Beach Essentials

Greg and David sell some of the hottest bathing suits in town! They have been a great support to our programs! I bought this really cool suit from them...you might catch me on the beach wearing it!

Blue Moon

Classic Bar. One of our favorite places to do outreach.

Lambda Rising

I send many men and women over to this bookstore to find books on safer sex, HIV/AIDS and mental health issues.

Aqua

One of my favorite places in town. Great outdoor deck and the guys who run it are very supportive of our programs!

Baltimore Avenue...

Here is Baltimore Ave. I took some pictures of some of the places that support the CAMPsafe program.

Sunrise AM...

Men and Their Balls

Pole Vaulting! BOING!

I think one of the most amazing Olympic sports is pole vaulting. Have you ever watched it? It is amazing that a man or woman who is so well built and so perfectly symmetrical is able to propel himself thru the air on such a thin, skinny little pole! I mean, you see them running with that thing in their hands, they stick it in a little socket in the sand and BOING, and they go flying thru the air into this sand pit. I am not sure what amazes me the most about it but it just does. Sometimes I think it may be the trust involved in doing such a thing. I am sure a great deal of it is training and lots of practice but think about the trust that must be involved as well. That pole has to work! Can you imagine what would happen if it didn’t? Big ouch! What if that thing broke at just the wrong moment? I hate to think of the results.

Other than what I have seen on the TV about these pole vaulters, I really know very little about them. From the vast information I know about sports, there are a few things about them that I can bet on. First, I can bet that these guys take a lot of responsibility for their own safety. They practice, practice, practice and practice some more. They are probably acutely observant and very in touch with their surroundings. Think about it. If they are running down this track and sticking that pole in that socket and propelling themselves thru the air, you know they have to know when they are at precisely the right speed and exactly where that socket is and they have to know exactly how to position themselves to get the maximum amount of thrust! And then, you know they treat that pole with a whole lot of respect…their life as an athlete and their success depends on how they treat and respect that pole!

Gay men can learn a whole lot from these guys. Seriously, take responsibility for yourself and be sure you keep your self in the best operating condition and safe as well! Practice, practice, practice and practice some more! You know, practice makes perfect especially when you are pole vaulting. Be observant and keep in touch with your surroundings. A whole lot of things can happen to you and your pole if you aren’t observant and careful. There can be some pretty ugly things in those sand pits! But before you start practicing your position and your thrust remember one thing! the most obvious thing we can learn from them is to take care of our pole! I won’t even let any of my sex partners get near my sandpit without having their poles covered. Keep your pole covered when it is in use! Be safe before you go BOING! Your life can depend on it.

My main task here is to do what is necessary to help you stay safe from HIV infection. I try pretty hard at this task. Realize that HIV isn’t the only thing out there threatening your safety and health. It is there and it is real. Some people think that we sugar coat things too much and should be more direct. I wish we could. But you have to consider what we are up against. We have to make a whole lot of folks happy and offend very few. It is difficult. If our sugar coating makes it difficult to understand what it takes to be safe then take responsibility for yourself and find out. Come and ask what you need to know to be safe.

Swimming...

We all know how gay guys like to play games – in and out of the bedroom. I thought of this as I was watching the swimming events of the Olympics last night on TV. What sport is truly queer but sychronized swimming! Some of you are going to say where is synchronized swimming in the Olympics and some may even say what does it have to do with HIV prevention? Silly boys! Play along with me!

The first thing I love about synchronized swimming is that they all wear their latex all of the time. You know how I love that latex and I am not talking about my latex shorts. I would love it if everybody wore their latex condoms every time they get in the pool….so to speak. Get them and use them. Don’t get in the pool without them.

The second thing I love about the synchronized swimmers is that they are all on the same page with what they do. I would not like for everybody in this community to do the all the same things or wear all the same clothes…..you all know me better than that. I do however want everybody on to wear their condoms, find out what safe sex is and then do it ALL THE TIME!

The most impressive thing about these folks is the practice and coordination that they must do. This is probably one of the things we can learn most from. We all need to practice safe sex, practice it again and again until it seems so natural for us. Haven’t you ever been amazed at how those girls seem so natural at what they do? Get that way with safe sex. Make it a natural for yourself. I have a buddy who is always prepared and he can slip a condom on correctly before you can say ahhh! He knows if it slips off or breaks…..they are a natural for him. Practice till they are a natural for you!

These girls also need a lot of behind the scenes help too. And that is another place you can help even if you aren’t out there in the pool looking for someone to wear your latex with. How can this be? I need help making quality latex swim caps available to those who are in the pool. So if you want to have some fun with latex, I need help on a regular basis wrapping those quality latex caps along with some lube and instructions on their use. We go thru a lot of them every summer and it is a great way to be part of the team!

I want to see you in the winner’s circle this year at the closing ceremonies. The best way to make sure you are there is to practice, practice, practice, be a team player, become proficient in your sport and wear your latex. Remember, I am a team player, and I am on your team. If you have any questions about your sport, safe sex, or latex swim caps, let me know. I am already as close as your computer. I am in the bars…..don’t let your mind go there! I am handing out condoms! Let me help! Go for the gold!

Get Tested

Summertime brings many beach bums and surf boys to this area. With this influx of people, who isn’t bound to turn their heads and notice some of the “eye candy”. We have all been in the situation where a handsome man or a beautiful woman walks by and catches your eye. You want to talk to him but you think that they are too beautiful to approach. You will probably have a nice little conversation with yourself like you have a hundred times. You will tell yourself “just do it”. And like you have learned a hundred times that unless you “just do it”, you will never know if he is as interested in you as you are him. You will tell yourself: “What have I got to loose?” and of course, a variety of other thoughts run through your mind.

Well, It is that time of year again. It is time to see those beautiful women and men on the beach, in the bars, on the boardwalk and hopefully a little closer to home; like in your arms! It is also that time of year again for something else very special: getting tested for HIV.

One of the biggest problem facing the US now is people who are HIV+ and don't know it – either because they don't get tested regularly or they don't think they are at risk. Then there are those that would rather live in denial or who are just too scared to deal with the realities of being diagnosed with HIV. Many people think they could be HIV+ but have chosen not to test – often making that decision based on incorrect information about HIV, or fear about what happens to you once you test positive. If you have HIV, all the evidence suggests that you are better off knowing it – and the sooner you test, the better. Knowing that you are HIV negative allows you to make informed decisions about the sex you have.

Obviously a negative result offers you no guarantees for the future. So whatever the result of the test, you need to think carefully about the sex that you have and avoid sharing needles and injecting equipment.

Hit the beach this year with a whole lot more than a beautiful body, great tan, and the perfect suit. Hit the beach this year equipped with knowledge. Know your status. Know how to be safe. It is important to know your status and we recommend getting tested regularly. Some people choose monthly, most a little less often. We recommend every six months but make sure you get tested.

So, Just like when you see that beautiful man walk past you, say to yourself, “just do it…what have you got to loose.” Just do it…get tested! What have you got to lose? Nothing! In fact you have a lot of powerful stuff to gain…KNOWLEDGE. And we all know that knowledge is power. Get tested in a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment. Just do it!

We have a whole lot of other suggestions just like this one that makes being safe sexy, smart and fun, and once you know your status, we can help you practice discussing status with your partners so that both of you can make informed decisions and use that knowledge to make informed decisions about your safety and pleasure.
Come see us. Just do it!

Monday's at the Beach...

Condom Stuffers Unite..

Condom Stuffers United!