IML Fucks Bareback Vendors (With Protection), Pro-Barebackers Say “Screw You” (Raw)

The condoms, er, gloves come off in the rising bareback porn controversy. International Mr. Leather has immediately banned all vendors who "promote or advocate barebacking." You bet your exposed ass the raw extremists are unsheathing their cocks, er, claws.

IML is actually taking a stand in encouraging safer sex. After all, HIV/AIDS has not magically disappeared, even though for all intents and purposes, it has from many mainstream representations of gay sex. About the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the Letter the organization sent to vendors says:

While we have 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 is our duty to inform and educate.

This seems completely logical. HIV is not fun. Just like in the 80s/early90s, its dangers and risks must still be discussed, not brushed under the rug or seen through rose-colored glasses. To continue...

[T]he 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....

To us, that seems a responsible action to underscore the disease's severity. BUT...the BB community is having none of it. They. Are. Fucking. Livid.

The author of this pro-bareback blog is outraged, arguing that the only thing keeping the BDSM scene alive IS raw sex.

In an era of everyone conforming to heterosexual norms (with gay marriage) we need a group that stands up for tolerance and respect of being different, being kinky, and being a deviant…

Wait. Tolerance and respect of engaging in a sexual act where one is at greater risk of contracting a very serious debilitating disease? Let's be honest here, lines must eventually be drawn for the benefit of community as a whole. We've got our whips, ropes and piss tubs all ready for kinky play, but that doesn't mean having safer sex suddenly makes us as milquetoast as the numbingly tedious queens profiled here.

Porn pup, Owen Hawk, who helped Dark Alley Media go "condom free," blew his uncut top. He goes to great lengths on his studio's blog to argue that, since HIV transmissions have been declining since the 80s (we'd hope they have been!), that it's a-okay to fuck condomless. He states, probably correctly, that just because there isn't bareback product doesn't mean IML participants won't still fuck raw. True, but that doesn't mean it's an action that should be commercially promoted. Lots of folks shoot up heroin and still live long lives (Yes, I went there). Does that mean videos promoting crack for sport are harmless fun that should be "respected?"

It's a twist on the ol' "blame the person, not the gun" logic behind gun lobbyists.

Owen concludes,

I'm a bit frustrated today that the conversation about this issue in our industry continues to be dominated by people who's [sic] goal seems to be to keep fear of HIV alive....

Ladies and Gents, what, me worry about AIDS? HIV is no longer a ticking clock to death, says darling Owen, so all you sexually active horndogs should not be afraid of HIV infection when getting anally porked by multiple partners without protection. Our gut tells us this is a destructive message to fall upon the eyes and ears of that sexually curious 18-year-old who has just come out of the closet. Plus, we seriously doubt that the guy who just today discovered his new HIV+ status is shrugging it off, getting a double scoop of Rocky Road, and is skipping merrily along.

In private, to each his own, but the gay media must still err on the side of responsible sexual health.

Here's the complete letter...

· IML Tells Bareback Companies to Fuck Off (thesword.com)