71.West: The Real View: June 2006

Eric Rofes: 1954-2006

Eric Rofes at Gay Men's Health Summit 2006 - Creative Commons License - By: T. Scott Pegues

Remembering My Mentor and Friend

Eric Rofes opened my mind and spirit to a world I could not imagine was real. A space where love nourishes a bright thinking, unapologetic, queer rhetoric destined to edify a weary people on a tedious journey. He was always armed with a stirring talk or paper that never failed to cause greatness to catch fire in my soul.

Eric was a sweet man who could get away with simply telling me, "Doll, just do it!" I'm thankful for the small investments he's made in me along the way, and for setting me in the presence of great people. Eric was best for teaching and for creating spaces where small people could grow big thoughts into better communities.

For a mentor and teacher, I am thankful. For a friend and inspiration, I am grateful. Return unto me untold greatness, and the vine will nourish many forever. Thanks for making space for me.

With great love,
Scott

Read more:
Some of Eric's writings. True inspiration to my simple work.
Why Gay Men's Health? Why Now? The first talk that woke me up.
NGLTF press statement
Gay.Com coverage

Pride Alert

I realize that I'm part of the growing number of Very Gays that simply aren't feeling our Coors sponsored gay festival. Yes, that same Coors that the rest of Gay America is boycotting, is the presenting sponsor of the local Denver pride mess.

I'll have my annual pride thing posted soon, so no worries kids. It promises to be another inspired write that a half dozen people or so will "borrow from" in two years. In the meantime, take a look at a few reads around the blogosphere:

Woke Up This Mornin'

I'm still confused from waking up in his bed this morning.

We've never really talked like that before.

What didn't happen is more confusing than what did.

Could we? Him?

What was I feeling?

a little lost

It feels strange to hear our conversation broken, a distant relic of what used to be easy laughter and big ideas.

It's strange to imagine the years on you and all of the things you've done.

Today a stranger in my head, but forever a friend in my heart.

Kink Is Good For You

A Conversation For Us^TM
Second in a series about how we're fucking up

We still have a problem with accepting the "kinky" shit. What totally grosses one person out, might bring someone else to orgasm with joy.
--Nerd of Prey

Kink is being cast back into shadowy alleys and underground clubs. We gays, once the vanguard of open self love and expression, now condemn each other's freedoms of pleasure. Missionary is again high holy and we've been trained to think that anything messy will spread disease. It's not the social engineering, it's the lack of resistance to those who seek to spread a sex panic in our land. In the meantime, we're alienating our friends with loud opinions about how they should use their private parts. Who'd ever thought we'd take a giant leap backward into the land of judgement and guilt. This violates a natural law which says, "if it feels good, it probably is good." Is poison not bitter?

There's a point in life where the rough places are made plain. High octane is water. Peaches are apples. Get over it. If you think your sex life is boring, then it's not a sex life and we would generally consider it to be unhealthy. Not sure what a healthy sexuality is? Give it some thought.

In the spirit of truth telling, demystification and liberation, I offer seven kinks and fetishes of my current or former pleasure. I dare you to do the same.