V10-32 08-12-26
5 Tips to Your Best KDS Weekend
Scott King: Queer Yet Boring
Your KDS Weekend Guide
Plus Photos & More
SATURDAY
9.5.26 7PM 11 PM
This is a private event and will sell out!
DRAGON CON
GEORGIA AQUARIUM Radical after-dark Aquarium access DJs spinning bodacious beats Cosplay Vibes
FOR MORE INFO & TICKETS SCAN QR CODE -or visitWWW.GEORGIAAQUARIUM.ORG/DRAGONCON
//FRIDAY, AUG TH ////::: PM
::: AM
�+
SOUNDS BY:
//ELEMENTAL (ORLANDO) //GOONZ (ATLANTA)
Tickets at KDSWeekend.com
21+ Only | Atlanta Eagle | 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
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5 Tips for Having
Your Best Kink Down South Weekend By the KDS Team
Whether it’s your first time stepping into a kink weekend or your gear is older than the DJ, here is how to navigate Kink Down South Weekend like a seasoned pro. There is something undeniable in the air when KDS Weekend rolls around. The hum of house and techno, the gleam of freshly polished gear, and that electric, unapologetic energy that transforms the Southern heat into something a bit more…feral. Whether you are packing your very first harness or you’re a hall-of-fame kinkster who can tie a chest harness in your sleep, navigating a full weekend of daytime demos, vendor markets, and late-night dance floors like Deviant’s Disco requires strategy. To make sure you thrive from the opening Gear & Greet to the final late-night tryst, here are five essential tips and tricks for veterans and novices alike. 1. Gear is a Mindset, Not a Purchase
4. Explore the Demo Grounds with Curiosity (No Yucking Yums)
It’s our #1 House Rule for a reason: You don’t need a $1,000 bespoke leather outfit to belong. Wear what makes you feel bold, authentic, and comfortable.
KDS Weekend brings together dozens of educators and vendors showcasing every flavor of kink.
For the Newbies: Don’t let imposter syndrome (or budget anxiety) keep you from showing up. A well-fitted jockstrap, a simple harness, a rubber accent, or even a sleek black tee and boots is more than enough. KDS rules are clear: gear is a mindset, not a purchase. For the Vets: We love your vintage custom hides, but remember Southern humidity! Ensure your leather is conditioned, bring a backup outfit made of lighter neoprene or cotton for the high-sweat dance floors, and don’t be afraid to break out the gear you usually keep locked in the closet. 2. Master the Art of the “Micro-Negotiation” With high energy comes high interaction—and clear consent keeps the vibe immaculate. For the Newbies: Never touch anyone’s gear, hair, or body without explicit verbal permission. Want to admire someone’s impact gear or stroke a pup’s head? A quick, polite “May I?” is all it takes. And remember: “No” is a complete sentence and is not a personal rejection. For the Vets: You set the culture. Lead by example by vocalizing your boundaries smoothly and celebrating explicit consent on the floor. If a newcomer looks nervous, a warm, non-intimidating compliment goes a long way in making them feel visible and safe. 3. Hydrate: Pace the Marathon Between daytime educational classes and late-night parties like SMUT, KDS Weekend is an endurance sport. The Secret Weapon: Liquid electrolytes and aftercare snacks in your hotel room/bag. Water bottles: Empty water bottles are allowed at the festival and can be refilled at the water fountains. Or pick up your own FREEDOM IN FETISH water bottle at the merch booth! Drop the FOMO: You do not have to attend every single hour of every event. Take mid-afternoon breaks to rest your feet, de-gear, eat a proper meal, and rehydrate.
For the Newbies: Use the daytime festival hours to observe, ask questions, and take classes. See a scene or fetish you don’t quite understand? Keep an open mind and practice the cardinal rule of kink: Don’t yuck someone else’s yum. For the Vets: Use the vendor space to step outside your usual routine. Try a new impact tool, learn a new rope pattern, or sit in on a workshop outside your primary dynamic. Kink evolves—staying curious keeps it exciting. 5. Leave the Ego at Check-In At its core, KDS Weekend exists to build an inclusive, resilient queer kink community.
For Everyone: Hierarchy and elitism kill the mood faster than bad lighting. Leave the “scene politics” at home. Say hello to the person standing alone at the bar, welcome out-of-towners with Southern hospitality, and remember that every expert was once a nervous beginner walking into their very first event. Quick Pack Checklist Hydration: Electrolyte packets & reusable water bottle. Body Care: Lube, anti-chafing balm, band-aids, and earplugs for loud parties. Gear Care: Leather wipes/microfiber cloth for quick midweekend touch-ups. Cash & ID: For vendor booths, tipping performers, and door entry.
PROGRAM GUI DE
ARE YOU DOWN?
AUGUST 14-16 ATLANTA, GA K D S We e k e n d . c o m
THAN K YOU TO OUR SPONSORS For supporting the LGBTQ+ kink and fetish community not just this weekend - but all year round!
PAVI LLION SPONSOR
PLATI NUM SPONSORs
GOLD SPONSORs
SI LVE R SPONSORs
COM MUN ITY & M e dia SPONSORs
SCH E DULE - FRI (8/14) Gear AN D GRE ET W/ DJ Rob RUE M
SM Ut w/ GOON Z & E LE M E NTAL
Weekend Passholder pick up and VIP Welcome Reception 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Kickoff Party for KDS Weekend! Time to strut your SMUT! 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM
Atlanta Eagle
Atlanta Eagle
SCH E DULE - SAT (8/15) CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
KDS We e ke n d Festival
Learn for Kink and Fetish experts to explore new kinks and hone your skills! Over 20 classes to explore!
The KDS Weekend festival gets into full swing with DJ’s, Artists, Vendors , Socials and more!
9:00 PM - 6:00 PM
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
535 Means Street NW
535 Means Street NW
DEVIANT’S DISCO w/ BOOST & ALFONSO TAN The main event for KDS Weekend is taking over the Masquerade! Featuing sounds of 2 international DJ’s with featuring house and sensual remixes to keep you dancing all night! 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM
MASQUERADE (HEAVEN)
SCH E DULE - SUN (8/16) CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
KDS We e ke n d Festival
Learn for Kink and Fetish experts to explore new kinks and hone your skills! Over 20 classes to explore!
The KDS Weekend festival gets into full swing with DJ’s, Artists, Vendors , Socials and more!
9:00 PM - 6:00 PM
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
535 Means Street NW
535 Means Street NW
EAGLE AFTE R PARTY
The Atlanta Eagle is throwing an officially unoffical closing party after KDS Weekend end!
6:00 PM - ???
Atlanta Eagle
Fall Forward 4 Men’s Fashion Trends to Know NOW Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Summer may still be serving sunshine, short shorts, and questionable amounts of skin, but fashion waits for no one. Fall is already making its way onto the racks—and if you want to be ahead of the game rather than scrambling for a new wardrobe when the temperature finally drops, now is the time to start planning. The good news? Fall 2026 menswear is less about rigid rules and more about personality. Think relaxed silhouettes, tactile fabrics, statement accessories, and pieces that can do the heavy lifting when the weather turns cooler. Here are four trends worth putting on your radar now. The New Take on the Classic Top
Step Into Something Unexpected
Forget the idea that fall dressing means Fall footwear is moving beyond the usual disappearing under layers of gray sweaters. sneaker rotation. Loafers, chunky derbies, This season, tops are getting more interesting, sleek boots, and retro-inspired sneakers are with rugby shirts, textured polos, overshirts, giving men’s wardrobes a little more attitude and relaxed button-downs bringing personality from the ground up. to everyday dressing. A substantial loafer is particularly versatile this Look for heavier cotton, brushed textures, season. Wear one with wide-leg trousers for a fashion-forward look, or pair it with jeans and subtle stripes, retro-inspired graphics, and slightly oversized cuts. A rugby shirt a knit for something more relaxed. Chelsea is particularly useful: sporty enough for and Western-inspired boots also bring a little the weekend but polished enough to pair drama to an otherwise simple outfit. with tailored trousers or dark denim. For something a little sexier, try a fitted knit polo And don’t be afraid of a statement sneaker. worn with the top buttons undone. The trick Retro running silhouettes and slightly is to embrace the relaxed proportions without exaggerated soles can add personality without looking like you borrowed your boyfriend’s requiring you to rethink your entire wardrobe. entire closet. Pair a looser top with straight or The goal is simple: make your shoes look slightly tailored trousers to keep the silhouette chosen, not merely convenient. intentional. One Really Good Statement Piece Bags Are Having a Moment The days of cramming your phone, wallet, sunglasses, and miscellaneous life essentials into your pockets are officially over. Fall is making a strong case for the men’s bag—and we’re here for it.
Every fall wardrobe needs a conversation starter. This season, that could mean a leather jacket, a dramatic wool coat, a textured cardigan, a statement blazer, or even a boldly patterned knit. The important thing is that you don’t need five of them. You need one great piece that makes everything else in your closet feel more interesting.
Crossbody bags, sleek shoulder bags, structured totes, and compact leather bags are all excellent ways to add function and fashion to an outfit. The key is choosing Try a boxy leather jacket over a simple tee something that feels like part of the look rather and trousers. Throw a dramatic coat over than an afterthought.For everyday wear, try your favorite denim. Or embrace a beautifully a minimalist crossbody in leather or technical oversized cardigan with nothing more fabric. Heading to the office? A structured complicated than a tank, trousers, and a tote instantly elevates even a simple jeansgreat pair of shoes. Think of it as your fashion and-jacket combination. And if you’re feeling exclamation point. adventurous, choose a bag in a rich seasonal shade like burgundy, chocolate brown, forest green, or deep plum.
SEPTEMBER 2 - 20 • FOX THEATRE For tickets visit www.BroadwayInAtlanta.com
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BARS 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 Room66 12th St NE 7 X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave NE
9 Casa Almanera 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
fitness
14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE
spa/bath 15 Flex Spa
76 4th St. NW
PAPI’S ORIGINATED WITH A FAMILY RECIPE, A DREAM, AND THE WILLINGNESS TO RISK EVERYTHING.
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20 BJ Roosters
2043 Cheshire Bridge Rd
22 Tripps
1931 Piedmont Cir NE
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24 Las Margaritas Closed Temporarily
Retail
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 Atlanta Eagle 33 Felix's
1492 Piedmont Ave NE 1510 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
pg| 17
Queer,Yet Boring
In a Perfect World, Being Queer Wouldn’t Be the Most Interesting Thing About Any of Us By Scott King I love being gay. And by gay I mean homosexual. And ranks higher than Confessions. It is sooooo much fun. I also enjoy being queer. And by queer I mean... whatever you mean by None of those things are “gay.” They’re just... me. queer. And I suspect that’s true for most of us. Maybe you’re a queer accountant who loves Jkjkjkjk. gardening. Maybe you’re a trans engineer who spends weekends restoring motorcycles. Maybe I know what queer means, at least for me. Queer you’re a lesbian who’s secretly the biggest means not straight and/or not cis. Trans people college football fanatic in your friend group. Those and gender-nonconforming people are, by nature, identities don’t compete with being queer. They queer. And quite obviously a central part of the big complete it. rainbow alphabet family. Sometimes I worry we’ve accidentally encouraged Now to my point. Ever since marriage equality each other to flatten ourselves into demographics. became the law of the land in 2015, we’ve We introduce ourselves through labels before watched the pendulum swing. Donald Trump personalities. We know each other’s identities didn’t just become a political figure. He became before we know what makes each other laugh. a talisman for backlash in the culture wars. White male grievance. Straight pride. White Lives Matter. Those things matter. They absolutely matter. They Anti-feminist podcast bros. You get the point. just shouldn’t be the end of the conversation. They should be the beginning of the conversation. Whether we’re talking about LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, immigrants, or racial justice, the The greatest victory for any civil rights movement last decade has felt like a reaction against the isn’t when everyone notices you. social progress of the previous two or three. It’ss when they hey sstop op treating ea ng you like ke an excep exception. on History does this. It surges forward, then lurches The d dream eam isn’t sn ha eve y quee pe son becomes backward. Progress rarely moves in a straight asc na ng because hey e quee The d eam s line. ha quee peop e ge o be wonde u y g o ous y o d na y But here’s the thing: I don’t think this is the end of the story. The pendulum always swings back. B an o med oc e Cha sma c o awkwa d Maybe not next year. Maybe not after the next A s s p umbe s awye s ba ende s eache s election. But eventually younger generations game s ma a hon unne s e b e cooks become older generations. Culture changes. amaz ng pa en s nsu e ab e mov e snobs and New ideas become ordinary. The things people yes—even bo ng once fought over become so normal that future generations struggle to understand why anyone Espec a y bo ng Because bo ng s a p v ege cared in the first place. means you ex s ence no onge equ es an exp ana on Maybe ha s whe e we e headed I believe another era of queer acceptance is coming. Maybe it’ll be bigger than the last one. hope he nex wave o p og ess sn us abou Maybe it’ll include people who felt left behind the add ng mo e e e s o des gn ng a be e flag o first time. Maybe it’ll produce legal victories we w nn ng ano he cou case— mpo an as hose haven’t even imagined yet. h ngs can be hope s abou g v ng ou se ves pe m ss on o become u e human be ngs When that moment comes, though, I hope we don’t make the same mistake we’ve made before. To be known o ou humo be o e ou hash ags I hope we stop making queerness the headline of Ou gene os y be o e ou gende Ou cu os y our personalities. be o e ou ca ego y Not because being queer isn’t important. It is. The ony s ha he mo e secu e ou p ace Being gay shaped my life. It determined whom becomes n soc e y he ess ou quee ness has I fell in love with. It influenced my friendships, o ca y he we gh o ou en e den y Tha s no my politics, the music I discovered, the bars I os ng some h ng Tha s eedom And maybe wandered into, and the community that caught me n a u y equa wo d when I needed it. It influenced where I chose to be ng quee won be live as an adult. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. he mos n e es ng h ng abou any o us But it isn’t the only interesting thing about me. I’m also obsessed with obscure music. I collect s mp y be one records. I make and remake playlists. I write. I lift beau u chap e n a weights with near religious devotion. It’s therapy. I much b gge s o y also eat like a linebacker, so I’m not quite the pro wrestler twunk of your dreams..Yet. Sco K ng ves w es we ques and eads n I’m full of endlessly witty observations on my M d own A an a better days and insufferably discursive on my worse ones. I can spend an hour talking about post-punk bands, old movies, Atlanta history, or why Madonna’s Music still sounds like the future.
A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in DAVID & visit their websites for weekly event listings.
SNAPS BARS & CLUBS 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 xmidtown.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 WESTSIDE MARQUETTE 868 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW 840ATL 840 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd
BOGGS SOCIAL & SUPPLY 1310 White St. SW Atlanta, GA 30310 boggssocial.com ANSLEY ATLANTA EAGLE 1492 Piedmont Ave NE FELIX’S 1510 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 TRIPPS fb: tripps-bar 1931 Piedmont Cir NE
EAST ATLANTA, GRANT PARK, EDGEWOOD, & DECATUR MARY’S marysatlanta.com 1287 Glenwood Ave SE LORE ATLANTA loreatl.com 466 Edgewood Ave loreatl.com CHOO CHOO’S 3711 N. Decatur 770-374-4343
DINING MIDTOWN CASA ALMENARA 991 Piedmont Ave NE casa-almenara.com LA HACIENDA lahaciendamidtown. com 900 Monroe Dr NE TUK TUK THAI FOOD LOFT TUKTUKATL.COM 1745 Peachtree Rd NW DEKALB LIPS ATLANTA atldragshow.com 3011 Buford Hwy NE
RETAIL
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com 1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
FITNESS MIDTOWN URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbodyfitness. com 500 Amsterdam Ave N CHESHIRE GRAVITY FITNESS gravityfitnessatl. com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
MIDTOWN BOY NEXT DOOR MENSWEAR boynextdoormenswear. com 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A
SPAS/BATHS ADULT FLEX SPA flexspas.com 76 4th St NW
ANSLEY
SOUTHERN NIGHTS VIDEO 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
BARKING LEATHER barkingleather.com 1510 Piedmont Ave NE
Bear Trap Sunday Funday @ Woofs Atlanta
Photos by: Russ Youngblood
1510 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 (404) 900-5847
The Armorettes @ Atlanta Eagle
Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.
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Your Atlanta REALTOR®
c. 404.998.9944 // o. 404.874.0300 carsoncowan.com @CarsonCowanRealEstate
PALS Bingo Abba/St.Pat’s @ Lips Atlanta
More (& larger) online at davidatlanta.com
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We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
Treat me like a joke, and I will leave you like it ’s funny.
Knowing when to call it a night is honestly a skill I’ll never learn.
If there was a line between right You can’t imagine me going and wrong, I snorted it years camping? That’s exactly how I want ago. to be remembered. Hope this email f inds you in I could quit my job to focus on another dimenasion where none of Wish watching my shows. this is happening! Gay people like starting their day with the LOUDEST song you’ve ever heard.
We went from raging against the machine to asking it to summarize our emails...
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