Category: Gay News

Coming Out Day

What do you consider your moment of coming out? Was it the moment you came to terms with who you are? Was it the moment you shared a part of your life with the people you loved? Whatever it was, it was the moment you decided to be honest with yourself and perhaps with others.

I spent a few minutes on October 11th, National Coming Out Day, reading some coming out stories online. Some were happy stories. Some weren’t so happy. There were some I definitely related to. There were some I wished I could relate to.

I came out to myself three years ago, at the age of twenty two. Prior to that, like many of my Chinese peers, I had successfully (if awkwardly) dodged questions relating to dating and marriage by focusing on my studies and convincing others that I was simply not ready to date. Upon coming to a firm realization of my identity, it wasn’t long afterward that I found myself revealing the truth to my parents, due to an unexpected turn of events.

The incident happened by pure chance. I had unwittingly left my cell phone at home while at work, leading my father to see a text message from one of my male friends, who had innocuously ended the message with *kiss kiss.* Though this may hardly have been a cause for alarm, it certainly was for my mother, who confronted me with the dreaded question upon my return home:

You’re not gay, are you?

It was the question I feared so much that I had done everything possible over the last two decades to prevent it from being asked. Now that my carelessness had presented me with the opportunity, my moment had come – I could no longer lie.

Though to this day I still don’t know where I had gathered the courage to come out to my parents, I’m grateful for having done so, even if it left a gaping wound in our relationship that’s still far from being in the recovery stages. But having done so, the healing process can hopefully begin sooner rather than later. My coming out story isn’t exactly a happy story, but it’s one that I’m sure at least some of my brothers and sisters out there can relate. Either way, it’s not a story of regret, because it was at that moment where I was more honest and open with myself than I had ever been before. What I didn’t realize at the time was that it wasn’t to end there – coming out is a lifelong process.

To all those who supported me throughout my never-ending coming out story, I give my gratitude. I’m certain I wouldn’t be living the life I am now if it weren’t for you. To all those who came out and faced rejection, disapproval, or worse, I’m proud of you. I can’t think of anyone stronger than you. To all those who haven’t come out yet, there’s no need to explain – I understand your situation completely, and I hope that you find your very own moment one day.

What’s your coming out story?

Article written by J. Chu

Memorial for Gay Holocaust Victims in Tel Aviv

Israel announced that it is to erect a monument in the honour of gay victims of the Holocaust, the first of its kind in the country.

The memorial is to be completed in Meir Park, Tel Aviv later this year, and the first of its kind in Israel. Like other monuments around the world, it will feature a concrete pink triangle.

Eran Lev said:

“This will be the first and only memorial site in Israel to mention the victims of the Nazis who were persecuted for anything other than being Jewish. As a cosmopolitan city and an international gay centre, Tel Aviv will offer a memorial site that is universal in its essence. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not a monument, but a place — a place of quiet that will invite visitors to sit, contemplate, reflect and be in solitude. One of the first restrictions the Nazis imposed on the Jews was against going to public parks. We’re bringing that memory back into the public space.”

August 2013

Homophobic Hate Attack in Turkey

Fırat Kaya, known as Firat Delikanli in Aydın, severely subjected the hearing impaired Engin Elekçi to violence on the grounds that he was “gay“. Fırat Delikanlı posted the images on Instagram.

Fırat Delikanlı drew great reaction with his posts on his Instagram account.

It was revealed that Fırat Delikanlı inflicted violence on a hearing-impaired woman with whom he had been before and hospitalized the woman.

He has not yet been arrested.

16:33: Fırat Kaya has been detained!

26:03.2021: A man using the name Fırat Delikanlı attacked to a gay man in Izmit on March 22,  and then shared the images of his violence on social media.

Fırat Kaya and two other suspects were arrested by the court to which they were referred for “attempting to kill a person intentionally”, “depriving the person of his liberty”, “violating the privacy of private life” and “illegally spreading personal data”.

 

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First Same Sex Marriage in Bolivia

First same-sex marriage officially approved in Bolivia
For the first time in Bolivian history, a gay marriage was officially recognized.

48-year-old economist David Aruquipa and 46-year-old lawyer Guido Montano came out of the civil registry office, where they had returned empty-handed many times, this time with official marriage certificates.

Aruquipa “Of course we are happy to be the first and to pave the way. But also this brings a lot of responsibility. “What we have achieved is only a first step towards the day when the diversity of Bolivia can fully reveal itself,” he said.

For 3 Years Legal Struggle

The couple, who met in the capital La Paz in 2008 and have lived together since then, first officially applied to get married in 2018. However, the authorities rejected their applications, citing Article 68 of the Constitution, which states that marriage can only be made between heterosexual couples.

However, the couple appealed to the Constitutional Court of Bolivia against this decision. The Constitutional Court reversed the rejection of the couple’s marriage application last week. As a result, the civil registry office officially registered the marriage in compliance with the Constitutional Court’s decision, and thus, for the first time in Bolivia’s history, a same-sex marriage was officially recognized.

The Netherlands became the first country where the marriage of same-sex couples was officially accepted with the enactment of the law that accepted same-sex marriages in the Parliament in 2000, and Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen had married four same-sex couples on April 1, 2001, when the law came into effect.

The Best Sports Films For Gay Guys

Hot, steamy days in the upper deck. Beer swigged. Sleeveless T-shirts, biceps showing. The grunt of a pack of men in a football scrimmage on a late fall afternoon. The resigned and disappointed look on a rookie’s face when he realizes he’s been cut. Coaches named “Stud”. Cotton clothing for golf, rough wool for football. Cigars in the clubhouse. Taped ankles, buzz cuts, and the crunch of cleats in a sand-covered dugout.

Admit it: these mainstay tools of contemporary sports cinema have a whole lot more potent effect on us than they do straight men. And I hate to assume, but I can’t see my old college roommate feeling the same way as I did when Rudy couldn’t get a break, or hit the lows I hit when Roy Hobbs re-aggravated his decades-old gunshot injury. While 90% of guys might not notice, the other 10% find such masculine drama, well, “inspiring.”

So if a gay male sees more to a sports film, then which make the grade? What are the top sports flicks for the minority of us who can’t bear to watch Ollie’s foul shots in “Hoosiers” because we can’t reach into the screen to console the guy should he miss? Here are the most watchable sports movies for sports fans who, to borrow a phrase, “see a different game.”

10. “The Endless Summer” (1966). Ever felt totally out of your element but enjoyed what you were experiencing so much that the fascination stuck? That’s what happens here, unless this pseudo-documentary travelogue flick from the “Gidget” era happens to read like an autobiography. For the rest of the world, surf lingo, tactics, and sites remain a mystery, which is why this 34-year old film still pleases. An incredibly masculine, violently thrilling joyride around the world in search of the “perfect wave” with a team of bad boys from surfing’s golden age, “Endless Summer” begs the inevitable question: whatever happened to surfer fetishists?

9. “Tin Cup” (1996). At first glance, this is nothing more than “Bull Durham” on the links, a middle-of-the-road romantic comedy full of flirtatious one-liners between Kevin Costner and Rene Russo, hardly worth a mention for its relative absence of steam. But in a laid-back, witty way, this movie hits the heart, no matter the avalanche of corny straight-guy schmooze techniques and relatively inane script. A “date movie” if there ever was one, “Tin Cup” benefits from a weird, indescribable aura that surrounds every scene: the characters sweat, the sun is blinding, the landscape bakes. It’s a summer flick, and if you’ve ever played golf it’s a thriller, and it contains the most handsome, most loveable incarnation of Costner on film (for my money, anyway). Few times did I manage to escape its relatively oddball charms.

8.. “8 Seconds” (1994). There isn’t a man alive (that I’d identify with, anyway) who would pass up a chance to ride in Lane, Tuff, and Cody’s Caddy, across miles of deserted nothingness in search of a dream, listening to Cody’s cowboy poems, and feeling what it’s like to be a free man. Of course, what makes a rodeo man tick is the secret stuff of legend, but here’s a good peek inside, a highly underrated film with a surprisingly well-paced and patient performance by Luke Perry. He makes a great Lane Frost, right up to his tragic death, and you can’t help but feel it was somehow destined to end up that way. All the stud cowboy posturing aside (and there’s plenty of it), “8 Seconds” is a melancholy film about the things that drive each of us to chase a dream, and how we sometimes lose ourselves along the way. Highly recommended, not just for the boot set.

7. “Hoosiers” (1986). Time has not been kind to this much-revered Cinderella story of the smallest-town-makes-good Indiana state basketball champs of 1952. The warm, entertaining story I remember from years ago now seems so forced, the drama so painted, and the subplots ridiculously trite. The soundtrack humorously reminds me of the sort of melodramatic dreck that served as “tension-building” background noise for bad 1980s dramas like “Dallas” and “Dynasty” (as the music plays during the Sectionals game segment, I swear I expect Blake Carrington to stroll out on the court). But you don’t come here for the atmosphere, you come for the tear-jerking cheese, and it’s here. Basically, nothing more redeeming about this film is as powerful as the boys of the Hickory Huskers themselves, and they do stand the test of time. Ollie is still as nifty and cherubic as I remember, and Jimmy (the “franchise”) still opens my eyes as an awfully handsome farm-boy who carries the team on his back. These are the type of guys who get haircuts every Saturday, who wear their letter jackets every day of their high-school lives, and who you just KNOW have been up in the loft of the family barn with the cheerleaders, discovering what it’s like to be men and growing up accordingly. There simply isn’t a better cast of this sort who can evoke so many boyhood memories in a man and do so convincingly and tastefully. Despite the years, it’s a pleaser.

6. “Rudy” (1993). A college coach once chuckled while discussing this movie with me years ago, then turned deadly serious as he told me, “There’s a Rudy story in everyone’s life, I think.” It was a touching moment, and it makes sense: commitment, perseverance, and determination are what shape a man’s character, and Rudy Ruettiger became one in a hurry at Notre Dame despite incredible odds. What makes this film worthwhile is how incredibly masculine such characteristics become when related to a story of such heart-wrenching power. How else can you explain why this film has been known to make even the most manly of us cry, knowing that if Rudy gets cut, we won’t stand a chance at that job promotion or secret personal goal? Rudy did it, and so can we. Extras: Sean Astin in pads, Sean Astin in a letter jacket, and Sean Astin being carried off the field on his teammates’ shoulders (the real-life Ruettiger remains the only player the Irish have ever done that for).

5. “Bull Durham” (1988). Without a doubt the most overrated comedy in American cinematic history, “Durham” is nonetheless a touchstone for rabid masculinity, outrageously humorous philosophical takes on life and love, and the first in a long line of Costner man-pose flicks. The celebrated “church of baseball” jokes aside, this is one film that plays for a different audience on a level the other 90% will never understand. Cases in point: Costner’s curiously resigned but red-hot sexy cockiness, the humorous and respectfully engaging game scenes, and the whole “guys in the clubhouse” vibe that permeates the whole program. This is one hell of a man’s movie, and despite the groans from baseball purists, it does something phenomenally original with the theme that other baseball films can’t best.

4. “A River Runs Through It” (1992). If we could get what we wished for in an instant, who among us would not want to erase the painful parts of our pasts, selectively replace them with pillars of strength, with a family bond so ideal and strong it would cure every hurt, soothe every rough spot? It’s the stability, the sense of order out of chaos, the magnificent integrity of the subject matter here that almost erases any sense that this is a “sports movie” at all. For what ultimately happens in Norman MacLean’s autobiographical novella is a realization so profound, viewers are caught unaware, having witnessed the passing of a man’s world between generations, across ages and over our created distances. MacLean’s life gets the Robert Redford treatment here, and the effect is nothing short of stunning. The family of men in this film (with the father portrayed by Tom Skerritt, one of the most competent actors in modern cinema) endears itself to the viewer, allowing us to grow with the characters, through shared experiences of joy, adventure, and sadness. It’s about life, and family, and the search for an ideal way of living we can be happy pursuing. The cinematography is rich, the locations bright with inspiration. Just a marvelously moving movie about men.

3. “The Natural” (1984). Leave it to Barry Levinson to make a story so simple seem deeper than Redford’s eyes. As many times as I’ve watched this one, I can’t help but chant its many philosophical one-liners right into next week, mantras divine and justly so because of the source. This is the grand slam of sports movies, wherein dugouts are sanctuaries (christened by Wilford Brimley in a role he was born to play), drawing us into Roy Hobbs’ life story so effectively we actually WANT to cheer for him. The acting is superb: Robert Duvall in another of his subtle and outstanding performances; Glenn Close is a gem; even Kim Basinger turns a wimpy role into a performance worth remembering. But it’s the life lessons themselves that steal the show, such as this bomb dropped on Roy as he sits in a hospital bed, thinking about a life he wanted badly but instead settled for the one he lived: “We have two lives, the one we learn with, and the one we live afterward.” This movie isn’t just about men, a game, and a gift; it’s a movie about the essence of sport and life. A beautiful, captivating, and solemn story.

2. “Breaking Away” (1979). A bittersweet and engaging film set in small-town Indiana, starring a talented corps of pre-Brat Packers who out-perform their roles in a tale of adolescent bliss. Dennis Quaid (in what I remember was his first prominent role) still is a looker here, even with the Carter Administration-era ‘do, and Dennis Christopher became the guy who forced me to ask weird questions about myself years ago. There still is no greater story of a foursome of friends-til-the-death buddies than the Cutters, a crew so tight you’d swear there was more to those quarry swims than made the final reel. Hardly outdated, “Breaking Away” still gives me pause.

1. “Long Gone” (1987). About 8 years ago, one boring weekday night, a bunch of old fraternity buddies of mine and I went to Blockbuster with nothing in mind, and “Long Gone” somehow made it back with us by one pal’s popular demand. Turns out this 1987 HBO special, a low-budget pre-“Bull Durham” tale of a fictional minor-league team in Florida in the 1950’s, electrified me in such a way that I felt as though I was watching the best, most unabashedly homoerotic sports flick I’d ever seen. Nothing has since come close to besting it on several fronts. For starters, the team depicted is the Tampico Stogies, a squad whose uniforms are adorned with a cartoon of some studly Tom Of Finland – type character, cigar clenched between his teeth, up at the plate and meaning business. The whole team smokes cigars and plays ball with such masculine abandon (often simultaneously) it resembles my most secret fantasies of manhood gone wild. Then there are the actors, virile baseball men, sleeves deftly rolled up to just the right height for peeking, gorgeous and sunburnt, starring the highly underrated William Petersen as Stud Cantrell (you heard right), a daddy of a manager whose rough-around-the-edges demeanor makes the whole film. The music is vintage country, including some Hank Williams (Senior) that I’d forgotten was so erotic. The plot? It doesn’t hit the comedic highs of “Durham” itself, but you’ll see the resemblance, and given the distractions all over the place,  you won’t care enough about its flaws not to get taken on its fun, charming ride. Suffice to say it’s a cigar and baseball fetishist’s dream come true, and I bet you can get it on Amazon.com (good luck finding it for rent anywhere). It’s one for the ages, and unintentionally the most endowed film about sports I’ve ever seen.

Honorable mention:

“Everybody’s All-American” (1988). Dennis Quaid in a flattop, beer in one hand, babe in another, game on the tube.
“Caddyshack” (1980). Drop-dead laughs, easily the best sports comedy ever.
“The Program” (1996). The horror, the horror of high-school sports.
“The Bad News Bears” (1976). The first movie I ever saw.

 

By P. Walsh Special to Out sports – 2005

Sexual Agreements & Substance Abuse among Gay Couples

Researchers have been trying to understand how gay male couples’ relationships, including their sexual agreements, affect their risk of getting HIV.

According to studies, gay men and other men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected by HIV. They account for nearly two-thirds of HIV cases among men in the U.S. Also, between one-third and two-thirds of men who have sex with men acquire HIV while in a same-sex relationship, according to a recent article published in AIDS and Behavior.

According to “A Cause for Concern: Male Couples’ Sexual Agreements and Their Use of Substances with Sex,” studies have found that gay men who use illegal substances, like ecstasy, and controlled substances, like alcohol, are at an increased risk for acquiring HIV. Some of these men are also more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behavior with men who have sex with men, such as unprotected anal intercourse, and some have used substances during sex. Many of these men consider some substances “sex drugs,” it said, because they either prolong or enhance the sexual experience.

The study’s researchers decided to also figure out how sexual agreements are associated with gay male couples who use substances with sex. They define a sexual agreement as “an explicit understanding between two partners about which sexual and other behaviors are permitted to occur within, and if relevant, outside of their relationship.”

The researchers recruited U.S. men who have sex with men using a Facebook advertisement. They looked for men who were either in a relationship, married or engaged, and they narrowed their focus to 275 HIV negative concordant couples who participated in an online survey.

The study found that 87 percent of the couples practiced high-risk behavior, and about one-third had sex outside of their relationship. Fifty-nine percent consented to a sexual agreement. A majority who agreed said it was closed, but a little over a third said it was an open agreement. A small percent were not okay with the agreement at all.

The findings also indicated that the couples having an established sexual agreement were more likely to use a variety of substances with sex particularly within their relationships. Couples who had broken their agreement were more likely to engage in the use of marijuana or amyl nitrates when having sex.

Researchers believe more studies need to look into these relationships and agreements further. Also, HIV prevention efforts, which have focused on individual gay men and communities, need to focus prevention intervention among gay male couples, especially those who use substances with sex.

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness – 2014

Alarming Facts About Meth In The Gay Community

Crystal meth has become an epidemic in the gay community, especially in larger cities where “party and play” (PnP) is a well known scene.  While party and play can include any type of drug use combined with sexual activity, it usually refers to crystal meth. Following are some unfortunate facts regarding crystal meth use in the gay community:

Meth abuse is widespread

There are higher levels of drug abuse and addiction reported from gay men than heterosexual men.  Crystal meth has become an all too common dangerous problem in the gay community within the last 20 years.  In certain areas, arrests that have involved crystal meth have doubled, and higher rates have taken place in gay neighborhoods.

Meth is used in combination with other drugs

Many combine meth with other drugs.  One trend that wreaks havoc on the body is “speedballing”, which is the mixture of drugs that have opposite effects (sedatives with uppers). The most popular speedball concoctions involve meth and Viagra or GHB.  More recent data shows that combining crystal meth and viagra can speed up HIV production in the brain.

Meth and sex parties are growing in popularity

The increasing popularity of parties, which often include drugs, exists with a lot of help from social media sites such as Tinder and Grindr.  These parties are regular in many parts of the US. Those who host the get-togethers might even advertise that there will be free meth provided and anonymous sex.  This leads to many of the folks attending engaging in unprotected sex.

Meth is extremely dangerous for gay, HIV positive men

Of course, meth is dangerous for everyone, but is particularly harmful in the gay community. There is concern due to indications provided by data that crystal meth can greatly reduce the effects of HIV medication and/or create the “HIV SuperVirus”, which is a virulent strain of HIV.

New HIV infections are rising among young gay men

Gay men between the ages of 17 and 29 are reported to be the highest users of meth and the highest risk level is to those in the western states, under 40 and gay. These risks include that of acquiring HIV and crystal meth addiction.  Even if one is HIV negative, use of crystal meth could potentially lead to them contracting HIV more quickly.

IV use is increasing among gay men

Research shows that there is a significant rise in IV meth use seen in gay men.  The Antidote, which is LGBTI support service in the UK, reports that use has quadrupled between 2011 and 2013.  Users are given an extreme rush and high with an IV trend that is known as “slamming”, which sometimes lasts for several days at sex parties.

Sex can seem boring after quitting meth

It’s is extra difficult for gay men to quit meth due to the effects it has on dopamine in the brain, leading to intense euphoric feelings and heightened sexual arousal.

What Gay Men Think About Masculinity

Masculinity is a big deal in gay culture. Not only is it a force that crushes many “effeminate” gay men with unnecessary ideals, but it also impels gay men to avoid and disdain other gay men that do not meet their own standards. Studies have shown that the gay male image of masculinity is based strongly on ideals like a muscular and large frame, emotional restriction, and sometimes sexual adventurism. These ideals draw obviously from mainstream societal standards for men, and their impact on gay men probably make a large contribution to the higher incidence of psychological distress and HIV/AIDs in young gay men who are particularly vulnerable to societal pressure.

It’s not just chance encounters that are tarnished by masculine ideals. Research has shown that personal ads placed by gay men seeking other men tend to list masculine ideals like muted emotions and muscularity. Self-descriptions by single gay men will emphasize classically masculine personality traits while neglecting more feminine ones.

If these divisions in the gay community exist as reported, why is it that gay men don’t take the reins back from mainstream culture and stop adding to their own adversity?

Well for one, gay men are already an extremely varied group in terms of how they express gender, and the stress that mainstream culture puts on masculinity in general is unrealistic — but valuing masculinity isn’t inherently harming gay men, per se… at least not enough for anyone to prove it.

Surprisingly, many gay men in social studies done on gay masculinity report being protective of masculine ideals, such as competitiveness and masculine interests, because of their potential to advance one’s success in the workplace.

Positive consequences of conforming to masculine ideals keep gay men seeking men with similar ideals. Personal care that involves fitness rather than fashion, an interest in traditionally male entertainment, and financial security are all factors that singles looking for same-sex partners may have in mind while creating personal ads.

Most of the emphasis on masculinity in gay culture is a consequence of media pressure and traditions that are taking a long time to break, and not deliberate intra-social homophobia. Moving away from such standards involves abandoning the media image of the successful male, and gay men are no more or less responsible for its idolization than the rest of society.

Dr. M. Mirza, gbt health wellness .com – 2014

Gay Black Men’s Pressure to Conform Leads to Higher HIV Risk

Familial and cultural pressure to conform to expected masculine behaviors leads gay black men to engage in riskier behavior, therefore increasing their risk of contracting HIV.  This is according to a report out of the John’s Hopkins Children’s Center and published in Science Daily. This community of men feel distress and social isolation, according to the report, which may contribute to their decision to take part in such behaviors. The “compensatory” behavior according to researchers leads to riskier behavior and contributes to the higher infection rate among gay black men.

Gay and bisexual black men attributed to 4,800 new HIV cases in 2010, more than two times that of other male groups, says the CDC. Thirty five young, male participants took part in this study, recently published in the American Journal of Public Health. Openly gay and bisexual men took part in this study, as did young men who have sexual relations with men but don’t self-identify as gay or bi-sexual, also known as MSM. Adolescent medicine expert at the John’s Hopkins Children’s Center and the study’s lead author, Errol Fields, M.D., Ph.D., said of this study, “HIV risk is the sum total of many factors, but social and family stress is a well-known driver of all types of risk-taking behaviors, and our findings clearly support the notion this also holds true when it comes to HIV risk.”

There is a very traditional view of masculinity with strong anti-gay sentiment in the community where the participants grew up. These participants needed to prove their masculinity, hide homosexuality, and conform to social pressures. This makes them far less likely to take part in monogamous relationships and more likely to take part in unprotected sex. Black gay men also sought affirmation through sex which they weren’t getting from a close loved one in their life. Some also said that having unprotected sex showed trust and love for one’s partner. Since the community they were from expected them to act aggressive and free of any feminine behaviors, they were forced to either conform or be ostracized. Drug use, drinking, fighting and other such risky behavior was taken part in so as to prove their masculinity and fit in.

According to Dr. Fields, “The findings of our study reveal a clear clash between internal sexual identity and external expectations at a critical developmental stage,” As a result, “This clash creates loneliness and low self-esteem and appears to drive these boys and men to risky behaviors, sexual and otherwise.” These young men were also constantly worried that they would be found out. If they were found out they would lose their friends and family, so they needed their secret to be safe. “It’s a true catch-22 for these youngsters,” said Fields. “On one hand, they are dealing with the chronic anxiety of hiding their homosexuality, but on the other they face the prospect of becoming social pariahs if they come out as gay or bisexual.”

Dr. M. Mirza – 2014
lgbt health wellness .com

Gay Friendly Places: Go See Them!

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

I”ll start with a tribute to Denmark. In 1989 it became the first nation in the world to recognize registered same-sex partnerships. Visit its capital, Copenhagen, and have a drink at Europe’s oldest openly gay bar, Centralhjørnet. It opened in the 1950s.

2. New Zeland

I’m proud to mention New Zealand. It’s a small country that refuses to be pushed around. It defied America by not allowing nuclear submarines stations or docking places. It passed same-sex marriage in 2013, leaving Australia behind. In 1998 New Zealand was the first country to adopt the label “Gay/Lesbian Friendly”in matters of tourism and business. It is the home of the talented Topp Twins. These lesbian twins have delighted audiences with comedy, yodeling and activist singing. They dress in drag and have audiences howling in the aisles.

3.Toronto, Canada

In 2014, Toronto hosted World Pride. I was there and it was amazing. I watched police women in uniform holding hands with their girlfriends or wives. Same-sex marriage came to Canada in 2005. Spain just beat us by months. Toronto’s The Village, located in Church-Wellesley, is the cultural hub of the city, bursting with galleries, theatres and gay-friendly businesses. Home to events such as Pride Week Celebrations, Pride March and Dyke March, gay sub-culture has blossomed and thrived in The Village for decades and it will soon be home to the world’s first gay-focused athletic centre at 519 Church St.

4. Palm Springs, USA

Located approximately 100 miles east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs is a sun-seeker’s paradise where the sun shines almost all year round and where the city has embraced everything gay. Palm Springs provides the LGBTQ traveller with an amazing array of outdoor activities, excellent shopping and dining, and the world’s best poolside lounging. Palm Springs also offers the largest volume of male- and female-only accommodation anywhere in the world (many of these places are clothing-optional).

5. Sitges, Spain

Ole! Spain legalized same-sex marriage in 2005 despite forces from the Catholic Church trying to block it. History has made many Spaniards remember that the Church sided with the Fascist Dictator, General Franco, in Spain’s Civil War.

The coastal city of Sitges rests approximately 35km southwest of Barcelona. Sitges is home to Spain’s first ever gay disco which opened back in the 1980s.

Berlin

6. Berlin, Germany

While Copenhagen may have the oldest “openly gay” bar, Berlin had discrete (sometimes hidden) gay bars that can date back to the 1920s. Gay flags are flown openly outside bars and restaurants. The districts of Schöneberg (which hosts Gay Pride), Kreuzberg and Prenzlauerberg provide a diverse range of clubs, bars and restaurants for sampling. With no ‘closing time’ in Berlin, the party never ends!

7. Skiathos, Mykonos, Lesbos -Greece

When I think of Greece, I think of Sappho. Many lesbians have made the pilgrimage to the island of the goddess. Trish and I have placed it on our ‘bucket list’ of places to go. It was Jackie Onassis (wife of President Kennedy) who brought the island of Mykonos to world attention in the 1970s. Like so many Greek islands, Mykonos has it whitewashed houses flanked by the deep blue Mediterranean Sea.

For a less hedonistic holiday, the sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and pine forested hills of Skiathos offer a relaxed and authentic experience for the LGBTQ traveller

8. New York City, USA

The Stonewall riots that occurred in the late ’60s in Greenwich Village are synonymous with the birth of the modern gay-rights movement. The incredibly inclusive communities of the West Village, Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen provide a fabulous array of gay-friendly accommodation options. Littered with significant LGBTQ landmarks such as Christopher St, the Harvey Milk School, the Lesbian Herstory Archives and, hello, Broadway and the Theater District, New York is a gay traveller’s mecca.

9. Reykjavik, Iceland

The world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik, has been described as one of the friendliest places and most inclusive on Earth. In 2015, Reykjavik will host its 17th Gay Pride march (one of Europe’s oldest LGBTQ parades), and the 11th Bears on Ice event. Iceland also has some of the world’s most progressive laws. In 2006, same-sex couples were granted equal rights with their heterosexual counterparts without limitation. Wander behind waterfalls, descend into dormant volcanoes, or while away a day in one of the many geothermal lagoons – this is an adventurer’s paradise.

10. Montevideo, Uruguay

What an accomplishment! Uruguay, the smallest of the South American countries, legalized same-sex marriage in 2013. It was beaten by Argentina, that legalized marriage equality in 2010.

The relaxed attitude present in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo provides a brilliant juxtaposition to the hustle and bustle of the likes of Buenos Aires.

Some of these places may be beyond your budget. However, there are ways to travel. Have you considered working on a cruise line? Would you exchange your home with a gay person(s).?

Can you take time off to house/pet sit? Would you consider working for an airline or travel agent? Then, there’s also the lottery and dreams! paula.

Paula, 2015, stories4hotbloodedlesbians.com

Gay Marriage: Quotes of Tolerance and Inspiration

“Same-sex marriage has not created problems for religious institutions; religious institutions have created problems for same-sex marriage.”

(DaShanne Stokes)

“For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves.” (Arnold Schwarzenegger – movie star and ex Governor of California)

“Gay people getting married is not a threat to the institution of marriage. You know what’s a threat to the institution of marriage?

Infidelity is! Hate is! Unforgiveness is! Apathy is! Coldheartedness is! Fear is!

And you know what’s a threat to the kids?

It’s not having gay parents!

Most gay kids have straight parents!

And plenty of gay parents raise respectable, straight kids!

The threat to children isn’t their parents being gay;

the threat to children is their parents not loving one another!

Not caring for one another!

Not being crazy about each other!

Domestic violence is a threat to children.

Stupidity is a threat to children.

A swimming pool in the backyard with no supervision is a threat to children!”

(C. JoyBell C.

Gay marriage will be universally accepted in time. But if I may be so bold as to say to gays and lesbians, don’t wait for that time to arrive.

Just as my father and his generation did not ‘wait’ for their civil rights, nor should you. The toothpaste ain’t going back in the tube. The tide has turned. John Ridley)

I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us. (Kinky Friedman

People should be allowed to marry, and gay marriage should be out there. If a man or a woman has a good partner and they love each other with their heart and soul, let them marry. I am very much for gay marriage. (Pierce Brosnan (actor)

“New Rule: Gay marriage won’t lead to dog marriage. It is not a slippery slope to rampant inter-species coupling.

When women got the right to vote, it didn’t lead to hamsters voting.

No court has extended the equal protection clause to salmon. And for the record, all marriages are “same sex” marriages. You get married, and every night, it’s the same sex.”

Paula, 2018, stories4hotbloodedlesbians.com

Best Paid and Free Gay Dating Apps

There are paid and free versions of the gay dating applications in the list, and the information is based on the information on the websites.

You can comment if there are gay dating apps you want added, you and the app developers are responsible for any responsibility that may occur in the apps.

The applications in this article are for informational purposes only.

The order is mixed.

GayCupid

GayCupid is a premier Gay dating site helping gay men connect and mingle with other gay singles online. Sign up for a free membership to start browsing 1000s of fantastic gay personals from around the world. Take advantage of our advanced messaging features to interact with gay men online.Join GayCupid free today!

GayCupid is part of the well-established Cupid Media network that operates over 30 reputable niche dating sites. With a commitment to connecting gay singles worldwide, we bring to you a safe and easy platform to use to help you meet your match.

Whether you’re looking for love locally or internationally, we are committed to helping you find the perfect match, no matter where in the world he may be.

GayCupid is a premium gay dating app designed to connect thousands of gay singles and help them find their perfect match, making us one of the most trusted gay dating apps. Whether you are looking for love locally or internationally we are committed to helping you find your perfect gay partner. With the GayCupid mobile app, you can create a new account and begin writing your love story in a matter of minutes. Join now and start browsing profiles!

Once installed, the GayCupid app allows you to:

• Sign up or log into your GayCupid account anytime, anywhere

• Create, edit and update your profile on the go

• Upload new photos

• Search for matches from our database made up of gay singles from all over the world

• Communicate via our advanced messaging features

• Receive instant notifications

• Upgrade your membership

Hornet

Your Hornet Profile is a portrait of you. It displays posts from the moments of your life, showcasing you and your interests. Inviting guys to connect with you in a meaningful way – based on who you are, and what you’re passionate about.

The Hornet Feed is all about connecting you to your community. Through trends and stories, there is always a conversation to be had – making interacting with other guys easy by liking and commenting on their posts, or starting a conversation through chat.

Discover all the fun and fabulous of the gay community with Hornet’s acclaimed editors, thousands of community leaders, your friends, and the guy next door.

Whether you’ve just come out or are ready to join in – Hornet gives you immediate access to over 25 million guys and is only a download away.

CONNECT

PROFILES are rich portraits of yourself and others featuring photos and posts giving a fuller picture of you and those you want to connect with

CONNECTING is easy – liking and commenting on posts, and sending heartstings makes for quick introductions

CHAT with guys about mutual interests based on profiles that show you who they are and allow them to see who you are

FOLLOW your friends and anyone you want to stay connected with to see their posts, pictures, and videos on their feed

DISCOVER

FILTERS enable you to find exactly who you’re looking for and where you can find them

EXPLORE the guys in your neighborhood or anywhere around the globe

HASHTAGS allow you to discover other guys who share the same interests to make a connection

JOIN

JOIN over 25 million users on Hornet across the globe

BE A PART of discussions with Community Leaders on current topics and learn about the hottest trends all curated by Hornet’s team of editors and a worldwide network of influencers

MEET anyone anytime – there’s always someone online

SHARE

THE FEED features posts by guys you follow, guys nearby, influencers, and guys we think you’ll want to connect with

POSTS reflect you and your interests allowing others to respond to everything you post

SAFETY

PRIVACY is at the heart of Hornet – it’s designed by the gay community, for the gay community, built with privacy front and center

MODERATORS and staff of Hornet ensure the community is a safe space for you to express yourself

SUPPORT is free and always available 24/7

Grindr

Grindr is the world’s #1 FREE mobile social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people to connect. Chat and meet up with interesting people for free, or upgrade to Grindr XTRA for more features, more fun, and more chances to connect.

Grindr is faster and better than ever:

• NEW – Assemble your crew with Group Chat!

• See people nearby based on your location

• Browse re-designed profiles with bigger photos

• Chat and share private photos

• Filter your search to find what you want

• Customize your profile to share more about yourself

• Star your favorites and block others

• Report people easily and safely

• Send your location and make it easier to meet

• More ways to quickly find what you’re looking for

• More ways to chat with people around the world

Create and personalize your profile now to include more about you, what you’re looking for, and more. Within minutes you’ll be ready to connect, chat, and meet.

Looking for even more? Upgrade your Grindr experience to XTRA for more features, more freedom and more fun. Grindr XTRA subscription features include:

• No 3rd party ads

• See 6x the profiles, up to 600 at once

• View only people who are online now

• View only profiles with a photo

• More blocks and favorites

• Access to all premium filters

• Chat easily with saved phrases

• Send multiple photos at once

Scruff

SCRUFF is the top-rated and most reliable app for gay, bi, trans and queer guys to connect.

SCRUFF is an independent, LGBTQ owned and operated company, and we use the app that we build.

We’re proud to give users a private and secure experience, a friendly and diverse community, and more features than any other gay dating app.

We’re dedicated to protecting our members’ data and improving user experience, so you’ll never see banner ads on SCRUFF and we won’t sell your data to shady 3rd party companies.

MAKE REAL CONNECTIONS:

15+ million guys, no spambots.

Find exactly the guys you like by using SCRUFF’s powerful search and filters.

View and chat with guys from your neighborhood or around the world.

SCRUFF connects you with the guys you like.

CONNECT IN ALL KINDS OF WAYS:

SCRUFF gives users all kinds of ways to find all types of connections:

Browse and chat with guys from your neighborhood or around the world.

Use powerful search and filters to find exactly who you’re into.

See a new stack of guys every day on SCRUFF Match – the more you swipe, the smarter it gets about what you’re looking for.

EXPRESS YOURSELF:

SCRUFF makes it easy to show all sides of who you are:

Share your story with multiple profile pics, rich profiles, private albums and more

Let guys know what you’re into with profile details like sex preferences and safer-sex practices.

HOSTING:

SCRUFF hosts the world’s first live queer quiz show:

10 questions over 3 rounds — get all 10 right and get a piece of the cash prize (up to $500)

See who’s playing nearby and see who’s been eliminated from the game

Woof and fav to make a connection during or after the game

MATCH:

Find guys looking for the same thing with SCRUFF Match:

Every day, SCRUFF Match shows you a new stack of guys who are looking for guys like you.

Swipe left to pass, right if you’re interested — if it’s a match, we’ll let you both know.

Choose “Ask later” if you’re not sure about him, and we’ll show him again tomorrow.

SCRUFF EVENTS:

Your social guide to LGBTQ events, curated daily by our team.

RSVP, see who else is going, and find your wingman.

Browse the top LGBTQ parties, prides, festivals, and events near you or around the globe.

Be entered to win free upgrades to SCRUFF Pro when you RSVP and attend “SCRUFF Recommends” events.

SCRUFF VENTURE:

Your global gay travel companion:

Let guys know when you’re visiting and ask locals for tips.

Share your travel plans on your profile, so guys in your destination city know you’ll be there soon.

Chat with local guys at your destination before you arrive.

A SMARTER, SAFER EXPERIENCE:

SCRUFF prioritizes our users’ safety and security:

No spambots, no programmatic advertising

24/7 support for our community

We never share your data with Facebook, 3rd party ad networks or data aggregators.

Unlike other apps, message history, photos, and videos sync across your devices and never get lost.

More Bears in More Places…we are a global community with over 10,000,000 members worldwide. GROWLr allows you to meet other Bears from around the world or around the corner.

GROWLr

GROWLr is free, fast, reliable and easy to use.

A Bear is a gay man who belongs to a very inclusive part of the gay community. Some are hairy, some are muscular, and some are heavy-set and some are none of those things. Being a bear is about being yourself – we are all amazing no matter how we are labeled.

Bear Chasers are the men who love Bears – and if you’re a Chaser you’ve come to the right place! More Bears in More Places.

It’s the perfect way to meet guys and make friends whether you are sitting at home or traveling abroad. Send and receive private instant messages, live video calls, pictures and video.

We also have an amazing Event section with complete and up-to-date Bear Run and Bear Bar listings. Tons of Galleries, Check-in features, Notes and More.

GROWLr allows only males 18 years or older. Photos depicting nudity or sex acts are strictly prohibited.

MR X is the first and only gay chat and gay dating app for men over 30. The guys on MR X are real men: confident, strong, down-to-earth men who have experience in the things that matter. Whether you’re over 30 — or just love grown men — it’s time to meet mister right or mister right now.

With more than 1 million profiles, gay chatting and dating are only a few taps away. MR X, the gay dating app makes it fun and easy for gay, bi, and curious guys to meet each other. Find great dates and make new friends with this free gay app for dating!

FEATURES

– Multiple Views: More ways to view the men on your screen. See who’s nearby, who’s far away, who’s interested in you and more.

– Adjust Views: Once you’ve chosen a view, fine-tune it to see the men you’re most interested in. Want to talk to someone right now or looking to meet that hot jackd guy you just saw at the gym? See who is closer to you or sort by last login. Use the age filter to zero in even more. Customize to keep things fresh.

– Better Profiles: Upload up to 25 photos to public and private galleries and spend less time sending pics back and forth and more time chatting to gay guys. Get into detail with profile text up to 3,000 characters.

– MR Right feature learns what kinds of men you like and sends you personalized introductions everyday

– Matches: We’ll let you know when you and another member both “Like” each other

MR X MEN

So, what kinds of gay men will you meet on MR X? Suit-and-tie professionals and carefree outdoorsmen; tattooed gay guys and big hairy bears; bearded guys, guys with facial scruff, bald guys, jocks, and muscle daddies. They all share the screen on MR X.

MR X is not another gay hookup style App, MR X men are straightforward, honest and generally friendlier than guys on other apps. They’ll tell you if they’re husky or skinny, if they’re HIV-positive or negative, if they’re 52 or 25. And they’re proud of who they are. Most of our members agree to the Code, a shared set of values regarding mutual respect and safety.

MR X PREMIUM

Get even more features when you upgrade to our premium subscription service:

– See up to seven times as many men as you would on the free version.

– Online-Only Mode lets you check out only who’s logged in and ready to talk right now.

– The Travel Feature allows you to pick any city and scan the MR X scene there.

– Read Message Notifications let you know the second your message is seen by the recipient.

– The Private Photo Bucket gives you the power to send additional photos more quickly and store your photos within MR X. That way, any risqué shots don’t have to sit in your iPhone albums where snooping friends or relatives might find them.

– MR X Premium also gives you unfiltered, unlimited access to misterapp.com where you can do advanced searches on dozens of different criteria.

MR X PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Visit mrxapp.com/app/magnum to see a list of MR X Premium features. Choose a one-month ($9.99) or three-month ($24.99) subscription. Subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled. Payment for all purchases will be charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation of your purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged at the same price for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period (one month for monthly subscribers or three months for quarterly subscribers) unless you change your subscription preferences in your iTunes account settings. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during an active subscription period.

MRX is for men over 18 years old only. Photos that display nudity or are sexually suggestive will be removed immediately. Please visit mrxapp.com/app/tos to see our terms of use and privacy policies.

MANHUNT is the most iconic gay social app for gay, bi, trans, and queer guys worldwide. Manhunt is the most direct way for men to meet other men. Being around since 2001 has allowed Manhunt to attract the older and wiser crowd of guys. Narrow your search based on interests, photo filters, and location. Chat with millions of men online now via your existing account or by creating a new one for free. So what are you waiting for? Cut to the chase with Manhunt now.

FEATURES:

* Millions of men

* See who’s checking you out

* Profiles with up to 16 photos

* Message notifications

* Photo editor

* Unlock private photos

* Easy filters

* Buddy & Block lists

* Share your location

* Send winks

* Worldwide search

MANHUNT VIP FEATURES:

* Unlimited full profile views

* Unlimited full-size photo views

* Unlimited Conversations

* Unlimited Starred Conversations

* Unlimited Buddies & Blocks

* Complete Conversation History

* Unsend unread messages

* Additional photo editing tools

* Banner ad-free experience

With loads of free features, ROMEO is the best way to meet new people & friends and have meaningful or more casual encounters.

Get the free ROMEO App now and chat with lots of gay guys, nearby and worldwide. Create your profile and start chatting and video calling within minutes!

10 ROMEO App features you’ll LOVE:

● A fresh and intuitive design

● There is no limit to the number of guys you see around you

● Free chat and video calling

● Browse profiles with lots of pictures and information to find your match

● Create your customised profile and share what you are into

● Plenty of filter options for you to find the guys you like

● Discover new guys in your area

● See who recently came online

● Hide your real GPS position

● Set your location to anywhere in the world with our travel feature

● Share your private pics for a limited time

● Connect and chat with LGBTQ+ guys around the world

ROMEO, also known as Planetromeo or Gayromeo, is one of the world’s most exciting dating app and social network for the gay and bi guys and trans people. We embrace diversity and support our global LGBT+ family. Our apps and website provide a friendly online space for gay guys to hang out, chat, meet and date.

ROMEO

Dates Friends Love

● Website version also available

● ROMEO App is for guys aged 18 and over.

Thanks for considering the free ROMEO App! We’d love to hear from you guys, so don’t hesitate to leave us a review!

Gay dating has never been easier. Chat with your date, find love and make friends. Happy dating!

Jack’d

Diverse. Inclusive. Fun! This is what distinguishes Jack’d from all other queer dating apps. With 5 million people spanning 2,000 cities in 180 countries, we’re proud to be the most inclusive dating app for QPOC.

Jack’d is an independent, LGBTQ+ owned and operated company, and we use the app we build. We believe in the power of technology to create community and to connect with each other. Whether you’re looking to chat, make friends, find love, or keep it casual, you’ll find it on Jack’d.

New and improved Jack’d features you’ll love:

REDESIGNED PROFILES:

Swipe through multiple pics and quickly message, favorite, or unlock private photos

DISCOVER:

A new way to connect with other people based on recent activity

BROWSE:

See everyone nearby or expand your view to people around the globe

SEARCH & FILTERS:

Search by who they are, what they’re into, relationship status, and more

VIEWERS:

See who’s viewed your profile for free

MESSAGING:

Streamlined design makes it easier to chat and connect

PRIVATE ALBUMS:

Easily organize and share your photos and videos

VIDEO SHARING:

You can now send and receive unlimited private videos

MATCH:

See a new group of compatible matches every day and swipe up to view their full profile

UPGRADED EXPERIENCE:

Updated technology, improved stability, better spam protection, and fewer ads

SAFE & SECURE:

We never share your data with Facebook, 3rd party ad networks, or data aggregators.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT:

Our support team is available 24/7 to help with any questions or feedback.

Ready for more? Upgrade your Jack’d experience for more features and more freedom. With a Jack’d Pro subscription, you get:

* 1,000 people in your Nearby grid

* Unlimited favorites & blocks

* Unlimited Matches

* Unlimited private album photos

* More search filters & profile insights

* See everyone who viewed you

Question? Comments? We’re available any time at support.jackd.com.

Jack’d Privacy Policy: jackd.com/privacy

Jack’d Terms of Service: jackd.com/to

Tim Cook: Being Gay is God’s Greatest Gift

Tim Cook, who has made history as the first CEO to announce that he is gay among the top 500 companies in the world, mentioned being gay as the ‘greatest gift of god’ and stated that he made the statement to support those who were oppressed because of their sexual orientation.

“I explained it because kids who read the rumors that I was gay on the internet started writing to me. In the letters and emails they told me that they were ostracized, bullied and abused because of their sexual orientation,” said Apple CEO, who emphasized privacy, but ultimately helped others by revealing his sexual identity. He said he decided it would be selfish to remain silent while he could.

“I had to do something for them,” said Cook, adding that he wanted to show gay kids that they can move forward in life the way you are and achieve great things.

Expressing that he was ‘shocked’ when he learned that Fortune was the first CEO to announce his homosexuality in the 500 largest companies index, Cook expressed his satisfaction that other CEOs followed in his footsteps.

“I learned what it means to be a minority. The feeling of being a minority gives people a certain level of empathy for other people who are not in the majority. This is also very useful for a leadership role, very instructive. gave the message.

Underlining that he is ‘proud of being gay and explaining it’, Cook emphasized “God’s greatest gift to me”.

Gay and Bisexual Men and HIV Risk

Should the Education System Feel Responsible?

The discussion of homophobia and the actual risk of HIV to the population is always a heated debate, but it becomes a muddier and more frustrating topic when words like “men who have sex with men” (MSM) and “bisexual” are used—and these words are used frequently in studies conducted by the Center for Disease control on AIDs and HIV. The statistics on diagnoses of HIV in 2010 indicate that gay, bisexual, or MSM men whom comprise about 2% of the population account for about 63% of diagnoses in the United States. But the word “about” is the confusing part. It is not exactly clear how many of these men are straight men that have engaged in homosexual acts, and perhaps one might wonder if these men are admitting to homosexual behavior because they are seeking treatment for HIV. Are we certain these men were included in the estimated 2%? Most new diagnoses of HIV occur in young men between 13-24 years of age… they comprised a jaw-dropping 72% of the gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV in 2010. Of these individuals, an incredibly large percent of them are African American male youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Their reported sexual orientation is not the reason that they have contracted the disease, but rather a lack of sexual education and resources for gay men and youths is to blame.

HIV is not a consequence of homosexual behavior, but a consequence of risky sexual behavior (and in some cases drug use). Is that what men who have sex with men are doing, inflating the CDC’s estimates of homosexuals and bisexuals with HIV? Perhaps, but not because MSM are given to more wanton sexual behavior. This term can describe a situation where a man is sexually attracted to another man for any number of reasons but still identifies as straight. He isn’t bisexual because he doesn’t judge himself to be bisexual, and from a positive psychological perspective of identity this is what matters. He may think he is only capable of committing to a woman in a romantic way, or he may not feel equally attracted to both sexes, but either way he is not homophobic and in denial of his identity. In all probability these men have diverse sexual habits because of the broad category of relationships it can describe.

Obviously some high-risk sexual behaviors, particularly those occurring between men under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are being thrown into this category of men who have sex with men. These encounters would probably not meet most standards for “romantic” behaviors between men, and it is horribly unfair that they are counted among the estimates for new diagnoses of HIV in gay and bisexual men. The rampant homophobic attitudes that prevent awareness campaigns and resources from being accessed in some communities would like us to think that all gay men are having random encounters. The bitter irony is that this fear-mongering promotes carelessness, especially in younger people who need to be educated on what exactly “high-risk sexual behavior” is.

It’s an unsavory topic, but teenagers are having sex. The academic world has come a long way in its attitude towards homosexuality recently by including LGBT alliance and awareness groups in schools, but we need to take a more aggressive attitude towards sexual education in schools. Sexual education needs to be taught in every classroom, and the earlier that teens get it the better off they are. The LGBT community is not taking up enough time in classroom discussions of sexuality. The education system cannot tiptoe around topics like “men who have sex with men” and “homosexuality”. There is no end to the number of mistakes a teenager can make without appropriate guidance from the education system. We were all there once… we have to be honest with ourselves. Blaming stupidity and thinking that the actions of wayward teens don’t affect us is our right, but the astoundingly high numbers of new HIV diagnoses portray the denial of these youths by our culture—they are parallel minds that we just won’t accept responsibility for. Rather than scapegoating the underprivileged communities that raise them, efforts to raise LGBT awareness need to expand beyond home. Community effort needs to mean national effort and then global effort. Bridging the gap between LGBT communities and underprivileged communities created by HIV is the key to fighting this epidemic. If there is anything you can do, don’t hesitate.

MSM, Gay, and Bisexual Men and HIV Risk: Should the Education System Feel Responsible?
Dr. M. Mirza – lgbt health wellness .com – 2014

Israeli Rabbi: COVID-19 Vaccine Will Make You Gay

Rabbi Daniel Asor told his followers in a recent sermon that they should avoid being vaccinated against COVID-19 as doing so could “turn them” into homosexuals, according to Israel Hayom.

The Rabbi shared conspiracy theories with his followers, claiming that the vaccines are manufactured by a “global malicious government,” the Jerusalem Post reported.

Daniel Asor’s claimed that the “malicious government” is a mix of “secret societies,” including the Illuminati, and the Freemasons.

The secret societies seek to establish a new order in the world, he claimed.

Israeli media criticized the Rabbi, who urged his followers to not receive the vaccine at the time when other religious authorities ask people around the world to respond favorably to the vaccination campaign.

Several countries received COVID-19 vaccines, including the UK, Saudi Arabia, among other.

Rabbi Daniel Asor’s assertion goes against decrees issued by leading rabbis in Israel and around the world, who have called on ultra-Orthodox society to take every precaution against the global pandemic, including getting vaccinated.

Swedish Migration Agency Officers Loves Vacations

When you have lost all your expectations, you can only care about your life; I mean “breathing, eating and sleeping” without any feeling, like an animal.

I am a gay man from Turkey, the vacation paradise for most Europeans and tourists. I don’t know if we can calculate an “average human lifetime”, but if it were 75 years, I already spent 1/3rd of it hiding myself and begging for respect and acceptance in this paradise. I gladly accept that, okay, my country is geographically heavenly, but nobody should forget this: a place could only be livable when you know and love everyone who lives there.

I am a young gay who is not able to feel young anymore. I wasted 25 years of my life for just acceptance of others. I heard this kind of advice a million times from Swedes: “why do you care what others think, it’s your life…” But trying to get this acceptance is not for love, it’s about surviving.

Discrimination gets in the way of pride in daily life, and I experienced every kind of it. I was never able to be who I am in public, in school, with my family. I tried to live in different cities in Turkey before coming to Sweden. It was not easy to say goodbye to everything I had. Every city in Turkey has different kinds of people, who mostly think the same about gays. Some of them assessed me as a sinner, some of them as a pervert, some of them as a shame, some of them as worthless, but it was the very rare person I ever met in my life who assessed me as a human.

“But then, I was moving less to win their love and more to avoid my family.”

Swedes have also asked me many times “why is it such a big deal for the families, it’s none of their business”. Yes, in my paradise it is a big deal. “Disowning” and “discrimination” – these words sounded lovely to me, because at least they would have meant I wasn’t going to get murdered.

The police are liable to protect everyone in the country; I experienced that their “everyone” does not include me. Once I went to a police station after being attacked by four people in Istanbul – which is a metropolis and which should be more accepting than other cities – because for a moment I walked hand in hand with a man. They laughed at me, “what did you expect, of course they will throw bottles at you; you didn’t expect them to throw flowers did you?” … Did I?

Another time I spoke to police on a street in Istanbul in the early morning hours. They stopped me without any reason and one of them started to humiliate and bully me, saying the usual things. I was scared, but then I suddenly also was furious and I answered him “yes I am gay, I am a faggot, why – do you want to test what I am for yourself?”; I was up against a car the moment after that under the policeman’s hands. After these two lovely meetings with policemen, trusting the police is over for me.

At the Swedish migration board they asked if the Turkish courts can protect me. This is a country where a 13 year old girl, N.Ç., was raped by 26 different men, most older than her father. She had to have four surgeries because of it. The judge told her, “oh my daughter, why did you seduce these men?” He didn’t punish these men for rape. The court only sentenced them for having (consensual!) sex with a girl under the age of 15. It’s still kind of a nightmare for me. I can’t imagine the girl’s nightmares.

But think about it for a moment: if they can’t see that a 13-year-old girl is innocent and needs protection, how do you think they view an adult man like me, having sex with men?

I was studying to be a teacher, but it became impossible because of gossip spreading. Nobody saw me with a man, but gossip is enough to ruin you and put your life at risk. A career would now be impossible because according to them, nobody wants to work with a “bad role model, perverse, abject teacher”.

I will never be able to demand my family’s protection and love; their traditions and their religion are both on me. I am a dirt stain on their family tree, the family’s blood; the only way to clean this blood is by killing me. They can survive without me but they can’t survive without their priceless honour.

I tried to change these people, but their minds didn’t allow me; it goes too deep. I wasted 25 years just hiding reality. I need a little bit freedom, I need hold a man’s hand while I am walking, I need a measure of respect.

Now, tell me: how can I call this country a paradise, as lovely European vacationers did? Don’t speak about life in Turkey based on what travel guides say.

Anil Absolution

Greece’s First Openly Gay Minister

Nicholas Yatromanolakis has made history by becoming Greece’s first openly gay minister in a cabinet reshuffle in the center-right government.

Nicholas Yatromanolakis, 44, has been promoted from the position of general secretary at the ministry to become the new minister of culture.

Alexis Patelis, the Greek Prime Minister’s chief economic advisor said in a tweet that, it was a “historic day for LGBTI+ representation, a big win for meritocracy and better decision-making through diversity”.

“Congrats to Nicholas Yatromanolakis for showing you can be yourself and still succeed,” he added. “May others draw strength to live their life openly.”

Nicholas Yatromanolakis’ Political Life

Before entering politics in 2014 as a founding member of the now-defunct centrist party Potami, Yatromanolakis worked in marketing and communications for companies including Microsoft and has a masters in public policy from Harvard.

“For a long time … I felt I had to choose and that there were identities that could never be compatible with one another,” said Yatromanolakis, who left To Potami in 2016 and joined the government in 2019.

He rejected the suggestion that his appointment to the culture ministry might be viewed as tokenism.

“People do not understand and see that the (cultural) sector… creates jobs, creates opportunities,” said Yatromanolakis, who used to work for a cultural center housing the country’s national opera and library.

He said his priorities in the job included channeling state financial aid to people working in the arts during the pandemic.

Asked what measures the government could take to support LGBTI+ people, Yatromanolakis said he wanted better implementation of existing anti-discrimination laws, including training in private companies and government bodies.

“No person growing up should feel they have to choose between who they are and what they want to become in life,” he said.

“I wish someone else was first before me … (but) if this helps people who have problems because of who they are … then it’s worth it.”

Gay Dating Apps

Gay dating apps such as Grindr, Tinder, Jack’d and many others have numerous benefits; one benefit being that they bring a community of people together who would otherwise not have a way of connecting with one another and another benefit being that they allow for a person to chat with potential dates and/or browse through profiles for a mate while on the go. Dating apps also, however, have numerous drawbacks; one drawback being that the majority of the people that use them tend to be shallow and focused only on looks and finding sex and another drawback being that they invite people with malicious intent to join them and prey on unsuspecting victims. It is important to always keep in mind when using dating apps that the person you are chatting with is nothing but words and pictures on a screen until you meet them in person.

It isn’t uncommon for people to even experience racism on dating apps, especially black men. Many people view dating apps as spaces where they can be blunt and open about their personal preferences and personal ideologies, but I would suggest to think of dating apps more as speed dating events. You would more than likely dress up in your Sunday’s best and be cordial, kind and honest at a speed dating event, so why can’t you be a cordial, kind and honest gentleman while using dating apps?

You should always use your best judgement when it comes to meeting people from dating apps in person. For example, if something does not feel right or if someone makes you uncomfortable, then don’t go through with meeting them in person. You should never commit to meeting with someone if you have any hesitation or fears. Be safe, have fun and remember to always be yourself.

Personal Advice

Dating Advice for Gay Men: Gay Dating Sites

3 Tips For Choosing a Dating Site That’s Right For You:

Any gay college stud has already seen the crowded field of dating sites available from any computer, laptop or mobile phone these days. If you haven’t discovered online dating, do yourself a favor and browse around a bit because it really does simplify a lot of the social requirements as compared to cruising the bar scene, and there aren’t any 21 and over requirements to get into a gay dating site the way there are at local campus pubs. The real question at this point is what makes one gay dating site better than another for your personal use?

1. It really ought to be free to try.

If you reach a site and it starts asking you for money immediately, just go somewhere else. Yes, dating sites do deserve to earn a living just like anyone else providing a service, but all the good ones are free to try or at least give you some kind of limited trial access until you get a chance to decide if they fit your needs. Anyone saying, “give me 50 bucks and then I’ll show you what’s inside” these days isn’t a good option.

2. Inclusive is important.

Some gay dating sites try to be so niche it’s absurd. If you really only want to date one very narrow kind of person, then I guess a site that only caters to “men who wear blue shoes on Wednesdays” might be a halfway decent choice, but dating (especially in your college years) should really be about exploring and opening yourself up to new experiences. That’s why more inclusive dating sites make sense, where you can get to know a variety of men from all different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities and more.

3. Size matters.

Yeah, there are plenty of size queens who think the bulge of your blue jeans is what matters most, but when it comes to gay dating online, the size you really want to focus on is the size of the community you are joining. Why waste your time on some tiny dating site, talking to the same eighteen people, when you can be on a gay dating site, talking to thousands of people in your own local area and millions of people globally?

The sooner you get into a free, inclusive and sizable dating community online, the faster your college gay dating experience will be able to exceed all of your own expectations. If you find great sites worth joining, be sure to contact us and let us know so we can include them in our own upcoming tips for gay men!

Hygiene And Aging

Let’s face it, we humans are visual creatures and we live within a culture that is obsessed with looks. No matter what our age, our race, our nationality, or what our creed is, we as a people are constantly pressured by the media and by celebrity culture to stay fit and young looking. This constant pressure to stay young makes dealing with the reality of the aging process hard for many people, especially gay men.

As we all know, the gay culture places an extreme importance on looks. For example, some of the most highly sought after bodily features within the gay community are youthful white skin, flat stomachs and six-pack abs. What if, however, you don’t naturally have any of those features? What if, for example, you are Asian, Black or Latino with dark skin, a pudgy stomach and man boobs? Is there any hope for you in finding love? The short answer is yes, of course there is hope for you in finding love! The long answer is that there is indeed hope for you, but in a society that is primarily focused on looks, you will have to make some sacrifices to be able to compete in dating. The most important thing, though, is that you are comfortable and confident in your own skin no matter what other people think of you.

It doesn’t take very much money or energy to properly take care of yourself, to stay fit and to fight against aging. The most important things to keep in mind are to stay hydrated, to stay moisturized, to stay active and to constantly protect yourself against the sun. It is important to note here that the sun is the number one cause of premature aging and skin cancer and it is for this reason that we should be wearing sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or above every day. Keep in mind that with most sunscreens you will need to reapply them after a certain amount of time. You should drink at least half a gallon to a gallon of water every day and you should also use a hydrating moisturizer on your entire body every day, twice a day (morning and night). Don’t forget to brush your teeth twice a day (morning and night) and floss at least once a day. It is also important to note that you don’t have to join a gym to stay active. For example, being active can include walking around your neighborhood once a day for thirty minutes or taking a weekly dance class or a Yoga class. How you stay active is up to you!

The reality for all of humanity is that with each passing day we age and we get older and as we age and we get older, it gets harder and harder to stay young and fit. This is why it is so important that we take care of ourselves and our bodies in our youth so that when we get older we won’t have to worry about staying young and fit because we already will be.

By: K. Frank