David Magazine V7-i04 | The Health Issue

V7-04 01.25.23

Don’t Resist Resistance Training

AvitaCare: Taking Pride in LGBTQ+ Care Lost’N’Found Youth Opens Its Doors Financial Wellness: New Year More Green

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From the Editor

David is back! We are very excited to announce that David Magazine is back after more than five years. We want to thank Peach for carrying the torch in that time and ensuring that Atlanta always had a weekly entertainment guide even through a global pandemic and economically challenging times.

The past years have taught us that we need to provide support and extra care for our community to keep it thriving and growing. So even though you may see David change a little in its transition from Peach, we will still center around providing you with the best content inspired and driven by the voices in our community.

With the shift to David, we will be continuously committed to providing you with the premier weekly guide to all things gay in Atlanta.

We want to publish the best version of David yet and work with you to do just that. So, get in touch with us if you’re going to promote an event, have an idea for a story, or want to launch your business with us – we can’t wait to show you what we have in store for you!

Have ideas for content?

Please email Mikkel at mikkel@davidatlanta.com Want to promote your event or business?

Please contact Russell at russell@davidaatlanta.com Comments or feedback?

Please email Mikkel at mikkel@davidatlanta.com

DAVID C

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DAVID Magazine Peach Media 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O Norcross, GA 30093

MANAGING PARTNER & OPERATIONS Brian Sawyer brian@davidatlanta.com

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Mikkel Hyldebrandt mikkel@davidatlanta.com

SALES | EVENTS Josh King Josh@davidatlanta.com

SOCIAL MEDIA & MORE Valiant Marketing

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DISTRIBUTION Some Cute Guy

CONTRIBUTORS Russ Bowen-Youngblood Jay Knowlton Neal Broverman Kit Eberhardt

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

RADIO PARTNER Meak Productions, Inc. www.meakproductions.com

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Lost-n-Found Youth Opens Its Door

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Lost-n-Found Youth is starting 2023 out strong with various new initiatives, affecting their thrift store and drop-in center. DAVID spoke to Director of Development Randall Burks about all the exciting changes and their invitation to see it all at an open house event on January 30.

Lost-n-Found Youth has started the year homelessness for all LGBTQ+ youth by strong. Please give us a quick overview providing them with the skills and support of your thrift store and new drop-in needed to live independently. center changes.

We wanted to expand the services offered What other initiatives have you planned at our thrift store and be more centrally for 2023? located. We will still service drop-ins at our We want to continue to grow our services shelter if they stop in but with the services and capacity as we search for larger space offered, pantry and clothing vouchers, for to serve more youth. Growth of services example, being located at the thrift store, offered and youth supported is a critical we reimagined an all-in-one location for driver for our organization in the coming year. our youth.

Can you provide us with more detail on How can we help to support your mission what changes have been made to the to end LGBTQ+ homelessness?

Helping us communicate our message thrift store?

We began the renovations by moving our to an ever-growing audience is vastly production and sort process to the back important. of the building, where we take donations.

This emptied the much-needed space at the front of the building for our dropin center. The drop-in area houses a bathroom, shower, washer & dryer, a small kitchen area, and space to charge equipment, apply for jobs, or schedule services with our outreach coordinator.

Tell us about the new drop-in center.

Is it relocating from the youth center in Grant Park?

We are relocating the drop-in center, but we will not turn away people that happen to drop in at the Grant Park location.

Tell us about your open house event on January 30 and why it is so significant. Lost-n-Found is hosting its Open House The entire thrift store has been reimagined on January 30 between 6-8 pm to and changed, along with the addition celebrate the relocation of the dropof the drop-in center. We felt it was in center. In addition, they will offer an important to reintroduce the space to exclusive shopping experience in the those that had not shopped in some time newly redesigned thrift store with light or those who had simply never shopped bites, cocktails, and 50% off your entire in the store. We are looking to broaden purchase. our base of supporters and allies. It makes sense for us to invite the public in to see the changes and to tell our story. We are an organization dedicated to ending

Taking Pride In LGBTQ+ Care

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

As one of the largest providers of care for the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia, AvitaCare is improving its patient experience with the acquisition of AbsoluteCare. It is not only a refresh but an improved patient experience, according to Executive Medical Director at AvitaCare, Joel Rosenstock, MD, MPH, who underlines why it is essential to choose a pharmacy specializing in LGBTQ+ care.

First, tell us how you got started in this What do you hope to achieve with AvitaCare field. in the next year?

My name is Joel Rosenstock, MD, MPH, In the next year, we will continue delivering and I am the Executive Medical Director at superb compassionate evidence-based AvitaCare Atlanta in Buckhead. I established care to our patients, increasing access with this clinic, formerly known as AbsoluteCare same-day STI screening, testing, and PrEP Medical Center and Pharmacy, in 2000 in an initiatives. effort to offer choices to many people living with HIV who had limited options for care How can our readers get started using an in Atlanta. The clinic has grown over the 23 LGBTQ+ pharmacy? years of operation to be one of the largest We are always open to accepting new care providers for the LGBTQ+ community in patients. Readers can call for an appointment Georgia. to transfer or start their care with one of our providers.

Tell us about the transformation the Call 404-231-4431. We are happy to see medical center and pharmacy, now people looking to receive care for their HIV AvitaCare, has undergone in the last couple infection, those seeking gender-affirming of months. care, anyone solely needing primary care for Avita Care Solutions acquired AbsoluteCare other comorbidities, and those seeking care just over 100 days ago and has significantly in our Long COVID Clinic. improved the clinic’s patient experience.

From a refresh of the office to moving the Anything you’d like to add? pharmacy to improve patient access, the The clinic has been around for almost a excitement is palpable among the staff that quarter of a century delivering empathetic, Avita is dedicated to our community and is compassionate, non-stigmatizing care to helping us continue the excellent service people from all walks of life. The clinic has to our people and improve the patient won awards and has been recognized as an experience.

HIV Center of Excellence by the Georgia Department of Public Health, and individual What will the relaunch mean to those you practitioners have been recognized as “Best serve? of Atlanta.” We look forward to continuing Our clientele will see a difference in the ease this legacy in the future. of making appointments, simpler ways to get -their medication refills, and improved access Get started at avitacareatlanta.com. to their care team.

Why is it essential for the community to have a pharmacy specializing in LGBTQ+ care?

Having a pharmacy that is experienced in dealing with the LGBTQ+ population is essential in delivering compassionate, empathetic, and knowledgeable pharmacy services. Avita is experienced in delivering gender-affirming care in a nonjudgmental and open fashion.

With the relaunch, how have you improved your healthcare options?

The community can more easily access the clinic, including our new walk-in STI clinic.

Soon, we’ll offer a new outreach, testing, and connection to care for treatment and access to PrEP.

joel rosenstock

What are some recurring challenges or disparities that LGBTQ+ people face concerning healthcare?

Stigma and inherent biases often hinder the care of the LGBTQ+ population. That never occurs at AvitaCare Atlanta and never will.

Don’t Resist Resistance Training

By Jay Knowlton

Are you looking to lose weight? Lift weights. Looking to get strong? Lift weights.

Looking to put on size? Lift weights. how they group exercises together for a It’s the new year, and you’ve made the workout. And understand that it is NOT resolution to get in better shape. What about how much weight you can lift but a fantastic goal to give yourself! You’ve how well you can lift a weight you’re joined a gym, perhaps for the first time, comfortable with while you learn proper but now what? You walk in, and you see form. a ton of machines that look like torture contraptions. You glance over to a wall of Whenever I start with a client new to giant dumbbells you’ve ever seen. And you lifting weights and new to getting in look around, and everyone seems to know shape, I always start with an introduction what they are doing and working really to basic non-weighted movements for the hard at it. Now, what do you do? first couple of sessions to get their body accustomed to the natural resistance of No matter your fitness goals, lifting weights their body weight. This is definitely the or some form of resistance training is time to follow the KISS maxim - keep it necessary to achieve any of those goals. simple, stupid.

Why is this? Building muscle makes you stronger. Building muscle can add on lean It’s All About Form pounds. And building muscle will help your This is where working out with a body lose weight - even better than cardio - knowledgeable friend or a fitness trainer when combined with a diet that comprises is helpful to get down your form. Forget fewer calories than your body burns each “weights” as you start your learning day and incorporates protein in each meal. process. Get to know your body and its mechanics first. YouTube has a plethora of Where to start? great videos by all sorts of fitness trainers The entire experience can be intimidating - just make sure you’re looking at beginner when walking into a gym for the first time. calisthenic-type workouts to start. Forget Too many choices. Not enough information the fancy-looking advanced stuff. A time on what to do or how to do it. If it’s will come for that, but it’s about starting your first time in a gym and they offer a with the basics. complimentary session with a trainer, take them up on the offer. Even better if you can Bodyweight Exercises afford to hire a trainer for at least your first When trying out these first bodyweight few sessions. If those aren’t an option, ask exercises, trust that it does not matter how a buddy that already lifts weights if you many reps (or repetitions) you accomplish can join them in working out. Even if they your first few times. Three push-ups. One are way more advanced and lifting heavy pull-up. Five dips. Ten walking lunges. weights, it doesn’t matter. Ask questions, Whatever. The quantity does not matter. watch their form, and pay attention to Getting your body accustomed to new

ways of being stretched and moving is first and foremost. Quantity will come with repetition over time. The quality of your form is what’s most important.

Here are some great examples of bodyweight exercises that you can do to start gaining strength: push-ups, pull-ups (assisted), bench dips, walking lunges, and crunches.

Stretching and Cardio What else to do as you start your introduction to gym workouts? Never forget stretching and cardio. I usually like to have clients start with 5-10 minutes on the treadmill, walking with a slight incline at a brisk pace. This is not about running and overexerting yourself. It’s merely a way to warm up your cardiovascular system and muscles to prepare for your training.

At the end of your workout, you can finish with 10–20 minutes of the same cardio or a different one, like an elliptical machine or stair climber, if you want some variety.

Stretching is also essential, and one of the things first-time gym goers skip over either because they don’t really know basic stretching and feel stupid doing it or are so anxious, they just wanna get the heck out of the gym. Don’t let that get in your way. Push through. Stretching will begin the process of making you more limber as well as help alleviate any tightness built up doing exercises for the first time. Again, start with the basics - think of the few things you remember from PE class in elementary school and do them. Watch an intro to stretching video to learn the different stretches and breathing techniques to get the most out of your time on the mat.

Try this for the first week or two to acclimate your body to your new exercise routine. Then it will be time to continue your calisthenics and begin to use free weights (dumbbells, barbells, machines).

Hopefully, you’ve spent the time learning from a friend or trainer how to do the basics with proper form. It will make the next steps into weight training much easier, and you’ll be far less prone to burnout and injuries.

With over 20 years of experience, Jay Knowlton brings his training expertise to you. Jay’s pursuit of health and wellness extends beyond the gym environment, utilizing a three-pronged approach through exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness. Jay is available for one-on-one and couples training at Gravity Fitness

Financial Wellness in 2023:

New Year More Green

By Kit Eberhardt

(You Need A Budget), PocketGuard, Honeydue, Digit, etc.

On the last day of the year, at the stroke of midnight, the mantra “New Year, New Me” becomes widely adopted. Whether you follow financial gurus, use the 20/30/50 While most of us are guilty of subscribing to this four-word method, decide to only spend the cold hard cash in your phrase year after year, the query arises, what makes the wallet, or want to thrive off your color-coded excel sheet, “New Me”? Are we working out five days a week and hiring through trial and error, it is up to you how you decide to a personal trainer to push us into peak physical condition? maintain a personalized budget.

Are we practicing better mental health and finding inner peace? Or are we gearing up for greater financial prosperity Keeping Up with Your Credit Score and setting ourselves up for yearly success, continuously adding more green to our wallets? Whichever version of “New Year, New Me” you want to take on this year, consider your first choice to be “New Year, More Green.” Kick it into high gear this year with these tips on how to make 2023 your greenest year yet!

Create a Budget

“Do you know your credit score?” This question can make even the most financially sound person shake in their Gucci loafers. Surprisingly, many consumers do not understand their credit score and what factors can make or break it.

What’s the big deal, you ask? Well, you need credit to purchase big-ticket items and be approved for a loan or credit card. Needless to say, it’s a piece of the financial puzzle that should be taken seriously.

Coming up with a budget and sticking to it might seem quite daunting. Reviewing your monthly, quarterly, or even There are three credit reporting agencies/bureaus in the your yearly finances can either bring a sigh of relief or feel U.S. that calculate what is called your FICO (the Fair Isaac like a slap in the face. If you have a budget and believe Corporation) score. FICO collects information from your you stick to it, then perfect – you’re on the right track. If credit report from either of the three bureaus (TransUnion, you are someone who does not have a budget or needs to Equifax, and Experian) and develops a credit score based reevaluate their current one, there’s no better time than on your credit report published by each agency. Being that the present. there are three competing agencies, it is common for your credit reports and scores to differ by agency. Your score can First and foremost, you need to have an overall scope of range from 300 to 850 but can change over time based on what you are spending each month. There are dozens how you utilize your credit. Financial institutions rate 300 of ways to categorize your expenses; utility bills, credit as ‘very poor’ and 850 as ‘exceptional .’The current average card debt, student loans, personal loans, vacations, score in the U.S. is 716, which is considered ‘good.’ subscriptions, groceries, charities, etc. Pull your financial statements, analyze each month, and put each transaction So, what impacts your score? When a company is in its corresponding category. Looking at each month, and calculating your score from your credit report, the following your overall year, where can you cut back on spending? In are considered: current unpaid debt, the volume of credit what category are you spending the most? Do you have any applications submitted in your name, bill-paying history, additional funds to contribute to a savings account? availability of credit being currently used, number of loans you have, and what kind, length of time loan accounts have If you spend cash only and do not typically utilize a bank been opened and any debt sent to collections, foreclosure to make purchases, you can still create a budget and track or bankruptcy and when. your expenses. Keep your receipts each time you buy something, and add up the cost of each category at the end To keep your credit score trending upward, it’s important of the month. A good spending baseline can be seen after to keep your credit usage to about 10% of your available tracking for at least three months. limit, pay your bills on time, and limit the number of open debt accounts. If you’re working to rebuild or starting from For the technology-savvy and convenience-seeking scratch, consider applying for a secured credit card and individuals, most banking institutions have created bank- using them responsibly by purchasing small items like gas branded budget snapshots for you to view on the go and in or groceries. By utilizing a secure card and making your the moment. Other download utilities include Mint, YNAB payments on time, you can easily see a boost in your score

within several months. Track your score using your online banking profile, apps like Credit Karma, or by The last couple of years created a very interesting subscribing directly to one of the bureaus’ programs. real estate market for both buyers and sellers. While we are now experiencing a time of increased cost of living, property owners can take solace in knowing Invest in Real Estate their mortgage expense will not follow the inflation What’s the most expensive purchase you can make trend. Property taxes and utilities can increase in cost in your life but gain the most significant return? over time; however, your mortgage payment remains Property, of course! Real estate is one of the best constant. When you are the renter of a property, you ways to establish and sustain financial wealth. The face the volatile game of increased rent payments or act of purchasing property may feel like a complete lousy landlords who, at a moment’s notice, can dictate emotional roller coaster, but it can leave you flying high your living situation. Why pay someone else to live in with outstanding equity. their home when you can pay yourself to live in your home?

There are a few ways you can go about building your real estate portfolio. The first step is to decide what If you are already a homeowner and are interested type of property you’re interested in purchasing. Single- in getting into the investment game, second to your family, multi-family, townhouse, condominium, or even budget, consider purchase location. Where do you land can all act as your jumping-off point. Second, find want to buy and later sell or lease? What area will give a realtor you trust. Developing a relationship with a you the greatest return or provide a long-term lease realtor whom you trust to help educate and assist investment? Get connected with your favorite realtor you in making a sound decision around real estate is and discover up-and-coming neighborhoods, areas paramount. Ask questions of each other and work seeing an influx in relocations, and where economic together to find what you are looking for — this is development is on the rise. Let your Realtor and lending your investment and your dollars being spent, and institution guide you on your path to assembling a your realtor should take that seriously. Lastly, connect robust real estate portfolio. Investment properties with a mortgage lender who can provide you with all can provide you with the opportunity of generating a the financial information required before taking the residual monthly income, which you can then allocate leap and making an offer to a seller. Your lender will to other investments or simply add a little green to your be able to qualify you for a pre-approval amount based wallet. on your financial standing and be your sounding board when you have burning questions on property taxes, insurance, mortgage payment, interest rate, etc.

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PrEP Advocate Damon L. Jacobs Gets Real (and Naked) in Splashy Web Series

By Neal Broverman Photo courtesy Damon L. Jacobs

old in 2021 I wrote an online series about the 50 Lessons that helped me to get older with power, purpose, and pleasure (50lessonsof50.

That’s typically one of the first questions that com). It was while writing this series that Covid therapist, life coach, author, PrEP promoter, vaccines became widely accessible, rates were and longtime HIV activist Damon L. Jacobs coming down, and I was reminded that New York asks his guests on his YouTube show, “Tub Talks City is home to some of the most interesting With Damon L. Jacobs.” This query is posed individuals in the world. Actors, activists, while Jacobs and his guests (mostly men, but healers, leaders, educators, entertainers, AIDS sometimes women, too) are naked and sitting historians — wouldn’t it be interesting to capture inches from each other in a sudsy bathtub. their experiences and words of wisdom on video?

Wouldn’t it be fun to listen to their experiences The series allows people like a U=U proponent of aging, healing, grieving, celebrating sexual (Randy Davis), a sex writer (Alexander Cheves), empowerment, creative expression, while taking a “thickfluencer” (Alex Borsa), a journalist and a bath together? In the summer of 2021, I asked a ACT UP legend (Liz Highleyman), and even one few friends if they would be willing to come take of President Obama’s HIV experts (Greg Millett) a bath with me and almost all said yes. I started to talk about everything from self-esteem to self- airing these interviews on September 13, 2021, care to substance abuse to sex positivity. “Tub and from there the momentum went forward.

Talks,” now with dozens of episodes available, is the latest feather in Jacobs’ cap, a New York- Yet another source of inspiration was the fact based marriage and family therapist who first that I continuously go to HIV conferences where became known in HIV circles for his early support people sit around and say, “Why can’t we get of PrEP and U=U knowledge. Jacobs spoke to people to use PrEP? How do we get people to us recently about the origin of “Tub Talks” and learn about U=U?” And I’m like — maybe it’s time why so many people let loose when their clothes to try to not do the same thing over and over come off. again and expect different results! What if we communicated and taught about sexual health Tell us about your work as a therapist and the and pleasure in creative ways that aren’t being kind of folks you specialize in helping. done by hundreds of other people? That was I have been proudly serving the LGBT community part of it as well — could I deliver education as a psychotherapist since 1996, in private and information in a way that is innovative and practice in New York City in 2010. My work entertaining? I’m trying! utilizes facets of cognitive behavioral therapy, Buddhism and a little bit of Cher, to help people Have to ask: Have all your guests actually experience peace, power and pleasure in their been naked? daily lives.

Yes. Except for one.

“What do you like about your body?”

How did you get connected with the HIV- Do conversations flow easier while folks are positive community? squeezed together with little to no clothes I came out as a teenager in the 1980s, at a time on? Conversations flow so much more naturally when AIDS was devastating our community. I when we are naked! Whether it’s in a bathtub, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1990 on a beach, by a pool, in a bed. People’s minds where I loved and lost several friends, coworkers, and thoughts are so much freer when they are lovers, clients, roommates, to AIDS. It seemed not being encumbered by clothes. I have done so incumbent on me to challenge my training as many bullshit interviews in my time — I used to a traditional “therapist” i.e., the kind that sits do some red carpet stuff at the Daytime Emmys on their ass in an office all day. If I was going and at the GLAAD awards. Those are absolute to take my role seriously as a healer, it means piffle — they rarely contain any meaning or standing up, getting out, acting up, fighting back, depth. It’s three minutes of me asking people doing something, anything, to stop the spread how they’re feeling and who they are wearing. So of HIV/AIDS. I started volunteering facilitating I reevaluated during Covid — if I ever was to do “Rubberward Parties” on college campuses in interviews again they have to be real, not fake.

1991 and have just continued to work/volunteer in HIV prevention in some capacity ever since.

Talk a little about how different life is now than two years ago — you’re hosting a bathtub Your “Tub Talks” series is incredible. Where did series now and in 2020 we couldn’t even be in the idea spring from? the same room as strangers.

Thank you! I originally got the idea from a friend Right, so this is one of the reasons I waited until of mine in San Francisco, Mike Enders, who did 2021 to start filming. I really wanted to start the his own bathtub series in the early 2010s. I got to series back in 2018 but at the time I was too busy be a guest on one of his last shows and it was the with my private practice and traveling/teaching most fun interview I ever had. I thought — what about PrEP to commit adequate time to the tub. a wonderful way to talk about ideas, hopes, Then Covid hit — and that clearly was not an ideal dreams, struggles, by sitting naked in a bathtub time either. But by the time I started shooting the with another person! When I turned 50-years- first episodes in the summer of 2021, everyone

had access to the vaccines. So shooting My hope rests more in people understanding and interviews in 2022 is delightfully different from utilizing biomedical interventions to embrace anything we could have done safely in 2020, and sexual health and pleasure. We have three FDAI’m just so grateful that science and technology approved ways of using PrEP now, and more made it possible for us to connect and take than 50 FDA-approved medications that help baths together again. “No masks, no underwear.” someone living with HIV become undetectable.

Some of those drugs only have to be taken once How are you feeling about the state of HIV a day. When someone is undetectable they are right now? Are you hopeful with some of the untransmittable, meaning they cannot give HIV advances, like injectables and Covid research, to their sexual partners (“U=U”). When I see or discouraged that we’re not yet at a vaccine people organizing, celebrating, and connecting or cure stage? around their joy of sexual empowerment, that is I don’t get discouraged so much as I’m a realist. where I feel hope, that is where I’ve witnessed I’ve been working in substantial change. this field for 31 years. It was dubious then that we would ever have a vaccine or a cure for HIV, and it’s pretty dubious now. Are there strides forward? Yes. Are there incredible people working their asses off to make that happen, yes. Is there sufficient money and funding to make it happen — as far as I know, yes. But HIV is a very tricky virus to cure and I’m not sure I’ll see a cure or an effective vaccine in my lifetime. Neal Broverman is the editorial director of Plus magazine. This column is a project of TheBody, Meanwhile — injectable PrEP allows you to Plus, Positively Aware, POZ and Q Syndicate, reduce your risk of acquiring HIV by nearly 100 the LGBTQ+ wire service. Visit their websites – percent and all you have to do is get a shot every thebody.com, hivplusmag.com, positivelyaware. eight weeks. What is the effective difference com and poz.com – for the latest updates on HIV/AIDS. between that and a vaccine?

Atlanta Socializers @ Woofs more @ davidatlanta.com

Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

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34

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Lambert Dr.

30

PU

St.

d.

Alco

32 Atlanta Eagle 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 33 Felix's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 34 The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 35 Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 36 Oscar's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Mary's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave SE Lips Atlanta 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE The T Woof's 494 Plasters Ave NE

Retail

39 Boy Next Door 40 Barking Leather

Fitness

1447 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

41 Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

BUCKS @ HIDEAWAY Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood

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.

A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in DAVID & visit their websites for weekly event listings.

SNAPS MIDTOWN

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 X MIDTOWN fb.com/XMidtownX 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

WESTSIDE

MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW 840ATL 840 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW

DINING MIDTOWN

10TH & PIEDMONT SOMETHING NEW COMING SOON 991 Piedmont Ave NE

ANSLEY

G’S gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE

ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE

FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE

THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE

DEKALB

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

LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com

3011 Buford Hwy NE RETAIL MIDTOWN

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE CHESHIRE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ANSLEY

BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510-D Piedmont Ave. 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

EMAIL info@Davidatlanta.com for FREE BUSINESS LISTINGs THERE IS ROOM FOR YOU!

BARS & CLUBS

Dear

Q

DAVID

Every year, I do the same: I make all these resolutions about exercising more, eating better, and just being an overall better person. This year, I included a resolution about not hooking up with that many guys and seeking quality over quantity. But as with every year, my resolutions don’t last for long, and I end up hating myself for not being able to keep these promises to myself. So far, I’m doing great on the exercise and diet portion, but I have had so much casual sex already. I feel like I let myself down. How can I make changes that will last?

A

So many of us roll into the new year with a list of resolutions and that “new year, new me” mindset.

Never mind that the list of resolutions is the same as last year, now is the time for “new YOU!” And just as many end up letting those resolutions down and return to our old habits feeling defeated. But here’s the thing, a resolution is nothing but a decision made in a mindful moment, and that’s it. If you think of it, it’s more like a quick fix to a larger overall process in your life, and that doesn’t come as easy as making a resolution–and that’s why so many resolutions are unfulfilled! Goals, on the other hand, are much more concrete and they are not tied a particular time of year like a new year’s resolution.

When it comes to your wish to hook up less and have more meaningful connections, you may want to start with examining why you end up with casual hookups. If you start thinking of this as a process and not something to merely spring into effect because of a resolution, then you may learn to shift your focus onto self-discipline and self-awareness. There’s no way around the fact that significant self-change requires motivation and work, but that work also leads to confidence and self-improvement.

DAVID

MAGAZiNE

Kai Lin Art Presents Paper Boxes @ Atlanta Eagle | January 27, 5 pm Kai Lin Art is pleased to announce their first exhibition for 2023, PAPER BOXES: a solo exhibition featuring ten new artworks from Asheville-based artist Kevin Palme.

Luxx Noir London at MSR @ My Sisters Room | January 28, 10 pm Luxx Noir London from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15 is headlining at My Sister’s Room.

Don’t miss this drag show and dance party with some of Atlanta’s best drag entertainers.

Heretic Harness Party w/DJ Brian Rojas @ The Heretic | January 27, 10 pm – 3 am Deep South and La Choloteca resident DJ, Brian Rojas, will be spinning all night at the Harness Party. Come out, wear your best harness, dance the night away to some sexy house beats.

The Gaga Ball @ The Basement | January 28, 10 pm – 3 am A whole night of music and fashion inspired

by Mother Monster herself. Calling all Little Monsters! The winter Gaga Ball is here! Let’s have some fun, this beat is sick!

Front Runners Atlanta Membership Drive @ Woofs Atlanta | January 28, 2-5 pm Want to run your first 5k, train for a marathon, or want a healthy social outlet? Come out and learn what Front Runners is all about! Join us for food, socializing, and become part of the community.

Felix’s SOUPerstar! @ Felix’s | January 28, 4 pm It’s cold and wintry, so let’s get some soup goin’! Felix’s is trying to find a real souperstar, so let’s keep our tummies warm and decide the winner!

Gear After Dark @ The Atlanta Eagle | January 28, 9 pm Come out to the first Gear After Dark in the new year and get over your MAL blues by showing off all your new gear.

Bearracuda Atlanta Winter Beef Ball 2023 @ The Heretic | January 28, 10 pm – 3 am Bearracuda is back in Atlanta to kick off 2023!

The first Bearracuda of the year welcomes back DJ Paul Goodyear from Sydney so you can cruise and socialize all night!

Bottom’s Up! Drag Brunch with Luxx Noir London @ City Winery | January 29, 1 pm Enjoy this boozy drag brunch featuring special guest Luxx Noir London from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 15! Tickets at citywinery.com.

Cabbage Patch @ Wild Heaven Beer| January 29, 1-3 pm ARIES ALXNDR & the House of ALXNDR⁠ invite you to Cabbage Patch – a family-friendly drag show, open to all ages.

LET’S EAT! Queer Community Potluck @ Neighborhood Church | January 29, 2-6 pm Southern Fried Queer Pride and Neighborhood Church invite to join the community potluck.

Dita Von Teese: GLAMONATRIX @ Tabernacle Atlanta | January 29, 7 pm The queen of pinup glamour and sexy burlesque comes to the Tabernacle with tantalizing show that will awaken your senses.

Atlanta All Stars Week 3 @Future Atlanta | January 31, 9-11 pm The 7-week drag competition to name Atlanta’s top all-star is in its third week. Hosted by LaLa and judged by Phoenix, Tahjee Iman Star, and Niesha Dupree, 11 contestants will compete for the title and a cash prize of $10,000.

We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’

Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.

Bold and fitting that you save GRINDR in your games folder on your phone “Don’t make me use my power bottom voice!”

Gay culture is rejecting a gay romcom but embracing a movie about a murdering doll.

On weekends I identify as He/Him/Hole Two things that are always true about me and the party: I’m running late, and I will leave early.

He thinks he’s kinda famous in this town, but we all know it’s because he is just a slut.

He is so into you that you’ll be wiping condensation off your c*ck later