Peach Magazine V4-42 - Be the Change

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Gloria Estefan Gay Icon, Gay Daughter Lean Into Fall Lean In & Give Up Online Monologues Drew Larimore’s SMITHTOWN

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NOv 11, 2020

v4-42

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MANAGING PARTNER Brian Sawyer brian@peachatl.com

OPERATIONS Jeff Anderson Sales and Development Director jeff@peachatl.com

EDITORIAL Mikkel Hyldebrandt

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Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer Graphics

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In the very last moments, before this issue went to print, Joe Biden was elected the next President of the United States.

Whether you celebrate or grieve the election outcome, one thing is certain, and that is that the political landscape is going to look vastly different. Personally, I can’t wait not to always stress about what has been said or done by the administration or worry about whether my fundamental rights will be threatened. Although our concept of normalcy has forever changed, it’ll be nice to return to a resemblance thereof.

Congratulations to the President-Elect, and let’s all hope for a smooth transition.

Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

CONTRIBUTORS Kevin Assam Chris Azzopardi Jamie Kirk

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BlaCK liveS STill MaTTer MiKKel HyldeBraNdT

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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.

2020 OuT geOrgia lgBTq+ BuSiNeSS SuMMiT & COMMuNiTy HONOrS PResented by geoRgia PoweR

OUT Georgia Business Alliance launches their 2020 LGBTQ+ Business Summit & Community Honors, an exciting three-day virtual event bringing Georgia’s LGBTQ+ and allied business community together to learn, support, and celebrate with each other.

As our community continues to navigate COVID-19 and plan for 2021, OUT Georgia encourages small business owners, young professionals, business and nonprofit leaders, and corporations to take advantage of this action-packed Summit & Honors experience to advance Georgia’s growing LGBTQ+ community.

This three-day virtual event for the LGBTQ+ Business Community will include keynote speakers, premium learning sessions, peer-led workshops, virtual expo, ERG competition and ERG of the Year, and B2B matchmaker.

Their recognition programs will include OUT Georgia’s Most Influential LGBTQ+ Georgians list and our Community Honors, featuring Business Leader, Community Leader, Next Gen – Emerging LGBTQ+ Leader, Nonprofit, Corporate LGBTQ+ Ally, Small Business, New Business, Member, and Pivot of the Year.

Learn more and sign up at outgeorgia.org/summit.

WHAT OUT Georgia 2020 LGBTQ+ Business Summit & Community Honors WHEN November 17, 10 am – November 19, 9 pm WHERE outgeorgia.org/summit 8 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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HAPPY PRIDE

ATLANTA!

THE FUTURE IS

“WE” + Q T

LGIB S NES S IT BUM M SU

© 2020 · All Rights Reserved · OUT Georgia Business Alliance

JOIN US For an exciting three-day virtual event bringing Georgia’s LGBTQ+ and allied business community together to learn, support, and celebrate with each other.

November 17-19, 2020 Register today: outgeorgia.org/summit

BuildiNg a STrONger COMMuNiTy

By Mikkel Hyldebrandt Out Georgia’s 2020 Community Honors and LGBTQ+ Business is coming up, and we spoke to Chris Lugo, the Executive Director of the OUT Georgia Business Alliance, about switching to virtual programming, how that will effect the business summit and award show, and what inititiaves OUT Georgia is taking to serve even better as Georgia’s only LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the work of OUT Georgia this year?

As soon as COVID-19 dramatically escalated in March, OUT Georgia’s leadership made the decision to shift all in-person programming and events to virtual so that we could continue serving our Membership and the LGBTQ+ community in the safest way possible.

For Georgia’s only LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, the pandemic further motivated us to take a hard look at the health of our Member organizations, business development programming, advocacy efforts, and our role in building strong community impact across our state.

Your LGBTQ+ Business Summit and Community Honors events are both online this year because of the pandemic – tell us about the decision to shift everything to virtual?

Our LGBTQ+ Business Summit and Community Awards events are typically OUT Georgia’s biggest and most impactful live events of the year. As we evaluated the reality of the pandemic, ongoing health and safety concerns, and the remaining 2020 calendar, we decided to bring these two events together for the very first time and make the most out of a multi-day virtual event.

As OUT Georgia works to represent and serve more LGBTQ+ businesses, nonprofits, and professionals around the state, a virtual conference was the best way to accommodate and welcome an even wider audience!

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What initiatives have taken to make this another stand-out event for OUT Georgia even though we can’t be inperson?

We’ve teamed up with Dunlop Productions, our Board of Directors, and our staff to bring the best of our live signature events to screens all over the state.

OUT Georgia is taking precautions with all prerecorded content to film in the safest and most responsible manner, and we’ll be using a virtual event platform called CVENT to deliver all our Member-led sessions remotely.

It’ll be hard to replicate an in-person environment, but OUT Georgia is committed to our Members and making this a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Tell us about your decision to drop the titles businessman and businesswoman for the more inclusive businessperson?

OUT Georgia continues to explore how we can best represent and serve our growing constituency of LGBTQ+ and ally businesses, nonprofits, professionals, and leaders across the state of Georgia.

The decision to combine our business woman, man, and person awards into a Business Leader of the Year category was to highlight the bestof-the-best, while recognizing the need to be more inclusive regarding gender expression and identity.

Can you share some of the highlights of the event(s) with us?

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We have a meaningful agenda over the course of this three-day virtual event, but I’d like to highlight some elements I think our attendees will really enjoy:

•

• • •

•

• • •

•

Day

1

sessions

with

LGBTQ

DAY 1 SESSIONS with LGBTQ Institue, Invest Atlanta, Golden Isles Institue, Invest Atlanta, Golden Development Authority, DecideDecide DeKalb, Isles Development Authority, Hierarchy, Transformation Journeys DeKalb, Hierarchy, Transformation Worldwide, Out on Film, Journeys Worldwide, Out and on Counter Film, andNarrative CounterProject Narrative Project • Virtual Exhibit Hall for LGBTQ+ and Virtual Hallbig forand LGBTQ+ alliedExhibit businesses small and allied businesses big and small • OUT Georgia’s Most Influential LGBTQ+ OUT Georgia’s Most Influential Georgians presentation presentation • LGBTQ+ Day 2 Georgians sessions with Dalia Kinsley, Dunlop Productions, TierPM, Bruce DAY 2 SESSIONS with Dalia Kinsley, Logue, Dr.Productions, Annise Mabry Foundation, Dunlop TierPM, Experience Diversity, and Bruce Logue,Willow, Dr. True Annise Mabry UGA Small Business Willow, Development Foundation, Experience True Center and UGA Small Business Diversity, • Development B2B Matchmaker Center connecting our certifi ed minority connecting businesses our with B2B Matchmaker supplier diversity contacts, as well certifi ed minority businesses withas encouraging ourcontacts, small businesses supplier diversity as well asto connect with other encouraging oureach small businesses to • connect Special announcement with each other with United Way of Greater Atlanta about serving Special announcement with United the LGBTQ+ community Way of Greater Atlanta about serving • 3 wellness sessions with Sisters of theDay LGBTQ+ community Yoga, Dalia Kinsley, and Katie Leikam • DAY OUT3 WELLNESS Georgia’s 2020 Community SESSIONS with Honors a spotlight Sisters ofawards Yoga,show, Daliashining Kinsley, and Georgia’s businesses, Katie Leikam LGBTQ+ nonprofits, and leaders who are charting OUT Georgia’s 2020 Community signifi cant impact in the categories of Business Honors awards Leader, show, Community shining Next Gen – Emerging LGBTQ+ a Leader, spotlight Georgia’s LGBTQ+ Leader, Nonprofi t, Corporate LGBTQ+ businesses, nonprofi ts, and leaders Business, whoAlly, areSmall charting signifiNew cant Business, impact Member, and Pivot of the Year! in the categories of Business Leader, Community Leader, Next Gen – Emerging LGBTQ+ Leader, Nonprofit, Corporate LGBTQ+ Ally, Small Business, New Business, Member, and Pivot of the Year!

Looking ahead and in the light of COVID-19; what aspects of your work do you think has changed forever in the light of a pandemic? What would you like to keep on doing even after it is over?

As we look to 2021, OUT Georgia’s focus on economic equity has forever been impacted and sharpened by COVID-19’s devastating and disproportionate impact on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. We will continue scrutinizing how we deliver our mission, and we’ll absolutely be continuing with a virtual or hybrid approach to our events and educational programs into 2021 and beyond.

The same goes for the business summit and Community Honors events – what elements do you think will prevail?

We’ll know much more after feedback and surveys, but I see our major events always having a virtual or hybrid approach moving forward.

This allows us to consider accessibility, health, safety, and inclusion as OUT Georgia continues our statewide growth focus into the years ahead.

Give us the details about the event – when, what, and where

2020 LGBTQ+ Business Summit & Community Honors, presented by Georgia Power Dates: November 17-19, 2020 Location: Virtual Info: outgeorgia.org/summit/

Ga Ga y yI Da co ug n ht , er

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: Sami Drasin, Jesus Cordero, Aysia Marotta

She admits it took several painful years, but gay icon and Latin pop trailblazer Gloria Estefan is now in a “really good place” with her 25-yearold daughter Emily, who is openly queer. After working on their relationship in therapy, they’re continuing those conversations during the Facebook Watch series Red Table Talk: The Estefans, which also features Gloria’s niece, Lili Estefan.

The show comes on the heels of Gloria’s latest album, Brazil305, which was released in June. The legendary singer-songwriter’s first album in seven years features re-recorded, Brazilian-inspired versions of her hits, including “Conga” (redone as “Samba”), “Cuts Both Ways” and “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.” Gloria collaborated with Emily, who graduated from Boston’s Berklee College of Music and released her debut album in 2017, on several songs for the series, including its apt theme, “Let’s Talk About It.”

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It’s true that Red Table Talk: The Estefans gets right to the heart of the matter, with the second episode focusing on Emily’s sexuality. The episode is an emotional bloodletting. Emily confronts the icon about her reaction when Emily came out to her: “I was like, ‘Hey, I’m in love with this girl,’” Emily says to her mother about her relationship with partner Gemeny Hernandez. “The first thing you said was, ‘If you tell your grandma and she dies, her blood is on your hands.’”

During the episode, Gloria tells Emily she’s remembering the conversation “in a different way.”

“Did communications suffer for a bit there? Yeah, they did,” Gloria admits during our recent Zoom interview, where she appeared from her home library in Miami. “Then we had to give each other time and space, and still came back to the table, and back to the table, and back to the table. So I think it’s kind of fitting that we are literally at the table and sharing it with everyone.”

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I have to say, with this second episode of Red Table Talk, there’s a lot to unpack here. You’re probably still unpacking it yourself.

Well, you only saw 30 minutes of a two-and-a-halfhour conversation. I really would’ve been happy just continuing the conversation. Emily and I have spent a lot of time going to therapy together during these years just trying to learn how to talk to each other, and dealing with the loss of my mom, her grandmother, that was brutal. I studied psychology and up till now hadn’t needed therapy, but the hole I was in was really big when I lost my mom, so it was all the same time.

I’ve been trying to look at this from the perspective of a fan, and I’ve been kind of dissecting the fact that you’ve been a gay icon for decades. And this is surprising news to anybody who has revered you as such.

But surprising why?

Well, from Emily’s perspective and what was said from you to her regarding abuela.

Oh, well, like I said, in the show she’s remembering things from her pain and perspective; I did not tell her that. And that was definitely not said. I wanted people to listen to her music just as music, because I know how this world works and when I said that to her, what she heard was, “Hide, cover up,” and that’s why I had told her, “If you want to get on the (gay Pride) float, I’m there with you.”

Were you concerned knowing that if what Emily thought you said was made public, it could impact your relationship with the LGBTQ community?

Look, it’s always a concern when you put out your thoughts on anything, or on something personal, because there’s no way that anyone is ever going to see every conversation that Emily and I had, because that’s the only way that you can really judge.

It’s really interesting because today I saw one of my tweets – some woman saying that I was a “homophobe” – and that is the furthest thing from the truth. But when you put stuff out there, people are going to do with it what they will, and that’s just not the case. To us, it was a non-issue that Emily was gay. It was a non-issue. And the rest was me trying to protect both women that are the most important women in my life.

That’s the reason we’re having these conversations, because we know that people in their homes and families are going to put it in their own world and do with it what they will, but we decided that we were going to be honest. And you can’t fake real.

I have in my mind what I hope parents of LGBTQ kids hear and apply to their own relationships with their kids. But what do you hope that is?

I’m hoping that conversations get started. We know the importance of being supportive. I was incredibly supportive of Emily. But it’s a complex thing because our kids are going through so many things, they don’t know sometimes who they are or what they may be feeling.

I was the grand marshal of the gay Pride parade!

So I’m thinking, like, “Absolutely she would tell me (she’s gay) if she were; why wouldn’t she?” I just hope they realize there’s only love here. Only acceptance. But honestly that word “acceptance” to me is rough because I don’t have to “accept” that Emily is gay.

When Emily first came out or there was talk of her being queer, my first thought was, “Oh my god, to be the child of a gay icon.”

Exactly.

I just thought, “How easy.” But after seeing this, it completely changed my perception of that because I was fascinated by what it’s like to be the queer daughter of a gay icon and how even then it’s a struggle to come out.

And that’s not necessarily because of you or your husband, Emilio. What do you think it says about society that you, Gloria Estefan, longtime gay icon who did a video for the It Gets Better campaign, wasn’t the safe place her daughter needed her to be, or that her daughter didn’t perceive her to be?

It killed me, because I was a safe place for her.

I just think that she was really in a lot of pain.

But listen, she felt that just because she’s a celebrity’s kid too. Because it’s only recently that I found out that she was bullied in school, like most people I guess are, which is terrible because I was never bullied in school. And just because you’re a celebrity’s kid… they bully you just because of that. They want to knock you down a few pegs.

Cher struggled with Chaz being transgender, and she’s been very open about that struggle. Like that relationship, your struggles with Emily really do shatter the illusion of what it’s like to be the child of a celebrity.

They put that on themselves also. Just as a musician – forget as a gay person – Emily didn’t even sing until she was 18, even though she is the most amazing singer. She didn’t want to go there, because at 2 years old she was with me on tour and saw me doing what I did – and she was an amazing drummer, guitarist, everything else – but she wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole because she thought, “Oh god, people are going to expect (me) to sound like (her), to look like her.” There were a lot of expectations that she really had a rough time just being herself and all I would tell her was, “Mama, just be yourself.”

As parents, you hope to think you know your kids, but sometimes, like when I did the It Gets Better campaign, so many kids that committed suicide, the first reaction was, “The last person we thought would do that was them,” because of the way they presented to the world, where inside they had all these things going on. That’s why, to us, it’s important to start these conversations because we don’t really know unless we talk about it, unless we ask, and unless we’re willing to take the risk of putting who we are out there.

You know, I hope that the LGBTQ community understands it for the way that it’s intended. And | 15

I didn’t have to “accept” Emily because Emily is my daughter. I love her.

I’m interested in exploring this dichotomy of what it was like to feel all this love from the LGBTQ community but not from your daughter when you were experiencing so much tension with her, and a lot of it was regarding her sexuality.

Well, for me, it was just hard to understand. And that was the main reason that we went into therapy, because I kept saying, “But I don’t understand what the issue is.” We opened our arms to Gem and to Gem’s family. But every human being is a world unto themselves, and even through therapy when I would try to communicate my feelings, I think she had prepared herself for battle. It was hard for both of us to correctly find a way around the emotion. That was the hard thing. And on top of that, we’re Cuban. So that’s even harder.

Because oh my god, for Cubans to get around an emotion is very tough. (Laughs.)

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You’ve been surrounded by the LGBTQ community for decades, but have you learned anything new about the queer experience through Emily?

I learned what I already knew: that regardless of how things change and how it may be legal to get married, it’s still difficult for our kids because there’s pressure, there’s bullying, and now the web and social media. People spew hatred so easily behind an anonymous name. So even though society has become more open and more accepting about everything, now there’s a whole other angle where people can get to you and spew their hatred right at you. That kills me. I mean, she takes it better than I do. I see someone comment on her page, and she goes, “Mom, chill out,” and I’ll, like, answer them or get upset and she goes, “Mom, relax.” I go, “But mama, block them!”

I’m interested in knowing what the music that you’ve worked on with Emily sounds like, and what that kind of collaborative process is like working

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with her?

You mean the theme song that we wrote together?

And you also perform some songs during the show.

Oh yeah, that was so incredibly special. To me, any time I can sing anything with Emily, it’s incredible. Funny enough, when we were in the studio listening to the takes, sometimes we ourselves couldn’t tell who was singing what line because when we sing together (the) textures of our voices are very similar, even though she’s got – I wish on a good day I could do 10 percent of what she can do musically. But it was wonderful, and we chose songs that went with the subject matter of the episodes.

We only did three in this first series of eight, but for me to sing with my daughter, you gotta realize I have a piano in my house and the song that she wrote for On Your Feet! (the jukebox musical based on Gloria’s life), her and I wrote it together. But listen to how it came about: She wrote that song when she was a freshman in high school. She

said, “Mom, I have a homework assignment that I have to do, and I have to write a pop song and I wrote this and I want you to tell me what you think.” So she plays me the song and I said, “You wrote a hit song, that’s a hit song.”

Cut to senior year in high school: I’m elbow-deep in the letters from my fans after the accident (Gloria was injured in a 1990 bus crash) in the warehouse trying to put (them) together for Alex Dinelaris, who wrote the book, and he calls me and he said, “I’ve got the scene that’s gonna be the original song.” He tells me what the scene is and all I could hear in my head was a song Emily played me twice three years before. So I texted her and I go, “Mama, when you come home today, we’re gonna write this song.” She came home, and within 15, 20 minutes we wrote this song (“If I Never Got to Tell You”).

To end, I’d like to ask you something completely unrelated to Red Table Talk.

I’m curious about something that has

| 17

recently resurfaced after Mariah Carey wrote about it in her new memoir. And Carole King has talked about this too: how Celine Dion moved to the front of the stage to sing “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” with Aretha Franklin during the inaugural VH1 Divas Live in 1998. And in Mariah’s recent memoir, she wrote about “one diva’s” attempt to “come for the queen a little bit during the song.” What’s your version of the story?

Listen, I was with these people who have chops from hell. The funny thing that I was noticing was that we all knew Carole was supposed to start the song, and Aretha started it. Maybe just out of sheer habit (laughs) because it was her hit that she had done and had taken to this amazing level that Carole had written. I think she just came in and – boom! – she started. But Carole was supposed to start it off, so I was already thinking, “Uh-oh, are things going to change now?” I was thinking

out I don’t know how many copies of Tapestry, and I was in awe to be singing with the legendary singersongwriter Carole King because I’m a songwriter, so that to me was like, “Oh my god, it’s Carole, this woman that I pored over every liner note, every credit, every piece, wondering who the cat was on the cover of the album.” I was just thrilled to be there. And also my scarf got stuck on my heel in my performance.

Did that make it on tape? I don’t remember seeing that.

Oh yeah, it did. And you know the funny part is: I don’t like a lot of paraphernalia and stuff, but the stylists are always, “Oh, it’s gonna be fabulous, you gotta wear this scarf! And come out with the scarf!” And I go, “Something’s gonna happen, I’m telling you.” I go out and my shoes were brand new, so the scarf was long and it got hooked on the heel of my shoe and then it was like, “How do I take this damn scarf off my shoe?!” And I think I finally threw it at some point during the performance. I think I had to pull it off my shoe!

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technically about how we were going to sort the parts if all of a sudden someone switched parts at the top of the song. If you look at Divas Live, you see Carole going for the mic to start singing and the cameras there because that’s what’s supposed to happen.

And everybody stood in the back, but Celine was like, “OK, I’m gonna come forward and I’m gonna see if I can have it out with Aretha.”

She was definitely the Queen of Soul. You know what, though? Celine, that’s not her personality.

Celine sings amazingly well and beautifully and all of them are amazing. But she’s a very down to earth and chill person. I didn’t feel that, honestly.

I think she probably was just feeling the song.

Yeah! Listen, she was excited. We were all super excited. I was more excited to be sitting at the piano with my idol Carole King because that woman got me through my teenage years. I wore

So there you go. All the things that happened behind the scenes.

And then they cut me out of the People magazine picture! They put all the divas in except me. I remember because I was hosting The Rosie Show and I did a whole song, a little parody about it, to “I’m a Believer.” I did, “I’m not a diva, I couldn’t be one if I tried.”

This interview was lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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.

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| 19

Welcome to Drew Larimore’s

SMITHTOWN!

By Kevin Assam

After pivoting to a slate of digital streams, The Studios of Key West announced Drew Larimore’s SMITHTOWN as its 2020–21 theatrical opener. SMITHTOWN is a series of monologues that links its characters to the death of a local college student. Directed

by Stephen Kitsakos, the dark and comedic play features familiar faces including Michael Urie, Ann Harada, Constance Shulman, and Colby Lewis. SMITHTOWN premieres online Saturday, November 14th at 8:00PM at tskw.org/smithtown.

Is it crazy or strategic to launch a production this deep into the pandemic?

so, finding the ones that will has been a challenge during COVID! But I’m a firm believer that the work goes on.

How far were you into developing the script when the pandemic hit?

Believe it or not, the script is ten years old, but it felt like a Zoom-friendly format to work with and rewrite while trapped inside.

Its themes of shared responsibility certainly resonate in a way they didn’t before the pandemic.

Could you explain the format of these monologues?

It’s both. Lucky for me, SMITHTOWN is a play about technology told in four monologues. It’s perfect for streaming.

However, pandemic or no pandemic, isn’t it always kind of crazy to mount a production of anything, like, ever?

SMITHTOWN is told in four chapters and four characters. Each struggles to make sense of his or her responsibility in the death of a local college student. While many of my scripts contain monologues, few are this solo, so to speak.

Will this be your biggest launch yet? What have you previously worked on?

How involved were you with casting?

This is my biggest digital launch by far.

Earlier this year, we released some YouTube tracks for a new musical I co-wrote called THE BESTEST OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY EVER. Not all shows play well online

This is my dream cast! I worked with Constance Shulman and Ann Harada on a few projects before and am friends with Michael Urie and his partner, Ryan. Colby Lewis is the newbie to my circle and am

thrilled with his performance — not to mention, absolutely dying to see him in Hamilton!

Do actors cold-email or call writers any more, especially during the pandemic? If I’m an actor wanting in to your inner circle, how would I make that happen?

You bring me cookies. Cold call me on my lane line, but not after 9:00 PM because I tuck in early.

Funniest moment from your Zoom rehearsals?

We were working with Constance Shulman on another project earlier this year. We had a pervert Zoom bomber write expletives and draw male genitalia all over the computer screen. We had to cancel the performance, recover from the emotional trauma of it all — and thankfully, now when we think about it we have a good laugh!

Theater will likely limp back toward normalcy. Will you stick with digital production for the next year or so?

It’s a fantastic production, but it would be great to see it produced live. I’m pursuing publication opportunities for the piece, as well.

What do you say to patrons who are skeptical that these productions can be enjoyed digitally?

Now more than ever keeping new work alive is crucial. If you finish watching and think — hmm, I would have rather seen that in a theatre — chances are the writer, director, and cast feel the same way. But this is how we can enjoy this right now.

This is the safe way to support theatre and theatre artists. Unlike seeing it live, you can watch at home drinking as much wine as you want without pants. I guess there’s always a bright side.

Will SMITHTOWN be available for replay after the initial online stream?

SMITHTOWN premieres November 14th, but you can watch it through the 30th.

You’re completing a residency at The Studios of Key West.

How does it feel to be there at a time when travel is increasingly inaccessible?

Well, the Studios got us COVID tested right when we got here. Normally, it’s 3–4 residents. It’s just two of us this time.

Despite the non-mask-wearing Trump stuff happening on Duval Street, in general, this is a better place to be than New York right now. Bars are outdoors, restaurants are outdoors, bike rides are outdoors. It’s a pretty good deal and I almost feel bad about it. Almost.

TSKW.org/Smithtown premieres November 14

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Chris grew up just north of Atlanta, went to UGA, and he moved to Atlanta after college, where he has lived ever since. He works for a large technology company as an AI analyst, and he volunteers on the board of For The Kid In All Of Us (FTK), which is a local charity that supports underprivileged children in the Atlanta area. Chris has two fur babies - a young golden mix named Bentley and a cat named Kitty – and his interest include traveling, cuisine, being social, and staying active.

@ chrisjsant

chris santiaGo

Change Happens

Regardless of Our Permission

By Jamie Kirk

Fall is a time of transition. It is evident everywhere around us. Many shrubs and trees are quietly undressing in preparation for winter. There is subtle browning of the earth. It’s not sunny, but not cloudy. Most of the day is not light, but most of the day is not dark either. It’s not hot, but it’s not cold. And there is the wind: slowly gathering strength, carrying the tides of winter on its breath.

We don’t need a coat, but we can’t wear short sleeves. We can’t wear shorts, but it’s not the time for corduroys either. It’s not full-on time for a beard, but it’s okay to wear scruff. And most of all, the Autumn harbors a certain emptiness that can leave us feeling exposed and a little raw, but it is also filled with possibility - a time when we, too, can strip down to a quiet essence of being and savor the simplicity.

However, to experience the real benefits of Fall, you have to be willing to give in & give up. We have to lean into Autumn. I think using the term Fall and Autumn interchangeably is smart and effective because the words generate a certain understanding. We “fall” back, meaning our time. We experience Autumn. We “fall” into certain things that may or may not catch us, which is risky. We 34 | follow us @ peachatlmag

don’t like risk. We tend to think of Autumn as something a little more predictable; that something better is right around the corner.

Without even realizing it, we adapt our lives to every season. And when Autumn hits, our brain navigates towards things like the smell of pumpkin, cable-knit sweaters, hot cocoa, oatmeal, and homemade soup. Kinda things that make us smile. That is what Autumn should be about, well, what every season should be about, making us smile. Or giving us a sense of peace about better things to come. Falling out of our routine and taking on new challenges for the rest of the year, and attempting to manifest good fortune and new relationships in the upcoming year.

If you believe in the mantra, “you are what you eat,” then you should absolutely love Autumn. As mentioned, you have the normal go-to of all-things-pumpkin, but also Autumn is a great time to change our diet.

Many guys use the excuse to eat whatever we want as “bulking” season. The time of year that we can easily pack on 20-30 lbs of, let’s just say, not muscle. This bulking season can be replaced by changing to a diet of oily, nourishing foods that are high in protein, high in fat, brought to life with

www.peachatl.com

warming, stimulating spices and served hot, can replace the bulking season, and all the while keeping us grounded and braced for the upcoming change to our bodies. It is natural to want to increase our intake of food. However, this is an excellent time to exercise restraint and be conscientious of our appetite and digestive systems.

That is so funny about Fall; we can easily fall into habits and quickly fall out of them too. Many people stop drinking, fast, refrain from overspending at Christmas, or making commitments via the very popular... New Year Resolutions. Autumn preps us for this and allows us a springboard, if we allow it, to help us be strong(er) for the changes we want to make. Think about the visual of falling, doesn’t matter, from a bike, running, from a swing, or just losing your balance. When you are falling, you are literally, in most cases, aware that you are falling. It almost feels like you are falling in slow motion. That is how we have to prep for Autumn; we have to slowly, deliberately, and intentionally address and accept the things we need to change.

This year as we approach the Fall of 2020, I think we should challenge ourselves to really embrace it and look for the opportunities that will exist on the other side—the freshness of a new start. The confidence of being wiser, after adding another year of going around the sun. We didn’t know the uniqueness of meeting new friends because perhaps we were not open to receiving new friends. Being open to receive Autumn will ease us into a seamless transition of this very beautiful time of year.

Let’s take a minute and visualize Fall/ Autumn as that time of year when a cardigan wrapped around our shoulders feels good.

A nice cup of coffee on a screened-in deck or porch forces us to appreciate living in the ‘burbs and avoiding the city’s chaos.

Realizing that all the leaves falling will be picked up and discarded one day, like some of our troubles. Looking into a sky filled with hope for each one of us. Yes, Fall is about change and transition. But Autumn is also about preparation, productivity, and completion. Let’s gear up for each stage that this wonderful season brings our way.

| 35

NOV 11 - 18

Due to the ongoing pandemic, please keep yourself updated on an event’s status as it may change last-minute. We believe in safety first, so this lineup features mainly virtual events or in-person events with limited capacity that enforce CDC guidelines.

PALS Furry 5K Virtual Run/Walk Get ready to take to your favorite running or walking trail and raise money for Pets Are Loving Support! The PALS Furry 5K is a virtual run/walk, so you can complete it any time you want, anywhere you want during the month of November. Sign up at palsatlanta.org.

November 1-31 Virtual Event

Gayties 80s Video Dance Party The Gayties are back with a socially distanced version of the popular 80s dance party where DJ Eric will play your favorite videos from the decade that had us glued to our MTV. Temperature check, masks required, limited capacity, and social distancing.

Friday, November 13, 10 pm – 3 am The Heretic

Atlanta Eagle Last Dance The Atlanta Eagle will be hosting their VIP Farewell party for the 306 Ponce location before they re-open in 2021 at a new but yet unknown location. The event is ticketed, and you select what time slot you want to attend. Tickets via Eventbrite.

November 13-15, The Atlanta Eagle

Abetterbuzz Yard Sale Abetterbuzz releases their new Fall/Winter line at the first-eer ABB YARD SALE - shop all the ABB gear in an outdoor, socially distant setting. Chef Walkie will be serving delectable homemade Fall Punch to warm you up!

Saturday, November 14, 12 – 5 pm 173 Gibson St SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

Sunday Funday Artist Market Shop local vendors, makers, artists, and crafters on the Cultured South back patio, and get yourself ready for the holidays with some safe, socially distanced outdoor shopping, kombucha and brews just off the Beltline.

Sunday, November 15, 1 – 6 pm Cultured South 36 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

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12 W. Peachtree St. NW

15

16

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17

4th St. NE

8

13

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4

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

BARS

Dining

2 Blake's 3 Bulldogs 4 Friends

227 10th St NE 893 Peachtree St NE 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

6 My Sister’s Room 7 Ten Atlanta

66 12th St NE 990 Piedmont Ave NE

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

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

clubs 13 Atlanta Eagle

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

fitness

retail 8 BarkingLeather

9 10 11 12

306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE

spa/bath 15 Flex Spa

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

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ansley 21

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BARS 2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1086 Alco St NE 1931 Piedmont Cir NE

1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd

32 33 34 35 36

Midtown Moon Felix's The Hideaway Mixx Oscar's

1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd

Fitness 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

Spa / bath 2135 Liddell Drive NE

1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Dining 38 Eclectic Bistro

clubs

30 Gravitee Fitness

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28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

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26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

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1600 Piedmont Ave NE 1425 Piedmont Ave NE

Retail 39 Boy Next Door 1447 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Brushstrokes/Pleasures 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

Fitness 41 Equilibrium Fitness

1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

NOT SHOWN

Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta The T Woof's

1287 Glenwood Ave SE 466 Edgewood Ave SE 1400 Northside Dr NW 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE 494 Plasters Ave NE

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

BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN 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

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

HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE

GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510 Piedmont Ave. NE

JOE’S ON JUNIPER joesonjuniper.com 1049 Juniper St NE

BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A

LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE CHESHIRE LAS MARGARITAS lasmargaritasmidtown.com 1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE ROXX 1824 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE DEKALB LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE

FITNESS MIDTOWN URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave N

CHESHIRE

GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

SPAS/BATHS ADULT FLEX SPA flexspas.com 76 4th St NW CHESHIRE THE DEN thedenatlanta.com 2135 Liddell Drive NE

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10

10 Self-Care Things You Can Do After a Stressful Time

These past few weeks have been rough – and that’s saying a lot for a year that dished out a global pandemic to start with! So, take some time for a little self-care, destress, or self-love. We all deserve to take deep breath and let some of all that tension go!

1. Breathe Deeply Breathe on the count of 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8 2. Shed a tear Cry it out, and release the stress 3. Take a Social Media Break Stop the endless scrolling, posting, and commenting 4. Reflect Think of the process that got us here - learn from it!

5. Get Moving Exercise is the perfect way to clear your head and reset your body

42 | follow us @ peachatlmag

6. Find Your Safe Space It can be solitary or with friends or family 7. Let It Go When you’re ready, let the feelings of stress go 8. Talk It Out Find a friend, mentor, or educator and express your feelings 9. Spread Kindness Pay for your friend’s coffee, tell them how proud you are of them, invest time in others 10. Take a Mental Health Day Take some uninterrupted time to focus on you www.peachatl.com

Playmates and soul mates...

Atlanta:

678-528-2525

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We’re closer to Atlanta than you think!

Get the details on our website calendar.

Membership Required *Must be 21 to Enter

Happy Fall Y’all!

The River’s Edge is open and invites you to come, relax and enjoy an escape to gay, country camping.

RV Sites, Cabins and Tent Sites Available!

706-213-8081 www.camptheriversedge.com

The Rivers Edge Campground, 2311 Pulliam Mill Road, Dewy Rose, GA 30634

I love you!

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

Aw, I love you too!

The best part of flight attendant has to be when you walk the aisle saying “trash” to everyone’s face If Trump wins, I’m leaving the country. If Biden wins, I’m leaving the country. This is not a political post – I just want to travel again

ByI cutting off the sleeves love everything about you of all your t-shirts?

That’s so sweet!

I love your flaws too Wait, what flaws?

Doing crunches twice a day now. Captain in the morning, and Netslé in the afternoon

Listen, I may be a hoe but … Wait, that’s it. That’s the statement Daddy Joke Alert I Dammit, I left my Adderall in my Ford Fiesta – now she’s a Ford Focus

44 | follow us @ peachatlmag

I can’t wait to walk down the aisle some day and hear those magical words: “This is your captain speaking…”

Daddy Joke Alert II I told my suitcases there would be no travel this year, so now I’m dealing with emotional baggage

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| 45

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) Things have been extremely hectic, and things aren’t slowing down for you, as you have a very dynamic week ahead of you. You may feel the need to put all your energy into a group project.

You will want to roll up your sleeves and get to work. You’re usually a meditative, pensive person, but now you’re looking for concrete results and actions. Who knows? This hard work might even help you relax a little.

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) Have you ever thought of yourself as a CEO or any other kind of leader? This week is a great week to begin a project involving other people - with you in charge! The strong, assertive side of your personality will come out in your decision making and charisma. Go for it! After all, this is the first day of the rest of your life.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

What happens when events are beyond your control and you’re powerless to do anything about them? Your sense of responsibility is probably the best catalyst, but you may have to admit that sometimes you can’t control everything, especially your family and friends.

This week you should think about letting things happen occasionally. Your life will be a lot less complicated.

The tension of the past couple of weeks does not seem to ease up, and there’s a lot of tension in the air this week. Perhaps you feel like no one is listening to you, and that people are draining your energy. You may act defensively and even occasionally become very angry. It’s possible that no one has seen in you in such a state before.

Don’t be afraid to express your anger. Repressed anger is like poison for your body and soul.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

Here, post-election and with no end to the pandemic in sight, you may have to put a stop to your activities for a little while. You may take a good, hard look at things and realize that the climate of trust you need in order to be productive and creative is missing at the moment. It’s a good time to get some order back into your relationships and remind others of their responsibilities to you.

Your qualities as a Cancer are needed right now, because you have an innate gift for healing and calming other people in crisis situations. If this isn’t what you do for a living, you should think about doing something with this natural talent.

The positions of the planets may be telling you to think about this in more concrete terms. If you’re interested in herbal therapy, for example, this could be the perfect time to learn more.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22)

Recent events has you asking what you are after in life, Capricorn? Deep down, does the kind of work you do satisfy your most intimate desires?

The little problems you encounter in your professional life over the next week could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Take a look around to see if the work you do and the people in your life take your profoundly spiritual nature into account.

Your fluctuating moods over the past weeks have had their effect. You seem to be a specialist at relationships, and you’re very sensitive to the ups and downs in your own. But you may wonder if people love you less than they did before. This is rather an odd question, but another one may be hiding underneath. Do you really have to make such a big effort in order to be loved? Only you can answer that question.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22)

You have been very active, and it’s possible that you’re trying to do too much. If look at the days you spend working, you may realize that too much of your energy goes to some very meager results. Consider taking some time off to take advantage of life. Why not plan a little getaway to reset and reconsider your life? Try and let things happen. You deserve time just for you!

You’re usually full of energy, but this week you may not feel so vivacious. There’s nothing to worry about. In fact, you may have the time to do some thinking about your personal life and what you expect to get out of your relationships. You might also want to think about how you intend to go about getting it! Perhaps some of your motivations have changed lately.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

It’s possible that you could be in conflict with people of the opposite sex today. You may feel as if they put obstacles in front of you and slow you down. But instead of getting into conflicts that could eventually escalate into full-blown confrontations, try and ask yourself what they think you’re doing wrong. Does your personality take into account both your masculine and feminine sides?

46 | follow us @ peachatlmag

You may have had a hard time lately reaching your objectives. Unfortunately for you, this week will be no different. You may begin to feel a bit dissatisfied with the way your life is going at the moment. You will ask yourself certain questions about your goals. Does your personal life live up to those goals? Can you express your wonderful creativity as much as you’d like?

www.peachatl.com

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.

O

ne of my COVID projects was organizing our closets, but when I was going through our closet, I found a box full of BDSM toys. My partner and I have been together for five years now, and I always thought we had a great, albeit ‘normal’ sex life. Now that I found this box, I feel like I don’t know my partner at all. Is it even his, and if he is into that stuff, we seem to be on totally different levels. Furthermore, what does this mean to the sex we’re having? Is he using these toys with someone else? I don’t know how to start this conversation with him. I’m afraid of what he might say. Help, please!

Sincerely Closet Case Dear Closet Case First of all, think of this box of toys more as a conversation starter than a threat. You may feel that your partner is hiding something from you, but so are you for not bringing it up with him. In a way, you are both keeping this at arm’s length, which is keeping everything perfectly vanilla so far. It is scary to acknowledge bigger issues in a relationship, but facing them also allows for a deeper and more genuine connection. You need to tell him what you found, or you’ll be putting a bigger wedge between you. This is also a perfect opportunity for you to talk about your sex life.

Have you been satisfied with the sex? Has he ever expressed an interest in BDSM with you? Did he ever plan to tell you about his interest in BDSM? Do you have negative views of BDSM, and why?

Opening up about these things will bring you closer together and also teach you both a valuable lesson about keeping secrets in a relationship.

have been together with my boyfriend for over ten years now, and we have a good relationship with Ioccasional sex. Although the sex is more vanilla than

when we started our relationship, it is still pretty good, and it is usually initiated by him. There is one thing that he doesn’t know about me, and that is that I masturbate a lot, and generally, I am a lot hornier than what he thinks. This has created a weird situation, because he has expressed a desire to have more sex, but I don’t feel as comfortable with my own body as when I was younger, so I don’t have the same need for sex with him – but I still want to get off several times a day! I guess I have a hard time believing that he really desires me. I feel really guilty about having this concealed and very active sex life, as well as having this unspoken thing between us. How do I open up about this to him? Without hurting him?

Sincerely Secret Bator Dear Secret Bator Having sex and masturbating are two extremely different things, and you get something entirely different from masturbation than you do from partnered sex.

So first of all, don’t feel guilty about masturbating!

If your partner generally wants more sex, chances are that he is also masturbating on his own, so he might be happy and possibly relieved that you have the same sexual outlet. He could also be hurt that you are not bestowing your sexual energy on him, so whatever you do, approach the subject gently – but you do need to talk to him about this! What you can do is consider your responses to how he will react – and that could be the answer to how you resolve this. What if he wants to get involved? Have you considered mutual masturbation? What if he’s upset? How do you protect your solo time? Be open to the conversation and see where it takes you. And you can also start doing another kind of solo work; and that is working through your own body issues with a therapist. You already know that your body can do very positive things for you: having great, uninhibited orgasms on your own.

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