How many times have you seen a straight guy and thought, “With a few drinks and a backrub, I bet he’d go gay”? It’s true, gay recruit, we’re looking to expand our numbers (and mouth and assholes) with more male members tahn we can shake our stick at… at least that’s the paranoid homophobic conception that keeps conservative groups up at night. So to put some style onto the claim, Joseph Galliano, editor of the Gay Times UK asked five advertising agencies to create posters for gay recruitment. In this issue’s editor’s letter, Galliano explained why he spearheaded the project:” Gay people have been accused since the 80s of having an agenda to recruit more gay people into their lifestyle (not having children, they need to freshen their numbers somehow). This is a thought that has always fascinated and amused me in equally horrified measures. We got thinking at the office – if this were true, perhaps we would have advertising recruitment campaigns. What would THAT look like? When I first started to approach advertising agencies to see if they wanted to be involved, I was bowled over by their enthusiastic and positive responses. I can’t thank them all enough for the time, thought, resource and effort they put into the brief.” Of course, sexual orientation is not a choice and even a night of drunken backrubs cum blowjobs don’t equal true homosexuality. But we’re curious… what do you think of the posters? And how would you convince people to “go gay” were the campaign yours?
Psilocybine is the active chemical in hallucinogenic mushrooms and French duo Exterface’s photographs definitely make you feel like you’re under the influence. Their cinematic, erotically-charged portraits show men in a dream-like quality that is as alluring as it is overwhelming. Their latest photo series Psilocybine shows a very hot and bearded model enjoying the wealth and restriction as an idol. The odd blue and red filters also throw the visuals off balance, contrasting hard with and giving depth to his flat, soft black-and-white appearance. He also wears jewelry which oddly convey a sense of predator and prey, pop-idol and plaything, paramour and prisoner. No matter the answer, we like the result.
Exterface previously on QC: Animale Rhapsody Flamme Ether Sky Walker Francois Sagat in Muse
For those of you who missed out, here’s last week’s column about Steve’s high school friend, Peter. Everybody Knows
By Steve Prince To let go does not mean to stop caring,
it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off,
it’s the realization I can’t control another.
To let go is not to enable,
but allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means
the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to try to change or blame another,
it’s to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for,
but to care about.
To let go is not to fix,
but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge,
but to allow another to be a human being.
-Author Unknown
I knocked at the door. While I waited, the California sun warmed my back. Seconds later, the door swung open and a small mutt bounded at my feet.
“Well, hey you!” I squealed looking down at the puppy. The dog lapped at my fingers.
“You must be Steve!” I looked up to see who knew my name.
In the entrance leaning purposefully on the door, stood a girl not much older than twenty-five. Her brown bob glistened with strategic highlights, accentuating her hazel eyes. Her thin camel sweater fit her thin but curvy body. It was hard not to notice her beauty.
“Oh!” I said in surprise. “Hi, I’m Steve,” I said extending my hand. She brushed aside my palm and gave me a hug. She patted my back as we connected. My nose took in the faint smell of gardenia.
“So nice to finally meet you. I’m Shawna,” She said excitedly as we pulled away. “Peter has told me so much about you.”
Funny, he didn’t tell me dick-shit about you sugar. “Did he?” I said with a false grin.
I should have known. Why had I actually expected Peter to tell me he came to Los Angeles to see his girlfriend? Ugh. Could he be in any more denial? Yet as soon as the question popped in my head I pushed it aside. Try not to be so judgmental, Steve. Everyone goes there own way. I was Peter’s friend; I wasn’t here to out him.
“Well how could Peter not talk about you?” she said. “You’re like a brother to him.” She peered at me as if looking into a unlit room, searching me.
From the back of the house came a yell that interrupted the awkwardness.
“Heeeeey!!” Peter trotted towards me. In one graceful yet strong movement, he swept me up and lifted me up in the air. “I can’t believe I’m finally seeing you IN L.A.!” He bounced me up and down to the rhythm of his last three syllables.
Peter put me down but still hugged me. “It’s so good to see ya, brother.”
“You too,” I said. “You look good.” He let go.
“You know it,” Peter said, cuffing his left arm around Shawna. “Gotta look good for this one.” He smiled. Shawna, almost a foot shorter than Peter, looked up at him but Peter kept his gaze towards me.
This week, the Contemporary Urban Centre in Liverpool, England announced a retrospective of the work of Tom of Finland that will feature 88 of his works on paper from 1944 to 1989. Though the show will only run from September 20th to November 20th, Tom of Finland’s iconic drawing of hyper-sexualized men in various forms of sexual engagement have not only influenced gay culture but also sparked conversation and controversy about the social role of pornographic art. But before we go into that, here’s a quick Wikipedia bio for newcomers: “Tom of Finland (May 8, 1920 – November 7, 1991) born Touko Laaksonen in Kaarina, Finland, was a fetish artist notable for his stylized homoerotic art and his influence on late twentieth century gay culture. Over the course of four decades he produced some 3500 illustrations, mostly featuring men with exaggerated primary and secondary sex traits: heavily muscled torsos, limbs, buttocks and improbably large penises. Tight or partially removed clothing showed off these traits, with penises often visible as distinct bulges in tight trousers or prominently displayed for the viewer. His drawings frequently feature two or more men either immediately preceding or during explicit sexual activity. He was best known for works that focused on homomasculine archetypes such as lumberjacks, motorcycle policemen, sailors, businessmen, bikers, and leathermen.” Controversy surrounding Tom of Finland’s work and a video about the artist, after the jump!
Not too long ago we reported on a new TV miniseries entitled, Everything You Wanted To Know About Gay Porn Stars. Apart from covering pay, on-site bloopers, famil reactions, and HIV issues, the series will also devote an entire episode to Harlow Cuadra, a porn star in prison for allegedly killing an adult gay film producer. They go behind bars to visit Harlow for his account on how he got wrapped up in the business and where things went wrong. You can also read Cuadra’s blog and more about the crime here, here, and here.
IT’S HALLOWEEN!!! And this weekend, the QC Weekender provides six spooky (but also pretty funny) clips as treats for when you’re done enjoying our many manly tricks. Enjoy… and remember not to fill up too much on candy bars or pumpkin ale— you’ll feel like a rotted jack-o-lantern in the morning.
Tim Burton’s Vincent: Seven-year-old Vincent Malloy is a lot like other little boys—he enjoys visits from his obese aunt, doing experiments with his toy dog, and digging around in his mother’s flower bed. But he also has a very rich inner life… a zombie slave and dead wife in a house filed with skeletons?!! He’s only seven! This short is touching, twisted, and troubling… and it’s narrated by Vincent Price! Awesome!
Wilkinson’s Family Restaurant: OK, this has totally got to be fake, but imagine if Marilyn Manson did spots for family eateries. Oh yes, it would look a bit like this. You have to wonder who the target demographic for this is. Most parents who live close to a mini-mall would probably run screaming into the local church for a fellowship meal rather than eat at Wilkinson’s.
Donald & Son’s Hardware: The Marilyn Manson look alike is back for more. This video is definitely a lot more twisted than the last. Are you brave enough to venture to Donald & Son’s Hardware for their 2-for-1 key special? Bwa-ha-haaaaaaaaa!
Finally! A genuinely creepy horror movie with hot man-on-man action! If you’re looking for some screams this fall, check out Cthulhu. After his mom passes, Russ (Jason Cottle), a thirty-ish history professor, returns to his seaside hometown determined to be himself. His family still disapproves of his being “a gay,” but they want him to stick around, and he’s not sure why. But reconnecting with his painfully closeted ex-lover, Mike (Scott Patrick Green), sure does sweeten the deal… Sweetens, that is, until the simmering darkness boils over in a plot involving ancient sacrificial cults, humanoids sea creatures, and a handful of grisly deaths (though we haven’t seen it, we’re betting poor Mike doesn’t make it). According to the comprehensive review atAfterElton.com, it’s both a legitimate horror movie and a legitimate gay movie, doing both genres justice. And if that’s not enough, it’s even got old 90210 star Tori Spelling as a coquettish lady friend—how can you go wrong with Donna Summers? For those of you in the know,the Cthulhu Mythos is the brainchild of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. Cthulhu is a terrible god-demon from a very ancient, trans-dimensional realm who lies “dead, but dreaming” at the bottom of the ocean. Though the Lord himself never appears in this film (damn!), the film seems to capture the spirit of Lovecraft’s horror with its cult storyline and chilling atmospherics. It’s a beautifully shot film and one that will make you clutch your own lover or friend tight, screaming “DON’T LET THEM TAKE ME!!!” Are you brave enough to look Lord Cthulhu in the face, after the jump?
Taking The Long Way
By Steve Prince
“You’re in LA?” I stammered.
“Yep,” Peter said. “So when are we gonna hang out, brother?”
“Um,” I replied, “how about tomorrow night?” My friend Eric had told me that Peter might be in town, but I didn’t expect his call so soon, nor did I think he would want to see me so quickly. Peter’s and my relationship had been… hmm… different to say the least.
“Sure,” Peter responded like a little boy being asked if he likes chocolate. “See ya then.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Oh, Steve?” Peter paused.
“Yeah?” I asked. I wanted to get off the phone. Jay Day had me doing a million different things at the office today.
“I love ya brother.” Peter said sentimentally.
I paused. For a second, I took in what he said and let it swirl in my head. I wanted to know he meant. I hushed my inner dialogue with a response, “I love ya too.”
I hung up the phone and took a deep breath… poor Peter. I hoped his life was getting better. It had been a while since I had seen him, but when I told him I loved him, I meant it. We had been friends since high school. In life, we all have those friends we can’t help but love. You look at them and see a part of them that no one else does. Peter was that friend for me.
Peter and I became fast friends; odd considering Peter’s high school status. Peter belonged to the jocks. In fact, he was the main pitcher for the high school baseball team; total star athlete. With a long, lanky six-foot frame, dark chestnut hair, and tenacious hazel eyes, Peter’s popularity could not be denied.
Peter and I met at a party at our friend Eric’s house. Eric loved pussy and his party indicated just that. It began with a group of horny teenage boys barely mingling with a group of teasing high school girls. As the night progressed, I noticed couples slowly forming, separating like oil droplets in a pot of water. Some went into rooms, others just made out in dark corners or couches.
So what did I do? I got really drunk. Really, really drunk. Truthfully, this became my standard mode of operation at high school parties. I loved being with my friends, but I had no desire to be coupled with any girl. This party was different though. For the first time, I wasn’t drunk alone. Enter Peter.
There was a long period in film in which homosexuals were either portrayed as laughable dandies or loathsome predators. William Friedkin’s The Boys in the Band was a groundbreaking rupture to this humiliating trend. It was film in 1970 based off the 1968 Off-Broadway production of the same name and portrayed pre-Stonewall life among seven gay men and a hustler gathering for a friend’s birthday (cocktails, drama, and a cat-and-mouse game of Out-The-“Straight”-Guy ensue). There’s plenty to love in the film. The chemistry between friendship and desire is palpable and understandably so. Not only is each character adorably fractured, but they’re also played the original cast of the stage play’s initial run. Robert La Tourneaux as the “Cowboy” (the hustler) is both sexy and di, and Leonard Frey as Harold (the birthday boy) is majestic in his self-possessed bitchiness. The film, The Broken Hearts Club has been called a modern homage to The Boys In The Band, although one that was definitely more mainstream and upbeat. Well, lucky you…The Boys In The Band is due out for the first time on DVD November 11th. In a San Francisco Chronicle review of a 1999 revival of the film, Edward Guthmann recalled, “By the time Boys was released in 1970 . . . it had already earned among gays the stain of Uncle Tomism.” He called it “a genuine period piece but one that still has the power to sting. In one sense it’s aged surprisingly little – the language and physical gestures of camp are largely the same – but in the attitudes of its characters, and their self-lacerating vision of themselves, it belongs to another time. And that’s a good thing.” Watch several film clips after the jump and decide for yourself…
A Man With a Slow Hand
By Steve Prince
I have a cardinal rule about hooking up with guys: DO NOT TAKE A GUY HOME.
I actually learned this rule from my roommate James. In fact, we both only bring a guy to the house if we actually want to have breakfast with said hookup the next morning. It’s a pretty good rule, and has thwarted some possibly bad situations. In fact, I’ve adhered to this rule for almost three years now.
Until tonight.
“Nice house,” JC said as he entered my kitchen.
It was late, probably about 2:30 in the morning. Thank God James was already in bed. I know that he wouldn’t care if I brought a guy home, but I was glad that I didn’t have to go through introductions and all that.
“Where’s the bedroom?” JC said with a pop of his head as he snapped his finger.
She was definitely a character. Let’s be honest. JC and I didn’t really have a lot to say to one another. The car ride from the bar to my house was pretty uneventful except for the times when he kept grabbing my hand and rubbing it on his cock. It bears repeating. It was motherfuckin’ huge, but hey, I never turn down a challenge. Who cares if I shit my pants for a week? During the ride home, I let JC fiddle with the radio. I truthfully was wishing it was Jerrell sitting in my passenger’s seat. Ahhh, Jerrell. Sweet, nice, non-arrogant Jerrell.
“Ohh,” JC cooed as he walked into my bedroom. “Look at this.” He turned to me, “You must have been ready for this.” As he said this last part, he grabbed his package.
All right, this guy was beginning to get a bit lame. But he was right, I do have a nice bedroom. In fact, I even have a canopy hanging over my bed. Yes, I made it myself—I’m crafty. I actually call it “the manopy.”
JC moved his hand along the hanging material. “I wonder how sturdy this thing is?” he asked.
“Don’t touch it,” I blurted out a little too quickly. “It’ll probably fall if you fuck with it too much.” It was true, and I didn’t want JC messing it up. Truthfully, I think I just didn’t want him touching my stuff. It made me feel dirty. Don’t ask me why this wasn’t an indicator for me to not go through with things. But, I’d already broken the cardinal rule.
JC turned, looked at me, and walked toward me like a snake slithering towards a paralyzed mouse. I moved in to kiss him and he turned his head, so that I kissed his neck.
All right, maybe he just likes neck play. Regardless, the night was late, so within minutes we were getting to it. Soon, he had lowered my head down and I was sucking his cock.
It was totally bigger than 9 inches (my previous estimation). He was easily, easily twelve, and girthy as hell. Soon, he was lying on my bed and I was on top, inhaling him. And then the dirty talk started.
Were the World Mine is a new film musical by writer/director Tom Gustafson which plays out the fantasies of a struggling gay teen in a close-minded town in a musical film. The show’s main character Timothy, discovers a love potion while playing Puck in a Midsummer Night’s Dream and begins to turn the town gay. It raises an interesting ethical dilemma, the flip-side of the “ex-gay” movement—how vital is someone’s sexuality to personal identity and the community at large if it can be changed so easily? It’s been playing at film festivals but plays in Louisville on October 31, and opens in New York, S.F. and L.A. in November, and other cities after that. Haven’t seen it, but the just-released full trailer looks sweet. And the boys in it look pretty delicious as well.
In the clip above, various Americans are interviewed about art in a claymation style reminescent of Wallace and Gromit created by Aardman. It’s funny how people’s opinions you might not necessarily find interesting become so watchable when attributed to claymation animals. In other clips, they discuss the invasion of Iraq, animal magnetism, and the origin of life.
In case you missed it, we’re running a contest for an autographed copy of internationally renowned photographer Dylan Rosser’s debut book, X-posed. Check out the contest post, but don’t delay—the contest ends October 22nd! We’ll feature a review of the book and an interview with the photographer soon after. Good luck!
OK, OK, OK… so these videos aren’t “queer” as in homosexual. But they are definitely exceptional and if they were men, they’d probably make out with other men. This time, the QC Weekender keeps you dancing into the new week with four great electronic music videos that are as captivating as they are pleasurable to listen to. Enjoy!
The Future Sound of London: Papua New Guinea – You may remember this song from the soundtrack Greg Araki’s Nowhere. It’s a good track, ambient with good beats. Plus watching the computer animation may remind you that the art form is relatively new. Back in the 90’s video artists were just beginning to combine digital video with desktop computer graphic effects. The result is definitely dated, but truly tripped out. And if you’ve never heard the song before, it’s a goodie.
Hot Chip – Ready for the Floor: Seems like the lead singer of Hot Chip is has a split personality. He has turned into The Joker and has decided to toy around with his band mates using some nasty games like roundabout human Tetris, poison gift guess, and Russian roulette karaoke with a gun-microphone. Hot Chip’s upbeat song and the amazing visuals make the video all fun and games. Two more fun videos after the jump!
To celebrate the upcoming Halloween holiday, we thought we’d treat you with a scary bit of trickery. The Gloaming is a terrifying, fun-sized tale of a man working late in a hellacious office setting. The short film’s great. For one, it uses no words and it also draws from Poe, Lovecraft, King, Donwood, Hitchcock, and other great practitioners of horror—a screaming good time!
