Peach v.3i38 On On Screen LGBTQ+

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CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

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EDITORIAL

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Mikkel Hyldebrandt

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Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer

From the Editor

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Representation is important. Before I was even out, I used to secretly cheer for any gay LGBTQ character in movies or on TV. Today, we have come so much further, and even though we are not at all there yet with ample and fair depictions of all facets of the LGBTQ+ community, we are certainly out on film!

Atlanta becomes the Southeast center for LGTBQ cinema when the annual Out On Film festival rolls across silver screens of the city. This year, more than 125 LGBTQ-themed films, shorts, and docs will be presented in the course of the 11 days the festival goes. How’s that for representation!

Like last year, we worked with Jim Farmer on this issue. As the festival director of Out On Film, he has put together some of the festival mustsees, and he has interviewed the people behind two of the festival’s movies. One of them is “All Male, All Nude: Johnsons” – a sexy doc that goes behind the curtain of male strip clubs which also happens to be the Peach-sponsored film in the festival. Check details on page 10.

So, get your popcorn for this cinematastic issue of Peach!

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By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

A new date and the addition of a music festival ABOUT THE AIDS WALK & RUN promises to make this year’s AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run a true community event that can shine in AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run is the Southeast’s its own spotlight. largest community fundraiser and awareness event for HIV/AIDS, benefiting AID Atlanta and If you think that I seems like AIDS Walk Atlanta ten other local HIV/AIDS service providers. & 5K Run is already here, it’s partly because the popular race through historic parts of Atlanta Over its history, more than 314,000 people have is earlier than usual. Based on feedback from participated in AWA5K, raising $42M for HIV/ participants, the event has been moved up from AIDS prevention and care, saving countless lives its usual spot the week before Pride in October to and improving the well-being of thousands still September 29. Not only does that provide a little living with HIV/AIDS today. breathing room between two significant events in the park, but also leaves room for the AIDS Walk Go to aidswalkatlanta.com to register or donate Atlanta & 5K Run to add an entire music festival to its fundraising efforts to create that community WHAT festival it truly deserves.

Participation is the same as every year where you can register to fundraise as a walker, runner, or virtual participant. Furthermore, Piedmont Park will be transformed into a community festival with live music and entertainment, food trucks, beverages, the AIDS Memorial Quilt display, free health information, free and confidential rapid HIV testing, and so much more.

The lineup for the music festival includes Grammy Award-winning artist Monica (The Boy Is Mine), Grace Gibson, Raheem DeVaughn, Armara La Negra, and DJ Carisma, and more.

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Peach Invites You to a Night Out On Film Please join Peach for special screening of About OUT ON FILM “All Made, All Nude: Johnsons” on October Out On Film is an 11-day cinematic journey 3 as part of the OUT ON FILM festival. of our lives, our culture and our identity. The festival screens over 100 LGBTQ-themed Atlanta native Gerald MCullouch returns movies, docs, and shorts between September with the sequel to his popular “All Made, All 26-October 6. Check out the full schedule Nude,” which looked at Swinging Richards, and festival pass pricing at outonfilm.org. its strippers, and its ironic location deep in the Bible South. This follow-up finds WHAT Matt Colunga, one of the original Swinging Peach Night at Movies, Screening of Richards strippers, opening a new club in “All Male, All Nude: Johnsons” Florida and in the middle of the process of going from performing to learning how to run WHEN a new business, dealing with employees, Thursday, October 3, 9:15 pm patrons, and his own local government.

Gerald McCullouch and Matt Colunga can be WHERE expected to be in attendance for a brief Q&A Landmark Midtown Art Cinema before the feature.

Peach will be present in the lobby with our Tickets and OUT ON FILM festival passes popular Halo photo booth and bar vouchers through outonfilm.org (individual movie passes are $11+fee). for the first ticket holders.

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What Should You See at Out On Film

By Jim Farmer When the 32 annual Out On Film Atlanta LGBTQ film festival opens this week, it does so with 126 films, web series and short films. With so many LGBTQ films to choose from, what should one see?

Here are suggestions. nd

For starters, the opening night film “For They Know Not What They Do” is a must. A powerful documentary from Daniel Karslake, the director of “For the Bible Tells Me So,” it looks at how four LGBTQ children of religious families are able to reconcile with their parents vs. the backdrop of traditional church teachings. It’s incredibly moving and a hopeful, inspiring work, with the director and some subjects of the film present.

For fans of “Noah’s Arc,” the sexy “From Zero to I Love You” should really resonate. It reunites Doug Spearman – who directs – with Darryl Stephens, who plays Pete Logsdon, a guy in Philadelphia who has a long past of getting involved with married men. Lo and behold, Pete does it again – this time with a man named Jack who has been married 15 years and has two young children. Spearman will be in attendance for the screening.

Judith Light heads up a cast that includes Alec Baldwin and Mandy Patinkin in the Sundance charmer “Before You Know It.” In it, a lesbian has to focus more on taking care of her family – including a sister and niece – and her community theater than her personal life. It’s a charming comedy drama with one of the season’s sharpest ensembles.

“Sell By” stars Scott Evans – Chris Evans’ very talented and openly gay brother - as well as Kate Walsh and a dandy cast in a tale of New Yorkers exploring their various relationships - some new, some going on for some time.

What happens when you don’t really know your parents? That’s the case in “Circus of Books,” about a nice Jewish couple in Los Angeles – Karen and Barry Mason - who own a gay bookstore without their children initially knowing and eventually become LGBT allies. The documentary includes interviews with porn icon Jeff Stryker and the 12 | 09.25.19

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screening will include a Skype interview with the Mason family.

“Cubby” is a quirky comedy about a young and immature gay man who moves to New York from the Midwest and wind up befriending a precocious six year old and an adult Leather Man, while the sexy and naughty “Cousins” finds a teenager staying with his aunt one summer and getting a visit from a very distant cousin. E. Patrick Johnson’s wonderful “Making Sweet Tea,” about returning to the South, has a lot of Atlanta subjects.

“The Shiny Shrimps” is a comedy about an Olympic champion approaching the end of his career.

When he makes a public homophobic comment on television, he is punished by being made to coach an amateur gay water-polo team. The team may be goofy and underachieving but they are united in their desire to qualify for the Gay Games in Croatia.

This year’s Peach-sponsored film is “All Male All Nude: Johnsons.” It’s a follow-up to director Gerald McCullouch’s 2017 “All Male All Nude,” which looked at the world-famous Swinging Richard strip club in Atlanta. “Johnsons” examines the career of Matt Colunga, a former Atlanta dancer who has now founded a club in Florida.

Looking for some thrills and chuckle? You’ll find with the second annual Horror Night. First up is Natalie Maines of “Supergirl” in “Bit,” about a young woman who falls in with a group of four queer feminist vampires. Next up is “Last Ferry,” in which a gay lawyer comes to Fire Island for a get-away only to realize he has arrived too early – and accidentally witnesses a murder. Horror short films will follow, some quite scary.

Perhaps the funniest film of the festival is James Sweeney’s “Straight Up.” In it, Sweeney stars as a young man – thinking he may not be gay after all – who decides to start dating a woman. The smart film has some dialogue you might be quoting for a while.

The whole line-up is available at outonfilm.org

14 | 09.25.19

Continued on pg. 16 >>>>

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Join us for fun, music, brunch, cocktails, and more -- as we celebrate our Pride! 100% of proceeds benefit HRC's essential work in Georgia and around the country.

10:30 AM: Doors Open (Cash Bar Available) 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Open Bar & Brunch Service Tickets: Each ticket includes brunch catered by Empire State South, bottomless cocktails, and an annual HRC membership or membership renewal. VIP tickets include reserved premier seating with access to an exclusive VIP-only bar and table side mimosas.

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From Richards to Johnsons

By Jim Farmer

His first visit to Swinging Richards wasn’t planned, but it proved to be a life-changer.

Gerald McCullouch – famous for his long stint on the hit TV series “CSI” as well as the “BearCity” movies – was in Atlanta for a screening of a short film he made and got talked by his younger sister into going to celebrate at the landmark strip club.

His visit there was an in-your-face introduction. “I was blown away,” he admits. As he got to know the employees there, one suggested he make a film, because the club and its dancers were rich for storytelling. McCullouch later met Matt Colunga, another of the club’s dancers, and fell into the environment, knowing a film was in order.

McCullouch didn’t realize, though, it would take so long. He started filming before he got offered the lead role in the original “BearCity.” He put the Swinging Richards project on hold and after “BearCity” (and its two sequels) got offered a role on the New York stage in “Daddy,” later a film that he starred in and directed as well. Those projects took him away for several years, but when he was back in Atlanta, he had the time to finish it. Released in 2017, “All Male All Nude” was a success and achieved notoriety for its cast, especially Colunga.

The original, that premiered in Atlanta as part of Out On Film, generated a lot of buzz and was eventually picked up by Breaking Glass Pictures. Now McCullouch has a follow-up: “All Male All Nude: Johnsons,” which follows Colunga opening a new club 16 | 09.25.19

in Florida called Johnsons and learning the ropes of dealing with his staff and meeting expectations of a new customer base.

“Johnsons is Matt’s baby, and he got so much recognition from the first film,” says McCullouch. “He is the catalyst for the new movie.”

One of the things McCullouch had to do when making both movies was to develop trust with the dancers. “I wanted people who were engaging and willing to be open on camera. ‘CSI’ was such a hit that it was an easy in for me with most guys. The second film was the same process. I wanted to see what stories could complement each other. I also wanted the second to have more diversity in it.”

One element that has surprised and moved McCullouch is the camaraderie among the dancers, both at Swinging Richards and at Johnsons. “There are different kinds of people doing this - single dads, people following their dream. I found the family unit that is formed in the clubs is not like anything else. It’s very unique, and these guys really are a family. I am attracted to the kind of family unit Matt creates. I think the first film was a love letter to – and a celebration of - Atlanta and this is a love letter to the new club.”

“All Male All Nude: Johnsons” screens at 9:15 pm on Thursday, October 3 at the Midtown Art Cinema as part of Out On Film.

McCullouch, Colunga, and dancers from the film will be in attendance, followed by an after-party at TEN Atlanta.

Certainly a Thrill(er)

By Jim Farmer

When Joseph, a gay and rather shy young lawyer, decides to visit Fire Island, he realizes that he has paid a visit offseason.

His trip doesn’t go as planned for him.

Looking for things to do, he winds up having a casual sexual experience and witnesses a murder in the new film “Last Ferry.”

killer, so the audience doesn’t know too much too early – and so the killer was more intimidating He also wanted to slow the movie down, give it some visual dialogue and let Fire Island be a character in the story. It was important, as well, not to wrap everything up with a bow either.

Written by Ramon Torres – who also stars as Joseph – and produced by his real-life partner Mike Karp, the film is a tense thriller but one that has a sense of humor as well. The film premiered at the BFI Flare Festival in London earlier this year and has been a staple on the LGBT film festival circuit, with Atlanta one of its final screenings before it hits VOD.

The character of Joseph has reached a point where he is ready to take some chances. “Joseph – on one level – hasn’t explored his sexuality and this is something I grew up with too,” says Torres. “When you are young and go on dates, you learn about what it’s like to do all this. I was in the closet so I could not have these experiences until after college. Mike also had that experience. Joseph hasn’t really figured out what the community is like or where he fits. Fire Island seems like the Gay Disneyworld – it’s a place where you can go and explore your sexuality. But Joseph is also very by the book. When we discover he is going and taking a risk, he goes not having made a rational decision, going at a time when Fire Island is not in its prime. He is confronted with a world he didn’t expect.”

Torres got the idea for the film as he was working on two other projects. When he had visited other LGBT film festivals, he generally saw three kinds of movies – documentaries on the AIDS epidemic, coming of age/coming out stories and a campy horror movie. But there didn’t seem to be a vocabulary for other stories. “The closest was ‘Stranger By the Lake,’ which was a thriller and all the characters were queer,” he says. “There really weren’t that many character studies that elevated what the queer experience was or could be. I wanted to write something that filled that void and paid homage to some of the previous styles of thrillers.”

It took Torres a year to write and then he and Karp did table writings and tweaked the script a bit. Torres took out some supplemental characters and also revamped some of the scenes with the 18 | 09.25.19

Having been together for a while, Torres and Karp have found a way to work together and thrive personally. The two are looking forward to coming to Atlanta, a place they have visited before and enjoyed, and discussing the film with audiences.

“Last Ferry” screens at 9 pm on Friday, October 4 at Out Front Theatre Company as part of Out On Film. Torres and Karp will be present at the screening.

Writing the Unwritten

By Chris Azzopardi Photo: Kenneth Cappello 20 | 09.25.19

When Natasha Bedingfield found fame in 2004, what would become of the world was, as she sings on the hit song that established her pop-star status, “still unwritten.” Now if only it could be rewritten, because our dire, disharmonious reality is weighing even on Bedingfield, who can’t exactly chirp about sunshine in her pockets – at least not when she’s experienced the rain and the clouds too.

Nine years after her last album, Strip Me, Bedingfield, 37, returns with Roll With Me, a collection of socially conscious songs meant to empower and uplift.

In 2017, you wrote a Facebook post celebrating Pride and said, “I have learned so much about love and self-acceptance from my gay friends.” How have you learned to accept yourself because of the LGBTQ community?

That is such a beautiful question. OK, let me just first say, I do shows all over the world, but when I sing at a gay club or at a Pride, I just feel such a strong connection.

I feel like my gay audience understands my lyrics more than anybody.

Pop songs, they’re easy to sing, they’re entertainment, but when I sing for an LGBTQ crowd, there’s this understanding because I think that (laughs) … sorry, my brain. You know when you sing your brain is on the left brain, and when you’re talking it’s on the right? It’s insane, man. Words just don’t come. I’m not really a big talker.

Even in my shows, I don’t talk much.

Take your time.

I feel like the strength it takes to tell your parents that you’re gay despite rejection takes such a strong character, and I feel so inspired because it helps me realize that the things that I’m afraid people might not like about me, I can stand those. I just feel inspired by the bravery.

When did you first feel connected to that community? Did you have many gay friends growing up?

I was brought up in church. I was brought up with faith and a belief in God. There was just a lot of things about it that were quite restricting, and my parents wanted

to protect me. But sometimes that was harmful. However well-meaning, it can kind of cause a belief that the world is evil.

I guess you call it repressed. So, for me, I think I relate because some of my sexual feelings were quite repressed growing up, feeling that something is bad, like the female body is bad, sinful.

How has the way you grew up influenced how you raise your son, Solomon?

I want my son to be kind, and I want him to see the world and to love people.

He has his gay uncles and Linda Perry (Bedingfield’s sole producer and co-writer on Roll With Me) is one of his godparents, and she’s a lesbian. I’m so happy that he has such good influences in his life.

What I’ve found from the LGBTQ crowd is they’re definitely a very self-aware group of people. A lot of people I know have been to therapy and have had reasons in their life to really know themselves and I love that.

Why is it important to you to write about and for the underdog?

Well, I write from my own life. I wasn’t a star growing up. My brother (pop artist Daniel Bedingfield) was a star, and I was the younger sister. I don’t think people saw my potential. I was very loved, but I don’t think I was the main attraction (laughs).

So maybe it’s that. But also, I just think I put an antenna up when I write; I’m just a conduit, and I hear things and I see things and that flows into what I write. And I like to write about things that matter.

On “No Man I See,” you sing, “The nameless should be famous.” Who did you have on your mind when you wrote that lyric?

We’re obsessed with fame in our culture.

And everyone’s famous for 15 minutes now. Everyone gets to be. But I think for me, when I’m thinking of the nameless, I’m thinking about the people who are voiceless and making all the products that we use who are enslaved or who’ve had their power taken away. We should be talking about that more and that should be more important than all this other stuff that we give so much attention to.

Was that ever a source of frustration when you first became famous?

Yeah, I went to India one time early on in my career and met these children at orphanages. They had survived terrible sexual abuse and were put in an orphanage.

They were so amazing and beautiful and shining. I just couldn’t believe it. I was so shocked by their stories and just the power of their strength and will to survive and recover. Then, in the middle of that experience, I had a phone interview with an English magazine and it was the most shallow interview I’ve ever done, where they’re like, “What is your favorite makeup product?”

especially women, we’re not allowed to be angry, it’s not feminine and it’s been demonized to be angry. The angry woman is just a stereotype.

You’ve been in the business for nearly two decades.

How has pop music evolved in the way it approaches politics and social issues? I mean, even Taylor Swift is making political statements about the LGBTQ community and gender equality now. Do you see a shift?

When I started out, people would say, “You’re just here to entertain. Don’t make waves.” People say that to women a lot too, but especially in pop music there’s a lot of control. The gatekeepers aren’t there anymore. Anyone can release an So, “the nameless should be famous” is (album). But how do you get heard above just what’s important in life and let’s talk all the noise? Say something that means about that stuff. And what does famous something. mean? What is it, actually? It’s a currency.

I’ve experienced fame. My songs have taken I’m guessing at the start of your career you couldn’t a life of their own in the world and it just have recorded a song like “Hey Papa,” which makes you go, “What do I want to say?” I addresses America’s gun problem.

I mean, I did. I recorded lots of songs like better say some stuff that really matters. that, but my label didn’t like them. I write Are empowering anthems more important now than like three times as many songs as what gets on an album. When there’s an album, I ever?

Yes, definitely. Look at Netflix comedy: write almost 150 or 200 songs per album. it’s on the rise. There’s so much comedy because people need to laugh. People need What’s an unreleased song you wrote at the reasons to feel good. I feel like people are beginning of your career that you wished people overwhelmed by a sea of negative stuff and could hear? need things that lift them up. When I’m I don’t know, but it’s really hard because getting inspired, that’s the kind of stuff you get put into a box. I wrote a lot of songs that I’m hearing. When someone comes to that were more sad, but people always liked my show, I want them to come away with my happy songs. My husband, when he some kind of solution or a release of some married me, was quite surprised that I’m so pessimistic (laughs). A challenge for all kind. creators is that we get instant feedback and What was on your mind while you were recording there are things people like, so then you end up doing more of what they like. these songs?

My album is about movements. That was one of my main themes. Movements As a musician, is it frustrating to be put in a box? are what are going to change the world – It’s difficult when you are a people-pleaser. people getting together and actually doing For example, Amy Winehouse: her song something, like getting angry enough. Not was about people telling her to go to just complaining, and not just thinking rehab. She says “no.” She was an addict about it, but finding your power and and she couldn’t get the help she needed actually doing something about it. Not just because she got positive affirmation; she festering, not just boiling. Not losing your was rewarded for saying she didn’t want to hope. Actually being active. And anger has go to rehab. So when you sing a song like a purpose and a place, and a lot of times, that again and again, there’s no way you 22 | 09.25.19

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can ever get help. You positively reinforce an idea that you can’t get healthy.

Do you feel like at this stage in your career you no longer have to be a people-pleaser?

It’s hard. I love pleasing a crowd. I will run around like a headless chicken if it means people will clap. I just love it. I want people to sing along with me. The thing I find the hardest is when people don’t sing along. If people are just sitting when I sing, for me I’m like, “What’s wrong? Get up!” I don’t get it. My music is a conversation and I live to see people join in. It’s about the experience.

For The Hills: New Beginnings, the reboot of The Hills, you said that you re-recorded “Unwritten,” the original show’s theme song, with a new frame of mind. How has your perspective on that song shifted?

I wrote the song for my own brother when

24 | 09.25.19

he was 14. It really was specifically for him. But as I’ve sung it around the world, and as I’ve lived life, the song has become more for me, as well. Things I needed to hear. Even right now, as I’m releasing an album, I’m remembering how it’s all about enjoying yourself and taking risks.

Sometimes we’ll be on vacation and someone will jump off a rock and I’m like, “Eh, I’ll sit that one out.” Then I remember my song and I’m like, “Ah, it’s about living life to the fullest,” and I have to get off my butt and join in.

-As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @ chrisazzopardi

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Concert + Dance Party

October 5th, 2019 The Tabernacle with Martha Wash –

“It’s Raining Men”

152 Luckie St NW Atlanta, GA 30303

Doors open – 8 p.m.

Show begins – 9 p.m.

Tickets: PositiveImpactHealthCenters.org

BENEFITS

and Taylor Dayne –

“Tell It to My Heart”

Joshua grew up just outside Charlotte and moved out of his NC comfort zone to Atlanta’s Midtown a little over three years ago. Five years ago, Joshua was offered a new perspective on life, as he was chosen to be on Extreme Weight Loss on ABC, and he ultimately lost 180 lbs. in a year. Another significant change at the time was to come out and be proud of who he was. Since moving to Atlanta, he has met a lot of great friends, and he will celebrate his three-year-anniversary with boyfriend Danny at the upcoming Atlanta Pride festival.

@ joshuaz_morton

Joshua Morton

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Flight of Fancy

By Gregg Shapiro Photo: Amazon Studios, Warner Bros.

In the interest of full disclosure, I did not read Donna Tartt’s novel “The Goldfinch”. Many who did tackle the nearly 800-page Pulitzer Prizewinning behemoth wondered how it is that Irish filmmaker John Crowley (who also directed the Oscar-nominated movie version of gay novelist Colm Tóibín’s “Brooklyn”), was going to bring Tartt’s epic work to the screen without turning it into a VOD series on Hulu or Netflix.

The answer can be found in the 2 ½ hour theatrical version of “The Goldfinch” (WB/Amazon Studios), which functions as a stand-alone piece of cinema. Visually captivating, with strong performances, and the ability to incorporate sly touches of humor in the midst of tragedy, the film adaptation of “The Goldfinch”, like the novel, may not be to everyone’s taste, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have wings.

Moving back and forth in time, “The Goldfinch” focuses on main character Theo (Oakes Fegley), before and in the immediate aftermath of the Manhattan art museum bombing that kills his mother Audrey (Hailey Wist). It follows him into young adulthood where Theo (Ansel Elgort) has reinvented himself, all the while haunted by inescapable elements of his past.

Theo holds himself responsible for Audrey’s death.

They wouldn’t have been in the museum at the time of the bombing if they hadn’t been early for an appointment with his school principal because he got caught smoking. Theo carries this burden with him for years. Additionally, Theo also has in his possession the titular painting by 17th century Dutch artist Carel Fabritius. The painting survived the blast and Theo is advised by Welty (Robert Joy), an antiques dealer who was at the museum with his niece Pippa (Aimee Laurence), to rescue it from the rubble moments before he dies.

Paulson) and he is whisked away to live with them in Las Vegas. There he meets and becomes friends with Ukranian-immigrant schoolmate Boris (Finn Wolfhard). Boris, who is more mature and worldly than Theo, is equal parts good and bad influence.

When things become unbearable in Las Vegas, following the death of Larry (it’s all right to cheer when he dies), Theo returns to New York where he is taken in by Welty’s antiques dealer/furniture restorer business partner Hobie (Jeffrey Wright).

Boris promises to meet Theo in New York, but he doesn’t. Over the years, Hobie grooms Theo to be his protégé. Theo also stays so that he can be close to Pippa, another survivor of the museum bombing, who is cared for by Hobie.

But, despite his bespoke suits, attractive appearance and professional manner, Theo is a mess. He has chemical dependency issues. He continues to have nightmares about the bombing and his mother. His great love, Pippa, has moved to London to be with her boyfriend (and get away from the memories associated with New York). He scams clients, including Lucius (out actor Denis O’Hare), who is not only onto Theo, but also connects him to the painting that was thought to be destroyed in the blast. Last, but not least, his reunion with the Barbours, following the death of Andy and his father, results in his engagement to Andy’s younger sister Kitsey (Willa Fitzgerald).

Then things take an unexpected and shocking turn when Theo is reunited, in New York, with the grown-up Boris (Aneurin Barnard), a leopard who has not changed his spots. To say more would give away an important plot twist that should be seen to be believed. Again, if you are looking for the kind of adaptation that fully honors its source material, “The Goldfinch” may be a disappointment.

However, on its own independent merits, “The Goldfinch” has the ability to fly.

Now motherless and with his itinerant, substanceabusing, actor father Larry (Luke Wilson) nowhere in sight, Theo is taken in by the Barbours, the mother (Nicole Kidman) and father (Boyd Gaines) of classmate Andy (Ryan Foust). Just as he adjusts and settles in, Larry appears with Peach Rating: 3 peaches – a just ripe peach his trashy girlfriend Xandra (out actress Sarah 36 | 09.25.19

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Showtunes Someday

By Jeff Fuller When I was eight or nine, at home and sick with the flu, I spent an entire day watching old movies on the VCR with my mom. My mom decided to introduce me to the musicals that she loved as a girl growing up in the 1950s and 1960s: Oklahoma!, West Side Story, The Sound of Music.

Something about these technicolor movies captured my imagination. I began wanting to watch more and more of these movies that came on two VHS cassettes instead of just one. I am not sure what drew me in: the drama, the campy humor, or the music. Encouraged by my mother, I took piano lessons hoping to perform some of the Broadway songs I had seen performed in the movies.

In fifth grade, I had a brilliant music teacher named Mrs. Vance. She was young, exuberant, with gorgeous curly red hair. At the end of each year, Mrs. Vance would have the fourth and fifth graders put on a “Fine Arts Pageant.” For the show in my fifth-grade year, Mrs. Vance had us each sing a few lines from a Broadway show. This greatly enhanced my musical repertoire. Not only did our show include some of the Rodgers and Hammerstein songs my mother loved, but songs

by Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

I had a few solos in the show and Mrs. Vance told me that I had a wonderful singing voice.

One day, near the end of my fifth-grade year, Mrs. Vance took me and another student and friend of mine named Chad out into the hallway to let us know that the local theatre was looking for kids to participate in their production of The King and I. Immediately, I felt excited about it and wanted to say yes, but Chad said that he didn’t want to do it. Mrs. Vance turned to me to ask what my decision would be. I really wanted to, but I also wanted to do what Chad was doing. I didn’t want to be—different. Regretfully, I told Mrs. Vance that I couldn’t do it. To this day, I always wish I hadn’t been too afraid to do my own thing.

In spite of my fears, music and theatre continued to be part of my life through high school. I took more piano lessons, joined the marching band, 38 | 09.25.19

sang in the choir, acted in a few plays, but never got to sing in a musical. On a high school trip to Europe, I remember staying at a small English country hotel, where all there was to do at night was play the piano in the parlor. Two blonde twin girls from rural South Carolina, who happened to be much more worldly and sophisticated than me, decided to have me play the piano while they sang songs from Aspects of Love and Les Miserables.

A male student on the trip who noticed my piano performance with the girls derisively called me a faggot, sending me running off to my room in tears. My French teacher, who I am sure knew me better than I did, consoled me and told me that there was nothing wrong with me. Nevertheless, when asked to accompany the girls on the piano again, I politely declined.

As I got older, I was finally able to see musicals performed on the stage in New York and London.

I have always held an admiration for those talented enough to give their life to the making of art, performance and entertainment. I know that I never had the raw talent to become a Broadway star, but I wish I hadn’t let the world smother the artistic side of me. This is why singing showtunes in a video bar with a bunch of gay men has special appeal. It speaks to the boy inside of me who wants to make music, put on a show, and just be himself.

The GEN X Files Apart from being a Gay Generation-Xer, Jeff Fuller is an attorney, writer, travel blogger, historian, and military spouse. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Jeff went to college, graduate school and law school in the Southeast. He has called Atlanta home for the last decade but recently moved to DC to follow his husband on his military career.

He occasionally blogs at journeyingjeff.com.

Watch That Man An interview with Ben Mandelker of Watch What Crappens

By Gregg Shapiro Katonah native Ben Mandelker is a funny guy.

The Dartmouth College alum moved to Los Angeles a few years ago to be a comedy writer.

He’s not the first and he won’t be the last. His is a familiar story of starts and stops, highs and lows.

Fortunately for Mandelker, he met fellow funny man Ronnie Karam, and their shared affection for The Real Housewives and all things Bravo led them to create the popular podcast Watch What Crappens. The title of the podcast, a nod to Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens: Live recap and call-in show, has been well-received, not only by the large listener base, but also by Cohen and Bravo show cast members alike. In fact, Watch What Crappens is so successful, that Mandelker and Karam have been doing a series of soldout live shows. Mandelker, who also does the animated The Real Housewares of Kitchen Island series, took some time out of his busy production schedule to answer a few questions.

Ben, please say something about the genesis of the Watch What Crappens podcast.

(Watch What Crappens co-host) Ronnie Karam and I knew each other from the world of blogging from the mid-aughts. We had forged a friendship from that. Around 2010 or 2011, I was hired to be the host of a web series called Housewives Hoedown where every week I would be on video talking about the Real Housewives. My role as host was to find guests to be on the show. I knew Ronnie and he’s super-funny. I invited him and my friend Matt Whitfield, who was a writer for Yahoo! at the time. The three of us had great chemistry. When the web series was canceled after nine months, we decided that we wanted to keep talking about Real Housewives and expand it to included Bravo as a whole. We started Watch What Crappens seven and a half 40 | 09.25.19

years ago.

A recent Watch What Crappens episode made mention of technical difficulties. Are you and Ronnie the ones doing the production work or do you have a team?

We do it all ourselves. We record over Skype.

Even though we live about a mile away from each other. You can never underestimate how hard it is to drive places and find parking in Los Angeles [laughs]. We could theoretically meet up. We record five episodes a week, plus a bonus for Patreon, so it’s easier to record over Skype.

One of the things that’s been really fun for us as a podcast is that’s it’s always been on us.

We’ve always done it ourselves. Every now and then we’d get an opportunity to record in a nice studio setting. For years we’ve been this outsider podcast, just two guys talking trash about reality stars. It never sounded as sharp and crisp as a super-professionally made podcast, but I think it made it sound accessible. You can hear trucks driving by and sirens passing our apartments.

At the end of the day, we’re still dudes putting together a recording for the fun of it.

At the beginning of each episode, you thank your Patreon supporters. How has crowd funding has changed the creativity landscape?

Crowd funding in general, but specifically Patreon, was a total game-changer for us. I could even say it changed my life. I had moved out to Los Angeles to be a comedy writer. I had some success. I had a feature that was going to go with director McG. I had a pitch a few years ago that Zach Braff was attached to, with the producers of La La Land and New Girl.

Across the board, they would fall apart for some reason. What I realized is that the entertainment

industry in L.A. is a crapshoot. The podcast was something that allowed us to take ownership of our future and our careers. Not have everything in the hands of fickle decisions. The reason this matters in terms of Patreon is that this is what I was going through at the time. My career was in the hands of other people. I was driving Uber to support myself while I was going on these pitches. When Patreon came around and people stared donating, a dollar, two dollars, five dollars here and there, after a few months Ronnie and I were actually able to live off of that. I didn’t have to be an Uber driver; he didn’t have to be a waiter. It allowed us to focus 100% on the podcast. That, in turn, empowered us to forge our own ways with our careers and not relying on other people to decide whether or not to give us an opportunity. It allowed us to create our own opportunities.

That’s quite an endorsement! Have you heard from Andy Cohen or any cast members of the Bravo shows?

A few months ago Andy Cohen actually Tweeted out something. He said that we were hilarious.

We get a lot of support from Bravo celebrities, such as Lisa Rinna (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), LeeAnne Locken (The Real Housewives of Dallas), and a lot of people from Vanderpump Rules, Below Deck, Summer House. Patricia Altschul, who is the grand dame of Southern Charm and Catherine Dennis who is the breakout star from that show. A lot of them listen, support, come to our live shows, which is exciting. It’s awesome when we do a live show and one of the Bravo-lebrities shows up. They get the joke, they understand. At the end of the day, Ronnie and I are just two friends watching these shows and broadcasting the same thing everyone says to their friends when they watch the shows. We just happen to be broadcasting it to 2.5 million people.

I’m glad you mentioned the live shows. How did the concept of doing live versions of Watch What Crappens come about?

We had always wanted to incorporate a live component, going back to our first year.

Truthfully, Ronnie and I are performers at heart.

My background is a little more in writing. His is in theater and improv. Together, we are two people who live to make people laugh. If I make Ronnie laugh on the podcast, that’s all I’m trying to do [laughs]. If I can make him laugh, then the audience will be laughing. We have a desire to entertain. We love to get up in front of people and do our shows. Going back to our first year, we did a show at the (now defunct) Improv Olympic (in Los Angeles). Ten people showed up, but we had so much fun. Every once in a while we’d have a chance to do a show at The Improv and we’d have 60 people. Then we got the opportunity to do our show at the Gotham Comedy in New York and we sold out in six hours. It’s a room that hold 250 or 300.

We did the show and it was exciting. A few days later, a big venue in L.A. reached out to us. We thought, “This might be happening!” Now we’re with APA, which is a huge honor, because they’re 42 | 09.25.19

major in terms of comedy booking. It’s crazy to think we did a show where only 10 people showed up and now we sold out the 9:30 Club in DC and Just For Laughs in Montreal and SXSW. It’s been so crazy, especially in the context that we’re just two guys talking about The Real Housewives and Vanderpump Rules.

I watched the first seven episodes of your animated series The Real Housewares of Kitchen Island. Are there more in the works?

Yes! Believe it or not, I’m going to sit down and work on the next scripts today. I’ve taken some time off and chilling out. I’m not going to lie. I was planning on getting one or two more up. I’ve actually outlined the next nine episodes. There’s going to be quite a scandalous arc that’s going to happen. I’m glad that you watched it. I love doing it. As I mentioned, I came out here to be a writer and since the podcast has become a big thing, I’ve focused a lot of attention on that. But I still want to keep writing as part of my life.

The reason I do The Real Housewares is it’s a way for me to write quick, easy fun stuff on the side. It’s also my way of writing something, doing the voices. I taught myself animation so I could make it myself. It’s something that’s 100% my own.

Do you think Forky from Toy Story 4 might make a guest appearance?

You never know. I would love to have some crossovers. I’m sure Disney would absolutely allow that to happen. License their characters to appear on The Real Housewares of Kitchen Island [laughs].

Finally, Ben, can you please say a few words about the symbiotic relationship between gay men and the Bravo network?

There really is a connection between Bravo show and gay men. I think that there’s something about gay culture that really appreciates camp and a bent sense of humor. That’s the mindset you have to have when you watch these shows.

You can’t watch The Real Housewives of New York and not appreciate the camp value. If you take it at face value, you’ll wonder, “What’s the point of this? Why is it funny for me to watch Ramona Singer walking her dog?” Instead of deriding that, embracing the ridiculousness of it is when you truly understand and get Bravo TV. You could probably have an entire academic course of study or thesis about why gay men respond to different kinds of humor in a certain way. There’s something about gay men’s appreciation of certain kinds of comedy that just dovetails so well with Bravo.

-Watch What Crappens performs 10/12 in Atlanta at City Winery.

September 25 - October 2

Voices of Note Season Kick-Off Celebration The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus are kicking off their 39th season with a cocktail party that will showcase the stellar 2019-2020 performance schedule and gives you the chance to meet and mingle with the members of Voices of Note.

Thursday, September 26, 6:30-9 pm TEN Atlanta STAFF PICK!

WUSSY Prom The 5th annual WUSSY Prom is a night of enchanting performance art, dancing to sickening beats, and beautifully petty moments – a death drop to remember and a night every young queer dreams of. DJ sets by Andy Butler of Hercules and Love Affair and Vicki Powell (Deep South).

Saturday, September 28, 9 pm – 2:30 am MSR My Sisters Room

DILF Leather Me Up Daddy Party The hot jock party is back with a special leather and gear event. Dudes, Daddies, Discreet, Don’t Know DILF is for all men out to have a good time. Beat by DJ James Anthony (Sirius XM).

Saturday, September 28, 9 pm – 3 am The Heretic

East Atlanta Strut

Zedd Orbit Tour

Come to Flat Shoals and Glenwood in East Atlanta to strut your stuff! A parade, vendors, performances, artist market, music, and so much more to cherish and discover the vibrant neighborhood. Parade at 2 pm.

Saturday, September 28, 11 am – 9 pm Flat Shoals and Glenwood

The German-Russian DJ and producer continues his American tour with a performance at the fantastic Coca-Cola Roxy. Opening sets by Jax Jones and NOTD. Tuesday, October 1, 8 pm The Coca-Cola Roxy

46 | 09.25.19

DRAGON CON NIGHT @ GEORGIA AQUARIUM PHOTOS: HALO PHOTOBOOTH

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TEN IMPORTANT LGBTQ MOVIES FROM THE 21ST CENTURY Queer masterpieces

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Blue is the Warmest Color

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Tomboy Tangerine The Handmaiden

Weekend

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I think I found my soulmate. We went on a movie date, kissed goodnight afterwards, I go home only to discover I have a piece of popcorn in my beard – and he still kissed me and told me how handsome I was!

Me: I’m so glad work is over!

Him: Yeah, almost over!

Me: I am just done for today

Him: Uhm, it’s still another hour before we close

Me: Oh, I closed down mentally an hour ago

ASKING FOR A FRIEND

Can happy hour be extended indefinitely?

I hate it when I mean to buy broccoli, but instead I get Oreos I’m trying to stop making sexual innuendos on social media. But it’s hard! So hard …

So, you call yourself a network. Of lies maybe, because you don’t even have a steady gig anymore!

DADDY JOKE ALERT Everyone told Sam not to sing. But Samsung anyway

56 | 09.25.19

You want a queen? Earn one.

You want a whore? Buy me three shots of tequila.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) Someone close to you may not be totally honest.

This person could be avoiding telling the truth or hiding something from you in order to protect you.

Trust your instincts, Pisces. If someone tells you something important that doesn’t ring true, check it out before accepting one person’s word. This isn’t a vicious deception - only a protective one. But shielding someone from the truth can sometimes backfire!

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) Weariness may have you feeling a bit listless this week, Aries, and you’re likely to want to stay home in bed rather than go anywhere. This goes against your normal inclination, so you could be tempted to bite the bullet and get out in spite of your malaise.

Don’t fall into this trap. Get some rest so that when you absolutely have to go out, you’ll be your old self again.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

Your mind may be going a thousand miles an hour. You might be inundated with new ideas and information that could cause mental overload. Write it all down if you can. You’ll want to refer to it later.

It might be advisable to then go out for a walk or other exercise. This intellectual overload could produce excess nervous energy that you’ll need to work off.

A lover or close friend may seem to have dropped out of the picture, and this could have you worried, confused, and wondering if this person isn’t interested in continuing a relationship with you.

Don’t let your insecurity get the best of you. The person has his or her troubles and will eventually want a strong, sympathetic shoulder to cry on.

You’re likely to be that person!

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

Worries over the situation of a lover or close friend who seems depressed could plague you this week, yet you may hesitate to contact this person and ask what’s wrong because you don’t want to intrude.

Nonetheless, you should. All is not as bad as it seems, and your concern will be appreciated.

Tonight get some much-needed rest. You’ve been working far too hard.

Career interests may be short-circuited by gossip, rumor, and office politics. Someone has an agenda and isn’t likely to care too much about the effect on others’ lives of any underhanded dealings. If you hear about such goings-on, Gemini, do what you can to stop them before they get out of hand.

That way you can protect your and your colleagues’ career interests.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

A family member may be depressed and not up for talking about what’s wrong. His or her mood could spread to everyone else, so it might be a good idea to ask what’s wrong. Point out that moods are contagious! Don’t force the issue, Sagittarius. That would be worse. A number of calls could interrupt your work, which you might find irritating. Don’t be afraid to let voicemail get the calls.

Perhaps you’ve been planning a trip or a return to school for a long time. However, Cancer, a rather disturbing letter or phone call could jeopardize your plans and leave you teetering on the edge of disappointment. If you look at the situation carefully, you may find that it doesn’t set you back that much. You can take care of it without sacrificing what you want.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) Misinformation might spread through your extended family or neighborhood and cause unnecessary upsets among those involved. Don’t accept at face value any gossip or rumor you hear today until you check it out yourself, Capricorn. It could turn out to be a tempest in a teapot. This isn’t a good time to plan or take a trip of any kind. Delays or mishaps could result.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) Seemingly bad news about your financial situation could throw your usually even-keeled nature off kilter. Look into the matter carefully before panicking, Leo. There may have been a computer error or other mistake, or perhaps someone confused you with someone else. Take steps to rectify the blunder. It’s a drag, but you’ll be relieved to know that all was better than it seemed.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

Misinformation regarding money could come from someone who has a stake in your believing whatever you’re told. This could be a banker, creditor, investment counselor, or even a close friend or relative. Whoever it is, Aquarius, don’t accept what this person says at face value. Look into the facts of the situation yourself before making any decisions about what you need to do.

An unpleasant situation could arise. Your first reaction may be to protect those closest to you from the truth. You could be tempted to lie or at least avoid mentioning the situation. Don’t give in to the temptation, Virgo. Your desire to shield loved ones is understandable, but it could cause problems.

You can’t protect people from everything. Most people prefer to know the facts.

58 | 09.25.19

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt 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.

I

am seeing this guy, he’s really great, and we connect on so many levels, but there is one thing that I can probably best describe as body chemistry: I don’t like his taste and smell! I’ve never had this happen to me before, so I’m a little surprised that it seems like my body is rejecting this guy whom I otherwise think is cute, sexy, and funny – unless I get close to him, and the first thing I think is that he somehow smells and tastes weird. It’s not a hygienic issue, because he does shower, so could it be a chemical thing?

Sincerely Picky Palate Dear Picky Palate It seems like you do have chemistry; just not the body chemistry kind! The way you react to him is like how you would react to foods you don’t like so that it can become a problem. You say it’s not for lack of hygiene, but then you need to consider if he is taking certain medications, what he eats, if he smokes, or consumes a lot of alcohol. All things that can affect your body chemistry and make you smelly! You should also consider if this is your subconscious mind telling you to pass on this guy. Clearly, you are trying to convince yourself that this guy is all right, but maybe you are creating these subliminal messages to yourself to strike those warning bells a little louder. There is no doubt; there is such a thing as body chemistry between two people – I can’t stop smelling my boyfriend! – but is it enough to terminate a relationship? You are going to have to trust your guts on this one. Or your nose.

I

went out on a date with this guy, we really hit it off, made out even at the restaurant, went home to my place for a nightcap, made out, and had the most amazing sex. He ended up staying the night, and I felt like I had hit the jackpot until the next morning when he revealed that he was in fact in an open relationship and that he wasn’t looking for anything long-term because of his primary relationship. Everything about the experience felt so special, including the fact that we didn’t meet on an app, but now I just feel so mislead. He has texted me saying that he didn’t mean to mislead when I feel that’s exactly what he did, right? Did I get tricked by this guy?

Sincerely So Tricky Dear So Tricky Often, when there is a lack of communication and assumptions are made, feelings get hurt. Just as he should have disclosed his relationship status, you could have asked him about and made it clear that you are looking for a monogamous hookup in the first place, and that you appreciate openness when it comes relationship status.

Neither of you did a bad thing, but both of you didn’t communicate properly. So, now you have that experience going into your next hookup – make sure to ask first about these things, so you don’t feel mislead afterward. Yes, relationship structures have become more evolved over the last couple of years, and poly and nonmonogamy are becoming more and more visible even in mainstream dating culture. So with that in mind, it is a good idea for you to disclose to potential partners that you are mainly interested in a monogamous relationship style. Just as they should reveal if they are in an open relationship or not.

NEED ANSWERS? REACH OUT TO US, AND YOU WILL GET THEM! SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS TO OUR EDITOR AT MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM.

60 | 09.25.19