Metra Issue 953 - May 2022

Hey Cuties!

Looking to buy a home but concerned about the current interest rates? Yes, it’s true that last month the interest rates on home loans increased to 5%, but don’t let that spook you. A 5% interest rate on a home loan is still very low. A little over 30 years ago in the opulent 80’s, interest rates were as high as 18% and in the 90’s interest rates were just above 8%. Don’t miss out on the equity you deserve because of this slight increase.

Higher interest rates do increase your monthly payments, but they are on the rise and will continue to increase for the foreseeable future. Not to make it more spooky but, the housing inventory is at an all time low, our population is increasing, living longer, and builders are not able to build at a high enough rate to keep up with the housing demand due to high material costs and lack of land to build on.

Home prices will continue to increase due to low inventory vs high demand and interest rates will continue to rise with our current economy. So the longer you wait to buy the more you will end up spending. But most importantly, the sooner you buy a home the sooner you can start growing your home equity.

Always remember, homeownership can be the first step to financial freedom and is more accessible than you think. Check out my TikTok for more Real Estate tips, @realtorkory or contact me today for your real estate needs! Email, text, or call because I do it all!

-Kory Lambarth

Dragrectory Dragrectory Dragrectory

Meet our crew in person, and find out more about Ferndale Pride volunteer opportunities

May 9 - 7:00-8 :00PM

May 25 - 7:00-8 :00PM

Affirmations Community Center

290 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale

You can also sign up to volunteer at ferndalepride.com/volunteer

We’re powered by volunteers like you.

When I was a young gay in the mid 2000’s I was absolutely OBSESSED with the movie/musical Rent. When it was in theaters, I think I went to see it no less than 20 times. For anyone who doesn’t know (and if you gaybies out there haven’t seen it, it is a MUST see, no ands ifs, or buts) it is the story of a group of friends in the late 1980’s/early 1990’s. They deal with issues from same-sex marriage, to transgender issues, to dealing with the reality of living with and dying of HIV/AIDS.

When I was first diagnosed I was lost. I was scared, alone, had no one to turn to, or so I thought. It had been several years since I had seen Rent, but when I was going through an old box of DVDs I saw it. All the memories, the songs, came flooding back. I watched it. Over and over and over again.

This time around, it had new meaning. I saw how the characters in the movie were able to pick up and move on in the face of incredible obstacles. It inspired me to work on myself and to take things one day at a time. Because there’s no day, but today!

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. (bik-TAR-vee)

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 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 “tea-colored” 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

REAL BIKTARVY PATIENTS

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.

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.

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

Featured patients compensated by Gilead.

DIMITRI

ZACH NIKKI CHAD HUGO D’EVA

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, KEEP BEING YOU, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0088 03/22

Aries: All work and no play tends to make Aries a very cranky little baby. Maybe it’s time to have a “you” day, that way you can relax and reset. So, whether it’s beating your masturbation record (12 times in one day is nuts) or making voodoo dolls of your neighbors you can’t stand, make sure it’s something you truly enjoy. Even the Mighty Aries needs some time to just breathe.

Taurus: Your love language is touch. When you’re feeling a little neglected, some attention can truly go a long way. Whether it’s your boo thang giving you a forehead kiss or your DOM fisting you all the way to their elbow making your guts sing in delight. Make sure you communicate what you need to your significant other.

Gemini: You’re always so happy and adventurous. People like being around you because you’re kind of a vibe. You find joy in making your person happy. Whether it’s folding the laundry, taking their car to get some gas, or sitting on their face so hard that you turn it into a whoopy cushion. You find happiness by other people’s happiness.

Cancer: Sexy time with Cancers is definitely a jog, not a sprint. They love the chase. Cancers enjoy roleplaying. So, whether you’re Cat woman and I’m Batman or we dress up like Teletubbies, we are going to have fun and pop the hell off! It’ll be the best Edging Experience (physically & mentally) ever!

Leo: Leo’s get turned on by knowing that someone is into them. It’s very much like a romance novel, Leo’s like

to be seen, so get ready for some public fucking (malls /jungle gyms/post offices/ parking structures). If there’s a chance to be seen or get caught, it really gets their juices flowing.

Virgo: Virgo’s love to please their person. Picking up the dry cleaning, taking your car to get washed, dressing up as a furry and letting you nut all over every imaginable area of this outfit. Virgo’s pain tolerance is pretty impressive. They like to be choked, smacked, hit with a car, you haven’t really found that safe word yet (blueberry), but you’re going to keep searching!

Libra: Punk rock Libra is all about the Benjamin’s baby. People are attracted to your drive and hustle. So, whether it’s ubering, waiting tables after ubering, donating sperm after waiting tables or seeing if you truly need both kidneys to function, people respect your grind. Just watch out where you sleep after a night of fun. You may wake up missing a body part.

Scorpio: Ah Scorpios, or what I like to call them Sultans of Seduction. Everything they say and do is sexy. Putting on their coat, waving goodbye to me from the front door, driving off in my car and never speaking to me ever again... It is a love hate relationship with Scorpios and their lover. They love to love them but hate that they are constantly getting screwed over by them.

Sagittarius: One of the most intelligent of all of the zodiac signs. People tend to fawn over that big, thick, giant, meaty brain of yours, girl (always think-

ing about dick... Knock it off!). You enjoy a vigorous discussion but once you’ve had enough of their voice, you’re ready to find out what that mouth can do (sexy time). Keep flexing that big brain of yours and we’ll give you something else to do with that head of yours (sit on it)!

Capricorn: Old reliable Capricorn is just like that one porn you tend to go back to after 2 hours of searching for something new. Being dependable isn’t a bad thing. You know what to expect. It is overall good. And out of nowhere sometimes they’ll surprise you with a thumb in your Batcave or a long drive that turns into an oral adventure on the side of the freeway. Old reliable, nah. More like Most Defiable.

Aquarius: The mediator of the group. You hate when people are upset, and you always want people to get along. But sis, c’mon, you’re killing the vibe of this 15-person orgy. You don’t have to always be the grown up and solve everyone’s problems. Do something else with that mouth instead of just mediate. Don’t lose yourself, but in all seriousness, you don’t have to fix everything.

Pisces: It’s one of your favorite months (it’s gonna be May!). You love that May is an in-between month. Because that’s basically where you live your life. You’re in-between jobs, in-between living arrangements, and getting in-between several married couples again because you tend to end up looking at the wrong person(s). Your charming personality tends to get you in fun situations, just not always the best.

Gaslighters are master manipulators

Gaslighting is a form of emotional and physiological abuse. These masters of manipulation will use verbal and behavioral strategies that lead victims to question their feelings and perception of reality and believe they are losing their mind. Gaslighters will wear down their victims over time, undermine their sense of self-worth, and destroy their ability to trust themselves.

Gaslighters want psychological and emotional control and power over their victims. They need to be in charge, they need to be right all of the time, and they constantly criticize, blame, verbally abuse and intimidate their victims. They deny responsibility for anything. Victims find themselves in a never-ending state of confusion and self-doubt.

Look for these signs of gaslighting: they start telling lies, they trivialize your feelings, they constantly are in denial, they try to isolate you from family and friends, they don’t accept accountability for their actions, and they always seem to blame everyone else for a problem.

If you are a victim of gaslighting, confront the person and tell them how you feel in hopes they will begin to acknowledge the problem and take steps to change their behavior. If you feel you are not getting anywhere, consider seeking professional help. If the gaslighter refuses counseling or belittles you for making this decision, you may want to reexamine the relationship to determine if it is worth saving.

Dr. Joe Kort

It was a cold early Spring afternoon. The night before there was one of those freak Michigan snow storms that left everything icy and no time to clear the snow. It was a weekend given that I was home from work doing nothing, so I figured why not a Grindr hook up. You know, the kind you log on, find the closest, most readily available sex hungry cumslut and just go with it.

Fast forward about 5 minutes. I found a guy ready and willing. He came over and the Mac’n’cheese making began. Everything was going great, until he decided he wanted to get on top. Now I normally don’t

have a problem with this, but he was a bigger dude. As he was positioning himself over me he leaned onto my ribcage with his full weight and -CRACK- something in me snapped… literally.

I screamed. He screamed. I could hardly breathe, and this poor guy just kept trying to apologize, obviously embarrassed by what had just happened.

As I walked him to the door to leave, I cautioned him to watch his step, as it was still icy from the snow storm. As luck may have it, those icy steps proved a believable alibi for when I went to the doctor for “slipping on the ice.”

The

Bartender Cathy W

Woodward Bar & Grille