Peach Magazine $4-30 - Summer Sexy

Summer Sexy Slick Chicks Gaslighter Comeback and LGBTQ Kinship Tom Goss Pokes the Nerdy Bear His Tribute to Plus-Sized Men Sexy Interrupted How to Bring Sexy Back During Turbulent Times

Contents AUG 12, 2020

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EDITORIAL

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Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer

From the Editor

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Sexy as we know it has been canceled. Besides riding out a global health threat, the fight to end systemic racism continues (Breonna Taylor’s murderers still haven’t been criminally charged), and a looming election has the political arena spinning even more out of control. All of it, just not sexy!

Luckily, we are here to put a spin on summer sexy. Let’s start with an interview with Chicks frontwoman Natalie Maines on their kinship with the LGBTQ community, their queer creators behind the comeback album, Gaslighter, which also has a good protester vibe. Sexy! And how about the interview with Tom Goss, whose new “Nerdy Bear” single and video celebrates his attraction to plus-sized men. Now that’s sexy! We also have an exclusive with former Playgirl model, Anthony Catanzaro, who his battle with Parkinson’s, brings the sexy back with his steamy coffee table book, HEAT. And that is, of course, not all in this issue of Peach! Stay sexy, ATL!

SALES | DISTRIBUTION Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi, William Cooke, Paul Hutnick

ON THE COVER Photo: LaRue Caillet, LaRueC.com Model: Robert Grant & Michael Anderson

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

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john cameron mitchell’S new play forced on demand - BENEFiTiNG ATLANTA’S RAiNBOW HOUSE COALiTiON

A one weekend only performance of John Cameron Mitchell’s new play FORCED will premiere virtually as a benefit for Atlanta’s Rainbow House Coalition and the Toronto-based Rainbow Railroad.

In 2008, John Cameron Mitchell was invited to attend Russia’s first queer film festival with his feature film, Hedwig and the Angry Inch in St. Petersburg.

Prepared for trouble, the hosting cinema had pulled out after a national film figure derided the event as a “festival for child molesters.” Inspired by the organizers’ courage, Mitchell agreed to attend, bringing his Russian friend, Sasha, along for the trip.

The monologue script for FORCED is derived from his diary of that experience.

twelve years ago explores that moment in time, and sadly, not much has changed. I’m super honored to be the first person other than John to perform this piece and hope we raise awareness and funds for these two incredible organizations,” said Darnell.

Atlanta-based Chad Darnell will play the role of ‘John Cameron Mitchell.’ Darnell most recently appeared as David O Selznick in Moonlight and Magnolias at the Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square, and he performed the role of Hedwig in the stage version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in Savannah in 2018 and Atlanta in 2019.

FORCED’s benefit performance is part of Dramatist’s Play Services’ new series, Technical Difficulties: Plays for Online Theatre; a collection of socially distant shorts, designed to be performed on the internet, due to the current COVID pandemic.

“This is a super meta experience, to play “John” after playing “Hedwig” for over two years. I was blown away by the documentary Welcome To Chechnya. As awful as our current state of affairs seem in America, it’s nothing compared to the atrocities of our LGBT brothers and sisters in Russia. John’s diary from

Darnell’s feature film The Undertaker’s Wife will premiere October 2020, and he is currently in prep on the film A Totally Awesome 80s Christmas, which will premiere December 2020.

All proceeds will be split between Rainbow House Coalition in Atlanta and Rainbow Railroad.

Tickets are only $5, with additional donation links available for patrons. To learn more about the beneficiaries, please visit rainbowhouseatl. org and rainbowrailroad.org.

WHAT FORCED John Cameron Mitchell’s new play starring Chad Darnell WHEN August 14-16 WHERE showtix4u.com/events/forced Tickets will go on sale August 14

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BLACK LIVES MATTER

Valentine’s in August

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Granted, it can be a little challenging to find the sexy in the summer of 2020. So, to spice things up, why not celebrate Valentine’s in August? After all, the day of romance and love is just six months away, and whether you are on your own or sequestered with your significant other(s), these items will help bring a little sexy back.

Barely disguised as a flashlight, this sex toy is perfect for a solo session or sharing with someone you are very intimate with.

Fleshjack Flight Aviator, $49.95 from fleshjack.com Nothing says come closer to me than an enticing scent – Henry serves just that with this smooth woody unisex fragrance that will linger even the day after.

Henry Rose Last Night Eau de Parfum, $120 from henryrose.com Set the mood with a scented candle like this one with notes of suede, saffron, and patchouli to relax and entice you.

Boy Smells Cowboy K*sh Scented Candle, $32 from boysmells.com Since we are all wearing a mask anyway, why not make it a sexier one? This one by ‘VHS cleaner’ brand Double Scorpio is a sexy wink-wink to those who know.

Double Scorpio Poppers Protective Mask, $15 from tomoffinlandstore.com You are already wearing a mask, so why not go for even more sensory deprivation with a sexy blindfold?

Black Blinder, $55 from armyofmen.com Something that looks just as good clothed as well as nude? A piece of jewelry, of course, and these chains have the sexy factor locked down.

Cuban Silver (8mm) Chain, $80 from craftdlondon.com 8 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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Slick Chicks

By Chris Azzopardi Photos; Sony Music

Sitting somewhere with an abstract-art background obscuring her precise location, (Dixie) Chicks frontwoman Natalie Maines erupts into an explosive maybe-I-shouldn’t cackle during our Zoom call as she talks about how she’s about to get in trouble for saying too much. This time, it’s regarding a controversial decision made by country trio Lady A, formerly known as Lady Antebellum.

After the band changed their name in solidarity with the current Black Lives Matter movement, they sued a Black blues singer named Lady A for the trademark to the title. And yes, Maines has something to say about that.

After all, this is Natalie Maines, who directed pointed criticism at then-President George W. Bush in 2003 at a London concert, when the Lubbock, Texas native said The Chicks were “ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.”

Country music blackballed them. Conservatives torched their CDs. The promo poster for the 2006 documentary about the fallout, Shut Up and Sing, depicted The Chicks sitting on top of the U.S. Capitol building, their half-naked bodies graffitied with words and phrases like “Dixie Bimbos,” “Traitors” and “Big Mouth.” In the 2020 doc Miss Americana, about Taylor Swift’s evolution into a vocal anti-Trump liberal and LGBTQ-rights advocate, Swift said she had been pressured to refrain from being politically and socially freespoken to avoid a Chicks-like career implosion.

Returning after a 14-year recording hiatus, Maines, fortunately, still refuses to shut up on Gaslighter, the trio’s most authentic and unflinchingly personal album yet. Joined by sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, Gaslighter does exactly what Maines couldn’t during our interview (a prenup preempts her from doing so): detail her divorce from her husband, actor Adrian Pasdar, of 17 years with scathing lyrical specificity, the kind of wig-snatching realness the queer community devours. An honest album about survival, it couldn’t have come at a better time.

During our Zoom session, Maines discussed the post-controversy era of their career as the moment she noticed a major show of support from the LGBTQ community, the queer creators who nurtured the new album’s vibe, and the gays she’d party with on her boat. Yes, that boat.

Let’s start with a different personal journey you’ve taken. It involves you watching Vanderpump Rules. Tell me what led you down that road – a road so many gay men themselves have gone down.

Ha! Well, let me say, it’s a part of my pandemic TV binging. In the past, when I was sick, I was in bed all day and, “Oh, hey, I’ve never watched The Kardashians. But there’s a whole marathon. I’m gonna watch The Kardashians.” So I think with COVID, I’ve binge-watched shows I never would’ve binge-watched before, and Vanderpump Rules is a really good one, actually. I will continue to be a fan even after this pandemic! Ha! You get to live vicariously through someone else’s drama.

I like drama at a distance! A big distance.

For Gaslighter, you worked with queer pop songwriter Justin Tranter and trans-woman producer Teddy Geiger. How did working with

LGBTQ collaborators help to shape the authenticity of the album’s narrative?

They kind of play different roles, but yeah, the first song that we wrote for the album was with Teddy and Justin, and it was “Sleep at Night.” That (track) was a very different sound for us and that really excited me.

That was all Teddy. She went to these electronic drums and just started with that beat, and the way that Justin and Teddy can both phrase things very percussively and put them in the song was a real lesson for me that I try to do now and perfect and get better at. So, yes, as far as where we could go with the sound, they were very much there. And Justin is such a great lyricist. He was definitely there to help us say what we wanted to say and tell. Ha! Your producer, Jack Antonoff, once told me he was a straight guy with “lesbian chemicals.”

He’s very in touch with his feminine side! I think that’s why he works so well with females. I have never asked him this, and he works with males too, but I wonder if he does enjoy working with females better. Or a lot of males just look at him as the female producer so they don’t ask him. Ha! When we chatted in 2013 you told me Rachel Maddow would be your “lesbian girl crush.” Maybe your lesbian chemicals and Jack’s lesbian chemicals are what really made this collaboration work.

Ha! I don’t know. Because we all three got along great with him! He just has a sensitivity. He just doesn’t have that macho, masculine, jerk kind of thing. He’s got a healthy ego. He doesn’t need to build himself up by putting other people down or by holding them back.

And he’s a great communicator, which women love. A lot of straight men are not! Ha! You consulted different activist groups for the “March March” video, which features images from a Pride parade alongside footage from current Black Lives Matter protests. For the video, who did you consult from the LGBTQ community?

My friend Michael Skolnik, an activist and an organizer and a liaison for a lot of people (and the founding partner of The Soze Agency, a creative agency focusing on authentic campaigns that uplift compassion and equity), we consulted him for the “March March” video. One of the things he said was, “Have more from gay Pride marches.” He mentioned the (Black) trans

march in Brooklyn (in June). He was like, “That was a huge march, so you should put that one in.” I’ve known Michael for a long time; he’s a great guy; he organized March for Our Lives (in 2018 in D.C.) that we all went to as well.

Also, I’m on these calls as part of a group called Harness (founded by America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama and Ryan Piers Williams, the group connects communities through conversation to inspire action and power change). They’ve been having a lot more Zoom calls, and I’ve been on a lot of those.

Harness brings all different walks of life together and supports diversity and Black Lives Matter, and White People 4 Black Lives and different trans and LGBTQ causes or groups. It’s a great place as just somebody who wants to speak out and hear and know as much as I can, and those calls are a great way to listen and not talk, and learn. Learn directly from the source.

Your relationship with the LGBTQ community goes way back, at least publicly. Have you always been a queer magnet?

I mean, I was always open to it. But growing up in Lubbock, Texas, I can think of people that I knew who were probably gay, but they weren’t out yet. I don’t even know if they knew that about themselves yet, necessarily. Lubbock was a very suppressive place.

But you would’ve guided them and held their hand through the coming out process.

I would’ve always been their friend, for sure. In Lubbock – I’m sure it’s different now, I’m an old lady, ha! – but back in the ’90s in high school, I can’t even think of somebody who was out-there gay. They might not have been trying to act straight but you just … you didn’t feel free like that. So I hope that’s changed in Lubbock. I have to assume it has.

You know, I’ve asked some of our gay fans, “What is it that has drawn gay people to us?” Because I think after the controversy there was an extra kinship for just understanding what it feels like to be hated by a mass group of people. Ha! Then, them acting out on it. But then fighting for what you believe is right, and standing up for yourselves, and not letting them shush you. Before that, what my friends have told me was what gay fans liked was the over-the-top sort of Spice Girls fashion. Ha! We were the cliché for every fad! We

wore every fad all at once!

You must’ve seen a lot of Chicks drag queens then, right?

Yes. “Chicks with Dicks” – there were a lot of those kinds of revues.

I think your divorce has maybe given some false hope to lesbians. On Twitter, I’m seeing queer women express that even though they love Gaslighter, they’ll always be sad that you’re not queer.

Ha! You know, sometimes I do think, “Would that have been easier? Darn it!” But I think I’m more of a gay guy on the inside. Is there a title for that?

For a straight woman who presents as a gay man?

Or just feels it on the inside!

Call Jack. I’m sure he has a good name for it.

Yeah, we probably meet right in the middle. I forgot the question!

It was about lesbians who are sad that you’re not queer.

Ha! I mean, we used to always joke that when I got the short hair, yeah, people liked to think that. But before that we always joked that lesbians seem to like Martie.

Martie’s always dressed a little more gender-neutral.

She likes pants. And listen, she’s got a great body, so (she attracts) all demographics. One time she flirted with Ellen on a red carpet.

Gay Twitter is obsessed with your boat, referenced on “Gaslighter” and then, of course, “Tights on My Boat.”

And they want to party on that boat. If you could invite three famous LGBTQ folks to hang with you on your boat, who would they be?

Ha! I’m thinking of several. I’m gonna go with Andy Cohen, Howard Stern’s top gay. Goin’ with him. I also have the stress of: I’ll probably miss my favorite one because I’m just not thinking! I could go all news. I have to think in smaller categories.

You’re an Indigo Girls fan. How about Amy and Emily?

Yeah, there’d be some good music there. I could go, like, Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow and Don Lemon. There’s my three news people.

Wait. What about Fortune Feimster? I mean, you _did_ have a dance with her.

Love, love, love Fortune. See, that’s why I said you gotta go smaller categories! So if I had a comedy LGBTQ guest list it’d be: Fortune, Wanda Sykes … who else? Maybe Rosie or Ellen. Yeah. I could have a good time with either one of them!

Is Fortune a good dancer?

Fortune’s a good ice cream dancer. We did her first duo ice cream dance (in which they danced with ice cream in their hands). I had the honor of being the first person to do that. Ha! The Chicks changed their name to meet the moment.

The name change was subtle; there was no flashy press release. And you didn’t even have to sue a Black artist for the rights to the name. How do you think other bands have handled their approach to changing their name?

Listen, I think it’s unfortunate, yes. Bad move on the lawsuit. I think they should’ve rethought that. Just not a good look. And I say this with peace and love, but if they had called me for counsel – ha! – this is what I would’ve told them: I would’ve said, “Listen, by suing her, you’re doing the opposite of what you’re trying to do. And it’s not going to go well. And it’s just not

the right thing to do. If you really want to meet this moment, if you’re changing your name for the right reasons or to really have a certain impact or outcome, then you are doing the opposite of that.”

And listen, we felt the pressure of, once you’ve had success, changing your name feels like a huge thing to overcome. We had had discussions about changing our name since 2003. But it seemed, just for whatever reason, too big a thing to do, and nobody was calling on us to do it. We just felt icky having Dixie in our name. Then, for us, we had to think of other names.

We didn’t really want to have anything other than The Chicks, but we knew that that could legally be a really hard thing to get because it’s such a common word.

So we had lawyers, and we took our time. But even Lady Antebellum, or Lady A, they had that trademark for, like, six years. But I don’t know their situation.

To me, if they were told nobody else had that name, they should fire that attorney. Ha! Because, basically, that was an easy thing to find. So I don’t know if (the attorney) knew and just thought, You’re bigger than them so you would win the trademark and you’ll be fine going forward. But it’s really not the right way to do it.

So, I think they should’ve just picked a brand-new name. That’s what I would’ve told them. Because they might’ve even had more fans, or made people recognize their name even more. I think the worry is, “Nobody’s gonna know who we are.” Like, maybe they missed the news story where you changed your name.

Ha! But I think that’s what they should’ve done. Brand new name. And they can still do it right now. That is my advice to them. And it feels amazing. I have to say, all of that discussion and overthinking and worry, like, “How do you change your name after so much success?” Oh my god, it was a gift. It was a weight that you didn’t even realize you were carrying. ** As editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service, Chris Azzopardi has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

tom goSS pokeS the bear

By William Cooke Photos: Molly Obrien, Catalin Stelian

Growing up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Tom Goss spent much of his youth focused on his studies and gymnastics. He didn’t feel much in the way of sexual and emotional desires. In fact, he didn’t go on his first date until he was 22, while in seminary, training to be a Catholic priest.

That was when Tom realized he did have an appetite for sex, only it wasn’t towards women or the men that society deemed as handsome. His attraction was toward plus-sized men, and nerdy ones to boot.

He sings about his love of the furred nerd in “Nerdy Bear,” his latest single and music video.

“The song is authentic to my experience and relays my unique perspective that beauty doesn’t fit a standard mold,” he says.

We spoke with him from his LA home.

What is it about big furry nerds that you find most appealing?

It’s hard to pinpoint, but there’s a wonderful sweetness to nerds, especially the big, furry ones. They’re cute, no doubt, but they’re also accessible. They form social groups that are wholesome. They play board games, video games, Dungeons and Dragons and they love watching movies. As a Midwestern boy, that appeals to me. I feel like I’m in a warm and safe place when I hang out with nerdy bears. Also, they’re super cuddly!

The song is a great message to gay youth, many of whom still have it in their heads that to be a gay man is to look like a Calvin Klein model.

What are your thoughts on the body image issues that run rampant in the community?

I believe our ideas of beauty are learned. Our community, and frankly the world, has body image issues because we’re consistently told there’s only one way to be beautiful. This pertains to race as much as it does to body type. We need to start creating content that shows the full myriad of how people are beautiful. Big, little, black, white and all points in between.

Whose idea was it to put you in a dress and tiara in the music video?

When you write a lyric declaring, “I’ll be your Princess,” then that’s the natural progression. I

couldn’t have made this video without being in a princess dress. I’m just happy it fit!

You’re married... is it to a nerdy bear?

(Laughing) I would say that Mike is more of a dork then a nerd.

How does he feel about you getting cozy with Jason Villegas in the music video?

Mike loves the video. Everyone that watches it comments on how handsome Jason is. It was a joy working with him. He is so handsome and sweet.

Who is your celeb crush?

I’m not sure I have one. I have too many real-life crushes to make room for crushes on folks I’ll never meet. That said, I just watched the movie Richard Jewel. Afterwards, I tweeted Paul Walter Hauser about how handsome he was in it.

Who is someone you would love to collaborate with?

Childish Gambino would be a dream. Brandi Carlile, too. Honestly, the list is endless. I’m always down for a collaboration, big or small. It’s an honor to work with other artists.

What’s your biggest pet peeve about the music biz?

I’m kind of an oddball. I don’t understand so much about the world. But more than anything, I don’t understand the desire for money and fame.

Not generally, but for its own sake. What’s the point of money and fame if you’re using that money and fame to generate more money and fame instead of using it to make the world a better place? The industry is often style over substance and that bothers me. I wish more people would use their platform and the content of their art to make positive changes in the world. Beyoncé is really interesting in this regard. She’s become bigger than the industry itself, so much so that she can make whatever statement she wants… and she does! I love that about her.

What an inspiration.

What’s something you do behind closed doors that you would never want anyone to know about?

(Laughing) If there was something that I do behind closed doors that I didn’t want people to know about, why would I put it in print?

In this time of COVID, everyone is binging on the streaming channels. What is one series that you would recommend people add to their watch list?

We Bare Bears! You’ll laugh, smile and sing. It’s a guarantee to put you in a good mood.

How have you kept your spirits up during the pandemic?

I’m a social creature by nature so it hasn’t been easy. I’ve found that focusing on friends, family and nature have been very helpful. A lot of the distractions that used to be a part of my life are no longer there. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s been nice to be able to focus more of my energy on the people I love, the content and message of my art and the beauty all around me.

Visit tomgossmusic.com, and follow Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @ Tomgossmusic.

Anthony Anthony Catanzaro Catanzaro Brings Brings the the Heat Heat

By Paul Hutnick

For over twenty years, Anthony Catanzaro balanced successful careers as a fitness model and stripper, famously appearing on the covers of Playgirl, Men’s Fitness, and Men’s Exercise magazines.

It was when he was crouched inside a gigantic cake, poised to jump out to surprise Betty White for her 91st birthday on live TV, when he noticed something was wrong. His normally limber body tightened up. He assumed it was an isolated incident but two years later, the left side of his body had become so rigid that he finally sought the help of a doctor, who diagnosed him with early-onset Parkinson’s disease.

In his new coffee table book, HEAT, featuring 165 pages of steamy photos along with his original poems, Anthony Catanzaro reveals the many life lessons he has learned since receiving the diagnosis.

Do you still get up on the stripper pole or pose for photos every now and then?

Parkinson’s is a very tough disease to battle. It isn’t something you can pull out or remove with surgery. The disease is deep inside the brain and it’s all because of a lack a dopamine. Still, I love what I do and nothing is going to stop me from living my life.

What is it that you love most about male fitness modeling?

All of my life, I have worked very hard on my physique and I love showing off my work.

Did nudity always come easy for you?

I’m very comfortable being nude. Some of my Take us back to the first inkling something best photos are without any clothes on. That is was wrong… when you were inside the cake why Playgirl requested to shoot with me three and experienced your first muscle tightness. times!

The feeling was something I have never felt before. It felt like I had no control over my leg Were you aware of the huge gay or the left side of my body. following you had accrued from your Playgirl and Men’s Exercise covers?

Why did you wait two years before seeing a doctor? Yes, of course! I have some fans that have been I thought I was just overworked, overstressed with me from the very start of my career and I and needed some time off, so I took a break, love and respect them all. I am happy that I but when I returned to work, I was worse. am still able to give them something to admire.

Did you know what Parkinson’s was when the doctor first gave you the news?

I was diagnosed at the age of 42. I didn’t really know anything about Parkinson’s and I didn’t know anyone who had it.

Was there a grieving period or a ‘why me’ moment?

I was completely devastated and in denial.

To be honest with you, to this day, I am still in denial. I think it’s a good thing because it allows me to have hope that I can beat this.

What is your plan of attack against Parkinson’s?

I knew from the beginning that drugs were not the answer for me, so I’ve tried natural healing.

It consists of three parts: mental, physical and spiritual. I try to stay as positive as possible to maintain a hopeful future. It’s important to stay happy, to avoid depression and anxiety.

What’s been the biggest change since you received the diagnosis?

I’m a vegan now! I used to eat chicken every day. I have not had it in over three years! It helps tremendously because, with Parkinson’s, protein, especially animal protein, interferes with the absorption of medications.

We learn from our obstacles. What have you learned from your battle with Parkinson’s?

That I am very strong, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually. I have also learned to appreciate the fact that when a person is healthy, they can come and go as they please, but when stricken with a disease, it is very hard to plan anything and you are left with an uncertainty if you will be able to make it to an event or not. This becomes very frustrating because all you want to do is be free but Parkinson’s steals that freedom away.

Is this new insight your reason for creating HEAT? What do you hope readers take away from the photos and poems?

I’ve always been a writer and I love to pour my heart out so creating HEAT felt very natural for me. If readers can take anything away from the book, I hope it is that we are all one. We are all born unique and we must never let anyone change who we are. In order to be true to others, you must first be true to yourself.

HEAT is available exclusively at TonyCatanzaro. com. The book comes with a personally autographed 12×18 poster. 100% of proceeds benefit Anthony’s battle with Parkinson’s.

FACE COVER FRIDAYS @ BLAKE'S Photos by Snow

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Chris is one of those rare Atlanta natives, and he currently works at GA Tech as a lab technician assisting in biological and neurological experiments as well as COVID-19 research. Apart from a BA in political science, Chris wants to pursue a master’s in public administration to achieve his dream of running for local city office. He is very social and loves to explore all that Atlanta offers, including a good Sunday Funday with friends. Recently, he has focused his spare time on raising awareness of social injustice issues and the BLM movement so that nationwide change can happen.

@chrisb_23

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OPINION

by Jamie Kirk

Summer of 2020 = Sexy Interrupted

Talk about a difficult task. Try being sexy with no haircut for months and not shaving for weeks upon weeks. No gym, then limited gym for months.

Snacking all day, because well, we kinda are home all day. Trying to be sexy during a pandemic is literally impossible. When people generally think of being sexy, it typically involves bathing suits, six-packs (abs and beer), a perfect tan, and a chiseled body. This winter, we did not envision this summer being stuck in the house for months, we didn’t imagine the summer vacation only being “shooting the hooch,” and we certainly didn’t think PRIDE activities would be virtual. But alas, here we are.

Being viewed as sexy this summer is actually a little selfish. It’s selfish to think of all that is going on in the world to give time, energy, and efforts towards looking a certain way that others would find appealing. In normal given circumstances, the gym memberships begin to get used the most in March and April with the hopes of having the perfect body by Memorial Day weekend. This year the only thing we were trying to perfect in March and April was keeping on our mask properly over our nose and mouth. Most folks that are keeping up their regular physical activities are doing so for the health benefit, not because others could potentially be drooling over their gym bod (or dad bod), depending on your appetite.

There are so many other important things going on this summer so that being sexy has had to take a back seat. On any given day, you can find something else to do to keep yourself sane. It could be a home project, reading a book, visiting family via ZOOM, working longer hours to ensure you remain considered “essential” to your company, or any number of things.

And most, okay, all of these activities do not involve deadlifts, speedos, perfect hair, facials, waxing, or a mani/pedi. This summer’s activities are being replaced with things that matter, things that propel us to being better people, more productive citizens, and things that are actually admirable from the inside out, not the other way around.

Yes, it is extremely hard digesting that we have had to cancel our summer sexy. But this can be a good thing. Instead of focusing on the superficial antics that May to September brings typically, we can replace that energy with making a difference. Being sexy can be re-defined as someone that stands up for what they believe in. Or someone that is peacefully protesting.

Or perhaps someone that is helping their neighbor by taking them to the grocery store every Wednesday. Sexy-inwardly, a new term I just made up, is when someone is appealing because of WHO they are, not what they look like. A person that is sexy-inwardly does not command attention when they walk into a pool party. However, they command attention when at the pool party, someone strikes up a conversation with them and asks, “So, what have you done to help support Black Lives Matter”? - and their answer, because of how productive they have been, blows everyone away. Now that’s SEXY. During this challenging time, there are so many distractions to keep us from feeling un-sexy. When you think about the upcoming election, the unemployment rate, the unapproved-approved- then unapproved stimulus packages, the continued social injustices across the country, the pandemic numbers, and our children are being placed in harm’s way to learn; it’s simply overwhelming. Who has the time or thought power to give to picking out a swimsuit or what dish they can whip up at the community pool party this upcoming Saturday. Our country, our freedom, and our health are far 30 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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more important. And yes, do I think it is possible to multitask and be sexy and socially conscious? -Yep, I sure do.

But given this day and time, I believe that scale should be properly imbalanced towards being a better person, not having a better body.

If we readjust our thinking and relax the criteria, being sexy can be seen as something that others do not see first, but second. If being sexy could be seen as characteristics, rather than how you look in a speedo or bikini. How nice would it be that sexy could be universally defined as someone humble, emotionally intelligent, ambitious, creative, respectful, and displays empathy towards others.

This is going to sound extremely harsh, but… ain’t nobody doing the “nasty” anyways! If you are partnered or in a committed relationship, you are home all day together and likely not getting along and smothering each other (sorry, projecting a little here), so there is likely not a lot of sex happening. And equally, if you are single and using the dating apps or perhaps going to the bars, you are not likely to take the chance of being exposed to someone who could carry the coronavirus. So don’t just concentrate on the physical crap. Yes, maintain. But don’t make being a sexy beast the priority. Save it for when folks will be ripping your clothes off and can’t wait to see what is underneath it all.

This is a long shot, but what if instead of a profile picture on the dating apps of a gym pic or a pic laying out on the beach in Pensacola, you had to answer a few standard questions like a) What was your immediate thought when you saw the George Floyd video or b) Do you believe that Trans people should be able to serve in the military? Or c) What do you think the delay is with arresting the cops for killing Brenna Taylor? How cool would it be to have an online profile that gives a more in-depth insight into the type of human being you are and what you stand for?

I know the data says that about 35% of people view physical appearance as sexy, while only 7% rank honesty as sexy.

But hey, we can try to move the needle and not just have this summer as a temporary fix, but a longer-term initiative to get us to really appreciate folks for WHO they are. Heck, sex appeal can be included, but it should not be the main ingredient.

As the summer swings into high gear, and we slowly are getting a bit back to our “rhythm of life” (I avoid using the word normal, I’m not so sure normal was working), we should try and see how looking at sexiness through another lens could be a good thing. A different thing. The last thing any of us are likely feeling is sexy. It’s just plain ole hard to look good when you don’t feel good. And by not feeling good, I mean with all of the distractions we are dealing with as a city, a state, a country, and community. Nothing on the horizon feels good right now.

However, better days are ahead, summer 2021 better watch out. Bodies are gonna be banging. There will be pool parties every weekend. Florida will again be a destination spot that folks won’t avoid. Hiking trails will be full, concerts will be in full effect, Six Flags will have hour-long waits, yoga studios will be full again. But for now, step one - let’s work on getting our sexy-inward on point, and then we can work on the outside stuff. We gotta have both inward and outward sexiness in order to have our FULL SEXY BACK.

AUG 12 - 19

Due to the ongoing pandemic, please keep yourself updated on the status of an event!

Sips Under the Sea Lite The limited capacity version of the popular event is a great way to come back to experience the newly renovated aquarium. Enjoy specialty cocktails and dining options while maintaining social distance. Tickets via georgiaaquarium.org.

August 14, 7-10 pm Georgia Aquarium

Showgirls at the Drive-In Experience a special drive-in screening of the 1995 camp classic, Showgirls starring Elizabeth Berkley, Gina Gershon, and Gina Ravera. Tickets for your assigned drive-in spot at plazaatlanta.com.

Saturday, August 15, 8:45 – 11 pm Plaza Theatre Drive-In

Tuesday Night Trivia Come out for Tuesday Night Trivia with DeWayne with rounds that are Animals, Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader, Art, and Literature, and Anything Goes. Bar tabs prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Tuesday, August 18, 8:30 – 10:30 pm The Hideaway

Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook Film Panel The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, in partnership with The American Issues Initiative, invites you to a virtual discussion of the feature documentary, “Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook.” Register to receive a link to screen at civilandhumanrights.org.

Wednesday, August 19, 7-8 pm Online Event

Free Virtual Screening of Lingua Franca Join Out On Film for this special and free screening of Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca” about a Filipino transwoman and her struggle to pursue a green card. A talkback will follow the film with director Isabel Sandoval.

Tickets at outonfilm.org.

Wednesday, August 19, 7:30 - 9:30 pm Online Event

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Amsterdam Blake's Bulldogs Friends

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

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clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle

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retail 8 BarkingLeather

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14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

spa/bath 15 Flex Spa

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G’s Midtown Henry’s Joe's on Juniper La Hacienda

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BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN AMSTERDAM amsterdamatlanta.com 502 Amsterdam Ave. NE ATLANTA EAGLE atlantaeagle.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE FRIENDS NEIGHBORHOOD BAR friendsonponce-atl. com 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE MY SISTER’S ROOM mysistersroom.com 66 12th St NE TEN ATLANTA tenatlanta.com 990 Piedmont Ave NE THE T modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE CHESHIRE HERETIC hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road BJ ROOSTERS bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE SEQUEL 1086 Alco St NE TRIPPS 1931 Piedmont Circle N 36 | follow us @ peachatlmag

ANSLEY MIDTOWN MOON 1492 Piedmont Ave NE FELIX’S 1510 Piedmont Ave NE THE HIDEAWAY 1544 Piedmont Ave NE MIXX mixxatlanta.com 1492 Piedmont Ave NE OSCAR’S oscarsatlanta.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE WOOFS woofsatlanta.com 494 Plasters Ave NE EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK & EDGEWOOD MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE SISTER LOUISA’S CHURCH sisterlouisaschurch. com 466 Edgewood Ave SE SWINGING RICHARDS swingingrichards. com 1400 Northside Dr NW

DINING MIDTOWN 10TH & PIEDMONT 10thandpiedmont. com 991 Piedmont Ave NE EINSTEIN’S einsteinsatlanta. com 1077 Juniper St NE FROGS CANTINA frogsmidtown.com 931 Monroe Dr G’S gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE

RETAIL MIDTOWN BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE CHESHIRE SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ANSLEY BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE

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10

Responses to Common Racist Statements

As the conversation about Black Lives Matter and how to fight racial injustices continues and hopefully evolves, we need to familiarize and arm ourselves with responses that combat both systemic and internalized racism.

6.

1.

“I don’t see color” To say that you don’t see race or color means that you shut your eyes to the oppression, marginalization, and discrimination communities of color face daily 2. “We are all one human race” Yes, we are all human and biologically the same, but Black people’s systemic oppression has created vastly different experiences 3. “I’m not a racist person” This is an oversimplification of what racism is. Racism often isn’t out in the open, but it is subconscious, undetected, and a result of privilege 4.

“What I said wasn’t racist” You may have the best intentions, but racism can be unintentional. If someone calls out racism, please listen and learn how the impact - and not the intention - of a statement can be racist 5. “You must have misunderstood me” Rather than suggesting a lack of understanding or even intelligence, listen and learn how to confront racism

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“Why should I be responsible for what my ancestors did?”

Generational wealth, opportunity, and privilege have historically benefited white people.

Presently, the same demographics benefit from the injustices and oppressive systems of the past 7.

“As a white person, I experience (reverse) racism too” There is a difference between racism and prejudice. White people may experience prejudice, but because they are in a systemic position of power, it is not reverse racism 8.

“Why do you have to make everything about race?”

Our society is blanketed in white supremacy, but it often goes unnoticed by those it benefits.

Learn to recognize that privilege and take notice of unexperienced oppression 9.

“My struggle is no different from yours” We live in a society where the criminal justice system and social institutions favor white people and white culture, which, in turn, fosters a vastly different reality for each group 10. “All Lives Matter” All lives can’t matter until Black lives matter. To achieve equity for all people, we must start with advocacy for the most marginalized www.peachatl.com

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39

It’s amazing how creative people are!

What do you mean?

E-mail your Peach Pits to mikkel@PeachATL.com

Does anyone know a good couple’s therapist? I made myself an imaginary boyfriend to get me through quarantine, but he has a lot of issues

During this people By cutting offpandemic, the sleeves they are chefs, ofare allthinking your t-shirts? trainers, bakers..

Yes, I’m need making People an tank outlettops and crop tops. these days I know, it’s we are watching Lockdown Got Talent!

I realize that I am a person who wants to do a lot of things trapped in the body of somone who wants to nap all the time Asking for a friend Does it count as saving someone’s life if you refrain from killing them?

I keep seeing people eating out at restaurants, traveling, doing whatever, and I’m sitting in my house wondering if I hallucinated a pandemic?

Daddy Joke Alert I like my clothes the way I like my conversations: short and easy to get out of!

Scrolling through your Venmo feed, you can find out with 100% certainty who is dating who

So I ordered an online test for COVID-19 from Wish, and the result came back today – apparently I’m pregnant!

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CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) Even after months of social distancing and isolation, you’ll be gripped by the urge to be alone this week. It’s time to reflect on the past few months and the challenges you have overcome and the you have won. You know, doing this kind of self-reflective work will only make your re-entry into the world a better one, and you’ll attract even better things (and men).

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) During this time, it’s tough selling advanced ideas to prehistoric minds. That’s what you may face at work and in interactions this week. It may be time to start thinking about changing jobs or careers and you may need to let go of toxic relationships. Keep a job search on the DL and be prepared to say no to people you thought were friends – you know what’s right for YOU!

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

You are slowly emerging from your quarantined state and you are seeing fiery potential in a new guy in your life. Things between you have been smoldering and simmering for months now, and you can see things getting quite hot. But remember that everything that glows eventually dims, and if you move too fast you’re stuck with something lukewarm, tepid, and above unsafe!

So keep your cool, and turn down you’re A/C.

Your mental fog is a reality and trying to work through it will be like trying to figure out the relevance of Kanye. That’s right, a complete waste of time. Try your best to get through a trying day and take time to engage in the type of brainless activities that only the Internet can offer in such abundance.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

Working remotely has its issues, and problems with coworkers could reach a boiling point even at a safe distance. It may be time for a mediator, someone other than your boss to help you work it out. Because escalating tensions will lead to a public catfight, and with the way you two have been sharpening those claws, it ain’t gonna be pretty andleave a messy online trail right back to you!

Call it COVID-related, but your moods will be ignitable this week. Couple that with a hectic day or two and spontaneous combustion is a very real possibility. Keep it cool, diamond dog, because it could prove embarrassing to lose it in public. Sure, it always makes you feel better, but it’s still hard to shake off afterwards.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

If you’re single and have spent the last four months during this health crisis obsessing over not being in a relationship, stop it this instant.

Your friends that are booed up may appear to be in a better place, but appearances can be deceiving. Enjoy being single while you can, and don’t be in such a hurry. The money you’re saving on years of couple’s therapy alone will make it all worth it.

Try not to be too sad about another busted romance, and take consolation in the fact that now is still not the best time to start something new. There’s probably another romance right around the corner. And, yes, it will probably end up busted too, but if you take some time to work on you, you have the power to end this curious cycle and end up with someone who is not Mr. Wrong.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

You may feel the urge to take on a ‘Corona Project,’ but just don’t do anything butch or manly like tune up your car or work with power tools this week. The possibility of a debilitating injury is only a hedge cutter away. Stick to projects that require less force and more finesse like re-arranging your books shelf or updating your vlog

You have a lot of things going on for you right now, so don’t rely all on yourself, but listen to the advice of friends this week. You may know the most about your situation, but you should listen to others, so you don’t overdo all of it. See how your gut feels, digest sound advice, and then act. You think that only you can do it the right way, but sometimes you just have to solve things with the help of friends.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

You have found your work from home groove, and this week will be fun, and you won’t believe how much you’ll get done! This will leave spare time for flirting with the UPS guy, gossiping with the gals in the group text or bidding online for a Burberry man purse. Why can’t work be this much fun all the time? Ponder this as you clock out early for some well-deserved me time.

Even though your options are limited, seek out the company of those who share your personality traits this week. This way everyone will agree with each other, you’ll laugh a lot, and no one will be surprised by emotional outbursts. But keep it happy and positive, because go to dark moods and it’s no good for anybody.

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.

Due to the pandemic’s many unfortunate circumstances, my boyfriend and I have been forced to go live with my family. This works out surprisingly well on many levels – except for when it comes to sex. We don’t really have the necessary privacy to have full-on sex, and several times we have tried to have sex, we have been interrupted. So sex at the house is pretty much a no go, which leaves us hotels or the car, and since hotels are expensive and quite frankly not guaranteed to be a safe and sanitary space, we resort to the car. We have found some remote spots, and since we’re in rural Georgia with little police, we are not particularly afraid of getting caught. But the sex is turning out to be a bit one-sided. Sometimes we jerk off together in the front seat, and sometimes we get in the backseat to get it on. When we’re in the backseat, we usually make out, and then I get on top of him, and he penetrates me. It feels great, but I need a little longer to get off, and he usually finishes pretty quickly, and then the mood shifts, and the anxiety of getting caught creeps in. We have tried penetration where I am on my back, and he is on top of me because that is an easier way for me to get off, but it is very uncomfortable for the both of us. So now there is this weird gap between us where he gets off a lot more than me. How can we fix this? I don’t want to get frustrated, but I feel like there is a growing deficit here.

Sincerely Backseat Grinder Dear Backseat Grinder Living during a global pandemic has forced many us to make the best of the situation – like you are now. First off, you need to be careful when having sex in your car because it could give you damaging legal ramifications.

You need to switch gears a little (see what I did there) when it comes to your back seat hookups. Surely, your boyfriend has noticed that you are not getting the same satisfaction as he is during your backseat romps. Maybe you can test out the car’s spatial capabilities, so you can better get on your back, or you can even find a really(!) remote spot and take it outside of the car. Or how about your boyfriend pays some attention to you after he has gotten off? It honestly seems a little selfish that he finishes, leaves you hanging, and immediately starts stressing about getting caught. The situation isn’t ideal, but the least he can do is help you get through these stressful times by getting you off.

My boyfriend masturbates a lot. It wasn’t an issue before COVID-19, but now that we are working from home and spending every day together, it is starting to drive me crazy. He has problems coming, so masturbating takes a long time for him, and every day, he goes upstairs for hours to get off while I am working. We have sex regularly, but he says he needs this time alone to ejaculate, which he often doesn’t when we have sex. He is supposed to be working, and I know that he has had time management issues at work, but I also feel that it would shame him if I went upstairs and confronted him with this. What do I do? I feel like this is no good for our relationship.

Sincerely Scratch That Itch Dear Scratch That Itch Sex and masturbation don’t exist in a zero-sum relationship – they are two different entities, so don’t assume that his masturbatory habits are taking anything away from you. Sure, hours a day may seem excessive, but we are all struggling right now, so show him a little compassion, and recognize that he may need this to cope and that it is (hopefully) temporary. Ask him to be considerate of you, but that’s all you should ask because you probably won’t win over what his dick wants, and he could end up retreating even more. So check in with him and assure him that you will be there if he needs to talk about his habit.

NEED ANSWERS? SEND YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS TO MIKKEL@PEACHATL.COM

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