Peach v1 i20issu

Aw, Thanks!

How to Make Better Choices Thanksgiving Party Lineup

Interviews: Karen Mason from LoveNever Dies Trey Pearson debuts Love is Love

CONTENTS

NOVEMEBER 22, 2017

V1-20

PEACH ATL MEDIA, LLC 925B Peachtree St. NE, Suite 168 Atlanta, GA 30309 404.439.9838

OPERATIONS Jeff Anderson Sales and Development Director

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10

jeff@peachatl.com

EDITORIAL

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com

SALES Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

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Steve Tyrrell steve@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS James Hicks Gregg Shapiro Tony Kearney Casey Deynton Branden Lee

From the Editor Whether you have a strong tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving or not, it’s a good time to consider what you have to be thankful for. A quick survey around the Peach office lists friends, family, pets, and freedom as the top picks, but we all have an underlying and deeply felt appreciation for our readers across Atlanta.

DISTRIBUTION Brian Harmon

We are pleased to see that our readership is up, and people still want to pick up a magazine and flip through the pages. So, THANK YOU, dear Peach readers, for giving us the energy and inspiration to publish our lovely weekly.

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media 908.232.2021

Happy Thanksgiving, Peaches!

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The content of Peach ATL Media is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed by any writer, advertiser, or other person appearing in the Peach ATL Media are not necessarily those of this publication, its management or staff. The information and materials appearing in the magazine are not guaranteed or warranted as to accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness, or suitability of the information and materials found or offered for a particular purpose. It shall be your responsibility to ensure that any products, services, or information available through Peach ATL Media meets your specific requirements. Peach ATL Media is not responsible for claims made by advertisers, content of information, changes, events, and schedules. The magazine contains information and material which is owned by or licensed to Peach ATL Media, including but not limited to articles, advertisements, design, layout, graphics, and logos. No part or portion of Peach ATL Media may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Unauthorized use of Peach ATL Media may give rise to claims for damages and or criminal offenses. Your use of the information or materials in Peach ATL Media is strictly at your own risk.

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Peach Recommendation Suzanne Westenhoefer Performs at Out Front The kid from Amish Country who began her comedy career on a dare is celebrating a quarter century of out, open, no-holds-barred comedy.

Suzanne tells the truth. The truth in life is funny, especially when it’s fermented in Suzanne’s mind. That’s why she could never be in the closet, making her a trailblazer when she started doing stand-up in the 1990s. She was the first openly lesbian comedian with an HBO Special and the first openly lesbian comedian on “Late Night with David Letterman.”

Her shows are always a mystery mixed with delight as she never does the same show twice.

She never writes anything down, but boldly takes the stage and lets her hilarious truth-telling begin in a beautiful mixture of candor, courage, and charisma

When:

November 29, 8:00 PM

Where:

Out Front Theatre, 999 Brady Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Tickets:

$25 General Admission or $40 Prime Seating (Includes Meet and Greet after the show). tep.ticketleap.com

8 | 11.8.17

peachATL.com | 9

New Gay In Town: One Cheater.

Two Threesomes.

A New Gay in town: I’m in love with a sex addict

BY Branden Lee

10 | 11.22.17

During our threesome, I saw a completely new side to Zimbabwe that kinda terrified me. Zimbabwe told me before that he liked rough sex, but this was my first time actually seeing just how rough he liked it.

Zimbabwe was into slapping, spitting, even being punched in the chest, and he wanted me and the other guy to keep hitting him harder and harder. Zimbabwe said sex felt like a drug to him, and that he felt so high. He said the hitting helped him, since he felt numb, which was odd to me since we were all sober.

I also was very annoyed during the threesome. We all pretty much came twice, but then I was over it. I was ready for the other guy to go and wanted some alone time with just me and Zimbabwe.

We’d had a previous rough couple of days, and things finally felt good again. I felt reconnected and on a good page with my boyfriend.

But Zimbabwe kept saying he wanted us to go for another round. He even suggested inviting over a fourth guy and kept saying he could go all night. He had warned me before we got together that he liked sex for hours, but this was too much for me. I was tired, and wanted it to be over.

I made it clear I was done, we all showered together, and the other guy ordered his Uber. Zimbabwe asked our lover for his number which annoyed me.

I planned the threesome, so why did my boyfriend need to be in contact with the guy outside of me being the mediator? I

felt it was rude on his part, and it made me uncomfortable.

After the guy left, I was a bit frosty towards Zimbabwe. I was mad at him for continuing to suggest we keep going for more rounds of sex after I made it clear I was over it. I was also annoyed he kept suggesting inviting a fourth, and I was pissed he got the guy’s number. This threesome really showed me a different side of Zimbabwe, and it made me question if his insatiable sex drive was something I could handle.

Zimbabwe and I had a discussion about us. I told him about my fears about seeing this new sexual side of him. I told him about my insecurities about him always being on his phone, and constantly getting messages from random guys online, his ex-boyfriend, and ex-hookups, all trying to get with him. It made me insecure. Zimbabwe had been loyal and faithful, but with all the guys constantly bombarding him with messages it made me question how long he could be faithful with so many guys throwing themselves at him.

Zimbabwe and I made a rule to no longer engage in communication with guys that were romantically/sexually interested in us. No talking to exes or guys from our pasts. We were allowed to keep our

dating apps. I found dating apps to be a great tool for making friends. I was still new to Atlanta, and most of my new acquaintances I had made were from online.

Zimbabwe decided he too wanted to experience having gay friends. He was DL, and only out to his brother and one of his friends. Zimbabwe wanted to have friends he could be open with and not have to hide his sexuality. I was skeptical of Zimbabwe still being online, but if I was going to stay on apps to make friends, I had to be ok with him doing the same.

Things being on track with Zimbabwe didn’t last long. He saw I was messaging with a guy on Jack’d that was my type. I said we were just having a friendly chat.

Which was half true, because I originally messaged him when we were looking for a third for the threesome.

Zimbabwe immediately was livid that we had agreed to not talk to guys that we were attracted to, and now he had caught me doing just that. I wasn’t even able to explain myself. Zimbabwe yelled at me, stormed out, and blocked me online.

New Gay in Town is back on 12.6!

Branden Lee is a writer, filmmaker, and actor, now living in Atlanta.

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12 | 11.22.17

it's beginning to look a lot like

PARTY SEASON host your holiday party with us!

Our dining room gives you plenty of reasons to host your holiday party! The luxe, wood-paneled room boasts eclectic lighting, glass tiles and art from locally acclaimed artists. www.einsteinsatlanta.com For all party inquiries, please contact our events coordinator, Paula Benoit at pbenoit@metrocafes.com or 404.249.9468 x14

With unique spaces like our indoor patio, “Guaco Joe’s Underground” private dining/party room with outdoor bar and patio; Guaco Joe’s is perfect for your holiday party! www.guacojoes.com For all party inquiries, please contact our events coordinator, Natasha Zeleza at nzelezat@metrocafes.com or 678.905.8807

peachATL.com | 13

LOVE IS ALIVE:

AN INTERVIEW WITH

KAREN MASON

by Gregg Shapiro

Broadway actress and award-winning cabaret goddess Karen Mason is one of the hardest working women in show business. erhaps you’ve caught her on to Coney Island? character. They were also the P Broadway as Tanya in Mamma KM: I hate to admit this, but I have most difficult to wear because Mia!, as Norma Desmond in only been once [laughs]! Now, of the weight. Each one weighed Sunset Boulevard (when she was Glenn Close’s standby), as Velma Van Tussle in Hairspray or as the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland. A regular on the cabaret circuit, you might have heard her when she performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, or in New York at Lincoln Center, Feinstein’s at The Regency, Rainbow & Stars and the Algonquin, or in Los Angeles at The Cinegrill, or at The Plush Room in San Francisco or Davenport’s in Chicago. Could be that you purchased, or received as a gift, one of her CDs.

Maybe you’ve seen her on TV in an episode of Law & Order.

Whether you’ve had the pleasure of attending any of her various performances or you’ve never had the opportunity, the good news is that she is playing the role of the long-suffering Madame Giry in the national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Love Never Dies, a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. I spoke with Karen about the show and her career in late 2017.

Gregg Shapiro: What was it about Madame Giry in Love Never Dies that made you want to portray her on stage?

Karen Mason: Madame Giry is a survivor! She has been given a certain set of options in life, and perhaps she did not make the most ethical choices, but she survived. She did what she had to do to put food on the table for her daughter and her. (She’s) a very direct, and directed, woman.

GS: Love Never Dies is set on Coney Island. As a New Yorker for many years, how often do you go 14 | 11.22.17

perhaps, I will get back there to really look around. I am fascinated by the history of this place now.

GS: Not only do you have the distinction of closing act one of Love Never Dies with the number “Ten Long Years,” but you also make your entrance from a mirrored obelisk.

KM: An entrance every actress prays for [laughs] I love the visual of this number in the show. Very dark and mysterious, with these theatrical mirrored obelisks.

I do deal with motion sickness, so I have to prepare to be in there because it gets moved around a lot.

GS: As a singing actress, what is most appealing to about being in a Webber show such as Love Never Dies or Sunset Boulevard?

KM: The drama of the music! I do love this score and never tire of hearing it during the show.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music is very driven by story. As an actress, I love telling stories. Also, the challenge of the music. There are wonderful challenges for me throughout my show. How to really tell the story honestly. And not just rely on the inherent drama of the music.

GS: You’ve gotten to wear some fantastic costumes in Love Never Dies, Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!, Wonderland and Hairspray.

Do you have an all-time favorite wardrobe from a show?

KM: I have to say that Wonderland had the most amazing costumes.

My Queen of Hearts costumes

by Susan Hilferty made me cry because they were so beautiful and absolutely right for my

about twenty-five pounds, with hair and crown thrown in!

Sometimes it made singing a little difficult because it threw my body out of alignment, but I loved every second in those costumes. You learn to accommodate to your costume.

GS: What are the pros and cons of being in a touring company such as the one for Love Never Dies?

KM: This is my first long-term tour.

At my age, it is a very different experience than for someone much younger, which describes the rest of the cast [laughs]. What is great is sharing this experience with this company. We are lucky that this is a very special group of personalities. All just great people; and we like being with each other.

For this large of a group, it is a very rare experience, I tell you. The cons are just changing climates so many times. (It) can be fun, but for a singer, this is a big challenge. I travel with all kinds of equipment: air purifiers and humidifiers and anything that will give me a little consistency. So far, so good.

GS: Speaking of touring companies, you played Miss Shields in the touring company of A Christmas Story, which was cowritten by future Tony and Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. What do you remember about working with them?

KM: (They are) lovely gentlemen and brilliant talents. Smart, generous, and passionate.

GS: When I saw Love Never Dies in Fort Lauderdale, you gave the Broadway Cares speech after the show. Please say something about your history with the organization.

KM: It was around 25 years ago when BC/ EFA came into being, a time when the AIDS crisis had really hit the New York community. I watched as friend after friend died. We were all trying to find ways to feel less helpless and less hopeless. And this organization came into being to help our fellow actors and has blossomed into a beautiful avenue of help for so many people. I have friend after friend who were helped financially during a time when they were so sick they couldn’t make money.

It is an honor to do the speech, and try to help. As I say at the end of my speech, “as long as we take care of each other, love never dies.” I believe that!

GS: Finally, in 2017 you released a new album It’s About Time. The title track, which was co-written by your husband Paul Rolnick, is a marriage equality anthem.

Please say something about the song and the LGBTQ folks in your life.

KM: I love this song so much. I am very proud of my husband and his co-writer Shelly Markham. I started out performing in gay clubs in the ‘70s, working with my longtime music director, Brian Lasser.

Brian was gay and had known it since he was seven. He was proud, sincere, and very comfortable with the man he was.

That was my first experience with the LGBT community of which I was really aware.

Since then, I am lucky to have beautiful friends in my life, gay and straight, bi and transgender. Honestly, it is the character of the person that matters to me. I was so happy when marriage equality passed In New York state, where I live. Finally, it felt like we were moving forward. I got hired to sing at the wedding of friends, two great guys. I suggested to Paul that he should write them a song, and he did! It is an absolutely beautiful statement of love, which is what marriage should be, right?

A DEEPER LOVE

By Mik Hyldebrandt

Openly gay artist Trey Pearson just released his highly anticipated debut solo pop album Love Is Love. The 7-song album is Trey’s first major work since departing the Christian music scene, and he cites his journey of coming out - from the initial pain to eventual freedom - as the inspiration that lead to the creation of his upcoming album. We caught up with Trey on his album release tour to talk about changing life seasons, faith, and the freedom to truer and more authenic than ever before.

The album opens up with the upbeat and optimistic title track “Love is Love” where you describe your (new-found?) understanding of love. How does the song relate to your own story?

I think this song is celebrating my freedom and excitement I have found in being able to experience the kind of love and intimacy and excitement I had always longed for in my life. It’s definitely a love song, but a love song that is very much celebrating the belief in the LGBTQ community that we all deserve to love and be loved in the most intimate way.

move on. I think that’s true in watching your child graduate, or getting married, or in my case, coming out. This song was allowing myself to experience all of those emotions I felt, even when it’s been the most freeing, peaceful feeling I’ve ever felt in my life.

In “Good Grief” you sing about joy through pain and beauty through struggle. In “Good Grief (Part Two)” you sing about love lost and longing – how do the songs connect?

I think they are both about accepting the good and the pain in that changing of seasons. They just both spilled out in different times and ways.

Taking the leap from Christian music to being a solo pop artist, how does your new musical expression feel in comparison?

This new music feels like the most intimate, vulnerable thing I have ever done. It feels like sharing my diary with the listener, and being able to tap into a part of myself I never have before. I think coming out was finally letting the valve off something I had suppressed my entire life. I really feel like the flowed over into me creatively as well, as I wrote these songs.

The album is overall upbeat, but there are moments of incredible sensitivity and emotionality where you seem to celebrate your newfound identity, but also honestly question facets of being openly gay. The song “Good Grief” seems to capture the essence of your emotional mindset which has you balancing between happiness and pain – is that a right assumption?

“The Good Grie” was kind of my mantra as I was going through the process of coming out to myself and my family. I believe whenever you are going through a seasons change in life, even when it’s the best thing for you, there are things in the previous season of life that you will leave behind, and that need to be grieved to

16 | 11.22.17

came out, but my faith was changing a lot for years leading up to coming out. I guess it’s kind of always been changing, and eventually progressing, ever since I was a teenager. I think “Hey Jesus” was more about the feeling I had always had growing up than anything else, and the deepest desire to love and be loved fully, in the most intimate ways.

Taking a cue from your coming out story that became national news – what advice would you give to someone struggling with their sexuality and coming out like you did?

That even when it’s scary, and even when you know you could lose what feels like everything, nothing can ever replace being your best, truest, and most authentic self.

In “Hey Jesus”, you have an openhearted talk with Jesus, where you look for some answers about being gay. What role does faith play in your life – and has your faith changed after coming out?

My faith is still an important part of my life, although it has changed a lot over the years. When I don’t know anything else, I still like believing in the message of Jesus, to love God, or whatever you want to call the energy that has given us life, and to love your neighbor. Growing up in the Christian faith tradition, I fell in love with Jesus at a young age, and I think it came down to these ideas.

We like to complicate it with other things sometimes, but that’s what it is about for me. I don’t know how much my faith has changed since I

How do you think being openly will shape you as an artist?

I think it has opened another level of vulnerability, intimacy, and honesty in my lyrics, to a place I wasn’t able to go before. I’m so excited to be able to share that with people, and it has given new life to what I’m creating.

What are your future plans? Going on tour? Coming to Atlanta?

Yes. I just performed in Chicago for the first stop of my release shows. I am doing a release party in Columbus this week, and setting up a “Love Is Love” release tour. I hope to come to Atlanta, yes! :-)

The Choice is Yours - Making [Less] PAGE TURNERS for the Bad Choices

by Jamie Kirk

Holidays

Thanksgiving is upon us and everyone will be deciding their own loosely based definitions of “bulking”, “indulgence” and “just a little bit more”. eing able to say that’s enough is In Conclusion hard. Being able to say I’ve reached Being able to decide is what sets us B my limit is hard. Being able to say NO apart from animals. The ability to chart

our own course and be able toto go left or is hard. That is on anybooks given day, but From picture accounts pure fiction, these are right, sleep in or get out of bed, eat the especially more difficult as we to are factual able to make the excuse: IT’S THE extra slice of pie or push the plate aside your best bets Labor Day Weekend be cherished and notreading. taken for HOLIDAYS. We feel thosefor words give should us an excuse to over-eat, to decrease granted. Whether you decide to be our workout schedules and to make good to yourself during the holidays, just kinda “okay’ to yourself during bad choices. the holidays, or if you decide to dip The most trying part of making poor your toes in the water of poor choices; choices regarding our eating habits is just make sure you are able to bounce that it can spill over into other parts back in a timely manner without any Remember, all of our life. We become complacent at long-term impacts. work because we will start fresh at the choices have consequences. It’s not top of the new year. We become less impossible or even difficult to get back motivated to exercise because our bed on track, just take it one step at a time. feels way too good to get up and go to the gym. We neglect our relationships because we overcommit to holiday parties and neglect pre-scheduled date nights. And finally, we neglect our friendships because we try to be everywhere and everything to everyone Being good to which means few people get dedicated time.

Our bodies can quickly bounce back from poor eating and drinking from the holidays. I mean, if you gain 10 pounds during the holidays, it would take about 5-10 weeks to lose the unwanted pounds with the realistic goal of shedding about 1-2 pounds per week. If you’ve been drinking a little too much a cleanse or a no drinking during the month of January can help. But the longer-term impact is once you have gone down the path of making poor choices, other areas in your life can potentially suffer much longer.

yourself, forces

others to be good to you too.

Making Better Choices Obviously, it is sooooo easy to jump on a soapbox and say: “Just avoid making poor choices”! But because we are all humans, that is not realistic. Being able to have the willpower and strength to make fewer ones is key. Since we will ALL, okay MOST, will be making poor choices during the holidays there are three key factors we need to keep at the forefront of our brains.

Limit the area of the poor choices If we are making poor choices in eating, be more diligent in consuming less alcohol and vice versa.

Be honest Call it what it is - a poor choice.

Don’t avoid the issue by avoiding the issue. So what, you made a poor choice. Own it and move on.

Don’t impact others If you decide to blow off the gym or eat an unhealthy meal, make sure that it only affects YOU and not those around you. You have to get back on track, others around you should not be made to suffer along with you.

Jamie Kirk works for a software company and is a certified spinning instructor. He also enjoys yoga, swimming, bicycling, and running. He aspires to start a blog about what we put in our bodies not only fuels our body, but our mind and spirit as well. Follow Jamie on IG @tysonsdad

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GLAAD PHOTOS: Sher Pruitt

18 | 11.22.17

HERETIC PHOTOS: Sher Pruitt

20 | 11.22.17

t ha nks T HAN KS TO A L L O F O U R F R I EN DS A N D S P ON S OR S! S EE Y ’A L L NEXT Y EA R !

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Rafael is the director of SCAD fashion exhibitions for the Savannah College of Art and Design where he has planned and curated exhibitions on Carolina Herrera, Oscar de La Renta, and Daniel Lismore to name a few. Before moving to Atlanta, he lived in London and worked for Vivienne Westwood, and he has designed and executed large-scale exhibitions at world-renowned museums and galleries like the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Palace of Versailles, and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photos: Lee Faircloth

RAFAEL GOMES

Nov 23 - Nov 29

Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon & 5K

Lady Gaga’s Joanne World Tour

THU, NOV 23

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PHILIPS ARENA

STAFF PICK!

Sh*t-Faced Shakespeare

It’s an Atlanta tradition! Runners and walkers will earn their turkey as they finish their race under Atlanta’s iconic Olympic rings.

The soaring pop phenomenon visits Atlanta’s Philips Arena to perform songs from her latest album, Joanne, but the audience can also expect a good selection of her mega-hits from the past.

The Shakespearean theater troupe inserts an entirely inebriated cast member into a not entirely serious production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Tickets at villagecomedy.com.

SAT, NOV 25 THE VILLAGE THEATRE

Giving Tuesday

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s

TUE, NOV 28

NOV 30 - DEC 3

GIVINGTUESDAY.ORG

ATLANTA SYMPHONY HALL

Tis’ the season for giving, so why not start it off by Stone in Concert donating to your favorite nonprofit on Giving Tuesday. Relive the magic of the Harry Potter film on-screen Go to givingtuesday.org to find a local nonprofit that while the Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforneeds your help. gettable score. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.

30 | 11.22.17

Enclave at Druid Hills Townhomes from the upper $500s Sign a purchase contract on a quick move-in home Between November 6, 2017 and December 17, 2017 and Close

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For more information, please call Robert Heltzel at 404-634-4485 or visit CalAtlanticHomes.com.

Available only when you close on the purchase of a quick move-in home in the Enclave at Druid Hills community pursuant to a purchase contract you sign on or between November 6, 2017 and December 17, 2017 and close on or before December 29, 2017. *Up to $5,000 towards closing costs is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage or, where permitted by seller, another seller preferred lender, and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Title Atlanta, LLC. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. **Up to $25,000 Seller provided Flex Credits may be applied to available upgrades and options at Seller’s Design Center, price discounts, closing costs and/or temporary rate buy downs. Availability of items may vary by community. Offer does not have any cash value. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Completion and/or move-in dates are estimated. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897 , Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL363

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Christmas Heifer Review December 3rd 1pm - til’ the cows go home!

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Available only when you close on the purchase of a quick move-in home in the Towns at Druid Hills community pursuant to a purchase contract you sign on or between November 6, 2017 and December 17, 2017. *Up to $5,000 towards closing costs is subject to limits and is contingent upon buyer closing a loan with our affiliated lender, CalAtlantic Mortgage or, where permitted by seller, another seller preferred lender, and obtaining title insurance and closing services from our affiliated title agent, CalAtlantic Title Atlanta, LLC. The offer to pay closing costs does not include payment of prepaid taxes, property or mortgage insurance, or mortgage installments. Pre-payments of HOA assessments are typically subject to lender limits. **Receipt of up to 50% off discount (up to $25,000 value) the costs of unfinished basements is applicable only to quick move-in homes that have unfinished basements. The combined value of seller incentives, credits and other seller contributions may exceed lender limits established for the loan program for which buyer qualifies. Buyer should ask his or her lender about the impact of such limits. Completion and/or move-in dates are estimated. Prices, plans and terms are effective on the date of publication and subject to change without notice. Depictions of homes or other features are artist conceptions. Hardscape, landscape and other items shown may be decorator suggestions that are not included in the purchase price and availability may vary. CalAtlantic Mortgage, Inc., NMLS# 203897 , Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee License #24225, 8660 E Hartford Drive, Suite 200A, Scottsdale, AZ; 1000 Mansell Exchange West, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA License #68278. CAATL363

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MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

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NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

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Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

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Monr

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12 W. Peachtree St. NW

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4th St. NE

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Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Ponce De Leon Pl. NE

Spring St. NW

17

76 4th St. NW

16 G’s Midtown 17 Henry’s 18 Joe's on Juniper 19 La Hacienda

219 10th St NE 132 10th St NE 1049 Juniper St NE 900 Monroe Dr NE

billards/Darts drag dancers leather non-smoking area Patio

www.SavedAndGay.com NEW COVENANT Church of Atlanta

404.929.1400

Cheshire 23

ansley 21

37

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BARS 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Cir NE 2425 Piedmont Rd NE 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd 805 Lambert Dr. NE, Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd

clubs 28 Heretic 29 Jungle

2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2115 Faulkner Rd NE

Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa / bath 31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

32 Burkhart's 33 Felix's 34 The Hideaway 35 Mixx 36 Oscar's

2103 Faulkner Rd NE 2135 Liddell Drive NE

1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Dining 37 Cowtippers 38 Eclectic Bistro

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

NE

d.

Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

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39 38

BARS 20 BJ Roosters 21 Opus 1 22 Tripps 23 Woof's

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Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

22

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34

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26

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30

Lambert Dr.

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.

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1600 Piedmont Ave NE 1425 Piedmont Ave NE

Retail 39 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Fitness 41 Equilibrium Fitness

1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

NOT SHOWN

The Cockpit Atlanta Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta

465 Boulevard SE 1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE

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

Bars & Clubs

OSCAR’S

MIDTOWN

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

AMSTERDAM 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

ATLANTA EAGLE

THE COCKPIT

amsterdamatlanta.com

atlantaeagle.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl.com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

MODEL T modeltatlanta.com 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com

oscarsatlanta.com

thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com 465 Boulevard SE

MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch.com 466 Edgewood Ave SE

SWINGING RICHARDS swingingrichards.com 1400 Northside Dr NW

Dining MIDTOWN

66 12th St NE

10TH & PIEDMONT

TEN ATLANTA

communitashospitality.com

DEKALB LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE

Retail MIDTOWN BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

CHESHIRE BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com 805 Lambert Dr NE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

ANSLEY BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE

GCB & PLEASURES

tenatlanta.com

991 Piedmont Ave NE

brushstrokesatlanta.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

EINSTEIN’S

1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

einsteinsatlanta.com 1077 Juniper St NE

Fitness

FROGS CANTINA

MIDTOWN

CHESHIRE HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

frogsmidtown.com 931 Monroe Dr

G’S BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com

communitashospitality.com 219 10th St NE

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

CHESHIRE

2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

HENRY’S

OPUS 1

132 10th St NE

graviteeatl.com

JOE’S ON JUNIPER

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

joesonjuniper.com 1049 Juniper St NE

Spas/Baths/Adult

LA HACIENDA

MIDTOWN

1086 Alco St NE

TRIPPS 1931 Piedmont Circle N

WOOFS woofsatlanta.com

henrysatl.com

lahaciendamidtown.com

GRAVITEE FITNESS

900 Monroe Dr NE

FLEX SPA

ANSLEY

CHESHIRE

76 4th St NW

BURKHART’S

LAS MARGARITAS

CHESHIRE

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

MANIFEST 4U manifest4u.org

2425 Piedmont Road NE

burkharts.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

THE HIDEAWAY

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

ROXX 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

1544 Piedmont Ave NE

ANSLEY

MIXX

COWTIPPERS

mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE

42 | 11.22.17

cowtippersatlanta.com 1600 Piedmont Ave NE

flexspas.com

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN thedenatlanta.com 2135 Liddell Drive NE

HELP WANTED

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FULL BODY MASSAGE by Walter @ 404-872-5671 (8th St. @Monroe Dr.) Only $40..Shave too License No. MT003122

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Call 404.439.9838 or email jeff@peachatl.com for more information. peachATL.com | 43

JUNGLE PHOTOS:: Sher Pruitt

peachATL.com | 45

10 Things to Be Thankful For

It’s time to count your blessings!

1

Food (in abundance)

Friends and your chosen family

2

3

4

Family

Your home

7

Freedom

8

Faith (of ALL kinds)

Someone you love

Time off and time-out

5

Money in the bank

Your pet

46 | 11.22.17

6

10

9

Sunday Funday =

Playmates or soul mates, you’ll find them on MegaMates

MISERABLE MONDAY

MAKE MONDAY YOUR B#TCH!

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peachATL.com | 47

Text your Peach Pits to 256-60-PEACH, or e-mail mikkel@PeachATL.com Illustrations by: Jerel Ely

PSA: moving still sucks ..no matter who you are!

Seriously...does People magazine even know who Jason Momoa is?

My new skincare regimen is great! I don’t look a day over

Him: So, there is a pie competition at work this month and I want to make a pie. What’s a good pie made out of? I don’t even know.

Me: I. Can’t. Wait!

Him: For what? Me to win?

Me: No..

fabulous!

If I ever go back in time, remind me to keep a lookout near the Orange Julius for a loitering Roy Moore.

Asking for friend: Does a prostate exam count for “butt stuff”?

I just had a moment with my document scanner similar to Jane Fonda and the copier in “9 to 5”

48 | 11.22.17

50 | 11.22.17

ARIES (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)

LIBRA (Sep. 23 - Oct. 22)

You may not be feeling particularly good today. Could it be a physical manifestation of a mental ailment? That’s a distinct possibility, given the way you stress out.

Take a few days off next week if you can, and then see how you feel. But keep your therapist’s number handy, just in case.

You’ll need to be flexible today. People may not be on the same wavelength as you, and they’ll disrupt your chi. There’s not much you can do other than go with the flow and be adaptable. Work with that philosophy and you’ll get through the day without going ballistic.

TAURUS (Apr. 20 - May 20)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)

Today would be a wonderful one for a dinner party. Nothing chases away the blues better than socializing with friends.

So whip up a quick and easy meal, pop open some wine and invite some of the guys over. They may need the release as much as you do.

Today’s a good one to get the things you want, especially with guys. Start with a subtle approach and try to go in through the back door. But if that doesn’t work, gather all your energies and charge full steam ahead until you emerge victorious.

GEMINI (May 21 - Jun. 20)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)

Your financial situation may be good, but make sure you have some tucked away for a rainy day. Right now the skies are sunny and you may be in a mood to spend. But don’t go crazy, or once the rains start you won’t even be able to afford an umbrella.

Follow your moods today. They may be like the sea: Unpredictable and forever shifting.

But they’ll take you to new and exciting ports of call where you might find a first mate to help you navigate.

CANCER (Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)

Watch how you snap those claws today, because there could be someone out there that’ll snap right back. It’s always interesting when two crabs meet; it can be like throwing gasoline on a fire. But, oh!

The passions ignite once the lights go out.

Idiot coworkers will have you wishing you were somewhere else today, like on a beach in Tahiti, getting a massage and sipping a drink as you wonder what your idiot coworkers are up to.

LEO (Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)

You’re usually persistent in your attempt to meet and woo attractive new guys. This often works to your advantage, but it can also make you look even more pushy than usual. Be subtler in your approach today.

And get rid of the baseball bat you use to club them over the head with..

Be aware of developing health issues today.

It’s easy to let your well-being slip in these busy times. But you’ve only got one body, and there are no exchanges. Start with a physical and dental checkup. Then develop a fitness routine that works for you. Your body and mind will thank you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22)

PISCES (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)

You may have to care for a sick friend today. So whip up some chicken soup and bust out the can of sympathy. Most of us no longer live with our mothers, so we rely on the support of our friends to get us through. Be one such friend today. Besides, you’ve got the legs for that nurse’s outfit.

You find the absurdities of life to be entertaining, but you don’t have to be one of them. Acting the buffoon or behaving outlandishly may be a hoot to you, but others find it embarrassing and childish. Does that matter to you? It should.

WHAT happened was . . .

What Happened Was...

Trouble in the love department? With sex? Or just people in general? Send us your queries, questions, and problems, and we’ll give you the answers served straight up and with a little ice.

I just met this guy, he’s totally hot, we really hit it off, and I’m so into him. Only issue: He’s a total bottom, like me. Will a relationship ever work between us?

Sincerely Derriere-Difficulty Dear Derriere-Difficulty That is a big fat YES from here! Of course, you can!

One of the best things about being gay is that we don’t have to adhere to or even be bound by stereotypical relationship structures. Stop thinking about how a relationship should look like and just get into it. Make up your own damn rules, and use the freedom and flexibility that accommodates your wishes and preferences. Whatever that means is entirely up to you, but don’t limit the potential of having an amazing relationship based on love and trust just because you are labeling yourselves through a binary perspective.

I’m getting into a new relationship. We’re dating, and things are going great, but I’m getting increasingly worried about the sex because when we’re intimate, I can’t finish by cumming. He reassures me it doesn’t bother him, but it is starting to worry me. What can I do?

Sincerely Non-Finisher Dear Non-Finisher As men, we’ve been programmed to think we have to know every aspect of the sexual act and should know exactly what to do in bed to deliver mindblowing orgasms to yourself and your partner. But as men, we also know that isn’t the case! What you’re experiencing is actually pretty common, so you’re not alone! The clinical term is Delayed Ejaculation or Ejaculatory Inhibition where sex can go on for hours without climax which leads to frustration, anxiety, and a feeling of defeat. It’s important to ask how long this has been going on, and if you’ve experienced this with others or just the guy you see now? And are you able to ejaculate when you’re on your own? If it will put your mind at ease, see a doctor to either confirm or rule out any physical causes. What is usually the case, is that these things are psychological in nature.

Many men experience performance anxiety, and that gets in the way of their pleasure in sex because they 52 | 11.22.17

get stuck in their heads. That same anxiety can spiral out of control, so the sex becomes centered on that climax and the pressure of coming – and when that is the case, you’re almost guaranteed nothing will happen.

So, what can you do, you ask? Get out of your head and into your body! It’s easier said than done, but enjoy the sexual experience without having an orgasm as the end-all-be-all. Extend your foreplay and allow yourself to be pleasured and stimulated by your partner to get a different focus on your body and allow for a natural sexual response. It sounds weird, but be a little selfish when it comes to sex, apply some of the cues that make you come when you masturbate alone and rely on the fact that his ejaculation is his own responsibility. That way, you can hopefully quiet the chatter in your head, and fully engage and surrender to the moment.

After leaving the club one night, I ended up at one of those after-hours places with lots of cruising – and I loved it! It was actually one of the best sexual experiences I ever had. I stayed for hours and made out, sucked, fucked, got fucked, and just plain threw myself into all these hot men there. But now I feel a little dirty, and I’m concerned that I may have engaged in some unsafe sex practices. I want to go cruising like that again, but how do I take better care of myself?

Sincerely Dom Cruise Dear Dom Cruise There is nothing wrong with exploring your sexual boundaries and trying out new things! You’re lucky to have experienced some of the best sex of your life – and how to get it! But. Don’t put sex before safety. Your instinct has already given you a hint as to what you find safe and what isn’t – listen to that! Carry condoms and lube, and if you bottom, you want to put the condom on the guy yourself. Also, consider getting on PreP but please don’t make that be a gateway to being unsafe with multiple partners as STIs are rampant right now.

On another safety note, don’t flash cash and make sure you know where the exits are. Happy cruising!

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