Gay voters should blame themselves for Prop 8, not black Californians.
Smart LGBT leaders knew our campaign couldn’t make Prop 8 a “gay” issue.
Must we appear as churchgoers or nationalists to deserve our rights?
In part, Prop 8 failed because of inept LGBT leadership.
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By Michael Lucas
Friday, March 05, 2004
It’s really depressing to witness just how self-destructive our community
has become over the past few years. Drug abuse, particularly that of crystal
meth, has run as rampant as wildfire.
In the clubs and bars, at parties — it’s hard to go out now and
not encounter someone who is high on something. Even circuit parties, many
of which benefit the community and fight AIDS, seem to have lost their resonance.
To me, they seem like extravagant balls during the time of the Black Plague — completely
out of place and even self-defeating.
Working in the gay community for such a long time, I’ve lost many of
my friends and colleagues to drugs.
Several of my models have been transformed from the most beautiful men I have
ever worked with to horrifying, weak creatures I would never be able to use
in my movies again. Contracts have been terminated.
Friends have lost their jobs. Relationships have been severed. And it’s
all because of the downward spiral drugs took these men on.
None of them ever thought that their drug use could get out of control. Some
people think that they can be casual drug users and keep it that way.
Unfortunately, you never really know what kind of personality you are until
the time comes. Some people are lucky and don’t get addicted.
But then again, there are others who aren’t as lucky. Is it worth putting
yourself at risk?
No one takes drugs with the intention of becoming a drug addict. But it can
happen, and it does happen, often. It always starts with casual, recreational
use at a Saturday night party; it more than likely ends up as a complete disaster.
caught up in this sort of behavior simply don’t know — or don’t
want to know — that one of the biggest problems our community faces is
back. Statistically, it’s here.
According to a recent study, New York City has the highest rate of AIDS cases
per population in the nation, and more cases than the four runner-up cities
combined. Coupled with the irresponsible behavior and bareback sex that often
comes along with crystal meth use, and you’re talking about an almost-guaranteed
rising rate of HIV infection in this town.
What drives our community to such suicidal behavior as drug abuse? Is it general
unhappiness? Depression? Or simply a lack of knowledge of the dangers drugs
pose for your health and well-being?
I’m not sure which, but whatever it is, it needs to stop.
I have never touched any kind of illegal drug in my life. I was never curious;
I could simply enjoy myself without them. I have the best time in my life enjoying
my success and business.
I love my family. I feel incredibly healthy at 32. Whenever I have a problem,
I choose to deal with it on my own with a clear head. It’s a model of
life that has worked very well for me.
I’ve always had great sex without being on drugs. If you don’t
believe me, watch my films and tell me that I’m not having fun.
There is no need to spice sex up with anything that would make you lose your
mind and forget about any kind of dangers, not to mention make you feel sick,
guilty and scared the next day. As I always say, one fleeting moment of supposed
bliss is not worth a day of sleeplessness and anxiety attacks.
I’ve received dozens of e-mails from guys whose HIV status changed from
negative to positive in the past eight months. Ninety percent of them don’t
blame their partners; they blame the drugs they were doing at the time.
The easiest solution to this problem is a very old fashioned one: Stop.
Stop doing whatever drugs you’re doing. Get tested, and use whatever
results you get for your own benefit.
If you are negative, stay that way. If you are positive, take care of yourself
and keep this virus from progressing. Either way, stay off the drugs and stay
healthy.
We are fortunate to have so many resources here in New York, from GMHC to
the Center. Use them. They’re here for you.
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