Peach Magazine V6-i12 | Spring is Sprung!

jonathan van ness gets curious the ‘queer eye’ grooming expert’s new netflix show explores everything from bugs to being nonbinary photos by russ bowenyoungblood

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Jonathan Van Ness Gets Curious The ‘Queer Eye’ grooming expert’s new Netflix show explores everything from bugs to being nonbinary

By Chris Azzopardi Before I talk to Jonathan Van Ness about their new Netflix show, “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” they take me on a little on-camera adventure that involves them “needing cuter light.”

They do a 180 with the computer. They swivel in their chair. “I need more natural light in my life, I’m sorry,” they say, still shifting and “getting comfortable.”

And then once they find that magical spot where the light hits their face in just the right place, the 34-year-old “Queer Eye” grooming expert grooms their computer, gently wiping the lens with a tissue. If you’re going to wear what they’re wearing — it appears to be a chiffon kaftan — you don’t want a dusty ol’ lens muddying its bright pink radiance, honey.

“I did an outfit change for you,” they say, having slipped into their new, flowier ensemble just before our interview.

Van Ness, who is also a children’s book author and one of just a few openly nonbinary public figures, rocks an entire closet of gender-

nonconforming fashion on Season 6 of “Queer Eye,” which hit Netflix on New Year’s Eve 2021.

On their new six-episode series, a TV adaptation of their podcast “Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness,” the multi-hyphenate even has an entire episode devoted to gender identity.

Featured in the episode, titled “Can We Say ByeBye to the Binary?,” are gender nonconforming activist Alok Vaid-Menon and Geo Neptune, the first two-spirit elected official in the state of Maine. With Van Ness, who says they hadn’t even heard the term nonbinary until the age of 30, Vaid-Menon and Neptune explore what their identity means to them and the history of our rigid gender binary. The show also intends to open up minds on other topics as well, such as why bugs aren’t so bad, figure skating’s minority barriers and, naturally, an entire episode on the history of coifs called “Why Is Hair So Major?”

All aglow through a freshly cleaned computer camera, Van Ness spoke to me about the “sense of ease” they feel now, a dream “Getting Curious” guest star they’re not sure they could form words

around, and their very personal reason for being There aren’t a lot of nonbinary public figures completely theirself around young queer people. in the world, and you seem to be aware of that as you’ve been using your platform to I watched a lot of “Getting Curious” really educate people. yesterday and wanted to thank you for Absolutely. I think that for me, being someone modeling curiosity, first of all. I think as who was very mercilessly bullied all throughout adults we tend to lose our imagination and my childhood and formative educational years, we just accept some things for the way that I’ve always been very moved by this thought of, they are. Is that what you felt going into the “If I could make it easier for other people like me or put a little bit of an end to other people’s show?

Well, I started “Getting Curious,” the podcast, suffering, it would make my suffering more in 2015. I’ve always been someone who loves worth it.” And so I’ve always liked the idea to learn, and I’m just a very curious person. And of using what I’ve learned to help make other I clearly love talking. So the idea — wanting to people’s lives easier. understand the world around me better — has been something that’s existed within me for as I love that you said that because my colleague, long as I can remember. So that was definitely whose queer son loves you, wanted to know something that I wanted the opportunity to how you feel when it’s a kid who looks to you break down on the Netflix stage ‘cause it’s a as a huge inspiration as they’re navigating their own gender and identity. very big stage.

And I wanted to bring a more visual, multi- That’s a really good question. I think sometimes medium, multifaceted world in which the when I see much younger children, like in my podcast — but as a TV show — could live. standup comedy show, I just feel immediately So I’m just really excited that we got the guilty. I’m like, “Oh my god. I hope I don’t opportunity and that Netflix believed in me traumatize them, honey, ‘cause we are going enough and that we can go explore the world there tonight.” So in that sense, it can be a little together. So I’m just really excited that I have bit harder, but so often I think about Margaret Cho when I think about how I want to live my the opportunity and I hope everyone loves it. life as a public figure. I was introduced to her work at a very young age. I was maybe 10 or 11 You mention Netflix being a big stage, when I first saw one of her specials on Comedy which it is. Is that why you were like, “You Central. And she did not hold back. She was know what? We are gonna do an entire herself. She _is_ herself. She’s a full-bodied episode devoted to nonbinary and gender version of herself. And look at how I turned out. nonconforming people”?

I’m fine.

Yeah. Being someone who is nonbinary is So I just feel like I wanna be myself. I don’t something that I think I’ve been my entire life. I wanna totally limit my art or my creativity only had language for it in these last few years. thinking about, like, “Oh my gosh, is this gonna But the amount of trans misogyny that I’ve had be too much for someone?” I feel honored that to endure and live through in my own life pales people of any age would look to me and find in comparison to some of the trans misogyny more self-love, more self-acceptance, more that other people have had to go through within comedy, more joy. More curiosity. So I think I our community and within our trans community, wanna think about that because if I think about, specifically. like, “Oh my gosh, I’m a role model for a lot of However, I wanted to humanize us. And it’s young people,” and even just success in general, not only my job to do this, obviously. But I if I thought about it too much, I would become wanted to have a time where we could talk and really full of anxiety and unsure of what to do. be together and learn together and just have And so I think in order for me to stay connected that humanity, ‘cause I think so often we are to myself and my own vision, I have to not portrayed in this way that it’s just not human. think too much about the way that it’s gonna It’s only around, like, violence or this feeling of, be received. trans people are coming for our way of life. Or trans people are coming for tradition. Or trans Do you have moments in your mind where people are coming for sports. Or trans people you’re like, “What would this have meant are coming for public safety, or whatever it is. to little Jonathan growing up in Quincy, And I wanted to show people that we are human Illinois?” and we are all sorts of different things that are Very much. And sometimes that’s actually not threatening, and actually very beautiful and another one of those feelings where sometimes I amazing and are just as natural as the grass or think if I felt that feeling all the way, I know I’d rain. You know, we’ve been here forever. And I just be in a corner crying because I can’t believe was really excited to get an opportunity to share that I’ve been able to do this with my life. that information.

But I do hope that other young people seeing me achieve what I’ve been able to achieve in

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HIDEAWAY BOWLING CLOSING PARTY

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GLITZ AND GLAMOUR

COTILLION RAISED OVER 1.35 MILLION OVER ITS 12 YEAR LIFETIME.

Peach Scene @ Atlanta Cotillion: An Imperial Reunion reunited on March 19 at the Biltmore Imperial Ballroom. Cotillion Queens, Debutantes, Committee members and patrons had a beautiful evening to celebrate successes and raise funds for AID Atlanta’s PrEP Therapy Clinic serving uninsured and underinsured community members.

my career won’t find it so shocking when they achieve their dreams. Because for me growing up, I felt like it was unheard of. I didn’t think that I was ever gonna see someone like me be so successful and beloved and accepted and able to create their own projects. It really is such an honor. And I want other people, especially young people, to look at me and think that they can do it too.

episodes of the show?

I mean, once you do have Michelle Kwan, I don’t know where else you’re gonna go from there. I kind of started with the most major one ever! But I mean, I feel like… is Adele ever available? Beyonce ? Michelle Obama, honey?

Like, I’m shooting for the stars, but I don’t know. Who knows?

Oprah?

Oh my god, Oprah. Aaah! I don’t know if I even have Oprah ‘cause I think I would Is this your first season on “Queer Eye” could literally do that for the whole 22 minutes. Aah! identifying openly as nonbinary?

I came out about being nonbinary in 2019, Aaah! before we filmed Season 5, but I don’t know if I’d watch it. I would. me talking about it in that season made it to air. The title of that episode: “Can Jonathan Form Words Around Oprah?”

I wondered because you are fully yourself this season in a way that I hadn’t really seen before. You’re really embodying your whole self, even down to the fashion. Did you feel differently this season?

Yeah. I think it’s just been such a fast four years, you know? From shooting Season 1 and 2 in Atlanta in 2017, which is when we actually shot that, and then Season 3 and 4, which we shot in 2018, really soon after the show had come out.

Season 1 and 2 we shot together. Season 3 and 4, together. And then 5 was its own thing. And then 6 was its own thing. And so each one of those chunks I feel like I was in just a wholly different life situation every single time. Just neck-spraining differences in life situations. So I do think that the season between being married and … definitely this was the first season where Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of I was public about my HIV status. Just very Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, public in all of the things. And so I think that the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has that maybe did lead to just a more overall sense interviewed a multitude of superstars, including of ease.

Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé.

His work has also appeared in The New York In “Getting Curious,” you’ve got some great Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach guest stars, including Rachel Dratch, Lea him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

DeLaria and Michelle Kwan. Who is on your dream guest star list for potential future

SInce this issue is all about Trans-Visibility, this palylist needs no introduction.

These artists (at the forefront of the trans movement in the music industry) all deserve the recognition and more.

From non-binary artists to gender fluid and trans, here are some of the top artists making strides in their careers; and we think they're F@#!-ing GREAT!

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PHOTOS BY RUSS BOWEN-YOUNGBLOOD

JEFFREY'S 50TH BIRTHDAY AT CAMPAGNOLO

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

9 10 & Piedmont 991 Piedmont Ave NE 10 Campagnolo 980 Piedmont Ave NE 16 G’s Midtown 219 10th St NE 17 Henry’s 132 10th St NE 19 La Hacienda 900 Monroe Dr NE 20 Guac y Margys 502 Amsterdam Ave NE

6 My Sister’s Room66 12th St NE 7 X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave NE

fitness

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spa/bath

1 FUTURE ATLANTA 50 Lower Alabama St. SW Suite 180

14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE 15 Flex Spa

76 4th St. NW

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1842 Cheshire Bridge Rd

26 Barking Leather 27 Southern Nights

1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd

28 Heretic 29 Tokyo Valentino

2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd

30 Gravitee Fitness

2201 Faulkner Rd NE

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32 Midtown Moon 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 33 Felix's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 34 The Hideaway 1544 Piedmont Ave NE 35 Mixx 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 36 Oscar's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Mary's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE Sister Louisa’s Church 466 Edgewood Ave SE Lips Atlanta 3011 Buford Hwy NE 465 Boulevard SE The T Woof's 494 Plasters Ave NE

Retail

39 Boy Next Door 40 Barking Leather

Fitness

1447 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 Piedmont Ave NE

41 Equilibrium Fitness 1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L

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GYM SECOND SUNDAY DRAG BRUNCH

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.

Peach Scene @ PALS BINGO @ LIPS ATLANTA

ARIES: You are reaching for the stars this week as you prepare to embark on a journey of your dreams. If you let yourself lose sight of those dreams though, you are going to regret losing traction. Don't fall for the distractions!

LIBRA: You have to be careful with your attention today because if you lose sight of the task at hand, you are going to be dealing with the repercussion for the week. And if you let your week landslide out of control... well, it wont be fun.

TAURUS: You are going to have some amazing opportunities coming your way this week, but if you dont know which one to take, then you need to take a step back and breathe. You cannot be impulsive with the choices you make this week.

SCORPIO: You need to take this week to add something to your life that is magical and fun. You have been driven by rigorous schedules and working long hours, so if you can take a moment to TRULY be yourself it will make all the difference.

GEMINI: You have a long road ahead of you this week. If you are concerned about the fact that the journey is going to be long and arduous, then maybe you aren't cut out for what comes next... but we think you got this down!

SAGITTARIUS: The energy of the universe is going to find its way into your home and you are in for a whirwind of a week. How can you prepare your life to avoid any of the mess that could happen with the insanity that life can bring?

CANCER: Adventure is in your blood and you are hoping that this week there will be some big adventures to embark on.

When and if they happen this week you will finally get the chance to enjoy yourself after weeks of being at the mercy of your schedule.

CAPRICORN: Every chance you get this week to explore something new, you should. The energy of the universe is going to zip through you and you are going to want nothing more than adventure this week. So why not indulge a little?

LEO: You might find yourself in a heated argument this week but you need to take a moment to see the other person's point of view. Your big personality is going to get in the way and you have to make sure that if you decide to bite back that you have your facts straight. Don't jump into something that you dont know.

AQUARIUS: RICH! FILTHY RICH! Rich doesnt necessarily mean monetary though. If you have riches in life or in energy then you might really enjoy this week. You have so much about to happen that you need to check yourself and see how to utilize this wealth to the best of your ability.

VIRGO: Someone is going to share exciting information with you and they will want to see an ecstatic reaction from you. They could be a good friend, family member or close friend and if you can support them in their good news, then their fondness for you will grow even more!

PISCES: This week is full of positivity for you and you are going to be the happiest you have been in a long time. Take this week with a grain of salt and see the joy that surrounds you in friends, family and other aspects in life. You will thank YOURSELF later.

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

SNAPS MIDTOWN 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 X MIDTOWN fb.com/XMidtownX 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

WESTSIDE

DINING

FITNESS

MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW

MIDTOWN

MIDTOWN

10TH & PIEDMONT 10thandpiedmont. com 991 Piedmont Ave NE

URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness.com 500 Amsterdam Ave N

840ATL 840 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW 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

G’S gsmidtown.com 219 10th St NE HENRY’S henrysatl.com 132 10th St NE LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE

CHESHIRE

GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE

SPAS/BATHS ADULT FLEX SPA flexspas.com 76 4th St NW CHESHIRE

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

EMAIL JOSH@PEACHATL.COM FREE BUSINESS LISTING, THERE IS ROOM FOR YOU!

BARS & CLUBS

March 23rd - March 30th

The Back Room w/ Donofrio @ Heretic | Friday March 25th (10 PM) Special The first Back Room of 2022 is here just in time for Spring w/ Donofrio!

Donofrio, one half of the Duo KIA, is an up-and-coming Brooklyn based DJ. Donofrio plays a multi genre mix of high energy, drum forward sounds edged with a cunty flair.

Subscribe for tickets @ QueenButchEvents.com Dress Code: Leather / Latex / Kink

Barking Leather Cigar Social @ Barking Leather | Saturday March 26th (5 - 9 PM)

We had such a good time last month, we're doing it again! Join us Saturday, March 26th, 2022, for a leather social. Bring your gear, bring your cigars (the back patio will be open) and come hang out!

March 26th, 2022 5-9 PM 1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A Atlanta GA 30324

Garden Party @ Botanical Gardens | Saturday March 26th (5 - 9 PM)

Join us for the Garden’s official kickoff to spring!

Enjoy live music, cocktails, refreshments, flower arranging demos and more while strolling among countless spring bulbs at Garden Party, a special ticketed event, Saturday, March 26 from 5 – 9 p.m. **Complimentary daytime admission for members and guest passes are not accepted at this special event. All guests require a timed ticket. Families welcome. Recommended attire: Garden chic.

Learn more: atlantabg.org/calendar/garden-party/

Dazzler Disco Party@ @ Mary's | Saturday March 26th (10 PM) It's time for a DAZZLING disco party! In honor of one of our favorite roller-skating, disco dancing, popstar mutants this party will have decades spanning disco dance hits! Come ready to DANCE!

Deviant ATL Dev'Chella @ Heretic | Saturday March 26th (10 PM - 3 AM) Deviant ATL returns with a Coachella themed party — March 26th!

Think Hippie: peace and love, because that's what we're all about.

Get creative, stay sexy, and let's have some fun!

Get creative, stay sexy, and let's have some fun, celebrating our own freedoms as black and brown queer people! Saturday, March 26th.

General Admission is completely FREE until midnight! ( TICKET REQUIRED) Covid regulations in place. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is REQUIRED for entry .

Deviant Dress Code is required! Don't kill the vibes- Have fun with it! Dressing the part is half the fun, and kind of the whole point: #QueerAF #SexPositive #BodyPositive Underground Circuit w/ Las Bibas from Vizcaya @ Future | Saturday March 26th (11 PM - 3 AM) Happy to welcome back Las Bibas!

WUSSY Presents Bottoms Up Drag Brunch w/ Roxxxy Andrews @ City Winery Atlanta | Sunday March 27th (1 PM-3 PM)

Enjoy this boozy drag brunch featuring special guest Roxxxy Andrews from RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars!

Doors open at 11:30AM, show starts at 1:00PM. Performances By: * Roxxxy Andrews from RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars * Nicole Paige Brooks from RuPaul's Drag Race * Brigitte Bidet * Coco Iman Starr * Dotte Com * Stella Pearl Fontaine + More!

Meet & Greet with Roxxxy Andrews available as an add-on!

Flobots @ Masquerade | Sunday March 27th (7 PM) The Masquerade presents...

Sunday, March 27th, 2022 Hell at The Masquerade Flobots w/ Bonelang 7:00 PM Doors $20 ADV / All Ages Tickets available @ The Masquerade Box Office or online FRI 1/14 @ 10 AM: masq.in/Flobots3-27 For More Info Please Visit: MASQ.com @Masquerade_ATL

Gear Night @ The Hideaway | Wednesday March 30th (7 - 9 PM)

Calling all Doms, Daddies, Sirs, Subs, Boys and Pups! (And everyone/thing in-between!) Join your fellow Atlanta Kinksters for a casual night of gear and good times at the Hideaway. We’ll be slinging a kinky cocktail special from 7pm to 9pm March 30th!

Hideaway and your hosts, David and Paul, invite you to brush off your best gear (keep it PG-69 y’all) and come out for our first gear themed happy hour!

We’ll have a bar tab raffle at 8:45pm. (Maybe even a few other prizes) Earn an entry for every cocktail you order while in gear.

Dear Peach, I hate to say this, but I am confused by the different gender expressions and sexualities.

How can I educate myself more on the matter and make sure that I am honoring those around me by using proper pronouns; even if that’s the smallest thing I can do?

Honestly, it’s not unheard of. There are many people out there who are confused as you are by the various gender and sexuality expressions nowadays. However, we have to realize that these expressions always existed. Sexuality (as explained by Kinsey and the "Kinsey Spectrum”) is just that, a spectrum. Some people exist on the spectrum as 100% homosexual, heterosexual or somewhere in between.

We have to understand gender expression as the same thing.

If we believe that gender falls into societal constructs of what a male and female should be wearing, doing, or other… those are constructs that unfortunately reinforce these notions. If someone decides that they identify as female with biological male parts, then we have to accept that. The brain is a very powerful thing and everyones is working in overdrive these days. What does it matter what is between your legs?

Everyone is human and we need to accept the fact that those around us can be different than us. It’s what makes the world more vibrant and diverse. Being nice costs you nothing, but can make the person you are nice to feel EVERYTHING!