All American Boy singer Steve Grand surprises fans with two new recordings
As his debut album nears completion, singer shares new song Time and cover of Elton John classic Bennie and the Jets
gregh
Daily Archives: November 5, 2014
Non-Discrimination Amendment Passes in Dallas
Non-Discrimination Amendment Passes in Dallas
Yesterday, voters in Dallas approved nondiscrimination protections for LGBT city employees to the City Charter.
HRC.org
Are Young Gay Men Relying Too Much On Monogamy As Protection From HIV?
Are Young Gay Men Relying Too Much On Monogamy As Protection From HIV?
A new survey from the University of Glasgow has revealed some interesting trends in the sexual practices of young gay men in monogamous relationships.
While speaking at GAYCON 2014, the 5th National Conference for Scotland on Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Boydell presented the results from a series of interviews she conducted with a group of 30 gay men ages 18 through 29 years.
Boydell asked the men what their thoughts were on condoms use. What she observed was that many of the subjects viewed bareback sex differently, depending on the nature of the relationship.
“Anal sex is more risky than any other type of sex,” one man said. “But with a regular partner [it] is less risky than with a casual partner.”
(Just for the record, this isn’t true. According to a 2010 study released by San Francisco State University, primary partners are a major source of HIV-infection.)
Another man said: “If it was just like a casual thing, I would always use condoms and then if we’re going out like, at the start, for like a couple of months, depending on the person, we would use a condom. Then after that, if like we trusted each other, if I trusted him, we wouldn’t.”
Boydell says that, while some respondents said both they and their partners underwent HIV testing before giving up condoms, others relied simply on the belief that, if their partner was HIV-positive, he would tell them. They also reported that being monogamous was enough for them to feel safe.
“At the moment we’re monogamous,” another man said. “But at the same time, we both appreciate other men, and there have been occasions when we’ve both been together with other guys, but we use protection in that instance.”
Boydell also says that, despite many of the men claiming to be in monogamous relationships, few had actually discussed the topic with their partners.
“I don’t think we’ve ever sat down and discussed [monogamy], but I know that’s… we must have discussed it in bits over time, because I just know that’s, that’s the case,” one man reported.
Boydell concluded that young gay men in relationships need to develop better ways of communicating around sex and HIV.
What do you think? Is a promise of monogamy enough for you to feel safe? And have you and your partner ever sat down to discuss what “being monogamous” really means? Sounds off in the comments section below.
Related stories:
Get Ready For Ten Things HIV Negative Guys Really Need Positive Guys To Hear
Half Of Gay Men With HIV Aren’t Getting Treatment, Study Finds
How You Can Help End New HIV Infections In Five Easy Steps
Graham Gremore is a columnist and contributor for Queerty and Life of the Law. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
Graham Gremore
Family Research Council Files Brief with 5th Circuit in Same-Sex Marriage Case
Family Research Council Files Brief with 5th Circuit in Same-Sex Marriage Case
Anti-choice and anti-gay marriage group Family Research Council has filed a brief in opposition of same-sex marriage with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
This is the latest news in the contentious, continuing battle over same-sex marriage in Louisiana, which most recently featured conflicting rulings in state courts.
You can check out the FRC’s brief here, but as Joe. My. God. puts it, “The brief makes the usual tired arguments about procreation, incest, polygamy, and blah blah blah. There’s nothing new to see here.”
In fact, we may have to wait until the week of January 5 to see something truly new in the matter. (This is when the Fifth Circuit will hold a hearing to consider the legal standing gay marriage in Louisiana and Texas.)
Previously, the Fifth Circuit has said they will fast track oral arguments in the case — in deference to people with extenuating situations that make a decision especially urgent. We’ll see what happens.
Jake Folsom
Charity tells MPs: 44% of LGBT youngsters have considered suicide
Charity tells MPs: 44% of LGBT youngsters have considered suicide
Charity tells MPs: 44% of LGBT youngsters have considered suicide.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AsGLcYFFCU&feature=youtube_gdata
600 Words of Legit Narcissism: The College Essay
600 Words of Legit Narcissism: The College Essay
While some high school seniors begin to obsess over their college essay, others fail to see the importance of it. In some cases, these 600 words determine an acceptance or a rejection. Right now is the time of year when self-reflection and talking about yourself is acceptable. This is one of the only times when people are specifically paid to hear you boast about yourself in a productive way; instead of annoying your peers with your awkward quirks on social media, direct them in an essay for your admissions counselor.
As a student with above average grades, yet occasional academic slip-ups, my college essay ensured my spot at a few colleges to which I applied. However, last October, I was extremely confused; I had no clue what to discuss, and I did not see how a short prompt could be a defining part of my application. Fortunately, I only had to write two pieces (some students write/rewrite pieces more than six times). My first draft was a mess — it was a forced sob story. My second was interesting and innovative; it was a story about the first time I dressed up as a drag queen. It was received well by many, and a few admissions counselors told me that it helped them put a personality to my application. Creating the college essay is supposed to be a fun, and exciting task. It is a process of self-discovery.
Some helpful tips:
1. HAVE FUN!
When you get frustrated, it reflects in your work. Relax, breathe and realize that this is the time to expose a side of you that a transcript cannot.
2. Don’t settle for basic — be creative!
The worst thing you can do is pick an over-played topic. Stay away from volunteer work and how it changed your life, your dead dog, how much of a “strong” person you are and vacations. These topics are generally over exaggerated, and the writers usually sound like they’re trying too hard. Admission counselors see thousands of essays a month; make sure your essay is distinct to your experience and personality. Do not focus on what you think they want you to write, but what is actually significant to you.
3. Don’t try to make yourself a victim.
Although it is effective to appeal to the emotions of an admissions counselor, I do not recommend writing an essay about wallowing in sadness. Self-pity can be irritating, and most admissions counselors do not want that to be their first impression of you. The only exception to this is if you have an inspiring struggle that you overcame; make sure that the story is focused on your growth, and not on the issue/struggle.
4. Your essay is not a longer version of your resume.
If you sent in a resume or an extracurricular activities sheet, there is absolutely no need to re-state what is on your sheet. Many students feel obligated to brag about how much they do. It is amazing that you are involved, but admissions counselors do only want to hear about how much you do, especially if they already see this on your resume; they want to see aspects of you that can not be shown on a resume.
Some possible essay topics for you:
1. An interesting aspect of your personality and/or a character trait (an obnoxious laugh, eyebrow shape, cynical thoughts).
2. A narrative through the voice of an object of yours (yours hands, a mirror, hair, a golf club).
3. A comedic story about something negative (a broken bone, a broken tooth, a minor accident).
4. You’ve just reached 100,000 followers on Twitter, what for?
Just make sure that whatever you write about is a reflection of you in one way or another.
Good luck on your college essay, and have fun being narcissistic and looking into the puddle of self-reflection!
Jack Falahee says all his sex scenes on How to Get Away With Murder are 'plot driven'
HRC Congratulates Pro-Equality Representative Maloney on Victory
HRC Congratulates Pro-Equality Representative Maloney on Victory
HRC today congratulated U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney of New York on his re-election.
HRC.org
Adore Delano Owns The Streets Of Hollywood In New Video
Adore Delano Owns The Streets Of Hollywood In New Video
If you need to reach Adore Delano, you can find her at her new home of Hollywood at the following address: Hollywood.
She lets us know a few dozen times where she lives in her new video, aptly titled “My Address Is Hollywood.”
Adore gives us budding starlet, vulnerable ingenue and piece of street trade with a head full of dreams as she struts the mean streets of Hollywood, her scruffy entourage in tow.
Adore is raising the bar with drag queen singles, in Hollywood and everywhere. J’adore Adore.
Dan Tracer
Incredible Go-Pro Video Follows A Lioness On The Hunt In Africa: WATCH
Incredible Go-Pro Video Follows A Lioness On The Hunt In Africa: WATCH
In a video that has racked up over 1 million views, Meg the Lioness takes you along for a ride as she hunts down a water buck. Kevin Richardson (aka the Lion Whisperer) follows along closely with Meg and sets the scene.
Watch the stunning video, AFTER THE JUMP…(warning: semi-graphic footage ahead)
Sean Mandell
www.towleroad.com/2014/11/incredible-go-pro-video-follows-a-lioness-on-the-hunt-in-africa-watch.html
