Metra Issue #950 - February 2022

Pride Night

Hosted by Deedee Chaunte with dj digimark & DJ Prim

free till 10:30pm $5 cover after

ALL ABOUT THEM CAKES

This month, love is in the air! Garrett made us some delicious truffles, perfect for that special Valentine’s Day someone. These bite size truffle treats will be all the proof you need that size doesn’t matter. Garrett’s balls are amazing!

No Bake Birthday Cake Ingredients

½ cup (62 g) all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups (188 g) yellow cake mix

½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar

½ cup (113 g or 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles

3 cups (16 oz) white chocolate melting wafers or candy melts

Rainbow nonpareils

Red Velvet Ingredients

1 9×13 cooked red velvet cake, crumbled

1 container of cream cheese frosting 16oz

1 ½ Bags of white chocolate melting wafers

10oz

1 cup Red candy melts

Valentine’s sprinkles

Living with my House in Virginia

The first Valentine’s Day after learning about my House In Virginia, I felt lost. Who will love me? Am I “tainted goods?” I thought I’d be alone forever.

It’s important to remember that HIV doesn’t have to define who you are or who you date. Yes, there are some guys who just don’t know what it means to be positive and/or undetectable, and they may be turned off at first. Initially I was angry, embarrassed, and hurt.

But after a while, I started turning that rejection into a learning opportunity. I began just asking the guy “do you know what HIV is? Do you know what Undetectable means?”

Having HIV may seem like a scary roadblock to finding the right partner, but it doesn’t have to be.

Use your status as a learning opportunity. The more people know, the better chances we have at fighting the stigma associated with having a House in Virginia.

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 e ects, 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 e ects, 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

(bik-TAR-vee)

that may have been hidden in your body. 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 “teacolored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

 The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

These are not all the possible side e ects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY.

You are encouraged to report negative side e ects 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.

Meet a few of the extraordinary people who take BIKTARVY. Watch their stories at BIKTARVY.com

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY® (CONTINUED)

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.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:

 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.

 BIKTARVY and other medicines may a ect 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

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

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

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

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0413 04/21

Featured patients compensated by Gilead.

DIMITRI

ZACH NIKKI CHAD HUGO D’EVA

What does Valentine’s Day mean to you? Romance or heartbreaking pressure?

Valentine’s Day is considered the most romantic holiday of the year, but for many, it represents weeks of needless, often overwhelming pressure to come up with yet another grand romantic gesture to demonstrate your love for your partner. For singles, it’s a dreaded day of shame that spotlights you are alone and have no one to love.

For couples, the pressure is on to make the day the most romantic and memorable one of the year. Is this even possible? And why should someone feel pressured to deliver a gesture of love that tops them all? This easily can lead to disappointment and heartbreak for everyone.

Forcing people to declare the grandest demonstration of love on one single day can be a recipe for disaster.

And, if you are single, how do you shamelessly hold it together when your co-workers receive beautiful bouquets of flowers delivered to the office while your desk is conspicuously

empty? Who wants to feel the single shame and why should anyone?

I recommend that you talk with your partner about how you want to celebrate (or not celebrate) Valentine’s Day. Decide together if you want to indulge and how you plan to do so. Make sure you are in agreement. If you’ve been in a relationship for a while, you should know your partner’s love language by now. Have clearly stated expectations for the day so no one will be disappointed.

If you are single, choose Valentine’s Day as a self-care day. Pamper yourself. Celebrate the special person you are.

In the end, what truly matters? Why should one “Hallmark-declared” holiday be the only day to show your love and affection for your partner? Relax. Enjoy Valentine’s Day the way you want, not the way everyone is telling you should.

Dr. Joe Kort

Aries: February fills you with rage. Not a big fan of public displays of affection, you’d rather the hand holding to be left in the bedroom. You really go above and beyond to make your significant other feel special, like letting them lick the spoon (tee-hee) or feel like they had the last word (which they could never). Try and look at the softer side of things and appreciate the moment. It doesn’t have to always be power drills and rage thrusts.

Taurus: Stay at home Taurus has been really digging this whole work from home gig. You’ve been sexually experimenting with things around your house. The vacuum, the paper shredder and your removable shower head (personal fave) have all taken on their own social distancing persona. Once the weather breaks a little, get out and have yourself a kiki.

Gemini: Gemini’s are always sass mouthing everyone they encounter. Secretly hoping that someone either serves it back pipin’ hot or it turns into a pimp smack to the face. Gemini’s are always imagining their friends in the craziest situations: Like winning the Superbowl and the uniforms are literally just jock straps. Gemini’s are like Sour Patch Kids, first they’re sour and then they’re sweet.

Cancer: If wonder woman’s lasso of truth magically became a person, it would be a Cancer Lover, sis. Coy and honest, Cancers love seeing someone spin a web of lies and then plow right through it like a toddler using a toy lawnmower (vroom!). If a cancer lover feels

unloved, it’s going to turn into bad girls’ club real quick.

Leo: We love feeling safe and secure with the big daddy of the group, The Leo Lover. Whether it’s holding the door open for you or slipping a thumb in your bat-cave or spitting in your mouth telling you that you’re a peasant. You just can’t get enough of their attention.

Virgo: Ah Virgos. You can’t live with them. It’s really difficult to frame them for murder. The planner of the group, who will talk about what flavor lube/ what kind of vibe we’re trying to have. Like girl. Calm down. It’s a free for all orgy. Virgo’s love to be in control, but truth be told, they just want to be dominated the house down BOOTS! .

Libra: Hippy Dippy Libra loves to love! Always looking at everything around them as an endless possibility of positivity. Which is normally why they’re hoarders who go hard in the sack and often become everyone’s favorite cum dumpster. Libras normally shy away from conflict. Which explains the plethora of daddy issues.

Scorpio: A Scorpio’s sex screams rival that of any banshee. Similar to a praying mantis, they attract their prey/ lover into their lair to have their way with them. Once their needs are met, it’s off with their head and onto the next! Scorpios have top notch game and go the extra mile to make you feel special. Proceed with caution, if you dare! Sagittarius: Free and uninhibited Sagittarius is a good time girl. However, this tends to mean they have a long list of failed relationships. They either win

or they learn. Tell that to the multiple trips to the clinic for countless shots in the ass, sweetie. But don’t worry, it’s still their year and it will be great!

Capricorn: Ambitious and cut throat, Capricorn’s are fantastic in many roles. However sometimes they look at love and dating kind of like a competition. Whether it’s getting all the numbers when they show up unannounced to a stranger’s funeral or taking their friend’s neighbor’s kid to the park to pick up trade, they’re kind of all about the score and not the chase. No-one cares how many times you were voted most likely to be president in middle school. Aquarius: Aquarius lovers are a hoot. Spunky and rebellious, they spent a lot of time in detention when they were in school. You hate eye contact, but you love feet. So it is kind of a match made in toe sucking heaven. You really want to make your lover happy and proud. Even though they can’t get enough of you being Xena: Warrior Princess (insert her crazy amazon yell). You don’t mind, because it makes your boo thang happy. And people pleasing is your kink, bruh. Pisces: The silent communicator who focuses more on actions VS words. They really hate when drama starts, but trust and believe they’ll end it. You hate to tell people what to do, you’d much prefer just showing them. Which is sometimes why fights break out, since your slutty ass is always trying to sit on someone’s face. Your favorite go to sex move is a Tonya Harding to the knee when they fall genitals first onto the 8th wonder of the world (your tongue).