Metra Issue 972 - DEC 2023

Issue Issue # 972

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info@goaf irmations.org

WISHING WISHING YOU YOU

C h r e e e e r u r !!

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Queer Cheer Queer Cheer

We are immensely grateful for your support – it allows We aredrive immensely grateful for your support it allows us to our mission forward and meet the –needs of us to drive our mission forward and meet the needs of our community. our community.

We wish you a holiday season full of love, joy, We wish you a holiday full of love, joy, prosperity, andseason acceptance. prosperity, and acceptance.

248.398.7105

4 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

290 W. 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale 248.398.7105 info@goaffirmations.org 290 W. 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale www.goaffirmations.org info@goaffirmations.org

www.goaffirmations.org

Charlie Frontera 248-543-3500 National Advertising: Rivendell Media 212-242-6863

Published by Metra Magazine LLC

122 E Nine Mile Road Ferndale, MI 48220 O: (248)543-3500 E: Info@Metramagazine.com Published monthly (est. 1979) Co-Owner & Story Editor: Charlie Frontera Co-Owner & Chief Editor: Frankie Wingle

Social Media: Bright Torch Media

Operations Coordinator: Justin Bettcher Contributing Writers: TJ Drinksof Davey Shadow Dr. Joe Kort Kory Lambarth Keegan Michelson Tiki Miss Moscato Mystic Keeper

Distributors: Eddie Desormeau Peter Rene Wade Mercury UPS AKA (Wes B)

Art Layout/Design: Jerry Leasure

Additional Photography: RaeD8 Photography Frankie Wingle Cameron Banks Josh Mandjuano Midwest/Local Sales: Charlie Frontera Darin Coleman 248-543-3500 National Advertising: Rivendell Media 212-242-6863

Issue #972 December 2023

Special thanks to The Junction for hosting this cover shoot.

Make sure your like, follow & interact with the talent's social media above (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/OnlyFans)

What's Inside?

Cover & Content

Photos by: Sam V Photography

Models: Bentley James Cam Jacob Huber Nate J

Dragrectory Hookup Story Out Flashing What's Inside?

Special thanks to Rumor’s for hosting this cover shoot.

Make sure your like, follow & interact with the talent's social media above (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/OnlyFans)

Publication of the name of photograph of any person or organization in articles in METRA Magazine is not to be construed as an indication of the sexual organization of such person or organization. All Distributors: copy text, display photos and il ustrationsEddie in advertisDesormeau ing are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authoriWhore-O-Scopes zed, have secured proper consents (written, verbal, e-mail, etc..) forthe Brad Simmons use of names, pictures or testimonials of any living person(s) and METRA Magazine may lawfully publish and cause such publicatiHookup on to be made and advertiStory ser automatically agrees to by submitting Nicholas Wendling said ad and to indemnify and save blameless the publisher from anyUPS and all liability loss and expense of any nature of such publicOut ation. NothinFlashing g appearing in METRA Magazine may be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission/e-mail from the publishers. Writings in Publication do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and opinions of leadership of the publication.

Publication of the name of photograph of any person or organization in articles in METRA Magazine is not to be construed as an indication of the sexual organization of such person or organization. All copy text, display photos and illustrations in advertising are published with the understanding that the advertisers are fully authorized, have secured proper consents (written, verbal, e-mail, etc..) forthe use of names, pictures or testimonials of any living person(s) and METRA Magazine may lawfully publish and cause such publication to be made and advertiser automatically agrees to by submitting said ad and to indemnify and save blameless the publisher from any and all liability loss and expense of any nature of such publication. Nothing appearing in METRA Magazine may be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission/e-mail from the publishers. Writings in Publication do not necessarily reflect the beliefs and opinions of leadership of the publication.

Metra MetraMagazine, Magazine,Issue Issue##972 950 5

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Metra Magazine, Issue #972 7

8 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

Around Town

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Metra Magazine, Issue #972 9

Issue #972 10 Metra MetraMagazine, Magazine, Issue #972

It was around December 2005 and I was still a young teenage gaybee. I was fortunate enough to have two older gay friends Freddy and Danny (older than me, I think they were 20) and I often referred to them as my “gayspiration.” The musical “Rent” had just come out and my gayspirations insisted we see it. I was apprehensive at first because I wasn’t really out yet and seeing a “gay” movie was honestly kind of scary for me. On our way into the theater, Freddy jumped on my back for a piggy-back ride, sending me to the ground and gashing my knuckle, leaving a small scar.

Nonetheless, to say that I fell in love with the movie is an understatement. I think I went back and saw it a total of two dozen times while still in theater, and then of course, when it came out on DVD I had to get it. The CD was on repeat in my car for at least a year. I could recite the musical by heart. For those who may not know the story, the synopsis is a group of friends in the late 1980s deal with life in New York City while dealing with the AIDS crisis.

Often times, when I was having a bad day, or not feeling myself, I’d listen to the songs from the movie and it always cheered me up.

About six months before I found out my status, Freddy passed away. We hadn’t stayed as close as we used to, but he was always someone I could count on to listen to me, or eat junk food with me, or whatever I needed to feel better.

I was crushed. I went to my Rent CD and listened on repeat thinking about how Freddy introduced me to this.

When I found out I was positive months later, that sense of devastation took over again. I no longer had my gayspiration to lean on. So again I turned to my CD. This time was different. I was no longer listening to a musical about AIDS and death, I was living it. It felt like my life had turned into Rent.

After the dust settled and I had time to mourn my friend and cope with my diagnosis, I started looking at life differently. There really is no day but today.

Forever in our Hearts. FJH

Metra Magazine, Issue #972 11

PROMOTING COMMUNITY AND PHILANTHROPY THROUGH LGBTQ+ SPORTS LEAGUES VOLLEYBALL - WINTER 2024 Thursdays, 8pm, 9pm & 10pm games League Dates: 01/11/24 - 02/29/24 Registration Dates: 12/08/23 - 12/22/23 Location: Detroit City Fieldhouse

PICKLEBALL - WINTER 2024 We’re excited to run TWO simultaneous winter pickleball leagues in Livonia and Ann Arbor! Games on Saturdays.

More details to come! Stay tuned!

BOWLING - WINTER 2024 Games on Tuesday evenings League Dates: 01/16/24 - 03/07/24 Registration Dates: 12/01/23 - 01/07/24 Location: Renaissance Bowling Center All dates and details subject to change. Follow us to stay updated on all upcoming Stonewall leagues!

12 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

LOOKING FOR NOW? Look No Further.

Browse Cruising Listings, and check out these local hotspots.

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Real Estate Talk with Realtor Kory

Hey Cuties!

The holiday season infuses the real estate market with a unique charm, offering both buyers and sellers distinct advantages. Emotionally, homes adorned with festive décor foster a deeper connection, allowing potential buyers to envision their future celebrations. The reduced competition during this time benefits sellers, as fewer listings compete for attention, attracting motivated buyers seeking to finalize deals before year-end for tax benefits. Cozy showings amidst the chilly weather highlight a home’s comfort, while holiday events provide networking opportunities for real estate agents. Ultimately, the holiday season, beyond its festive allure, presents a prime window for real estate transactions, where the magic of home and the spirit of the season intertwine for memorable new beginnings.

Check out my TikTok for My Real Estate Adventures, @realtorkory and contact me today for all your real estate needs!

Email, Text, or Call because I do it all!

Interested Interestedin in advertising advertising with withMETRA? METRA? Send Sendus usan ane-mail e-mail info@metramagazine.com info@metramagazine.com

-Kory Lambarth

Metra Magazine, Issue #972 15

16 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

Affirmations Spotlight

How long have you been with Affirmations? Just under a year.

What is Affirmations to you? A space for collectivizing our love for community!

When you’re not working, what do you do for fun? I love to read with my cats, be in nature, garden, and talk to the little bees that visit my garden.

If you could spend an afternoon with an icon, who would it be and what would you do? I would like to cook a multi-course meal with Kim Petras. We would start everything from scratch and potentially burn the kitchen down, but being with her in that context would heal me of all my ailments.

Joe Volpe, Programs Manager

What’s something you want everyone to know about Affirmations? There is still a lot to do to ensure we meet the needs of our entire community. As we work towards that goal, the folks here are your accomplices in pushing those boundaries and expanding our inclusivity!

Metra Magazine, Issue #972 17

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Metra MetraMagazine, Magazine,Issue Issue#972 #966 19 19 Metra Magazine, Issue #972 19

20 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

Hook- up from hell

It was the night before Christmas, not even a peep could be heard throughout my studio apartment on the 5th floor.

I decided I just wanted to pour some Eggnog, turn on a Christmas Movie and maybe snack on some gingerbread cookies. Who doesn’t love a lowkey Christmas-Eve? I was all cozy on my couch and then I heard a noise, it sounded as if it was someone jingling some bells around. I went to my door; I slowly opened the door and peaked my head around the corner.

I looked to the right, to the left and then suddenly and my friend Grant jumped out and I flew backwards into my doorway. I had forgotten he was coming by for the holidays, though I am pretty sure he told me he wasn’t coming.

He gets in, settled and I head to my bedroom. I was feeling frisky and thought I could try to find someone to potentially come over. Within a few minutes of be-

ing online I found someone who was also feeling frisky. We exchanged pictures and I sent him my address. He showed up shortly thereafter and I walked down to get him from the front entrance.

While walking back to my place we did the friendly introduction. I also told him that Grant was upstairs, so we needed to be quiet. The guy said his name was L, not sure what that stood for and didn’t care to ask in the moment.

We got back to my place and head towards my room. We got undressed and started fooling around. We are getting more intimate until Grant opened the door yelled, “Jingle Bells Rock.” I looked back and saw Grant in the nude with miniature balls tired around his genitalia.

I was so embarrassed, L asked if he could play with the bells, and I screamed “I wish you all a Merry Christmas and goodnight”.

I took Grant’s present away if anyone was wondering.

Metra Magazine, Issue Metra Magazine, Issue#972 #972 21 21

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Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

People featured take BIKTARVY and are compensated by Gilead.

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY® and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months, and may give you HBV medicine.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements.

BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1 POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system.

Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections that may have been hidden in your body.

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Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY. Continued on next page.

Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, continued on the next page and at BIKTARVY.com.

#1 PRESCRIBED

HIV TREATMENT*

REAL STORIES R E A L VO I C E S

ELIAS

CHAD

NIKKI

D’EVA

THERON

DIMITRI

ZACH

HUGO

PHIL

Meet a few of the extraordinary people who take BIKTARVY.

Watch their stories at BIKTARVY.com

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® (cont’d) BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

 This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.

 Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.

 If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

 Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5.

Please see Important Facts, including important warnings, above and at BIKTARVY.com.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and KEEP BEING YOU are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. © 2023 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0296 06/23

REATA MCGEE

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26 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

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Metra Magazine, Issue #972 31

Monoganormativity: The Gold Standard But is it the best relationship for everyone?

We’re taught from childhood that having sex exclusively with one partner is the only legitimate relationship. But I have found that many, many people feel imprisoned by this standard and actually long to be more experimental, to open the relationship to other experiences. So, they either suffer silently, find a way to satisfy the longing by secretly stepping outside of that confinement, or decide to open the relationship.

The suffering silently option is most harmful as it often leads to the rise of other problems that are the result of the real one.

For instance, fights over money quite often can be rooted in dissatisfaction over intimacy issues.

Many people simply are not wired to be monogamous. But because this assumed cultural standard — what we’re calling monoganormativity here — is so deeply embedded, many people, even therapists, think that all open relationships are doomed to failure. Too often they suggest that the only solution is to close the relationship. As a sex therapist with three decades of experience in this field, I’m here to say that this is utterly false.

I have seen hundreds of such relationships working just fine … as long as couples have carefully negotiated the terms of their agreement.

This requires some hard work by both partners, as well as revisiting the agreement from time to time, especially when one partner discovers their erotic tastes are evolving and wants to be more experimental or breaks the agreement. For instance, a couple with an open relationship came to me a few years ago after searching for a therapist who wouldn’t immediately suggest that they resolve their problems by closing the relationship. They liked the openness and had agreed that they would only have sex with someone else when either of them was out of town, but the man had recently broken that agreement.

Like in any case of infidelity, the partners must work through it. The one who broke the agreement must hold him or herself accountable and find compassion for the injured partner. They must thoroughly talk this through and become very honest about what they want or need, and then either come to a new agreement or dissolve the partnership. In my

experience, once they’ve gone through the work, most couples in open relationships stay together, having discovered a new level of intellectual and emotional intimacy.

Whether the couple is monogamous or has an open relationship, there can be other problems for which honest communication and negotiation will strengthen their bond, such as desire discrepancy between partners. Family and marriage therapist Martha Kauppi offers excellent information about how partners can work with these issues.

Many people think there has to be more work like this in an open relationship than in a monogamous one, but I haven’t found this to be true. In fact, I find that most monogamous couples just haven’t negotiated what monogamy means to them. Is it okay for one partner to watch porn or chat with someone on the other side of the world? To maintain a friendship with a former lover? Often a partner in a monogamous relationship may be consumed with jealousy and fear when something like this is discovered, and because they haven’t really done the work to find out what each other had assumed were the boundaries.

This holds true both for straight and gay couples. Historically, however, vastly more gay couples have open relationships, and have negotiated their agreements. In general, gay couples have spoken to one another openly and early on about their desires, preferences, kinks, and such. In my opinion, this is why one finds so many gay couples happily staying together for decades. In general, I also find that much depends upon the region where they reside. There are more open relationships on both coasts than in the more conservative middle of the U.S. Also, in recent years I’m finding many more young couples agreeing to open their relationships.

I find this to be a positive development, and even considering the possibility of opening a relationship can help erode the stranglehold that monoganormativity has on our psyche.

Joe Kort, Ph.D., LMSW AASECT Certified Sex Therapist & Supervisor of Sex Therapy

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12/8/23-12/10/23

12/29/23-1/1/24

Cheers

WEEKEND

2/2/24-2/4/24

LATE & HOLIDAY

TO THE NEW YEAR

Winter

GAMES WEEKEND

3/15/24-3/18/24

1/19/24-1/21/24

LUAU

WEEKEND

2/16/24-2/18/24

VALENTINES WEEKEND

Bo

o n d o c kin g 3/29/24-4/1/24

4/12/24-4/14/24

St Patty’s day Weekend

www.campitresort.com Metra Magazine, Issue #972 35

PSYCHIC | MEDIUM | HEALER | AUTHOR | SPIRITUAL MENTOR

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LEAGUES NOW FORMING IN FLINT, GRAND RAPIDS, AND LANSING!

KICKBALL BOWLING

DODGEBALL VOLLEYBALL

GAAY.SPORTS GAAYSPORTS WWW.GAAYSPORTS.COM USE PROMO CODE “METRA” TO SAVE $10 ON YOUR FIRST REGISRATION! Metra Magazine, Issue #972 37

Whore - o - Scopes ARIES: Tis the Season to be Pleasing! The Sexual Shenanigans is abundantly clear if you are paying attention to the Dicks around you. Booty calls could be more local if you research or redo your Growlr preferences. It is time to spoil your bottom or take care of your top! Those Versatile Beefcakes got it going on.

TAURUS: The time to be picky or reject anything that is coming your way is Ludacris! Still, you can get some Twinks, Chicken at the local bar & that has not changed, however times have you in the mix up with some feels. Now is the time to pay attention to your surroundings, you could dart off and have a quickie!

GEMINI: If you are gagging on it too much, then take a break! Just because you’re in a good spot doesn’t mean that bussy is indestructible! #WhoreoScopes!

It is time to cut off the Crazy Cock that is out there. You can always go back to it later. When you relax then you will find out everything fits so much better.

CANCER: You might bump into someone you remember that had the best peach in the world. You will have the time to explain yourself and everything. But now is the time to get that story Gayly Forward and moving on. If the relationship was not that serious then Basic Icebreaker and wrap it up. Main purpose is to not let the feels get in the way.

38 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

LEO: You might be all full of piss and vinegar with no change of clothes. Still this month will show you even with those days when you feel like you’re gross from being all sweaty or grimy. Life will show you some hot package that is into that pig play and turns him on! Make his nips stick out so far, they can hold an ornament!

VIRGO: Life is trying to Cock Clock you & your game. Time to shake it all off and restrategize. You might be flooded with opinions or concerns. Know at end of the day the only one that can make yourself feel safe is you. Always have that safe word known with your bestie & crew. It will help you get out of very sticky situations.

LIBRA: If you’re craving the quiet this winter season and not into the holidays then make sure to plan those nights with a cuddle buddy. Sex is better than making a snow man. But snowballing can have it perks too. Sure, beats the hell out of having blue balls to decorate the walls.

SCORPIO: If you never had a wet dream then a Little Sexual Introspection is exactly what your life needs. You find yourself evaluating what you most like and keeping it all balanced. When was the last time you did a check in to those you hung it all out with. Visit only those important to you.

SAGITTARIUS: Now that the Holidays are here you can have more Sexual Escapades to be had. Surround yourself with familiar settings & the right packages to quench the thirst. Your sexy mojo depends on your je ne sais quoi and how you deliver. The more you be yourself the better time you have.

CAPRICORN: This winter season will have extra time to fix any misunderstandings and revisit conversations where you forgot about perhaps. Sometimes just go under the table to go after the goodies are in order. Don’t sweat for anything that doesn’t deserve that much work done to it.

AQUARIUS: Flirt the way you want to, explore something new, give it all 100%!

End the year with a bang. Fuck him so hard that even your own synapses are pulsing. We all are not getting any younger and time is ticking away. Live in the moment and see how to improvise to get into his pants… Just don’t get crabs.

PISCES: You must be the team player in the blowbang that turned into now a gangbang! That dude that is making you gag for more is more worried about the other guy who is pushing you deeper inside. Make Everyone Feel they did their part. Nobody wants to be the third wheel in anything.

Green Door Distilling Co. ost

Your H

f the

o rsday u h T t s 1 Every month

Miss. Moscato

f the

o rsday u h T 3rd Every month

@DragIsArtLLC Drag Is Art LLC 429 E North St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Metra Magazine, Issue #972 39

40 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

Metra Magazine, Issue #972 41

PROUDLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1979 42 Metra Magazine, Issue #972

bar & poutiner i e

EVENTS

WEEKLY

li be r ty SUNDAY

Brunch 10:00am-3:00pm & Trivia Night 7:30pm

MONDAY

$4, $5, $6 Martini’s

TUESDAY Euchre

7:30pm

WEDNESDAY $1 Wings & $1 Wells

THURSDAY Karaoke

9:00pm

FRIDAY

Music Videos All Night

SATURDAY

Music Videos All Night 8 5 N . SAGI N AW, PO NTIAC, M I 4 83 42

Metra Magazine, Issue #972 43

MUSIC BY DJ CLUBKID

DRESS IN Y2K FASHION!