallic, and lurex yarns! Whatever you are in the mood for – sexy, cute, or cuddly – there is something for you and all of those on your (naughty) list. And you can even qualify for a free Holiday Brief with your purchase – learn more at e-modusvivendi.com.

14 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

All images are provided by Modus Vivendi. Shop all styles and the exclusive Holiday briefs at e-modusvivendi.com. | 15

Life (and Death) Again, Through Alan Ball’s Eyes

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: Amazon Studios

Few know their way around a funeral scene like master of mortality Alan Ball. The writerdirector-producer had his fair share of time to get it just right while his crowning jewel of a series, Six Feet Under, aired for five seasons, from 2001 to 2005, on HBO. The beloved show was one of a kind, delving deep into the complexities of grief and death like no other show has. At the center of the series were the Fishers, a family in Los Angeles who owned a funeral home. And as one of the first gay leads to be featured as a fully developed character on TV, David Fisher was groundbreaking.

Ball, who also created True Blood and wrote American Beauty (and won an Oscar for doing so), returns to the emotional, gayinclusive, funeral-encompassing family drama with Uncle Frank, which he wrote and directed.

Now watchable on Amazon Prime Video, the film is loosely inspired by Ball’s own Southern upbringing.

Lillis) and her cherished Uncle Frank (Paul Bettany), who is gay but closeted, bonding over their shared outsiderness. But after his conservative, homophobic father dies suddenly, Frank is forced to reckon with unresolved family trauma.

There’s a will reading, a family dinner-table scene and a funeral scene in Uncle Frank, which instantly took me back to Six Feet Under. I find both works to be healing, particularly regarding trauma. Did filming Uncle Frank bring you back to Six Feet Under too?

I know the day we shot that funeral scene in the cemetery I had this amazing sense of déjà vu. Actually, I took a picture and posted it on my Instagram page.

It was pretty interesting. I think the search to heal from trauma is certainly a theme that occurs in my work a lot because it’s something that occurs in my own life and something that I struggle with in my own life. Something I’ll struggle with until the day I die.

Does creating works like Uncle The movie begins as an outcast Frank and Six Feet Under help story set in the 1970s South, with you process that trauma? teenaged Beth Bledsoe (Sophia Just having the outlet to express 16 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

those feelings and those issues is very helpful to me because I grew up in a fairly repressed, WASPy household. Delving into feelings, especially painful feelings, was considered just not very polite, not something you really do.

Of course, I’ve been to therapy and I’ve grown up and become an adult, and now I’m so much better at being able to process my own feelings. But I definitely think my work has had a big part in continuing that process of healing.

The theme of unfinished business recurs in your work. Is that something you are conscious of while developing it?

Yeah, absolutely. Frank never got to confront his father. And the genesis of Uncle Frank was when I came out of the closet to my mother 30 years ago and she said, “Well, I blame your father because I believe he was that way too.” But he was already dead. So I never got to have a conversation with my dad to find out if that was true. There’s real frustration in that. But unless you’re a person who just goes through life in every experience you have making sure you’ve said everything you need to say to the people you need to say it to, there’s going to be unfinished business. That’s just a part of life.

Was Uncle Frank you imagining what life could have been like for your dad?

Knowing what my mom said about my dad and also knowing

that when he was a very young man he had, as my mom put it, “a real, real close friend” who drowned and whose body he accompanied on a train back to Asheville, North Carolina, it is a sort of, “What if? What if that was the case? What might that story have been?”

Alternately, Paul Bettany’s father was gay and he came out of the closet when he was 63 and had a 20-year relationship with another man who died. Then Paul’s father went back into the closet and became super Catholic. So, for Paul, playing Frank was an opportunity to sort of be like, “What if? What if my father would have been able to fully embrace himself?”

I admire that the movie portrays a gay couple, Frank and Wally, who are middle-aged and neither of them die. Their relationship is loving and supportive. They lean on each other. And in the end, you know they’re going to be all right. Within the scope of LGBTQ films, that is a refreshing narrative arc.

It’s true. Yeah, it was important to me that Frank and Wally stay together because you are used to especially middle-aged gay men, when you see stories about them, usually somebody’s gotta die. I think of Brokeback Mountain, I think of A Single Man. I think of all these movies that are great, but there is this sort of implicit, “Well, somebody’s gotta die; they can’t be happy.” Especially in a period piece, because attitudes

| 17

I know some of your own real-life experiences inspired scenes in Six Feet Under, so I’m It was the same way in Six Feet Under. The always curious how much of your own life writers kept pushing for me to break David ends up in your work. and Keith up and I wouldn’t do it because I When Frank comes out to his brother and wanted to depict his brother says, a relationship “I just have two where they stayed words for you: no together. problem,” that’s what my brother Was it a struggle said to me. It just to fight for that had to go into the relationship? script. I even put I was definitely my brother’s name in the minority. in the special Everybody kept thanks at the end going, “Well, of the movie. seeing David date will be very fun.”

Do you ever think And I’m like, about the Fishers?

“No, it won’t.”

If I hear that song (Sia’s “Breathe David wasn’t particularly good at dating.

Me”), I’ll think of the Fishers, absolutely, Exactly. I didn’t want to see David go on a and I’ll think of Six Feet Under. But once bunch of bad dates; I’d rather see David and I’m done with something, I sort of leave it.

Keith weather the storm of actually staying Recently I’ve been cleaning out an office of in a relationship. That was more interesting mine because my deal has ended, so I have to me. to vacate the premises. I’ve been packing up a lot of memorabilia and souvenirs.

Your own partner, Peter Macdissi, who appears in much of your work, plays Frank’s What’s been something that you found that partner, Wally. What has it been like to work brought you back to Six Feet Under? with Peter all these years?

When Claire was at art school the art It’s been really edifying for me to be department built some projects that some with somebody who’s from a completely of the students had made, and one of them different culture and a completely different was a set of billiards bills, with the face of background than my own. It just forces me to Jesus on each of them. I definitely kept that. open my eyes and see things from a different (Laughs.) perspective. One of the reasons I wanted Wally to be from Saudi Arabia, to be a Muslim As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire – and there are people who are Muslim and gay and they don’t tell their parents but they still have relationships with their parents and they’re very close – is it’s such a different mindset than our Western life. I just find that working with Peter has opened my eyes up to a completely different world than just my own experience of white, WASPy America. were so different back then.

Did any of Frank’s relationship with Wally come from your own relationship with Peter?

I don’t do that consciously, but I’m sure it just shows up in there. I mean, he’s not Wally.

That was definitely a performance. And he’s not Muslim. He was raised Catholic. And he’s not Saudi Arabian; he’s Lebanese. But there was a certain kind of affectionate bickering… actually, a lot of it got cut out because it was too long. But that was definitely something that I know. Frank and Wally are not a depiction of me and Peter in any way, but I’m sure there are little elements and details that show up in there.

18 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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. www.peachatl.com

| 19

Sometimes you just need the advice of a seasoned queer woman in your life! I have never been a writer or blogger, but the opportunity to do this column with and for our community seemed to be indeed just what this tired, old LESBO was looking for.

Each month I’ll answer your questions about anything and everything you might want to know about! Email me your questions at marci@peachatl.com.

Dear Lesbo, When and what age is appropriate, for the ‘OMG my kid is at the age of experiencing some sexual activities?’

The latest example is seeing her neck with matching hickies on both sides!

How do you talk openly to her or him about having of teenage sex? Really, my reason is not becoming a grandparent yet, as my kid is just a teenager.

Sincerely Sexually Rude Awakening My first thought in this question is to stay calm with your teenager, as you want them to listen to what you are about to discuss. I find most teenagers tune you out when you try to discuss very personal things like sex with them! The approach I believe that works very well with my teenager and I is the consequence approach. Be smart about things before they get out of control, and please make sure you have all the necessary precautions like HPV shots, birth control, condoms readily available, as I believe abstinence won’t work if they already have hickies on their neck.

In the discussion with my teenager I tried to be clear and strong. Because being grounded until you’re in college is really not an option, I explained how sex should be with someone you love and you see a future with. In our discussion we discussed sex openly and calmly. I was very intrigued that my teenager participated in the conversation with me and assured me sex is not on her radar yet, and she agrees to all necessary precautions. For me, I was shocked and happy to find out she was taught in Middle School how to properly put on a condom (thanks sex education in Dekalb county!). I was very happy as this LESBO hasn’t used one in many years, so I’m happy I didn’t have to give examples of this!

Dear Lesbo, I am a mature woman, and I have been out of the dating loop for so long. Where do I go to meet and talk to women for potential love?

Sincerely Sticking My feet in the Dating Pond Well, in this day and age, I would say that the traditional methods of hitting the only woman’s bar in Atlanta, My Sisters Room (which is a fabulous bar btw) may not be the place for the over 40-yearold to find her match. Try on some internet dating, but beware of the scams and cat phishing from these sites. I also find that if you get involved with some volunteer work with local nonprofits, like Lost’n’Found Youth or Atlanta Pride, it will help with meeting others and give you a chance for your social skills to come alive again. Most importantly, be safe, wear a mask, don’t meet someone on line and have them come to your home. BE SMART about dating, and have fun with it.

Most importantly, be yourself, and let the magic come in! Dating can be fun and is good for your state of being.

Good luck, and I hope you find your match

Marci Alt is a household name within the Atlanta LGBTQ+ community – she created the The Gay Community Yellow Pages and runs the popular Gayborhood online platform. Being part of the community does not give her the experience alone to answer the questions on this page, but many years owning and running several successful businesses and being the All in all, just being an open parent and parent of two amazing children certainly quantifies her knowledge, that giving your child the freedom to talk about she so generously shares with you in this column.

anything and everything is what made this somewhat tough conversation a very easy one.

Do you have questions for Marci? Email them to marci@peachatl.com.

PIAG - lgbtq+

Pea ch M

ia ed

Business Cards | Flyers | Graphic Design | Booklets |Postcards | Event & Tradeshow | Banners | Brochures

P

P���� M���� �� ���� ����������, ���������, ��� ����� ��������. W� ��� �� LGBTQ-O����, �������� ��� A������’� ���� ��������� �������, ��� �� ���� ���� ���� ��� �� ���� ��� ���� ��������, ����������, ��� ���-�������� �������� �� ���� ���������, ���������, �� ����� �����.

Call 404-814-3014 or email info@peachatl.com to hear more about what we can do for your business.

Peach Media Holdings www.peachatl.com

Proud member

The Most Wonderful Time of the Pandemic With so much anti-2020 chatter flying around, I completely forgot the year is almost over! This year will definitely be one for the history books, but before it ends, we have the most wonderful time of year upon us. Who knows what surprises we still have in store. Given how crazy the year has been, many are unsure of how to handle the holidays. I’ve asked a few friends to give everyone a little help with figuring out what to do in the pandemic holiday season.

Visiting family is definitely a big topic for many, so I sat down with my former college professor who got her PhD before the age of twenty-five. Dr. So Yung teaches Sociology and has come to accept that no one in America will take the pandemic into consideration when making their travel plans and holiday parties. She recommends to try distancing from family members while at their homes, and has offered a few great methods to keep distant. Dr. Yung suggests flaunting Joe Biden’s landslide victory into the faces of any family member who voted for Trump.

Another great tactic is to continually make TikTok videos in crowded rooms, assuring that someone will get annoyed with you. Get creative with keeping distant. I personally love rehashing old fights I’ve had with my family. It’s worked so well for me, that no longer get invited for the holidays!

Follow Mitzi @itsmitzip

If you don’t plan to travel or see your family, you can still have a blast. A fellow book club member, Julie Doodle, started a movement that is taking the country by storm. Her members-only program Girl Don’t Do It is sweeping the nation and urging everyone to stay at home and away from people. The program offers recipes you can make yourself, one-person board games, crafting ideas, and Julie’s personalized deck of cards so you can spend hours playing Solitaire. The membership also includes daily cocktails delivered right to your door. You simply pick your poison, and let Julie take care of the rest!

For those who love finding love during the holidays, (and who doesn’t with all the sexy and suggestive nativity scenes on every lawn!), I have the perfect solution to help you find your special someone.

I’ve spent many months working on a wonderful love-matching program right here in Atlanta! It’s part speed-dating, part after-hours, part COVID clinic, and ALL fun. When you arrive, you’re greeted with sexy elves who will sensually swab your nose for a rapid test. Once inside, we have a fully stocked open bar with romantic tables for two. Each table has clear glass separating you from your potential new love. For fun, we added markers on the tables so you can doodle on the glass with! A separate room offers bleach-infused vodka shots and a fully hand-sanitized dance floor. The slippery flooring is perfect for falling into the arms of your soulmate. We also offer back rooms for privacy for when you’re ready to risk it all for the one. My project of love is called YOLO 4 COVID and it will be the perfect experience for you, or a group of friends. We offer great discounts for parties of ten or more. You don’t want to miss this holiday party before it gets turned into a Bar mitzvah funhouse next year!

The holidays will surely bring us a moment of joy in a year that has affected us in many ways. If you are traveling, being a lonely loser at home or the life of the party at YOLO 4 COVID, I hope you stay safe, eat a bunch, and remind every Republican that we won.

Yours in celebrating the pandemic holidays,

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.

AFTER THE FEAST @ THE HIDEAWAY Photos by Snow

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

Atlanta’s ONLY Certified Printer

Let Peach Media putLGBTQ+ Atlanta in Print

Business Cards | Flyers | Graphic Design | Booklets |Postcards | Event & Tradeshow Banners | Brochures | Letterpress | 3d Print | Engraving | Embroidry |Tshirts | Hats | Authentic Letterpress and more

FEELING THANKFUL @ MIDTOWN MOON Photos by Snow

CARSON COWAN REALTOR® 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.

28 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND @ BLAKE'S Photos by Snow

There’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.

30 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE HIDEAWAY FAMILY

ALL MONTH OF DECEMBER WEEKDAY HAPPY HOUR 2-8PM

$8 KETTLE ONE MARTINIS $6 KETTLE ONE COCKTAILS

1544 PIEDMONT AVE, NE, ATLANTA, GA 30324 ANSLEY MALL BEHINED PUBLIX

Jesús has lived in Atlanta since 2017, and he works as a massage therapist at a spa in Midtown. He enjoys music, dancing, and dinner with friends – and perhaps the occasional glass of red wine with a good chat on the side. He also loves the outdoors and hiking, and when it is possible, he will start traveling again. The gym is his occupational therapy, and he works out 5-6 times a week.

Whatever he does, Jesús remains positive and realistic while always being nice to others.

@yissuss90

See more photos at

peachatl.com JESÚS VÁZQUEZ

Am I who I say I am? Do my actions line up with my words? Do I always fully embody what I write about? As a writer, I felt it necessary to ponder this question for myself. This pondering led to a deeper reflection of the question, Am I who I say I am?

Is my inner self a true reflection of my outer self?

There are times when I feel my true spirit is completely overshadowed by my human behavior.

I find myself writing and sharing knowledge but do I always use that knowledge? There are times I actually feel fake. Not intentional at all. My intention is to be what I write about. I must admit, it doesn’t always happen.

I say I am Love. Do my actions always reflect love towards ALL beings?

I say I am Peace. Am I peaceful? Do I promote peace at work, home, in my family, and in my everyday life or do I contribute to the discord and division?

I say I am inclusive. Do I really see EVERYONE as equal?

I say I am kind. Do I practice kindness with EVERYONE I see and in every situation?

I say I believe. Do I let go of the fear and just trust?

I say I am happy and fulfilled but am I really?

There seems to be a purposeful intention in today’s news and social media environment to mislead. It has become difficult to distinguish what is really truth and what is misleading information. Are people who they say they are? A lot of mistruths have surfaced recently in the news, in politics, and on social media. Everyone seems to be looking at others instead of looking at themselves.

34 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

Am I Who I Say I Am?

By Vince Shifflett

In my writing I have more recently began to share more personal things about my life including my sexual orientation. All in an effort to be who I say I am. For most of my younger adult life and childhood life, I wasn’t who I said I was. I pretended to be something different out of fear. I pretended to be something different so I would be accepted. I pretended to be something different so I wouldn’t “go to hell” as the church taught me that being gay was an abomination and sin. I was afraid to say who I really was. It seemed more acceptable to pretend and be dishonest.

This one thing I do know. My actions never line up with my words 100% of the time. Does anyone’s?

Perhaps the best I can do is to be more mindful of what I say, in an effort to do and be just that.

I believe I have the right intentions but there are challenges along the way that I allow to veer me away from those intentions. It is then that I become something different from what I write about. It is my intention to be love. It is my intention to be peace. It is always my intention to be inclusive and kind.

When I write, I am actually writing to myself realizing that the things I write about are things I need more work on. They are things I need to be more conscious of. I am a work in progress and would never pretend to be anything else.

The mission of what I say through my writing is: To Create Change and Stimulate Self-Healing. Key word here is self. I have been incredibly blessed that it has also created change and stimulated self-healing in many of you. For that I am deeply grateful.

Writing actually increases my awareness of what I say. I will continue to try and be what I say. It is my desire to be the same person at home, at church, at work, around family, friends, and in my everyday life. I recognize that to be anything else is a bit hypocritical.

Are you who you say you are?

Are you exactly who you portray yourself to be on social media? It is not so much about the words as the action. We’ve all heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” My pastor used to say, “Some people will worship God in church and then go home and kick the cat.” Are you “praising Jesus” on Sunday morning and arguing with your family on Monday?

I will leave you with a Japanese quote.

Many people have 3 faces. The first face you show the world. The second face you show your close friends and family. The third face you never show anyone. It is the truest reflection of who you are.

Be the same person. At home. At church. At work.

Out with friends. It’s called authenticity. That’s my true deep desire and intention. I will continue to work on that in my personal life as I am a continual work in progress. Grateful to be in a new awareness.

Vince is an author, registered nurse, and blogger living in Atlanta. He routinely writes on matters affecting our physical, mental, and spiritual health as well as topics related to relationships. You can follow him on his website at vinceshifflett.com as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

| 35

DEC 2 - DEC 9

We believe in safety first, so this lineup features mainly virtual events or in-person events with limited capacity that enforce CDC guidelines.

PALS Furry 5K Virtual Run/Walk The virtual tun or walk is still ongoing, and there is still time for you to participate! Anytime until December 15, register and complete your time and take part in the PALS’ fundraiser! Divisions include a 5K run, 5K walk, 1-mile kids fun run, and 1-mile pet walk. Register at palsatlanta.org Until December 15 Online/Virtual Event Atlanta Festival of Lights A safe, drive-thru holiday lights experience. Fun for the whole family, or a great addition to your date night. Tickets ($25-$35) at bigtickets.com.

December 1 through January 18 Atlantic Station

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert The AGMC presents its 25th-anniversary holiday concert unique in its combination of beauty and artistry coupled with joy, humor, and a message of connection and inclusion.

The show will be streamed, and you can buy tickets through aftontickets.com.

December 4-6 Online Event

Holly-Gay Market The LGBQT+ and allies holiday gift market is finally here, featuring over 40 makers, artists, designers, special drag performances, naughty Santa pics, and much more. Masks and social distancing enforced.

Saturday, December 5 The Heretic

PALS Drag Queen Bingo ChristmaHannuKwanzika Edition Lots of holidays coming up, so let’s celebrate all of them!

Grab your mask, wear something festive, and get ready to have fun as Bubba D. Licious, Erica Lee, and special guests will call bingo, put on a show, and raise money for PALS. Tickets at palsatlanta.org.

Tuesday, December 8, 7:30 – 9:30 pm Lips Atlanta 36 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

14

Amsterdam Ave.

12th St. NE

NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

on

11

dm

6

18

Pi e

Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

7

9

2

10th St. NE

10

. NE

19

oe Dr

e. NE Piedmont Av

Juniper St . NE

Peachtree St. NE

3

Monr

Charle s Alle n Dr . N E

12 W. Peachtree St. NW

15

16

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

Spring St. NW

17

4th St. NE

8

13

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

BARS

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

eR

on tC ir .

NE

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

39

36

d.

Dining

26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

41

38

BARS

24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

Av

ge Rd Brid hire Ches

28 20

25 r eB

E

.

r.

.N

Rd

Dr

26 35

24

20 BJ Roosters 21 Sequel 22 Tripps

42 The Den

40

32

oe

er

36

nr

hir

31

Mo

dm

es

ll D

kn

27

33

. NE

Pi e

29

Ch

idde

ul

IX

34

x Rd

Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

22

42 L

Fa

BL

Le no

30

Lambert Dr.

PU

St.

.

A l co

1600 Piedmont Ave NE 1425 Piedmont Ave NE

Retail 39 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Fitness 41 Equilibrium Fitness

1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

NOT SHOWN

Mary's Sister Louisa’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

peach CLASSIFIEDS

Atlanta’s premier for as little as

LGBT MAGAZINE

35 per week! $

Email jeff@peachatl.com for more information.

 �� ��  �

Â

10

appropriate boundaries you can set during the pandemic With general pandemic fatigue and with the promise of vaccines on the horizon, it is evident that many are letting down their guard and are easing on their personal guidelines. Until the vaccine is readily available and distributed, we are still in the middle of a pandemic, and numbers are going up at a rapid pace – so it is okay to reinforce your own boundaries.

1. “I’m still not comfortable meeting in person. Let’s hang out virtually” 2. “As numbers are going up again, I am taking more safety precautions” 3. “Let’s get tested before we meet to make sure we are healthy” 4. “I have decided to celebrate the holidays with the people I live with” 5. “I’m still practicing social distancing”

42 | follow us @ peachatlmag

6. “I know we share a house, but I am not comfortable having visitors yet” 7. “Please stop labeling me as ‘paranoid’ or ‘unreasonable’” 8. “I know you want to visit but this is not a safe time for it” 9. “I’m sorry, but I feel it is necessary to set these boundaries for myself” 10. “Please wear a mask”

www.peachatl.com

Playmates and soul mates...

Atlanta:

678-528-2525

18+ MegaMates.com

We’re closer to Atlanta than you think!

Get the details on our website calendar.

Membership Required *Must be 21 to Enter

The River’s Edge is open and invites you to come, relax by a campfire and enjoy gay, country camping.

Enjoy 1/2 off winter rates Dec. 1 - Feb. 28

RV Sites, Cabins and Tent Sites Available!

706-213-8081 www.camptheriversedge.com

The Rivers Edge Campground, 2311 Pulliam Mill Road, Dewy Rose, GA 30634

My car is making this noise

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

What kind of noise?

So America is back on lockdown? I’m asking because I live in Atlanta, so I honestly wouldn’t have a clue Daddy Joke Alert

Although COVID spreads mostly through the mouth and nose, it is easy to conclude, that the greatest risk comes from assholes

ByJust cutting off thekind sleeves a horrible of noise! of all your t-shirts?

Have you tried to remove the Mariah Carey Christmas CD? HOW DARE YOU??!!

80% of arguments start because someone hasn’t eaten yet I may look normal, but I talk to myself and laugh afterwards

Gays grow three hairs on their chest and are like ‘getting serious Daddy vibes!’

44 | follow us @ peachatlmag

I don’t run from my demons.

I learn their names!

My preferred form of passive aggression is liking a text instead of responding to it

www.peachatl.com

letterpress Cards | flyers | posters ** Call or email for details, pricing and quote

peachmediaprinting.com 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O, Norcross, GA 30093 Phone or Fax 404-814-3014 | Email quote@peachmediaprinting.com

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) Have sympathy for those who need to vent this week. Don’t be surprised if people line up outside your door for a chance to bend your ear for an hour or two. Your mind is sharp. You will be able to see to the core of any issue brought before you.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20) You will probably want everyone to know how you feel this week. You won’t be shy about expressing your emotions. Feel free to take the lead on matters, for you have the self-confidence and emotional stability to do quite well at the helm of the ship.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21) You’re apt to be spurred into action by strong forces that don’t want you to take a break. Keep in mind that the more you resist, the more you will be pushed and pulled by outside sources. If you find yourself in a bind, take a deep breath and calm down.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) Feel free to let it all out this week. It’s finally your turn to stand up and say what you feel. Don’t let others push you into places you don’t want to be.

The key is to probe deeply with your penetrating mind and share your incredible insights with others.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22) Put your foot down. Don’t let others push you around. It could be that you’re used to letting people have their way in order to keep the peace.

The problem with this is that your dreams and goals may get lost in the shuffle. Don’t lose sight of your true destination.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) For goodness’ sake, make a decision! The more you flounder about which way to go, the likelier it is that you will miss the boat altogether. You have all the facts you need, so don’t delay any longer. Once you make up your mind, be strong and throw all your weight behind it.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22) AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) Emotionally speaking, you’re probably doing quite well. You have extra self-confidence to draw on to tackle your projects. The one difficult aspect of the day probably has to do with some sort of mental challenge that for some reason just isn’t making sense.

Mentally, you’re apt to do very well this week.

You will find that you can tackle just about any cerebral challenge that comes along. The most difficult aspect of the day will be dealing with your emotions. More than likely, you will feel a great desire for attention. You just want to be loved.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22) PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) You might be in a bit of a jam this week, when one person or situation doesn’t work well with what you’re thinking, and another doesn’t fit well with what you’re feeling. There’s a clash taking place that may be difficult to reconcile, especially if you remain stubbornly in your position.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) Normally you’re much better at tagging along or simply going with the flow of the situation. This way of doing things has proven quite effective for you in the past. Indeed, it has gotten you far.

What you have now is a different situation. The things you’ve started will do you no good until you complete them.

46 | follow us @ peachatlmag

Your heart is in the right place, so feel free to share your good mood with others. Keep things simple and straightforward. You will find that you can be much more efficient when you cut out the aspects that aren’t pertinent or absolutely necessary. Follow your heart.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21) You may find it hard to get rolling this week. It’s likely that you’re caught in a gridlock between your mind and heart. Be careful about letting this tension build. The most important thing for you is to relax. Tackle things one step at a time and finish one project before starting another.

www.peachatl.com

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.

already stressing over the upcoming holiday seahave this guy in my circle that I would describe as Iandam son; not only because the pandemic is still raging I a frenemy. We have had confrontations in the past, that presents its own set of challenges, but also and we usually don’t include each other in social because it involves seeing my boyfriend’s family – and they don’t like me! This is not something that I am being sensitive about or even making up because his dad explicitly told me in a private conversation that they don’t actually approve of him being gay. Instead, they tolerate it, so that they won’t lose him. His brother completely avoids me when we’re ‘home,’ and his mom and sister are both avoiding ‘the gay issue’ and pretend like it never happened less even exists. The worst part is that my boyfriend is completely oblivious to all of this, and he doesn’t even notice all the tension when we are all together. I have tried to voice some of these concerns, and also suggested he go by himself, but he gets very upset. So here we are at the beginning of the damn Holidays – how do I even cope with this situation?

Sincerely Be-Gone-in-Law

gatherings. So, naturally, during this pandemic, I have had absolutely no contact with him. Then, the other day, I received a text from him, and when I opened it, it was a photo of his erect penis after he just got off with the caption “more to cum.”

Moments later, I got a text saying, “damn, that wasn’t for you!” which may or may not be accurate.

What has surprised me even more than getting an explicit dick pic is that I am very turned on by it. I’ve used the photo for masturbation more times than I care to admit, and it has me thinking if there has been underlying feelings or attractions between us all this time? I haven’t responded, but I am tempted to reply that I wouldn’t mind getting more pics like that and that I’d maybe be up for even more? Please help me unpack this.

Sincerely Weird Science

Dear Be-Gone-in-Law Obviously, this family as mastering the art of avoiding and suppressing any unpleasantness when they are together – and it seems like your boyfriend is using some of the same techniques with you! How is it possible that he doesn’t notice the tensions that build or even a brother that avoids all contact with you?! And how about the mother, that effectively ignores the fact that her son is gay? He has got to feel that! To be perfectly honest, your boyfriend comes off as very self-consumed since he can bring you into this situation, where you are completely left out, while he is doted on as the prodigal son. But since confronting him doesn’t work, it’s no use telling him that you are not comfortable with the situation – you need to tell him just how appallingly you are being treated behind his back. He will probably get very upset and even defend his family, but it will give you a chance to really make the argument as to why you shouldn’t be there unless things change dramatically. If he continues to defend his family’s damaged dynamics, you will also get the necessary knowledge to change your own relationship dynamics from in a relationship to single. Plus, this holiday season, you have the perfect excuse to stay the f*ck away from them: Tell your boyfriend that you are not comfortable with getting together in person and that as the number of COVID cases rise, you want to take more safety precautions. Happy Holidays!

Dear Weird Science It’s exceptional to experience a new turn-on, and it is obvious that your rivalry or whatever it was is based somewhat on sexual tension – at least on your part.

It would be totally okay to reply to the text, and you have a pretty good blueprint for that already. A word of caution, though: You share a group of friends, and you could potentially share more, it seems. So think about what you risk in engaging in something sexual – especially with your history of conflict!

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