Peach Magazine V5-I30 | Just Around the Corner: Fall
ATLANTA (August 13, 2021) —
The Atlanta Pride Committee (APC) issued a statement today that they are still planning to hold an in-person event over the festival dates in October.
APC Executive Director, Jamie Fergerson stated, “The last year has certainly been challenging,” Fergerson noted. “However, we are confident that we will do everything in our power to create a safe and healthy environment for the 2021 festival. If necessary, we will be ready to return to virtual programming – but we know that our community is looking forward to an in-person event. As long as it is safe to do so, this is our plan.”
In response to Atlanta Mayor Bottoms recent executive order requiring the use of masks in all indoor public spaces, and the daily statistics around increasing COVID rates and the Delta variant, the APC has experienced a significant uptick in inquiries around the status of the October festival.
Fergerson said, “This executive order does not cancel our event. We have and will continue to monitor updates to CDC guidelines as well as having an open line of communication with the mayor’s office around COVID-related mandates and executive orders.”
Fergerson noted, “The bottom line is that we strongly encourage everyone, especially those who plan to come and enjoy the festival, to please get fully vaccinated now to mitigate exposure and possible spread at the festival.”
APC will update health and safety plans as guidance changes to remain in compliance with city ordinances and CDC guidelines. Additional announcements will be made as needed.
Media Contact: Sheila Merritt
Q&A Events
E: smerritt@QandAEvents.com
P: 404.762.5665 ext. 302
How to Be That Guy’s Go-To Booty Call
The dos and don’ts of turning a one-time encounter into a regular thing by
Mikey Rox
We’ve all had that random hookup we hope comes back for more.
Maybe they look yum naked or throw down the good-good like Thor’s magic hammer. Perhaps they give great post-bang convo or cuddle like an Olympic-level big spooner.
Whatever’s got you giddy for that one-time fling, heed my advice on how to turn it into a regular thing.
Be Available But Play It Cool
If you’re lucky enough to get a ping for a repeat session, act natural –and suppress your eagerness to respond immediately. Let the text sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then hit back that you’re out with friends at the moment (people with active social lives are much more attractive than those loafing on the couch –to me at least), but suggest a time that you’ll be home (even if you already are) an hour or two later. Yeah, playing this card may mean that the object of your ass-fection will move on to the next bro in lineup or be unavailable when you finally are, but this strategy allows you to pick up around your place and it gives you some measure of control from the onset since he’ll recognize that you’re not going to
drop everything to get him back in your bed.
If you’re the one reaching out when you’re thirsty, send one text – and one text only. He got it – even if he hasn’t responded. Don’t get all Glenn Close about your nonrelationship by blowing up his phone. Nothing makes people run for the hills faster than a creeper with boundary issues – no matter how big your dick or good in bed you think you are.
Keep Yourself and Your Digs Presentable
I met a guy at a bar once that I got just drunk enough to go home with. I very rarely go to their place, and his spot was a perfect example why: Mattress on the floor, overflowing ashtrays next to the bed, the pungent smell of cat waste wafting through the barely furnished shanty. Totally turned me off. I couldn’t jet quick enough.
I expect that you don’t have this problem – I assume most homos (even the younger ones) don’t live in squalor – but if you look around your home and see anything that a guest might find offensive, like dishes piled high in the sink, pet hair everywhere, or a shit-stained toilet, clean it. Visitors deserve to
come into a respectable situation, and failing to present yourself in a put-together manner basically says you don’t give a fuck – about you or them.
Show Your Interest, Not Your Desperation
If you’ve managed to get the dude in your bed on multiple occasions, good on ya; you’re reaching pro status. But with that comes feelings a lot of times, and that scares some people. Don’t catch emotions. Coyly let him know you’re interested, but don’t be desperate about it. Not the sex, not the “something more.” It may evolve into that one day, and you’ll know if the sentiment is reciprocated (if you’re self-aware, at least), but for now, go with the flow, let things happen, be easy-breezy, my friend. You’ll both have more fun that way.
Remind Yourself That This Is Casual
If you find yourself developing more than lust for your nowfrequent bed buddy, step back and assess the situation. Were you looking for a significant other when this started? Has he expressed a similar interest in you? Are you two on the same page, or is this just you getting ahead of yourself? Will this ruin the good thing you have? And what’s his deal? Is his life messy? Is he double-double toil and trouble?
Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Be Awesome in Bed
I’ll be the first size-queen to tell you that you don’t have to be hung like a college basketball player (only reason I watch the games; it’s March Madness in my pants, y’all) to be a boss in bed. I’ve slept with a few men lacking manhood who more than made up for it with all the right moves. A solid bangarang is about confidence, self-awareness, focusing on your strengths (maybe your make-out game is strong and he loves to kiss), and giving that boy what he wants and needs times two. Ask what he likes and follow through. Just don’t be weird, OK?
Personally I’m turned off by someone who’s overly aggressive and/or too panty – at least at first; we can work up to the kink – and neither of those first-fuck habits will warrant a follow-up sesh. Play it safe (figuratively and literally) while building the foundation for anticipation of the next time. If it’s memorable, they’ll be back for more – guaranteed.
Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with Mikey on insta @mikeyroxtravels.
Discount Denim: 8 Ways to Save Serious Cash on Jeans
by Mikey Rox
There was a time – mostly when I was in high school and college (ironic, because I was broke bitch then) – that I would drop serious coin on new jeans. The average cost of my jeans back was about $70 a pair, but I’ve spent upwards of $200 on premium denim in the past. As I’ve gotten older, however, my affinity for the trendiest clothing has waned. Now I try to shop smarter, buying long-lasting, classic pieces that neither go out of style so quickly nor cost an arm and a leg. The jeans I buy now are more function than fashion (although the latter is still important to me). With that in mind, I have to scour every sale, clearance rack and bargain bin to find jeans that suit my budget and my taste. Cheap jeans are out there, for sure – you just have to know where to look.
Thus, here are eight places that I frequent when I’m on the hunt for new jeans.
1. Warehouse sales
I’ve been to two warehouse sales – one at the legendarily expensive Barney’s New York; the other at Housing Works, which is essentially a high-end thrift shop. Barney’s annual warehouse runs for about 10 days and begins with already steep discounts on designer clothes, but if you wait until the tail end of the sale (this goes for any warehouse sale, by the way) you can score normally expensive duds for up to 90 percent off. The pickings will be slim at that point but there’s still a little something left for everyone who doesn’t mind
digging through a chaotic mess of clothing. Personally I enjoy it, and my passion and dedication awarded me a pair of $400 jeans for $40.
The Housing Works sale wasn’t focused on designer clothing –although there are lots of great items in the mix – but rather a hodgepodge of secondhand items. This sale provides customers with big brown paper bags that they can fill to the brim for $25. I got mine for $10 with a Groupon, however, making my takeaway even better. I found an amazing pair of jeans at that sale that I looked up online afterward that originally retailed for $150. Not bad for an hour’s worth of work. If you’ve ever been to a warehouse sale, you know what I’m talking about.
2. Discount e-tailers
As someone who likes shopping but also saving money, I’m always looking for new ways to save. I frequent discount e-tailers like JackThreads and Gilt because of their diverse selection of items, but I’ve recently discovered DSTLD, another discount site (primarily for men, mind you) that sells designer jeans (and shorts, too) for $20. I recently copped a pair
of dark denim that I fell in love with upon first wear. An amazing fit at the right price is the recipe for making me a return customer.
3. Thrift Shops
I’ve been a fan of thrift shops since my early teens, visiting my local shop almost weekly with my friends to nab newly added items. What I love most about thrift shops is that there are a wide range of sizes and styles from which to choose, which is not always the case if you’re shopping new clothing. I can’t say that I’ve purchased jeans from a thrift shop (I may have – just can’t remember for sure), but I have purchased pants including corduroy, camouflage, and snow pants at thrift shops –I didn’t spend more than $7 on any of them.
4. Outlets
Outlets are already discounted fairly steeply compared to their full-price retail counterparts, but there are two tricks that I like to employ to land even better deals. The first is visiting the customer service center and picking up a coupon book – most outlet malls have these – and the second
is timing my shopping trip to coincide with a holiday or endof-season sale. I see this tactic as three times the savings, which means that I stock up on three times as many new jeans.
5. Clearance racks
I don’t mean to discriminate against other retailers, but Gap always has a good selection of jeans in its clearance rack. I can personally recommend that store. Otherwise, any store I go into, I head straight for the back where I rummage through the clearance racks to find a new pair of pants, the price of which has been dramatically slashed.
6. Yard Sales
It’s a bit harder to find the perfect pair of jeans at a yard sale because of the limited selection, but if you do stumble upon a pair that you have to have you can be sure that this will probably be the cheapest pair you’ll buy. I’m talking $5 or less. Depending on your area (city folk drive harder bargains), you may even be able to walk away with a new pair of old jeans for less than $1. Schedule a ride around in your town on a Saturday and Sunday and see what you can find.
7. Friends & Family
Did somebody say free jeans? That’s right – if you have a nice friend or family member getting rid of clothes, you can score new jeans at absolutely no cost. I clean out my closet twice a year and before I send my clothes to charity I always give my friends and family the first look. Usually they take my whole stash, which I prefer. Not only am I giving the items to those I love, but the process saves me a trip to the thrift shop to drop off my donation. You can also consider a clothes swap with your friends or family where you each clean out your closet and offer up the unwanted items to each other. Everybody wins in that situation – considering that you like each other’s style and wear similar sizes, of course.
8. eBay
If you really have a passion for designer jeans – and I know some of you reading this do –eBay may be a good option for you. Selection runs the gamut from top-of-the-line trendy denim to classic faves to vintage finds, but in theory they can all
be snagged for the lowest bid. Some of the listings have ‘Buy It Now’ options, which may or may not be a good deal, so I recommend sticking to traditional bidding while minding your budget. There’s no point in going bid-crazy and paying top price for a pair of jeans you could have bought for less at the mall, after all.
Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @ mikeyroxtravels
Peach Scene @ HOTNESS @BLAKES
Because we all need a wise, Lesbian BFF!
As we enter the end of SUMMER i want to thank all the peeps at Peach Atl for your continued support. I also want to thank all my readers. Keep those questions coming as this LESBO loves to read and respond.
Dear Lesbo
Why why why do we have 2 Prides. I am a strong, confident gay man that loves all people and I’m just not sure we really need to keep seperating all of us. When can we just get along!!! Please explain the reason behind this. Love Everyone
Dear Love, I understand your question however I don’t believe the reasoning is about separation. I believe the reason is about inclusion. I spoke with promoters from Black Gay Pride and they welcome everyone to all their events. My suggestion to you is stop writing or asking questions about BGP and get your butt in the stands for it. Check out the lineup right here in our publication. I know you will have a blast.
Dear Lesbo
By Marci Alt
Why why why can’t I find the right one? Ive been single for over a year and truly I am tired of Grindr and all the hookup sites there are. I am goodlooking and in good shape and I believe my personality is spot on. I have a great job and iam 46 years old. I want a 30 year old man. This should not be so hard to find as Atlanta is a hopping city.
Cougar Bear Man
Cougar
Sounds like the one you are looking for is more like a cub than a man. Although I believe different strokes for different folks is a clear motto, stealing the CUB from the Den may be quite difficult. We are in a pandemic and finding cubs let alone bears may be hard. Keep your options open, don’t put so many restrictions in and experience all that the world has. Maybe someone closer to 40 will bring you more options. Stop looking at the AESTHETICS and grab from the heart. Open up and let them in and I believe your true love will emerge.
Thanks again and remember you may not like what I write and I will always respond. Have a great week
Photo: Meak Productions
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BARS
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BARS & CLUBS
MIDTOWN
ATLANTA EAGLE CLOSED 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
modeltatlanta.com 465 Boulevard SE
hereticatlanta.com 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road
of Gay
bjroosters.com 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road NE
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
HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE
JOE’S ON JUNIPER joesonjuniper.com 1049 Juniper St NE
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
RETAIL
MIDTOWN
BARKING LEATHER AFTER DARK barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
CHESHIRE
SOUTHERN NIGHTS
VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
ANSLEY
BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear.com 1447 Piedmont Ave NE
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
FITNESS
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE GRAVITEE
BLAKES BJ ROOSTERS FELIX'S
DJ KINZIE Featuring DJ AF Featuring DJ K2
Featuring DJ AF Featuring DJ AF
Videos @ 12:30 PM, Honey Pot @ 7
at Night (Industry) @ 8 PM Trivia w/ DeWayne Morgan @ 8:30 PM
& The ATL Martini Night @ 8 PM
Night w/ DJ Darlene @ 9 PM Fuck It Fridays w/ DJ Mister Richard @ 10 PM Love Saturdays w/ Tristan Hartman @ 10 PM
drinking schedule
MOON MIXX
Heifer Review @ 1:30 PM Other Side of the Moon @ 9 PM
Flavors of The Moon @ 9 PM
Ruby Redd's Birdcage Bingo @ 9 PM
Kit Katt Karaoke @ 9 PM
Mama Mya's Talent Show @ 9 PM Madams of the Moonlight @ 11:30 PM
Divas & The Divo @ 11:30 PM
OSCAR'S
$3 Tacos (ALL DAY) Latina Divas @ 10:30 PM Messy Monday Karaoke @ 10 PM
Poker Night @ 7:30, 1/2
Retro Video Night w/Mister Richard & Wing Wed.
$5 Burger Day (ALL DAY) Sangria Fridays
August 18th - 24th
Socializer's Club @ Lingering Shade | August 19th (6:30 PM)
August takes us to another lovely venue on the beltline Lingering Shade Social Club !! Organized by Roger Rutkowski, join the Socializers for their monthly meeting full of drinks, laughs and good energy!
Piedmont Park Arts Festival | August 21st - 22nd (11 AM - 5 PM)
The Festival of the Summer Is Here And Better Than Ever
The Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces is proud to announce the 11th Annual Piedmont Park Arts Festival coming up August 21st and 22nd in Atlanta, Georgia.
This is the ideal summer festival to enjoy the outdoors, browse for irresistible art and crafts as well as appreciate the beauty of Atlanta’s largest park. Visitors will enjoy a wide variety of art and crafts from over 250 local and regional artisans and craftsman. In addition, the festival will include a children’s area, local food and beverage concessions including “gourmet” food trucks and live acoustic musical performances all weekend. Best of all, the event is entirely free to attend!
Tom Thomas presents Gay80's Party | August 20th (10 PM - 3 AM)
Come out and dance and sing to all your favorite 80's dance songs including Girls just want to have fun, Like a prayer, We got the beat, Hungry like the wolf, Wake me up before you go go, Karma Chameleon, You spin me right round, I wanna dance with somebody, Let the music play, Tell it to my heart, and more.
Deviant @ Heretic | August 21st (10 PM - 3 AM)
Judgment-free, safe and inclusive! Deviant is the new circuit-party nightlife experience for and by queer people of color. We're committed to sex positivity and body positivity, and we do not tolerate intolerance. Our scandalous dress-code is enforced.
Dear Peach,
I have some family members who are unvaccinated and I am really becoming increasingly concerned for their health at this moment. They are continuing to go out un-masked and not worry about the potential for contracting the new Delta variant. While I am vaccinated and masking up for the safety of others, I am reaching my breaking point in caring about others when they don't care for themselves.
Any ideas on how to navigate this?
Ahh, the age old question of "Why should I try to help those who don't want to be helped?"
I feel this on a very personal level. There are some people in the community who have continuously voiced their concern about the vaccine but at this point, there has been enough time to notice if there would be any major side effects in my opinion It is sad however to watch as people die unnecessarily in hospitals across the country now, and see children now contracting the virus due to the negligence of those around them.
It has become a pandemic of the un-vaccinated as the news would call it and unfortunately that means that it will take time for people to get vaccinated. All you can do is urge those who you love to get the vaccine or the booster (whoever applies to them) and take as much care as possible.
LockWood 51 www.lockwood51.com
“Stay Queer As Fuck” with Lockwood 51, a company that has the likes of Gigi Goode as the face of the company. The company is a “movement to empower queer youth” and with their bold and gutsy designs that are simple yet in your face, they do just that.
Run by ATL local Buzz Busbee, ABetterBuzz is a line that is quintessentially Atlanta. With his innovative designs and collaborations with local designers and artists the line encapsulates the mood and energy of the city while staying true to their casual everyday wear.
Stuzo Clothing www.stuzoclothing.com
Completely gender free and unisex, Stoney Michelli and Uzo Ejikeme create a clothing line where every BODY is welcome. The brand’s site states, “because clothes dont have any organs last time we checked” and their designs emulate their inclusive approach.
Automic Gold www.automicgold.com
A gender neutral jewelry company is something that you would think would be a given, but until this company came around, the jewelry industry was incredibly segregated by gender. The goal of the company; “To make some of the most comfortable and versatile jewelry you can think of inclusive to people of all sizes and genders”.
HumanKind Swim
www.humankindswim.com
In the swimwear world you are either wearing a men’s swim trunk or speedo, or you’re wearing a traditional women’s bikini or one piece. This line founded by Haily Marzullo, strives to break that mold and work to create a mixture of genderless swimwear that is “simple and sporty”.
Kirrin Finch www.kirrinfinch.com
Founded by Brooklyn based couple Laura Moffat and Kelly Sanders Moffat, the company specializes in making menswearinspired clothing that fit the female and non-binary body. Rooted in the idea of free gender expression, the company has molded menswear into something accessible for various heights and frames.
Someone you like may not reciprocate the strong feelings you have for them, bringing rejection. Tension could arise if you’re sharing finances with someone. It might be time for you to get that independent bank account that you wanted for the longest time because if things go more south, you will have to bite the bullet.
Keeping secrets and being extra private may hurt your performance at work because you might be unable to focus when dealing with emotional turmoil and stress. Focus on being your best self. If people want to get to kno wyou at work, you can open up without tellng them everything about yourself. Just be YOU.
Putting your foot in your mouth can create trouble for your romantic life. Telling an entertaining story might not be so fun to your love interest who may take offense. Tread lightly. Learn how to read the room and make damn sure that you know your partner's triggers to avoid during this time, so as to not make any mistakes.
If you’ve been keeping a secret from your friends, especially about your love life, they’ll find out. They wont be happy but, try to mend fences as you realize that you might be in the wrong here. Your friends want to bethere to support you but wont be if you decide to keep the things that are bothering you, to yourself. Try to open up a bit this week and allow yourself to feel some emotion.
Your co-workers might discover that what you say or show about your personal life is far from perfect. While you might be embarrassed, embrace your imperfect life! Noone in this world is perfect, so it is time for you to face the facts and realize that you are included in that. You dont have to be the perfect worker all the time. You do not have to show everyone up. You just have to be the best you, that you can be.
While you might be excited about the adventure that love is taking you on, be careful before jumping off the deep end. After an intense exchange of words, the bond you thought you had with someone goes down in flames. You might have to cut ties with someone completely, which could be costly for you. So make sure that savings is ready JUST IN CASE!
Someone might be trying to take advantage of you financially or belittle your contributions to your partnership. Don’t take that lying down, Aquarius. Find people who actually value you, not the amount of money in your bank account. Friends come in all shapes and sizes, so those that you might have written off previously could surprise you in their loyalty.
What you thought a relationship or person was going to be like turns out not to be what you imagined. Be careful about having overly high standards. It could lead to major disappointment.You might be tempted to discard your healthy habits in exchange for some vices that leave you feeling bad. Stay out of trouble by sticking to your routine and staying
Get back to reality or you might hurt some feelings. Being dramatic and telling tall tales could catch up with you.If you want to be the center of attention, try being yourself. People will see right through your act. Being fake on social media could lead to some major drama.
You want a certain relationship to work out so badly, but when the real world comes crashing in, you may realize that you’re not as compatible as you’d hoped. A romance could fizzle out before it even starts.Things that you’ve said in private could get leaked, potentially hurting your reputation. Keep your lips sealed to save yourself.
Private life doesn’t match up to public image... So, If you’ve been stretching the truth about what you actually do at work, you could be called out for it. Noone likes a liar and a phony, no matter if you are trying to impress someone.
Relationship troubles are on the horizon. After talking with someone, you could discover that you have two have very different opinions about an important issue. Their moral compass may be pointing in a different direction than yours. How you decide to navigate this is up to you!
