Get The Hook

I love looking at guys' dicks. Dick spotting (and its cousin, dick flaunting) is the only reason I use the group showers at my gym. Hell, it's sometimes the only reason I work out in the first place. Dicks are fun for their sexual connotations, but also for their unending variety in shape, color, size and weight. Looking around a locker room, you can spot (as the song goes,) "long one's, tall ones, short ones, brown ones, black ones, round ones, big ones, [and] crazy ones." Last week I saw a dick that looked like a potato. I haven't eaten fries since.

But if there's one thing more fun than looking at dicks, its looking at boners. Luckily, I attend a primarily gay gym so public boners are in no short supply. In observing a shower penis' entire life cycle of rigidity, from tiny little shrinkage victim to full out broadsword, you can see some striking differences emerge. Your run-of-the-mill windsock can transform in seconds to a whole topographer's map of moles, veins, birthmarks and exotic foreskins.

But some dick abnormalities are actually undiagnosed penile diseases. Tune in below the fold for more info on this, uh, sensitive subject.

Among the most striking of "emerging" features is probably the pronounced curve. We've all experienced (possibly on ourselves) a dick that starts out on the straight and narrow (or straight and thick) and ends up decidedly more loopy. They can be really fun. But did you know that there's a medical term for this? For that matter, did the guy I dated in college nicknamed "Capt'n Hook" know I called him that?

Some curved dicks are just made that way, but others are the result of a condition called "Peyronie's." Sometimes caused by trauma to the penis (like when you pull out too far and thrust into someone's hip, causing your junk to snap) Peyronie's is caused by the formation of scar tissue under the skin of the penis that can lead to curvature and a painful erection.

Since patients and doctors alike are often unaware that this condition exists, Mens Health PD, a website offering information and help to those with Peyronie's, will be hosting a live chat with Dr. Culley Carson at 7 p.m. on the subject of early stage Peyronies treatment.

Thanks to TNG reader Taryn Snider for the tip.

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Water Is The Enemy

Do you remember when our relationship to water was an easy one? Drink lots of it=better overall health. Well, after further review, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Many gay men, like myself, rely on water to help us maintain our health and extend our youth. Like most people, we were indoctrinated with the idea that water helps excrete toxins after too much clubbing, improves our skin tone, makes us less hungry (diet aid) and reduces headache frequency. Not only are none of these beliefs true, researchers can find no scientific study anywhere that asserts or ever supported any of these claims. 8 glasses of water a day? Only if you want to pee a lot.

I’ve been reading the various studies related to this breaking news (It’s work related…I’m not a total dork), and I’ve learned that 20% of our needed fluid intake can come from sources such as coffee (doesn’t that dehydrate you?) and food. So how much water do you need? Just drink it when you’re thirsty. Wow. Revolutionary.

How times change. Water was once magical, now it’s pedestrian—and feared. My housemates gasp when they see me drink DC tap and openly berate me for cooking without brita filtered water. They even have me considering the purchase of a special shower head so that I’m not soaked with evil. There has also been recent national news about how a vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, which enter the water system due to people pissing them out. I also saw a report on television about how San Diego has a program to rehabilitate sewage as drinking water, as a response to their water shortage. I bet people really love that idea.

Maybe water will have a comeback. It seems like every few years the experts change their mind on whether or not an egg is good for you, so who knows. The only thing I’m sure of at this point is that innocence has been lost, and something ugly has taken its place. Case in point, I was at Union Station one afternoon a few weeks ago, parched from a day spent trudging back and forth between government buildings, and I went to a vendor for water.

I was charged $3 dollars.

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Working Out? Be Realistic!

"Thomas from Berlin", one of the many insecurity-inspiring models featured on WorkoutInspiration.Net

I've been going to the Dupont Results for over a year now, and I've had the opportunity to chart the progress of many friends and acquaintances who I see there on a regular basis. I noticed the other day that one particular friend-of-a-friend has really significantly bulked up in the past year. I saw him in the sauna after our respective workouts, and I mentioned my observation. I then asked if he has any particular bulk-goal in mind, because he was looking pretty good. (And quite honestly, he's beginning to exceed the upper bound of attractively muscley in my opinion.) He replied that he had a particular look in mind that he was working towards. A friend of his who was in the sauna with us asked him, "Oh, that picture you have up in your office? That guy has a totally different frame than you!"

Upon hearing this, I began to verbalize something that's been bugging me for quite a long time: Too many guys are striving for "looks" that are unattainable. They're suffering through endless workouts and protein shakes to no avail and increased frustration as their pecs and shoulders continue to pale in comparison to those displayed in the myriad photos of hot guys taped to their bedroom mirrors or the doors to their refrigerators and pantries. It's time to stop the madness.

I consider myself pretty lucky. I wear a 40-regular suit, size 32 jeans, medium t-shirts. Clothes fit me without much problem. I have an average-sized frame and am pretty proportional, with just enough meat hanging off my bones. Said meat is not necessarily the most toned, leanest or most cut, but at least it's there. And I consider myself very lucky. I'm very happy with my frame. The rest, however, is a work in progress. (I'm far from looking like the picture above.)

Other people aren't so lucky. Skinny shoulders, wide hips, short statures, baby fat, apple shapes, pear shapes, etc. People come in all different shapes and sizes. No big deal. The problem comes when people of one body type aspire to look like someone of a different body type. They cut out pictures from fashion magazines and swim suit catalogs, taping them up in places where they can be easily compared to their progress at the gym, or in places that might deter them from snacking. They constantly look at themselves in the mirror and judge themselves based on these images. Sadly, they'll never get there. All of that emotional energy and self-criticism resulting in flagging self-esteem and raging insecurity. It's all for naught.

I have a few friends and acquaintances who have really hot bodies. Bodies that others would "kill for." But how do they see themselves? Too skinny. Too fat. Too flabby. You name it. There's actually a term for this. It's called body dysmorphia. It's what often causes eating disorders, and it can cause excessive working out, too.

According to Workouts for Dummies, there are three primary body types: mesomorphs, ectomorphs and endomorphs. And for each body type, there are different workouts and different workout goals. If you're constantly judging yourself based on a picture of Brad Pitt or David Beckham, STOP. Take serious stock of your body, figure out your body type, and appreciate its strengths and weaknesses. Then find pictures in magazines and catalogs that reflect your actual body type and set some attainable goals. Or even better, see a trainer at the gym and ask what workout you should be doing for your body type, and what sorts of results can you expect. And while you're at it, start taking better care other aspects of your life as well.

What about you? Are you happy with your body?

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Looking Good, Aging Well

This year I decided to start taking care of myself. While I've worked out for years in order to keep the meat tight, I realize that a base of cigarettes and fried chicken won't serve me well as I age. To be honest, I've felt the curdling of my milkshake for some time now, and I knew that something needed to be done before I ended up looking like my relatives. I quit smoking, I drastically changed my diet (still cheat, but it's an improvement), and I'm trying to exercise smarter. Hell, I may even start Yoga.

While my body has been confused by the change I'm putting it through, I've slowly started to feel better, and maybe even look better. For those of you who may also be considering a change, I've included AOL Health's 11 keys to looking young and feeling good. Perhaps you will find them beneficial in your own efforts to keep your milkshake frothy.

1. Eat Less

There's only one strategy that has been shown in experimental research to extend life span: calorie restriction. In rodents, fish, fruit flies, worms and monkeys -- eating less food makes you live longer. Of course the key to food reduction is making sure what you do eat is loaded with nutrients. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces all sorts of metabolic stresses on the body. A good place to start: try reducing calories by 25 percent a day.

2. Eat Less Sugar

Sugar depletes the body of important minerals needed for a smoothly functioning metabolism. It depresses the immune system, making your body less able to mount an attack on health-robbing pathogens. High-glycemic diets -- high in sugar or high in processed and refined foods like bagels which convert to sugar almost instantly -- have now been found to be associated with several types of cancer. High sugar diets raise triglycerides and increase the risk for metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease, all conditions that can potentially shorten your life.

3. Worry Less About Cholesterol

Cholesterol used to be considered a two-party system, the "good" and the "bad," but it's actually far more complex. LDL, so-called "bad" cholesterol, actually has a half dozen varieties -- some of which are not dangerous at all. Concentrating on cholesterol alone diverts our attention from the larger picture when it comes to heart disease risk. The ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol (it should be under 5) is a far better predictor of heart disease than overall cholesterol. And basic lifestyle modifications (giving up cigarettes, exercising and lowering your weight) have a far more profound effect on mortality than your cholesterol ever did.

4. Quiet Your Mind

Stress is a component of nearly every major disease. The stress hormone cortisol ages the brain by literally shrinking the hippocampus, which is essential to memory and thinking. High levels of cortisol also cause you to put on fat around the middle. The only thing that's been consistently shown to bring down stress is meditation. Taking a few minutes a day to quiet your mind, calm your nervous system, lower your heart rate and oxygenate your brain with deep breathing can pay off in health dividends beyond your wildest dreams.

5. Eat Fish

The omega-3's in fish are among the most heart-healthy nutrients on the planet. Eating fish is a big component of nearly every native diet that has been shown to be associated with lower rates of heart disease, the number one killer of Americans. Fish can help lower blood pressure, improve mood and feed your brain, things that are all associated with healthier (and longer) lives. Many health experts recommend at least ½ gram of fish oil a day from fish or supplements. You can meet the World Health Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (WHO-NATO) recommendations by consuming two servings of fatty fish per week.

6. Make Connections

The longest lived and healthiest people are those with connections to something outside themselves. For over two decades, research has shown that people with few social connections are far more likely to have poor mental health, poor physical health and to die prematurely. Social support networks extend life. Taking care of someone or something outside yourself is life-extending and health enriching. People who are connected to their extended families, or to their churches, synagogues or communities, or who spend some time volunteering and helping others rate themselves as happier, more satisfied and more fulfilled.

7. Check Your Levels

Doctors don't routinely check homocysteine levels, but they should. According to some experts, the lower your homocysteine, the better off you are. A level of 9umol/L or less is generally considered optimal. Those with dangerously high levels of homocysteine have a 50 percent greater risk of heart attack. And 40 percent of deaths due to stroke are associated with high homocysteine. The good news is it's a cinch to bring your levels down by supplementing with three B vitamins -- folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

8. Exercise Regularly

There's no better anti-aging strategy in the world than daily exercise.
In some studies, it's been found to be as effective against depression as an anti-depressant. It strengthens bones, keeps muscles toned, improves flexibility, increases circulation, lowers blood pressure and improves blood sugar control. And it keeps oxygen flowing to the brain, heart and lungs. And according to new research, regular exercise can not only increase the ability of the brain to function, but it can actually increase its size. The best
anti-aging exercise program incorporates both cardiovascular and weight training to keep your muscles strong, toned and youthful, help control your weight and keep your metabolic rate humming.

9. Lower Inflamation

When you stub your toe, chemicals in the body rush to the injured area, filling it with fluid and surrounding the injured areas with chemicals that can help fight infection. That's inflammation -- and it's part of the healing process. Problem is, many of us are walking around in a chronic state of low-grade inflammation. That's not good. The dark side of inflammation is that it can damage arteries, nerve cells and the immune system. Inflammation is a component of every degenerative disease including Alzheimer's, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. What to do? Eat fruits, vegetables and fish! The phytochemicals and omegas found there serve as powerful, natural anti-inflammatories, lowering the risk for cancer, heart disease and other diseases of aging.

10. Sensible Sunlight

Vitamin D is one of the most underrated vitamins in the world. Your body makes it, but only when you're exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D enhances performance, fights cancer and builds bones. Older adults who don't get enough are at increased risk for both poor physical performance and for disability. It's possible -- but difficult -- to get enough vitamin D from food. We need the sun. For most Caucasians who are living where there is sunlight, exposing 10 percent of your body a couple times a week is enough to get your vitamin D requirement. Darker people or people who live in the northern latitudes need more. Don't be sun phobic. Sensible sun could extend your life.

11. Drink Up

Red wine contains resveratrol a compound that's been found in research to extend life. It's the ultimate anti-aging nutrient. Resveratrol is also found in the skins of dark grapes, as well as in peanuts. A ton of research has shown that moderate drinking -- no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink per day for women -- is good for the heart and circulatory system. But remember -- alcohol is addictive for many people, and drinking is a major cause of preventable death. Women drinkers especially should make sure to also supplement with folic acid, as even one drink a day can increase the risk for breast cancer if you're folic acid deficient.

Source: AOL Health

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Tuesday April 8, Town Hall on Intimate Violence

This message was sent to the QUALM email list. We've reproduced it here as a public service.

During our lifetimes, virtually every one of us will have a close friend who is surviving intimate partner violence, or we will become survivors ourselves. It's time to pull back the covers and for our communities to engage in this overdue discussion.

Join Rainbow Response** for a Town Hall meeting featuring speakers on defining intimate partner violence (IPV), along with the medical, mental health, and legal responses to it. A time for your questions will be provided, along with printed resources for several local and national organizations.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 7:00-8:30pm

WHERE: HRC Equality Forum, 1650 1640 Rhode Island Ave NW

Refreshments provided.

Come! Engage! Be empowered!

** Rainbow Response: The Greater DC Coalition to Address Intimate Partner Violence in the LGBTQ Communities

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MRSA Update

The New York Times recently published an update on MRSA. Not necessarily on the bacterium itself or it's increasing spread among otherwise healthy populations. Instead, it's an article on the shitstorm that kicked up once the media got a hold of the fact that gay men are much more likely to get infections of MRSA than other populations.

It appears that the tabloid media started predicting the "new AIDS" and all that junk. Idiots. And of course, the religious fundies are following the story as well, adding their own spin.

Well, it appears that the researchers have caught wind of the negative impacts of being so brazen with study results, and are apologizing for not being more careful. Good for them. They know that anyone can get MRSA, including an 11-year-old girl in DC who died recently in a DC hospital. (They report that the MRSA infection was not the cause of her death.)

As we mentioned before, be cautious but don't freak out! Savage Love recently responded to a question about how to avoid MRSA infection. I've reproduced the question and reply below the fold.

From Savage Love, Jan 23, 2008

Loads of gay men read your column. This makes you a good person to spread the word about the crazy "flesh-eating" MRSA strain that is running rampant in communities of gay men in Boston and San Francisco. According to the studies reported in the New York Times, gay men in SF are 13 times more likely to have this nasty staph bacteria than the rest of the population in the area. Infection results in gross and horrible problems like abscesses and ulcers (usually on the buttocks and genitalia). The bacteria is resistant to not only first-line antibiotics, but also two of the three other medications recommended by the CDC. Maybe you could help inform people and keep them from getting infected with ass-and-genital-flesh-eating bacteria?

Keep It Clean

Not all gay men listen to me—things wouldn't look so grim for us on the STI front if more did—but for what it's worth:

Gay men can easily protect themselves from this new strain of MRSA. According to docs, it's as simple as scrubbing with soap and water after skin-to-skin contact. Gay men should also reduce the number of our sex partners. Here's some good advice we got at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic: "Have more sex with fewer people." That was an effective health strategy back in the day—guys who took it to heart tended to live—and it would be nice to see today's gay men adopt/readopt the more-sex/fewer-people strategy before the infectious shit hits the epidemiological fan. Again.

You heard the man. Wash your junk after sex, and be more selective for chrissakes!

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Get Your "Om Shanti" On

(Image of some hot guy doing yoga, via Google image search.)

I was at the gym this evening about to do some cardio and talking with a friend who I see a few times per month. At one point, he changed the subject and asked me how often I go to the gym. I told him I go about 4 times per week, at which he remarked that he could see a difference in my arms and shoulders. I replied, "I basically only do yoga." "It's working," he replied.

And I agree. I, too, can see a difference. After being serious about yoga for about a year and a half, I can definitely see significant differences in my musculature. And I can feel a difference, too. I feel stronger yet somehow lighter. Plus, since doing yoga on a regular basis my chronic tendinitis is gone. Better yet, my boyfriend tells me that my back and shoulders look great when I kn... ahem.

Despite what most yogis think, there are a few barriers to entry when it comes to getting started doing yoga. Before my first-ever yoga class, I had no idea what to wear, what I needed to bring with me, whether I should eat before or after, etc. I'm writing this post to try to demystify yoga for those of you who might be interested in trying it out are apprehensive about looking like a fool in a room full of spandex-clad women.

What Is Yoga Anyway?

If you wanted a dictionary definition, you could look one up. Therefore, I'll give you my take on it. It's a combination of postures that stretch and strengthen your body. The postures are coordinated with breathing, inhaling on certain motions and exhaling on others. Yoga works to strengthen nearly every part of your body, though different classes can focus on different parts. It also increases flexibility, which keeps your joints healthy and will make you less prone to injury. Finally, it's really relaxing. There's lots of deep breathing, gently voiced instructions, lying on your back in the dark...

Does Yoga Really Work?

Don't get me wrong. Though it's gentle and relaxing, it's a real workout. Or it can be. As with all things, you only get out what you put in. I already told you about the complement I got from a friend this evening. Here's another example: There's a woman who does yoga at Results Dupont who, from the back, looks like a college swim team captain. She has amazing shoulders, a muscular back, nicely defined arms. And when she turns around, you realize she's probably in her 60s.

What Should I Wear?

First off, prepare to be bare foot. Put duct tape on any plantar warts on your feet: it will prevent you from giving them to others in the yogatorium, and can actually cure them. Boys, wear briefs!!! You don't want your junk flopping around on you while your doing all those crazy postures. As for the rest of the clothing, keep your other layers light. No sweat pants or anything else heavy. Yoga, despite appearances, is very active and you'll probably be sweating. Generally, shorts and a loose-fitting t-shirt work well. I prefer something sleeveless, as the sleeves can get in the way when stretching and twisting.

Won't I Feel Self-Conscious My First Time?

Sure, everyone screws up the first time. Relax and have fun with it. The instructors are always very gentle and encouraging. Generally, an instructor will ask if it's anyone's first time doing yoga. Raise Your Hand!!! If the instructor knows there are first-timers in the class s/he will give tips on how to modify postures that might be challenging for first-timers. If s/he doesn't know you're there, they can't help you. Other first-timer tips: get a spot in the back. Yoga participants generally face forward, so if you're in the back, no one will see you when you fall over.

What's With All The Chanting?

Yoga practice is often opened and closed with simple chants, usually the word "Om" said once or three times. Sometime they toss in a few "Shantis" in there, too. And it's not like a Gregorian chant. It's more of a long, drawn-out moan. Of course, you don't have to do it if you don't want to. No one will know. During the chants, everyone's eyes are closed anyway. If you do decide to chant, you'll probably find the vibrations in your chest very warming and relaxing. That's the point.


Do I Have to Start With Yoga One?

Not necessarily. Lots of postures are similar to other types of exercises that you might already be familiar with. If you are generally pretty fit and active, not overly muscular, and relatively flexible (can you touch your knees?) then you might be able to get started with Yoga Two or Advanced Yoga. Just don't try doing any head stands without proper instruction.

Do I Need My Own Mat?

Maybe. Depends on where you do yoga and what time you get there. If you're heading to a studio or gym class you've never been to before, call ahead and ask. Results, where I do my yoga, has a limited number of mats, so I make an effort to get there early to make sure you get one. Once you realize how awesome yoga is, you might want to get your own mat and bring it with you. It'll allow you to show up a bit later, and you won't have to worry about getting plantar warts from the person who used the mat before you.

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Am I My Brother's Keeper?

A friend of mine who spends a good deal of time on manhunt sent me this question, courtesy of Mike, their "cruise director." I'm curious if our readers agree with the doctor's prescription to this problem.

Should I Have Told My Negative Friend That He Was Going Home With A Positive Friend?
HIV caregivers say no—everyone's responsible for their own health. I say it depends on how close your friend is (and how much guilt you're willing to live with)?

Yo, Mike!

So, my friend "Dave" told me about a year ago that he is HIV positive. I'm not. I went clubbing with a different friend, "Steve", also negative, when we ran into Dave. Immediate sparks ignited between Dave and Steve.

I debated if I should say anything to Steve about Dave's HIV status but decided it was their business to discuss, not my own. They ended up going back to Dave's apartment. Apparently, Dave revealed his status to an unsuspecting Steve and those sparks were quickly extinguished.

Now, Steve is no longer speaking to me because he feels as though I should have said something sooner, so, as I suspect, he could have blown off Dave sooner. Which is sad. Both are great guys, and they could have missed out on getting to know someone really cool, or they could be missing out on some hot sex. Should I have told Steve about Dave's status? Or was I right to keep my trap shut?

-- Trapped in the middle

Dear Trapped:
Congratulations—you've won the "Most Difficult Question Ever Asked on MANHUNT" award. I've spent weeks thinking about your dilemma, changing my mind every 15 minutes, and getting splitting headaches in the bargain. In fact, I've been popping so much Ibuprofen, Advil sent me a thank you letter for propping up their stock.

I even called a couple of psychologists and counselors to see what they had to say. Here's the transcript of a conversation I had with one of them--the gay, and more importantly, hot, New York City-based psychologist, Dr. Brad Thomason:


Me: Was he right for keeping silent?

Doc: Yes. It isn't your responsibility to broadcast other people's medical conditions.

Me: But isn't it irresponsible to say nothing and take the risk that somebody you love might get infected?

Doc: People should take responsibility for their own health. Taken to its ultimate conclusion what you're saying is that you have the obligation to tell everybody who might sleep with "Dave" that he's positive.

Me: It's hard to disagree with what you're saying but I keep thinking, what's more important--keeping a friends' confidence or keeping a friend safe?

Doc: That's not the right question. The right question is who is responsible for your health—you or your friends?

Me: I take your point, but I don't think you're getting mine. Are we not our brother's keepers?

Doc: Yes, if those brothers are unable to take care of themselves. If they're mentally impaired, or demonstrably ignorant about HIV that's a different story.

Me: Or if they're so stupid they think it's possible to kill a fish by drowning it.

Doc: I'm going to ignore that. My point is that you're not the alarm system for fully functioning friends.

Me: What if they're drunk or high?

Doc: They made a choice to drink or use. Are you going to police that, too?

Me: Are you kidding? I'd be the one pouring!


So much for the transcript; here's my bottom line:

I would have told "Steve" that "Dave" was HIV+.

Why? When philosophy meets reality, logic flies out the window. If I'm asked to choose between an abstraction like personal responsibility and the well being of a close friend, I would rather be intellectually inconsistent than emotionally tortured. I'm not passing judgment on you because there are good arguments on both sides. The only person who needs a wake-up call is negative Steve. He gave up a night or maybe a life with an awesome guy just because he's HIV+? What a schmuck.

Source:Manhunt.net

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The Environmental Impact of Your Diet

(Image from eMagazine's article "The Case Against Meat")

I just stumbled upon a well-done article in the New York Times that discusses the environmental impacts of meat production. Basically, meat is worse for the environment than cars. This is a must read for anyone who is even slightly concerned about the environment.

I've posted some interesting statements culled from the article below the fold...

• Energy Use: If everyone in the US ate 20% less meat, that would be the equivalent of every American switching from a sedan to a Toyota Prius. The energy needed to produce one kilogram (2.2 lb) of beef is the same as that needed to light a 100-watt incandescent light bulb for 20 days.
• Efficiency of Food Production: One pound of beef takes up to 5 pounds of grain to "make." Instead, that grain could be fed to people.
• Global Warming: Production of meat generates 20% (one-fifth!) of the world's greenhouse gases, more than transportation.
• Health: The average American eats about twice the US RDA of protein daily, 80% of which comes from meat. (We would do find with a 75% reduction in protein!)

The article is actually the best rationale for being vegetarian I've seen in a while, and it doesn't mention animal rights until 3/4ths of the way through the text. It does mention, however, some really nasty approaches people are thinking of to "grow" meat without all the negative side effects.

I have been vegetarian for over 15 years now, and a lot of my reasoning behind it is environmental. I've been thinking about posting recipes and techniques for meat-free cooking here on TNG. Would you be interested? Are you capable of being satisfied after a meal while eating low on the food chain?

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Jung Workshop: Mid-Life Awakening

Don Kilhefner, one of the founders of the Radical Faeries, is holding a three-day workshop, ''Gay Men and Midlife Awakening: Rites of Passage Into the Second Half of Life,'' this weekend at The D.C. Center.

The "midlife awakening" is a common occurrence among men, Kilhefner claims:

"At midlife something happens to us, where maybe the first half of our lives are largely guided by ego development and growing up, and then the second half of life revolves around the needs of the soul. It's moving from an ego-driven life to a soul-led life."

The article (see link) mentiones that the workshop is for gay men in their 30s, 40s and 50s who are feeling a need to "redirect their lives in some way where their lives are a little more meaningful, where they are contributing to society in a different way, where they feel enlivened by their lives in some way."

Workshop begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, at The D.C. Center, 1111 14th St. NW, Suite 350
contact Ken Stofft at 703-351-7494 or kgs1947@yahoo.com

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It's a Bird! It's a Plane!

No... It's SUPER BUG. And it's not coming to save the day.

Staph is a nasty little bacterium that, up until recently, has been easily controlled with antibiotics. Over time, a type of staph developed in hospitals that was resistant to common antibiotics. (And you thought people go to hospitals to get healthy?) This new strand, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a bitch to treat. It's been around for a while now, but has not seen as a major problem because it could not be transmitted by casual contact: it needed to enter a wound, lesion or abrasion. Sadly, those days are over.

MRSA has changed again, and is now able to be transmitted through casual and sexual contact. An article detailing the results of a recent report states that gay men are 13-times more likely to be infected than our heterosexual counterparts. And the worst part, it can kill you. MRSA now kills more people than HIV/AIDS in the US.

This is definitely a scary world we live in now. Remember when your mother told you that monsters didn't exist? Well, the do. They're just really small, and can cause disfiguring legions and sores, respiratory illnesses and even death. So, get informed and be safe.

First off, MSRA has traditionally lived in the nostrils. (Gross, right?) But it appears now to also hang out around the anus. It appears that it can be easily transmitted by sex. However, it appears that condoms can help prevent the transmission of MRSA, but I haven't found any recent articles or studies stating such about MRSA in the US.

So, don't freak out. Just be safe. Wash your hands. Especially at the gym. Stay informed. Learn the facts. Stop abusing antibiotics and stop using antibiotics soaps. And, probably most importantly, think twice about with whom you engage in intimate acts.

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Gay Health in DC

I recently received a phone call from a friend who lives in San Francisco. I was at work, and it was 7 AM his time, so I was a bit surprised to see his name show up on my phone. I thought it was some sort of emergency. It turned out to be a medical question: he needed to see a doctor soon and he knew I had a good one when I was living in SF. Being Canadian, last time he needed to see a doctor he naturally went to the hospital that is 4 blocks from his house: SF General. Needless to say, he was shocked by what he saw. The hospital was filled with low-income people suffering from serious ailments and injuries, long lines to get any sort of treatment, and a building that was in sorry shape. So when he decided to do something about his latest medical quasi-emergency, a trip to SF General wasn’t his first option. I was.

This got me thinking about the status of our medical system in the US, and more specifically finding compassionate and understanding care from medical professionals who are queer-friendly. And it’s not easy.

The last time I got sick, it was strep throat. I was out of work for a week. I started coming down with symptoms on Sunday night. First thing Monday morning I called my regular doctor, who gave me an appointment for Tuesday afternoon. By the time my appointment rolled around, I was REALLY SICK. I could barely swallow, had a 100+ fever and I ached all over. If I had seen a doctor on Monday morning, I would have gotten medicated right away and would have not gotten so bad off. But as it worked out, I got sick enough that I stayed home for the rest of the week.

Because of this awful experience, I tried to find a new primary care physician. It was a nightmare. I had to resort to Google to find a list of queer-friendly doctors in the DC area. (Whatever happened to the Other Pages?) Then I had to cross-reference that list with my health insurance company’s online directory of doctors who are in my PPO network. Then the phone calls… I learned quickly that the first question to as is, “Do you still take xxxxxxx Insurance?” Doctors switch the plans and networks they work with all the time, and chances are your insurance company’s directory is woefully out of date. Once I found a queer friendly doctor who was on my plan and still accepted my insurance, the scheduling game started. The receptionist I talked to informed me that there was a 2-month waiting list for a first visit. Two months! When I told them I was interested in getting a physical, she tacked another month on. "Wow," I thought. "Good think I’m not coming down with strep again."

I then learned about how the Whitman Walker clinic is now offering primary care medical services and is taking insurance. I decided I’d call and check it out. Turns out, they have same-day clinics for primary care. The only hitch is that you need to make an appointment and get a physical before you can walk-in for the primary care clinic. So I made one, for nearly two months later. But since I was going to be using the WWC as a medical safety net, I figured I would wait and go get the physical so I could subsequently just walk in and get seen when I needed to.

And 6 weeks later, I did. I was seen by a kind and compassionate nurse practitioner who might have been a lesbian, but I’m not sure. She gave me the full once-over, and even informed me about the latest connections being made between HPV and anal/rectal cancer, and screened me for that nasty virus. (Damn that swab!) Now that I’ve been for my physical, I can go any time for any reason. But should I?

While founded as a gay men’s STD clinic, WWC has been focused since 1986 almost exclusively on "HIV/AIDS education, prevention, diagnosis and treatment." Only in the past two years have they broadened their services to include non-STI-related services such as primary medical care and dental care. But what is their interest in widening the services they offer to the community? Are they trying to be more things to more people, or are they trying to provide full health services to their core customer base (persons with HIV/AIDS) who often have limited access to health insurance and quality care for other medical needs unrelated to their HIV-status? Am I taking up a valuable spot on their waiting room bench that could be used by someone who doesn’t have other medical options? Or on the flip side, perhaps my fully paid visit for primary care helps subsidize treatment at WWC for those not fortunate to have health insurance? Do my visits help bolster the clinic’s coffers? Or deplete their resources?

All of these thoughts were in my head when I checked DCist earlier today to find that more changes are taking place at the WWC. According to the Post article, the clinic is restructuring itself in hopes of drawing more patients as well as assist in paying its bills. The Post article also notes:

The clinic's transformation reflects the expanding health issues of people for whom HIV and AIDS are now more chronic diseases than death sentences because of anti-retroviral drugs. But the added years are coming with complications not typically seen in middle-aged people, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

The change also responds to the epidemic's spread through the city across race, sex, age and geography. Blanchon cited a recent report by the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration documenting the incidence in the African American community.

So still I wonder, am I one of the new patients they are seeking to reach out to? Or should I just stick it out with my doctor who makes me wait 36 hours before I can get antibiotics for an unfortunately common throat ailment?

Other Queer Health Resources:

• DC HIV/AIDS Administration page, including the latest Epidemiology Annual Report
• GayHealth.com, a good resource for health information
• Whitman-Walker Clinic GLBT Health Services

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