Peach v3i24

CONTENTS JUNE 12, 2019

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From the Editor Yes, we are still celebrating Pride Month, so this issue is dedicated to your queer, cool summer!

We talked to Ty Autry who wrote and will be starring in his solo performer show, A Southern Fairytale, about his own experience growing up and coming out as queer in the Deep South.

We’ve also lined up some of the many events that each in their own way celebrate Stonewall and Pride Month, and if you’re spending time in front of a streaming device, may we suggest you check out the revival of Tales of the City on Netflix based on Armistead Maupin’s beloved novels. Chris Azzopardi talked to Laura Linney, who returns to Barbary Lane as the ‘Tales’ vet, about being a ‘mini’ gay icon and moving beyond the straight, white girl.

Jamie Kirk gives you advice on how to reshape your goals now we’re approaching the half-way mark of the year, and if you’re in the slightest confused about calling yourself or something queer, then read my little opinion piece about reclaiming the word.

That and so much more in this queer, cool summer edition of Peach! Enjoy!

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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.

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EQUALITY SERVED POOLSIDE WHAT:

W Atlanta Downtown & HRC Present: Poolside Equality

WHEN:

Friday, June 14, 4-9 pm Friday, July 12, 4-9 pm Friday, August 9, 4-9 pm

WHERE: W Downtown Wetdeck

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Poolside Equality is a brand-new summer partnership between W Atlanta Downtown and the Human Rights Campaign.

Join the fun pool parties at the W Downtown’s infamous Wetdeck, and enjoy signature cocktails, hot summer bodies, and beats by DJ Ree de la Vega. The Poolside Equality pool party will take place monthly in July and August as well. Discounted $10 valet parking is also available although ridesharing is encouraged.

Admission is free but since proceeds benefit the vital work of the HRC Campaign, a $10 suggested donation is highly recommended. The next Poolside Equality pool parties will be Friday, July 12, and Friday, August 9.

Challenging the FAIRYTALE

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Photo: Jordana Dale Photography

A Southern Fairytale written by and starring Ty Autry is about the challenges facing a young, gay man growing up in a deeply religious environment in the South. Peach talked to Ty Autry about the process of writing the play, which is partly based on actual events, and about being the solo performer in a play that is both personal and transformative.

First off, tell us a little bit about your background.

Well, I’m a southern boy who grew up in the 229 area and moved up to Atlanta to get my degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. After I graduated from Georgia Tech, I started pursuing my acting career professionally through an apprenticeship at Georgia Ensemble Theatre while also performing and choreographing throughout the entire city. The most recent production I was in here in Atlanta was The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told at Out Front Theatre Company and, after that run, I left to study in New York at Atlantic Acting School where I am now on faculty. I’ve only been professionally performing since 2015 and looking back at how far I’ve come; it is quite incredible to witness your personal growth but also the growth of a theatre community I hold very dear to my heart. It feels very full circle to come back and perform a solo-show that I’ve written in a city and state I will always call home.

Tell us a little bit about the background for writing A Southern Fairytale?

Tough. Straight out the gate, I want to say that writing a show; a solo-show is one of the hardest things I have set out to do. A Southern Fairytale came about after my mentor Alex Bond passed away; she told me to write down my story and share it with the world. She had an incredible knack for turning personal stories into plays and enabled me to do the same. I’ve been writing, editing, and performing A Southern Fairytale for a little over a year now. If you ask my partner, he would tell you that I don’t settle for anything less than the ideal state of a piece. Every little bit of feedback I have

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gotten has been taken to heart and used to craft and refine the show into what it is today. This play is based on a true story. My true story of what it was like growing up in the Deep South as a gay Christian. I believe that is what makes it partly so difficult; you mix in fiction with the truth to craft something beautiful while still doing justice as an actor playing it as though someone else wrote it.

This isn’t the first time you’re performing this play – Where did it premier first?

The show had its first performance in New York through the NYSummerfest held at the Hudson Guild Theatre. After that performance, I completely rewrote the script and took that version to Dublin, Ireland through the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival (IDGTF), and now I’m bringing an updated version of that script to Atlanta! Do I expect more updates after the performance here in Atlanta? Yes. Will I stop making edits to the script? Eventually.

A Southern Fairytale has been very well-received everywhere it’s been. Are there any award nominations?

As of right now, we have been nominated for one award: The Doric Wilson award for starting intercultural dialogue. Which I think is one of the highest accolades it could have gotten so far because my mission is to strike up a conversation around our faith and queer community. Shining a light on southern, queer, Christian culture and bringing to stage the power of words over people.

The coming of age and coming out dramedy is based

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heal, and I’m hoping some conversations around healing can happen that night.

Tell us about the production of this solo performer show?

This show has seen the support of dozens upon dozens of individuals who helped fund the initial round of producing to help get us off the ground and to Ireland. To all of them, THANK YOU! Right beside me, this whole adventure has been David Carson, who has been directing the show since the start. I don’t know what I would do without him.

There is also another local to Georgia working on the show behind the scenes, and that is the ever so talented Ashton Pickering who is going to Pace University and is my production stage manager.

She makes sure I hit all my goals, have the right paperwork, and is my technical mastermind as we go from venue to venue. Last, but not least, by any means, is my partner Cameron. He acts as producer, wizard, stage manager, marketing guru, travel buddy, and is my rock when I want to have a good cry at times. I’m only as good as the team surrounding my work, and I’m proud of this group who have rallied behind me.

on real events. How do you relate to this personally?

Oof, that is a deep question, and we might need to sit down over a bottle of wine for that tale…

My journey was full of many ups and downs while I was coming out in high school. I came out three different times, went to therapy, moved across the state multiple times, I was bullied, excommunicated from a church, and my dad asked if he could perform an exorcism to see if that would help. My mom and I like to joke that I had an incredibly hard time in high school to have a very fulfilling time in college and well beyond that. When you see the show, I would say, take it as fiction. There is truth in the story, we know these stories because we have been through it, we know someone who has gone through it, and people are still going through these same trials today. This is a story of hope, and I personally relate to that because I look back on my past and know it has shaped me into the person I am today, and I wouldn’t change that.

An interfaith panel will follow the play in Atlanta – what kind of conversation do you hope the play sparks?

I hope to show that no matter what your past included, you can take it and use it to be a better person. I’m not trying to convince people to become a faith-oriented individual. I just want to share that you can be Christian or Muslim or Jewish or whatever and still be living your truth as a queer individual. We don’t have to hide our faith in the shadows or behind closed doors. We can live it loud and proud. But, to do that, you have to 12 | 06.12.19

How does A Southern Fairytale fit into the LGBTQ narrative of today?

This story comes after the AIDS epidemic and is told from a place that is still hurting. A generation born with the ability to come out in high school but has seen consequences from those actions.

The fight isn’t over by any means, and I believe A Southern Fairytale not only is trying to build a bridge between the faith and queer community, but it is also shining a light on the marginalized.

We are in a time where we are challenging our way of thinking about ingrained beliefs, and I want to continue to challenge those beliefs.

The play touches on some sensitive topics like extreme religious beliefs, conversion therapy, and mental abuse. Should it come with a trigger warning for those who have experienced similar trauma, or will the less dramatic parts outweigh the trauma?

You won’t see Alex Belmont go through the trauma of his past. It is a reflection piece with an older, more mature, stable Alex talking about his past and how he was able to survive and thrive in a part of the world that wanted to see his queer identity disappear completely. For those afraid of the trauma talked about on stage, don’t be. I’ve done my best to tell a hard story in a gentle, loving way that supports those in need of healing. You are going to laugh, cry, get mad, and laugh some more when you see this show.

It’s a one-night-only event – any chance of extending the show?

Yes! If we sell enough tickets up front, we have another date lined up to do a second performance.

So, buy those tickets please, because we are getting closer to a sold-out house! K, thx, bye.

--

Update! At the magazine’s deadline A Southern Fairytale was almost sold out, but it has already been confirmed that an additional date will be added. Check Out Front Theatre’s social media and website for details. outfronttheatre.com

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THE BEST WAYS TO CELEBRATE PRIDE

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Pride Month is in full effect, and there are plenty of events and parties that celebrate Stonewall and Pride throughout June and beyond. Here are some of the events that you should mark on your calendar, so your queer summer will be filled with girl say what? Pride!

JULY

JUNE Atlanta Braves LGBT Night Friday, June 14, 5 pm SunTrust Park Atlanta Pride Run Saturday, June 15, 8 am Piedmont Park frontrunnersatlanta.org 15th Annual Evening for Equality Saturday, June 15, 6 pm Loews Atlanta georgiaequality.org Stonewall 50 Concert & Panel Saturday, June 15, 6 pm Church at Ponce and Highland atlantapride.org 50 Years of LGBTQ Cinema June 14-16 Out Front Theatre outonfilm.org I See You: 50 Years After Stonewall Gay Men’s Chorus Pride Concert Saturday, June 22, 3 pm & 8 pm St. Luke’s Episcopal voicesofnote.org LGBTQ History Tour Sunday, June 23, 1 pm Center for Civil & Human Rights lgbtqinstitute.org

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Deep South Stonewall Pool Party Sunday, June 23, 2 pm Altitude Apartments Rooftop facebook.com/deepsouth Outrising Rooftop Party Sunday, June 23, 12 pm Fox Theatre Marquee Club foxtheatre.org Mayor Bottoms Drag Queen Story Hour with Terra Cotta Sugarbaker Saturday, June 29, 10 am Atlanta City Hall atlantaga.gov/lgbtq Atlanta United Unity Night Saturday, June 29, 4 pm Mercedes-Benz Stadium atlantapride.org Considering Matthew Shepard Pride Month Concert by Coro Vocati Saturday, June 29, 8 pm Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center corovocati.org Stonewall 50: Big Rainbow Cabaret Saturday, June 29, 9 pm My Sisters Room mysistersroom.com Stonewall March Sunday, June 30, 12 pm North Avenue MARTA atlantapride.org

Queer Classics: Dog Day Afternoon Tuesday, July 2, 7 pm Midtown Art Cinema plazaatlanta.com Joining Hearts Weekend Kickoff Party Friday, July 19, 10 pm The Heretic joininghearts.org Joining Hearts 32 Saturday, July 20, 4 pm Greystone at Piedmont Park joininghearts.org JH Sweet Spot With DJs Deanne, Pride, and Brian Rojas Sunday, July 21, 2 pm District gaboyevents.com Sugar - JH Tea Dance With Dan DeLeon Sunday, July 21, 4 pm Loca Luna facebook.com/beyondatl JH Weekend Closing Party Sunday, July 21, 7 pm District gaboyevents.com

The Human Rights Campaign invites you to our fourth annual tennis social, Serving for Equality! Players of all skill levels are encouraged to participate in this fun doubles event. Don’t have a doubles partner?

We will pair you up with other players and you can make some new friends along the way.

Not a tennis player? That’s okay! Join us as a spectator.

Players and spectators will enjoy food, cocktails, music, a photo booth, a silent auction and more!

Saturday, July 27th, 2019 Sharon Lester Tennis Center | Piedmont Park 400 Park Drive, Atlanta, GA 30306

6:00P.M. - 10:00P.M. Ticketing: Player: $60 Spectator: $25

Corporate Sponsors

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For more information, please visit

hrc.org/sfeatlanta

peachATL.com | 15

Pride and Stonewall Reading List 2019

By Gregg Shapiro It’s a safe bet that you’ve never seen anything quite like “Diamantino” (Kino Lorber), the bizarre feature film debut of co-writers/co-directors Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt. A surreal and fantastical comedy about star footballer Diamantino Matamouros (the sizzling Carloto Cotta who, thankfully, spends much of the movie in various states of undress), who is unwittingly recruited to help in a nationalist plot to have Portugal leave the E.U. Opening with a hilarious disclaimer and featuring the naïve narration of the titular character, “Diamantino” compares a soccer stadium to the Sistine Chapel, declaring the most beautiful art created today is being made on the soccer field and that Diamantino is the sport’s Michelangelo.

His work is sublime, giving the fans faith and a transcendent experience.

The fans aren’t the only ones transported when Diamantino plays. The player himself is regularly wrapped up in a fantasy in which the field is awash with pink fog and giant, fluffy Pekingese dogs (that only he can see) assist him in scoring goals. Diamantino may have a flawless man’s body, but he’s basically a child. We see this most clearly in his relationship with his father, who is also a kind and giving person. He doesn’t let his son’s wealth and success cloud his judgement when it comes to helping others. Once, while sailing on Diamantino’s yacht, they offered aid to a raft full of refugees.

Sadly, Diamantino’s good fortune is not meant to last. Distracted by the experience with the refugees, including a mother who lost her child while at sea, Diamantino misses a goal during the World Cup final. To add insult to injury, his evil twin sisters Natasha (Margarida Moreira) and Sonia (Anabela Moreira) bring on the stroke that kills their father, but they blame Diamantino 16 | 06.12.19

and the loss of the championship. Their abuse of their brother continues when they take over as his managers and, unbeknownst to him, are robbing him blind by transferring money from his accounts to an offshore account of theirs.

As if that wasn’t enough, the Portuguese Secret Service has been monitoring Diamantino and are under the mistaken impression that the offshore accounts are his. Aware of his fascination with refugees and his desire to adopt one, lesbian agents Lucia (Maria Leite) and Aisha (Cleo Tavares) cook up a plan in which computer whiz Aisha will portray teenage male refugee Rahim.

Rahim will move into Diamantino’s house thereby allowing Aisha will gain access to his computer.

Meanwhile, Natasha and Sonia have teamed up with evil Minister Ferro (Joana Barrios) and mad scientist Dr. Lamborghini (Carla Maciel) to create clones of Diamontino all in the name of a rightwing movement whose language and actions echo those of Donald Trump. Will the goodness of Diamantino triumph over the evil that surrounds him? You’ll have to find out by seeing the movie.

Whatever substances that Abrantes and Schmidt were consuming (if any at all) should be shared with other filmmakers so that we can have more wonderful and wacky experiences like “Diamantino”. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

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Laura Linney Has ‘Tales’ to Tell

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: Netflix Driving into San Francisco, Laura Linney’s Mary Ann Singleton is flush with nostalgia, her lips gently bending into a soft, soothed smile. Home is here and she is home.

It is present-day when Mary Ann arrives at 28 Barbary Lane like she did the first time, in 1976; she is still fresh-faced and naive. And lost again, in need of a reset. In tow: flashes of warm memories as brilliant and vivid as the strungup lights aglow in the courtyard within Anna Madrigal’s fantasyland domain. When openly gay author Armistead Maupin’s beloved Tales of the City novels were originally adapted into a series that aired on PBS in 1994, these mystic grounds opened their doors to a community of LGBTQ pariahs who hadn’t found their people yet – or themselves. For them, 28 Barbary Lane was home too.

When Mary Ann returns, Mrs. Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) is still holding court at the same address, where she, a free-spirited trans woman, continues to guide all walks of LGBTQ life with the same warmth and wisdom of a mama bear protecting her cubs. Linney, who reprises her role and also executive produced the show alongside Maupin, hopes the Netflix revival – the fourth TV adaptation of the book series – will act as it did 18 | 06.12.19

when she first starred in the miniseries over two decades ago: as a safe haven for self-expression and free-love, no matter the queer-averse outside world. The 55-year-old Emmy winner, traverser of TV (Ozark, The Big C), film (The Truman Show, Love Actually, The Laramie Project) and theater (The Little Foxes), says, “We really hope this series will reach people who are lonely and disoriented.”

When did you first become aware that, with Tales, you were part of something that was so deeply affecting to members of the LGBTQ community?

Well, I’m glad I didn’t know when the project first came to me. I’m really glad I didn’t understand how broad the reach and how deep the reach was of Armistead’s work. I’m sure it would’ve completely intimidated me – and I’m sure I wouldn’t have handled it terribly well – so I’m glad that I was somewhat ignorant when I first started to make the series. But it became very clear to me shortly after we finished just how loved these stories are, and the more I got to understand and know Armistead, the more I understood that phenomenon. He’s truly a great man.

How did you know that the show had this weight?

I just noticed that everyone was very happy to see me all of a sudden! (Laughs) Honestly, I would

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walk down the street and people would just be very happy and it was really wonderful. It’s been a real joy.

Tales of the City has made you a bit of a gay icon, hasn’t it?

I wouldn’t say full-blown icon. Like, mini. I’m sort of like a mini icon.

A half Cher?

A quarter Cher, maybe. Not even. A fifth Cher.

Cher is a big deal! But it’s something I’m so proud of, and it’s really just a tremendous gift.

Knowing that your Tales role has contributed to helping a community feel loved and accepted, I wonder about the difference in doing a project like this versus, say, The Truman Show.

You certainly hope that that’s the impact of anything you do, that if you get to the truth of something it will impact someone on a deep level. But with this, it was also for and about a community which already meant so much to me. And the fact that I could, at the time, help advocate for my friends and for the people who I loved and love was a wonderful thing to be able to do. Fortunately now, it’s not necessary to have the straight, white girl anymore.

But at the time, Mary Ann and her relationship to the LGBTQ community was really groundbreaking.

It kind of took an Alice in Wonderland person to hold the hand of the audience and bring them into a world that they had maybe not encountered before, and fortunately that’s not the case now.

That brings me to my next question, which is not feetrelated but could be: What’s your best behind-the-scenes story from the revival?

The revival: You know, it’s just people. It’s about being able to do this work with people who I have such a long connection with. It’s being able to giggle with Armistead looking at the monitor and watching it come back to life again. It’s about being with Olympia, who is 88 years old and remarkable. And then it’s about Paul Gross (portraying Brian Hawkins, Mary Ann’s ex) and Barbara Garrick (WASPy socialite DeDe Halcyon Day), and it’s also about this wonderful younger generation of people for whom the series is really for now. You know, there’s this sense of passing the baton onto a younger, and in some ways very much more evolved, group of LGBTQ people and a community that has expanded in a way that did not exist when we did the first series.

And in such a way you probably couldn’t even perceive at that time.

Oh god, no, absolutely not. The whole perception of being trans is completely different, and nonbinary didn’t even exist – of course it existed, but it wasn’t in anyone’s awareness; there was no language for it and there was no identity for it.

It had not been named yet. People who were not within that intimate community were not aware of it, even those of us who were LGBTQ-friendly, so there’s a lot that has changed.

It sounds like you had exposure to the community at a very young age, even before Tales.

I did, through the kind, wonderful people I grew up around. I think just people who I loved and loved me, and I never even realized that there was a discriminatory land out there until I realized that there really was.

What has it been like for you to be part of a show that has existed at various points in LGBTQ history?

It’s a remarkable, amazing experience. And it intersects with my own life at different periods of time as well. I mean, with Mary Ann, very rarely does anyone get to do something that spans over 25 years of their life. And it’s amazing to see how our culture has changed, how our identity has changed, how our relationships and understanding of each other has changed, in some ways for the better and maybe in some ways for the worse. And it’s also amazing to see a generational shift. What it was to be LGBTQ in 1990 is very different than 2019, and what it means to be either gay or trans or non-binary or queer. It’s amazing to see things evolve.

People as in friends?

Yeah, friends of the family. People who lived in my building, growing up in New York City. You know, just people. Just good ol’ people who loved me and I loved them, whether from a big kindness or a little one. Neighbors. Friends of the family.

Just wonderful, wonderful people.

Beyond informing mainstream audiences, I think LGBTQ people of various generations and experiences can learn a lot about each other by watching this show.

I hope so. That’s really what we wanted. The entire writers’ room was LGBTQ, our directors are all LGBTQ, and there is a sense of, “What can the generations learn from each other?”

There’s a story that during the original Tales you washed and massaged director Alastair Reid’s feet out of his concern for his bunions. And you’re laughing right now as if it were true.

(Laughs) I didn’t quite wash them – it makes it sounds like he’s Christ and I was one of his disciples (laughs). But he was a wonderful, wonderful man and he was having real problems with his feet and, yeah, he needed some help and I was happy to give it.

When you drive up to 28 Barbary Lane again during the revival’s premiere episode, you enter it almost like Dorothy enters Oz. During that shoot what were you feeling?

Oh, you know, it was just great fun and you’re thrown back to 25 years ago. You realize how much is the same and how much is different, how much you were the same and how much you’ve changed.

Did it feel daring to you at the time?

Not to me. (Laughs) I think it was daring to other people, but not to me. To me it just felt like family and home.

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Where does your mind go to find all the emotions that are unspoken but written so vividly on your face?

Well, it’s not hard. When there’s good writing and a good circumstance to throw yourself into, it comes pretty easily. And my connection to Tales is deep and intimate and important, particularly to 28 Barbary Lane. All that it represents is important to me.

How about your connection to Melissa Etheridge’s “Come to My Window”?

Oh god! You know, it’s just horrifying. I am not a singer! I am so not a singer!

Isn’t that the point of that karaoke scene?

Yeah, boy, but did we really have to prove it to that extent? I don’t know (laughs). I love that song – I think it’s a gorgeous song – and I love Melissa Etheridge and, god, I hope she forgives me. I hope _everyone_ forgives me for that because it was just agony. Awful, awful.

Your daughter in the series, Shawna, is played by openly lesbian actress Ellen Page. And many of the other characters are played by LGBTQ actors. When Tales originally aired, casting openly LGBTQ actors was not a reality.

No, it was not.

What has that change meant to you and to the series?

Well, it’s fantastic! It’s long overdue. And it’s been a painful process for people, you know, so our team of producers are very, very proud of the fact that we were able to cast all LGBTQ writers, all LGBTQ directors and, not all, but most of our actors intersect with their own identity. Yeah, so it’s just good.

I searched high and low and I couldn’t find any evidence but perhaps in theater: Have you ever had a proper LGBTQ role yourself?

You know, I haven’t. I’m always the blonde, straight girl. (Laughs) Considering the dialogue about straight actors playing LGBTQ roles, is that something you wouldn’t even be interested in touching at this point in your career?

You know, it depends. It depends. I mean, I doubt it. I doubt that I would. But I come at it from two different viewpoints: There’s the political

standpoint of how important it is for sexual orientation and available acting parts to align correctly, and then there’s the other viewpoint, which is that actors should have the experience to do everything. And we’re not there yet. But I believe it should cross both ways, and I believe LGBTQ people should play cisgender roles and should play straight people, and I believe it should go back and forth.

Because, otherwise, we may be limiting LGBTQ actors if there’s not a back-and-forth?

Absolutely. And there’s just a lot to learn. So I go back and forth about it, but I think right now, the more what I consider appropriate casting for this community that happens, the better.

This is a limited series, but is there a possibility that Tales could take us back to 28 Barbary Lane in the future? And would you return?

Yeah, sure. We’ll see. One hopes, but we’ll see what happens. It certainly seems to have a life of its own, so that bodes well.

“Home is a feeling” is the series’ tagline. To end, what does home mean to you, and in which of the most unexpected places have you found it?

What a wonderful question. For me, home is always the people in the home (laughs), so it’s about the people, the like-minded people, that you’re surrounded by, the people who just intrinsically understand and love you and challenge you and frustrate you – all of that. The people who you’re able to feel a sense of intimacy with and bond with. And then the most unexpected place I’ve felt home: I think on a film set, quite frankly. It was never what I expected to do, and actually the first Tales was the very first job where I thought, “Oh, maybe I could actually work in front of a camera. Maybe it might be OK.” -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 GQ, Vanity Fair and Billboard.

Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi..

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HSL BEER BUST @ THE HIDEAWAY PHOTOS: ANDREA DWYER

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Tickets Available @ joininghearts.org

BIRDCAGE BINGO @ MIDTOWN MOON PHOTOS: ANDREA DWYER

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A SOUTHERN

e l a t Fairy WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY TY AUTRY DIRECTED BY DAVID L. CARSON

The story of a gay Christian growing up in the Deep South

June 19, 2019

Tickets: $15 Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Avenue, Atlanta

TALKBACK FOLLOWING SHOW FEATURING

KEVIN GARCIA

MYLES MARKHAM

CHARLES THOMAS

KELLY WENTWORTH

www.OutFrontTheatre.com

I C

O

Z O F O D R S I A Z U I O L W .

E T S E TH D N I A R E A M P T E ER BORN E T M S EA R IS Y A A T W A S ROAD G B IN N O G S N E I B S BA N O O G JUNE 22, 2019 D All Tickets: $25 UL Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Avenue, Atlanta

www.OutFrontTheatre.com

Carson has called Atlanta home for over a decade. He is a real estate agent with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty - you may know him from his community involvement with The Carson Cowan State Farm Agency. Carson lives in Midtown where he is renovating a historic 1920s home, and he is also a member of The Midtown Neighborhood Association. He is an avid world traveler, tennis player, vintage auto collector, and historic home renovator. Carson’s trusted sidekick is a very well-known German Short-Haired Pointer named Huck.

@ Cfuller250

Carson Cowan

30 | 06.12.19

As a part of our mission to help friends keep friends, we are opening our doors in 2018 to anyone needing to get their pet vaccinated and heartworm tested.

Not only is this a great deal for you, it is also a fundraiser for PALS Atlanta!!

Vaccine Clinic Pricing Full veterinary exam - FREE Dog or Cat Rabies Shot - $15 Dog or Cat Combo Shot - $15 Bordatella vaccination (dogs only) - $15 Heartworm testing (dogs only) - $25 Full year supply of heartworm medication AND a full year of flea/tick preventative - $100 (requires current negative heartworm test)

By Jamie Kirk Summer is in full swing. Everyone is typically in a good mood, and we are all looking and feeling awesome. But some are feeling the pressure of the middle of the year and looking at their vision board or their goals for 2019 - and they are stressing out. There is no need to feel pressure or anxiety of “not being where you need to be,” or “I am really off track of where I thought I would be.” No need to fear, I am going to list out the top five things that can assist you with getting back on track and/ avoiding the pitfall of thinking you are worse off than you actually are.

1. Relax Your Goal Weight The issue could be that you overshot what you are capable of, in the first place. Maybe the goal was to be 18 pounds lighter when you have not weighed this “goal weight’ since 2007. Reexamine the goal and make sure it was Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

Weight goals are always tricky because we tend to get excited or depressed very quickly based on the three-digit number we see pop up on the scale.

To get back on track, you could take the average weight you have been over the last six months and shoot for that and just be consistent at this “re-engineered goal weight.” Maybe you take the pressure off of hitting the number and shoot for being healthy, eating healthy with more of an intention, and having daily moderate portions.

2. Rethink Relationships When you feel you want to be in a relationship, it doesn’t always have to be romantic. The relationship could be getting along with your neighbors better, or having a kid that listens to your feedback and opinions. To be in a relationship, I think the best course of action is to decide a) what type of relationship you are seeking to improve and b) which part of the relationship is not working for you. Once you answer these two questions, you can drill down into the relationship that you seek to improve.

3. Action Plan “Get a Job” If you wanted a new job this summer and it hasn’t happened yet, ask yourself what you have done?

Have you updated your resume? Have you joined any networking groups? Have you met with your manager? Saying you want a new job without 32 | 06.12.19

an action plan will leave you just continually complaining that you “need to get a new job.”

Lay out the plan of attack, let anyone that will listen know that you are searching. Make a list of what is missing in your current role and make sure you don’t apply for jobs that don’t fit this list. Be deliberate to avoid the same situation you find yourself in currently. If you don’t want to commute to Cumming, don’t apply for a job in Cumming. If you want more pay, don’t apply for a job that has a lower starting salary.

4. Make a Move to Move Who doesn’t want to move at some point? Take a minute and think about how much is controllable regarding a move. If you are locked into a lease, you may have to wait until later. If the landlord is a slumlord and you have not taken them to court, do that. Or at least voice your concerns.

Wanting to move is just not enough. Make sure you are not running “to” something, just to get “away” from someone or something. You should be improving your situation, not settling for more of the same. Whatever you are leaving may end up coming with you.

5. Less Drama, More Peace This is the easiest one to get right back on track; stop making decisions that don’t bring you peace!

Avoid people that constantly bring drama. Remove yourself from toxic relationships. Don’t entertain people, places, or things that you don’t want to.

You have the right to exercise the powerful word NO. No, I don’t want to go. No, I don’t want to go on vacation to Alaska. No, I don’t want to go to Grandma’s house to hear her bash my lifestyle or talk bad about my partner. No more. If it doesn’t bring you peace, then you will not have peace.

Once you outline the goals you had set at the beginning of the year, really be honest with yourself about how honest you are with yourself about said goals and desires. You are halfway there, so take it easy, re-adjust, rethink, recalibrate, and re-focus – and worst case, remove a goal if it is only causing you stress. I am all for setting goals, but I am not a fan if that means you are unhappy, bitter, and mad because you didn’t set the right foundation to hit the mark. Decide what you want to do and move on.

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt How do we change the meaning of a word and concept from something that was created to intentionally harm to something empowering?

The word queer is shapeshifting right before our eyes and ears to be embraced as a term of empowerment in a whole new context. Here’s how!

The word queer is frequently used when referring to events and parties, and generally when we are talking about our vibrant community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. But queer wasn’t always a word that was so mainstream that it could be used to name a popular makeover show on Netflix. In fact, queer was deeply offensive and used intentionally as a harmful term of discrimination. In the being of the 20th century, the word queer came about as a derogatory term that described those people who didn’t conform to the expectations of a heteronormative society. They were the effeminate men and manly women that were probably gay, lesbian, and even transgender, and they were openly scorned by society as queer as in “odd” or “unconventional.”

The word still carries that dark side with it. Last year, when I started to refer to identify more as ‘queer’ as opposed to ‘gay,’ several people openly questioned why I would choose such an offensive term as an identity cue.

Yes, there is no doubt that the word has a history of derogatory use and bullying, but today the term is experiencing a re-empowerment from within the community. Somehow, the word queer manages to unify us under a queer and rainbow-colored umbrella. Instead of dividing us into lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, et cetera, the term queer is being used to recognize the many complex identities that make up our LGBTQ+ community, and instead of being derogatory and divisive, being queer is recognized as a unifying term of identity and inclusion – a far cry from its derogatory origins.

There is also no doubt that self-identifying as queer has come from the younger generation, 34 | 06.12.19

which is why there is this mismatch of meaning in the use of the term, as some within the community will still see the term queer as hurtful.

But with this new association for the word queer, it is also becoming clear that the word and its identity is changing and is becoming less hurtful and more empowering. In fact, queer is now being used proudly to fiercely reclaim and reshape it in a positive light.

For some, drawing parallels between the use of the word queer and the ‘N-word’ is another way to explain how a community has taken the power back over a word. Even though there are similarities in how a harmful term has been reclaimed and empowered, there are critical and significant differences between how these words have been used and are being used in relation to the communities. While both communities of people of color and queer communities continue to discuss and explore how the words are used, it is safe to say that the use of the ‘N-word’ is on an entirely different level of appropriateness, and is still a very explosive term that can be used to incite racism and aggression in different contexts.

So simply put; although there are connections, it is impossible to make a one-to-one comparison.

With all that being said, I fully support the use of the word queer – as long as you understand the underlying meaning, the history of the term, and engage in the proper use of the word. Anything else and you’re just using it to intentionally do harm or hurt someone who identifies with the word. By using the word queer in its reclaimed and empowered state, we can collectively create a space that recognizes all of our complex identities under one word.

It is clear that we haven’t ridden the term entirely of its offensive and hateful connotations – this very article is proof of that – but it is also clear that the word is no longer loaded with the same derogatory associations. Instead, it has been re-loaded with the power to unite our diverse experiences as a term of defiance and inclusion.

And that is empowering, proud, loud, and queer!

Mondays All Request Night w/ Mother & Sean $5 Titos Tuesdays Trivia with Dewayne $5 Svedka Flavors

STONEWALL 50

Wednesdays $5 Svedkatini Shorts Thursdays GRWL Bear Night $3 Beer Special 1544 PIEDMONT AVE, NE, ATLANTA, GA 30324 ANSLEY MALL BEHIND PUBLIX

You deserve Personalized Care & Individual Attention – that’s what we deliver at Family Health Care of Atlanta • Participating in many clinical trials • Certiied HIV Specialist, American Academy of HIV Medicine • 20+ years experience in Family & HIV Care SPECIALIZING IN DERMATOLOGY, STD’S, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, UROLOGY, PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

June 12 - June 19

LGBT Night at the Atlanta Braves

50 Years of LGBT Cinema Triple Features

Show your Braves pride as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies, and pregame at the Coca-Cola Roxy with DJ Kimber.

You’ll receive a Braves Pride, and every ticket includes a $3 donation to Lost-n-Found Youth. Tickets via mlb.com.

Friday, June 14, 5-10 pm Suntrust Park

Atlanta Pride and Out On Film’s 50 Years of LGBT Cinema free film series continues with two days of triple features. Go to outonfilm.org to check out the program and ticketing info.

June 15 & 16 Out Front Theatre Company

15th Annual Evening for Equality Georgia Equality’s signature event, Evening for Equality, celebrates the successes of the past year, and contributions of leaders in the movement to advance fairness, safety, and opportunity for LGBTQ Georgians.

Last-minute tickets at georgiaequality.org.

Saturday, June 15, 6-10 pm Loews Atlanta Hotel

Deep South Presents Ladies Of LCD Soundsystem Deep South proudly welcomes Ladies Of LCD Soundsystem to Atlanta for an intimate music experience that explores this major force in electronic music. Tickets via Universe (keyword Deep South).

Hideaway GRWL Bear Night

Saturday, June 15, 10 pm – 3 am The Music Room

Thursday, June 13, 7-11:45 pm The Hideaway

38 | 06.12.19

Atlanta’s newest bear night is a bearry good time with the Shirtless Thursdays and Bear Happy Hour.

Free pizza at 8 pm and drink specials all night long will have you roaring!

CHAKA KAHN HACIENDA SEASON OPENER @ 8ARM PHOTOS: VICENTE ROJAS

40 | 06.12.19

PROUDLY SERVING METRO ATLANTA THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Common Ground Real Estate is proud to have such a diverse team of REALTORS® assisting the LGBTQ community. We sell metro Atlanta properties faster than the Atlanta average while still getting our clients the most for their homes.

678-408-2473 | 404-876-4901

commongroundrealestate.com | fb.com/

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

14

Amsterdam Ave.

NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

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dm

6 12th St. NE

18

Pi e

Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

7

9

2

10th St. NE

10

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19

oe Dr

e. NE Piedmont Av

Juniper St . NE

Peachtree St. NE

3

Monr

Charle s Alle n Dr . N E

12 W. Peachtree St. NW

15

16

4th St. NE

8

13

BARS Amsterdam Blake's Bulldogs Friends The Model T My Sister’s Room Ten Atlanta

5

Dining 502 Amsterdam Ave NE 227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE 66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE

9 10 th & Piedmont 10 Campagnolo 11 Einstein's 12 F.R.O.G.S

clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

spa/bath 15 Flex Spa

42 | 06.12.19

991 Piedmont Ave NE 980 Piedmont Ave NE 1077 Juniper St NE 931 Monroe Cir NE

fitness

retail 8 Barking Leather

4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

P o n ce D e Leo n Pl . N E

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

When the world throws you Let be your savedandgay.com

Cheshire 23

ansley 21

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on tC ir .

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

Rd

Piedmont Park 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 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd

Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness

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

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa / bath 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 38 Eclectic Bistro

clubs 28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

NE

.

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

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39 38

Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

41

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31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

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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

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

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

peachATL.com | 43

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

MIDTOWN

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK Retail & EDGEWOOD MIDTOWN MARY’S

amsterdamatlanta.com

1287 Glenwood Ave SE

Bars & Clubs AMSTERDAM

502 Amsterdam Ave. NE

ATLANTA EAGLE

marysatlanta.com

SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH

BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

sisterlouisaschurch.com

CHESHIRE

SWINGING RICHARDS

BARKING LEATHER

1400 Northside Dr NW

805 Lambert Dr NE

BULLDOGS

Dining

2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

MIDTOWN

736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

10thandpiedmont.com

atlantaeagle.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK

blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

893 Peachtree St NE

friendsonponce-atl.com

466 Edgewood Ave SE

swingingrichards.com

10TH & PIEDMONT

MY SISTER’S ROOM

991 Piedmont Ave NE

66 12th St NE

einsteinsatlanta.com

mysistersroom.com

TEN ATLANTA

tenatlanta.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

CHESHIRE

EINSTEIN’S

1077 Juniper St NE

BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE

GCB & PLEASURES

brushstrokesatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

Fitness MIDTOWN

2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

219 10th St NE

BJ ROOSTERS

HENRY’S

gsmidtown.com

bjroosters.com

henrysatl.com

2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

132 10th St NE

OPUS 1

JOE’S ON JUNIPER

TRIPPS

ANSLEY

931 Monroe Dr

frogsmidtown.com

G’S

1086 Alco St NE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO

FROGS CANTINA

HERETIC

hereticatlanta.com

barkingleather.com

joesonjuniper.com

1049 Juniper St NE

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com

500 Amsterdam Ave NE

CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

1931 Piedmont Circle N

LA HACIENDA

Spas/Baths/Adult

WOOFS

900 Monroe Dr NE

MIDTOWN

2425 Piedmont Road NE

CHESHIRE

FLEX SPA

ANSLEY

LAS MARGARITAS

MIDTOWN MOON

76 4th St NW

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

CHESHIRE

ROXX

MANIFEST 4U

woofsatlanta.com

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

FELIX’S

lahaciendamidtown.com

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

THE HIDEAWAY

DEKALB

1544 Piedmont Ave NE

LIPS ATLANTA

MIXX

3011 Buford Hwy NE

mixxatlanta.com

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

OSCAR’S

oscarsatlanta.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

44 | 06.12.19

atldragshow.com

flexspas.com

manifest4u.org

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN

thedenatlanta.com

2135 Liddell Drive NE

LUXURY LGBT ALMAR RESORT TIMESHARE PLUS BONUS FOR SALE BEACH FRONT BEAUTIFUL BEACH HOTEL & FOOD CONTACT leonrri@hotmail.com

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peachATL.com | 45

10 SONGS FOR YOUR QUEER SUMMER PLAYLIST

Tunes to celebrate pride and being your authentic self Keiynan Lonsdale – Preach

Mika – Ice Cream

Todrick Hall – Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels

Madonna – Future

Lucy Spraggan – The End of The World

Rotate your wardrobe

Boy Band Project – Get Behind My Love RuPaul – Queens Everywhere

I Feel Love – Donna Summer

Kylie Minogue – New York City Allie X – Girl of the Year

46 | 06.12.19

WE'RE HIRING WE ARE SEEKING Motivated, Hard-Working, Innovative People to be Our Next Superstar Ad Sales Representatives.

Playmates and soul mates...

Jumpstart Your Career by Joining Atlanta's Newest Gay Media Company!

One Year Sales Experience Required EMAIL YOUR RESUME TO

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Get the details on these and other great upcoming events on our website calendar.

We’re closer to Atlanta than you think!

A Weekend Beyond the Ordinary Membership Required Must be 21 to Enter

peachATL.com | 47

Text your Peach Pits to 540-30-PEACH, or e-mail mikkel@PeachATL.com

People who say “it’s too hot for coffee” clearly don’t understand coffee and are not to be trusted.

Me: Being gay doesn’t hold me back from anything!

Him: So you can do anything?

Me: Yes! Just because I’m gay it shouldn’t make a difference Y’all begged for this weather and now you’re complaining because you forgot how musty you get.

Him: Ok, then help me degrease this engine

Me: Oh honey, I can’t do that – I’m gay!

Dad Joke Alert Why can’t a leopard hide?

Because he is always spotted

Y’all don’t have a “Straight Month Pride” ‘cause you’re ugly

Overheard Beckies having iced coffees at Starbucks saying: “I turn into a risk taker when I drink.” Honey, we say hoe where we come from.

Asking for a friend Is “I don’t want to be there” a valid reason to cancel plans?

48 | 06.12.19

When someone says, “I haven’t seen you in forever” I like to respond with, “I know, we’re not that good friends.”

NO COVER 306 PONCE DE LEON AVE, NE, ATLANTA, GA 30308

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21) That home makeover you had planned may be met with resistance by your partner or housemate.

When sharing a living space, you must remember that your vision may not jibe with those you live with. Expect some give and take, but that living room shrine to Kylie Minogue may not happen any time soon.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21) You can add to your list of credentials if you get creative in your dating strategies. Dinner and a movie is so cliche, so bring something new to the table. A home-cooked meal will be much more impressive, and then you’ll have him right where you want him.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

Trying to influence people to see things your way will be an uphill struggle today. Your arguments will have to be sound and your passion obvious if you want others to fall into place. But despite all of your commitment, expect to still be dateless by the time next week rolls around.

Be wary of new financial schemes today. There are smooth talking wolves who will convince you that you’re doing the right thing. But a fool and his money are soon parted, and you can buy yourself a designer dunce cap with what little dough you have left.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

Today will be a good one to volunteer your services to a worthy cause in your community. There are men out there who need your help, but pride may keep them from asking for it. There’s sure to be an AIDS hospice that needs the help of compassionate men just like you.

High energy levels will propel you through a hectic day. You’ll be a dynamo of action, and you’ll get so much done in a short time that you’ll finish all your errands and chores early in the day. Then you can crash on the couch and do absolutely nothing.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

Patience is not one of your strong points, but that’s what it’ll take to develop relationships with men other than yourself. Rushing in will have you missing the subtle nuances, or seeing the warning signs of a disaster that’s just waiting to happen.

It could be stimulating to kick back and daydream about your future today. But be realistic when inventing future scenarios. Changes of job or living venue are reasonably attainable goals. But jetting off to California to marry David Duchovny might be best kept in the dark recesses of your mind.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

Nothing tears people down easier than harsh critiques of their performance. It’s even worse if those assessments come after a romantic encounter. In those cases, learn to say something constructive, or don’t say anything at all.

You’ll have to be the group leader today, simply because no one else wants to. This unwanted responsibility will only complicate your day. Don’t let frustration get to you, though. You may be a man of action, but you’ll have to be a hand holder today if you want to get anything done.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

Romance can be like a game of chess. There can be much jockeying for position that’s determined by a rigid adherence to strategy. But there’s always something that’s left to chance, and you can go from a king to a pawn in no time flat.

You’ll be forced to deal with power struggles on all fronts today. Whether at home or amongst friends, everyone will want the upper hand. It’ll be up to you whether you let them have their way, or whether you open your can of whoop-ass and show them who’s the boss.

50 | 06.12.19

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 an out gay guy who is secretly in love with my straight roommate. Actually, if he were gay, we would be having a pretty passionate affair right now, as we hook up regularly – he comes into my room at night, and we have sex – but he is not gay and continues to also get with girls.

Now it seems he is actually dating a girl regularly, and even though we still hook up, I can feel that I am jealous of this girl. I feel like I shouldn’t feel jealous as he is not gay, so him hooking up with a girl shouldn’t come as a shock to me. But here I am, secretly in love with my straight roommate who is about to get a girlfriend when I want to be the one he is with. How do I come to terms with this?

Sincerely Love Him Straight up

Dear Love Him Straight Up

First of all, your roommate is not straight as in heterosexual. He may not be categorized as gay since he is also sleeping with women, but then he is bi or questioning or something else. He is just not straight, so stop making this some weird excuse for the way you both act in this situation.

Second of all, you need to talk to him about all of this! Sure, all the secret love affair stuff can be very exciting, but now that you have developed feelings for him, the game has changed. Maybe you don’t come at him declaring your undying love, but start a conversation about what is going on between the two of you. Perhaps he will admit to exploring his sexuality, or maybe he’ll deny it altogether, but either way, you have to start talking about this. Thirdly, you may want to rethink your living arrangements. Right now, you are living together, and even though the sex may be great and exciting, there is just a lot of unresolved stuff going on that could be eased if you weren’t under the same roof. Who knows, this could be the love affair of the century, but until you start digging deeper than the occasional romp in the night, things aren’t moving anywhere.

I

guess I’m a new gay in town, and I am just starting to learn about dating boys and having sex and all that. The Internet is great, but I feel like there are some questions about gay sex that I would like to talk to someone about – especially on how to avoid STDs and practice responsible sex. I did think about talking to my doctor, but he is the family doctor, so I just don’t feel comfortable talking to him about this. I am also still under my parent’s insurance, so I don’t feel like I can just switch doctors like that. Is there a resource I can go to for this?

Sincerely Take a Shot

Dear Take a Shot

Yes, there is a resource for your questions – and it’s a gay doctor! Assuming that your parents, whose insurance you are still under, know that you are gay, you should be able to tell them that you would feel more comfortable talking to a gay doctor more openly about things you would find difficult to talk to your family physician about.

Actually, even if your parents don’t know you’re gay, you should still be able to switch your doctor.

You may be under their insurance, but as an adult, you have the right to make that choice for yourself. Having a gay doctor is a huge advantage, and being able to talk openly about your sex life and choices in a judgment-free environment is ideal for securing that you have optimal health and are aware of specific risks. Not saying that non-gay docs won’t be able to do this, but it is nice to be able to openly talk to your doctor about going to a sex party or hooking up more frequently with guys with someone who has the same scope of reference. So talk to your parents about getting a new doctor and make that switch. Your health will thank you for it.

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

52 | 06.12.19

Flex is hiring all positions and all shifts