Peach i28v2

Get in the

Spirit!

Surviving Family King’s Corner Wisdom and Advice Shenanigans Relieve Your Stress With Massage

Working Out The Holidays

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 28 2018

V2-48

PEACH ATL MEDIA, LLC 1874 Piedmont Ave NE Suite 580-E Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 814-3014

OPERATIONS

18

8

Jeff Anderson

Sales and Development Director

jeff@peachatl.com

EDITORIAL

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Rodney Belcher Graphic Designer

rodney@peachatl.com

34

EVENT MARKETING Thomas Le tomthomas@peachatl.com

SALES

From the Editor The Holiday season is stressful. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. A significant stress factor – apart from work pressure and a busy party schedule – is the family functions that lures out even the more unwelcome members of your family.

So, before all the Holiday craziness amps up, take some time to calm down, gurl! And don’t worry, Peach is here to help.

Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Darren Floro-Bryant Scott King Branden Lee Gregg Shapiro

Read about the benefits of getting a massage, get guided to stress-relieving workouts, listen to some therapeutic music, and read about how you can cope with the family during this Holiday season.

NATIONAL AD REP

All that and more in this issue of Peach – So breathe deep and enjoy, Peaches!

Rikke Falck-Larsen

Rivendell Media 908.232.202

EDITOR PHOTO

Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director

ONLINE

peachatl.com

PRINT

At Distribution Points Across the City

SOCIAL

FB:facebook.com/peachatlmag

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

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

6 | 11.28.18

Dance Your Daddy Issues Away The queer dance party which originated in London and now has a regular presence in L.A. is making its Atlanta debut!

Within just a few years, the Daddy Issues party has grown into to a worldwide sensation and separate brand entity. This is both on account of the all-inclusion and no-intimidation parties, but also because of their infamous line of merchandise that evolves around their iconic ‘Daddy Issues’ t-shirt.

Daddy Issues originated in London as the brainchild of promoter Ollywood and DJ Borja Pena and quickly grew into a solid nightlife sensation. Last year, the party hopped across the pond to L.A. with monthly installments at various venues. The party has also made East Coast pop-up appearances in NYC, and now Atlanta gears up to be the next city with Daddy Issues. Daddy Issues is all inclusive and all about fagging out so leave your masc for mask at the door and dance those issues away.

The night will feature Atlanta’s own Vicki Powell (Deep South ATL) and Sindri Galvan (No Nonsense/The Cafeteria Los Angeles) who, true to Daddy Issues DJ style, will play an eclectic mix of electronic dance beats that range from house to disco and techno.

Your hosts for the night will be Ollywood, Kyra Mora, Brigitte Bidet, Bryce, and Kamal.

The What, When, and Where What: Daddy Issues Atlanta When: November 30, 10pm-3am Where: Heretic Atlanta

8 | 11.28.18

Need PrEP? • No CoPay in most cases • No Insurance Needed • Appointment Recommended Free and Complete Coordinaaon of Benefits to ensure that you can afford your medicaaon

One Tablet a day to protect you from HIV Infeccon

We are the Atlanta HIV, PrEP and PEP pharmacy experts!

Voted Atlanta’s Best Pharmacy – 2018 1529 Piedmont Ave NE Ste C Atlanta, GA 30324 404-461-9105 | www.alliancecrx.com

NEW GAY IN TOWN: No Time To Waste

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.

10 | 11.28.18

It feels like fall has just begun, and it’s already almost over. First, I started with zero sex drive. Then my sex drive was insatiable.

Now I’m not sure what’s going on. It’s like I’m horny and want to hook up, but then the thought of it makes me depressed.

It’s an odd time. It’s getting dark way earlier. It’s colder outside.

It’s always raining and dreary weather, which is very depressing.

This is supposed to be my favorite time of year full of many holidays and celebratory occasions. Everything feels so dull.

Maybe it’s just a lonely time of year, since this time last year I had a boyfriend. Granted we were constantly arguing, fighting, and breaking up every other week. I don’t miss having that toxicity and instability in my life, but I do want a relationship.

I want a bae. I need a boyfriend.

Random hookups are not satisfying my needs. The only guys asking me on dates are the ones I have no interest in. The ones I want to go out with seem always to go silent mid-conversation when I suggest meeting up, even though we’ve already been chatting for days, weeks, maybe even a month.

When I just started online dating in college, a guy had a week to hold my attention. If we live in the same city, there is really no reason that we should constantly be chatting without meeting up. It’s understandable if you’re in different states or dozens of miles away. If we’re both in the Atlanta metro area, then there’s no excuse. Now I have zero tolerance.

If a guy and I are finally going to meet, and he comes up with an excuse to flake at the last minute, he’s getting deleted, blocked, and erased. If a guy seems to go ghost whenever I suggest meeting up, yet still wants to text daily, and is always viewing my Instagram story and social media posts, then he’s getting deleted, blocked, and erased from memory. A guy suddenly stops responding to texts and then wants to text back days later finally? He’s already deleted. I’ll hit him up with the “who’s this?” message. I am over all of this fuckboy bullshit.

I just turned 28. I’m not trying to find a husband or fully settle down, but I’m looking for something of substance. I want a boyfriend. I miss monogamy. Finding gay couples is rare in Atlanta, but I do miss that feeling of superiority of having a boyfriend while living in a city where most don’t believe love is possible to find.

boyfriend process. No matter what I do, finding a man is beyond my control. All I can have control over is putting myself out there. Responding to messages. Cultivating my dating profiles. Making myself look and feel better - but nothing about finding love is within our control, which is the most terrifying and devastating part. No matter what you do, you’re not guaranteed to find love in this cruel, scary world. No matter what you do, there’s nothing to prevent you from being alone.

Love happened for me the previous time when I least expected it. All I can do is hope that is perhaps how things will go better next time. Guys that aren’t putting in any effort to meet, definitely aren’t my future boyfriends, so no loss to erase them from my life. I shouldn’t be so transfixed on finding a man, and I still have to enjoy the fun and appreciate not being burdened by the negatives of a relationship.

I can delete, erase, and block every guy that flakes on me, don’t respond to a text, and wastes my time.

None of that expedites the finding a

peachATL.com | 11

Relieving Your Source of Stress

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt The holiday season can be stressful, and a good massage can easily alleviate that tension. But did you know that getting a regular massage has a variety of health benefits that go way beyond getting out of your head space for a while? Peach talked to neuro-muscular massage therapist Frank Santore about the well-being advantages of massages.

Tell us a little about your work as a massage therapist?

Being a Massage Therapist is very rewarding work. It’s really a multi-faceted discipline. Relieving stress, tension and fatigue is just the foundation. Helping clients overcome pain and discomfort is my ultimate mission.

The holidays are a stressful time – how can massage therapy help you with this?

The holidays are traditionally a time of joy. But for many people they’re a source of stress and discomfort. Sometimes these emotions can manifest themselves in the body as discomfort, stiffness, pain, and lethargy, even depression. What most of us require during these times is an outlet. A peaceful time to just let it all go, and to not have a care in the world. If I can take people out of their “head space” for sixty or ninety minutes, it can make all the difference in the world.

What are the benefits of scheduling massage therapy on a regular basis?

We have all heard massage therapy helps improve blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, improves mental clarity, assist in removing toxins from the body and helps with immune function as well. The list truly goes on and on. I tell clients all the time that massage is a cumulative thing. It’s quantitative; the more you receive, the better you feel.

I offer a “series” of massage sessions at a discount for just this reason. There are series of four, six and even twelve sessions. Twelve sessions comes out to one massage per month throughout a year. The clients that participate in this program report feeling physically better as the sessions go by. They respond more favorably to both physical and mental stressors. It’s a major way to combat the effects of daily life.

12 | 11.28.18

What is a positive benefit that people generally don’t know about getting a massage?

Researchers working with patients with compromised immune systems have found massage therapy can improve how the immune system functions. Those same benefits can translate to people seeking to fight off the common cold, flu and other seasonal illnesses. During a massage, the amount of white blood cells increases, and since these cells are responsible for defending your body, the more you have of them, the more protected you are.

Plus, massage contributes to better blood circulation, which in its turn translates into a stable immune system ready to fight bacteria and viruses.

Walk us through a typical massage therapy session?

Upon arrival, I inquire as to what their session goals are.

Stress relief? Mood? Pain management? I instruct the client on how to prepare for the session. Nude or fully clothed is totally acceptable - the State of Georgia regulates and mandates that massage therapists use appropriate draping at all times. As the massage begins, the pressure should be therapeutic but not too forceful.

Humans have a ‘fight or flight’ self-defense mechanism, so if the therapist is working too deep on a client, it’s counterintuitive to making tissue relax. Breathing is also important as it is the body’s mechanism to relax and turn off neuro transmission. After a massage, clients are usually a bit sedated. It is vital to drink lots of water to assist the body in releasing the toxins into our circulatory and lymphatic systems, and water assists in the cleansing and filtration of toxins by the kidneys and bowls. Now, it is to enjoy and allow the relaxation to continue as long as possible for optimal results.

Schedule your massage session at www.FrankSantore.com.

Sessions are 60-90 minutes long and start at $85. Look for special incentives right now to give the gift of touch to the special ones on your Christmas list.

peachATL.com | 13

Instant Laughs And Tears

By Gregg Shapiro

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Peach.

Photo: Paramount

Some movies, more than others, need to be experienced in a full movie theater. It makes the shared emotions, laughing and crying, take on more significance.

“Instant Family” (Paramount) is one such movie.

and lows of being foster parents. As Anders is want to do, “Instant Family” relies heavily on pratfalls and sight gags and occasionally borders on the vulgarity of his previous movies.

“Inspired by a true story” – that of director and co-screenwriter Sean Anders -- “Instant Family” is a considerable departure for Anders, known for tasteless adult comedies such as “Sex Drive”, “Daddy’s Home” and its sequel, and “Horrible Bosses 2”. As manipulative as a movie can get, the surprisingly sensitive “Instant Family” provides laugh-out-loud comedy and heart-tugging tears in almost equal measure.

Nevertheless, “Instant Family” never goes off the rails, although it veers awfully close. As if the challenges that Pete and Ellie face on a daily basis with the kids isn’t enough, the release of the children’s drug-addicted mother from prison poses the greatest threat of all to the family.

Pete (Oscar-nominee Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) are a childless couple who are happily living an unencumbered life. They buy and flip houses. Ellie does the interior design and decorating and Pete handles the demo and remodeling.

When Ellie’s competitive sister Kim (Allyn Rachel) and brother-in-law Russ (Tom Segura) announce plans to start a family, it sets something off in Ellie. Her reaction also has an effect on Pete. Before you know it they are attending a presentation by Karen (Octavia Spencer) and Sharon (out actor Tig Notaro) at an adoption agency along with several other couples, including gay couple Kit (Hampton Fluker) and Michael (Randy Havens).

One thing leads to another and, after taking courses and attending an adoption fair held in a park, as well as surviving an unfortunate Thanksgiving dinner scene with Ellie’s parents and family, Pete and Ellie decide to take the next step and adopt. As it turns out, not only do they accept the challenge of adopting a teenager, Lizzy (Isabela Moner), but also her two younger siblings Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and Lita (Julianna Gamiz).

Almost everything that could possibly go wrong does, and then some. The aforementioned laughter and tears are in abundance as Pete and Ellie navigate the highs 14 | 11.28.18

Not only are there no gay jokes in “Instant Family”, the gay characters are actually treated with the utmost respect. On the other hand, ongoing bits involving the overly apologetic and klutzy Juan’s recurring injuries and single mother October’s (Iliza Shlesinger) quest for a “Blindside”-type son run the risk of wearing thin.

Byrne and Wahlberg are fine, showing restraint when need be and cranking up the emotions as necessary.

As young actors go, Moner and Gamiz are more memorable than Quiroz who isn’t really given much to work with. The supporting cast, including Julie Hagerty as Ellie’s mom Jan, Margo Martindale as Pete’s mom Sandy, and Joan Cusack (who comes on late in the movie) as neighbor Mrs. Howard, are often the sources of the biggest laughs.

peach rating: 2.5/5 Peaches: Ripe peach

- since 1997 -

- since 1997 -

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

fitness Now that the holiday craziness has officially kicked off finding time to get a workout in is tough to navigate between the parties, the shopping, the entertaining, and the relaxing.

So, hopefully taking a minimalistic approach will help you stay active and fit and help free you from the guilt of holiday indulgences.

Aim for workouts that are quick, easy, and efficient. The moves shouldn’t be terribly complex band at the same time utilize a variety of ways to engage the muscles and the joints. If you do super setting it either allows one muscle group to rest while the focus is shifted onto another muscle group OR it intensifies the focus as in the leg circuit on the next page.

What is also great about these circuits is you can change the intensity by simply changing the tempo or speed in which you perform these exercises. Another option is to simply change the weight you are using.

Even by adding holds or pauses in the middle or end of the set (whenever you’d like actually) will challenge your muscles differently.

We all know that adding cardiovascular exercise into your program is essential for burning calories and with these supersets shown on the next page, you have many options on how to integrate it. You can do a great warm up and light intensity cardio session then do all three supersets back to back and then finish with an intense cardio session and cool down. Or because these circuits or pairings are so simple, you can add small bouts of cardio between each circuit to change the intensity throughout the workout.

16 | 11.28.18

Working Out the Holidays

By Darren Floro-Bryant

Book Online

piedmontbarbers.com 2350 Cheshire Bridge Rd 404.248.9999

Buzzcut - $18 Haircut - $24

peachATL.com | 17

Streamline Your Workouts with Circuits and Supersets Here are some quick and easy circuits or pairings to help streamline your workouts during the busy holiday season.

Circuit / Super Set 1 Push-ups (to failure*) superset with Cross Body Standing Knee Crunches (15/leg) - Repeat three times.

• Do a full range of motion push-ups until you CAN’T push yourself up from the ground no matter how hard you try - not until you think you can’t do another.

• Cross elbow over to opposite knee while in the standing position. Foot returns to the floor after each rep. *Each set of the pushups will become more difficult and the number of reps will diminish for each set as fatigue sets in.

• Start flat-footed at the lower end of the squat, and when you are at the top end of the squat motion you are rising right up onto the balls of your feet like a calf raise.

*The jump squats will become a little more difficult with each set as your legs tire.

Circuit / Super Set 3 Flat Bench Dumbbell Chest Press w/Parallel Grip (20reps) superset with Bent over Dumbbell Endurance Trains* (15/arm) – Repeat three times.

• The parallel grip allows you to go a little deeper into the lower part of the press and engages a little more of the auxiliary muscles used in a press (i.e., triceps, front deltoid).

• In the bent over position start with both elbows pointing up to the ceiling and alternate the dumbbells to the floor (extended arm position).

Do not extend the other arm until the opposite arm is back into the up/start position. *Since this is an endurance move and you will be holding the dumbbell in a static position throughout the move, you may want to choose a lighter weight to maintain proper form.

Circuit / Super Set 2 Iron Chairs or Wall Sits (:30) superset with Jump Squats* (12 reps) superset with Squats on to Toes – Repeat three times (can be performed with or without weights).

• Hold the iron chair position, but be sure to curl your toes up in your shoes, flex the quadriceps, keep the tailbone loose of the wall, but lower back lightly touching the wall along with the shoulder blades –do NOT press your body back into the wall.

• Jump squats are exactly like it sounds – a squat, but each time you come up you are jumping into the air and starting the squat just a little bit before you land to help reduce impact on the knees and/or body.

18 | 11.28.18

Darren Floro-Bryant has worked as a certified Group Fitness Instructor, Fitness Coach, and Personal Trainer for more than 25 Years. He also owns DFB Fitness and Foundation Fitness, operating out of Gravity Fitness. DFBFitness.com / FoundationFitness.co.

the

ethel merman disco christmas spectacular!

WORLD PREMIERE Book by PAUL CONROY & Musical Arrangements by NICK SILVESTRI

Imagining what Ethel Merman’s unaired 1979 Christmas television special would be like.

December 6-22, 2018 Tickets: $15 and up Out Front Theatre Company 999 Brady Avenue, Atlanta

www.OutFrontTheatre.com

Queer Group Therapy

By Gregg Shapiro

It’s interesting that Boy George and Culture Club, as they are now known, would call its new studio album -- its first such release in almost 20 years -- Life (BMG) as that’s the one thing it could use more of. For a group that was so influential and groundbreaking in its early 1980s heyday, Culture Club sounds surprisingly out of touch.

You have to wonder what it is they’ve been listening to all these years.

At a time when electronic dance music is having a strong resurgence, Life would have benefited from some of the house music energy that Boy George incorporated in his 1991 Martyr Mantras album. Instead we get some recycled takes on the band’s longtime flirtation with reggae on “Let Somebody Love You” and “What Does Sorry Mean?”. The dated “Bad Blood” (not a cover of the Neil Sedaka/Elton John duet) and “Human Zoo” sound like late 1980s leftovers.

However, it’s not a total loss. The brassy, sassy and soulful “Resting Bitch Face” deserves to be a hit. “Different Man” is the closest thing to a dance number and it has a powerful (if somewhat repetitive) message. “Oil & Water” is a moving ballad about difference.

Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers is the latest musical incarnation of Against Me! front-person and trans icon Laura Jane Grace.

20 | 11.28.18

The biggest challenge for Grace since the release of Against Me!’s 2014 masterpiece Transgender Dysphoria Blues, is creating something as good (or better). Bought to Rot (Bloodshot) definitely has moments of divine inspiration. The divorce song “I Hate Chicago”, for example, is as humorous as it is serious. “The Airplane Song”, which may qualify as Grace’s poppiest and most accessible number, is utterly irresistible. The cowpunk of “Apocalypse Now (& Later)”and “The Apology Song” are a nice fit for an album on a legendary alt-country record label and “The Friendship Song” is sincere without being cloying.

One of the things that Laura Jane Grace understands about rock bombast is that variety breaks up the monotony. That’s something Honolulu-based Kings of Spade, led by out, mohawked front-woman KC, will have to learn.

As it is, some of the songs on Kings of Spade’s new self-titled album (on Soundly), which owes a massive debt to Southern blues rock, tend to blur in the bluster. Queer anthem “Strange Bird” (about rocking to the beat of your own drum) is worth checking out, but you might find it somewhat sonically indistinguishable from say “Way She Goes”, “San Antone” and “This Child”. The rap-metal (remember that?) of “Bottoms Up” changes things up a bit, but Kings of Spade would profit from playing some of the other cards in its deck.

Addie Sartino, the queer front-woman of young (19-21 years old) Kansas City-based (!) band The Greeting Committee is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Laura Jane and KC on the debut disc This Is It (Harvest).

No howling, no screaming, just pleasing singing.

That’s one of The Greeting Committee’s trademarks. Whether Sartino’s singing about when she was “just a kid” and wondering whether this is all there is on “Is This It?” or settling down after spinning out on “Pull It Together”, The Greeting Committee sounds older and wiser than you might think. Additionally, the band’s wonderful use of piano and horns gives them a sophisticated sheen. When the band rocks out, as it does on “Flint”, it’s a welcome distraction. Make a point of saying hello to The Greeting Committee.

Named for their “aged arch top guitars”, Roscoe & Etta is a duo featuring out singer/songwriter Maia Sharp and Anna Schulze. Sharp is one of those artists who is comfortable sharing the spotlight (she recorded an album with Art Garfunkel and Buddy Mondlock), so it’s not surprising to hear that she has teamed with another singer/ songwriter to form a duo. The outstanding eponymous 11song Roscoe & Etta debut album (on Crooked Crown Records) showcases both artists’ songwriting and performance chops, with “Broken Headlights”, “Chocolate Sauce” and “Somebody” among the highlights.

in music then Book of J just might be your cup of kasha varnishkes.

For a different kind of “group” effort, check out Everybody’s Talking About Jamie: Original West End Cast Recording (Broadway). Dan Gillespie Sells, the gay front-man of the band The Feeling and the latest indie musician to turn his attention to the stage, wrote the music for the musical. The book and lyrics are

by Tom MacRae. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is based on the BBC documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 and stars John McRea as the titular character Jamie New. The songs on the cast recording alternate between contemporary musical theater fare, such as “Over The Top”, and dance-oriented numbers such as “Work of Art”.

Bay Area duo Book of J (Jewlia Eisenberg of Charming Hostess and Jeremiah Lockwood of The Sway Machinery) combines their specific talents on its self-titled debut (on 3rd Generation Records). The baker’s dozen “bible-haunted”, queerly political tunes that cross-breed Americana with Jewish folk music, might make some listeners proclaim, “Funny, you don’t look blues-ish!” If you have daring taste peachATL.com | 21

GLAAD GALA PHOTOS: Sher Pruitt

22 | 11.28.18

peachATL.com | 23

NFL SUNDAY AT WOOFS PHOTOS:Andrea Dwyer

24 | 11.28.18

The Heretic

2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE

December 8th • 10 PM - 3 AM

HEIFER REVIEW AT COWTIPPERS Photos: Andrea Dwyer

26 | 11.28.18

visit www. fuegoproductionsatl.com for more information

FROM NYC via PUERTO RICO

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE

Phoenix BY

HERETIC ATLANTA

2069 CHESHIRE BRIDGE ROAD NE

DEcember 14th · 10pm - 3Am

a portion of the proceeds goes to toy party 2018

visit www. fuegoproductionsatl.com for more information

FROM MIAMI via PUERTO RICO

@ BJ ROOSTERS 2043 Cheshire bridge road

DECEMBER 15th · 3AM - 7AM a portion of the proceeds goes to toy party 2018

Jason has lived in Atlanta since 2001 and works in financial services. He was born in Germany and grew up in Texas and Kentucky where also went to college. He is currently single after a long-term relationship, so he is having fun meeting new people and hanging out with his group of good friends. He also enjoys the gym and precious time with his two rescues, Peyton and Milo, and he loves to travel and the spontaneous road trip – very in tune with his mantra of taking every day to discover new things about yourself and the world.

Jason Stevens

30 | 11.28.18

Don’t be a drag.

Just be a King.

Wisdom and advice from Peach columnist Scott King.

Dear King,

Dear Alone,

When I try to talk politics to a friend, an acquaintance, or to someone I don’t know on the Internet, I get terribly frustrated and emotional and end up cursing or saying something outlandish, and the conversation comes to a screeching halt.

Two words: whore moans. You’ve been at it so long that your tank has run dry. You’re broken down by the side of the road, filled not with despair or anger or fear, but with ennui.

As a result, I feel more frustrated, both about the substance of the issue I’m trying to communicate and about life and my social skills in general.

Any advice on how to remain super popular with all the boys and girls, but also how to get my VERY righteous point across to the masses?

Righteously yours, Frustrated Unincorporated Dear Frustrated, To be the person you just described is extremely difficult.

There’s a reason they call it being “cool.” Cool people are aloof, self-possessed, and would much rather be well-regarded than self-righteous or even right. Why do you think so many people in show business, regardless of politics or party affiliation, brag so much about not being politically correct? It’s because they’re cool as icicles. You, my friend, are a puddle.

There’s a third option tho. Be an ice sculpture. Engage your emotion, employ your artistry, but also use tact, restraint, foresight, and refinement to create the ultimate you, you have always visualized, whether it be in real life or in the myopic world of social media.

Envision it. Plan it. Build it. Then be it.

Also, count to 452 before responding to ANYTHING on Facebook.

Dear King, Why can’t I be a teenager in love? I’ve had relationships, I date around, I’m on hookup and dating apps, but in my daily life, I can’t get that feeling back of when I was younger, and I would fall in love with somebody without any pre-planning or self-control. In the words of Nancy Kerrigan, “Whyyyyyyyyyyyy?”

Melodramatically yours, Underwhelmed and Alone Do you sometimes wonder, ‘what is wrong with me’? Why do I get fed a shit sandwich every day for breakfast lunch and dinner? Is there a bee in your bonnet that you just can’t shake? Well then, pull up a chair at King’s Corner, the new monthly spiritual/existential advice column in Peach.

Submit your queries to scottwilliamking@gmail.com and wait patiently for the sound of the royal trumpets of wisdom.

32 | 11.28.18

I know just the trick! Fall back in love with the world.

It’s not hard.

‘Member that episode of Sex and the City where Samantha takes ecstasy at the gay bar and then tells Richard she loves him and then she’s a mess the next day on the street trying to hail a cab telling Carrie that it was the X talking. When she was high, she was in love with the sidewalk, with the taxi driver, with the water coming out of the faucet in the men’s room.

Just be like that, but not on drugs. Drugs, my dear, include hormones. If you’re over the age of 24, you probably don’t have as many as you did in your adolescence or early adult life, anyway. It’s biology.

It’s also a blessing. As the teenage dreams fade into waking adult life, it is possible to fall back in love with the world and life and with every atom and molecule in the known universe. And the unknown universe.

Infatuation with the mysteries of life beats a silly mancrush any day. Well, almost any day.

So reconnect. Go for more walks. Join a book club. Stay at home and fold some sweatpants.

Have a nice time, then take a hard look at yourself.

There’s probably one very large specific thing that’s blocking you from that gooey feeling you’re missing.

You might be having sex too much and too casually. You might be spending too much time at work. You might be spending too much time at the gym. You might be spending too much time on social media.

As Henry David Thoreau once said, SIMPLIFY! When you were younger, you had less to worry about, That’s probably why it felt so motherfucking intense. Well, that and the hormones.

6TH ANNUAL

4PM - 8PM BEER BUST RAFFLE

JINGLE BALL

SUNDAY DECEMBER 2ND CHRISTMAS GIFT DRIVE BENEFITTING

1544 PIEDMONT AVE, NE ATLANTA, GA 30324 ANSLEY MALL BEHIND PUBLIX

peachATL.com | 33

Surviving Family Shenanigans - Or How to Endure Your Family During the Holidays

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt If you think family gatherings are hard, try a family gathering during the Holidays! We’ve all been there: After a day with the fam during the Holidays, you have awoken that grumpy inner child and you feel defeated and shattered. But with just a few tips and tricks, you may survive (somewhat) unscathed. After all, you don’t choose your family, but you can choose a strategy to get you through it all!

You Can... … Find Your Allies

You Don’t Have to...

You know who your like-minded relatives are, so make them your allies and be each other’s lookouts, so no one gets cornered by their respective family foes. For example, save each other from awkward family moments by requesting their urgent help for something.

… Take the Confrontation

… Bring a Friend

Even though avoiding confrontation is usually not the best thing, it can prove to be just the remedy for the Holidays. You don’t have to take the confrontation with that annoying aunt or the inquisitive brother-in-law – at least not during this particular family time. Instead, see if help is needed in the kitchen or round up people for a walk to get out of the house.

A fresh and unfamiliar face does wonders to better people’s behavior, so bring a friend. If not a close friend (who may already be busy with their own Holiday family crisis), then a co-worker with no plans for the day or that foreign friend of yours that wants to experience a real American Holiday gathering.

… Serve Alcohol

Plan for a night out with friends – maybe even directly following your family gathering – where all the crazy incidents and thinly disguised insults can serve as fodder for a funny ‘de-brief’ among friends. That way you can all shake your heads in disbelief and put a friendly twist on all of it!

Even though alcohol may seem like the thing to make all the family dynamics go down smoothly, there is the possibility that alcohol simply changes family members into those people that are not welcome at the dinner.

… Make It an All-Day Thing Suggest that dinner is later in the day, so you effectively only get 5-6 hours of family time. You can also show up justifiably late or leave early by having a socially acceptable reason for it – like volunteering at a shelter or shopping for presents (for your family members of course.)

34 | 11.28.18

… Make Recovery Plans

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

New look and feel, same great cause!

December 16th 2018 at

Opera

1150 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA

● Photos with Santa ● Silent & Live Auctions ● Raffles & Games

● Catered hors d'oeuvres ● DJs & Live Shows ● Adult Beverages

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

Nov 28 – Dec 5

The Fur Ball Masquerade

Mary’s 20th Anniversary Party

The event that raises funds for PALS Atlanta will be full of mystery, including an open bar, music by Sed the Saint, heavy passed hors-d’oeuvres, a themed silent auction and many other surprises throughout the night. Tickets via palsatlanta.org.

The East Atlanta bar is turning 20, so to celebrate two decades of fun, DJ Headmaster will be throwing down the beats that have kept patrons moving and shaking since back in the last millennium!

Thursday, November 29, 7 pm The Fox Theatre, The Egyptian Ballroom STAFF PICK!

Friday, November 30, 9 pm – 3 am Mary’s

World AIDS 2018 There are several events throughout the weekend that honor and remember those we’ve lost in the fight, but also observe our right to learn about testing, prevention, and treatment for HIV. One of them is the World AIDS Day breakfast hosted by StopHIVATL where special guest speakers will address the theme of “An HIV Free Generation is a Human Right.” It’s a free event, but tickets/ registration is needed. Go the StopHIVATL’s Facebook page for more info.

Friday, November 30, 9-11am The Carter Center

Michelle Wolf at Variety Playhouse

Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road

She was the one who roasted the administration at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and you will surely experience her razor-sharp wit at her Atlanta performance too.

Atlanta is luckily one of the stops on Elton John’s 300show and ongoing farewell tour where he will showcase songs from his impressive catalog spanning four decades.

Friday, November 30, 7:30 pm

Saturday, December 1, 8 pm

Variety Playhouse

State Farm Arena

38 | 11.28.18

DIVINE FACES SUNDAY BRUNCH AT IRISH BRED PUB PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

40 | 11.28.18

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

14

Amsterdam Ave.

NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

on

11

dm

6 12th St. NE

18

Pi e

Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

7

9

2

10th St. NE

10

. NE

19

oe Dr

e. NE Piedmont Av

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

42 | 11.28.18

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

37

e

ge

Rd

on tC ir .

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

.

clubs 28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

e. nt mo ed

39 38

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

41

Pi

28 20

Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

Av

ge Rd Brid hire

r.

E

Ches

.N

.

25

BJ Roosters Opus 1 Tripps Woof's

31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

35

24

id Br

Dr

Rd

BARS 20 21 22 23

40

32

oe

hir

36

nr

dm

es

ll D

31 er

Mo

Pi e

29

Ch

idde

kn

27

33

. NE

Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

22

42 L

ul

IX

34

x Rd

Fa

26

BL

Le no

30

Lambert Dr.

PU

St.

.

A l co

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

1544 Piedmont Ave NE

DEKALB

MIXX

LIPS ATLANTA

1492 Piedmont Ave NE

3011 Buford Hwy NE

mixxatlanta.com

OSCAR’S

oscarsatlanta.com

1510 Piedmont Ave NE

44 | 11.28.18

atldragshow.com

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

flexspas.com

manifest4u.org

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN

thedenatlanta.com

2135 Liddell Drive NE

Georgia Body Works.com Mobile Fitness and Massage “I come to you, so let’s get started!”

678-557-1780

Personal Training • Massage • Entertainment georgiabodyworks.com

ADVERTISE In Atlanta's premier

LGBT MAGAZINE for as little as

35 per week!

$

Email jeff@peachatl.com for more information.

HELP WANTED

FULL TIME DESK CLERK POSITIONS AVAILABLE

8-4pm and 12-8am

Please apply online at Flexspas.com

Hot Tub and Swim Spas

60% OFF RETAIL AquaLivingStores.com 404-382-5329

peachATL.com | 45

10 NEW SONGS THAT WE’RE LISTENING TO RN SETTING THE SOUNDTRACK FOR WINTER!

Lily Allen – Come On Then Zara Larsson – Ruin My Life Clean Bandit – Baby Jennifer Lopez – Limitless Regrettes – Poor Boy

Astrid_S – Emotion

Kelly Clarkson – Never Enough

Calum Scott – No Matter What

Lady Gaga – Always Remember Us This Way Anne-Marie – Perfect to Me

46 | 11.28.18

Sunday Funday = Playmates and soul mates...

MISERABLE MONDAY

MAKE MONDAY YOUR B#TCH! feel better faster with Intravenous (IV) Therapy

20% Off Your first visit Promo code: davidmag 404.939.7666 | replenishIV.com | Hours: 10am-6pm 549-6 Amsterdam Avenue NE | Atlanta, GA 30306

Atlanta:

678-528-2525

18+ MegaMates.com

peachATL.com | 47

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

Me: What do you wish for in life?

Him: Right now, I wish for us to move in together and start a life together – how about you?

My experience with FaceID: Only works if I’m actively making the pouty Melania face.

Me: Uhm, I wish to find a way to break up with you before things got too serious

I thought you were just really tired, but now I realize that’s just how you look!

Him: Well, this just got very awkward

When you throw the trash out, do you go outside later to check on how it’s doing? No! So stop talking to your ex.

Some bitch at the gym asked me if this was my first class.

I replied: “No, my first class was 25 pounds ago – how much have you lost?” That seemed to shut her up.

Asking for a friend: Does anyone know how many calories you burn standing on a scale crying?

48 | 11.28.18

Is “blowjob” one or two words. Ugh, I hate writing thank you cards!

I’ve been told I’m a bitch. And it’s true: I’m a loyal bitch, a fair bitch, and tell you like it is bitch.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) Patience pays off this week, though it may feel like it’s costing you everything to deploy it. If you can sit still and just listen while friends or coworkers rant, you can learn enough to get moving quickly.

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) There’s no problem you can’t solve right now—your practical energy is pushing you to make your world easier to live in. Try to get your friends to follow your lead, but if they don’t, it’s their loss.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

Though you may feel somewhat out of control right now, the situation is well in hand and you have far more say in the final outcome than anyone realizes. You need to assert yourself, but that’s not so hard.

Test yourself—it’s the perfect time to bring out hidden qualities that you may have only suspected. That’s not to say you’re sure to pass all exams, but you should do surprisingly well.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

Not every day can be a magical adventure in space—you sometimes need to come back down to earth and do the dishes or walk the dog. If you focus on mundane issues now, soon you can get back to the glamorous life.

Get started on a new project this week—you probably already know what you want to do, and you can’t put it off any longer. Your good energy is just right for sparking creative wildfires.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

You can be far more indulgent of others’ fears and needs this week—even if you think you’re going too far. Your good energy ensures that you’re sending the right message as you take care of those around you.

When things start to go your way this week, you may be tempted to drop everything and keep moving toward the good times. Make sure you tie up all your loose ends before you run off!

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

Reconnect with old friends or family members—you’ve got stories to tell each other, but more importantly, you need to reinforce each others’ memories of past events. They don’t stay fresh forever!

Your communication style is dominant lately, and you may find it much easier to persuade others that your ideas deserve more attention.

There’s no need to pester—hinting is all you need.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

Your love life could use a little spice lately, so compose the perfect love note and send it to the right person. It may cause quite a stir, but that is just what you’re seeking. Things should get hotter soon!

See if you can sit down with that one troublesome colleague or upset family member and talk seriously. It’s one of those times when you can breach important subjects without scaring anyone.

50 | 11.28.18

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.

My boyfriend dated and had boyfriends before – and somehow, I am super jealous! He and I have a very close connection, and we are very open and honest with each other, but sometimes, when he talks about previous dates or relationships, I can get jealous. I can’t help that what we have is not enough compared to all the crazy partying and sex he’s had before. I want him to be able to talk to me about everything, but this upsets me. Can I ask him to not talk about this? Will it break our trust?

Sincerely Poisonous Envy Dear Poisonous Envy Almost every relationship experiences jealousy at some time. Mostly, it can be easily dismissed, and both parties can move on, but sometimes it festers and signals deeper rooted issues. The first thing you have to ask yourself; why are you getting jealous of your boyfriend’s past relationships? You obviously have a tight bond, and he has apparently chosen you to be with right now. Maybe he never experienced a deeper connection with any of the guys he was with before, and he feels lucky to have that now with you? Perhaps you are the best of all of the guys he has been with? If you are inherently insecure and are experiencing these fears because of it, then you need to be careful because that can cause severe damage to a relationship. You need to think about how you can work through this on your own, so you don’t make your boyfriend feel guilty about mentioning things from his past. Is there something about his behavior that gives you a reason to be insecure? Or is this all on you? If you do feel the need to talk to your boyfriend – maybe to reassure yourself that your connection is real – then don’t blame him for having a past. Think of it as practice to be where he is now – right there with you!

After being focused on getting a boyfriend (and not succeeding), I committed to ‘date myself’ and not get involved with guys, but just have more ‘meaningful hook-ups.’ I am enjoying taking some time just to focus on me, but as it turns out, several boyfriend material prospects have suddenly appeared, and I am literally biting my lip to try and not date them on a more serious level. On the one hand, I want to keep learning about myself and enjoying this liberating feeling of not always hunting for a man. On the other, it seems like love is practically standing on my doorstep just waiting to be invited in. What do I do? A little help, please!

Sincerely Love Confusion Dear Love Confusion First of all, good going on you for taking some time to focus on what is right for you. Too often, we tend to chase a goal and, in the process, we can forget to take care of ourselves. So kudos on refocusing that energy onto yourself. Secondly: why can’t you do both? It seems that now you are more conscious of what makes YOU happy, you have also attracted guys that you could potentially fall in love with. Call it energy, the universe, the gods, or whatever – what you are doing is obviously giving you the confidence to rely more on yourself. And you know what?

That’s attractive! If you honestly feel that these guys are worth pursuing and it is not a remnant of your previous history of boyfriend-focused dating, then go for it! If you have the slightest doubt that you could be luring yourself into your old ways of a bae-centric dating life, then back off! You are on the path of getting to know yourself even better, so take a moment and listen to what your new and improved being is telling you to do.

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

52 | 11.28.18