August 6, 2020 July 23, July 16, 2020
Q Shots Our Favorite Portraits, Part 1: Masc
Tips & Tricks For Self-Care Losing Weight With Two Fat, One Trying 10 ATL Influencers Crushing Instagram
Oh,SNAP
WE ARE READY FOR OUR CLOSE-UPS. The portraiture of three prolific Q contributors takes center stage for an encore in this week’s Q ATLus. The Q community photo essays have always been one of the most popular regular features on our pages. Year in and year out, the most memorable of those are by photographers Jon Dean, James L. Hicks and Russ Bowen-Youngblood. To celebrate their sheer volume of amazing work, we gathered two groups of portraits by the three shutterbugs for a summer mini-series on their work. First up, cover guy Josh is joined by other locals serving “masc” for the masses. Next week shines a spotlight on femme cameos. More stud energy shines in this issue as well. Q People offers a teaser for the resurrection of Podcast Q. The audio show’s return features an interview with Pose actor Dyllón Burnside. 10 Q Things meets local influencers crushing it on Instagram. And since you are you and Q is Q, we offer the week’s best online and in-person Q Events and the Q Map of Atlanta establishments. We wrap with your weekly dose of Q Advice, this time on marriage battles you can win and those you shouldn’t even try. Find fresh content online every day at theQatl.com, reach out to our staff in the box below, and send your coverage suggestions to our editor at mike@theQatl.com.
RICHARD CHERSKOV PUBLISHER & SALES RICHARD@THEQATL.COM 404-917-9678 JOHN NAIL ART DIRECTOR JOHN@THEQATL.COM
MIKE FLEMING EDITOR MIKE@THEQATL.COM RIVENDELL MEDIA NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 theQatl.com 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2 5
AUGUST 6, 2020
FOLLOW ME
10 LGBTQ Instagram Influencers
13 COVER
8
Picture This
Q Community Portraits: Part 1
24
PEOPLE
Strike a ‘Pose’ TV star breaks ‘Silence’ in Atlanta
11 10 Q Things........................ 8
Q EVENTS
Q People........................... 11 Q Events........................... 24 Q Map.............................. 26 Q Advice........................... 30 6 theQatl.com
30
To Do List
Virtual and In-Person Gatherings
10 Q THINGS Maura Ryan @femme_fancy
I Will
Kia Comedy (Kia Barnes) @kiacomedy
FOLLOW
10 Queer Atlanta influencers By Mike Fleming crushing it on Instagram HRO @hrotime
Jesse Pratt Lรณpez @jprattlopez.photos 8 theQatl.com
Eric Maxwell @ericpop27
Frankie Edwards @everyheadismycanvas Mo’Dest Volgare @modestvolgare
Southern Fried Queer Pride @sfqp Johnnie Ray Kornegay III @jayrayisthename
Cameron Lee @cameronleeart theQatl.com 9
Good
PEOPLE
FIGHT
‘Pose’ actor Dyllón Burnside rides out corona in Atlanta By Matt Hennie
YOU PROBABLY KNOW DYLLÓN BURNSIDE AS RICKY on the hit FX show Pose. But did you know he got his start in a boy band and spends his coronavirus summer in metro Atlanta fighting for racial justice? Burnside relocated to Conyers as the coronavirus pandemic unfolded. That’s where his mom lives, and the South is where the actor and singer spent much of his youth. With production of Pose Season 3 on hiatus thanks to the pandemic, Burnside makes the most of his time in Atlanta with his mom. He dropped his debut single “Silence” earlier this month, and the sexy video for it was shot at his mom’s house. She even handled most of the videography and has played a big role in Burnside’s whole career, starting with managing the boy band “3D” when he was 12. On Podcast Q, we went deep on those topics, and Burnside expanded on his message of racial justice and equality for black queer people in Atlanta and his work with the People’s Uprising Task Force. Burnside also discussed the responsibility of portraying a black HIV-positive queer character on Pose and that steamy sex scene with Billy Porter — a first for both of them. “It was really great to be able to be a part of this storyline where we dive into the lives of HIV-positive black men and it not just be about pain and hurt and be shrouded in deception,” he said. Listen to Podcast Q and watch the “Silence” video at theQatl.com.
PHOTO COURTESY GREG VAUGHAN
theQatl.com 11
Community means everything. Cleo Meyer, Agent 1776 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309 Bus: 404-817-0960 cleo@cleomeyer.com
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12 theQatl.com
BDE
COVER
Swinging masc energy in Q’s lifetime portrait gallery By Mike Fleming
COLLABORATION IS part and parcel of the Q family of publications’ success and mission. The people we count on are uncountable, and there are a few without whom we simply could not exist.
King Perkasex By Russ Bowen-Youngblood Q&A, 2019
theQatl.com 13
PORTRAITS continued
Those who help us tell the visual stories of LGBTQ Atlanta through photography are among the contributors most critical to our brands. From covers to photo essays, one-off interviews to feature spreads, portraits by Jon Dean, James L. Hicks and Russ Bowen-Youngblood bring our pages to life almost every week. In this week’s first in a two-part series as we hurtle toward our 12th anniversary, we look back at just a few of their stunning contributions. First up, gays, kings and club kids serving masculine vibes.
Paul Solaris Painter Roberto Hernandez By James L. Hicks ‘Living Art’ feature, 2018 14 theQatl.com
Eric Ramirez By Jon Dean ‘Queer Ink,’ 2018 theQatl.com 15
PORTRAITS continued
Johnny Addison By James L. Hicks ‘Mugshott Cheryl,’ 2019
18 theQatl.com
PORTRAITS continued
Jeremy Ryan Allen Armour Body By Russ Bowen-Youngblood ‘Work It,’ 2020
20 theQatl.com
Jordan Hunter Queer Circus Jam By Jon Dean ‘Flying High,’ 2018 theQatl.com 21
PORTRAITS continued
Joe Gallagher By James L. Hicks ‘Fantastic Beasts,’ 2019 22 theQatl.com
When
PERFORMANCE counts,
CALL ME.
678-982-7022 kylestevens@atlantafinehomes.com kstevensrealestate.com @kylestevens_realtor
theQatl.com 23
Q Events SATURDAY, AUG. 8 Madonna Dance Party Celebrate the Queen of Pop’s 62nd birthday with shirtless gay fans @ Heretic, 10 p.m. Get there early for the first Armorettes show in forever, 8 p.m. hereticatlanta.com
The Best LGBTQ Things to Do in Atlanta This Week ALL MONTH Elena Undone is the true lesbian love story that you don’t want to miss. You can also catch the hilarious movie Gayby and trans child’s tale Just Charlie. All three run on Hulu through the end of August. Also this month, Jason Stuart and Mitch Hara’s quirky dysfunctional couple comedy Smothered (photo) lands on Amazon Prime.
FRIDAY, AUG. .7 Queer Bait Mary’s is back with limited, ticketed shifts and keeps its online party running for those at home @ twitch.tv/marysatlanta, 9 p.m. First shift is Happy Hour, 6 p.m. marysatlanta.com 24 theQatl.com
SATURDAY, AUG. 8 Eagle Nights The leather and Levi’s you miss have missed you too. City regs and socially responsible partying goes seven nights a week @ Atlanta Eagle, 8 p.m. atlantaeagle.com
TUESDAY, AUG. 11
PALS Drag Queen Bingo The classic returns for its first in-person event in five months. A disco theme gives you the sweetest hangover @ Lips, 7:30 p.m. palsatlanta.org Molly Wizenberg The award-winning author and blogger discusses The Fixed Stars in online conversation with Charis @ Crowdcast, 7:30 p.m. charisbooksandmore.com
PALS supports people in Atlanta who are elderly or who are living with or disabled due to a critical illness. We provide pet food and basic veterinary care for the pets of our clients, which enables them to keep their pets. You can support PALS by:
• Attending our monthly Drag •
• •
Queen Bingo fundraisers. Making PALS the beneficiary. of your Amazon Smile, Kroger Plus or Chewy.com accounts. Making a donation online. To learn more about PALS or to donate visit:
www.palsatlanta.org
on tA ve .N E dm Pi e
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10
11th St. NE
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10th St. NE
Amsterdam Ave.
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14th St. NE
12th St. NE
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Q Atlus Map
11 6
Virginia Ave. NE
2 9th St. NE
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Key
Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Bars
Restaurants North Ave. NW
North Ave. NW
Clubs Retail/Services
Not Shown
1. Amsterdam Cafe 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE
8. Flex 76 4th St NW
2. Blakes on the Park 227 10th St. NE
9. Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE
Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE
10. Joe’s on Juniper Ralph McGill Blvd. NE 1049 Juniper St NE
Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE
4. Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 5. My Sister’s Room 84 12th St
11. Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE Highland Ave. NE
6. X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave. NE
12. Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Eagle)
7. Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
13. Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
26 theQatl.com
Future (Opens July 3) 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180 Glen Iris Dr. NE
3. Bulldogs Bar 893 Peachtree St NE
4
The T 465 Boulevard SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW Lips Drag Show Palace 3011 Buford Highway NE Lost ’n Found Youth Thift Store 2585 Chantilly Dr NE
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
St. Charles Ave.
Ponce De Leon Pl. NE
r. NE roe D Mon
Charles Allen Dr. NE
NE
NE
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Ave.
Spring St. NW
8
3 Juniper St. NE
85
Peachtree St.
75
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8th St. NE
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Bars Restaurants Clubs Retail/Services
Cheshire Bridge Road 5. The Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
9. Gravity Fitness 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
2. Tripp’s Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle NE
6. Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
10. Southern Nights 2205 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
3. Woof’s Sports Bar 494 Plasters Ave NE
7. Roxx Tavern 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
11. Tokyo Valentino (Cheshire Bridge) 1739 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
4. BJ Rooster’s 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
8. 2Qute Hair Salon 1927 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
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4. Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
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5. Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 6. Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
D Monroe
Piedmont Park
1. Felix’s on the Square 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
3. Midtown Moon 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
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Ansley Park 2. The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE
E
4
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2 1
Morningside Dr. NE
mon t
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1. Sequel Bar 1086 Alco St. NE
Key
Bars Restaurants Clubs Retail/Services
7. Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 8. Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave NE
theQatl.com 27
Q Atlus Map Directory The businesses on the preceding pages are integral parts of Atlanta’s LGBTQ landscape. Those listed in boxes are consistent Q partners and community allies. BARS, CLUBS & RESTAURANTS Amsterdam Cafe 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE Atlanta Eagle 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE BJ Roosters 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Blakes on the Park 227 10th St. NE Bulldogs Bar 893 Peachtree St NE Felix’s on the Square 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Friends on Ponce 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Future 50 Lower Alabama St SW, Suite 180 Henry’s Midtown Tavern 132 10th St NE The Heretic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road NE The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE Joe’s on Juniper 1049 Juniper St NE Las Margaritas 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Lips Drag Show Palace 3011 Buford Highway NE Mama’s Cocina 1958 Piedmont Road NE Mary’s 1287 Glenwood Ave SE Midtown Moon 1510 Piedmont Ave NE My Sister’s Room 84 12th St Oscar’s 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
28 theQatl.com
Roxx Tavern 1824 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
Sequel Bar 1086 Alco St. NE Sister Louisa’s 466 Edgewood Ave SE Swinging Richards 1400 Northside Dr NW The T 465 Boulevard SE Tripp’s Bar 1931 Piedmont Circle NE Woof’s Sports Bar 494 Plasters Ave NE X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave. NE Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina 187 10th St NE
RETAIL & SERVICES 2Qute Hair Salon 1927 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Barking Leather After Dark 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE (inside Atlanta Eagle) Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE Brushstrokes 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave NE Lost ’n Found Youth Thrift Store 2585 Chantilly Dr NE Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
ADULT Flex 76 4th St NW Southern Nights 2205 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Starship Galaxy/Starship Novelties 2273 Cheshire Bridge Road NE Tokyo Valentino 1739 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
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theQatl.com 29
Q Advice
2 Tons of
FUN
Both husbands put on pounds, but only one wants to change
Q
My husband and I have each struggled with our weight for years. We’ve both gained a significant amount of weight since we’ve been married, but I’m trying to mitigate that with diet and exercise. He isn’t,and every time I try to talk with him about it, he makes me feel like a bad guy for bringing it up.
especially, in long-term relationships, the road to ruin is trying to change other people before their time. Not only does it build resentment, it just doesn’t work. You can’t make it happen by caring about it for him. You already know this as a spouse. Those instances when you “make him” do things for his own good might work temporarily, but rarely for the long term. If he’s not ready, sometimes you have to discuss it and drop it. Upsetting him won’t help motivate him. Making changes might be easier with an accountability partner, but that’s not your reality. Just like him, you have to do it for you, and being upset isn’t going to help you to keep up the good work.
I know we’ll never be the “twinks” we were when we met, but I’d like to be better than I am, and I find it difficult to get healthy without his support. He’s pre-diabetic. He has sleep apnea. His sex drive is nowhere near what it was when we met. All of this is correctable, and he refuses to even try. It’s like he doesn’t care. I love my husband. I will never “fatshame” him, and I know my weight struggles aren’t his issue. But I would find it a lot easier to tackle this he was more supportive and try to be healthier too. I don’t know what to do. Dear Big Guys: Every queer in the LGBTQ village has choices they need to reverse, demons they need to face, and habits that die hard. That makes your situation relatable, and your efforts admirable. Talking with your husband about his weight is a great first step, assuming it’s done with love and concern instead of nagging. As his partner, you have a stake in his health. But even, or perhaps 30 theQatl.com
You can still set a good example and gain knowledge to pass on when his time comes. Invite him along for a walk, sneak in helpful hints when you can, but love your body enough to go it alone, at least at first and maybe permanently. Q Advice is intended for entertainment, not professional counseling. Send your Qs to mike@theQatl.com. ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON