Peach Magazine V5-06 - Making History

Making

History Stanley Tucci On Playing Gay The Gayest Straight Actor You Know

A Tribute to Heroes & Sheroes

History of Black Gay America

Mitzi’s Inspired Thots

Single and Ready to Stay Single

C

ontents

media & printing

FEB 17, 2021 V5-06

PEACH MEDIA 6050 Dawson Blvd, Ste O Norcross, GA 30093

MANAGING PARTNER Brian Sawyer brian@peachatl.com

PAGE 10 PAGE 12

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

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

PAGE 16 PAGE 30

Graphics

SALES | DISTRIBUTION Andrea Dwyer andrea@peachatl.com

From the Editor

We continue with our recognition and celebration of Black History Month with the first installment of tributes to the heroes and sheroes who have shaped American Black history. Curated

by Mr. History of Back Gay Atlanta himself and the cover model of this issue, Miko Evans presents some of the local profiles who have indeed made a difference in our city and state.

The celebrity issue in this issue is with Stanley Tucci, who talks playing gay since 1996, people thinking he’s gay, and texting Cher. We also have a new installment of Mitzi Pennington’s Inspired Thots, a recommendation to check out the large-scale Drive ‘N Drag show, and a book recommendation by one of Peach’s contributing writers, Vince Shifflett.

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Azzopardi Miko Evans Mirza Muftic

NATIONAL AD REP Rivendell Media | 908.232.2021

Happy Black History Month!

Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Editorial Director | IG @hyldebrandt ONLINE

PRINT

peachatl.com

At Distribution Points Across the City

SOCIAL FB:facebook.com/peachatlmag

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

Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021!

Join Bianca Del Rio and the Super Queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race in their mission to save us from “2020.” Watch them live on stage from the safety of the outdoor drive-in theater at Sugarloaf Mills.

Joining Bianca Del Rio in Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 will be the super galactic Aquaria; the luminous Asia O’Hara; the incredible she-hulk Kameron Michaels; the dazzling Naomi Smalls; the goddess Plastique and the seductress, Violet Chachki.

In Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021, attendees enjoy the live theatrical experience from the safety of inside or beside their cars with festive décor, concert style stage and lighting, Jumbotron screens, and sound pumped outside from the stage and through every car via FM transmitters. Food and beverages are available via Gourmet Food Trucks and limited-edition merchandise featuring your favorite queens will be available, too!

The outdoor concert series will begin in Atlanta on February 19th and will continue across Florida and Texas through March, ending in Los Angeles.

WHAT Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 WHEN Friday, February 19 (7:30 + 9:00 pm shows) Saturday, February 20 (7:30 + 9:00 pm shows) WHERE Sugarloaf Mills in Atlanta Tickets at vossevents.com/drive-n-drag/ 8 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

Practical and Personal Insights to Better Relationships

Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt

Vince Shifflett is not only a contributing writer to Peach, but he is also an author, speaker, and critical care registered nurse – and he has just released a new book, “RelationSHIP or RelationSHIT,” which is a guide and roadmap to achieve meaningful relationships while ridding yourself of the toxic ones.

“My motivation and inspiration to write this book came from many sources but mostly from my own personal journey,” Vince explains, “I realized that relationships as far back as my childhood were still affecting me today. In other words, they kept me in a RelationSHIT with my mind and myself.”

The book asks how you know when to hold on tighter or when to let go. Relationships can be tricky, timeconsuming, and confusing. Some relationships are worth investing in; others can turn out to be relationshits that eat you up then spit you out.

In his practical, down-to-earth book, Shifflett guides you on setting the foundation for the most important relationship you have—your relationship with yourself. With solid self-love in place, each chapter ventures into helping you cultivate beneficial relationships with God, family, friends, lovers, your mind, your past, and even your future goals. Packed with Shifflett’s medical insights as a registered nurse, unique hard-earned truths, and heartbreaking experiences, Relationship or Relationshit is the road map you need to avoid the shit life throws at you and instead foster the wisdom you need to succeed in life. “Realizing that my story is not necessarily unique, I still wanted to

10 | follow us @ peachatlmag

share it in an effort to create change and stimulate self-healing in others as well as myself,” Shifflett elaborates.

Through his straightforward message, Shifflett cultivates a new approach to help you avoid relationshits and embrace rich relationships that you can count on. “It is my greatest intention and hope that this book will be enlightening for others and will lead to greater self-love and healthier relationships across the board.”

RelationSHIP or RelationSHIT: Which One Are You In?

by Vince Shifflett is available now on Amazon.

www.peachatl.com

Stanley Tucci the Gayest Straight Actor You Know

By Chris Azzopardi Photos: Bleecker Street

Stanley Tucci has survived the icy death stare of Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly and told Cher to her face that she looks like a drag queen. Aside from starring as the queer second-in-command next to those gay icons in “The Devil Wear Prada” and “Burlesque,” the 60-year-old actor also donned a poofy wig in “Little Chaos” as the king’s gay brother.

The chameleonic actor is at it yet again with his latest gay role — Tusker in “Supernova,” a moving portrait of a couple in crisis written and directed by Harry Macqueen. Here, he portrays a man suffering from early-onset dementia along12 | follow us @ peachatlmag

side Colin Firth’s Sam, his partner of 20 years.

Aboard their old RV, the couple head out on a road trip across the mountainous region of England’s Lake District to visit people and places that are special to them, their love tested as Tusker’s memory continues to deteriorate.

During a recent call, Tucci talked about being a straight man who’s been playing gay since 1996, his wife finding out that the internet thinks he’s gay, and how he can’t believe so many people actually tell him they love “Burlesque.”

www.peachatl.com

During the pandemic, I watched “The Daytrippers,” which came out in 1996, and realized that you’ve been playing gay even longer than I thought.

in the movie. You see me at the beginning and then you see me at the end, so there really wasn’t enough there to talk about.

How have you gotten away Ha! That was my first gay kiss. I loved with playing gay all these years that movie so much. (Writer-director) when so many straight actors Greg Mottola made that for no money, have not? like $65,000 dollars or something.

You have to tell me how I’ve gotten away When it comes to the way the with it. You’re the one who has to tell me. film treated homosexuality, how Ha! I don’t know! I don’t know! Somedo you compare a role like that, body said recently — it was written in a as Louis, to your role as Tusker magazine or something: Colin and I are the only two straight men who, as far as in “Supernova”? they’re concerned, are allowed to play What I love about “Supernova” is that gay men, nobody else. sexuality isn’t even an issue. They’re just two people who’ve been together I’ve been telling my friends that in a long relationship for a long time, I think you’re able to get away and they love each other. You could’ve with playing gay because peomade it with a heterosexual couple, but ple think that you are gay.

I think this is more interesting. And the fact that it’s never dwelled on — it’s Ha! There was a time when there were never even mentioned — is fantastic, a lot of people out there who thought and hopefully more movies like that will I was gay. I don’t think that’s the case anymore, but I don’t know. Who knows. be made.

After this movie, you never know.

What I loved about “Daytrippers” was that there was no judgment on the part Listen, my feeling is: Whatever role you of anyone and the fact that this char- play, you just have to be truthful to the acter was gay. What I liked was that it character and to the tone of the film. showed his complete confusion and how And if I’m presented with something, he felt he was supposed to live his life whether it’s a gay character or a straight one way and then — we see it only in character or whatever character, if it the end — when he says, “Help me. I doesn’t ring true to me, then I really don’t know what to do. I’m really con- can’t do it. Or I will do my best to have fused.” I liked that because there are a it rewritten, rewrite it myself, change the lines, and do it the way it should lot of people like that. be done.

I remember the days of a straight actor playing a gay man I’m curious about this time in and how there was talk of how your life when people thought “brave” that was. What was the you were gay. When was that? conversation around you play- What do you remember from that period? ing gay in 1996 versus now?

You know what, there wasn’t even a I don’t remember anyone coming up to conversation about it. I’ll be honest: It me and saying, “You’re gay, aren’t you?” wasn’t a conversation. Also, I was barely It wasn’t quite that. Ha! But it was quite

| 13

a while after “The Devil Wears Prada,” and I remember when I was dating Felicity (Blunt), my wife, she’d punch in my name on the internet and the first thing that would come up was “Stanley Tucci Gay.” She was like, “See, look!” I was like, “Wait a minute!”

I didn’t really care. And now if you punch my name in, I don’t think that’s the first thing that comes up. It probably just comes up “Stanley Tucci Old.” There’s been increasing pushback on straight actors playing LGBTQ roles. For you, is there apprehension or a different kind of thought process when considering playing a gay role, and how has that changed for you over the years?

No, I’m not apprehensive. I do want to make sure there isn’t — and I always feel this way — someone out there who’s better for it than I am. And if there are people who are gay who are more right for it, then they should be doing it.

Now, I think that the problem here is that one of the reasons that gay actors have not played gay roles is that a lot of gay actors weren’t able to come out and be openly gay for so long, not just in society but in Hollywood. So you couldn’t be an openly gay actor because you

would only be cast as a gay person, if you were lucky enough to be cast at all, and because you might be ostracized because you’re openly gay.

Now that that’s beginning to change, there can be more of a level playing field and gay characters and actresses can be openly gay and play straight roles, play gay roles, play whatever roles. And that’s where we need to get to. There was this, “You were either typecast or you weren’t cast.” That holds true for the African-American community. It held true for the Hispanic community.

It held true for Italian-Americans, and I can certainly attest to that. And it’s very disconcerting. I think what’s happening now, finally: the playing field is at the very beginning of starting to be level.

What about your relationship with Colin allowed you to so naturally play two men who’ve loved each other for a lifetime?

Because we love each other. I love him.

The only thing that would be different than what’s on screen would be the sex.

But I just love him. I’d do anything for him. He’s like a brother I never had.

When you come to know each other so well over 20 years at our age, and you’ve been through a lot — you’ve been through a lot of loss, you’ve been through a lot of difficult times, you’ve

just… these people are just incredible people. That talent is just staggering to me.

And I think working with Cher — I know she’s a gay icon and I had the biggest crush on her as a kid, and to be able to meet her and work with her and become friendly with her is just … you know, sometimes I show my kids my phone and I go, “I’m just texting Cher.”

Did you dislike “Burlesque” as much as Cher? She famously raised children, you’ve seen them go admitted she found it “horrible.” through hard times, you’ve helped each other out through all of those hard times Yeah, ha! You know what? It had poten— that’s what great friends do for each tial, but it didn’t quite live up to it. Let’s other, which is not dissimilar to what put it that way. married couples do for each other. And It’s lived on in the gay communiso you have all of that. It’s all there. ty, though. You must know that.

And you traded roles in this film with Colin. Have you ever con- I know! I can’t tell you how many peosidered swapping roles before ple come up to me, and not only peowith another actor? Or ... an ac- ple from the gay community. Everybody comes up and they go, “I love that movtress? ie. I love ‘Burlesque.’” And I’m like, “Oh my god –– really?”

Ha! With an actress!

Maybe Cher in Burlesque?

She was desperate for my role. The only problem was I couldn’t sing, so we had to keep it the way it was. Ha! But to answer your question, no, that’s never happened before. And it’s very unusual that that happens. Again, if you’re good friends, you can do that.

You’ve acted alongside Cher and Meryl. What other gay icons would you happily call your boss? Barbra, Gaga, Elton, Mariah, Madonna and Liza all come to mind as options.

All of them. I met Elton John a couple of times, and I met Liza Minnelli a couple of times, and I mean, as a straight man, I almost had a heart attack. They’re

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.

Black History Month A Tribute to the Leaders of the HISTORY OF BLACK GAY AMERICA

By Miko Evans of Meak Productions Photos: Meak Productions, various

As Mr. History of Black Gay Atlanta, Miko Evans is the expert on local and national heroes and sheroes who have shaped Black History. In Peach’s continued celebration of Black History Month, Miko presents us with some of the local Atlanta profiles that have significantly impacted our city and state. In the next issue of Peach, we will step onto the national stage with Miko Evans, so stay tuned for that also.

Check out even more profiles on peachatl.com.

P A R K CANNON Born June 6, 1991, in Albany, Georgia, and raised on a military base, Park Cannon is an American politician from the state of Georgia. She is the youngest elected member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing the 58th district, and a member of the Democratic Party. Following her parents’ divorce, Cannon moved with her mother to Brooklyn, New York, where she attended Poly Prep. Cannon was captain of the dance and step teams, ran track and cross-country, and became fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Cannon was deeply inspired by President Barack Obama’s election, creating an original modern dance piece, “Yes, We Can!” and performing it for the school. Following graduation from high school, Cannon initially enrolled at Chapman University in Orange, California, but faced racism during her short time there. Due to a lack of support and action against racist students at the university, Cannon moved back home to Georgia. Cannon then transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with a degree in linguistics and minored in women’s and gender studies. She was immediately offered a job with The Feminist Women’s Health Center in Atlanta and began work in Black women’s health promotion and wellness and lobbying as a health advocate. She also volunteered with Planned Par-

16 | follow us @ peachatlmag

enthood and NARAL. In November 2015, Cannon received a call from then Georgia State Rep. Simone Bell, who informed Cannon she was contemplating resigning to take a position with Lambda Legal. They forged a friendship after meeting, and Bell asked Cannon if she had ever considered running for office. Cannon immediately prepared to start running for office for the January 19th special election with excitement and inspired vision. She was victorious in the election and became the youngest member to ever serve in the statehouse. At the time, she was one of just four openly LGBTQ Black lawmakers in state legislatures nationwide. Cannon serves on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus—the nation’s largest state Black caucus—as its chair of the Civil and Human Rights Committee and co-chair of communications. She serves on the Insurance and Small Business Development House committees, the City of Atlanta Delegation, the Fulton County Delegation, Bi-partisan Future Caucus, and the Women’s Caucus secretary. Following the passing of civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis in July 2020, Cannon applied to succeed him as the Democratic nominee for Georgia’s 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives in the November election. Cannon was one of the party’s final five candidates out of 131 applicants. Though the committee did not choose her, she remains to be a force for change in Georgia and a Real example to young queer women nationwide.

www.peachatl.com

CHERYL COURTNEY-EVANS Effectively known as “A Bitch For J u s t i c e , ” Sis. Cheryl Courtney-Evans (1952-October 2016) was the Founder/ Executive Director of Tr a n s g e n d e r Individuals Living Their Truth AKA TILTT, the pioneering transgender support & advocacy organization to serve both trans men and women in Atlanta, which started in 2007.

In April 2009, Ms. Courtney-Evans participated with over 200 transgender individuals, sponsored by the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), in Lobby Days on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress members for passage of the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act with gender identity included as one of the protected groups, as well as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The former was signed into law in 2010.

She is the recipient of the 2012 Pioneer Award, issued by the Transfaith In Color Conference & the Freedom Center for Social Justice of Charlotte, NC. Her website, a Bitch for Justice, chronicled her opinions regarding current events, especially those affecting the transgender community. In January of 2016, Courtney-Evans was battling lung cancer and had undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment. On September 22, She posted to Facebook that she was undergoing heart and lung tests in the hospital. Two days later, she had minor surgery. The news of her death at age 64 shocked and saddened friends across the country who knew Courtney-Evans from her tireless advocacy work on transgender issues.

Her advocacy work prompted the Atlanta Pride Committee in June 2016 to name her as one of its 12 grand marshals of the pride parade in the Fall of that year. She will be remembered as a Lady that didn’t play when it came to Trans Issues; she was especially hard on those who claimed to be allies to the community but didn’t show it by their deeds. In 2021, Meak Productions’ national black LGBTQ division, History of Black Gay America, deems Cheryl Courtney-Evans as the Queen of Atlanta’s Trans Activism Movement, second only to the GodMother, Dee Dee Chamblee.

DWIGHT EUBANKS

Born and raised in A t l a n t a , Georgia, on March 17, 1959, and successfully dubbed the “International Man of Style,” Dwight Eubanks is a trendsetting celebrity stylist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, reality tv star, and successful owner of the “Purple Door Salon”

in Atlanta! He’s popularly known as the former hairstylist of some of the cast members of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Eubanks is an industry veteran who’s been immersed in the field of fashion, cosmetology, and entrepreneurship for over 30 years. His creativity and fashion sense is impeccable. He continues to share his talent as an integral part of national and global fashion show productions, national hairstyling events, and award ceremonies. Before the Real Housewives were holding their peaches, Dwight was already a peach. He’s an original native of the city that is now known as the Hollywood of the South. He attended and graduated from both Walter White Elementary and Frederick Douglass High School (Official magnet school for technology) in the historic Collier Heights neighborhood (one of the first communities in the nation built exclusively for and by the upcoming Atlanta AfricanAmerican middle class). He received his License of Cosmetology from the Arnold International School of Cosmetology, along with added training from Chicago’s Pivot Point International.

In 2008, Eubanks was tapped to join the cast of the wildly popular Real Housewives of Atlanta, Bravo TV’s pioneering and most successful reality tv show, as the official hairstylist. He also starred in another Bravo hit, Married to Medicine, as the creative director of the Lisa Nicole Fashion Line.

Eubanks continues to produce and participate in various fashion shows worldwide and has recently hosted the Bronner Brothers Hair Show, which has been in production for 65 years. One of the fashion shows he’s most known for is the annual fundraiser for the 100 Black Women MECCA Chapter, whose events were recently held at the prestigious Porche Experience Center in Hapeville, Georgia. He often works as the “guest stylist” in cities like New York, Los Angles, Paris, and Dubai. Known as a fashion industry trailblazer, Eubanks has also distinguished himself in the vogue worlds of Milan and Paris. In an interview with the Atlanta Fashion Examiner, Eubanks says he is still able to find time for his salon. He maintains a list of clients, walkins and also conducts lifestyle consultations. By closely communicating with clients, he develops a full understanding of the approach and specific requirements for each. This ensures the ability to create flattering hair designs that allow the client to develop an individual style. Simplicity and understated elegance are the essence of the Purple Door.

Eubanks has also maintained a reputation as a supporter of the community. As a vehicle to “give back,” Eubanks established the Institute of Beauty. This institution organizes seminars and workshops to help up & coming hairstylists. He produced the World AIDS Day Fashion Show, as well as being a workshop presenter/host at the BET Rip The Runway Commentary and the CDC Hairstylers and Barbers Against AIDS, to name a few. He also holds his annual holiday toy drive and fundraiser, along with other initiatives and causes.

In 2017, he became the first fashion designer and stylist to launch his own Gin Cocktail line, which he made part of “The Eubanks Collection,” which comes in four different flavors. His Gin collection was first advertised and featured, along with his fashion collection, in the first Anniversary of Meak Productions’ limited edition campaign, Suit & Tie/Black & White (Meak Productions is the World’s first LGBT+ Exclusive Talent Agency).

To date, Eubanks is the most sought after international designer and stylist in the Atlanta area and abroad.

| 17

JOAN GARNER

Joan P. Garner (1951 - April 18, 2017) became the first out lesbian woman of color to be elected to the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

She was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2010 and reelected in 2014 and 2016. Garner represented the residents of Fulton County District 4, which includes Midtown Atlanta and the neighborhoods west of downtown Atlanta. Her tenure on the board marked a period of increasing cooperation and bipartisanship that some attribute to Garner’s calm temperament and skill as a bridge-builder.

A Washington, DC native, Commissioner Garner made Atlanta her home in 1978. She graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in English and earned her Master’s degree in Organizational Communication from Howard University. As she first became involved in politics in the early 1990s, Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson appointed Garner as one of his liaisons to the Gay and Lesbian Community (the first Atlanta mayor to have such designated positions). Garner advocated for the cause of gay and lesbian equality when such openness was rare, perhaps especially in the African American community. Garner’s advocacy in this area of civil rights included service on Lambda Legal and the Gay and Lesbian Task Force boards.

She was a co-convener of the African American Lesbian Gay Alliance and helped organize the first Human Rights Campaign fundraising dinner in Atlanta. Garner lived in Atlanta’s Historic Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, within the Martin Luther King Historic District, with her spouse, Fulton County State Court Judge Jane Morrison. During her service on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, she was known as “The Health Commissioner” and became the Board’s Executive Sponsor of its “All People Are Healthy” priority area. This fits well with Garner’s long commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS, a social justice concern of hers for decades as she fought as an advocate for gay and lesbian civil rights. She co-founded the Fulton County Task Force on HIV/AIDS, among numerous health initiatives. After her own diagnosis with cancer, her personal experience informed her advocacy for and commitment to health care equality. Her involvement in the neighborhood spanned more than twenty years from 1995 until her untimely passing in 2017.

REV. KIM JACKSON

Born August 25 in Elkins, West Virginia, and raised near Cowpens, S o u t h Carolina, Kimberly S. Jackson is an American politician and Episcopal priest. At 22, She made Georgia her home at the beginning of the millennium. She was raised in a hardworking family, where the love of God, family, and country was prioritized. From her mom, Kim learned the importance of expanding access to quality early childhood education and health care. She studied at Furman University, graduating in 2006, and later graduated from Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a Master of Divinity. After graduating from Furman University, Kim volunteered as an EMT and led her colleagues at Emory’s Candler School of Theology in advocating for Criminal Justice Reform in Georgia. Upon receiving her Master of Divinity, Kim commenced her vocation as an Episcopal priest. She made history as the first lesbian of color to be ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. During ten years of ministry, she served as a college chaplain, a nationally renowned consultant and preacher, and a social justice advocate. Rev. Jackson also serves as a vicar at the Church of the Common Ground, giving services for the homeless. Jackson’s advocacy and community work is wide-ranging; she’s provided support to refugee children, survivors of sexual violence, and Georgians on death row, among others. In 2018, the Georgia House of Representatives commended her for her “tireless efforts on behalf of the disenfranchised, disenchanted, and dispossessed.” Jackson has didn’t envision running for political office at age 35; But when a Georgia Senate seat came open in her district, she changed her plan. Jackson was one of four candidates who ran in the Democratic primary to represent Georgia State Senate District 41. During her campaign, she was endorsed by organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Georgia Equality, and Run for Something, and endorsed by people such as Stacey Abrams, DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston, and Chief Justice Norman Fletcher. Jackson is being heralded as Georgia’s first openly gay State Senator of color. However, she is quick to point out that she shares a district with state Rep. Karla Drenner, the first openly gay member of the Georgia General Assembly.

Single and Ready to Stay Single Do you what know my favorite thing about being single is? Everything!

It wasn’t until after my insanely wealthy husband passed away, and I inherited his entire estate, that I learned the joys of being single.

And that includes being single around Valentine’s Day. Most people would disagree, but I’m here to tell you all the wonderful things you can enjoy while single this ‘Couples Season’. I got onto my private jet and trekked around to see some good friends who have come up with great activities you can do when you’re single.

If you’re a classic romantic who loves dining out, but don’t have a special someone to sit across the table from you, I have my personal Follow Mitzi @itsmitzip chef and restaurant entrepreneur, Yui Nagasaki, to the rescue. She lives in Tokyo and recommends that all lonely hearts visit the city.

It’s the city that never sleeps and offers companionship to single people all-day-long. Yui enjoys the selections of restaurants like ‘individual ramen bars’ that are made for eating alone in a closed cubicle. Or if ramen isn’t your thing, you can head over to Yui’s experimental restaurant experience Self-Date. It’s a cross between fine dining and funhouse mirrors.

When you visit Self-Date, you will be dining alone while being surrounded by mirror reflections of yourself. The mirrors are two-way so you might get a glimpse of someone else being with you! Yui says so far, it’s a hit with voyeurists and exhibitionists alike.

If ticket prices and a looming pandemic are keeping you from traveling to Japan, there are activities you can enjoy right here at home! Hailing from the drop-off docks of a local Goodwill, by friend and sketchy sex enthusiast, Dick Johnson-Trouser, finds that the best experiences a single person can have are usually right at home. Or behind the building dumpster. Dick started an underground movement with his revolutionary phone app Sloppier Seconds. Imagine an app that combines Grindr with Pokémon GO and you will get the fun new way of meeting people. Within the app’s augmented reality, you will follow glowing crystals that alert you of other people who are also on the app. It shows the best secluded hotspots to hang out with people around your local area. If you live in Atlanta, for example, you will find nearly a hundred different locations in Piedmont Park alone! Download Sloppier Seconds and see what you’re missing.

For those who enjoy spending time alone, or are afraid of human contact, there are plenty of things you can do for Valentine’s Day, or even year-round. My former wig stylist, Tristan Da’Cunha, loves his personal time and seems to find new ways of isolating himself from the world. Tristan suggests everyone visit a large body of uninhabited land. This could be a desert in Arizona or an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It’s important to pack wisely and bring plenty of liquor and possibly some tabs of acid. Tristan says the joys of ‘tripping’ while alone are truly magical. If travel is not an option, he suggests putting four chairs together in the middle of your living room and throwing a blanket over them to make a tent. Make sure you still get high though, or it won’t be as fun.

If you’re a single person for life, or just for the moment, enjoy the freedom. Treat yourself this Valentine’s Day and every day because you have no one else to worry about! And if all else fails, rent a porno and watch it on your biggest TV screen with surround sound.

Yours in being single,

Mitzi Pennington is the self-proclaimed sex symbol and advice-giving-guru alter ego of Mirza Muftic. She came from humble roots of middle America and married into money shorly after dropping out of college. Her late husband’s fortune allows her to travel the world andhave a sense of enlightenment one normally gets from actually working for their money. Mirza has had none of those experiences in his life. On occasion, Mirza will perform as Mitzi Atlanta. other interests/day job include film editing, retouching, and stop-motion animation.

20 | around follow us @His peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

| 21

STAYING WARM @ MIDTOWN MOON Photos by Snow

You deserve Personalized Care & Individual Attention – that’s what we deliver at Family Health Care of Atlanta • Participating in many clinical trials • Certiied HIV Specialist, American Academy of HIV Medicine • 20+ years experience in Family & HIV Care SPECIALIZING IN DERMATOLOGY, STD’S, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, UROLOGY, PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

CHILLIN @ THE HIDEAWAY Photos by Snow

CARSON COWAN REALTOR® c. 404.998.9944 / o. 404.874.0300 / carson@carsoncowan.com / CarsonCowanRealEstate

Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

26 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

WINTER MOODS @ BLAKE'S Photos by Snow

28 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

Originally from Houma, Louisiana, Dyvon is a multi-talented artist, model, Hip-Hop artist, actor, photographer, and videographer. He made his modeling debut in 2008 when he registered with Meak Productions, and he has appeared in multiple campaigns in his ten-plus-year tenure with the agency. Dyvon has a considerable presence on social media, with a following of over 2.5 million across various platforms.

Currently, he’s filming The Assistant 2: Reconnected, a sci-fi thriller coming out in 2021. His inspiration comes from those who believe in him, motivating him to keep striving to reach his goals. For booking, please go to meakproductions.com.

Dyvon

IG @itzdyvon FB @itzdyvon Twitter @iDyvon

Atlanta’s ONLY Certified Printer

Let Peach Media putLGBTQ+ Atlanta in Print

Business Cards | Flyers | Graphic Design | Booklets |Postcards | Event & Tradeshow Banners | Brochures | Letterpress | 3d Print | Engraving | Embroidry |Tshirts | Hats | Authentic Letterpress and more

FEB 17 - 24

We believe in safety first, so this lineup features mainly virtual events or in-person events with limited capacity that enforce CDC guidelines.

Please keep yourself updated on an event’s status as it may change last-minute.

Bi+ Georgia February General Meeting Bi+ Georgia is building a safe community for bi+ people in Georgia through visibility, education, and advocacy. The online meeting will discuss plans for upcoming months— registration and Zoom link via the Facebook event page.

Wednesday, February 17, 7 pm Zoom Online Event (free) Webinar On How to Change Name and Gender In this free webinar Odette Dempsey-Caputo, the Lawyer at the Elizabeth Fry Legal Clinic will talk about how to do name and gender changes for government forms. The webinar is free to attend, but registration is required via the Facebook event page.

Thursday, February 18, 5 – 6 pm Zoom Online Event (free) Drive ‘N Drag Saves 2021 Join Bianca Del Rio and the super queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race in Atlanta on their mission to save us from “2020” – all from the comfort and safety from inside or around your car. The drive-in experience features jumbotron LED screens, concert quality light show, outdoor and FM sound, gourmet food trucks, and one hell of a good time. Get your tickets at vossevents.com/drive-n-drag/.

February 19 + 20 Sugarloaf Mills, Lawrenceville, GA Center for Civil and Human Rights In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, visit the museum that details the history of racial reconciliation and human rights struggle in American history. Discover stories of courage and inspiration in award-winning interactive exhibitions at The Center.

Ongoing Center for Civil and Human Rights

32 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

MIDTOWN 1

Monroe Dr. NE

14

Amsterdam Ave.

12th St. NE

NE ve . tA

Piedmont Park

on

11

dm

6

18

Pi e

Juniper St. NE

14th St. NE

7

9

2

10th St. NE

10

. NE

19

oe Dr

e. NE Piedmont Av

Juniper St . NE

Peachtree St. NE

3

Monr

Charle s Alle n Dr . N E

12 W. Peachtree St. NW

15

16

P o n ce D e Leo n Pl . N E

Spring St. NW

17

4th St. NE

8

13

Ponce De Leon Ave. NE

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 Barking Leather

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

Cheshire

ansley 21

idg

eR

on tC ir .

NE

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

e. nt mo ed Pi

Piedmont Park

Retail

28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

39

36

d.

Dining

26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

41

38

BARS

24 Las Margaritas 25 Roxx

Av

ge Rd Brid hire Ches

28 20

25 r eB

E

.

r.

.N

Rd

Dr

26 35

24

20 BJ Roosters 21 Sequel 22 Tripps

42 The Den

40

32

oe

er

36

nr

hir

31

Mo

dm

es

ll D

kn

27

33

. NE

Pi e

29

Ch

idde

ul

IX

34

x Rd

Manchester St. NE

Piedmont Rd. NE

22

42 L

Fa

BL

Le no

30

Lambert Dr.

PU

St.

.

A l co

1600 Piedmont Ave NE 1425 Piedmont Ave NE

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

Fitness 41 Equilibrium Fitness

1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

NOT SHOWN

Mary's Sister Louisa’s Church Swinging Richards Lips Atlanta 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

peach CLASSIFIEDS

Atlanta’s premier for as little as

LGBT MAGAZINE

35 per week! $

Email jeff@peachatl.com for more information.

ADVERTISE In Atlanta’s Premier LGBT Magazine for a little as $35 Per week!

Email: jeff@peachatl.com for more info.

10

phrases that WILL NOT be tolerated this Black History Month - and beyond!

In the wake of the largest civil rights movement in history last year, this Black History Month holds even more significance – and it is time to address some of the things that are NEVER okay to say. In fact, we should eliminate these types of phrases completely, and if you don’t understand why, then you are part of the problem!

1. But … does racism still exist in America?

2. Why don’t we have a White History Month?

3. All lives matter 4. Black people get a whole month and still complain 5. Why are we still talking about slavery?

6. Why should we consider reparations?

It’s so long ago!

7. Black History Month promotes racial divide 8. Black Panther wasn’t as good as (insert any film) 9. If he/she just didn’t resist the police …

10. When February is over, I don’t want to hear any more about racism

38 | follow us @ peachatlmag

www.peachatl.com

Playmates and soul mates...

Atlanta:

678-528-2525

18+ MegaMates.com

We’re closer to Atlanta than you think!

Get the details on our website calendar.

Membership Required * Must be 21 to Enter

The River’s Edge is open and invites you to come, relax by a campfire and enjoy gay, country camping.

RV Sites Heated Cabins Tent Sites

1/2 off winter rates continue January - February

706-213-8081 www.camptheriversedge.com

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

I should be best friends with this guy

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

Who?

If you always find yourself being the bigger person, It’s time you stop hanging out with such little people It’s funny how we all sleep differently. I sleep on my side, my brother sleeps on his back, my ex sleeps with everybody… that sorta thing

ByThis cutting the sleeves guy off I follow on social of media all your t-shirts?

So based on his posts, you think you should be best friends?

Yeah, I have like five social media best friends, and they have no idea

That sounds so .... healthy ...

The older I get, the earlier it gets late

11:00 am – anything is possible!

2:00 pm – but not today…

Remember: the only thing standing between you and your dreams is your appearance, lack of talent, and general personality

40 | follow us @ peachatlmag

I love to ask several friends for advice and then go completely rogue

I can’t wait until I’m financially able to afford who I really am

www.peachatl.com

LEO (JUL. 23 - AUG. 22) Your subconscious may play tricks with your mind today. How else to explain people suddenly morphing into chickens, cows and swordfish?

The office will be like something out of a Pink Floyd album! You may want to take an early lunch today. Either that or a whole lot of sedatives.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEP. 22) Don’t let dinner with friends turn into a therapy session tonight. Sometimes you just want to enjoy a nice meal without listening to everyone’s problems.

Turn the tables on them. At the first sign of whining let them know that dinner will cost ninety dollars an hour. That’ll shut ‘em up!

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MAR. 20)

LIBRA (SEP. 23 - OCT. 22)

Playing the strolling minstrel at the park or Renaissance Fair is one thing. Bringing that character to work is another. Coworkers wouldn’t mind the Jethro Tull costume and lute playing if your rhyming weren’t so awful, and you didn’t have bits of food hanging from your beard.

A recent intellectual connection has inspired you to break outside your box and try something new. It’s a good day to get creative, and look no further than your own home. Maybe it’s time to change the color scheme of the bedroom, or look through swatches for the perfect curtain fabric.

Feathering your nest will give you the feeling of comfort and security.

ARIES (MAR. 21 - APR. 19)

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

You may need an emotional outlet today, but don’t get it through food. Being in the dumps could have you losing control, and the next thing you know you’ll be clearing out your refrigerator. Seek comfort of a friend instead, but avoid their invitations to talk about it over lunch and settle for a socially distanced Zoom meeting or walk instead.

Let go of your emotions today and take in a weepy movie. ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’ is a guaranteed three-hankie tearfest. Don’t be afraid to cry; it’s a great release. Have plenty of Kleenex close by or your popcorn will be coated in tears rather than processed butter substitute and salt.

TAURUS (APR. 20 - MAY 20)

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

You’ve inherited many traits from your mother, namely her hair, hips, and cooking skills. You can work on those first two, but let the third one shine today. Invite friends in your COVID pod to your table, whip up an extraordinary feast and make sure everyone leaves with leftovers. Make your mama proud!

Monitor your moods before you follow them today. Be active and social if you wake up happy and sunny but clear out at the first sign of storm clouds. The heavens will let loose with lightning and thunder, and then a hard rain’s a-going to fall! Don’t subject others to that storm if you don’t have to.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN. 20)

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

Keep your possessions close today as being selfish will be a good thing. Don’t care what people think as you refuse to share anything with them. That’ll include recent juicy gossip.

Use that as your ace card today. With the possession of gossip comes great power!

When you see what your partner serves for dinner tonight you may wish you were somewhere else.

Like on an airplane bound to destinations of culinary delights. Uh-oh, that means you’ll have to eat whatever they’re serving on the flight.

Hmmm, maybe dinner won’t look so bad after all.

CANCER (JUN. 21 - JUL. 22)

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

The 50’s sci-fi version of your life would feature a giant marauding crab, and you’d be playing the crab! Keep your larger-than-life emotions to a low roar today. The movie could end with scientists inventing a really big pot of boiling water, and an equally big ramekin of melted butter.

There may be times today when thinking won’t do you any good at all. It’ll be better to close your eyes and let instinct guide you. When you reopen them you’ll see that the worst is over, and you were able to get down the meatloaf at the company cafeteria. Keeping it down could be another story.

42 | follow us @ peachatlmag

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.

My boyfriend and I have been talking a lot about our sex life during this pandemic, and we have decided that, once everything opens up again, we will open the relationship. We have had sex with others before, but now we want to open up, so we can have sex with others on our own as well. I like the idea, but I do have one concern: my boyfriend loves casual encounters, whereas I want to feel a connection and get to know people first. So once we can start doing this, I am just concerned that he will have a lot more sex than me and perhaps get a little carried away with all this. So I’m not jealous that he is sleeping with someone else but rather about the fact he will sleep with a lot more people outside our relationship than me. Makes sense? How do I go about this imbalance – and I don’t want monogamy to be the option?

Sincerely Big Opening

My friend and I started sleeping with each other during COVID, and now I feel things are complicated because I may have developed feelings for him. We started having sex at the very beginning of it all, almost as a practical measure, and we have been each other’s COVID sex buddies ever since. But I am starting to get very confused because sometimes we act pretty much as boyfriends and others like just friends. Only a few of our mutual friends know that we have been having sex, but otherwise, it’s a secret. I don’t know; I feel like we could actually be boyfriends, the sex is great, and when we act as boyfriends, it is so nice and fun. And now I’m starting to fear how things will be after the vaccine, and it hurts thinking about us not being together anymore.

What do I do? How do I tell him?

Sincerely Secretly In Love

Dear Big Opening You actually have the best premise right now to work out some boundaries for the both of you because you are forced to not engage in casual sex with anyone right now – and you already have a good conversation going, it seems. Maybe you can start by examining what it is about the fact that he would sleep with more people than you. Is it because he is spontaneous and compulsive? Is it because you feel it is unsafe? The more specific you get, the more he is likely to listen to your argument. You can also discuss what a suitable frequency would be for him and you, and finally, what would he feel about you having someone you saw more regularly because you developed a bond with this person? Being polyamorous has its own set of complications and issues, but there is so much to be gained from it, as long as you keep the dialogue open and honest. So continue on the path you are now and remember that either party has the right to say no to an open relationship. So keep talking, and once it is possible to test this out, make sure you are both conscious of how you feel about it.

Dear Secretly In Love The circumstances of your on-and-off romance are definitely unique, and understandably, you are confused. Have you even talked to your friend about all of this? Have you expressed feelings to each other when you were in ‘boyfriend mode’?

Maybe it is time you start expressing how you feel because it seems like you are both keeping some status quo, which is based on the initial agreement of just having sex out of necessity.

Feelings change and build – especially if it has been almost a year by now! – and who knows, maybe he feels the same way? If he doesn’t, it is time for you to dissolve the agreement and not have sex anymore because that would only complicate things further. But start talking!

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

PIAG - lgbtq+

Pea ch M

ia ed

Business Cards | Flyers | Graphic Design | Booklets |Postcards | Event & Tradeshow | Banners | Brochures

P

P���� M���� �� ���� ����������, ���������, ��� ����� ��������. W� ��� �� LGBTQ-O����, �������� ��� A������’� ���� ��������� �������, ��� �� ���� ���� ���� ��� �� ���� ��� ���� ��������, ����������, ��� ���-�������� �������� �� ���� ���������, ���������, �� ����� �����.

Call 404-814-3014 or email info@peachatl.com to hear more about what we can do for your business.

Peach Media Holdings www.peachatl.com

Proud member