THE 10 “NOT SO COOL” THINGS GUYS DO TO PICTURES

Guys that cruse on personal sites and hook up sites should know these major pitfalls and piss offs. We see them all the time on all sights we visit. They are arranged in an order that I feel is the 10 major “Don’ts” for posting pictures on sites:

10 – Pictures that are “unfocused”, “blurry”, or just a pain to see. You see this all the time. Men that take a picture of themselves and it are blurry and totally unfocused. Come on!  You know that we men want to see the goods or body and how can we when the picture makes us run for reading glasses or want to go see the Optometrist for a checkup.

9 – Parts of pictures that are blurred, or blacked out. This is got to be one of the dumbest things you can do to a picture. Guys, I know that you might be “married”, “scarred”, “reluctant”, or just plain “in the closet”, however if you think that putting a black line or square on your faces does not make you recognizable – be real!  Who in their right mind would know that you are cruising the hook-up sites that are straight, or know you personally? You are on a cruise, or pick-up site and everyone there is out for one thing – to show off themselves. Blocking your faces does not help.

8- Pictures without the correct lighting (over-exposed) / (under-exposed).  We have all seen pictures the guys use that are so black and without lighting that we cannot see the guy posted, let alone what he is wearing. Although, I have also see very much over-exposed pictures that there is too much lighting and you cannot see the hairs on the man’s head or body and you look and it says “hairy”, or “some body hair” and you scratch your head thinking.., “Ah, were is the hair”.

7 – There is no picture at all, or there is a private picture as your main photo.   Guys know that there is a saying, “A picture paints a thousand words”. Most educated men use reading at the eighth grade level to converse and chat with others. Not having a picture and requiring us guys to read the profile might be a good idea for some, but a major back fire for most and the person posting the profile. Having a picture and a non-blocked one at that, shows that the poster wants you to see them and knows that having a picture (good or bad) is better than not having one at all. Most men glance over the non-picture profiles and move to the ones that have a picture.

6 – Pictures that the pose, “shadows” the face or body part.  Placement of the face for lighting or body part plays an important part to present a person’s look. When you have a picture that shadows out half of the face to parts of the face, or for that matter body part it can be a major turn off to the looker. Know your pose and position especially in the sunlight. It helps.

5 – Pictures that show guys that have a camera or phone in their hands. Show a “Dirty Environment” around the photo.  Guys, when you take a photo one should not see the camera flash, cameria, or the dirty room around that photo. Do some post processing and remove pretty much everything around you to include the flash. Try and NOT use the flash if all possible. Clean up the room around the photo. This includes the dirty stuff on the tabletop, or a dirty toilet bowl. If you like the kink that is understandable, however most do not.

4 - Rub out/scratch out a friend from a photo that you are in. It is very tacky to take a photo that you are in with family, friends or environment and then blur, scratch or use #9’s peeve to center on you. Find someone to take a picture of you that is only you in it.

3 – Rash/ discoloration of body parts. Have you ever seen a picture that has a red “Rosacea” type discoloration to the crotch or anus? I have, and not only is it a major turn off, but gross as well. It is called “Jock itch, also called “Tinea Cruris” or ringworm of the groin, is an infection of the groin area caused by fungus” (Google Health). So basically, get treated and try and not show your private parts tell the situation clears up.

2 –Pictures are too small of a resolution as to when clicked on. Has anyone heard of a resolution called 320x320 or better with 300dpi? DPI=Dots per inch, “is a measure of spatial printing or video dot density, in particular the number of individual dots that can be placed in a line within the span of 1 inch (2.54 cm). The DPI value tends to correlate with image resolution, but is related only indirectly.” (Wikipedia).  Understand that when you take a picture that is below 300 resolution and not 300dpi it turns out “grainy” and very small. If you are going to take a photo understand that. Microsoft Picture Manager has a “compression” setting to webpage type photos that compresses large JPG (or called JPEG) files to small amounts of bites so they are easier to upload to sites. Any picture that has 200bits or higher is harder to upload and most sites will not take a file that is 2MEG or higher. Again, with a little post processing of photos BEFORE you upload can make the difference.

And finally the most anoying, frustrating issue I feel that makes the #1 spot is:

1 – Using your Penis as a main photo. (Also called the “Dick Shot”). The very last thing most guys need to see first off is your dick. Below this blog post is a photo taken by my partner. It shows a lot of me but does not show my dick. It is very erotic and leading, but very sensual at the same time and leaves the looker to want more. When one shows their “goods” first it say “look at me I am a slut” in my book. If you have to show a body part; show your leg/legs, chest or even the back of your head. Do not show your dick. It is just plain tacky.

(any pics in this post are not authorized for copying or

reproduction. Any unauthorized use will be subject to

prossecution. copyright 2004.

The Facts on HIV - Get Informed. Get Tested

What are HIV and AIDS?  HIV is the (H)uman( I)mmunodeficiency (V)irus. It is the virus that can lead to (A)cquired( I)mmune (D)eficiency (S)yndrome, or AIDS. There are two types of HIV, HIV-1 and HIV-2. In the United States, unless otherwise noted, the term “HIV” primarily refers to HIV-1. Both types of HIV damage a person’s body by destroying specific blood cells, called CD4+ T cells, which are crucial to helping the body fight diseases. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
There are many misconceptions about HIV. Watch this video:

HIV is NOT a gay disease. The truth is that 16,000 people worldwide are infected with HIV every single day (World Health Organization). They are not all gay. In the United States, HIV infection rates have held steady at 40,000 per year, but recent preliminary data suggests those rates are on the rise. Again, they are not all gay. In fact GLBT infections only contribute to less then 30 percent of all infections in the United States.

One in five (1:5) Black men contract HIV. One in thirty (1:30) Black women contract HIV on a daily basis.  It is a major stigmatism in the African American community. Many African Americans are fearful about the reactions from their peers and keep their status quite.

Do you know your HIV status and when was the last time you were tested? Every time you have unprotected sex with a partner you are five times (5x)  more likely to contract HIV. The percentage is 55 percent that you contract HIV from an infected sexual partner the first time. Many individuals do not find out that they are HIV Positive tell months or over a year later. Some even when tested can get a false negitive just after infection and when return several weeks later can only then find out that they tested positive for HIV.
Sharing needles or reusing needles puts you at risk. If you are a drug user and using needles from others you are a great risk of contracting HIV.

Know that the tests for HIV are getting better, but they are not perfict and not absolute. If you get tested and show a positive status, it is best that you get tested again.

The bottom line is getting tested. Get tested if you are sexually active, or a drug user sharing needles at a minimum of every six months. There is no way of knowing that you have contracted HIV tell it is to late. If you feel that you had unprotected sex with someone you suspect has HIV then you must contact your doctor within 48 hours or the is no options to stop the spread of the disease in your system.

There currently is a retroviral prevention treatment for HIV, called “post exposure prophylaxis”, it is the Treatment, subjected to taking drugs and  typically involves such drugs as Zidovudine, commonly known by its trade name, AZT. However it is not proven to be successful and can be very painful and last for 30 days or more.

It is recommended that the only prevention to HIV is either abstinence or use of a condom.

Do you know someone that has HIV or AIDS? HIV is becoming very common in the community that you could be living near, shopping next to, working out with, hanging out with a HIV infected person and not even know they are Positive. Unless the person chooses to tell you of their status there is currently no outward physical signs of an infected HIV person.

HIV today is not a death sentence. With the invention of better medications such as Atripla (A-trip-la). (click here),  and Truvada (Tru-vad-a) (click here) and 28 others HIV has become a desease that no longer has the deaths that were shown in the 1980’s/90’s. (see medication chart – here)

Know that the stigmatism is still there. Being a Homosexual man with HIV is tough even in the GLBT community. Many GLBT that do not have HIV avoid or discriminate Positive (or term “Poz) men and women in fear that even being close to Poz individuals would give them HIV and some have even shown hostility to Poz individuals when their status is known.

Ultimately your risk to contract the disease is minimal if steps are taken when having sex. Know that a person on medication reduces the risk of spreading the disease to less than one percent. The myth that having oral sex will give you HIV is untrue. HIV needs optimum conditions to live and the Hydro-chloride in your saliva kills the disease on contact. Best that you do not brush  your teeth/gums or use mouth wash before having sex with an HIV infected person. This enables your body to keep the natural protections in your mouth.

December is National HIV Awareness Month. Take the time to be educated on HIV, get tested and support your local HIV programs. It is YOUR personal responsibility to do so and not “the other guy”.



Public Official's Plee

On October 12th 2010, a Public Official - mind you a Public Official, took a huge step in making a heartfelt public notice to all individuals that bully others to say “It gets better”.

Openly gay City Council member Fort Worth, Texas; Joel Burns (Dem) took a moment out of his busy schedule in the agenda to bring to light the bullying that is being done in our public schools around the United States and gives a public plea to all in his district to seek out help if they are the victim of bullying and violence.

Watch this video and you will see:

This is the kind of leadership GLBT or streight that we need in our political landscape today. If everyone took a stance like Mr. Joel Burns, then we would not have the suicides that youth face today not to mention GLBT youth.

Let us take a moment and explore the facts. Teen suicide is a major problem in our country today. As to the article at kidshealth.org and how it impacts others states, “When a teen commits suicide, everyone is affected. Family members, friends, teammates, neighbors, and sometimes even those who didn't know the teen well might experience feelings of grief, confusion, guilt — and the sense that if only they had done something differently, the suicide could have been prevented. “, and teansuicidestatistics.com states, “The Centers for Disease control report that it is the third leading cause of death, behind accidents and homicide, of people aged 15 to 24. Even more disturbing is the fact that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 14.”

And it does not stop there. About.com/Gay Life states, “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers, according to the Massachusetts 2006 Youth Risk Survey.”

Those are the facts!  So, if you have any young adults or teens around you that you know you watch, parent, guide, or just plan influence. Take the time to sit them down and talk with them openly about suicide and bullying. Remember not to lecture, but instead listen to what they have to tell you about their experiences and also open up to them about yours. You might be surprised about just how much guidance and influence you opening up to them and listening to them does for them.

If you suspect or have any idea that a teen you know might be homosexual – first thing you need to do is not confront them. The last thing they need to hear is “I know you are”. Instead tell them it is OK to be different and have different opinions and feelings from their peers. Also explain that you are open minded and willing to listen to their thoughts and feelings. If the teen has come out to you remember to reassure and most of all show that you care! Physical contact, reassurances that it is ok to be who they are and have feelings for the same sex is a natural occurrence in nature

All in all, just remind teens that the phrase “It gets better” does apply. Once again I stress that by sharing your experiences about Middle School, Junior High and High School (both good and bad) can help a teen realize that they are not alone in their feelings and thoughts.

If you personally are struggling on how to reach a teen and do not know how to approach them I suggest contacting “The Trevor Project” (www.thetrevorproject.org) , or call them at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) for further guidance on teen suicide.

When did you choose to be streight?

Watch this video -

So it begs the opinon. When did you Choose to be gay?  For all of those that know better we as GLBT never did. I certainly did not as a gay man. From the time I started looking at porn magazines in my father's closet (and he had a whole barrol of them), to my first crush with a family friend when I was little; I can always remember when I was attracted to men. When you are young you do not attribute that attaction sexually, rather as a "crush" or an "interest" in one person.

The term "Gay" is defined in dictionary.com as 1. having or showing a merry, lively mood: gay spirits; gay music. 2. bright or showy: gay colors; gay ornaments. 3. given to or abounding in social or other pleasures: a gay social season. 4. licentious; dissipated; wanton: The baron is a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies. 5. homosexual. 6. of, indicating, or supporting homosexual interests or issues: a gay organization. –noun 7. a homosexual person, esp. a male. –adverb 8. in a gay manner.

 

Notice that the word has manny meanings and homosexuallity is not defined tell 6th and beyond. Notice that the word is defined as "licentious; dissipated; wanton" - before homosexuality. So, wake up streight poeple you can be "gay" to if you flander and presue women with wanted abandon!

 

True, that the meaning in todays social climate puts it as a demeaning, and negitive word. In today's culture wars, it can also be related to the same culture fight that African Americans are still fighting today. Biggotry and prejeduce on thier cuture by a very small few with the aims of placing their own cuture a head of everyone else.

 

Next time you call a person "gay" remember the deffention. Remember that the current cuture deems the word as a negitive ward. Try and avoid saying "That is so gay", or "That's gay". You never know who you are attacking with your words.

Glen Beck inspires mass murder

The question is this "Does Fox News talk show host Glen Beck inspire someone to commit mass murder?

It was brought to my attention today thru an email from “Color of Change.org”. An action group that watch-dogs right-wing hypocrites like Glen Beck.

From Color of Change.org: “Fox News has inspired at least one person to attempt mass murder — a new report removes any doubt.

Three months ago, a heavily armed man named Byron Williams was on his way to kill people at two non-profit organizations in San Francisco when he got into a gun battle with police before they eventually arrested him. Now, in an interview from jail, he's said that Fox News' Glenn Beck was a major inspiration. “
I did some research and found a several related articles that you might be interested in.

From “Meda Matters for America” website: “Byron Williams attack follows numerous right-wing terrorism incidents in recent years”. “As journalist John Hamilton wrote, Byron Williams was arrested after he allegedly opened fire on California Highway Patrol officers. Williams reportedly told investigators that "his intention was to start a revolution by traveling to San Francisco and killing people of importance at the Tides Foundation and the ACLU." Williams' alleged actions follow numerous right-wing terrorism attacks in past years.” (http://mediamatters.org/research/201010110016)

From “NewsOne”, “Right Wing Terrorist Says Glenn Beck Is “Like A School Teacher On TV”. (http://newsone.com/nation/newsonestaff5/right-wing-terrorist-calls-glenn-beck-like-a-school-teacher-on-tv/). “On July 18th, Byron Williams traveled to California with explosives, guns and ammunition to try and kill progressives. The progressives he intended to kill were members of the Tides Foundation and the ACLU, two groups his favorite TV personality, Glenn Beck, would routinely attack on Television. Before he could carry out his attack, he was pulled over by police and engaged them in a shoot out. Now Byron Williams is speaking to the media from behind bars and it’s clear Glenn Beck directly inspired his actions. The folks at Mediamatters have uncovered his answers:

Watch this Video and you deside: 

 

In a separate exchange with Examiner.com’s Ed Walsh, Williams sought to defend Beck from “Obama and the liberals,” whom he said are afraid of Beck “because he often exposes things that are simply forbidden in news.” Williams said that Beck advocates non-violence and that he had already researched the conspiracy theories that informed his alleged plot — before seeing them “confirm[ed]” on Beck’s show.

Similarly, Williams tells Hamilton that “Beck would never say anything about a conspiracy, would never advocate violence. He’ll never do anything … of this nature. But he’ll give you every ounce of evidence that you could possibly need.”

Beck, in particular, he says, is “like a schoolteacher on TV.” Williams tells Hamilton, “You need to go back to June — June of this year, 2010 — and look at all his programs from June, and you’ll see he’s been breaking open some of the most hideous corruption.”

Does this show that the media have a powerful voice over its viewers? My answer to that is, “Yes it does”.
Glen Beck is only out for himself and his fast track ways to gain notoriety, fame and ultimately the all mighty green back.  Does he care that the “little man” that watches his shows go out and start a shooting spree with cops?  I say no.
You can change this by boycotting Fox News and Glen Beck. Take a stand and realize what the Tea Party is accepting as there "Members". Wake up and see the real truth.  The truth that bias information, biggotry, and hate inspires violance in others. That you have a direct inpact on others by what you say and do. 

Think on that.

Is Gov. Jan Brewer on Meds or Senile

On September 1^st, 2010 – Governor Jan Brewer (Rep) from Arizona went on a local Phoenix channel to debate current issues. Seeing that she is running for re-election after Janet Napolitano (Dem) left the Governor’s seat to fill the Directors position for Homeland Security under current President Obama. Truth be told she was Deputy Governor when Janet Napolitano left and filled the Governor’s seat on her departure.

Needless to say the debate did not go well at all. Watch this video on Youtube – ‘OMG this is so embarrassing ....Save us from Jan Brewer!’. It was told over the right wing, nationally syndicated radio show host of “Michael Savage” that the “Liberal Left” was quoting that she was either on medications, having a stroke, or could have had a moment in time that she froze.  Come on Mr. Savage; give the journalists from the left some credit! Do not discredit the idea that she defiantly botched that debate, let alone show how incompetent she is for not sticking on point. If you watch the video you will see she looks down at what I think is notes and holds for not one second, but 10 to 12 agonizing seconds before she answers.  Does she or does she not has quick notes to draw from? One cannot say. You can defiantly say she froze. Was she on meds as Mr. Savage claimed the left quoted? I say no. Was and is she incompetent? Yes. Reason I say this is because she could not hold on to the talking points, let alone follow the debate.

She was the same person that put the immigration problem on the main stream media with her controversial backing and support of Arizona’s SB-1070 which was later partly struck down as Un-constitutional.  Many right wing political viewers would say she is a “Maverick” as defined by Sarah Palin, however it is my personal view that Ms. Brewer cannot hold a candle to her opposition Terry Goddard (Dem). Search Google Search engine and you will find that though it will be a close race in November, it will be Terry Goddard that will win.

Welcome to the Gay Standard

Welcome all to "The Gay Standard". My mission is to post information related to the GLBT community that is relevant to current events as published by other sources. I like to debunk the right's miss-information and tell you the truth that is current and viable.
If you have a event that you feel needs to be covered or care to share your stories of discrimination, bigotry, harassment, peer bullying feel free to share by sending me your thoughts and I will post them.
This blog is for interactive use. I take anyone willing to share their thoughts please do so. Know though that this is for personal expression on topics that some may not agree with your opinions. I do reserve the right to not post and will reply with such.
Know that the following things will prevent your post - 1) Use of fowl or profane language. 2) Harassment or degradation of another's options or mine. 3) Downright stupidity.
We as individuals are entitled to our opinions, just realize that you cannot come to a point in 30 words or less, then I am entitled to reply and let you know to revise your thoughts and return it to me for posting.
Lastly, let’s enjoy ourselves.