Peach Magazine - Atlanta Issue v2_i09 Good Enough to Eat

Good Enough to Eat

Eating out

Where Do We Eat?

Gay Parents to Be

Building an LGBTQ Family

Screen Savor

Isn’t It Romantic

Interview

Adam Devine, Life of the Party

SANTA FE

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CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 27, 2019

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EDITORIAL

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From the Editor A surefire way to impress visitors who come to Atlanta is to take them out to dinner. Atlanta is flush with all types of eateries from posh establishments, over contemporary gems, to hole-in-the-wall comfort food.

So, even though we can’t possibly cover all of our favorite places to eat, we comprised a short list of the places we are eating right now. If you’ve been, lucky you, and if you haven’t, you have our recommendation.

Speaking of another type of dish, we have an interview with Adam Devine who currently stars in the rom-com Isn’t It Romantic across from Rebel Wilson and Liam Hemsworth. He openly dishes about being a bear cub and going full frontal with no prosthetic (you’re going to google that now, aren’t you?).

Coincidentally, our Screen Savor column happens to be Isn’t It Romantic too – kinda like a good wine pairing with your meal.

Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Jamie Kirk Mirza Muftic Gregg Shapiro

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That and so much more on the menu in this issue of Peach!

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

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

6 | 02.27.19

Even More Daddy Issues The queer party phenomenon that had its Atlanta debut in November last year returns for a second round of Daddy Issues.

H

aving daddy issues never looked better! Atlanta gears up for another round of the London-based, queer dance party co-founded by DJ Pena and Ollywood. After the incredibly successful debut last year, the Heretic immediately re-booked the party phenomenon to come back to the city.

The official photographer for the night will be Just Toby of justtoby.com.

The night will feature Atlanta’s own Vicki Powell (Deep South ATL) for the opening set and Mateo Segade (Bearracuda (INTL)/Blow Pony (PDX) who, true to Daddy Issues DJ style, will play an eclectic mix of electronic dance beats that range from house to disco and techno. Daddy Issues is all inclusive and all about fagging out so leave your masc for masc at the door and dance those issues away.

Your hosts for the evening will be founder Ollywood along with a good selection of peeps from the local party set, including Jamie Williams and Mona Lott.

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Easing the Challenge of Building an LGBTQ+ Family

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt After Dr. Mark Leondires and his partner had their first child through egg donation and surrogacy, he experienced first-hand all the challenges facing LGBTQ+ parents to be, and he decided to launch Gay Parents To Be - a place for the LGBTQ+ community to start the education process on the road to biological parenting.

How does your background tie into forming Gay Parents To Be program?

I am a reproductive endocrinologist with RMA of Connecticut, and I have been helping people have children for more than 20 years. I believe in a fully inclusive practice for all people, and after experiencing first-hand the challenges facing LGBTQ+ parent to be, I, with the help of others, decided to launch Gay Parents To Be. Tell us a little bit about Gay Parents To Be? Gay Parents To Be is an international program serving the LGBTQ+ community offered through RMA of Connecticut. It is the leading resource for high-quality, vetted information for members of the LGBTQ+ community who want to pursue biological family building. We have worked with thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our goal is for the LGBTQ+ community to feel welcome at our practice. Our commitment to this goal is evidenced by our Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) status, the only stand-alone fertility clinic on the East Coast that has this designation. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation awards HEI status to policies and practices that meet the highest standard of LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity.

You recently hosted a conference in Atlanta – tell us a little bit about what the conference was about?

It was about a pathway to parenthood for same-sex male couples who want to be fathers through egg donation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and with a surrogate to carry their child. It included over 40 participants, and we were able to bring in egg donors, surrogates, and parents through egg donation and surrogacy to interact with the participants. We are excited to have several couples who are interested in moving forward with their family building pathways after that event.

available, and there are more fertility offices willing to offer services to the LGBTQ+ community. While there is more acceptance, there are only a handful of companies that offer a fertility benefit for LGBTQ+ persons.

Therefore, secondary to financial hurdles, biological family building for lesbian, gay, and transgender people too often remains out of reach.

What are some of the challenges that Gay Parents To Be still face?

There are still places that will not treat LGBTQ+ persons, and there are social stigmata that can alter where someone can live and raise their family. For gay men with no insurance coverage who require IVF, an egg donor, and a surrogate, they often do not have the resources. Appropriate legal representation is necessary for the entire community to assure parental rights and protect their children and families from those who feel they should not exist.

How do you get started on your journey to becoming parents as a gay person?

A parenting pathway for gay people is an intentional pathway. First, there needs to be a decision about whether somebody wants to have a biologically linked child, proceed with adoption, or become a foster parent.

If they choose to move forward with a biological pathway, they should then search out a fertility center who is experienced in personalizing their fertility treatment to the unique needs of the LGBTQ+ community. If it is a same-sex male couple, they will need an egg donor to complete an IVF cycle, and a surrogate to carry their child.

What are some of the unexpected challenges when starting a ‘rainbow’ family?

•

How hard it is to find the right egg or sperm donor.

•

Finding a reproductive attorney who experienced in protecting parental rights for LGBTQ+ parents.

•

Realizing that while have insurance for journey will need

How has the process of becoming gay parents changed?

Has it become easier?

•

Not everyone is accepting of your desire and right to be a parent.

With the passage of marriage equality, the whole community feels safer. There is more quality information

Learn more about gayparentstobe.com.

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Where Do We Eat Right Now? It seems like Atlanta is continuously stepping up its game when it comes to quality eateries strewn across the city. To find something new and hip, a hidden gem, or a long-time favorite is easy and just requires a quick survey among your friends. Here’s where we at Peach are eating right now – we hope you enjoy our recommendations! Photos: PR Banshee, East Atlanta In the East Atlanta space previously occupied by My Sister’s Room now lies Banshee that serves up food made from mainly locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices. Their menu is small but to the point when it comes to big flavors and unusual pairings.

Granted, their price point lingers above average, but the atmosphere and the great tastes more than make up for that. Also, check out their Late Nights that feature local DJs to continue your evening into the nightlife. banshee-atl.com

The Slutty Vegan, Westview The popular food truck just opened its first permanent location in the Westview neighborhood – but don’t

worry, the food truck will still be making its rounds if you don’t want to make the drive. Their absolute superstar food item is their meatless burger that comes in several styles like the Ménage a Trois, Sloppy Toppy, or One Night Stand. You may believe neither taste nor the appearance of these burgers, but everything is certified vegan and plant-based. You’ll have to taste it to believe it! sluttyveganatl.com

Madre & Mason, Midtown If you like tacos (especially on Tuesdays!), this is the place to go.

Southern flavors blended with Latin flair serves you anything from small plates to generous servings of dishes that may seem like Southern staples but have unique little twists. The menu is rather extensive, but the price point is reasonable, so ordering extra won’t Continued on pg. 14 >>>>

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matter too much. As a bonus, the dogfriendly patio is perfect for chosen family-style gatherings. madreandmason.com

Donetto, Westside Named after the largest Chianina bull recorded in history, this Italian-inspired eatery celebrates the Tuscan region with traditional Italian fare comprised of heavier meats but also homemade pastas and smaller shareable dishes.

The ambiance is ideal as a prelude location before a night on the town as is the extensive selection from the wellstocked bar. Also, it is conveniently located across from Out Front Theatre, so the perfect place for a little sustenance before or after the show. donettoatlanta.com

14 | 02.27.19

La Tavola Trattoria, Morningside The long-time favorite and traditional trattoria in the heart of Morningside serves up classic dishes like meatballs, tagliatelle Bolognese, and squid ink spaghetti. Paired with a nicely curated wine list, the serving staff will make sure your meal is fitted with the perfect wine to elevate your experience. latavolatrattoria.com

The Little Tart Bakeshop, Krog Street & Grant Park If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth, this bakeshop has to be on your list – and luckily there are several locations in Atlanta! The staff is made up of passionate bakers and baristas that strive to deliver the best baked goods and coffees possible. The bakeshop works with local farmers and businesses to collect cheese, jams, honey, et cetera., and you can really taste the careful consideration and quality ingredients put into every bite or sip. littletartatl.com

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Isn’t It Pedantic?

by Gregg Shapiro

Images courtesy of Warner Bros.

If Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCarthy and Amy Schumer aren’t getting hazard pay for the ridiculous number of pratfalls they take in their respective movies, then something is really wrong in Hollywood. In “Isn’t It Romantic” (WB), a self-conscious, meta-rom-com parody with big song and dance numbers, one of the spills taken by Natalie (Wilson) results in a serious head injury. The subsequent coma, for which she is hospitalized, sends her off into an alternate universe where, as the ultimate rom-com hater, she finds herself trapped in, you guessed it, a romantic comedy.

As a kid, Natalie loved Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman”, but Natalie’s realist mother (“Ab Fab”’s Jennifer Saunders) burst that bubble. Twenty-five years later, she’s a young, unassuming New York architect living in a rundown Queens apartment building with her ungroomed Bichon and unfriendly next-door neighbor Donny (Brandon Scott Jones), and she has grown to despise rom-coms. Natalie is either abused or completely ignored by almost everyone at work, including sizzling hot client Blake (Liam Hemsworth). The exceptions are her mousy assistant Whitney (a virtually unrecognizable Betty Gilpin) and co-worker Josh (Adam Devine). Her awkward social interactions continue out of the workplace, as well, which we see when she is brutally mugged on a subway platform.

When she appears to awaken in a hospital room, she discovers that a multitude of changes have occurred. Whitney is now her stiffest competition at the firm. Blake has taken a romantic interest in her.

Neighbor Donny (whom she had assumed 16 | 02.27.19

was straight) is the most flaming of queens and is now playing the part of her rom-com gay best friend. And Josh, who had hinted at being attracted to Natalie, is swept off his feet by billboard swimsuit model/yoga ambassador Isabella (Priyanka Chopra).

Fully aware of the meta situation in which she finds herself, Natalie is constantly commenting on the events taking place.

Some are laugh out loud funny, as in the Groundhog Day-like scene in which she wakes up to find Blake, wearing only a towel, repeatedly leaping into bed with her, although nothing actually happens between them. Others, especially the scenes between Natalie and Donny who, as Natalie predicted, is playing the part of the requisite gay best friend, are downright uncomfortable.

We’ve recently seen this kind of head injury/ female empowerment movie done well, as in “What Men Want”, and abysmally, in the case of 2018’s unpleasant and misguided “I Feel Pretty”. With song and dance numbers rivaling those in the Joseph Gordon Leavitt vehicle “(500) Days of Summer”, “Isn’t It Romantic” falls somewhere in between.

Eventually, it would be nice to see Wilson in something that really shows her range.

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Life of the Party Isn’t It Romantic star on his thirsty gay following, what straights can learn from gays and being a ‘bear cub’

By Chris Azzopardi

E

ven now, Adam Devine just wants to dance with some bodies. So, as Josh in Isn’t it Romantic, the comedian known for flexing his funny-guy chops in Comedy Central’s Workaholics (which he also co-wrote) and ABC’s Modern Family, keeps the love strong with Pitch Perfect co-star Rebel Wilson in their new self-aware anti-rom-com. With assists from a satirical gay sidekick (Brandon Scott Jones of NBC’s The Good Place) and Whitney Houston and Madonna musical numbers, the film also stars, of course, Liam Hemsworth as the man of everyone’s dreams – though, in this case, the unconscious literal one that Wilson’s Natalie falls into.

During a recent call, Devine spoke about his bear-cub identity, tactfully tackling LGBTQ storylines and the popularity of his penis on gay blogs.

Continued on pg. 20 >>>> 18 | 02.27.19

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Charming rom-com, Adam, but where’s the movie where you end up with the gay sidekick?

(Laughs) Maybe that’s the sequel.

That’s the movie Hollywood needs to make next.

Yeah, you might be right.

In your version of that movie, what guy would play the sidekick you fall for?

I mean, Liam. If I’m a gay dude, I want the hunk.

I’m goin’ hunky!

You get to a do a Whitney and Madonna musical number in the movie. Do you know enough gay men to know that these women are gay icons?

I do, yeah. I’ve got a good handful of gay friends and they keep me abreast of what’s hot in the gay culture: Whitney, Britney Spears also.

We should’ve done a Britney Spears tribute.

What was your earliest exposure to the LGBTQ community?

I guess my cousin came out as gay and I was much younger than him and that was the first time that I knew anyone who was gay. He came out to the family, and then we all knew, and then you’d see him at holidays and stuff, and it was cool. You’re like, “Oh, I love my cousin, he’s the man, he’s a great guy.” It normalized the whole thing.

Do you hear from LGBTQ fans on Twitter?

Yeah, I do sometimes. I’ve been told that I’m a bear cub, so I’m not a full-on bear. I think I’m too tiny, so I’m a bear cub is what my gay buddies tell me.

You don’t seem to have enough body hair to be a bear cub.

Well, I’m not afraid to ‘scape. I manscape. And I think that’s important. I don’t want puffy t-shirts, that’s the issue. That’s the reason I do it.

You don’t want hair lumps.

Yeah, I don’t want weird puffs around my nipples from my hair, so I gotta maintain.

20 | 02.27.19

Your role in Game Over, Man!, particularly your full-frontal scene: What did that do for your gay following?

(Laughs) I noticed some fan blogs, and I’m like, “Oh, cool, a fan blog, they’re spreading the word,” and then I’m just like, “Oh, it’s very gay and it’s just every naked photo I’ve ever taken.”

So by fan blog you mean GayTube. com?

Yeah, basically. I’m not sure if that’s the one, but yes.

If you go to an Adam Devine story on an LGBTQ website, you’ll likely find some guys in the comments crushing on you. One gay commenter noted your role on Modern Family and that your brand of adorkable is one he finds sexy.

I love it.

How often does that interest from gay men translate to real life? Do guys hit on you?

No, I don’t think so. I mean, I have a girlfriend. I think it’s known that I don’t go that way. But, admittedly, gay guys don’t care – they swing for the fence. I think straight guys need to learn something from the gay community. They’re so afraid!

Is the first gay thing you did in your professional life an episode of The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman called “Dykes Like Us” or does your pro-gay history go back even further?

(Laughs) I guess that is the first thing!

Tell me about that experience.

You know, I don’t even remember – I had such a small part on that show. (Creator) Laura (Kightlinger) cast me in it and she was just really cool and great. We ended up casting her as a MILF who uses me for sex on Workaholics and it turns out I can’t handle it. It’s too much. I can’t handle everything she’s giving me.

Regarding your role in Pitch Perfect, Rebel once told me: “I think most of the Treblemakers, the boy band, are gay.

What about that scene where there’s,

like, nine dudes in a hot tub … naked?

That’s totally gay.” Can we explore this? Is it gay for dudes who love a cappella to be in a hot tub together?

If they are fucking each other it is. But just to sit in a hot tub, that could go any which way!

For that episode, how was it determined that you look more like a bottom?

Oh, I think in the writers’ room that’s what happened. (Laughs) I don’t know how or why. I think my ass is kind of on and poppin’, so that must’ve been it.

How does kissing Rebel compare to kissing Zac Efron?

Weirdly, same amount of lip gloss. (Laughs)

In general, how conscious are you of finding the balance between what can pass as gay humor and what can be perceived as offensive to the LGBTQ community?

We all have gay friends, and if you think maybe they could take this the wrong way – we don’t want to alienate anyone or make anyone feel like they’re not in on the joke – then you just check in with your gay buds and say, like, “Hey, what do you think of this? Is this funny or is this weird?”

People aren’t afraid to tell you the truth if you’re upfront and honest with them.

Cherry?

Vanilla! Boysenberry! With Rebel it lasts a little longer; with Zac it was one brother kissing another brother, so it wasn’t a sensual kiss in any way.

In an episode of Workaholics called “Gayborhood” you and your buddies inadvertently end up in Palm Springs for a Pride party that you don’t know is a gay Pride party and you guys pretend to be “threeway gay.” Did that episode get you invited to more gay parties?

(Laughs) With Workaholics we really prided ourselves on tackling issues but not really tackling the issues. And we really wanted to make ourselves the butt of every joke. I remember that day this casting director was coming to set, and he wanted to meet me. It just so happened to line up on that episode that he was gonna come to set. Everybody was so worried, and my manager was worried and they’re like, “We wanna cancel. We wanna do it another day. We don’t want him to get the wrong impression of you as an actor,” and I’m like, “It’s a funny episode, and we’re the butt of every joke here. We’re the idiots.” And then he came on set and he was like, “This is the funniest episode of television I’ve ever seen.”

The episode was also well-received by critics. Did that surprise you?

It honestly didn’t because gay guys are cool as hell and they get it and they understand what’s funny and what’s offensive. I think you can’t be offended by everything and you have to have a sense of humor about things. I wasn’t surprised that the gay community has a sense of humor. It meant that we’re doing something right and that people understand what we’re trying to do, and that we’re not just out to be shock comedians, or we’re not crude for crude’s sake. It all comes from a good place… and I think the shock was that it came from us. Like, people on the outside looking in, you probably wouldn’t think that we’d be the guys to deliver that sort of message. But hey, turns out we are!

Jumping back to Isn’t It Romantic, I’m glad to see the movie is inclusive and there’s a fun gay sidekick, but I’m gonna hold you to this rom-com where you and Liam are romantic leads.

(Laughs) I’ve got the idea for the spinoff!

You can credit me, but also you don’t have to because after Love, Simon I just want our community to have more romcoms with lead characters who happen to be gay.

I’m with you. Where it’s not something that is kept in the closet or that anyone’s ashamed about. It’s just loud and proud. I like that idea.

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

BIRDCAGE BINGO

HIDEAWAY PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

22 | 02.27.19

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24 | 02.27.19

peachATL.com | 25

LEATHER & LACE

AT THE ATLANTA EAGLE

PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

26 | 02.27.19

April 6, 2019 Emory University Grab some friends and spend a fun day competing in your favorite version of schoolyard games. Tug-of-war, 3-legged and wheelbarrow races, and more.

Two fun events to raise money for AIDS vaccine research and local service organizations including Emory Vaccine Center, Positive Impact, AID Atlanta, Jerusalem House and HERO for Children.

May 18-19, 2019 A 2-day 200-mile bike ride across the beautiful Georgia countryside.

Shorter options are available, including relays.

Register for one or both events, volunteer and/or donate to a participant at actioncyclingatl.org

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Michael grew up in South Florida and has called Atlanta home for 20 years now. He recently celebrated his 15th work anniversary as an oncology worker with Georgia Cancer Specialists. The diehard Dawgs fan’s interests include traveling, music, whiskey, a good Golden Girls marathon, and spoiling his pug, Bogey. Another treasured value in Michael’s life is his relationship with family and friends, and his personal manifesto for this year is to take more risks, step outside of his comfort zone, rush less, be more patient, don’t overthink, and laugh more – and also making it past 10 pm on a school night!

Michael Rodriguez

The Outside Reflects the Inside

By Jamie Kirk

It’s funny how when you are younger, the stuff our parents said did not make sense. It sounded like they were Charlie Brown’s teacher (you know that irritating voice from all the TV specials).

I often reflect on the little clichés and little pearls of wisdom that I was too young and stubborn to digest - and one of the many that rings true is that the “inside reflects the outside.”

This has so many meanings, but the most poignant one is that what is going on inside of us, manifests on the outside of us and vice versa. Our bodies are a machine, and if you put junk in it, junk will come out of it. If you are full of worry and bitterness, it shows up in your relationships with family and friends. If you are unforgiving and mean-spirited, you seldom have good luck (if you believe in luck) and infrequently are presented with opportunities to seize.

Equally is true if you are sowing seeds of peace and joy, you tend to attract a certain type of energy into your space. If you volunteer in your community and give to people less fortunate, you tend to be treated differently by strangers.

Notice how you feel after a large pizza versus how you feel when you eat a kale salad with apples. It is VERY different. The salad will leave you fulfilled, but most of us feel lighter and energetic. However, when you devour a pizza, with all the trimmings, you feel lazy and unmotivated.

When you don’t manage your eating habits, you are asking for trouble. When you are maintaining a healthy diet, you are indeed treating your body like a temple, and your body will respond accordingly. Our bodies have a way of showing us when we need water when we have consumed too much alcohol, when we have had too much sugar, too many carbs, and have been heavy on the salt. You may not believe this, but you can tell by looking at a person’s eyes if they drink or smoke too much. You can tell by a person’s fingernails if they are drinking enough water, and you can most certainly tell by a person’s “tire” if they have too many sweets at the midnight hour.

Instead of showing people what we are not doing, we should show them how well we can take care of ourselves. Show them how you have the energy to work out in the morning because you are eating healthy snacks. Show them how glowing your skin looks because

you are eating foods high in antioxidants. Show them the muscle in your arms, legs, and abs, because of the protein you are consuming at moderate levels. Show them how healthy your hair looks and feels because of the amount of fish you have consumed.

And that’s just the outside. Eating healthy will in most cases help you become more engaging with others, being more pleasant and realizing that things are happening through you and not to you. Putting the “right” foods in your body will help you make better decisions because you won’t be operating out of fear.

Good food equals better brain power, so folks will think you’re brilliant.

There is no quick fix for living a more productive and rewarding life. Life is filled with good days and bad days. While eating healthy is just one piece of the “living my best life” puzzle, it is one that we can control. Let’s be more intentional in our choices.

Being deliberate to refrain from the third cup of coffee and getting an all-natural drink. Being deliberate to refrain from a bag of chips and a soda and going to get mini snacks and water. Just really being intentional at being happy and uplifting to others by eating in moderation and not eating until our bellies are full.

We have the control; we just have to exercise it, even when no one is looking, by making good choices.

Okay, that’s enough of a sermon, just wanted to get the message across that the outside and the inside are more connected than we think. We have the choice to put in our bodies whatever we want. Just realize that how we value our health, has a direct impact on how much we value ourselves.

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

Food for Thots “Let them eat cake!” –Marie Antoinette, just before she decided to really commit to her diet.

What I love most about this time of year is the subtle guilt we start having for our dietary choices. We’ve arrived to that magical late-winter season where the phrases “bikini ready” and “beach body” start getting thrown around a lot. What’s more magical is that the end of February marks my graceful aging by yet another year. Every year, I ask all of my birthday party guests to bring their favorite dish to share. I like to do it so I don’t get complaints about dietary restrictions, and so I don’t have to do any cooking myself. I put together some of my favorite dishes I’ll be enjoying so you too can make them at home and start your diet “tomorrow”!

Susan, a former college classmate that I’m still Facebook friends with, doesn’t have much time to cook these days. She’s a mother of several kids and they seem to always be the perfect excuse to avoid putting any effort into anything. Amongst our circle of friends, she’s known for only one specialty dish, her famous “I Just Don’t Have the Time” store-bought rotisserie chicken. The skin is my favorite part!

To make one yourself, simply lose all joy in your current life situation and head over to the nearest grocery store. Buy a rotisserie chicken as it rests, boxed up, on a heated display. If you want that “fresh” taste at your next party, pick it up while on your way to the event.

Aside from Susan, my guests usually bring small bites and plenty of booze. It frees up the guests from having to sit down and eat. My friend Jose is bringing his famous “Mellow Out Marshmallows” that are laced with LSD. I don’t know how you can lace marshmallows, but they’re delicious! They’re singlehandedly the one treat that gets the party rolling. If you’re looking to end the season of guilt-free eating on a fun note, these sweet delicacies with hits of acid are the perfect party must-have. Aside from their great taste and potent amounts of illegal drugs, I don’t know much else about how to make this dish, but I’m sure you can find directions on the internet or by talking to that guy who’s always behind your local dumpster.

With all the savory food I love to eat, I need something refreshing to wash them down with. My good friend, and former parolee officer, Jesus makes his famous “Watered-down Wine”. He waters it down with a bit of sparkling water and a lot of tequila. Add fruit to be extra gay, otherwise enjoy it as-is. This is one of my favorite drinks, and couples greatly with Susan’s godawful excuse of a party treat. I can’t with her sometimes! The drink usually gets people tipsy after two glasses and in the E.R. after four, so it has a fun game element of watching how much you ingest.

For anyone who wasn’t sold by these excellent examples of foods you can enjoy before you start judging yourself for eating anything more than a cup of lettuce, I also want to recommend my friend Rachel’s “ASMR rice crispy treats”, so good you’ll have to hear them to believe it. Or my UPS delivery driver, Cassidy’s “Questionably Old Cheese Dip”! How long HAS it been sitting out? Only your bowels will tell!

This is the last stretch of Winter before you actually do have to start your diet, so I hope you enjoy these and many more delicious and bad-for-you treats before it’s too late. And if you’re coming out to celebrate my birthday, bring me your favorite food or drink (or drug of choice).

Yours in celebratory eating,

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 | 02.27.19

Pals PRESENTS Pets Are Loving Support

DRAG QUEEN BINGO

Hostess Bubba Dee

Mar. 12, 2019

For tickets visit our website www.palsatlanta.org

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

OCTOBER 11-13,2019 atlantapride.org

Feb 27 – March 6

Dine Out for Pride at Agave

MAAP: Moxy Magic

The Atlanta Pride Committee collaborates with large and small businesses across Atlanta to raise funds. On this night, 10% of all sales will benefit Atlanta Pride, so book a table now, and dine out for a cause and with Pride.

Thursday, February 28, 5-10 pm Agave Restaurant

Join MAAP, Bill Kaelin Marketing, and PALS Atlanta - Pets Are Loving Support for a night of fun and networking at Midtown’s brand new Hotel hot spot. Complimentary cocktails, networking, and great giveaways including stays at the hotel.

Thursday, February 28, 7-10 pm Moxy Atlanta Midtown

STAFF PICK!

Brad & Francis’ Tupperware Party - A Cabaret In this fabulous cabaret, Brad and Francis invite you to their home for a one of a kind Tupperware party with special guests while raising money for Voices of Note – you’ll never know who will walk through their door, but this will be one swell night for sure.

Friday, March 1, 8-11 pm Out Front Theatre Company

The ManShaft: Lumberjack 2019 Edition

The Stars Party & Silent Auction

It’ time to warm up with a little wood. Gear up in your flannels, union suits, skull caps, and tight jeans for a log jam of hot daddies, bears, and cubs.

The Jerusalem House kicks off their fundraising season with a new venue and slightly altered concept. The focal point will be their incredible silent auction which will boast amazing packages, including a VIP NYC Hamilton experience. Admission is free but with a $25 suggested donation at the door.

Saturday, March 2, 10 pm – 3 am The Heretic

Thursday, February 28, 6:30-9:30 pm Summerour Studio

38 | 02.27.19

ECLECTIC SUNDAY DRAG BRUNCH PHOTOS: Andrea Dwyer

40 | 02.27.19

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 | 02.27.19

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

fitness

retail 8 Barking Leather

4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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

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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

.

clubs 28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

e. nt mo ed

39 38

Retail 26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

41

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28 20

Dining 24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

Av

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r.

E

Ches

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.

25

BJ Roosters Opus 1 Tripps Woof's

31 Manifest 4 U 42 The Den

35

24

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BARS 20 21 22 23

40

32

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hir

36

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dm

es

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31 er

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29

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33

. NE

Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

22

42 L

ul

IX

34

x Rd

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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

10thandpiedmont.com

atlantaeagle.com

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

BLAKE’S ON THE PARK

blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE

893 Peachtree St NE

friendsonponce-atl.com

466 Edgewood Ave SE

swingingrichards.com

10TH & PIEDMONT

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

gsmidtown.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 | 02.27.19

atldragshow.com

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

flexspas.com

manifest4u.org

2103 Faulkner Rd NE

THE DEN

thedenatlanta.com

2135 Liddell Drive NE

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peachATL.com | 45

10 FOODS THAT WILL CURB A WINTER COLD SPRING IS COMING, SO DON’T GET SICK NOW

Yogurt Red Peppers Garlic Fennel

Turmeric

Fatty fish Green Tea

Oysters

Kale Anise seed 46 | 02.27.19

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jersey party saturday march 2nd 3-7pm @ Midtown Moon HSL spirit stick cheer competition $5 Entry (3 raffle tickets) $10 entry (3 raffle tickets + beer bust maui jim sunglasses raffle 1492 piedmont ave ne, atlanta, ga 30309 peachATL.com | 47

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

Me: I’m craving some frozen yogurt right

now

Don’t you just love it when you waste an entire evening ready and waiting for someone to show up?

Him: We just baked over a ton of

cookies yesterday!

Me: Yeah, but I could really go for some fro-yo!

When people offer their help with something, don’t end up just exploiting them. Not cute.

Him: You ate all the cookies, right?

Me: Come on, let’s go for fro-yo

Him: YOU ATE ALL THE COOKIES? Me: Yes. Yes, I did

Asking for a friend: Someone asking: ‘why are you doing this to me?’ during sex is a good thing, right?

Sorry ex-boyfriend, I cleaned up too good to get my hands dirty on your mess again.

The best piece of advice I can give you? Don’t follow mine!

Dad Joke Alert How do you make holy water? You boil the hell out of it

48 | 02.27.19

We’ve been friends for so long that I don’t even remember which one of us is the bad influence

award

winning

saturday march 2nd 10pm - 3am

no cover

306 ponce de leon ave ne, atlanta, ga 30308

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) You will see what truly needs to be done only if you set aside your ego today -- if you act in a selfish way, you will be disappointed. Take yourself out of the equation, and all will become clear.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22) Romance isn’t all roses and happy sighs -sometimes it requires hard work and real effort. If you’re not happy with your romantic situation, try approaching it the way you’d approach a problem at work.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

Remember that we live in a democracy. If you and your peers are unhappy with the way a leader has been behaving, take the steps available to you to make your displeasure known. Is it time for a revolution?

You cannot be all things to all people -- you may sense that someone has unrealistic expectations of you, and today is the day to set that person straight about what you can -- and are willing to -- give.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

Don’t worry that a recent embarrassment is somehow going to tarnish your reputation. In fact, a mistake or two will help prevent you from seeming unapproachably perfect!

Working in groups of people is favored today. Seek out the ideas and opinions of your peers, no matter what you have to do today -- whether it’s drafting a grant proposal or preparing a meal.

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

I hope you know the difference between helpful advice and self-serving condescension -- because today someone rather unpleasant will disguise the latter as the former. Be on your guard.

If you’re concerned about your financial situation, the answer lies in saving more, not earning more.

Take a look at your weekly budget, and see where you can perhaps cut a few luxury expenses.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20) Hard work will definitely be rewarded today -- so avoid any temptations to slack off, no matter what your assigned tasks are. See if you can reschedule that social lunch date.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22) Don’t force yourself to get involved with a social event you don’t have the energy for tonight. If you want to go, go -- but if you want to get a good night’s sleep instead, that’s your prerogative.

50 | 02.27.19

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) If you start to feel a bit tired today, don’t pause what you’re doing -- you have more stamina than you think you do, and a second wind is near. Real success will be built on the foundations you lay today.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) The rules you have to follow today may not make a lot of sense to you -- but they do serve a purpose.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand just yet. Do as you’re told, and it’ll all become clear soon.

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.

So, I’ve just turned 21, and I also just recently came out, so to say that I have experience in the S-E-X department would be a lie. In fact, I am a virgin! I really want to get into some naughty stuff, but I also wanted to ask what would be considered ‘popping my cherry,’ so I’m not a virgin anymore?

Sincerely Cherry Pop

I have come to the conclusion that I have the best sex with total strangers. Quick hookups, even with no names exchanged, get me off like crazy, while sex with someone I am into is never that exciting and fizzles out quickly. Will I forever be single and have fantastic sex, or will I be in a relationship where the sex is just meh? Help!

Sincerely Hook Me Up

Dear Cherry Pop

Dear Hook Me Up

Before we get started, the word is sex. Sex, sex, sex. Start saying it so when you’re with a guy you won’t resort to boom boom or ‘the naughty.’

You’re young, you’re horny, you want to have sex, and it is all okay and completely natural and expected. And once you’ve graduated from saying sex, move on to say fuck. So, now onto to your virginity. First of all, the concept of virginity is a very heteronormative concept, where the consummation of marriage was solidified with that famous bloody stain on the sheets. When you think of it that way, it is really stupid. So forget about thinking about losing your ‘virginity’ as actual intercourse. Instead, think of what turns you on and make your own little sexy list.

For instance, start with getting jerked off by someone or jerking someone off. Then you can move on to getting or giving a blowjob, topping, bottoming, and so on. Once you start going down the list, you will know exactly when you don’t feel like you are a virgin anymore. Just remember, you should always focus on what you WANT and never do something you don’t want to do. Good luck in popping that cherry!

There is nothing wrong with having sex with strangers. The thrill of it all is part of why a new partner is so exciting, and it is the perfect opportunity to let inhibitions go and really savor a moment. But sex with a stranger can be problematic if it means that you can’t really connect with people on an intimate level – you know, once the actual sex is over. If great sex is only extended to people you can’t connect with on an emotional and intimate level, I understand why you are worried. Quite frankly, I would be too. Have you asked yourself what you feel when you have sex with someone you actually care about? Is it anxiety, vulnerability, loss of control? Is there a root cause as to why you have trouble breaking that intimate barrier?

Is it a past breakup or an episode that is still taking an emotional toll on you? Once you start digging into what is messing with your internal life, you may be able to move past the issues you have with intimacy for someone you care about.

This also seems like a bit of a handful, so may I suggest you talk to a psychologist about these things? That’s the hookup I would recommend you do next.

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

52 | 02.27.19