COMSOLE Magazine: The Sexual Health Issue

Issue 3

August 2018

www.comsole.org

Magazine

COMSOLE

Unwinding Balancing a full-time job, keeping tabs on my two supposedly adult children and running a small nonprofit takes a lot of me. But what I like most of it is the simplicity it brings to my life in the midst of all the commotion.

It makes my life open to all around me, no cover, no bullshit.

So, plain me has decided that it is important to publish this magazine if for no other reason, my sanity and to keep those who depend on me knowing that I have not forgotten them and that their struggle is mine. Giving up is not an option, so I move on, doing what I can for those who ask through COMSOLE. As for the magazine, it is designed to be fun, informative, and hopefully soon others may become interested in sharing their things and send in submissions. This is me being vocal, period. Much love to all, hugs.

Luis Valldejuli COMSOLE’s executive director & magazine editor

www.comsole.org

Taking Health Into Account Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are an integral part of every community. They belong to any number of subgroups like social workers, architect, doctors, pastors, mothers and fathers. And many times, they go undetected, seen as just another member of society.

However, their perspectives and needs are not routinely considered in public health efforts. They are mostly considered second hand, after the health needs of the rest of society is covered.

There need to be programs designed to improve the health of these individuals, competent medical care and prevention services that are specific to this section of the population.

As time goes by, it becomes clearer that the traditional and heteronormative rules for

treating patients need to be overhauled to the point where they catch up with society like the laws and judicial decisions have.

The sooner society accepts change without fear or hesitation, the sooner we, as a community of humans, can finally begin to see change in the shape of equality in all its forms.

Together

CONTENTS Standard Angle 6 The Fix 10 Word 16 Look & Form

22

Cookery 24 In Tune 26 Adroit 32 Mad About 39 In Print 40 At the Loggia

44

Off The Menu HIV Living 20 Fresh 36 Toon 43 Drafts 45 Beat 46 Ad-lib 47

Angle

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are an integral part of every community. They belong to any number of subgroups like social workers, architects, doctors, pastors, mothers, fathers and such. And many times, they go undetected, as they should. seen as just another member of society. However, when it comes to matters of public-health efforts, they are mostly considered second hand, looked after only once the health needs of the rest of society are met.

There need to be programs designed to improve the health, competent medical care and prevention services that are specific to this section of the population.

05

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, have been rising among gay and bisexual and other men who have sex with other men.

HPV (Human papillomavirus), is the most common disease is the most common STD for these men.

The first thing you should do to prevent the spread of STSs is to educate yourself. Learn what they are, how they can be spread and how to prevent spreading them. Get vaccinated for those diseases that can be prevented by vaccination and be safe.

STDs are spread through sexual contact, without the use of condoms, while partaking in oral, anal sex, and genital skinto-skin contact.

• HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea are spread through body fluids – mostly semen.

• HIV and Hepatitis B are spread through blood.

• Genital herpes, syphilis and HPV are generally spread through skin-to-skin contact.

Men who have sex with oth risk of sexually tran

Finding Out Is Key To Survival Once you know, the rest is science.

The best way to be safe is to talk honestly with your partner about diseases and get tested before having sex. Use condoms always. Do not mix alcohol or drugs with sex, because these lower your ability to make wise decisions and make you lower your defenses. Limit your number of sexual partners. Always, always, always know your status.

Gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis can be cured with medication. You must make

her men are at an increased nsmitted infection.

sure to follow doctor’s instructions and finish the medication.

Herpes and HIV cannot be cured. But the symptoms can be managed through medication.

To provide you with the best care possible, your clinician should know you are gay. If your provider does not seem comfortable with you as a gay man, find another provider.

Many men who have sex with other men are at an increased risk of HIV infection.

Safe sex is proven to reduce the risk of receiving or transmitting HIV. If you are in a relationship where one of you is

positive, you should discuss options for prevention with your partner and you care provider as well.

Men who have sex with other men are at an increased risk of sexually transmitted infection with the viruses that cause the serious condition of the liver known as hepatitis. Universal immunization for Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis B Virus is recommended for all men who have sex with other men. Safe sex is effective at reducing the risk of viral hepatitis and is currently the only means of prevention for the very serious Hepatitis C Virus.

Problems with body image are more common among gay men, and gay men are much more likely to experience an eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa. While regular exercise is very good for your health too much of a good thing can be harmful. The use of substances such as anabolic steroids and certain supplements can be dangerous. Obesity also affects many gay men and can lead several health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Gay men use substances like amyl nitrate (“poppers”), marihuana, Ectasy and amphetamines at a higher rate than the general population, and not just in larger cities. The long-term effects of many of these substances are unknown; however current wisdom suggests potentially serious consequences as we age.

Depression and anxiety appear to affect gay men at a higher rate than in the general population. . The likelihood of

epression or anxiety may be greater, and the problem may be more severe for those men who remain in the closet or who do not have adequate social supports. Adolescents and young adults may be at particularly high risk of suicide because of these concerns.

There is absolutely no doubt that safe sex reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, the more partners you have in a year, the more often you should be screened. You can have an STD without symptoms but are still able to give it to others.

Gay men may be at risk for death by prostate, testicular, or colon cancer. All gay men should undergo screenings for these diseases routinely as recommended for the general population.

Gay men use tobacco at much higher rates than straight men, reaching nearly 50 percent in several studies. Tobacco-related health problems include lung disease and lung cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and a whole host of other serious problems. All gay men should be screened for and offered culturally sensitive prevention and cessation programs for tobacco use.

Of all the sexually transmitted infections gay men are at risk for, human papilloma virus (HVP) — which cause anal and genital warts — is often thought to be little more than an unsightly inconvenience. Some health professionals now recommend routine screening with anal Pap Smears, like the test done for women to detect early cancers.

All the information for this article was obtained directly from the Center for Decease Controls & Prevention. To find out more, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/index.htm

The Fix

PrEP: a Calzon Quita’o ¿Qué es PrEP? Su nombre científico es profilaxis previa a la exposición. Y es una pastilla recomendada para personas de alto riesgo a contraer HIV. La marca oficial es Truvada y tiene dos medicamentos (tenofovir y emtricitabina) que se usan en combinación con otros medicamentos para tratar el VIH. El PrEP detiene el riesgo de infección en un 92%, y es mucho menos efectiva si no se toma consistentemente.

Las personas que usan PrEP deben comprometerse a tomar el medicamento todos los días y consultar a su proveedor de atención médica para un seguimiento cada 3 meses.

Sin importar quien esté tomando la pastilla – si es una sola persona promiscua, una trabajadora sexual, o cualquier persona que elija tomar la pastilla - cada cual esta haciendo lo que cree que es lo correcto para sí mismo. Solamente esa persona sabe si esta en alto riesgo y esta potencialmente eliminanado a otras personas de ser infectado. Y esto siempre es bueno.

¿Quién necesita tomarlo?

Si contestas alguna de estas preguntas de manera positiva, debes considerar tomar PrEP: ¿Tu pareja sexual principal es VIH positiva? ¿Has sido el participante receptivo para el sexo anal o vaginal sin condón, particularmente con una pareja VIH positiva o alguien cuyo estado de VIH no estás seguro? ¿Has sido tratado recientemente por una ETS no oral, como clamidia o gonorrea rectal? ¿Has usado PreP más de una vez durante el año pasado? ¿Alguna vez tu o tu pareja han estado en prisión? ¿Tu o tu pareja usan drogas o intercambian sexo por dinero, vivienda, etc.? ¿Alguna vez tu pareja te ha forzado a tener relaciones sexuales cuando no querías?

PhotoÑ Hoffingpost

¿Dónde conseguirlo?

PrEP se consigue en HOPE Clinic & Wellness Center (Calle Europa No. 700, Santurce) .

El primer paso es llamar para una orientación inicial al (787) 705-3900 y solicitas una cita para orientación sobre PrEP. Se te asigna un profesional que te orienta y te contesta todas tus preguntas.

Algunos planes de salud cubren los gastos y otros no, pero eso es un análisis individual. Depende de cada caso - cómo se trabaja y cómo se adquiere el medicamento. HOPE logra que todos lo obtengan de diversas maneras pero la persona debe orientarse para saber cuál es su proceso ideal.

La clinica tiene acuerdos con la farmacéutica que hace el medicamento (GILEAD) y a través de su gestion, se logra que en el 99% de los casos, los pacientesno paguen nada. El costo del medicamento normalmente fluctua entre $1,600-$2,000 mensuales.

Queerty shutterstock

PrEP can cause side effects like nausea in some people, but these generally subside over time. No serious side effects have been observed, and these side effects aren’t life threatening. If you are taking PrEP, tell your health care provider about any side effects that are severe or do not go away.

There are times when we feel separated and alone.

People’s faces get lost in the mix.

we see you, we hear you,

we are you

www.comsole.org

Photo: pintrest.com

Word

“Panic at the Disco Frontman Brendon Urie says ‘I’m definitely attracted to men’

By Malcolm Rhodes for QUEERTY “In a new interview with PAPER magazine, Panic At The Disco’s Brendon Urie is opening up about his sexuality. And guess what? He likes guys! And girls!

And people, in general!”

To those of us who already were big fans of the band, it is no surprise that its frontman, who is married to a woman, could be attracted to men He has always been openly pansexual, he focuses not on the physical but on what’s inside.

In 2013, Urie revealed that he had “experimented” in bisexuality but that he still identified as “straight.”

QUEERTYcontinued: “I guess, if I had to classify myself, I’d say I’m straight,” Urie said at the time.

“But I have, in the past, experimented in other realms of homosexuality and bisexuality. Overall I’m more attracted to women. … It’s fun to dabble!”

Well, not anymore!

Speaking to PAPER, Urie says he longer identifies as straight. Instead, “I guess, this is me coming out as pansexual.”

For those who may not know, a pansexual person is one who can love sexuality in many forms. Like bisexuality, but even more fluid, a pansexual person can love not only the traditional male and female genders, but also transgendered, androgynous, and gender fluid people.

hello mr., is closing after six years Speaking to Gay Star News, editor Ryan Fitzgibbon said: ‘The support that’s flooded our inboxes since the news has given me all the validation that what we did mattered.

‘The impact hello mr. had on everyone who came across it will live on in them forever.’

Confirming the news on Instagram, a hello mr. spokesperson said: ‘We’ve seen the future and it’s queer as hell. Our 10th and final issue, featuring @ollyyears is here to serenade you one last time. Order your copy and read our farewell letter at hellomrmag.com.’

While the magazine will cease to exist, it’s importance persists as a bastion of change for a generation.

Trump is now turning his attention to purging all HIV-positive soldiers from the military

By Graham Gremore 7/23/18 Donald Trump has been at war with transgender members of the Armed Forces since last summer, ever since tweeting they were no longer allowed to serve their country “in any capacity” because they’re too burdensome and distracting. Now, he’s turning his focus to soldiers living with HIV. The Department of Defense’s new “Deploy or Get Out!” policy, which goes into effect October 1, orders the Pentagon to deny people living with HIV from enlisting in the Armed Forces. It also deems current soldiers living with HIV “non-deployable”, then orders the Pentagon to discharge anyone who is unable to be deployed outside of the country for longer than 12 consecutive months.

Now, two separate lawsuits, Harrison v. Mattis and Doe v. Mattis, are challenging the new policy, which Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says is to promote “readiness” within the Armed Forces, but which many others see as a thinly-veiled attempt at a government-sponsored HIV purge within the U.S. military.

Lambda Legal reports: These service members are being denied significant career advancement opportunities or threatened with discharge due to President Trump’s new “Deploy or Get Out!” policy.

Left unaddressed, hundreds of service members who are otherwise fit for duty, including named-plaintiff Sgt. Nick Harrison, will be discharged from the military, suffer irrevocable harm to their careers, and lose critical health care and other benefits.

41-year-old Sgt. Nick Harrison says soldiers living with HIV should not be denied the opportunity to serve their country.

“This case is not just about me,” he says. “This is about every person living with HIV knowing that they can perform any job in the world, including serving in the military.”

Harrison adds, “I look forward to the day that I can serve my country to the full extent of my abilities, based on my performance and unfettered by unfounded fears and misperceptions about HIV.” In addition to potentially losing his health care and other benefits, Harrison says the new policy blocks soldiers living with HIV from achieving officer status.

“Soldiers, sailors, fighter pilots and marines are seeing their promising careers cut short, their dreams of service shattered and their health jeopardized due to antiquated notions about HIV and the stigma that results,” says Scott Schoettes, Counsel and HIV Project Director at Lambda Legal.

HIV Living

Choices: A New Take on the Use of Condoms in the Age of PrEP Choices A new take on the use of condoms in the age of PrEP

by John Francis Leonard I find myself, as a gay man with HIV, in a position that I never expected to be in. Under effective treatment and with an undetectable viral load, condom usage is not necessary to prevent me from transmitting HIV to my partner. When I picture a relationship for myself, as an HIV-positive man who’s undetectable and in no danger of transmitting it to my partner, I hope that, once trust is established, condoms won’t be necessary.

Now, in the age of PrEP and U=U, condoms are a choice, but not too long ago they seemed like a burden.

Somewhere along the line in gay culture, condoms became less cool. I remember back in the late nineties and the early millennium hearing the phrase “condom fatigue.” Certainly for myself years of caution and care started going out the window. And, guess what happened? You got it, the reason I’m writing this column. Given the choice today, I’d always use a condom, or take PrEP. I’d also ask a lot more questions as a rule.

In the early millennium, you also began to see a lot more bareback porn.

Now, it’s ubiquitous, with even major studios and directors producing condomless films. And perphaps the difference is that now actors use PrEP, serosort, or undergo regular and rigorous testing—we know that we have safer-sex choices other than condoms. Regardless, I think that as gay men, our pornography says a lot about the sexual zeitgeist and condoms are not seen as sexy onscreen. I know, for me, I just don’t respond to condoms on film anymore. No matter how hot the guys, how intense the sex, a condom just turns me off.

Whatever the reason, though, condom usage is down. Per the CDC, in a wide reaching survey of urban, gay men, two-thirds of the men report having anal sex without a condom at least once in the previous year, with a quarter of men having been the receptive partner without a condom during their last sexual encounter. Also increasing is sex without a condom between two ongoing sexual partners. Unfortunately, two-thirds of transmission of HIV occurs among men in relationships.

as disclosure, are equally effective prevention methods—especially considering the 1.4 percent failure rate of the condom. If everyone who was positive was being treated effectively with medication, the fight would be over, the battle won. However, there is vast room for improvement.

PrEP usage is still only at 3.5 percent among negative MSM in urban areas, according to the CDC, and, if sexual partners aren’t undetectable or on PrEP, then of course a condom should always be used. Of course, condoms are still the most effective method of preventing the list of other sexually transmitted infections, many of which are on the rise as condom use decreases.

I currently have plans to spend some time with a particular man when I’ll be in New York City this month. We’ve had an honest and frank discussion about the precautions we will take and, as I feel that it’s ultimately the negative partner’s decision, we will always use condoms in the beginning. If and when things progress, he will go on PrEP as an extra measure of safety and we will forgo condoms. And that’s what it takes, open and honest dialogue. Of course this becomes more challenging if we’re talking a quick one-night stand, but as HIV-positive individuals we’re already used to giving up a certain level of spontaneity.

As a community, we have lots of work to do still. Education and outreach must continue. This is even more important when you think of the much higher levels of HIV transmission among young men of color. We can’t leave anyone behind. Seventy-one percent of MSM have been tested, but this leaves a substantial number who haven’t.

We need to understand who these men are and what barriers they face.

As it stands there is no one solution that is being fully utilized when it comes to HIV prevention and until that is, all methods must be embraced. My mind always goes back to the incredibly effective safer sex campaigns of the late eighties and early nineties in New York City. Safer sex was marketed incredibly effectively and we need to do the same with testing and treatment. We too often still hear of individuals who were never tested falling ill and passing away. And we cannot forgo the condom, not yet anyway. It’s still a highly effective tool in prevention that is much more accessible than PrEP. Not everyone is insured or has access to good healthcare and we are dealing with a political party that is making that situation even worse.

Look & Form

SURCO MAKINO

Surco Makino is Senior Footwear Designer at VALENTINO. A dedicated and talented designer, Surco always pleases the eye and the mind.

See more at: SVMACK.com

The Magic of Shea Oil Shea oil comes from the nuts of the African Karite tree, also known as the shea tree. It is very rare and usually, can only be bought from wholesalers.

Its component varies from nut to nut, and those nuts with a higher percentage of shea oil are more valuable in the cosmetic manufacturing industry.

While the composition of shea butter and shea oil are similar in all other aspects, the difference arises in the amount of stearic acid in the two products. In shea oil, the amount of stearic acid, an essential fatty acid, which gives shea butter its thick consistency, is much lower.

Nutrients Shea oil is composed of essential fatty acids such as: Oleic – 73.15%; Linoleic – 13.7%; Stearic – 8.5%; Palmitic – 4.0%, and Alpha-Linolenic – 0.33% Benefits Shea oil can be used for moisturizing, straightening hair, and skin-healing.

Like shea butter, shea oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog your skin and can therefore be used on acne-prone skin.

Uses Being liquid, shea oil is easy to apply on the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and supple.

Shea oil can also be used just like other oils, for example, as a: thick massage oil; facial oil; body oil; hair oil; hot oil treatment, and more In the cosmetics industry, shea oil is used as a premium product for cosmetics and self-care products with a thinner consistency.

However, due to its waxy, natural latex composition, shea butter has a better capability to lock and seal in moisture in the skin as compared to shea oil.

For more information, visit: https://www.ilovesheabutter.com/what-is-sheaoil/

Cookery

Sopa de Pollo Demasiado Sencilla Cuando te sientes mal, no hay una mayor felicidad que saber que calentando una olla y añadiendo algunos ingredientes básicos, cocinas una deliciosa sopa que calienta tu estómago y tu corazón.

Ingredientes: 4 tazas de agua sal y pimienta 4 cups of chicken broth 1 cubito de pollo 1 lata grande de pollo enlatado en agua 1 cubito de jamon 1 cebolla mediana 1 zanahoria grande ¾ taza de arroz blanco 1 cda. Adobo en polvo 1 papa mediana 1 limon Ponga la olla a calentar medio/alto. Coloque el caldo y agua en la olla y deje hervir. Corte la cebolla y la zanahoria en trozos pequeños. Pele y corte la papa en cubos pequeños y el limon en lajas.

Cuando el agua hierva, baje la temperatura a medio/bajo y añada los vegetales, limon y cubitos. Condimente con el adobo, sal y pimienta. Cubra y deje hervir por 45 minutos.

Entre el olor y el sabor de esta sopa sencilla y rápida, se le curara cualquier padecimiento.

In Tune

The Renaissance of

Matt Cardle “Like any uncharted territory, I must seem greatly intriguing.

You speak of my love like But this is not allowed.

You’re uninvited, An unfortunate slight I don’t think you unworthy; I need a moment to deliberate.”

Covering Alanis Morrissette’s “Uninvited” in 2012, Matt Cardle seemed to be offering an explanation to his fans of his state of mind as he cocooned from

Photo: www.pressparty.com

You have experienced love like mine before.

from his X Factor fame to his new persona as a pop star.

His falsetto is still dreamy, his demeanor commonplace as always, and his message inspirational. What has changed in Cradle’s mixture of talent and charm? He has expelled his demons from within.

Raised in Essex, Matthew “Matt” Sheridan Cradle played with two different bands: Darwyn and Seven Summers, as a young man. His debut single, “When We Collide”, debuted in December, 2010 – the year he won X Factor - at number-one on the UK Singles Chart as well as Irish Singles Chart. By 2012, the track had sold 1 million copies, the fourth single by an X Factor contestant to have done so.

During the years between his win and now, Cardle has gone through a journey of self-discovery at high speed. Cardle himself will tell you he is shocked he came out of it alive.

Drugs and alcohol cradled him as he tried to cope with his sudden fame.

There is such a thing as too-muchtoo-fast. In various interviews, he has opened about becoming addicted to the painkiller Tramadol – commonly referred to as the Hillbilly Crack - and to mixing Valium with alcohol.

“The singer revealed he hit rock bottom when he got into a physical altercation with his drug dealer following a performance at the Jingle Bell Ball in Belfast. Matt said his dealer refused to sell him more valium after seeing

Listen to the Celebrity Radio interview: http://www.celebrityradio.biz/ matt-cardle-interview-2018/.

the “state I was in”.

The singer said he snatched the valium from him and things “got a bit horrible”.

“I was completely addicted,” he added to The Sun. “He was like, ‘You’re never having any more of them off me’.”

After that, the dealer called his brother to tell him someone needed to step in and help Matt.” – reported The Mirror.

After several breakdowns and having checked himself into a rehab, Matt, now 34, has come out the other side a better man. He is clean and in a new relationship. Sony, which had dropped his contract soon after the X Factor win, has brought Matt in once more and produced “Time To Be Alive”, a record which is impressive as it is deserving.

Coming out of that shadow as a young, credible, relevant performer whose loyal followers never abandoned, is quite a spectacular feat. Indeed, it is an amazing time to be alive for Cardle.

Jump forward for a moment, to June 2018, West End Live. Here is Matt Cardle, the guy who used to paint hotel rooms and smell of magnolia. His performance of “Nobody” melds notes with lyrics hypnotizing, as he did years ago at X Factor, an audience captivated by his amazing talent. This is where we find that Matt Cardle the world fell in love with.

“Time to Be Alive”, Cardle’s fourth solo studio album was released the last week of April 2018 through Sony.

The lead single “Desire” was premiered on BBC Radio 2 in March and made available to stream on the same day. “Desire” is a beautiful rendition of deep feelings and angst as the performer expresses where he has come from and how deep it hurt. It is already a huge success.

“Time” promises excellent tone and music. “Desire” is already a huge success. “Fusing electronica, gospel, rock and soul. The lyrics are all personal observations on addiction, redemption, atonement and eventual contentment.

It’s a collection that will surprise, and one Matt is incredibly proud of.” (Alex Belfield, Celebrity Radio).

Cardle, who plays guitar, piano and drums, performed to rave reviews, the role of Huey Calhoun in the West end production of Memphis, the musical from July to October, 2015.

Photo: Pintrest

He toured the United Kingdom and Ireland on his Letters Tour (2012), Unplugged Tour (2013), Porcelain Tour (2014) and Intimate and Live Tour (2016).

His combined album and single sales have so far reached over 2 million.

There is no doubt that Matt Cardle has earned his space among the outstanding talents of his generation. His resurrection should prove to be very successful and only good things are in the horizon for this young performer.

Photo: Sela Shiloni

Photo: Stables.org

Matt Cardle at West End Live, 2018

During his career, Matt Cardle has achieved the following outstanding awards: 2010 SINGLE: ‘When We Collide’ - Platinum 2011 ALBUM: ‘Letters’ Platinum 2012 ALBUM: ‘The Fire’ Silver

Our favorites: “Desire” “I’m Not Letting Go Yet” “Bli nd Faith Nobody I Can’t Make You Love Me The First Time Ever I saw Your Face

www.mattcardlemusic.com/

PARADISE LUST

Adroit Iván nos desnuda hasta que nos duele la piel, para que junto con él podamos vivir el arte del sexo puro, la visión de sus pesadillas, o tal vez sueños eróticos o deseos ocultos. En el infierno de Iván, todos son lo mismo.

Después de meses de planificación y en medio de varios proyectos, algunos en coalición con COMSOLE, el artista nos trae “Paradise Lost”, su contribución más reciente a la escena de performance-arte en Puerto Rico.

En esta pieza, Iván nos trae su habitual trabajo satírico sexual sobre el cuerpo masculino no solo expuesto a todo y a todos, sino también llevado al extremo. Escondido en un estudio donde Iván invita a un grupo seleccionado, se muestra un cortometraje donde se ve el torso del artista, estirando sus pezones con tenazas.

Este es solo el aperitivo. Bajando a la ahora famosa bodega de El Cuadrado Gris, un lugar utilizado a menudo por el artista, ya que crea un ambiente rústico y expuesto, donde casi se puede atar su obra, descubrimos más.

Es en el sótano donde se muestran varios carteles que forman un recorrido por la vida artística de Iván. De su época como stripper - nacido en los cines porno - escolta y esclavo sexual por placer en la ciudad de Nueva York, a su vida actual rodeado de otros talentos que lo admiran y lo siguen.

Descendemos felizmente en su infierno, que es su subconsciente. Donde reina el cuerpo, dejando solo el físico y lo que más anhela: más sexo, más duro, palpitante

doloroso y más profundo.

Al final, uno tiene la sensación exacta de que Iván nos infecta. Llegamos a la demostración física de Iván. Su piel desnuda está cubierta de pintura blanca, negra y roja, para hacernos saber exactamente lo que es. Emocionante y sensual, atrevido y fresco, nadie quita los ojos de la bestia.

Terminamos exhaustos, llenos de su semilla, que mueve esos pensamientos y ese deseo dentro de nosotros, ansiosos por ver más y sentir más, de lastimar más.

Saboreando con nuestra piel ese tirón sádico de nuestros pezones. El placer que solo existe donde reina el sexo, en la mente de Iván el Terrible.

“Paradise Lost” resultó ser la última parada de Iván en el camino al paraíso. No podemos esperar para la próxima etapa del viaje.

Support our Work Common Social Advancement Fund (COMSOLE) is a 501(c)(3) not-forprofit organization supported by individual donors, corporations, foundations, and government grants. Donations to the COMSOLE go a long way in ensuring our services provided to those who need them continue uninterrupted.

Donate Online: The fastest, easiest, and safest way to support our work. Fill out the form and send your donation information.

Donate by Mail: Download a “Donate by Mail Form,� print it, then mail your completed form and contribution to: Common Social Advancement Fund 513 Escorial Ave. Caparra Heights San Juan, P.R. 00920 If donating by credit card, you may also email your Form to info@comsole.com.

Many Ways to Give: Become a partner; join us by volunteering to participate in our causes, attending our activities, submitting stories to our magazine and by carrying out the word, no monetary donation necessary.

As humans, we all have faced situations that have made us feel smaller than the rest. Some have felt discriminated because of race, sex, or sexual orientation. Everyone has been affected by crime in some form. Volunteering to help others who are not as fortunate as you makes sense if only to guarantee that everyone has the same chance and we will live in a safer society.

So far, we have affected the lives of countless people of all ages and we do most of this work anonymously because we do not seek to be recognized for our work. Our pride is the results we obtain from our efforts.

Fresh

Twenty-Five Things You Should Know About Being A Gay Man Before You Decide To Be One

by Ryan O’Connell Illustration by Adam J. Kurtz

1. You will always feel a little bit fat and a little bit ugly. Sometimes you will feel a lot fat and a lot ugly.

2. Moving to New York City may seem like a grand idea but trust me it’s not. Everyone here is at least 10% cuter than you and they know it.

3. Anal sex is like, the most intense thing ever.

4. Even if your parents are super progressive and love you just the way you are, your dad will always be a little bit bummed out that you’re a ’mo.

5. We don’t cry as much as that one kid on Glee. I promise.

6. Dating the same sex is difficult because you will always be comparing yourself to them. It’s hard to tell sometimes whether or not we date a guy because we love them or because we want to be them.

7. This notion of a gay community is largely a fallacy. The only thing we have in common with each other is penis and then we saunter off into our own little alienated nooks.

8. You will sleep with “straight men” until the novelty wears off and you realize that sex is the most fun when both parties are being honest about what they want. It doesn’t matter what position you take. If you sleep with someone who identifies as “straight” you’ll be the one getting screwed.

9. Some dudes will flirt with you very aggressively, bordering on sexual harassment, because you’re gay and it’s naturally assumed that you’ll want to sleep with everything.

10. Girls will come up to you your whole entire life and say stupid things like, “I wish you weren’t gay, OMG, let’s make out!” And you’ll always have to be like, “Um, no.”

11. It’s hard to find a good group of gay friends. Harder than you’d think.

12. You’re expected to always be in good shape, even though lesbians get to do whatever they want with their bodies, and it just isn’t fair.

13. It will be hard to find a boyfriend because typically gay men like to sow their wild oats until they’re 40. Or dead.

14. At the end of the day, all gay men want is to be connected with each other.

15. You will always be wondering if you should be having more sex.

16. You should.

17. Forget what any gay man tells you: everyone’s dream is to marry their soul mate, get a dog, and become the gay couple everyone else is jealous of.

18. Loving a man is quite different than getting one off. Be prepared for the beautiful mindfuck that is gay love.

19. You should always wear a condom. Always. When you’re gay, STDs are practically banging at your door. “Yoo hoo, it’s me, syphilis! Anyone home?”

20. Whenever you get intimidated by other gay people, just remember that they, too, were once a frightened 13-year-old boy masturbating to Ryan Phillippe in the shower.

21. In good conscience, you know you have to trim your pubic hair.

22. “Cock” is a really gross, dirty porn word. You shouldn’t say it unless you’re mid-coitus.

23. Don’t ever say “twink,” either. It’s unbecoming.

24. Actually, gay men have a whole vocabulary of their own. Try not to learn it.

25. I don’t mean to scare you off of being gay. It’s actually quite wonderful.

Even when my self-loathing levels are at an all-time high, I’m still thankful for my gayness. Truly.

Ryan O’Connell is a writer for MTV’s Awkward and author of “I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves to Get Through Our Twenties” out in June with Simon & Schuster.

Adam J. Kurtz is a graphic designer, artist, & serious person. He is primarily concerned with creating honest, accessible work, including a range of small products & the self-published “Unsolicited Advice” calendar series. He is the author of “1 Page at a Time” and no other books. He currently lives in New York City.

Mad About

Stepping Out One Year Later In case you have not been out about town since Hurricanes Irma and Maria tharshed through our island, the gay scene in Puerto Rico has changed…A LOT! Of course, the switch from all other dating apps to Facebook as the premier place to meet new hot guys, came as expected. Once everyone lived out the anonymity of cruising for and with married men on the DL, everyone went back to the more trustworthy social media platform that scrutinizes more its members.

A more surprising change came in the form of the clubs and other hang-out places in the metro area. Where once there was a clear distinction about what club covered what scene, Melding has occurred and, to everyone’s surprise, quite peacefully. Exceptions are always there. For example, The Bear Tavern in the Loiza Street area is still clinging to a hairy-males-only crowd that only sometimes welcomes others.

What has been most amazing is SX The Club’s transformation from an underground sex club into a very attractive, remodeled and decorated club attending to all sexes and gender identifications. Don’t get me wrong, the go-go dancers are still very hot, and the scene scorched in heat. The private rooms are sizzling and busy most of the time.

But the open halls have been fitted with pretty mirrors and nice bars. The handsome bartenders serve any drink you can dream of (and after midnight, their clothes come off). Music is amazing at the hands of professional DJs. And couples of both sexes are seen dancing and jamming to fine tunes.

Sx has kept loyal to its policy that women are not allowed beyond a certain point, where the dark room is located. Otherwise, it is a fun hang-out place t get a decent drink and listen to good club music. We encourage you explore safely the scene and let us know your opinions.

In Print

El Ichu is the online magazine in Puerto Rico, that explores new styles and aestethics n contemporary art.

The magazine covers from plastic to digital art forms and mix media.

This month, El Ichu offers its first ever printed edition and it is worth a look. To obtain a copy, go to www. facebook/elichu.

Sites Queer: Technologies, Spaces and Otherness 07.02.19

The outcome of the conference will be to create a book proposal acting as a critical, cultural memory; a written and visual record; and a speculative, spatial cartography of queer spaces, drawing them out from their Otherness and situating them within contemporary sociopolitical debates—which are fundamentally about the politics of space, citizenship and democracy.

Sites Queer is part of Dr. Regner Ramos’s larger research project at the University of Puerto Rico, funded

by Fondos Institucionales Para la Investigación.

We are inviting research papers, performances, workshop sessions, roundtable sessions and pre-constituted panels to participate. Please send 250-word abstracts and a 150-word biography to regner.ramos@ upr.edu . In the case of group submissions, please provide biographies for each individual. We accept abstracts in Spanish and English.

Submission Deadline: 31 August 2018 We are delighted to have Dr. Sharif Mowlabocus as Sites Queer’s keynote speaker. Dr Mowlabocus is a Senior Lecturer in Media and Digital Media, based within the School of Media, Film and Music at University of Sussex. His research focuses on gay and queer sexualities in media culture, and has authored a variety of articles and books on the subject. To see more of his work, click here.

Image: Dovydenas, Jonas, photographer. Chicago Ethnic Arts Project collection (AFC 1981/004), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Toon

Art by Jesus Baez 2018

At the Loggia

TimothĂŠe ...

CHALAMART?!!

The internet is graced once more with images idolizing the young actor who shot to fame playing Elio Perlman in Luca Guadagnino’s romantic drama Call Me by Your Name.

The Instagram account: @Chalametinart is putting the FrenchAmerican actor into famous Pre-Raphaelite, Baroque and Surrealist masterpieces.

Draft

Tab Hunter 1931-2018 Veteran out Hollywood actor Tab Hunter has died three days before what would have been his 87th birthday. No cause of death has been publicly shared.

A message on the Facebook page for the documentary Tab Hunter Confidential confirmed the news: “SAD NEWS: Tab passed away tonight three days shy of his 87th birthday. Please honor his memory by saying a prayer on his behalf. He would have liked that.�

Hunter was born Arthur Gelien in 1931. After his parents separated when he was a child, he moved to California to stay with his mother.

For decades, Hunter kept his sexuality hidden. As a gay man working in Hollywood at that time, coming out would have meant instant career suicide.

Still, he maintained relationships with some high-profile partners, most famously Psycho star Anthony Perkins and figure skater Robbie Robertson.

For the last 35 years, and up until his death, Hunter was in a relationship with producer Allan Glaser.

Beat

The Afternoon Sun

BY C. P. CAVAFY TRANSLATED BY EDMUND KEELEY This room, how well I know it.

Now they’re renting it, and the one next to it, as offices. The whole house has become an office building for agents, businessmen, companies.

This room, how familiar it is.

The couch was here, near the door, a Turkish carpet in front of it.

Close by, the shelf with two yellow vases.

On the right—no, opposite—a wardrobe with a mirror.

In the middle the table where he wrote, and the three big wicker chairs.

Beside the window the bed where we made love so many times.

They must still be around somewhere, those old things.

Beside the window the bed; the afternoon sun used to touch half of it. . . . One afternoon at four o’clock we separated for a week only. . . And then— that week became forever.

C. P. Cavafy, “The City” from C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems. Translated by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Translation Copyright © 1975, 1992 by Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard. Reproduced with permission of Princeton University Press.

Source: C.P. Cavafy: Collected Poems (Princeton University Press, 1975)

Ad-Lib Off the Cuff…

It is not about who you are, safer sex is about what you do. HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Some STIs like herpes, can pass from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact between the penis or vagina, the anus or the mouth.

This can include areas not covered by a condom, like the testicles.

Safer sex is more fun because you don’t need to be afraid. Each person should create their own “risk limits.” These limits may be that you feel safe kissing, hugging and pleasuring your partner with your hands but anything beyond that crosses the line into feeling unsafe. You set a boundary and stick to it by deciding what your risk limits are.

Sometimes, in the spare of the moment, we may forget about our risk limits. If this happens, one should feel free to visit a doctor and inform what has happened and get all the necessary tests done. It is utterly important that one feels safe with their doctor. If one is LGBT, one must come out to their doctor. If the doctor is not comfortable treating LGBT patients, simply move on to another doctor who is. Also, people who talk with their partners about sex, findi it easier to have it as well.

Safer tips: • Use a different hand or glove to touch or penetrate your partner than the one you use on yourself.

• Use lots of lube to make it feel good and prevent mini tearing.

• Use gloves.

• Trim and file your nails and take off any jewelry that could scratch tha vagina or the anus.

Photo: Matt Cardle performing with Rhiana at X Factor, courtesy of Dailymail.co.uk

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