Q Magazine Atlanta | January 23, 2020

Q

YOUR TO-DO LIST OF QUEER ATLANTA EVENTS

inform | inspire

Work It

LGBTQ Fitness Pros Keeping Atlanta Fit

8 SURE STEPS TO REACHING GOALS CAUGHT RED-HANDED AT WOOFS & HERETIC OOPS! MY NEO-LIB PARENTS ARE RACIST January 23, 2020

Queer Agenda The Q Q Shots The Weekly Print Publication of Project Q Atlanta

LOCATIONS IN

BUCKHEAD • VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS • SANDY SPRINGS 2

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EDITOR’S NOTE Q Q MAGAZINE THE WEEKLY PUBLICATION OF PROJECT Q ATLANTA PUBLISHERS INITIAL MEDIA, LLC MIKE FLEMING PUBLISHER & EDITOR MIKE@THEQATL.COM MATT HENNIE PUBLISHER & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MATT@THEQATL.COM RICHARD CHERSKOV PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER RICHARD@THEQATL.COM ART DIRECTOR JOHN NAIL JOHN@THEQATL.COM

Getting It

DONE

IF BY NOW YOUR NEW YEAR is just another day in the life and

New You aspirations are waning, this issue of Q is for you. Whether

it’s a healthier lifestyle or a better organized mindset for any goal, we take self-help and make it queer.

With fitness at top of mind this time of year,

PROJECT Q ATLANTA PATRICK SAUNDERS EDITOR PSAUNDERS@THEQATL.COM CONTRIBUTORS IAN ABER LAURA BACCUS GABRIELLE CLAIBORNE BUCK COOKE CHARLES E. DAVIS JON DEAN BILL DICKINSON JIM FARMER BRAD GIBSON JAMES L. HICKS BENTLEY HUDGINS TAMEEKA L. HUNTER HEATHER MALONEY ERIC PAULK KYLE ROSE JAMES PARKER SHEFFIELD VINCE SHIFFLETT ALEXANDRA TYLER VAVA VROOM RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD NATIONAL ADVERTISING RIVENDELL MEDIA SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM 212-242-6863 LOCAL ADVERTISING SALES@THEQATL.COM 404-949-7071

our cover spread on LGBTQ gym owners

is a great place to start. Together with photographer Russ Bowen-Youngblood, they

introduce their places of business and not MIKE FLEMING EDITOR & PUBLISHER

only inspire you with their portraits but motivate you with their stories and tips to keep

hammering away at your goals.

You’ll find a common thread of consistency as one of their top tips,

and I’ve taken that a step further in the 8 Queer Things feature. In it, Q offers you steps and mindsets to make any goal happen.

Another group of local queers getting stuff done are in Q News this week. Meet the new trans leader of Metro Atlanta Association of

Professionals, the potential first black openly gay state senator, and the first out mayor of Doraville.

And Q wouldn’t be Q without the weekly features you’ve come to

expect. Q Shots has the photos to see, the Queer Agenda calendar has the events to attend, and The Q advice column helps solve another queer conundrum.

Need more? Of course you do, you insatiable bundle of human awe-

someness. Find freshly updated news and community stories every day on our Project Q Atlanta homesite at theQatl.com, and write me with your thoughts on any and all things Q at mike@theQatl.com.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5 JANUARY 23, 2020

IN BRIEF

Community Newsmakers

COVER

11 8

Fit & Fab

LGBTQ Gym Owners

8 QUEER THINGS

13 6

Step Up

24 B is for Boys

How to keep those promises to ourselves THE QUEER AGENDA

23

Just Do It

28 Ladies Lounge

Your weekly roster of LGBTQ events

FEATURES

8 Queer Things Q News The Queer Agenda Q Shots The Q 4

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6 8 23 24 30

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29 White Night

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Q

8 QUEER THINGS

Resolution

ROAD

8 steps to getting those New Year goals

By Mike Fleming

H

umans have contrasting abilities when it comes to keeping promises to ourselves. We can give ourselves too many breaks, and then be too hard on ourselves when we fall short. Neither is good for making resolutions stick.

Lasting change follows a well-worn path. Ready? Set. Go!

Commit

Promises to yourself can be the most difficult to keep. The key is to be realistic. Pick one goal, not several, and break it down into doable pieces. Start with an easier mini-step as Goal No. 1 by April, the next step by August, etc.

Research

New You is worth an investment. Buy a book about your resolved area of interest, or splurge on a fun accessory to complement the new you.

Then put it to good use: A headful of technique and cute workout gear aren’t exercise.

Fantasize

Visualization is a great tool. Daydream about how awesome life is with your new behavior, and be specific. What does it look and feel like? Again, be realistic and think smalland-growing.

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Roadblocks

Self-doubt is going to happen. You can and should admit it so you can plan for it. Be ready to nip negative thoughts in the bud and force yourself not to wallow in the mire.

Setback Acceptance

If you were realistic, and you were because you’re listening, you knew this time would come. Don’t hate on yourself, but don’t ignore it either. Think it through, learn a lesson, and adjust. Vow to do just a little better next time.

Perfect is the enemy of good.

Force of Habit Before your resolution is second nature, permanent habits are made by a series of decisions. Force it even when you don’t feel like it.

Remind yourself that you’ll be glad you did it, and get off your ass. Then celebrate that you did.

Rewards Now comes the fun part. Every time you resist a cigarette or forego dessert, or improve your performance at the gym, celebrate. Mindfully acknowledging success trades hard work with positive feelings.

Mark every progress and enjoy it.

Keep it, Tweak it, or Fuck It

Eventually, new habits mean that you have internalized the behavior. Look how far you’ve come. Reassess if it’s working the way you wanted, needs adjustments, or truly not worth doing anymore. Think about your next goal! Return to “Commit” and repeat. theQatl.com

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Q

IN BRIEF

LGBTQ Atlanta business group elects first trans president

Doraville swears in its first openly LGBTQ mayor

DIRECTORS OF THE METRO ATLANTA ASSOCIation of Professionals elected August Wogsland as their new president and CEO – the LGBTQ business group’s first openly transgender leader.

FORMER DORAVILLE City Councilmember Joseph Geierman took the oath of office on Jan. 6 to become the city’s first-ever openly LGBTQ mayor.

Gay IT professional Andy Yeoman was also sworn Joseph Geierman into the city council, joining transgender Councilmember Stephe Koontz to make Doraville one of the most LGBTQ-representative city governments in the state.

“I’m really excited to be taking the helm in 2020,” Geierman told the crowd at Forest Fleming Arena. “This is an exciting time for Doraville. I’ve said it many, many times that our city is really at a crossroads of greatness. We have all the ingredients of success.”

Geierman pledged to make City Hall more resident-friendly and to hire a full-time city manager.

“We need to do what it takes to enable our city to grow and be competitive in the metro Atlanta region,” he said.

Geierman is now the fourth openly LGBTQ current mayor in Georgia.

Wogsland was one of four new officers picked to steer MAAP in 2020. One of his main goals is to increase the group’s diversity “across all spectrums.”

“I want to make sure we are an organization that serves everyone in Atlanta,” he told Project Q Atlanta.

August Wogsland

Wogsland is also the group’s youngest-ever leader at 22. He became a MAAP member in 2018 and joined its board of directors in 2019. He is a survey and data specialist with real estate research and consulting firm Kingsley Associates.

PHOTO BY KIRA DAVIS

Gay politico jumps into state Senate race in Atlanta DEVIN BARRINGTON WARD HAS

years behind the scenes as a political oper-

ative, advocating for criminal justice reform

launched a primary challenge against longtime state Sen. Horacena Tate, as he looks

and fighting the HIV epidemic.

to become the chamber’s first black openly

Incumbent Tate, a Democrat first elected

LGBTQ member.

in 1998, fought against an anti-LGBTQ

Ward told Project Q Atlanta that he wants

“religious freedom” bill in 2016 and spon-

to tackle gentrification, lack of affordable

sored an LGBTQ-inclusive civil rights bill

housing and the lack of due process in the

in 2017.

legal system in District 38. He also calls

The Democratic primary election for

the lack of employment protections for

District 38 is May 19 with any runoff on

LGBTQ Georgians “a serious issue.”

“Living in 2019 and having the experiences

I have had as a black queer man growing up

July 21. Ward is the 13th openly LGBTQ Devin Barrington Ward

in the South, those [issues] are what’s inspiring me to run for public office,” he said of District 38, which runs from Southwest Atlanta up into South Cobb.

It’s Ward’s first run for public office after spending the last 12 8

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for re-election.

candidate for Georgia’s state legislature

in 2020, including five incumbents running

Reports by Patrick Saunders for Project Q Atlanta. Read the full stories and f ind local LGBTQ content updated daily at theQatl.com.

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COVER Q

I

By Mike Fleming t’s about this time in January that people start questioning their resolutions. Well, not if these local queer flat bellies have anything to say about it.

Photographer Russ Bowen-Youngblood visited six of the gay-run and queer-friendly gyms in Atlanta to inspire you with their imagery, and I asked them for words of wisdom to motivate you to keep at it.

Meet LGBTQ-ATL gym owners taking your health to the next level

The following pages host the results for this year’s Fitness Issue cover story. Enjoy! 

ARMOURBODY Jeremy Ryan Allen

445 Plasamour Drive NE 404-414-5300 armourbody.com info@armourbody.com What sets your gym apart?

We are a small, personalized, strength training studio. I find it important to keep things intimate. ARMOURBODY was built by wanting to give people a private personal training experience.

This allows for teaching better direction with form and provides the atmosphere for anyone at any fitness level to be comfortable, which results in faster results as well as long lasting commitment.

What’s your favorite part of going into work every day?

I’m very lucky that I get to wake up every day and do some-

thing I love. But at the end of the day, all businesses are built because of the people. I have the most amazing staff and members — truly, it is like a family.

What role does being/serving members of the LGBTQATL play in your business?

I remember what it was like walking into a gym not knowing what to do. I wanted to build a home for people that could workout in a comfortable environment and learn in the process.

If you had to boil health and fitness into one tip, what would it be?

Consistency and habits lead to long lasting results. Set goals. If you haven’t workout in a while, start with three days a week, or something you can achieve. Then do that for a couple months, then go to four days a week. Create the habit, see the results. Remember: if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.

PHOTO BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD theQatl.com

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Q

GYMS continued

Gravity Fitness Aaron Pols Ken Penvose David Goldstein

2201 Faulkner Road 404-486-0506 gravgymatlanta.com gravitfitness.atlanta@gmail.com Three “magic ingredients” that set your business apart.

Comfortable. Working out, sweating, lifting, pushing yourself, all these things are hard enough. The place where you work out should be comfortable.

Community. Getting the motivation to go the gym is difficult, but it’s easier when your gym is filled with friendly, familiar people with a common goal of self-improvement.

Hard Work. Nothing great was ever accomplished without it, and you can see the hard work our members put in every day.

What is your favorite part of going into work every day?

The people. We are lucky to work with a fantastic group of employees, trainers and most of all, members. Working in such a positive environment motivates me every day to be better. The self-improvement is contagious.

What is the one tip most exercisers need to hear the most?

The most important part of working out is consistency, preferably with a structured plan. The best workout you’ll have is the one that you wanted to skip. Dedication = Results. Most people want to make this more complicated than it is.

What role does serving the LGBTQ community play in your approach?

The gay gyms in Atlanta have always been a great place to be social and meet people in addition to getting in shape. Over the years, the demographics in all of intown Atlanta have changed, but Gravity is still a predominantly gay gym, and as new owners we’ve been targeting our former members to come back and check out the changes we’ve been making.

Gravity’s owners, trainers and members are now a mix of LGBTQ and straight and a great place to come for workouts and making new and old friends! When the gym has some of that social aspect, you’re more likely to come and have some fun and socialize along with your workout!

Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

PHOTO BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD 12

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We are new owners, but we have each been associated with Gravity Fitness as either a trainer or member for 8+ years. We’ve made some pretty big changes and welcome you to come check things out for yourself. We offer a free three-day pass to come check us out at the times you’d be working out — we are never “too” crowded!

Q

GYMS continued

The Training Room ATL Amber Goppert

742 Ponce De Leon Place 404-333-3677 thetrainingroomatl.com info@thetrainingroomatl.com What got you into the fitness industry?

I wanted a career that was incredibly rewarding and would allow continual growth.

Being “well” as I call it, is absolutely life changing for someone. It impacts every aspect of their life. Being able to be a part of that is everything to me.

Three “magic ingredients” that set your business apart from others:

Integrity. We are constantly educating ourselves and evolving in order to provide the best programming and coaching for each member.

Community. The majority of reviews and compliments I received mention how wonderful our people are, both members and staff.

Empowerment. We believe in being the change. Be more, promise yourself to show up every day and do that. At TTR, we believe we are all catalysts for change, in and out of the gym.

What is your favorite part of going into work every day?

The people. At our gym, people don’t see colors, or sexuality, or wealth. They see people. We support one another and stand for something bigger than ourselves.

What role does the LGBTQ community play in your approach?

I’m a small business owner. Who happens to be a woman. Who happens to be a lesbian. There are people who would love to see me fail because of one, two, or three of these things. The fear of failure can be overwhelming, but when we harvest it for good we can channel that fear into something great.

This is why I wanted to create a space where people feel comfortable and safe being who they are and where they are in their journey. A no judgment zone, just a welcoming space for anyone of any background that wants to be a part of a positive community.

To me, being better involves giving back. Every year since the doors opened, we have held a “Fight For Pride” charity events to support local nonprofits.

What one tip would you say most exercisers need to hear the most?

We are all human. Everyone was once a beginner. We all started and likely re-started at some point. It’s OK to miss a day, to eat a brownie, and to sleep in, but don’t make it a habit, treat each day as a new day — one where you put yourself first.

My challenge to all of you is to show up, every day, with the best intentions. Get lost in helping others. Lend your voice to those who cannot find their own. Whatever you are passionate about, become an expert on the subject. Find a vice that isn’t harmful, one that pushes you to be better.

And of course, when you’re ready for the best sweat in town, drop in at TTR. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and your first class is always a gift from me to you.

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GYMS continued Q

Archie Bonet, Christopher Iman and Damoni Hall Dickerson

Urban Body Fitness Radford Slough

500 Amsterdam Ave. NE 404-885-1499 UrbanBodyFitness.com rad@urbanbodyfitness.com Three “magic ingredients” that set your gym apart.

Customer service, towel service, and change — we listen to our clients as to what new “toys” they want.

What is your favorite part of going into work every day?

Seeing and talking to our clients.

If you had to keep fitness to one tip, what would it be?

Food intake matters as much as how hard you workout.

What role does being in/serving the LGBTQ community play in your gym?

We are about 50/50 gay/straight. We pride ourselves as being open to everyone who strives to improve their health.

What else?

PHOTO BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

Come by and try our free seven-day trial. See the difference for yourself. We don’t have a salesperson, so no one is going to keep calling you. Our gym and staff sell themselves. theQatl.com

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GYMS continued

Fitted 4 Fitness Ralph Barber

751 James P Brawley Drive NW 612-554-5731 fitted4fitness.com What got you into the industry?

I got my B.A. in physical education and health along with a teaching license. I wanted to be a P.E. teacher and coach football, while also being an African-American male mentor toward single-parent homes. I came from a single-parent home. It was hard, but I feel with focus and determination, you still have an opportunity to be who you want to.

What motivated you to move on from managing a big box gym to opening your own gym?

One two-week pay period, I made $3,400.

It was the most money I had ever made, and I was 24 years old. I also worked 120 hours for that. At that moment, I realized that if I put that much time into my own business, there’s no reason why I would fail. I quit that day and never looked back.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned?

What you put in is what you will get out.

What’s next for you and Fitted 4 Fitness?

I really want to establish a team while helping great entrepreneurial personal trainers succeed in their personal goals and dreams, because right now I’m living my dream running my gym.

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Equilibrium Fitness

make it healthier and accepting for everyone.

Bryan Castano

What is your #1 Fitness Tip?

1529 Piedmont Ave. NE 404-304-4674 EquilibriumFitnessATL.com Bryan@EquilibriumFitnessATL.com

Patience is key! If you work hard, and it takes time and lots of effort, you will appreciate it more in the long term.

What got you into the fitness industry?

While pursuing my own fitness goals, I noticed that I could help others along the way. I became certified and eventually became a personal trainer for the better part of 10 years.

Three adjectives that set your business apart.

Welcoming, Hospitable, Clean What is your favorite part of going into work?

I have a fantastic team of individuals that are dedicated to our growth and success. We all come ready and dedicated to work for each and every one of our members and patrons.

I enjoy knowing that we are doing our piece in the city to

What role does being/serving the LGBTQ community play in your approach?

I love our LGBTQ community, and I do play an active role in it, but would I say I do things differently? No. I was raised to treat everyone the same and to treat everyone the way I would want to be treated. At Equilibrium, we are all about acceptance and learning to become better versions of ourselves. That is why our tagline is “Become A Better You.” Anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

The gym industry can be a very intimidating place for many new people who may have never stepped into a gym. At Equilibrium, we are all about making you feel welcome. Everyone, no matter how fit or athletic they may be today, had a “First Day” in a gym at some point. Let 2020 be your “First Day” with us! theQatl.com

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Q

GYMS continued

BoxFit Fitness & Performance Studio Janaya ‘Jai’ Davis

1880 Harvard Ave., College Park 678-705-5275 boxfitfitness.com What did your boxing career teach you about life?

Most importantly, it taught me to never give up. In boxing, you can lose every round in the fight, but if you hang in there and throw the right punch at the right time, you can knock out your opponent and win the fight. Whenever I’m going through tough or challenging times, I just become more focused and determined.

What’s excuses do you hear from people about why they don’t work out or eat well?

The biggest excuse I hear from people is “I don’t have time.” My response is always presented in a question to provoke thinking. I ask them how many times they go out to a restaurant per week.

Then I say the same time you spent dinning out, going to the movies and waiting for a table adds up close to the recommended hours per week of working out to reduce your chances of having obesity-related diseases. They always agree with me after that.

What’s the key to sticking with a workout plan and healthy diet?

Consistency. You should pick set times and days in which you can commit to being there.

Also being prepared to eat healthy when it’s time to eat, because if you wait until you are famished, you will more than likely grab the first thing available instead of searching for healthy options.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I will have multiple gyms with programs designed to assist the most challenging clients to show them that there is hope and not to give up on themselves.

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THE QUEER AGENDA

Q

The Best Queer Things To Do in Atlanta January 23 – January 29

THURSDAY, JAN. 23

Sweet Tea, Jan. 23

Fun Home

The queer, Tony-winning musical based on cartoonist Allison Bechdel’s life continues, and tonight is Pride Night @ Actor’s Express, 7 p.m. actors-express.com Sweet Tea

The variety show that only Southern Fried Queer Pride can do @ The Bakery, 9 p.m. southernfriedqueerpride.com

FRIDAY, JAN. 24 Moonlight & Magnolias

What really happened when Gone With the Wind was in production but

had no completed script? A lock-in. Yep, it’s a true story, and it’s staging

Leather & Lace, Jan. 25

@ New Theatre in the Square, through Feb. 1. theatreinthesquare.net

SATURDAY, JAN. 25 Advocacy Training

Learn to speak on LGBTQ issues and become a citizen lobbyist with Georgia Equality and their crucial work with Gold Dome legislators @ Rush Center, 1 p.m. georgiaequality.org Leather & Lace

The pageantry and kink returns for 2020 @ Atlanta Eagle, 8 p.m. atlantaeagle.com 1999

The ’90s party every dancing queen will be talking about @ Heretic, 10 p.m. hereticatlanta.com

Fun Home, Jan. 23

Travis & Eric Afterhours

The local DJ duo takes control @ Xion at BJ Roosters, 3 a.m. facebook.com/xionatlanta

Drag Queen Story Hour

SUNDAY, JAN. 26

Terracotta Sugarbaker reads in conjunction

Leather Social

The jocks and athletic supporters don their gear and welcome guests @ Woofs, 2 p.m. woofsatlanta.com

1999, Jan. 25

with a matinee performance of Fun Home

PersuAsians, Jan. 29

@ Actor’s Express, 12 noon. actors-express.com Armorettes

They do them, and you do you, and when you come

together against HIV in Atlanta, it’s beautiful @ Midtown Moon,

8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29 PersuAsians

An all-Asian cast of queens performs this first-of-its-kind drag show @ Mary’s, 10:30 p.m. marysatlanta.com

Find an expanded Queer Agenda calendar for the weekend every Thursday at theQatl.com.

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Q SHOTS

DJ PHIL B AT HERETIC

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

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PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

Q

Q SHOTS

BAD SANTA AT WOOFS

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PHOTOS BY MATT HENNIE

Q

Q SHOTS

UNWRAPPED BURLESQUE AT MY SISTER’S ROOM

Full gallery on Project Q at theQatl.com

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PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

GENESIS WHITE PARTY AT HERETIC

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Q SHOTS Q

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Q

THEQ?!

Bias

CHECK

Parents hit a snag when personal prejudices get tested

Q

My neo-liberal parents were always super supportive of me being gay, and even in our suburban oasis taught us

about privilege and respect for all cultures and differences. I’m

still shell-shocked at how those principles flew out the window when they met my Latinx boyfriend.

It never even crossed my mind that his heritage or culture, not

to mention his race, would be an issue, but as soon as my mom heard he was raised in Guatemala, she visibly bristled. When they actually met, my dad heard him speak and I could tell

something was up. My boyfriend is beyond fluent in English, but he still gets nervous when speaking it around strangers.

After the meeting, I got an earful. My parents believe that

relationships are enough of a challenge without adding cultural

differences. They told me that falling too hard for this guy was a dangerous risk to take with my future.

What they don’t know is that I’ve already fallen. We are talking about going to the next level, and now I don’t know how to deal with my parents. I know relationships are doomed if you look at the stats, and more-so with “risk factors” like incongruent backgrounds, but my heart says take the leap.

Dear Son Rises: Just to put a fine point on what everyone reading your letter is thinking, the decision about who you date and fall in love with is entirely yours and not your parents. Wanting their approval is natural, especially because you haven’t had to fight for it before, but gambling your future on their opinion is a much bigger risk than mingling backgrounds with your boyfriend.

Fret not. The way things are today is not the way they’ll stay.

There’s room for growth in everyone’s understanding and relationships — you with your parents and your boyfriend, and their relationships with each other.

You may be experiencing for the first time the phenomenon of an adult child knowing better than their parents. It’s an especially ironic feeling in your case, because they taught you the foundations of equality and fairness upon which you base your disagreement with them. Even the most uber-liberal people can trip over their privileges on their way to putting concepts into practice.

The good news is that, deep down, your parents know you’re right. They realize that intersectionality enriches our lives as much as it challenges us. They also know it’s your decision to make, and that if your hurdles weren’t cultural differences, they’d be something else – every relationship has them.

The hardest part may be telling them that the decision is made and open up the topic for discussion – not for them to be heard, but for you to make your intentions clear.

The learning experience for you and them may take more than one conversation, and it will most likely take longer than you’d prefer, but it will be worth it.

Once the ground rules have been set, let them get to know him over time the way you did.

Chances are they’ll see why you love him so much, and they’ll worry either way, but they’ll also come to respect the man they raised.

The Q is for entertainment purposes and not professional counseling. Send your burning Qs to mike@theqatl.com.

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD GIBSON

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