Peach Magazine V4-47 - Holiday JOY by David Atlanta Magazine

Holiday

Joy

The Rear in Review Mr. Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2020 Top Nude Scenes Q&A: More Than Skin Deep Specialty Skin Treatments Dishing Advice Ask the Lesbo is BACK!

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dec 16, 2020 v4-47

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EDITORIAL Mikkel Hyldebrandt Editorial Director mikkel@peachatl.com Brian Sawyer

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FROM THE EDiTOR

CONTRIBUTORS

It’s almost like this issue of Peach will get you on Santa’s naughty list just by flipping through it! You not only get an incredibly sexy cover model, but you also get to meet him inside the issue, and if that wasn’t enough skin for you, Mr. Man has put together a list of their (NSFW-ish) top ten nude scenes of 2020 for us. And speaking of skin, we spoke to Patrick Smith, whose expertise in specialty skincare will get your skin ready for the holidays and beyond. And don’t miss out on the interview with Justin Utley, a sizzling hot Peach of the Week, a new Ask the Lesbo column, and so much more! Happy Holiday Reading, Peaches!

Marci Alt, Mike Bahr, Lewie Katzen Curtwright, Vince Shifflett, Jorge Trevino

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COVER Courtesy of Modus Vivendi Photo: Panos Giannakopoulos Model: Stavros Tzivakos

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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.

Meet the Cover Model

Stavros Tzivakos

Photo: Panos Giannakopoulos for Modus Vivendi

In ancient Greece, people believed that you had to care for the three most essential parts of the self: the Body, the Mind, and the Soul. What do you do to take care of yourself? I listened to my father saying this ancient Greek quote that says, “retain a healthy mind in a healthy body.” The most difficult thing in life, in my opinion, is to own the self-discipline to sustain the balance between what your heart and mind want. I failed in this during my early 20s, but I learned to evaluate my mental health more than anything else in everyday life. The most important lesson I learned at this age is that you can do literally nothing if your mind is not in a healthy state. Therefore, you need to take good care of your body to prepare for the surprises – both good and bad – that life holds for you. Do you believe people can change? I do not believe that people’s character can change, although they can adapt to what life holds for them. Taking this into consideration, we all have the potential to adapt and become the best version of ourselves. The more challenging life hits you, the stronger you become, and the only skill necessary is to believe in yourself and have the courage to embrace changes. What’s your favorite inspiration or person of all times? I do not have a favorite person to look up to, although I admire people that fall and get back up stronger than before. I will quote my father again (maybe I look up to him sometimes), who keeps saying that “if you fall ten times, you must get back on your feet eleven.” What are some of the important causes or issues you support? It depends on what difference you would like to see in the world and how you would like to support those making that difference. What does really bother you? Environmental issues, poor access to education, children’s health, violation of human rights, treatment of the elderly, mental healthcare, women’s rights? My way of providing help is to support each person who would feel the need to talk to someone or require someone to understand them, i.e., for mental health issues.

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Are you currently in a relationship? And what do you value in a person? I prefer having a real connection with someone by locating the most vulnerable part of their heart, understanding it, and then offering first a piece of mine for the other person to express themselves more easily. Such connections forge moments that will always be remembered as unique by both parts. If our will binds with destiny, we may move on as partners in what is called life. What are you passionate about? My greatest passion is to exercise my body and mind. Training my body was my passion since I was a kid, as I was swimming literally day and night to reach my goals. My hard training was rewarded in the form of a gold medal back in 2008 when I won the National Championship in 400m freestyle. As I’m getting older and wiser, I want to work with what I’m passionate about, making my parents proud through my happiness, finding someone who I deeply connect with, living a healthy life full of the best experiences, and the most important, getting old with lots of memories. What makes you happy? Being surrounded by people that love me makes me feel comfortable. This feeling offers me that simply the greatest joy of all. How has COVID-19 impacted your life? I can certainly say that the covid-19 pandemic has not affected significantly my daily routine. My everyday life still moves along the lines described in response number 1 above, more or less. Follow Stavros Tzivakos @stavros_tziv All images courtesy of Modus Vivendi. Stavros is wearing items from the Fall/Winter Glam Sparkle Line, available now at e-modusvivendi.com.

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Patrick opened his own business, Skinquility, in 2016 after working in a local salon and graduating from the International School of Skin, Nails, and Massage in 2011. After a shutdown due to COVID-19, Patrick is back in full form with a safe spa environment and a wide selection of facials and treatments for every skin type and sensitivity. With ten years of experience under his belt, Patrick has mastered his craft but remains teachable in tandem with the ever-changing beauty industry.

Your business, Skinquility, specializes in a wide variety of facial treatments. Can you tell us a li�le bit about what treatments you oﬀer? I offer a variety of corrective facials, chemical peeling, oxygen infusion, microdermabrasion, dermalplaning, LED light therapy, and lash and brow tinting. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your business? I shut down my business for six months during the height of the COVID shutdown. It was important that I kept my clients safe as well as myself. Although this was a scary time for business owners, I am grateful I made it through, and I’m excited to grow my business and continue to thrive. Now, having lived and worked under a pandemic for so long, how has the demand for treatments changed? After an extended shutdown, my clients were hungry for skin services as well as human touch and interaction. I knew I had to implement new procedures for how things would run. I started taking temperatures, putting extra time between each guest, and thoroughly cleaning the treatment room to ensure things would be safe. Men’s skin ages diﬀerently than women’s – what course of treatment do you recommend for someone who wants to keep a more youthful appearance? I recommend regular facials every 4-6 weeks and switching up the treatments depending on skin type and sensitivity. It’s also imperative to have a good home regimen. Just like going to the gym, if you’re not eating right at home, you won’t get good and lasting results.

More Than Skin Deep By Mikkel Hyldebrandt

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Looking ahead, how do you think the pandemic will change the beauty industry? Although, no one can really be sure of what will happen next, I am hopeful that we can get through this trying time and come out stronger than ever. This is much bigger than just the beauty industry – I believe we have to work together so ALL industries can be successful. Looking ahead for you – do you have any new and exciting treatments coming? I am constantly adding the latest, and what I believe are the most effective skin treatments. My facials and skin treatments are always changing and improving, so I can provide the best service possible.

Visit skinquility.com to learn more and to book your appointment with Patrick.

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Atlanta’s Favorite Holiday Fundraiser was a success!

Thank YOU! To all the Staff, volunteers, donors and everyone that made the 2020 FTK virtual Toy Party a huge success!

donate to atlanta’s kids in need today! See you in 2021 Proudly sponsored by @PEACHATLMAG

PEACH MEDIA & PRINTING

The Rear in Review

Mr. Man’s Top 10 Nude Scenes of 2020 By Jorge Trevino The COVID-19 pandemic may have walloped the film and TV industries, closing cinemas and forcing many movies direct to digital, but there was an upside to the year. Or more like a back and front side… 2020 saw more nudity in film than ever before! It wasn’t only the female kind, either, as a greater number of male actors chose to bare their bodies, too. SNL’s Andy Samberg and Nicholas Hoult (best known as the adorable Marcus Brewer in the romantic comedy About a Boy), showed their hams in 2020 with Samberg running through the desert in Palm Springs and Hoult brazenly parading through the palace in The Great. Several men of color stripped from their skivvies, including Samson Ajewole in the HBO series I May Destroy You and Daniel Kaluuya in Queen & Slim. Some actors even dared to free willy it in 2020! Tom Mercier went full frontal in We Are Who We Are, as did Italian stallion Michele Morrone in 365 Days, Matt Bomer in Boys in the Band and Paul Mescal in Normal People. All ten scenes are viewable for free and in their entirety at www.mrman.com/top10-of-the-year/2020. Mr. Man’s Top 10 Nude Scenes of 2020 were chosen by Mr. Man’s editorial, production and marketing teams. #10

Matt Bomer Boys in the Band #9

Andy Samberg Palm Springs 12 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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Paapa Essiedu and Samson Ajewole

I May Destroy You #7

Michele Morrone 365 Days #6

Juan Carlos Maldonado The Prince #5

Dan J. Johnson P-Valley #4

Tom Mercier We Are Who We Are #3

Daniel Kaluuya Queen & Slim

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Nicholas Hoult The Great #1

Paul Mescal Normal People

All ten scenes are viewable for free and in their entirety at www.mrman.com/top10-of-the-year/2020.

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| 15

Justin Utley Sparkles in “All Is Bright”

By Mike Bahr

“My favorite Christmas memory is from when I was eight years old, and my family finally got a piano,” recalls OUTMusic Award-winning singer/songwriter Justin Utley. “It was an old Conover upright, and it weighed a few tons. I grew up playing it, wrote my first songs on it when I was 12, and moved it in and out of a number of apartments before I moved to New York City. My parents still have it at their house today. It’s a nostalgic piece and means even more to me when I play it.” In “All Is Bright,” his first holiday release, Utley sings how even during these dark and tumultuous times, there’s still a silver lining. “The pandemic has brought people closer together,” he says. “There’s nothing like spending time surrounded by the people who matter most, even if it’s over Zoom.” 16 | follow us @ peachatlmag

Written and produced by Utley and T. Harts, “All is Bright” is an optimistic yet not overly sweet holiday song. Utley describes it as a little-bit of Lumineers/ Mumford & Sons mixed in with a lot- a-bit of Justin. “It’s a unique sound that I believe has the makings to become a new holiday favorite.” 2020 was a tough year. How were you impacted by the pandemic? It has been a really tough year, emotionally and socially, due to Covid, and most all my gigs and touring were canceled this year due to the outbreak. It’s been really hard for me to not be able to do live shows right now, but I feel that next year will hopefully be even better for it. I’ve thrown my efforts behind music videos and some new music to keep buzz going and keep engagement up. www.peachatl.com

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that’s happened this year, the timing would be perfect to release the song and hopefully brighten up the holiday and close out the year on a hopeful note. The pre-sales of the single will be donated to the Homeless Youth Resource Center of Utah. About 42% of our homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, which is higher than many other states. Giving back to a cause is important to me, and this season I’m grateful for the opportunity to help out a cause I believe in so strongly and a resource that is needed so badly.

How do you remain so optimistic? Because there’s always a silver lining. Even if you can’t see it, and you have to make one. Good things are on the horizon, so while it’s been a really rough year so far, I have a lot to look forward to and be grateful for. Do you lean on faith in turbulent times such as these? I lean on my faith in the goodness of people and the hope that things will work out for the better. As disappointing as it’s been to sift through who I can really lean on during these times, it’s also created deeper relationships with the people who’ve stepped up. Those are the people who matter most in life.

Who do you hope to find under the mistletoe this holiday? I think I might be mistletoe-free again this year. But if Henry Cavill happens to stop by with something to decorate with, I’d happily accept. Justin Utley’s “All Is Bright” is available on all digital platforms, as is his latest album, Stars. Visit Justin Utley’s website @ Justinutley.com. Follow him on Instagram @ justinutley and Facebook @ justinutleymusic.

Why was it important for you to write and release “All Is Bright” this holiday? This particular song has been swimming around in my head for over a year or two. I felt with everything chaotic and grim 18 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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| 19

The Pink and Wave by Lewie Katzen Curtwright

The untold story of the 2020 election is the glowing rainbow illuminating the backdrop of what was otherwise largely seen as an exhaustively divisive election cycle replete with unprecedented negativity. It’s not unfathomable that many voters were driven to apathy for mere self-preservation’s sake as they navigated incessant attack ads, debate daggers, and the pitfalls of increasingly hyper-partisan cable news and social media channels. The burnout was real, and chances are many of us were not alone in that sentiment. The exciting news is that we as a nation all just witnessed a government that is more representative of its electorate than ever before emerged from the ashes of the dumpster fire. There are several races yet to be called, and a handful of runoffs set to take place, with of course the most visible taking place right here in the Peach State made even more remarkable by the fact that two of the four candidates running include a woman from the GOP and a Democratic African-American man vying for two consequential seats in the world’s most prestigious deliberative body. Let’s do a

quick dive on the raw numbers for the vast majority of races that have been called and the implications for what is set to become the most eclectic composition of elected officials in our nearly 225-year history. From local to federal and in between, female, PoC, and LGBT candidates ran for and were victorious across the country from Hawaii to New York and beyond. From the top down, we are led by the glass-obliterating arrival of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, whose trailblazing story is a victory for intersectionality rivaled only by spaghetti junction at rush hour. The California Democrat is the first ciswoman, Asian-American, African-American, and daughter of immigrants to catapult to the White House with over 80 million votes, by far the most ever recorded. Come January, she will become the highest-ranking female elected official in American history and the one with the most viable pathway to the presidency. Her incredible ascent led to her crowning as the 2020 Person of the Year by Time Magazine alongside her running mate, President-Elect Joseph R. Biden.

Executive tickets have been trending more toward women participants for over a decade, especially when you consider that three of the last four presidential elections had a female candidate running alongside increased voter turnout each time. Midterm elections have also had a similar effect recently. In 2018, over 125 women served in the 116th Congress. This was in part to what political pundits deemed “The Blue Wave,” which saw Democrats pick up a 40-seat gain in The House of Representatives, the largest since Watergate. However, exit polls and gender research show it was, in fact, a pink wave that saw record numbers of women voting, running, and yes, winning office than ever before, leading to 2018 being dubbed “The Year of the Woman” similar to the seismic gains seen 26 years prior in 1992 known by that same nickname in political circles. Downballot, exceptional success at the federal level by women in 2018 continued this election as well. There will be a record-breaking 136 women serving in the 117th Congress, led by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi despite her caucus facing some brutal losses and trimming her majority down to just a few seats over the 218 threshold needed to retain the gavel. In fact, the GOP is sending the highest number of women to both houses of the federal legislature, showing that both sides of the aisle are trending in a more representative direction that is more reflective of the voters that employ them at the ballot box. LGBT candidates made rainbow waves from coast to coast as well and included some powerful trailblazers by queer candidates of color. In total, nearly 1,000 open and out candidates ran, with nearly 400 winning their races nationwide. Atlanta’s

very own Kim Jackson will become the first Black Lesbian and Episcopal Priest to serve in the Georgia state Senate. In the Hawaii state legislature, Asian-American queer candidate Adrian Tam defeated his opponent, endorsed by White Nationalist-aligned group The Proud Boys, showing that love indeed does triumph over hate in the Aloha State. Thousands of miles East, champagne bottles were heard popping for the double milestone of the first two openly gay black members elected to the United States Congress from New York. Native-American women of color also made history with electoral victories at the state level in New Mexico and Kansas, as did Latinx officials and candidates with disabilities in multiple cities and states. Transgender candidates increased their profile as well, with nine elected officials nationwide after the 2020 victors are certified and seated. This comes, of course, after the historic win of Danica Roem, who took on her transphobic incumbent and defeated him resoundingly to become the first transgender state-wide office holder in the 2017 wave election that delivered the Virginia House of Delegates to the Democrats. Miss Roem was re-elected in 2019, leading the way for the nine-fold increase that awaits us as sworn oaths prepare to be recited from sea to shining sea in 2021. Offices from local to the Oval are seeing a welcome color shift, which shows no signs of slowing down as we continue to show our diversity is our strength. Whether you look at the last four years or the 2020 presidential election outcome with doom and gloom, it’s is true what Mariah said: “After every storm, if you look hard enough… a rainbow appears.”

By Marci Alt

Because we all need a wise Lesbian BFF!

Sometimes you just need the advice of a seasoned queer woman in your life! Thanks for reading and remember to send in your questions so you too can get advice from me THE LESBO. I will take a stab at any question you may ask. You may or may not like my answer, however, I will answer you.

Dear INCLUSION Thanks for your question. I believe Atlanta has come a very long way in coming together as one community. I have lived here for over 30 years, and I have watched and witnessed some separation between ourselves as a community. My advice to Dear Lesbo you is to make sure you attend the many diversified As I sit and contemplate this weird question, I hope organizations available to us as a community. Check you can give me some much-needed advice: My out the HRC; they have many events and as a cardgirlfriend and I have been together for many years, carrying member to this organization, I can assure you and although I believe our sex life is amazing, she has most of their events have equal amounts of people a very strong kinship to her vibrator. Now, this in itself in attendance. Atlanta Pride is also a fun place to go isn’t a problem for me, however, how do I make her and has just as many women attend as men. I also understand that I don’t feel inadequate because she believe the only lesbian bar in town, MSR, caters to needs to hear the sound and feel the vibration near all people. INCLUSION, really, my advice to you is just her to have a clitoral orgasm? keep putting yourself out there and keep generating Thanks, equality in our community because as together we EVERREADY Bunny in My Bed stand divided we fall. This question really hits my heart as I have been Dear EVERREADY fighting for equality for years. I truly thank the Thanks for your question! Although this question may owners of Peach for allowing me this column as this be hard for some to hear, I understand your need is another way to chip away from the ‘separatist’ for your girlfriend to hear that you are ok with the stereotypes. This column is proof that Peach fact she needs this for stimulation. After many years magazine is not for gay men only. Watch out men of of using a vibrator, one’s body will adapt to what is Peach, the LESBO is now in your house too! satisfying them sexually. Maybe you should ask her to allow you to use the vibrator on her and show her -how you can be the MASTER of the vibrator. Or maybe Marci Alt is a household name within the Atlanta you should keep assuring her that you are a confident LGBTQ+ community – she created the The Gay and strong woman that loves her and this is just Community Yellow Pages and runs the popular another amazing addition to your sex life… Hang in Gayborhood online platform. Being part of the there and buy some stock in BATTERIES and keep the community does not give her the experience alone vibration going! to answer the questions on this page, but many ---------------------------------------------------------------------- years owning and running several successful businesses and being the parent of two amazing Dear Lesbo children certainly quantifies her knowledge, that I am a gay man from a different state. I was wondering she so generously shares with you in this column. why in Georgia mostly all gay events seem to be either for men or for women? I really would love Do you have a question to Ask the to see more togetherness rather than a separated Lesbo? Please email your questions to community as a whole. marci@peachatl.com. Thanks, Searching for INCLUSION

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It seems most of my life I have certainly been afflicted with the “Disease to Please.” My desire and/or need to please has too frequently led to my inability to say no. My dis-ease to please has really been prevalent in my relationships. Where did my disease to please come from? As with most things in my life, my disease to please came from a place of fear. Fear of not being accepted if I didn’t please. Fear of being alone if I didn’t please. Fear of hurting someone if I said no even though I was hurting. My disease to please also came partly from my lack of feeling worthy. Worthy enough to please myself. Being a Registered Nurse, I have always been a care-taker. Concerned more about the needs and desires of others than my own. The need to please and take care of others. Being a care-taker is perfectly fine and a great quality to have in my opinion as long as you take care of yourself first and foremost. That has been my challenge. I have been more focused on pleasing him to keep him. My disease to please stems way back to my childhood. It not only comes from a place of fear but also from a place of insecurity. The feeling of not being good enough to please myself. I must please others. It seems I spent most of my childhood trying to please the man known as my father. I wanted his love and acceptance so bad. Unfortunately, I never got it. Setting boundaries is part of the key to controlling the disease to please affliction. I am working on setting boundaries and am grateful to have come a long way. Not quite 100% there yet, but certainly more aware.

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I have found it important to set boundaries with: • Friends • Family • Jobs • Romantic Partners Saying no and putting yourself first is not selfish at all. It is essential. It is perfectly okay to say no. It is perfectly okay to set boundaries with how people treat you and how you treat yourself. It is not okay for family, friends, jobs or romantic partners to disrespect you in any way. Say no and walk away. Is it okay to want to please? Absolutely. Anytime we can make someone smile or add to their life in a positive way, that’s a good thing. It is when we are unable to say no and go against what our spirit is telling us that it becomes a problem. I have suffered from this more in romantic relationships than anything. Fear of saying no. The overwhelming disease to please my partner for fear of losing him even when it meant not being true to myself. My biggest fear, particularly as I grow older, has been the fear of being alone. I have allowed this fear to keep me afflicted with this dis-ease to please. I am learning that we are never really all alone. We are one with universal energy and one with spirit. We are all

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DisEase to Please: Pleasing Him to Keep Him By Vince Shifflett

connected. Yes, there will be times when you feel disconnected. Take that time to please yourself. Take that time to be good to yourself. Use the disease to please in your favor.

The disease to please makes one a perfect target to be taken advantage of or simply taken for granted. Set boundaries. Say no. It is empowering and part of self-care.

A little compromise for the one you love is perfectly fine from time to time. Just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lose yourself in the process because you are eaten up with the disease to please. Please each other but most of all, please yourself.

Much love, Vince

Vince is a Critical Care Registered Nurse, Author, and Speaker. You can follow him on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram as well as on his website at vinceshifflett.com. | 35

DEC 16-22

We believe in safety first, so this lineup features mainly virtual events or in-person events with limited capacity that enforce CDC guidelines. 2020 Dog Film Festival The 2020 DOG FILM FESTIVAL is an annual celebration of the love between dogs and their people, through eight short films from around the world that inspire, educate and entertain, benefiting local animal welfare groups that bring people and pets together—tickets through landmarktheatres.com. Wednesday, December 16, 7 – 10 pm Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema Edward Scissorhands at the Drive-In Experience the Tim Burton cult classic from the safety of your car. Get ready for some expert scissoring, and feel free to wear themed costumes. Stay in your vehicles unless you need to use the Plaza restroom. Masks are required outside of cars. Friday, December 18, 7:30 pm The Plaza Drive-In Holiday Memories - A Virtual Concert The Holiday concert includes new virtual choral performances, filmed songs, and musical memories from past OurSong shows. It’s all about memories from the past and new memories to make for the future. Saturday, December 19, 7 – 8:30 pm Online with Facebook Live

Holiday Artist Market Over 20 local artists join our regular farmers market vendors each week for the holiday markets. This is the perfect chance to buy beautiful handmade gifts for family and friends while shopping with your favorite farmers and vendors. Saturday, December 19, 8:30 am – 12 pm The Cathedral of St. Philip Parking Lot

The Rink at Park Tavern The skating rink is back with limited capacity fun! Individual and group passes are available, masks required, and social distancing enforced—tickets at parktavern.com. Ongoing until January 17 Park tavern 36 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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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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Piedmont Park

Retail

28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

Dining

26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

BARS

24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

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28 20

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26 35

20 BJ Roosters 21 Sequel 22 Tripps

42 The Den

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Manchester St. NE

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42 L

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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 Louisaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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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ways to celebrate the Holidays a little bit safer this year The Holidays are here, and we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, so it’s time to get creative to ﬁnd safe ways to celebrate with friends and family. Happy Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa! 1. Avoid Large Indoor Gatherings Small gatherings with people in your pod or household are okay

6. Prioritize Traditions If you can’t do all of them, do the ones that matter the most to you - and safely

2. Mask Up Wear a mask when possible to limit yourself and others to exposure

7. Trim a Tree Outdoors It’s fun to pick out a tree together, it’s outdoors, and it’s a good bit of exercise too!

3. Go Virtual Have a virtual dinner party, cocktail party, or meetup with friends

8. Spread Some Joy With a world turned upside down, it is simple to spread a little joy for someone else. Buy someone a gift, make a meal, or donate to charity.

4. Shop Online Avoid overcrowded malls but shop locally and online instead 5. Get Tested If you do choose to meet with friends or family, make sure you get tested beforehand to limit the chance of exposure

9. Make the Most of Your Time Zoom parties, socially distanced walks or gatherings are very important this year, so make sure you commit to it. 10. Remember that what’s different this year may make this holiday more special It’s hard to envision now, but in time we’ll look back at 2020 and perhaps even smile.

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You’re so dreamy

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

I just do my best to make you happy

I just caught a disgusting pervert on the bus watching porn over my shoulder!

ByYou’re cutting off the– sleeves perfect there has to of be all ayour t-shirts? catch! You know, I just think it was just God’s plan for us … aaaaand there it is!

Asking for a friend

Will eggnog cure a tequila hangover?

As if we couldn’t love Lady Gaga more, she now has her own flavor of Oreos! I’m both excited and terrified to see what plot twist 2020 has in store for us! Daddy Joke Alert

Bacon is 73% fat and very salty. Me too, bacon. Me too!

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The year is coming to an end, and I want to be on good terms with everyone – so apologize to me right now!

A major plus about masks besides limiting the spread of the virus – I don’t have to fake smile all the time!

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John was born in Panama City, FL, but moved to Atlanta when he was five, so he’s pretty close to being a native Atlantan. He was a flight attendant, but he got furloughed because of the pandemic, and he now does billing for a gastro surgeon – and he can’t wait to get back to the skies when it’s possible again! John works out regularly so he can eat his favorite junk foods, and he loves to be outdoors in nature. He much prefers reading a book or watching a movie with friends or his cat Mr. Pickles.

@ bohnjennett

See more photos at

peachatl.com JOHN C. BENNETT

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20) Have some good earthy fun today by going out and getting your hands dirty. Not on the social circuit, mind you, but in the garden where you’ll tap into that green thumb and dig your way to new-found inspiration. A walk outdoors could also do it, and you’ll find opportunity at every turn – maybe a handsome flirt that could blossom and grow into something more if that’s what you want.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20) You have no problem communicating with your friends, and the chatter could go on all night. Your family, though, is a different story. Perhaps you still haven’t come clean to them, or they’re still dealing with your orientation, but family conversations are uncomfortable. Try opening lines of communication with them. You may have to be the catalyst in helping them understand the true you.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21) People will drive you crazy today, and you’ll prefer to go back in isolation and being in the company of animals. This means you wouldn’t have to listen to the details of their each and every petty drama. That may not be possible, so deal with the humans in your life as best you can. Be cordial and pretend to listen attentively as you daydream about strolling hand in hand along a beach with Henry Cavill.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) Like a surgeon, you have honed your ability to expertly cut away to reveal and remove the offending parts after months marveling at people’s behavior during this pandemic. Use this talent in your business life today and you will see the details that will help your day run smoothly and efficiently. In your personal life, you will be able to get in deeper by removing bothersome things like shirts and underwear.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22) You have regressed a little into your shell, so squint your eyes and get out the magnifying glass today, as the small details will be larger than life. This will be true in all parts of your life, as your analytical mind won’t leave anything to chance. Take advantage of this by making plans, especially those dealing with travel. You’ll have all your bases covered, and you can relax when the day of the trip arrives.

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) A recent surge of rare optimism in you has thrown you into spending splurges, that now will have you cutting back, and cutting corners, as your bank account has gone from riches to rags. Being a little more conservative in your spending, and putting yourself on a smart budget, will have the coffers healthy and strong again in no time. So, keep you r lavish lifestyle in check and call in few favors from when you were generous.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22) AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) In a world marred by the threat of fake news, tread with caution when dealing with others today, because they may not have the same clarity of vision.This can lead to misunderstandings, especially with boyfriends, who always seem to hear only what they want to hear. Make your intentions known to them today. By using simple logic, and small, easy-to-understand words, they might just see things your way.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20) Even though we are somewhat limited in what we can do right now, sometimes it’s best to just let your freak flag fly, and live life on the run. Making it up as you go along can bring about a spontaneity that can lead to fresh and original ideas. So, don’t mull over the tiny details today; they will only slow you down.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19) New opportunities have you thinking your workday is something out of a movie: Fast-paced action on the most exciting and challenging projects, after which you get the guy and a happy ending. In reality, you are still working from home, and things couldn’t be duller, and mundane projects are laden with frustrating details that only slow you down. Make the best of it at work today. Your excitement will come after work, when you will get the guy.

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You have so many details on your mind you can’t keep track of them all, and you’re as unfocused as a showing of abstract performance art. Today could be a good one to just let go, and let your mind drift. When you emerge from your selfimposed exile, you will find that your clarity will return. Dealing with the details will be much easier.

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22) Distanced socializing will put you in contact with people with whom you may have had shaky relationships, like ex-boyfriends and jilted lovers. This prospect always has you nervous, but you will be amazed that they are happy to see you, and the troubles of the past have stayed there. Holding grudges is silly but be careful that that bad seed isn’t trying to creep into your life again.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21) You’ve dug up some dirt on a rival that you’re probably not supposed to know. How you came across the info is strictly confidential, but disclosure could be quite damaging. You’re tempted to get back at him for his many offenses by quietly leaking the news to a public who will eat it up. But something is holding you back. What if it were you? Keep it to yourself.

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Trouble in the love department? With sex? Or just people in general? Send us your queries, questions, and problems, and you’ll get answers served straight up and with a little ice.

I am being left alone on Christmas – again. My boyfriend is going home to spend the Holidays with his family for the third year in a row, and I have yet to be invited to meet his parents and family. They know I exist but have no interest in meeting me, and my boyfriend has made no effort even to introduce me. And that really hurts my feelings. His parents are in their 80s and have a lot of health problems, so he’s afraid that it would upset them too much if you were to be brought home with him. For the past three years, my Christmas has been incredibly lonely. I don’t have a lot of family, and practically no contact with them, and all my friends are busy with their families. I don’t know how to talk to my boyfriend about this because I’m scared that we’ll end up in a situation where I force him to choose them or me – but the situation has me feeling hurt and angry! Am I terribly mean for feeling this way? Sincerely Holidazed and Confused Dear Holidazed and Confused It is painful to be treated as ‘less than,’ so no, you are not mean for feeling this way! But introducing a consequential dynamic into the relationship – them or me! – is almost never a good move. This year though, your boyfriend should not be going home to see his parents! The global pandemic is still raging and claiming thousands of lives a day, so to go to see his parents that are in their eighties is like the worst thing he could possibly do right now! He could be quarantining for weeks and getting tested and all that, but it still wouldn’t be a good idea. That still doesn’t mean that you can’t start a conversation about this issue where you can hopefully better understand each other’s view on the matter. Maybe you’ll learn to view his leaving you on Christmas as devotion and not a fear of parental rejection. Maybe he will understand just how rejected and lonely you feel and will try to make an effort to pry open the minds of his parents. You may also consider building closer relationships with your friends, or maybe making new friends, so you are a little better off not relying on just one person for companionship. But this Christmas, just stay home and celebrate Christmas together!

I’ve been seeing this guy for a while. We’re not really dating, but we spend a good amount of time together. Lately, he has been hinting rather strongly at Christmas presents from me to him, and these are pretty expensive wishes like cologne or clothing, and honestly, I wasn’t even thinking of getting him anything. What do I do? Sincerely Presently Just Dating Dear Presently Just Dating It seems pretty clear that your non-boyfriend is either under the impression that things are more progressed than they are, or he is trying to gauge where you are as a couple by what you are willing to get him. Maybe this is actually a good time for you to do the same thinking? What do you plan to do with this guy? Is there potential for a relationship, are you willing and ready to commit, or do you need to make things clear to him with the risk that this is where the fun ends? If you don’t want to deal with any of that right before Christmas, give him the perfect present for datingnot-dating-we’ll-see-what-happens-relationships: cute and sexy underwear!

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