Last week, International Mr. Leather (IML) founder Chuck Renslow issued a press release stating that they "will no longer allow participation in the IML Leather Market by any entity which promotes barebacking or distributes/sells any merchandise tending to promote or advocate barebacking."
The internet has been buzzing about this decision, with safe-sex advocates applauding the move. On the other side, frustrated pro-bareback bloggers have been calling attention to a CDC study on the declining rate of HIV infection, insisting that there's no connection between watching bareback porn and having bareback sex. Some have even said that if IML is so concerned over participants' health, they'd consider a ban on smoking–an activity that they believe will kill more people in the leather community.
But let's get back to those safe-sex advocates, who point out that the CDC study refers to overall numbers. They argue that other studies suggest that men who have sex with men, particularly of the younger variety, are most affected by new HIV infections. Others have reflected on the role pornography and pop culture played during their developmental years, highlighting a need for better health education for LGBT youth.
I could go on for days recounting some of the arguments floating around, but perhaps we should engage in our own little debate. What do you think about IML's decision to ban bareback vendors and merchandisers?
– Dewitt
Photo credit: Beth Rooney
For the full press release from Chuck Renslow, follow the JUMP:
Dear Vendors:
On behalf of International Mr. Leather, Inc., I would like to thank you for
your past support and in particular for your participation as a vendor in
our annual Leather Market. We are writing you today to inform you of
a policy change affecting next year (2010) and all future markets.
Though we are now three decades into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, no cure has been
found. The CDC and local health officials inform us that new infections are on
the rise. And, while we have had some success developing medications that
might make infection more manageable, that accomplishment comes at a price.
Not having experienced the deaths – the loss of loved ones — which preceded
these medications, we have an entire generation who may not fully appreciate or comprehend the severity of the situation.
Too many in our community believe HIV/AIDS is curable or manageable. Too
few understand that HIV/AIDS infections dominate life. We believe that it
is our duty to inform and educate. Several years ago when “Meth” was the scourge of our community, IML drew a line in the sand and raised awareness and used all our influence to try and stop this addictive madness. As is the case with HIV/AIDS, we believe it is our further obligation to do everything in our power to prevent future infections.
To that end, after considerable discussion, the Executive Committee of International Mr. Leather has decided that it will no longer allow participation in the IML Leather Market by any entity which promotes barebacking or distributes/sells any merchandise tending to
promote or advocate barebacking. This restriction will also apply to distribution of gifts, post cards or any other information via our facilities.
This policy takes effect immediately.
Sincerely,
Chuck Renslow, President
International Mr. Leather
I understand why they’re doing it, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I enjoy the current BB porn and the nostalgic pre-condom port, but don’t engage in BB sex. I’m poz, hubby is still neg after almost 18 years. We must be doing something right.
This makes me really happy! Most gay youth’s first sexual experience is porn and we should give them a healthy first impression.
-Edward Haney
http://www.BEAR411.com/Rex2657
i’ve noted that quite a few “leather guys” tend to also:
a.) be HIV+
b.) engage in “`Unusual´ Sexual Fetishes”.
and usually (but not always!!), it’s both, together.
i don’t know why That is, but i do know what i’ve seen.
on the other hand..
..i do agree that if there is to be no promoting of Bareback Anal Sex, then there shouldn’t be any smoking at those IML Events either.
(i’m a non-smoker, and prefer my guys to be the same way, as much as possible.)
i am _not_ sure about these numbers, but i do believe it is likely, that Smoking claims more lives than bareback-related sexual illnesses.
and even if it doesn’t, Smokers don’t exist in a vacuum: people can’t say, “you can smoke out here, but you gotta keep those fumes to yourself.” The Laws of Physics don’t currently work that way.
so, it’s a valid argument, on those bloggers’ part.
i mean.. ..one isn’t *automatically* guaranteed any ill effect from unprotected anal sex… …but, at the very least, Smoke can be immediately off-putting to someone who doesn’t like its smell or cannot endure its presence.
I hear younger guys tell me all the time that they are afraid of the leather fetish community because it has become nothing but older guys that want to bareback and have unsafe sex. Anyone that walked into the leather mart at IML last year was overwhelmed by the amount of commercial bareback material. Imagine being a 23 year old kid and walking into that scene. You are being told that bareback is hot, bareback is masculine and bareback is acceptable. Is that the message we want to send…that this is normal and acceptable behavior? The leather community has always been about being a role model and teaching younger guys entering into the lifestyle.
As an HIV+ man I have no problem with doing the right thing for my community and trying to ensure that bareback does not become normalized within the community. Individuals can still do whatever they chose to do in their own private lives. But, as a community we do not need to glamorize, eroticize, commercialize and normalize high risk bareback sex.
Once again the this particular sub-sect of the larger gay community feels the need to play “morality and health police” by ostracizing another sub-sect of the community. The most substantive issue related to this the fact that it removes personal responsibility and autonomy. The majority of gay men know how HIV is transmitted and if after a preponderance of the evidence feel that they still want to bareback then by all means they should be allowed to do so.
IML perhaps thinks they are doing something good and have the best intentions. However, what they are really doing is minimizing the target audience and pissing off vendors. In the end this policy will end up hurting them economically.
Let’s all be adults here and let men do what they want to do. We already face enough persecution and oppression from mainstream socitey in a variety of aspects, we do not need to exacerbate this within our own community,
IML made a very good decision. Most of gay men are either ignorant or in denial arbout the the reality. Hiv is still a threat and it is sad to hear peeps shouting to normalize irresponsible high risk behavior of random bareback sex.
We the gay community does not want to take resposibility to regulate itself, then the feds will need to step in and control us.
It’s ludicrous and serves no purpose.
In the olden days (pre-Internet) this type of activity might have had some impact because it would remove it’s visibility. Not today. Bareback porn has been around since porn existed and it’s not going away.
If they really wanted to make an impact, they would ban studios that don’t take proper health precautions to screen candidates or that don’t give proper disclosure to their performers. I’m looking at you, Paul Morris.
440,000 people a year in the US die from smoking-related illnesses (CDC, 2000). From 1985 – 2006 AIDS-related deaths in the US TOTALED 525,000 (CDC, 2008). Even if you increase that number by a factor of 10 you STILL don’t equal the number of people who have died from smoking. There is no, none, nada comparison between the two. If they wanted to take some action to influence behavior then ban smoking.
This is a great move. Feel free to ban smoking too.
I have never barebacked and have no plans to. It all comes down to common sense if a man wants to bareback you or be barebacked just say “NO”. If someone wants to that is their business. Everyone should start taking responsibility for themselves
Andrew has a valid point that seems correlates with the ongoing abortion issue we debate in America. Freedom of choice is an fundemental right that we as Americans hold dear. Shouldn’t IML promote the consumers freedom of choice in this issue. Perhaps balancing the bareback and safe sex vendors to a 1/1 ratio would be a more logical and fair way for IML and all of their related events to address instead of a ban. But, on the other hand, I do want to point out that if bareback porn is what is being banned because it promotes the spread of HIV/AIDS then, to be fair and equal in their decision, IML must ban ANY company that sells bareback porn INCLUDING but not limited to Falcon and Channel One Releasing because they still sell their vintage porn from the 70’s and 80’s which depicts condomless gay sex! If current bareback porn promotes an unsafe practice then vintage condomless porn must also and ANY company selling it MUST be banned from IML and their affiliates! Don’t you all agree?
Hello….I agree with all that say partner or not…BAREBACKING SHOULD HAVE A BAN..HIV and other STD’S don’t discrimante
I say – NOT HOT!
This is so typical of the overzealous fist waving Liberal Activist attitude about personal choice. Frankly I find the whole thing repressive and shortsighted. Heterosexuals can fuck without rubbers and feel no shame. Homosexuals on the other hand are made to feel like they are foolish monsters for doing it! Total Hypocrisy, and not from Straights, but by Gays themselves!
Every time I see a commercial for a Birth Control Pill I think…there it is! Social acceptance that Heterosexuals have unprotected sex!! Well, Straights get HIV too! What’s next? Banning birth control ads because they imply an acceptance of unprotected sex? IML and all those stupid conventions are lame anyway. So is the Gay Pride Parade and all the stupid self segregating events and IDEAS of the Gay “Community”!
I am a Man who fucks other Men – That’s it!
Stay out of my bedroom, stay out of my morality and stay out of my freedom of choice!