Peach Magazine v5-01 - New Year, Your Way

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jan 13, 2021 v5-01

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

MANAGING PARTNER Brian Sawyer brian@peachatl.com

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8

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

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

PAGE 16 PAGE 22

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SALES | DISTRIBUTION Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

FROM THE EDiTOR

With the political chaos of the recent days, weeks, months, and years, it is impossible to oversee the importance of a federal holiday like MLK Day in the light of the current political and social climate. As a civil rights hero, Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and accomplishments pose a meaningful counterbalance to what we have seen play out on the national political stage, even from the highest office.

One thing I am looking forward to with the inauguration of the Biden/Harris administration is a much less divisive narrative.

Hopefully, we will experience just a little bit of healing in the aftermath of Trumpism at its most dangerous. Let Dr. King serve as an example of a more respectful, intellectual, and mature environment in our city, state, country, and world.

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Vince Shifflett Magnus Hastings

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media | 908.232.2021

COVER Photography by Magnus Hastings Hunter Wade Creenshaw, Grant Vanderbilt, Mark Monroe, Caleb Feeney: The House of Avalon

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.

a Shot for a better future

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

With the rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine, healthcare workers on the pandemic frontlines belong to the prioritized group to receive the vaccine. Peach spoke to ICU nurse Dorian Kerschner, who has worked directly with COVID-19 patients since the beginning of the pandemic, and who was the first to receive the vaccine, about his frontline experience and how it feels to get the vaccine.

The pandemic has turned life upside down for just about all of us – what was life for you pre-pandemic?

I’ve lived in Atlanta for a little over two years now after moving here from Rome, GA, where I lived for a portion of my life. Pre-pandemic, I was a club-goer, attended the local drag shows, and even volunteered at some of the local LGBTQ+ events.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, you have worked on the frontlines as a healthcare worker – tell us about what your function has been.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve worked directly with and cared for COVID-19 patients in the ICU setting for Emory University Hospital. My unit has been the designated COVID-19 unit since the first positive patient was noted in GA.

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What has your first-hand experience of the pandemic been like?

My first-hand experience has been hell, to be frank. I, like many other people, thought this was just some crazy version of the flu at first, but it became painfully clear this was way more serious than we were ever led to believe through what I witnessed over the next coming months. I’ve easily lost more patients in the last ten months than I have in the last ten years of being in the clinical setting. The virus has been non-discriminatory to age as well. I’m 30 years old, so seeing patients in their mid-20s pass away has not only reminded me of my own mortality but will haunt me for the rest of my life.

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You have shared your experience working on the frontline of the pandemic online – what has been the most challenging aspect of it all?

The hardest aspect of everything through the pandemic is seeing the general public, including people I was once close to and respected, continue to carry on with their lives as if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic. Seeing people I know continue to travel and party while disregarding mask-wearing has not only been the biggest slap in my face because of what I do but has honestly shaken my faith in humanity. I cannot simply wrap my head around how someone can put the life or another at risk for the sake of selfishness and self-satisfaction. I, myself, took some calculated risks in the beginning with a handful of friends. At the time, my closest friends were either working from home or already being laid off, so it seemed safe that we could just continue seeing each other in a private setting without risking exposure to the virus, but unfortunately, they started deviating from that plan by going back to the party scene or by seeing other people, and it was no longer safe to see them anymore.

You were also one of the first healthcare workers to receive the new vaccine.

First off, what is it like getting the shot?

that if you are not willing to take getting the vaccine under serious consideration, you need to be ready to face the fact that the pandemic will just continue on as it has, claiming even more lives along the way, closing down even more businesses, destroying mental health, and devastating the lives of us all. There are enough people in the public, both the straight and gay communities, that are directly working against the end of the pandemic with their actions that are ensuring it will simply not go away on its own.

What are some of the most important things you have learned this past year? And how are you utilizing them going forward?

Some things I’ve learned along the way is that quality over quantity will always have more merit when it comes to the people in your life. There are about six people in my life currently, my partner especially, that have helped me navigate this last year. My best friend is someone that I met in the club scene originally but only became as close as we are now during this mess. Even when I wanted to give up, they helped me stay strong and carry on. I’ve learned that I cannot lose sight of myself because of the things I see in the world. My passion is caring for others, and I never want to lose sight of the warmth and love I’ve always held for people.

Professionally, my experiences over this last year have inspired me to pursue another field in my nursing career, and I am now going to be a Senior Infection Control Coordinator for Emory University Hospital. It will be my responsibility to learn even more about infectious diseases, how they originate and transmit, and how to prevent their spreading in the clinical setting.

I was, in fact, the first to receive the first of Pfizer’s vaccinations on my unit. After discussing my experience with my co-workers, they started signing up to receive it as well, one by one. I got my first vaccination on December 17th, and the only thing With the vaccine underway, what is I had was a little soreness at the injection site for the best advice you can give to people about fighting and living with the threat about a day afterward. of COVID-19?

At this point, you have gotten both doses of the vaccine. When will you have I know it’s been difficult, and I know that you’re acquired the necessary antibodies from tired, but we’re almost through this. Stay vigilant.

Stay strong. Don’t allow the choices of others to the vaccine? change who you are. Hold your friends and family I received the second and final dose of the accountable. The necessary behavior is obvious to vaccination on January 4th, and I should have the us all. Anything else is unacceptable. It will take necessary antibodies for about 95% immunity in time to heal once this is all over, and you’re entitled for that to take as long as it needs. about three weeks from the last dose.

What would you like people to know about getting the vaccine – especially those who are hesitant about getting it?

Getting the vaccine has made me even more vocal about encouraging others to do the same. At the time of writing this, I still have no symptoms other than some soreness at the injection site again. My professional opinion is that vaccination is the only way we will get ahold of the pandemic and get back to any semblance of a normal life.

If this past year has shown me anything, it’s that science has been greatly ignored, and the virus was somehow made political. I’m telling you now

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Revolution Outside the Box What happens when one photographer takes an empty white box and asks his subjects to present themselves the way they want to be seen? It may start a revolution…

Magnus Hastings’ new coffee-table book, Rainbow Revolution is a collection of vibrant portraits that celebrate the expanding spectrum of queer identity and visibility. Inspired by the photographer’s social media campaign #GayFace — a project that quickly became a viral sensation for featuring an array of people representing all of the different colors of the LGBTQ community — Rainbow Revolution is packed with more than 300 photographs of everyday individuals and celebrities like Kathy Griffin, Boy George, Luke Evans, and fan favorites from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Accompanying Hastings’ gorgeous 12 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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photos are powerful essays from some of the subjects, detailing their own personal battles in stories that are marked with sincerity and oftentimes, humor. “The essays elevate the book for me and give it a purpose beyond the social media recognition the images have gained,” says Hastings.

Magnus Hastings’ passion to depict the queer community in all its technicolor gloriousness runs deep, and it shows in earnest from cover to cover.

“The inspiration for Rainbow Revolution came from watching the world moving to a dark and right winged place,” says Hastings. “I wanted to create a project that was highly visible and unapologetically queer, and one that shouted with pride, defiance, humor, and joy because, after all, if the LGBTQ | 13

community is good at anything, it is laughing in the face of adversity.�

The project began in the winter of 2018 when Hastings built a box in his parking garage, a 3-D blank canvas, and enlisted RuPaul’s Drag Race star Alaska Thunderfuck as his test subject.

The idea was to allow Alaska to transform the space in any way she chose, so that the image represented how she wanted to be seen. Alaska nailed up some blue fabric, threw together some shapes, struck a pose and in that instant, magic was born.

Over the next two years, with his camera in tow, Hastings traveled between Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and London, building more white boxes and snapping hundreds of mini theatrical pieces that provided hundreds more subjects of varying gender and sexual 14 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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identities a platform from which to tell their unique stories.

Upon shooting close to 1000 boxes, Magnus felt ready to compile some of the best for his second book: Rainbow Revolution.

The end result is funny, personal, political, racy and magical; a beautifully diverse celebration of queer identity and community.

Inside the pages are fashion designers, medical doctors, nightlife personalities, sports teams, finance executives, sex workers and more.

Magnus Hastings’ “Rainbow Revolution” is available everywhere books are sold via Chronicle Books. A portion of print sales from Rainbow Revolution will go to Magnus Hastings’ chosen charities: True Colors United in the USA and the Albert Kennedy Trust in the UK. Digital galleries can be viewed and prints can be purchased at magnushastings.com

| 15

A Threesome Remedy For Our Times

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: Netflix

File this under 2020’s “Content We Lived” category: Social Distance, Netflix’s anthology series completely conceived, cast and shot in quarantine. Tucked into the show’s eight episodes is “Zero Feet Away,” which follows a gay couple suffering from cabin fever who give a threesome a shot after they’ve had enough of each other.

“Zero Feet Away” stars Max Jenkins, who has a part on Dead to Me as Christina Applegate’s gay realestate partner; Brian Jordan Alvarez, who portrays Jack’s husband, Estefan, on Will & Grace, and Mozart in the Jungle star Peter Vack. In October, they talked about their longtime friendship, filming during a pandemic and Funfetti.

Alvarez: They were really generous, which always helps me in letting us improv. We also had a lot of freedom to just say the line slightly differently or improv. It was just cool to have that freedom.

Max, did you improv the line “zhuzh my crack”?

Did you guys know each other beforehand? Had you crossed paths?

Brian Jordan Alvarez: Very much so.

Peter Vack: Max and I’s friendship goes back to childhood. We went to performing arts summer camp together, and then Brian and I met and became basically best friends our freshman year of college.

Alvarez: When he met me, he told me, “You should meet my friend Max, you would like him,” and it turned out to be true. We’ve all become friends now.

Vack: I just want to underscore that these two are two of the people I love most in the world as friends. So often the job with acting is to become very close and intimate with people immediately; with this, it really felt like a party from moment one. It really was like a summer camp vibe. I think that is in part due to the fact that they allowed friends and, in fact, sought out friends to do this or people that had these deep, decades-long connections.

Was the script set?

Alvarez: It was set, we had nothing to do with it. It was a totally wonderfully written piece that was just given to us. They were great about – sorry, am I bulldozing?

Max Jenkins: Shut up. Just talk. I love hearing you talk.

Jenkins: I can’t believe they used that! You know, that was the moment that we really hit on something beautiful. I thought it was “zhuzh my taint.”

Alvarez: That might’ve been a different take.

Jenkins: Yeah. The director’s cut has “zhuzh my taint,” I believe. (Everyone laughs.)

Peter, when you come over with a mask on in the episode, that’s now the reality for dating and hooking up. Did that speak to you on a personal level as much as it spoke to me?

Vack: Oh, totally. I have been both single and partnered in this experience and, yeah, it totally felt like… it’s hard to even articulate. There’s new rules now, I guess. And I am something of a hypochondriac, so that was very easy to tap into.

Jenkins: For me, I tend to be single. (Laughs.)

I haven’t really attacked it consciously, like this new challenge of dating. It’s been more (like) if I’m truly obsessed with the idea of this person, I might hang out with them. There are so many more gates for my psyche to go through (laughs),

and my psyche does not tend to clear those gates; unresponsive audience. But in our case we were therefore, there are few prospects. making ourselves laugh, so we didn’t give a fuck about anything but what each other was saying So no virtual pandemic dating for you? about it.

Vack: It just felt like effortless fun. And I agree: Jenkins: Well, I have been doing quite a bit The fact that it was just us there, it was giddy. It of that, but it tends to be boring. There’s not so was just pure pleasure, top to bottom. much going on in people’s lives, there’s not so much to catch each other up on. I find it just How long did it take to shoot? not… it’s a facsimile of getting to know someone.

It’s like we’re all doing performances of being Jenkins: A week. We had a week of isolating in chill and being our normal selves. That’s just my the hotel prior to shooting. experience.

Alvarez: Yeah, I was doing a lot more FaceTiming Did you use that time in the hotel to than ever. rehearse, or just screw around?

Jenkins: I can’t get down. I just (don’t) feel like I’m really getting to know someone.

Jenkins: We weren’t allowed to see each other.

Alvarez: I guess I haven’t done any real formal Vack: We’d be, like, on the balcony, far apart. dates, but I have Jenkins: With our FaceTimed with masks. people, you know, in maybe a more I thought that romantic way. they would’ve (Laughs.)

And made you a pod yeah, it’s definitely and put you all not as good as in a hotel room the real thing. together.

(Laughs.) But yeah, I think after the Jenkins: We lonesomeness set agreed that the in after a while, pod thing could’ve FaceTime was worked, but they really able to quell were determined to that in a way that divide and conquer just staring at my us any possible wall could not. way. It was like Jenkins: At first every precaution I felt so sorry for you could think myself. And I was of. There was no like, “My friends precaution too sillywho are partnered seeming. (Laughs.) don’t understand We had to gargle and they need to mouthwash before be checking in on every kiss. me more!” Then I started to feel even Is there worse for them than for myself, which I guess is anything about the episode you’d like what our episode is sort of about, a little bit: the to spotlight that happened behind the challenge of that. Because I started to see them scenes? jumping out of their skins. (Laughs.) I started to see my partnered friends freaking the fuck out.

Alvarez: We had like 30 jars of Funfetti.

Alvarez: I prefer the solitude to being bottled up (Everyone laughs.) Because in filmmaking if with one other person. you’re going to do a lot of takes, you also have to Jenkins: Yeah. I’m already traumatized that I have options. have to share my space with…. him. (He pans the Jenkins: And on the first take I was just camera to his dog, Rock.) eating heaping spoonfuls and my body started to shut down pretty quickly. I mean, talk about Since you had a rapport, I imagine the coronavirus. threesome, when you actually get down to it, was very giggle-worthy. I was in This interview has been condensed and edited for stitches watching you guys. Was it even clarity. more hysterical actually doing it?

See the full video interview on peachatl.com.

Jenkins: It was so normal, so oddly second nature.

Vack: Yeah.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service, Chris Alvarez: It felt a lot like doing a play in the best Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including ways. Because it’s very physical comedy, almost Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has farcical. also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Jenkins: It’s true. Typically the crew is not Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi. laughing at you, so you have this kind of

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I am a

Sex Addict

By Vince Shifflett

According to Psychology Today, an addict is someone who engages in the use of a substance or behavior repeatedly. They exhibit out of control and compulsive involvement despite the negative consequences. I am a sex addict and have been for most of my life.

I have never actually admitted it, so this is very challenging for me to talk about. I have always been afraid of judgment by others, so I kept it quiet. Today I speak out about my addiction. IMedicalNewsToday.com reports that 12-30 million people in the United States experience sexual addiction. Hopefully, by sharing my story, it will help someone who may be suffering from sexual addiction as well.

would be here if it weren’t for sex. Like anything else, however, it can become an addiction. There are multiple sex apps, spas, sex shops, sex video booths, a stroll in the park, Starbucks, gyms, and many other avenues to connect and have sex. Hooking up to have sex is as easy as swiping to the right on your smart device.

Where does sexual addiction come from? The real cause in the literature is unclear. We do know that sex causes a release of a chemical in the brain known as dopamine. Dopamine is also known as the feel-good chemical. Addiction, in general, can be used as a substitute for any and everything. For me, it feels like being hooked on a drug that’s always There are many addiction types such as ad- available in unlimited supply. dictive, compulsive shopping, eating, alcohol use, using drugs, gossiping, TV, and the list Compulsive masturbation, persistent use of goes on. You can become addicted to any- pornography, failure to resist sexual impulsthing. Again, it is compulsive engagement in es, cybersex, voyeurism, and lewd sex acts rewarding stimuli. An addict will risk every- are some of the classic symptoms of sexual thing they have, including their life, to sup- addiction. It is a highly dangerous and deport, finance, and participate in their addic- structive condition. Like alcohol and drug tion. Looking back, I have risked all of those use, it affects mental health, physical health, things for my addiction to sex. and personal relationships. It has certainly affected my personal relationships. The In this article, I will talk about my sexual ad- infidelity, hiding, secrets, and the sneaking diction and how I have worked to get control around all led to painful break-ups and an of it. I must admit, it takes constant aware- unhealthy mind. ness and work for me to stay more centered and not allow my sexual addiction to control Is having a high sex drive pathologic? What me. defines high sex drive versus sexual addiction. After all, isn’t that most guys default We are sexual beings, and we should em- setting since we always seem to be thinking brace that part of us. After all, none of us about getting busy.

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Growing up gay in a small rural town in Virginia led to feelings of isolation and disconnection. I carried those feelings into my adult life and temporarily resolved those feelings by acting out sexually. It felt good to be held, loved, and to experience the awesomeness of sex with another human. It led to compulsive behavior and became a craving of sorts.

I have discovered that, for me, sex was a form of acceptance. Having battled with depression, it was also a form of connection. It was that instant feel good and feeling of being wanted. It was a substitute for love.

love and intimacy. I certainly have not found that in the bathhouse, sex shop, or online apps.

The more I love myself, the less I need sex to fill a void and make me feel wanted.

So, what do you do if you feel you’re out of control with sex?

There are treatment centers and self-help groups in pretty much every city. There is Sex Addicts Anonymous and Sexaholics Anonymous that follow the same 12-step program as Alcoholics Anonymous. Then, of course, there is also meditation, energy healing, counseling, and prayer. For me, a combination of all of these has helped increase my awareness and, more importantly, my acceptance of the addiction.

I have since come to realize that sex only brought me very temporary relief from my loneliness and feeling of being disconnected.

A few minutes of pleasure was just that—a few minutes of pleasure. Afterward, I was right back to feeling alone and disconnected until my next sexual encounter.

Free yourself from addiction in an effort to live a healthier life physically, spiritually, and I’ve lost many friends due to their addiction mentally. to sex. Yes, like any other addiction, it can cause death. At age 57, I am finally taking In love, a look at some of the deeper things in my Vince life, asking the hard questions, and coming face-to-face with my reality. I am also at a place where I no longer beat myself up for my addiction. Instead, I am making more of an attempt to understand it and work to take Vince is a Critical Care Registered Nurse, Author, and control of it. It starts with understanding. Speaker. You can follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Understanding where it came from—under- Instagram as well as on his website at www.vinceshifstanding why I feel the need to be compul- flett.com sive with sex. And, most of all, understanding that I am worthy of more. I am worthy of real | 23

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Dorian is originally from Virginia, and for the past two years, he lives in Atlanta with his partner, Jared, and their Shiba Inu pup, Amaru. The way his mother cared selflessly for others inspired Dorian to pursue a career as a nurse, and he intends to obtain a Master’s degree and become a Nurse Practitioner in the coming years. Dorian was also the first Emory ICU nurse to receive the COVID vaccine (read his Q&A on page 8-10). He characterizes himself as a horror movie fanatic, an old-school gamer, and a nerd – and he is ready to break into song at any time as if he was in a musical!

@dk_mrgrey

DORiAN KERSCHNER

jan 13 - 20

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

Please keep yourself updated on an event’s status as it may change last-minute.

Glitz & Glam Lips has revamped their shows and have rearranged the dining room so that you can experience the best in drag dining safely and without ruining the fun! Join Monica van Pelt and her cast of glamour queens as they throw a little glitz on your Friday night.

Friday, January 15, 6 & 9 pm Lips Atlanta King Center Holiday Events Join the renowned King Senter for a weekend and holiday of online events that all commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy.

January 14-18 thekingcenter.org

MLK Day of Service Did you know that MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service? You can find a volunteer opportunity by going to nationalservice.gov and entering your zip code for a project near you.

Monday, January 18 nationalservice.gov

Presifential Inauguration After the political turmoil, it’ll be a relief to experience Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th president of the United States and the commencement of the four-year term of Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president.

Wednesday, January 20, 11 am

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MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

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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

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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

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30 Gravitee Fitness

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28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

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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

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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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10

unforgettable truths that 2020 taught us

2020 is behind us, and what a year of ups and downs it was!

Looking back, there were many lessons to be learned – here are some of the things we learned, that can help us build a better tomorrow.

1. Grow without rushing

6. Forget about perfection

2. Accept if you need help from others – and accept the help

7. Learn and double down on what you are good at

3. Embrace ups and downs

8. Stay connected to those that lift you up

4. Letting go is a longterm project 5. Take time making big decisions

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9. Embrace flexibility 10. Stay focused and say no to what you don’t want

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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

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

Are you ready to meet up?

Yas, kween!

My goal in 2021 is to accomplish goals I set in 2020, which I should have done in 2019, because I made a promise in 2018, which I planned in 2017

I’m officially leaving social media. I spend way too much time on here. Take care everyone. I’ll be back in 5 minutes

By cutting off the sleeves See you there in 30? of all your t-shirts?

Yas, Mama. Werk!

You have been watching Drag Race reruns, right?

Yes, how can you tell?

Does anyone find it troubling that the name of the this year is literally pronounced “2020 won”?

Sure, your opinion matters.

Just not to me.

Daddy Joke Alert Remember, it’s not premarital sex if you never get married!

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Damn, y’all are coming for Wonder Woman like if she had gone to PV too

Nobody claim 2021 as “your year.” We’re all going to walk on real slow. Be good. Be quiet.

Don’t. Touch. Anything.

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GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20) The weight of the world will have your moods fiery today, and the slightest spark could make them go kaboom. But setting off fireworks also puts you at the center of attention, never good when you’re in the middle of a hissy fit. That’s a display no one will be cheering, so put a lid on the drama.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22) Opening your big yapper could land you in a hot water. So formulate sentences in your head and analyze them before delivery. It may take you longer to say things, but that will be best for everyone for the time being, yourself included.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) You know it’s the right thing to do at the moment, so postpone any social engagements you may have planned for now. A rough time at work will dampen your enthusiasm for being outgoing and bon vivant. No one wants to be around a sullen recluse who speaks in grunts anyway. So delay going out until later in the year when it’s safe, and you’ll feel the love.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

Be your own man today, and don’t let anyone shape your opinions. Stick to your guns, as people will be persuasive. You have your own clear vision through all of the misinformation and scare tactics, and in time, people will recognize that you had it right all along.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

The new year seems to have given you new insight, and you may discover a dirty little secret about someone you don’t like today. Spreading this news discreetly through the general population will give you the upper hand in your tenuous relationship with this person. But take the high road and keep it to yourself, no matter how tempting it may be.

New year, new opportunities. Be willing to do what’s necessary to climb that ladder. That may mean being cruel and bitchy, although people may not notice a difference. Be hard-boiled, but don’t surrender to the dark side. Resorting to dirty tricks and subversive actions is too low to stoop in the name of ambition.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

The beginning of the has you feeling lost in a haze today. That’s no good place to be as the year swings into high gear after the holiday break. Better drink plenty of coffee to get you up to speed. But even that may not help, so you had best learn to fake it and hope no one notices.

With everything going on right now, gathering heat in your head may be causing storm clouds to hover above. Your irritability will be intimidating to people, and the constant lightning strikes to your head will eventually need some moisturizing.

Best lighten up before the rains start and breathe your way through the anger to see the brighter sides emerging.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

Your enthusiasm for a new year will last only as long as your morning caffeine buzz. Better do something to get your energy levels up. Regular workout could be the fix. Exercising will have you sweating bullets, but avoid the gym for now, as other gymgoers may be getting on your last nerve and kill your motivation entirely.

Months in isolation and the holiday indulgences have your clothes perhaps feeling a little tight this past weekend? Maybe you are feeling less than sexy. Get your bruised ego back on track with home workouts for some retooling. Be consistent and eat sensibly and your return to splendor and a smaller waist should only take a couple of weeks.

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

The frenetic pace of hyper people in your inner circle won’t be to your liking at the moment.

You’ll prefer a slow ramp-up to a getting the year off to a good start. So let them zoom right by you.

They’ll crash by mid-month while you plod right past them, getting things done.

Leaving toxic energy behind in 2020 has you projecting a masculine energy that will have all eyes on you. You may not even be aware of the effect you’ll have on guys, as you turn heads wherever you go. But stay humble and slightly naive today. A slight hint of innocence will drive them even crazier!

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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.

My boyfriend and I have a good sex life, mostly active on weekends where we have sex 4-5 times. One issue is bothering both of us, and that is that our genitals become quite smelly after sex. It’s no issue during the week, where we can just jump in the shower, but on weekends we love to go camping, and we don’t have the same access to shower and running water. We have tried wipes and mild rinses, but the smell emerges after a while anyway. We are both healthy, so what can the reason be?

Sincerely Swamp Things

I have been lucky to find love and develop this beautiful relationship during the pandemic. Although COVID has disrupted so many things, it has given us the chance to connect on some profound levels and really find each other, you know? However, there is one thing that is starting to get to me, and that is his past. It seems that no matter what, he has already done it with past boyfriends or sex partners. I can’t help but think that I just don’t measure up to the wild and crazy life he had before me. Don’t get me wrong, we have great sex, and our connection is real, but this is nagging at me; I can’t help but think that I am just not good enough. I haven’t told him about my feelings yet, and I want to try to move past this without ever letting him know that I am a little self-conscious.

Sincerely All the Lovers

Dear Swamp Things You say you are healthy, which I translate to a clean bill of health, but have you considered you may have a yeast infection? Yes, men too can be afflicted with this, and a side effect can be smell. The same goes for STDs and UTIs, so maybe it would be a good idea to see your doctor and get a full screen just to be on the safe side for both your sakes.

Some of these can linger undetected for a long time causing mild to severe effects. Treatments could be as simple as an ointment, so make that appointment now! You can also consider if you need to change your diet or start taking probiotics that could help any imbalance. As for the camping goes, maybe you should take a break or seek out campgrounds where fresh water and showers are readily available for now until you know what causes the smelliness.

There are many other ways to pitch a tent …

Dear All the Lovers It is truly wonderful that you have been able to take this tragedy of the pandemic and utilize it to build a deep and beautiful connection with your partner. When you fall in love, one of the perks and part of the appeal is that you kind of start fresh with a new person. It’s a tremendous and passionate part of the relationship where you feel like you’re alone in the world – and I am sure that feeling has been reinforced even more with quarantine restrictions!

But at some point, reality starts to set in, and sometimes that can be a challenge. It seems like you are pretty open with each other, which has led him (and you?) to disclose details of past relationships. As long as it is not used as a weapon, this can be a really great thing, even deepening the connection between two people or being the catalyst for even greater shared moments - except when it makes someone feel inadequate like you are feeling now. The thing is, there is no allocation of happiness, so even though your boyfriend was happy before you, that doesn’t impede on your present happiness. In fact, past experiences are probably the reason why he is with you now. Take a second to wrap your head around that: He chose you. Keep the honesty and openness in your relationship and share with him how you feel about this. He loves you, and he will understand why this is bothering you, and if he’s a superstar, he will even give you the reassurance that you are subconsciously looking for.

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