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BODIES TO THE RESCUE

Melissa McCarthy: The Lesbian You’ve Longed For

PARTY With Impact

Guide to Self-Love: Choose You! INSPIRED THOTS

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party with Help us celebrate 2018 accomplishments and look toward the future of HIV care in Atlanta

Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 Music, open bar, body painting, silent auction, and 3 course meal by Endive.

Summerour Studio 409 Bishop St. NW Atlanta, GA 30318

BENEFITS

Host Committee/Sponsor Reception: 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Main Event: 7:00 p.m.

Buy tickets: PositiveImpactHealthCenters.org

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 07, 2018

V2-45

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EDITORIAL

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From the Editor October was FUN! Pride, Taste of Atlanta, and Halloween were just a few of my ultimate highlights of the first full month of fall (oh yeah, and my birthday too!). But you know what? November is shaping up to be a lot of fun also!

Thanksgiving will, of course, be the highlight of the month, but it is clear that the colder weather also calls for those big, swanky events and galas. GLAAD will have their gala on November 9 (page 8), and if you want to plan a little, Positive Impact Health Centers is having their primary fundraiser, Party With Impact, in the beginning of December (page 12) – so get your tickets now!

Cold weather also equals time for movies, and we highly recommend the dramedy Can You Ever Forgive Me? starring the lovely Melissa McCarthy. Chris Azzopardi brings you an extensive interview with the star about her first all-out Lesbian role on page 18.

That the year is coming to a close is also cemented by the fact that photographer Mike Ruiz is launching his 2019 calendar, ‘Bullies and Biceps.’ Enjoy the hunky men and rescue pups that grace the cover and a few pages in the issue starting on page 14.

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Branden Lee Jamie Kirk Mirza Muftic

DISTRIBUTION Brian Harmon

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media 908.232.202

EDITOR PHOTO

Rikke Falck-Larsen

That and so much more in this issue, so enjoy, Peaches!

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director

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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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6 | 11.07.18

About Out GLAAD Atlanta The evening will feature a cocktail reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres, exciting live and silent auctions, and a dynamic program and awards presentation.

The 2018 GLAAD Gala Atlanta celebrates the national and local leaders working to accelerate acceptance of the LGBTQ community in the South. The event benefits GLAAD’s culture-changing initiatives, including GLAAD Southern Stories, which boosts understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ Southerners.

Television star and singer Kat Graham will host the event which features a special performance from the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and remarks from GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis. During the event, GLAAD will be handing out honors to two LGBTQ advocates. The cocktail reception and awards event is hosted by Ketel One Family-Made Vodka, Coca-Cola, Delta, and Turner.

Visit glaad.org/events/2018/atlanta to get your tickets ($200-$1,500) for this incredible night.

About Out GLAAD Atlanta GLAAD Atlanta will spotlight events and news relevant to Atlanta and the surrounding region.

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) amplifies the voice of the LGBT community by empowering real people to share their stories, holding the media accountable for the words and images they present, and helping grassroots organizations communicate effectively.

The What, When, and Where What: GLAAD Atlanta Gala When: Friday, November 9, 6-9 pm Where:

The Estate 3109 Piedmont Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30305

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!

E R E I M E R P N R E ST A E H T U SO

Journey back to the Upstairs Lounge and see what has been gained and lost in the ďŹ ght for equality.

Oct. 25 - Nov. 10, 2018

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

Sponsored by Jay Reynolds, Michael Barnett, Reuben Reynolds & Bill Casey

www.OutFrontTheatre.com

NEW GAY IN TOWN: Scorpio Season Sexcapades

By Branden Lee Branden Lee is a writer and actor living in Atlanta. Follow Branden on Instagram and Twitter @Brandensss. Watch Branden on his YouTube channel SexxxPerTease.

Scorpios are known for being the most vengeful and vindictive signs in the zodiac. We’re also known for being the most sexual and sensual signs. Since Scorpio season began, I’ve felt like my sex drive has been in overdrive. I’m insatiable.

I got with four guys in one week. My first new lover is Fro-Hawk. We met on Scruff. He’s exactly my type. Big, burly, and bearded. .

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We’ve hung out and hooked up a couple of times, including having a sleepover. I like that’s he’s got this big football player build, and used to play in his younger days. Yet he’s also a big nerd into cosplay, alternative music, and even paints his nails. It’s like best of both worlds dating someone comfortable with themselves and not so obsessed with masculinity and femininity. The sexual chemistry is great.

We talk every day. I like him a lot, despite him being a pescetarian. I love meat, and ideally, want a man that does too. Just in the grand scheme, it would be shallow to dismiss a guy because of his eating habits. Unless he’s a vegan. I could never be with anyone with that eating disorder.

can take over an hour. If you top you don’t even have to worry about having a clean hole, just make sure your dick gets hard and stays hard.

The second one was ACDC. He was visiting from DC, and we hooked up in the AC hotel. I topped him. I haven’t topped in a while, at least not successfully. I have been saying for months I wanted to be more verse, and this time it finally happened. It was an incredibly hot experience, and I definitely want to top again. I haven’t had much desire to bottom, and topping is so much less stressful. No having to go through all that effort in douching and opening up my hole. That process

Lastly, there was Tower Trade. This DL guy that lives down the street from me. He messaged me on Grindr one night as I was preparing for bed. I wasn’t even expecting to hookup that night, but since I’m never not horny, I was up for some fun. We had a great encounter. No idea if or when I’ll see him again, but I had fun.

Thirdly, there was Beast. Beast has been a somewhat consistent lover of mine since the summer. I only see him monthly. Beast recently got a new job only five minutes away from where I live. He was hitting me up daily about hooking up again, but I was either already asleep or in the middle of hooking up with someone else whenever he texted me. Beast was the first guy I topped this year, which first ignited my desire to want to start topping more, though this recent encounter no anal was had.

I’ve been enjoying the promiscuity and feeding my insatiable sex drive.

I’m also of two minds. The days are

getting shorter. The weather is getting colder. The world is getting darker. It would be nice to have a boyfriend.

Someone to come home to. Consistency. No longer have to search for a man. Get a break from all these apps and one-night stands and have love again.

Maybe it’s a difficult time of year since it’s the holidays, and this time last year I did have a boyfriend. Well barely, since we broke up every other week and he ruined every holiday. I need a do-over to truly know what it’s like to have a boyfriend for the holidays.

It’s better to be single and free than feel trapped in a toxic, unhealthy relationship. On the other hand, there is no better feeling than being in love, and feeling loved in return. Autumn is full of so many emotions.

Scorpios are known for being cruel and slutty, but we’re also intensely passionate when in love. I’ve only had one boyfriend for barely six months, but deep down I think I’m a relationship person. No one wants to be a single slut forever.

peachATL.com | 11

The Impact of a Party

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Party With Impact is the annual fundraising gala for Positive Impact Health Centers. The event celebrates the accomplishments of the past yearand looks towards the future of HIV care in Atlanta. Peach spoke to Olivia Chelko, Vice President of Development and Communications for Positive Impact Health Centers, about the party and the impact the event has for the non-profit organization.

Tell us about the Party With Impact As the main fundraiser, the agency shares all the success of the year and also highlights the needs for the upcoming year, including expansion of programs and services and needs of Atlanta.

Tell us about the work of Positive Impact Health Centers For 27 years, Positive Impact Health Centers has provided medical and behavioral health care and worked tirelessly to stop the transmission of HIV. The organization was formed from the successful 2015 merger of two long-standing AIDS Service Organizations, Positive Impact, and AID Gwinnett. Positive Impact was founded in 1993 by gay men affected

by HIV to respond to the mental health care needs of HIV-affected communities. AID Gwinnett was founded in 1990 by parents of people living with HIV in need of medical care. The agency provides services like HIV testing and specialty medical care, STI testing and PrEP, Substance Abuse Treatment and Counseling, Housing Financial Assistance, and many more counseling and supportive services. The non-profit organization serves individuals residing in the 20-county Atlanta community via two locations in Duluth and Decatur.

Positive Impact Health Centers’ mission is to provide client-centered care for the HIV community to have a life worth loving. With the help of grants and individual donations, Positive Impact Health Centers accomplishes a great deal every year. In 2017, medical care was provided to more than 1,600 people, and 6,000 sessions were attended by clients in the counseling and substance abuse treatment programs. Stable housing was provided to over 800 people at-risk for homelessness, and more than 5,800 HIV tests were completed. There are over 300 individuals currently on PrEP, and to date, 842 new patients have been added just this year.Right now, we are adding 94 new patients a month, and we have had over 350 individuals enroll in PrEP this year.

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What does an event like the Party With Impact mean to Positive Impact?

This event raises critical money for HIV care and prevention in Atlanta. It is also a time the agency thanks their donors and lets them know about all the work and care made possible this year because of their support.

Tell us about some of the highlights of the evening of the event?

There will be a live body painting demonstration at the vent. The artist, Titus, is also helping the agency with art and redesign of both Center lobby spaces to help promote healing and stigma reduction. The silent auction will feature theatre tickets, signed music memorabilia from Olivia Newton-John, Dolly Parton, Sam Smith, Whitney Houston, paintings by local artists, and much more.

Why is it so important to participate and support this event?

Money from this event goes back to the agency to help fund medical care, housing assistance for patients, Rapid Entry Clinic into HIV treatment (within 72 hours of diagnosis) and fund programs to stop HIV transmission - prevention programs like testing and the agency’s free PrEP Clinic. Atlanta has become the epicenter for new infections in the U.S., and we all need to work together to bring more prevention, testing, early detection, and the biomedical prevention program PrEP into the community.

How do you participate in the event? When and where is it?

The event this year will be on Dec 9th at Summerour Studio in Atlanta. There will be a 3-course dinner provided by Endive, an open bar, a live body painting demonstration by Joseph Titus Davis, and a silent art auction with autographed music memorabilia, paintings, artwork, and theater tickets. The host committee and sponsor reception will be from 5:30-6:30 pm and the main event from 7-9 pm. Main event tickets are $75, and Host Committee (pre-reception and main event) are $100. Get your tickets through our website positiveimpacthealthcenters.org.

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Hot Bodies to the Rescue Celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz presents the ‘Bullies and Biceps’ 2019 calendar benefitting New York Bully Crew Pet Rescue and honoring the memory of his own beloved pit bull, Oliver.

Continued on pg. 16 >>>>

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Everyone loves photos of adorable pit bull pups. So, what happens when you pair the cutest pooches on earth — who just happen to be in need of forever homes — with beautiful, hunky men? The year’s most buzzed-about calendar.

Photographer Mike Ruiz’s 2019 calendar, “Bullies and Biceps,” is fourteen months of perfection (two bonus months in 2020) that will put a smile on your face every day of the new year.

Mike Ruiz is a celebrity photographer whose clients include Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and countless others. In addition to his work in Hollywood, Ruiz is known for shooting top male fitness models. “I admire men who have sculpted their bodies into works of art,” he says. “It takes incredible skill and knowledge to form human tissue to near perfection. Photographing their work is quite gratifying to me.”

The men featured in “Bullies and Biceps” are some of the biggest male fitness models working today including Bryan Richards, Michael Dean, Nick Topel and cover-model Casey Christopher. Collectively, they have hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, and they are also all passionate about animal rescue.

Mike Ruiz, too, is a pit bull rescuer and this year’s calendar is in special tribute to Oliver, his beloved canine, who passed away last month. Mike and Oliver shared six wonderful years together. It was Oliver who inspired Mike to fuse his two passions — photography and pit bulls — together into a calendar that would benefit dogs in need of rescue.

The pit bulls that appear in the calendar were chosen at random and represent only a fraction of those in need. “This is a very sad time to be in rescue,” explains Carla Mohan of the New York Bully Crew.

“People are giving up their dogs without remorse. Pit bull type dogs are especially vulnerable because most rescues shy away from saving them due to lack of experience, knowledge and the negative media coverage the beautiful creatures have received.”

Founded by Craig Fields in 2010, New York Bully Crew specializes in the rescue, rehabbing and rehoming of pit bull type dogs. They partner with city shelters around the country to help local animals and have also begun outreach in Puerto Rico, Honduras, Peru, and South Korea.

“Pit bulls are the most loyal and loving dogs,” Carla continues. “They are soulful creatures that can be the silliest best friend ever. I have had many different breeds of dogs in my life, but none compare to pit bulls.”

Mike Ruiz’s 2019 calendar, “Bullies and Biceps” is available for only $24.99 at www.nybullycrew.org.

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Every dollar made from the sale of the “Bullies and Biceps” 2019 calendar will go directly to New York Bully Crew for various services benefitting the health and welfare of the dogs.

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Melissa McCarthy Is the Lesbian You’ve Longed For

By Chris Azzopardi Melissa McCarthy knows her way around a woman who doesn’t care what other people think.

This is the foundation on which her bawdy and vanity-free slapstick characters are created.

Anti-feminine hornball Megan in Bridesmaids dialed up dude-level crass and free-wheeling sexuality (and earned her an Oscar nomination). Officer Mullins in The Heat was a gun-toting ballbuster who shamelessly and daringly – because she’s female, and this is Hollywood – went unpolished, hair undone, mouth a free-flapping trap.

If you’ve ever gotten a lesbian read on McCarthy’s subversive heroines, you’re not misreading, exactly.

They’re not explicitly lesbian. But the 48-year-old actress and bona fide action star, thanks to the Ghostbusters reboot and Spy, tells me the characteristics of being lesbian – the not caring, the disregard for convention, sensible shoes – are absolutely at play.

There’s nothing vague about Lee Israel’s sexuality in McCarthy’s latest film, the poignant Oscar-worthy dramedy Can You Ever Forgive Me?, but it’s the least interesting thing about Israel. So, even if you didn’t know her as the real-life literary scammer (and, yes, lesbian) she was, forging and selling letters by famous writers like Noël Coward and Dorothy Parker out of desperation to survive and work and care for her cat, McCarthy will make you care deeply about this woman who, in true McCarthy fashion, has few cares herself.

Recently, McCarthy phoned to talk about steeping her onscreen personas in lesbian qualities “out of admiration,” her appreciation for queer films wherein a character’s sexuality is not the whole story and why her drag alias is “Miss Y.”

What took you so long to play a lesbian character that went beyond being just suggestively lesbian?

(Laughs) It hadn’t been presented to me. I just fell in love with Lee. I was not even a quarter of the way through the script and I thought, My god, she’s so unapologetic about who she is and how her demeanor is.

I tend to always fall in love with women who simply don’t care what other people think of them. Sometimes to their detriment.

Continued on pg. 20 >>>> 18 | 11.07.18

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Richard as Jack is everyone’s new gay friend.

Isn’t he? I think it took me three seconds to literally fall in love with him. I was just like, “Oh my god, where have you been all my life?” I think how he played Jack and how bigger-than-life he was, and then how vulnerable and how he could break your heart – I just can’t imagine anyone else on the planet playing Jack. I thought Richard was perfect.

How did Lee’s friendship with Jack – two gay people living during the AIDS crisis – speak to you?

I don’t think it made her life easier that she was so prickly with so many people, to say the least. But I think in a world where so many people look outward to see, “How do you think I am?” as opposed to, “I know who I am, I know how I am, and I’m fine with it,” there was something in Lee’s voice that really appealed to me. I thought a little bit more of Lee in all of us would not be a bad thing.

Was there something special that stood out to you about the film’s treatment of her sexuality?

Yeah, I liked that it wasn’t treated as if her sexuality was something new – a new sweater she got, or something she was trying on. I would say 80 percent of my friends are gay and it’s not something that is an integral part of who they are – it’s not an accessory or a phase – and I thought it was just simply sunk into who she was as a woman and I related to that. That seemed real to me, and it’s about time that’s the type of character you see: where it’s part of the whole person, and it doesn’t always lead with it.

Eighty percent is very precise. Has it always been 80 percent?

(Laughs) Probably! I mean, still to this day, I don’t know why. Who knows how and why and who you pick as your friends, but it’s usually me and all my lovely, dear gay friends that I’ve had forever.

In the film, Richard E. Grant portrays Jack Hock, a charming gay boozer who becomes Lee’s drinking buddy and partner in crime. Do you have a gay friend as close to you as Lee Israel was to Jack?

I have about five of them. They were all my bridesmen. I had my sister – and then I had five bridesmen.

Did you make some new gay friends while shooting at New York City’s oldest gay bar Julius’?

I didn’t meet anyone new in there, but I found it fascinating that that’s where Lee hung out. I thought that was very telling of her not wanting to be seen, but to still be with people who wouldn’t judge her, especially in the early ’90s. But no, no new friends! Richard’s my new friend!

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I thought what really tethered the whole story were these two characters. These people are so lonely, so isolated, desperate in different ways but similar in others. Who hasn’t had that feeling? Who hasn’t felt completely alone or undervalued? And to put that in this time period, I mean, that’s part of why I’m so fascinated. When I found out she hung out at Julius’, especially in the early ’90s, I thought she wouldn’t meet anyone there. Then I thought, “Of course!” And she knew that. So she would go to just be isolated and I thought, “Oh, Lee.” I just sometimes rooted for her. I know it’s crazy, but the scene with Dolly Wells, who plays Anna so brilliantly... and I know how this movie ends. I’ve seen it, I did it. And yet every time right before Lee makes that turn outside the restaurant, I can’t help but go, “Oh, please, let it work out.” She’s so close to having a lovely thing, and then Lee kind of could not get out of her own way.

The LGBTQ community has seemingly found lesbian subtext in some of your characters. Did you recognize the lesbian sensibility when you shot The Heat with Sandra Bullock as much as gay critics did?

It wasn’t intentionally driven by that, but it was driven by a sense of, I don’t have to be anyone else than I am.

I’ve had and still have so many great lesbian friends. I remember early on just being like, “Boy, they’re just not putting on these airs and stereotypes of what it means to be a woman, and they certainly seem comfortable and at ease with it,” and there was a real weighted feeling to that. I remember being like, “Yeah, why am I in a heel?

What am I doing?” Like, “This seems dumb. She’s not in one and between the two of us that’s the smarter move.”

I just remember thinking someone who stops doing certain social cues that have been assigned and simply does what they want is very appealing to me. I find it very strong and respect it quite a bit.

So many of the women I play when I do play these characters – because I love them, I love them because they’re too aggressive, too whatever it is – but I love that they’re really in their shoes and some of those great women I’ve known over the years always carry into them because I think, “Don’t mess with her because she knows exactly who she is and she’s standing solid.” I love the fact that they’ve crept in. You know, it’s out of admiration.

These characters you play are a real subversion of conventional gender norms.

Yeah, that “who’s to say what” – I do love playing with that. It’s like, you don’t know anyone’s story. You can’t go off a look or a feeling; you don’t know until you know.

And maybe it’ll never be any of your business.

The lesbian chemistry between Sandra Oh and Kathy Bates in your film Tammy – you called it “magical.” If you were to play another lesbian role after Lee, who would you want your love interest to be?

That’s a tough question! That’s like, “What’s your favorite album?” I don’t know! Oh, god. Glenn Close, I don’t know. There are so many women that I love, that I find magical, I couldn’t possibly answer that. It would be endless.

As a kid who grew up on a farm in Plainfield, Illinois, where I imagine there weren’t a lot of out and loud farmers...

(Laughs) Not many that I knew of!

What was your experience the first time you stepped into a gay bar, then?

I thought, “Where has this been all my life?” That’s the honest to god truth. There was a feeling of anything goes, you’re OK, no one’s gonna find you odd. What you’re wearing, who cares! What you’re doing, dancing all night! There just was a celebration innately built in.

It’s like, I didn’t go there to be somber, I went because I was like, there’s such a feeling of unity and I never felt…

I just… I really did, I had such a strong reaction to it. It’s like, I think, certainly, from many of my friends I was with as they came out and struggled with their families or had delightfully surprising responses from their family, to have a place to go where they were just fully accepted, a lot of joy went with that. So I kind of sat in the backdrop of that and enjoyed it.

The feeling must’ve been so strong that “Miss Y” was born.

How did you get your drag name?

(Laughs) I do kind of consider it my drag name. I was given it by a lesbian in southern Illinois. When I went to college, I went by Melissa, but up until college I had always been called “Missy.” And someone who knew me before said, “Missy,” in front of this woman and she went, “Uh! My friend ‘Missy’? Completely unacceptable!

I’ll call you ‘Miss Y.’” I don’t know why she was really offended by Missy, but bizarrely it stuck and everyone called me Miss Y. When I ended up in New York, it had become somewhat of an alter ego – and in my wig and silver lamé trench coat dress, Miss Y was born.

Which drag look was physically easier to transform into: Miss Y or Divine, who you impersonated for an Entertainment Weekly cover shoot – or Sean Spicer?

Sadly, Sean Spicer was quicker. I was like, “This will take hours,” and they’re like, “Not really. It’ll take about 17 minutes,” and I was like, “Oh, come on!” I would’ve loved for them to have been like, “Oh, it’s really difficult to make her that masculine.” Instead, nope. Really easy.

I had no problem doing it!

What do your daughters think of Miss Y? (Laughs) They don’t really know her – thank god they were not at the Palladium (a NYC gay bar) in ’92 with me!

Wait, what happened at the Palladium in ’92?

Oh, so many things. So many things that I’ll never put on a recorder. Susanne Bartsch parties and debauchery; the ball pit, the slide. I could go on but I won’t. (Laughs)

You know, one day they’re gonna ask about what happened with Miss Y in ’92 at that bar.

You know, something I hope my girls feel is a freedom. I always say I find them delightfully weird, which I have always rooted for. We play a strange game that is not really meant to offend any banker, we just mean this as a generalization, which is terrible – but we play a weird game where we’re a very serious family and Ben (Falcone, Melissa’s husband) will come out and say, “Hello, children, how was education?” And they answer very properly and we can only do it for about a minute and a half. It’s really weird and then we all feel uncomfortable and a weird dance party starts. So I love that they fully embrace that they can be as strange and goofy as they want to be. I think that’s a feather in my cap, that they’re not afraid to be exactly who they are.

Do pieces of Miss Y exist in any of the characters you play?

I think there’s always a bit of her. Not surprisingly, the beginning of me being a character actress – I didn’t even do stand-up for that long. I couldn’t possibly do it as myself. It didn’t make any sense to me. But I could go on as her and tell amazing stories about myself and talk about being so young and wealthy and tall and all these things that I was not. And I could kind of channel it through someone and do that without any reservations or embarrassment. I think I’ve taken that into so many of these flawed, challenging women that I play. As long as I can channel through someone else, I feel quite a bit braver.

As editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Reach him via his website at www.chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter (@chrisazzopardi).

peachATL.com | 21

HALLOWEEN BIRDCAGE BINGO AT HIDEAWAY PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

22 | 11.07.18

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BLAKE'S PHOTOS:Sher Pruitt

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HALLOWEEN AT ATLANTA EAGLE Photos: Brian McCall

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A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS GOES TO TOY PARTY 2018

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VIP ckets $250 (+Toy) General Admission ckets $25 (+Toy) Purchase tickets in advance at forthekid.org and bring an unwrapped toy valued at $20+

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The handsome Brazilian has been in Atlanta almost four years where he lives with his boyfriend. He currently works with hardwood flooring but intends to study architecture when he is 100% fluent and comfortable with English – apart from English, Rafael already speaks Portuguese and Spanish. He has played soccer ever since he was six years old, and when he is not on the field, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and partner while grabbing a drink at the bars. Check out Rafael’s sexy Instagram @rafael_tsubouchi.

Rafael Tsubouchi Roquete

30 | 11.07.18

I Will Choose ME Each and Every Time

By Jamie Kirk Researchers studying healthy self-esteem say that ‘some self-love helps to promote mental health and well-being.

Researchers have linked self-love to a decrease in sadness, depression, and loneliness, and noted an uptick in well-being, both with their relationship with themselves and with others.’ Having healthy self-esteem also contributes to fewer feelings of anxiety and neuroticism.

In another study, researchers linked low self-esteem to higher levels of aggression and anti-social behavior.

Here are my thoughts on five reasons it’s time to begin to become more selfish.

Your relationships with others will improve As you can see from the world around us, there are universal problems in relationships everywhere. No matter what kind of relationship (e.g., romantic, friendship, family, boss,etc.) so many get destroyed by pain, guilt, or betrayal, and other not so positive emotions. But, once you start to embody love yourself, you will see a huge transformation and upgrade in all of your relationships.

I know it sounds tree-hugger-ish, but we only perpetuate pain and sorrow in the world because we have not fully healed our wounds. Once you step past the victim mentality, realize and accept that only you are in charge of your emotions, you can bring whole new energy into your everyday relationships. Also, it forces you to leave behind those folks that no longer serve you, and attract people who truly inspire and uplift you.

You will learn to truly love the person in the mirror Most people, unfortunately, look to others for love and acceptance. We tend to do very little to cultivate these feelings, which could explain why we have some trying times. Most of us seek outside of ourselves to find what we need, and when we don’t get it, we begin to get frantic. It is overwhelming to think that all we need, we already have in ourselves.

Selfishness doesn’t have to mean only caring about ourselves - it means putting ourselves first and taking care of our needs so that we can offer more value to the world.

You will have better health Inevitably, when you start to love yourself, you will want to put more loving, wholesome things into your body.

You will crave foods that energize you and promote good health, not ones that poison your body, mind, and soul. Once you cultivate self-love, you will learn to get

32 | 11.07.18

“selfish” with what you eat and how you treat your body. You will welcome the opportunity to chop up fruits and veggies that contribute to a healthy meal.

Exercising will not seem like a chore. You will actually get up and get moving!

When you love yourself, you will need and want your health in tip-top shape, and you will accept nothing less.

You will bring down mental barriers We tend to feel we can’t control much in our lives because of factors like laws, the economy, the political landscape, money, relationships, our weight, our health, etc. The resulting feeling of helplessness can lead to destructive behaviors and chaos. By putting ourselves first, and trying to remove all of our destructive thought patterns, the world can become a little less burdened.

You will make better decisions that serve you well Once you have self-love within, you won’t want anything in your life that could potentially get in your path of peace. You will want to remove what no longer serves you, and instead, welcome in the people and things that uplift your spirit. Decision-making will become easier because you will know exactly what you want out of life and will know how to align energetically with those choices.

Bottom line; becoming our best selves requires us to put ourselves first, and by doing this, we can offer more to our fellow man. So don’t hesitate to become a little more selfish. Quit that job that kills your soul, go on that vacation you’ve been dreaming of taking, break off a relationship that doesn’t bring you happiness, and continue to follow your heart.

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

Holiday Body-ody-ody With the changing of the leaves comes a new season. My favorite season! It’s the magical time of year where we prepare for the holidays by packing on a couple of extra pounds. Much like a competitive hot dog-eater trains for a tournament, we as a society begin taking extra helpings at every meal to assure our grandmothers won’t be upset by our shockingly small portions on Turkey Day. I have some fiendishly skinny friends I like to call ‘models’. They always have a tough time putting on that extra padding. So, this year, I’m going down memory lane and sharing success stories of my patent-pending method to get you that holiday weight early!

A few years back a friend of mine came to me asking to help her gain an extra fifteen pounds. Through days of vigorous lack-of-exercise and my own custom meal plan, she not only succeeded in her weight gain, but even went so far as to develop critically high cholesterol! I had her try various tricks to reach her goal. My personal favorite was for every time she thought about working out, I would have her marathon a new show on Netflix for six hours straight. She was only allowed to leave her couch to use the bathroom or answer the door for the pizza delivery driver. To spice things up, I would have her alternate between pizza and take-out Chinese food. I would stay clear of Hispanic food as it might increase your urge to pooh, and potentially make you lose weight!

You might be thinking “that’s all fine and swell for HER, but I don’t have the time-of-day to keep up with not exercising and eating excessively” or you might say “I’ve already caught up with all my Netflix shows”. I assure you, everyone can achieve weight gain in no time with little to no effort. And there’s always Hulu or Amazon Prime to aid you in endless hours of entertainment. My friend’s success inspired me to start my very own “Weight Onlookers”. It is a buddy system program that allows you to gain weight by having someone to gain it with! It’s always easier to go out for some Italian when you have someone to out with.

Another great tip I developed came from a friend who recently had her baby. She was worried that she would lose too much weight now that she was breast-feeding and getting unwanted exercise from carrying her baby everywhere. I suggested she immediately find a nanny who would hold the baby for her. And to combat the rapid weight-loss of post-partum, I suggested she make a “Fat Jar”. Every time she would miss a meal due to the unusual schedule of being a new-born mom, she would place a dollar into the jar. Whenever the jar would accumulate one dollar, she had to treat herself to the McDonald’s dollar menu. It worked flawlessly. And as a bonus, her breast milk gave her newborn extra fat and additive hormones. Her baby is now one year old and is a whopping thirty pounds!

This year, if you’re having trouble packing on a couple of extra pounds, don’t feel down, instead CHOW down! There’s a fast-food establishment around every corner these days. And be sure to walk less and borrow a friend’s Netflix login. Your grandmother will be beside herself with glee when she sees you.

And for once, she won’t worry about you surviving the harshness of winter or the on-coming famine we’re sure to get any day now.

Yours Obesely,

Mitzi Pennington is the self-proclaimed sex symbol and advice-giving-guru alter ego of Mirza Muftic. She came from humble roots of middle America and married into money shortly after dropping out of college. Her late husband’s fortune allows her to travel the world and have a sense of enlightenment one normally gets from actually working for their money. Mirza has had none of those experiences in his life. On occasion, Mirza will perform as Mitzi around Atlanta. His other interests/day job include film editing, retouching, and stop-motion animation.

34 | 11.07.18

Membership Required.

Must be 21 to Enter.

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

We’re closer to Atlanta than you think!

November is still a busy month at TRE! Karaoke with Brett McMichael, Nov. 10; Volunteer Appreciation/Fall Clean-up, Nov. 16-17; Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 22 Black Friday Tailgate Party, Nov. 23

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

peachATL.com | 35

Nov 7 – Nov 14

ICON: Ariana Grande + Nicki Minaj w/ Yuhua Hamasaki Join the ICON celebration of Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj starring Yuhua Hamasaki of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10! A dance party with the sickest show in all of the land featuring drag, aerial, dance, burlesque and more.

Way, Way Off Broadway Drag Queen Bingo As if their Broadway show wasn’t twisted enough, the queens take you way, way off Broadway with a show spectacular for their popular bingo night that benefits PALS. All the favorites and then some – get your place at the bingo table through palsatlanta.org.

Saturday, November 10, 9 pm – 3 am

Tuesday, November 13, 7:30-10:30 pm

The Deep End

LIPS Atlanta

STAFF PICK!

Red Bull Music Presents: ATL is Burning Ball Brought to life in partnership with Atlanta collectives Morph and Southern Fried Queer Pride, Red Bull Music Presents the ATL is Burning Ball. Half dance party, half ball, the event will see icons and beginners alike walking in over ten categories while an impressive lineup of musicians, performers, and DJs will make sure the beats are covered. Tickets via Ticketweb.com.

Friday, November 9, 9 pm – 4 am Georgia Freight Depot

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! Remixes with DJ Rob Moore

Amy Schumer Live

Award-winning comedian Amy Schumer is coming Join DJ Rob Moore and Warner Bros. Records for a to Atlanta with a show that goes back to her stand-up special launch party the of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! comedian roots. Tickets via foxtheatre.org.

(A Man After Midnight)” Remixes from Cher’s new crit- Wednesday, November 14, 8 pm ically acclaimed Dancing Queen album. Remixes by world-renowned DJs and producers and lots of give- The Fox Theatre aways courtesy of Warner Bros. Records.

Saturday, November 10, 10 pm – 3 am Eagle Atlanta 38 | 11.07.18

HALLOWEEN HEIFER REVIEW AT COWTIPPERS PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

40 | 11.07.18

- since 1997 -

- since 1997 -

Named People Magazine’s “Best Wedding Cakes in Georgia!” www.metrobakery.com

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

14

Amsterdam Ave.

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Piedmont Park

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6 12th St. NE

18

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Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

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10

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19

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Juniper St . NE

Peachtree St. NE

3

Monr

Charles Allen Dr. NE

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 11 12

10 th & Piedmont Campagnolo Einstein's 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

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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

Ponce De Leon Pl. NE

Spring St. NW

17

76 4th St. NW

16 17 18 19

G’s Midtown Henry’s Joe's on Juniper 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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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

32 33 34 35 36

Midtown Moon Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's

805 Lambert Dr. NE, Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd 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 37 Cowtippers 38 Eclectic Bistro

Fitness 30 Gravitee Fitness

NE

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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.

Bars & Clubs

EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD

Retail

MIDTOWN

MARY’S

MIDTOWN

amsterdamatlanta.com

1287 Glenwood Ave SE

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

communitashospitality.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

MODEL T

991 Piedmont Ave NE

699 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

einsteinsatlanta.com

modeltatlanta.com

EINSTEIN’S

MY SISTER’S ROOM

1077 Juniper St NE

66 12th St NE

frogsmidtown.com

mysistersroom.com

TEN ATLANTA

tenatlanta.com

990 Piedmont Ave NE

CHESHIRE

SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO

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

GCB & PLEASURES

brushstrokesatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

FROGS CANTINA

Fitness

931 Monroe Dr

MIDTOWN

G’S

communitashospitality.com 219 10th St NE

HERETIC

HENRY’S

2069 Cheshire Bridge Road

132 10th St NE

BJ ROOSTERS

JOE’S ON JUNIPER

hereticatlanta.com

barkingleather.com

henrysatl.com

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com

500 Amsterdam Ave NE

CHESHIRE GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com

bjroosters.com

joesonjuniper.com

2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE

1049 Juniper St NE

OPUS 1

LA HACIENDA

Spas/Baths/Adult

900 Monroe Dr NE

MIDTOWN

1931 Piedmont Circle N

CHESHIRE

FLEX SPA

WOOFS

LAS MARGARITAS

76 4th St NW

2425 Piedmont Road NE

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

CHESHIRE

ANSLEY

ROXX

MANIFEST 4U

MIDTOWN MOON

1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

ANSLEY

FELIX’S

COWTIPPERS

1086 Alco St NE

TRIPPS

woofsatlanta.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

lahaciendamidtown.com

lasmargaritasmidtown.com

cowtippersatlanta.com

THE HIDEAWAY

1600 Piedmont Ave NE

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DEKALB

MIXX

LIPS ATLANTA

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

3011 Buford Hwy NE

mixxatlanta.com

OSCAR’S

oscarsatlanta.com

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44 | 11.07.18

atldragshow.com

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

flexspas.com

manifest4u.org

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN

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10 SONGS THAT ARE THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR FALL SEASON THESE TUNES WILL KEEP YOU WARM!

Toni Braxton – Sex & Cigarettes

Robyn – Honey

Normani, Calvin Harris – Checklist Wynne – Don’t Touch

Cardi B – Money

Lukas Graham – Love Someone

Bear Hug – The 2 Bears

Jess Glynne – All I Am (CLiQ Remix)

P!nk – A Million Dreams 46 | 11.07.18

Keith Sweat – Who’s Your Daddy

Sunday Funday = Playmates and soul mates...

MISERABLE MONDAY

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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

My coworker stapling post-its onto paper is dead to me.

Asking for a friend: I can use the same resume to apply for ALL jobs, right?

Me: I want to be like Selena and Justin Him: Babe, they broke up!

Me: Ok, Seal and Heidi then Him: They broke up too…

Don’t come for me!

They don’t call me Petty LeHell for nothin’!

Me: Fine: Justin and Britney!

Him: They broke up ages ago!

Me: Clearly – and clearly, you are not catching on at all!

Remember when you were little and you fell on the trampoline and everybody kept jumping so you couldn’t get up? That’s pretty much adult life I watched my first porn on the Internet the other day – I looked so much younger back then!

Got referred to as ma’am in the McDonalds drive-through so clearly it’s going to be a good day.

I can’t decide if I went to a Halloqueen or Gayloween party this past weekend!

Must be nice to go out for a few drinks and not ruin your whole damn life!

48 | 11.07.18

50 | 11.07.18

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

Today will be frustrating for you as your clarity dissolves into a haze of befuddlement. That used to happen a lot in college, but for now it’s puzzling.

Avoid making any decisions or agreements until this blows over. Find some soft sand to stick your head in.

Your day may not go as you scheduled today, so be flexible. Meetings will be postponed, appointments will be canceled and your date with that cute guy probably won’t happen. So have Plan B ready; you may need it.

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

If you’re in the mood for love, it’s time to think about marketing yourself to the masses. It’s never too early to plan wardrobe, hairstyle and where best to see and be seen. Do some research and analysis to figure out things like demographics and target audience.

Take some time to ponder some of life’s mysteries today: the Loch Ness Monster, crop circles, Bigfoot, the bizarre, unexplainable popularity of Rufus Wainwright.

There are some things that are impossible to figure out.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

Communicate electronically today, because spoken word will be useless. Misinterpretation by others will have you turning to e-mail, text and PDA’s to get your messages across. The less said the better today; let machines do the talking for you.

Today’s a good one to expand your horizons. Plan a trip to somewhere foreign and exotic. If you can’t do that, visit different parts of your town and meet new people.

Do whatever breaks you out of your rut of ennui.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

Don’t get involved with anything you need to pay attention to today. You just won’t be able to focus on details. Go peacefully through your day, because for once, ignorance really is bliss.

Others will be impressed by your ability to communicate effectively with everyone. They may want you to communicate to a wider audience. They’ll hint that your powers could be used for good. They may try to convince you to enter politics. That’s when you’ll run far, far away.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

Nothing will strip you of your pride faster than being ripped off. Being the victim of identity theft is easy these days, so be on your guard. Don’t be so free with your social security number and personal info, and only do business with the most reputable people and businesses.

You’ll eschew music for the masses today, and listen to something innovative and daring. It could be from other cultures, or it could be centuries old. Anything’s cool as long as John Mayer isn’t involved.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

Being the know-it-all loudmouth leaves little room for interjection from others, and that’s how you like it. Respect other people’s opinions today and they might respect you in general. Being the center of attention is pretty hollow when you’re the only one paying attention.

Today’s a good one to try out some ideas you’ve been working on. They’re not doing any good just sitting in your brain, so let them out. Some may fly and others may crash, but you won’t know until you try.

WHAT happened was . . .

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 have come upon a challenge in my long-term relationship. We have been together many years now, and we have initiated conversations about being open/polyamorous/non-monogamous. The truth is that our sex life has gotten a little stale and we need something else to happen. The thing is that part of my motivation is that there is a man that I have gotten to know that I actively want to pursue if me and my partner do decide to be open. We certainly have chemistry, and there is no doubt we are very sexually attracted to each other – we haven’t done anything except for exchange steamy texts and photos. My feeling is, though, that I am pushing this next step in my current relationship in order to get access to this particular man – and that makes me feel a little guilty because I keep thinking I would rather be with him than my current partner. Does that even make sense?

Should we move towards being non-monogamous?

Or should I forget the whole thing (and this amazing man)?

then fine. But if you already know that an emotional bond will develop which will possibly jeopardize your current union, then tread carefully. Introducing that kind of disparity into the relationship would be unfair.

My straight roommate, who knows I’m gay, walks around naked in our apartment all the time. He has disclosed to me that he is an exhibitionist, and I am pretty sure he gets a kick out of it showing off for me.

It sounds like every gay man’s wet fantasy, right? But it is actually driving me crazy because I find myself in a horny daze most of the time, and I spend a lot of time hanging out with him so that I can look at him in all his gorgeous glory – and it is taking time away from my studies and other friends too! I fantasize about him all the time, and my mind keeps going in circles about his amazing body – and it is starting to drive me a little crazy. How do I snap out of it?

Sincerely Non-monogamous Confusion

Sincerely Living Fantasy

Dear Non-Monogamous Confusion

Dear Living Fantasy

As with any conversation about allowing others into your relationship in an open/polyamorous/nonmonogamous way, it is about 100% honesty and openness. This does represent a unique opportunity to express your individual wants and needs – and it is important to imbue whatever structure you create with respect and emotional safety. Setting ground rules and allowing for the other person to veto certain things and voice definite deal breakers is extremely important, so everyone is comfortable with the arrangement. You have to make sure you are fulfilling both of your needs, and that will probably require a lot of compromising from the both of you. So, going into this, you have to be really aware of your motivations – like you are right now –because that can set things askew to start with. Are you willing renegotiate and possibly abandoning the experiment altogether if this proves to be too painful or complicated? Are you doing this because of other motives than adding a little spice? If it is just sex with this other man,

52 | 11.07.18

It does sound like a wet dream! But there is also such a thing as too much of a good thing. You are definitely en route to turning your little daydream fantasy into a major obsession, and it needs to stop. You need to tell your roommate that even though you appreciate him being so comfortable around you, it is starting to make you uncomfortable. Maybe ask him to limit his ‘nudie time’ to when you are not there? Or put some clothes on when you are together because clearly him being naked is also partly motivated by his exhibitionist desire. And then you need to get out of the house! Or at least remove yourself from the situation and dedicate that time to your studies and your other friends. You don’t want to end up being that guy who is obsessed about his hot roommate and nothing else, do you?

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