Meet the Queer Twosome from Peacock’s ‘Couple to Throuple’ Show
By Chris Azzopardi Photos courtesy of Peacock
Polyamory has officially reached the zeitgeist. Beyond the queer community, where it has, perhaps, lived more openly for some time now, it is represented prominently in a recent issue of New York magazine in a way that can speak to an even wider swath of the pro-monogamy population, thanks to the adorable four-cat polycule on its cover.
Polyamory has also reached executives at Peacock, who knew exactly what they were doing with the new reality series “Couple to Throuple,” which takes four twosomes and make them… moresomes. Enter Rehman Bhatti, who grew up 20 minutes south of Detroit, and Ashmal Ali, a Michigan State University law grad who’s originally from Atlanta. The two met while Ali was living in Lansing. “I was in Lansing, so I didn’t really experience Detroit as much,” he says. “I just didn’t really even have a reason to go until I met him.” Soon, they were spending time at places like Detroit’s Campus Martius skating rink and hanging out around Ferndale. Ali called Bhatti a “great tour guide.”
“When we first met, and before Ashmal thought it was going to be something serious, he didn’t refer to me by my name when he would talk to his friends,” Bhatti recalls. “He would refer to me as ‘Detroit Boy.’ He was about to save my name in his phone as ‘Detroit Boy’ instead of my real name. And then once it became serious, he’s like, ‘All right, we’ll drop that and we’ll call him by his name.’” As of last year, the couple now both live in Chicago, though Bhatti says “Detroit is always where my heart is.”
How did you two get involved in this show?
Rehman Bhatti: I actually was scrolling Facebook one day and saw a Facebook ad for it, and it was just like, “Looking for couples that are open to experimenting and have an open mind about where they want to take their relationship.” So then I basically just applied, and then the next day I got a phone call that was like, “Hey, we want to do a quick phone interview.” And then after that, a week later, they were like, “Oh, we want to set you up with a video interview with our casting agents.” That’s when I let Ashmal know: “Hey, on this day we have an interview. Be ready because I signed us up for the show.”
Ashmal Ali: I was studying for my bar exam at the time so really that was my study break. I looked up, I showered, got a haircut, and here we are.
So it doesn’t sound like you had a lot of hesitation, Ashmal.
Ashmal: Oh, no. I mean, he said it’s a show for openminded couples experiencing something new, and I was like, “We’re a new couple.”
Had you had conversations about polyamory before the conversation about being on the show?
Ashmal: I think to a certain extent, yeah. I mean, at that point we didn’t really have the words for what we were talking about. We didn’t have the terms like polyamory or anything like that, but we were talking about exploring. I think there was always a sense of, there’s so much this world has to offer, and I think we both had that mentality throughout our relationship so I think this was just a normal conversation for us.
What surprised you most about the experience?
Ashmal: How hot it was. Honestly, it was so warm. I’ve never sweat like that I think my whole life. I think, because you don’t see people sweating on TV, I was like, “Is this going to translate?” I’m dripping, I had tinted moisturizer on. I was like, “Is this coming off?”
Rehman: I did not realize that it was going to be as much of an emotional journey as it was. Looking back on it, I’m so glad that I just went through the experiment with a very open mind and participated. I don’t know if you agree, Ashmal, but I think we initially thought we were going to go there, have fun, and then when we found out it was serious about our relationship, we really took it as seriously as possible and that was definitely surprising to me.
Had either of you been in front of a camera before like that, especially for those confessional moments?
Rehman: No, first time for me.
Ashmal: Never a camera like that, and I think it was actually the second day when the camera became so real. I remember looking over and I was like, “There it is. There it is just staring at me.” And that’s when it became way more real. I think the first day we were just meeting everyone, it felt like meeting friends or meeting people for the first time; I was focusing more on that and then it became, “Oh wow, we are filming something.” There’s no script to follow, so we were just all figuring it out together, and I think that was cool about the experience.
What was it like to have that camera in your bedroom
DAVID Magazine pg| 8
knowing that this would be on television?
Rehman: I was just like, “I hope they’re getting my right angles at all times,” that was basically it. [Laughs.] No, but seriously, you just totally forget about it, and you’re just so immersed in the experience and making new experiences with new people and all of that, that I just totally, at some point, forgot that we were filming a show.
So it was never on your mind what would be shown and what might not be shown on TV during those intimate moments?
Ashmal: I think after the first day, after the camera becomes real, you have to just remember that you’re a regular person and that you’re doing what regular people do. And it’s just, there happens to be a camera there. If you keep thinking about it, I think it not only affects you, but also the people you’re around. I never thought that I’d be exploited, so I think it was easy to let go and just focus on the experience. And it was the first time we could kind of focus on ourselves. We didn’t have to reply to emails, we didn’t have to worry about jobs, we didn’t have to do anything.
How did exploring polyamory on this show challenge your relationship and get you to think about relationships differently?
Rehman: I think because it was so new to us, we had never had prior communication about it. Let’s be honest, Ashmal and I have very interesting communication just naturally, so I think this added to that and made it even more difficult because our normal communication can sometimes be a little crazy, but now throwing in something that we don’t have very much experience with, we really had to take a step back and say, “Hey, we actually have to really talk about things, and we have to really be on the same page for the first time, in a very limited amount of time too.” We were only on the show for so many days and so many weeks, so we only had so much time to really talk about it, think about it, and then make decisions going forward. So it was definitely, I would say, a test for our communication, for sure.
After the show, are you still interested in pursuing polyamory?
Ashmal: I was open to whatever the world had to offer before, and I’m open to whatever the world has to offer after the show. I think it was just a great experience. Being open to things has been great so far. So yeah, I’m open to everything.
Rehman: One of the really cool things that I learned from the show is there isn’t necessarily one right way to be polyamorous. There’s so many different ways, and there are so many different ways that you could take your relationship. I think that’s the thing that Ashmal and I were so excited about: to explore how else we could have a relationship. Could we have something that’s not necessarily what people consider to be the norm? And that was the coolest thing for me to experience, seeing the other couples take on polyamory in a different way. So, a huge learning experience for me and I’m definitely open to what else comes in the future.
What was it like to be queer men in a group of seemingly mostly straight men?
Ashmal: For me, honestly, it was super fun. I think even on day one walking in, it made you forget whatever preconceived notions you might’ve had. I remember one person from one of the couples, Dylan Bair, a big muscular guy, I walked in and maybe I had my guard up for a sec. And then he opened his mouth, I was like, “This man is truly a teddy bear.”
Living in that house with everyone, you kind of forgot. It’s not that you forgot your differences, but you remember you were all here figuring this stuff out. So I was learning from Dylan. I mean, he would always work out, so I was copying his workouts. I just had the best time. It was like those barriers that we have in the real world were down. So you really got to meet these people for who they were and not necessarily what I would think they were if I saw them out.
Rehman: I think the one thing that made me a bit nervous coming into it being the only queer men was that, “Oh my god, people are now going to see us as the only [queer] people on there, that’s the only representation they’re getting; we have to make sure we’re dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s because we are going to be judged like crazy.” It took a little while for me to get over that and realize, listen, while I am somewhat representing the LGBTQ+ community, I’m representing Rehman and that’s it. So I really had to just go with the flow, do what I felt was right, and not necessarily worry about what other people are going to say or how I might be perceived by maybe non-queer people, but then also the queer community in general. I just had to do my own thing.
Why do you think more people seem to be openly talking about polyamory now?
Ashmal: For me growing up, exploring my queerness was already so out of the mold. It was already out of tradition. So it’s like just by being me, I’m already taking a step outside of what’s “normal.” Nothing else new feels like anything different because I’ve already stepped away from the tradition, so I’m way more open to everything else because I’m already doing something that’s not “normal.” We hold ourselves back less. And I think now heterosexual people are being more open to it because they’re not taking the traditional roles of male-female in a relationship.
Rehman: Some people are probably already practicing polyamory, and they’re just not maybe as open about it. I know we’ve talked to so many people when we’ve mentioned, “Hey, we’re going to be on the show,” and people have been like, “Oh yeah, I’ve tried that out myself.” And maybe they haven’t just been so public about it. I’m hoping that the more this topic and this way of having a relationship becomes more normalized, people will feel a lot more comfortable to talk about it, say publicly they’re in a polyamorous relationship, and feel a lot more comfortable to be themselves and try new things.
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He 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.
DAVID Magazine pg| 9
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood c. 404.998.9944 / o. 404.874.0300 / carson@carsoncowan.com CARSON COWAN REALTOR ® / 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. NEW FACES @ Friends on Ponce More (& larger) online at davidatlanta.com
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
As Black History Month draws to a close, it’s crucial to reflect on the insights gained and the activism sparked during this significant period. While February serves as a dedicated time to honor the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history, the lessons learned and actions taken should not be confined to a single month. Instead, they should serve as catalysts for ongoing advocacy and change throughout the year.
Education and Awareness
One of the most important takeaways from Black History Month is the opportunity to educate oneself about the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the Black community. Beyond February, it is essential to continue learning and raising awareness about issues such as systemic racism, social injustice, and inequality. This can involve reading books, listening to podcasts, attending workshops, and engaging in meaningful conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds. By expanding our knowledge and understanding, we can become more effective allies and advocates for racial equity and justice.
Amplifying Black Voices
Black History Month provides a platform for amplifying Black voices and perspectives, but this effort must extend beyond the designated month. It is crucial to actively seek out and uplift the voices of Black individuals in our communities, workplaces, and social circles. This can involve sharing their stories, promoting their work, and providing opportunities for leadership and representation. By centering Black voices and experiences, we can challenge existing power dynamics and work towards creating more inclusive and equitable spaces for all.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses
Supporting Black-owned businesses is not only a gesture of solidarity but also a tangible way to address economic disparities and promote economic empowerment within the Black community. Beyond Black History Month, make a conscious effort to patronize Black-owned businesses, whether it’s purchasing products, dining at restaurants, or investing in services. By redirecting our spending power towards Black
Sustaining Insights Beyond Black History Month
entrepreneurs and enterprises, we can help create sustainable economic opportunities and foster community resilience.
Advocating for Policy Change
Black History Month serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice. Beyond February, it is essential to advocate for policy changes that address systemic racism and promote equity and inclusion. This can involve supporting legislative initiatives, participating in grassroots campaigns, and engaging with elected officials to demand accountability and reform. By leveraging our collective voice and mobilizing for change, we can help dismantle oppressive systems and advance towards a more just and equitable society.
Cultivating Allyship and Solidarity
True allyship requires ongoing commitment and action, extending far beyond the confines of Black History Month. It involves actively listening to the needs and concerns of the Black community, speaking out against injustice, and standing in solidarity with those fighting for liberation and equality. Allyship also entails acknowledging and confronting our own biases and privileges, and actively working to dismantle systems of oppression in all areas of our lives. By cultivating authentic allyship and solidarity, we can work together to create a more inclusive and equitable world for everyone.
In conclusion, Black History Month serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of Black individuals to our shared history and culture. However, the insights gained and the activism inspired during this month must extend far beyond its boundaries. By committing to ongoing education, amplifying Black voices, supporting Black-owned businesses, advocating for policy change, and cultivating allyship and solidarity, we can translate the lessons of Black History Month into meaningful and sustained action throughout the year. Together, we can work towards a future where justice, equality, and dignity are afforded to all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
DAVID Magazine pg| 11
Monday-Wednesday
Monday-Wednesday
Friday-Saturday
Friday-Saturday
Sunday
Sunday
21 Peachtree Place NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 872-4897 www.macsbeerandwine.com Proudly serving Midtown Atlanta since 1987! Located in the heart of Midtown at the corner of West Peachtree Street and Peachtree Place. We are fully stocked with all the Beer, Wine and Liquor with free parking. Limited local delivery now available. Store Hours
10:00AM-10:00PM
10:00AM-11:00PM
Thursday
9:00AM-11:00PM
11:00AM-8:00PM Store Hours
10:00AM-10:00PM
Thursday 10:00AM-11:00PM
9:00AM-11:00PM
11:00AM-8:00PM
Spring into Kink: Addicted USA Unveils Its Fetish Collection
By Tom
Tietjen
Photos by Tarek Del Moreno for AddictedUSA.com
Model: Edgar Avila and Patricio
DAVID Magazine
As fashion, underwear, and fetish-wear continue to become increasingly intertwined, designers are striving to incorporate the latter’s seedy aesthetic into their collections. The latest to combine ready-to-wear design sensibilities with kink-wear is the gay-owned menswear brand, Addicted USA.
For spring, they’re unleashing AD Party, the latest collection from AD Fetish, their steamy line that features crafted harnesses, singlets, and jocks.
The collection draws inspiration from the gay bathhouse scene, yet everything in AD Party is finely and meticulously crafted by Addicted’s superior artisan team.
Visit AddictedUSA.com and follow on IG @addicted_usa_official/
DAVID Magazine pg| 15
BARS
B
DAVID Magazine pg| 16 2 16 14 13 8 9 7 10 15 17 19 1 3 6 4 P ie dmo n t Av e . N E Ju n ip e r St. N E E N . t S e e r t h c a e P PiedmontAve. NE 14th St NE Ponce De Leon Ave . NE Ponce De Leon Ave . NE 4th St NE Monroe Dr. NE Mon r o e D r . N E 10th St. NE E N . t S r e p i n u J E N . l P n o e L e D e c n o P S p r in g S t . N W Amsterdam Ave . E N . r D n e l l A s e l r a h C W N . t S e e r t h c a e P . W 12th St. NE
Park M I DT OWN
Pie dmont
Blake's 227 10 th S t NE
FUTURE ATLANTA 50 Lower Alabama St. SW Suite 180
Bulldo g s 893 Peachtree S t NE 4 Fr iend s 736 Ponce De Leon Ave NE
My Sister’s Room66 12th S t NE 7 X Midtown 990 Piedmont Ave NE fitness 14 Urban Body Fitness 500 Amsterdam Ave NE spa /bath 15 F lex S p a 76 4th S t N W
10th& P iedmon t 991 Piedmont Ave NE 10 Camp ag nolo 980 Piedmont Ave NE 16 G’s M id t o w n 219 10 th S t NE 17 Henr y ’s 132 10 th S t NE 19 L a H acienda 900 Monroe Dr NE
ARS not on map 2
1
3
6
Dining 9
DAVID Magazine pg| 17
ARS 20 B J Roo s t er s 20 43 Cheshire Bridge Rd 22 Tr ipp s 1931 Piedmont Cir NE Dining 24 L a s M ar g ar i t a s Closed Temporarily 18 42 Cheshire Bridge Rd Retail 26 B ar k ing L e a t her 1510 Piedmont Ave Suite A 27 S ou t her n Nig h t s 2205 Cheshire Bridge Rd clu bs 28 Her e t ic 2069 Cheshire Bridge Rd 29 Tok yo Valen t ino 1739 Cheshire Bridge Rd Fitness 30 Gr avi t ee F i t ne s s 2201 Faulkner Rd NE BARS 32 Atlanta Eagle 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 33 Felix 's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE 34 T he Hidea w ay 15 4 4 Piedmont Ave NE 35 M i x x 1492 Piedmont Ave NE 36 O sc ar 's 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Retail 39 B oy Nex t Door 14 47 Piedmont Ave NE 40 Barking Leather 1510 Piedmont Ave NE Fitness 41 E quilibr ium F i t ne s s 1529 Piedmont Ave, Suite L M ar y 's 1287 Glenwood Ave SE S i s t er L oui s a’s Chur ch 466 Edgewood Ave SE L ip s A t lan t a 3011 Buford Hw y NE The T 465 Boulevard SE 494 Plasters Ave NE Woo f 's NEW ONLINE CALENDAR of EVENTS
submitted . See page for details
B
User
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 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW
ANSLEY
A snapshot of Gay Atlanta’s favorite destinations. View their ads in DAVID & visit their websites for weekly event listings.
SNAPS
ATLANTA EAGLE 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
DINING MIDTOWN
CASA ALMENARA
991 Piedmont Ave NE
casa-almenara.com
HENRY’S henrysatl.com
132 10th St NE
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 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 1000 Piedmont Ave NE, Ste A
GCB & PLEASURES brushstrokesatlanta. com
1510-D Piedmont Ave. NE
FITNESS
MIDTOWN
URBAN BODY FITNESS urbanbody tness. com
500 Amsterdam Ave N
CHESHIRE
GRAVITEE FITNESS graviteeatl.com 2201 Faulkner Rd NE
SPAS/BATHS ADULT
FLEX SPA exspas.com 76 4th St NW
EMAIL iNFO@DAViDATLANTA.COM FOR FREE BUSINESS LISTINGS THERE IS ROOM FOR YOU!
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.
Whoever has my voodoo doll, massage the back a li le please.
I’m the one who accidentally built a travel reputation, and now I have to keep booking trips!
People often mistake me for an adult due to my age…
Trust me. As a rule, I never date anyone named Jordan or James.
Please do not invite me to any function. I am not domesticated.
Please be patient with me, I’m from the 1900s.
Work hard. Rest hard!
ANGELS of Atlanta @ Blake’s More (& larger) online at davidatlanta.com
Photos by: Russ Bowen-Youngblood
