Breaking News: IML Bans Bareback
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. [Source: Vendor Memo via Will Clark World]
Read the full article.
Picture yourself at IML 2010. You’re walking through the Leather Market, and you’ll notice that there are a couple of booths not there. Looking through the IML pamphlets and cards, you won’t see anything advocating barebacking. Stop in a hotel room, and the barebacking will likely be at the same level it has been in past years.
First of all, what’s wrong with barebacking? It greatly increases your chance of getting any number of STD including HIV. You could always of course trust the guy you met 5 minutes ago in the lobby when he tells you he’s negative. I don’t take that risk though. Then there is always the chance of getting pregnant… wait, wrong audience, but pulling out still doesn’t work in this case. Between men that are aware of all the risks involved, I don’t really have a problem with barebacking. My generation hasn’t been affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the same way older generations have. For a lot of us, it’s just like walking across a busy intersection – you are pretty sure you’ll make it across safe.
The effects of this decision on the Leather Community are likely going to be relatively small. The same number of people are going to participate in barebacking. Porn studios may, but probably won’t, change their videos to reduce the number of barebacking porn they produce.
What are the effects going to be? Is it going to be good, or make barebacking something people feel ashamed of and have to hide?
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That’s unfortunate, if for no other reason than Dick Wadd and Treasure Island Media will be barred from having booths. A lot of that extreme barebacking porn is a way to live out those fantasies vicariously in a way that’s ultimately safe for the masturbating viewer at home. And as you said, not letting them show during the Leather Market sure as hell won’t do anything to stop the rampant barebacking behind closed doors. Banning the discussion/promotion of barebacking between consenting adults at events like IML will ultimately fetishize it even more, making the risk itself the turnon.
The decision for IML to exclude barebacking may be a bigger risk then barebacking its self. Like mention this generation has not had the same experience with HIV/Aids due to increased precautions and on going education/awareness/testing. In the business sense its also very hurting to not only the porn companies but IML with this exclusion because a lot of IML participants engage in/enjoy viewing barebacking. Participants and attendees may not want to support (not a lot but a few) IML because of this due to the feeling of being shunned for their sexual practices.
I totally get that BB porn is hot for masterbating, and it sells because people want it. But OTOH, rates of infection are increasing for young guys because they aren’t taking the precautions that are needed. BB porn makes it easy to treat BB’ing as acceptable risk.
I think it may be too late for this type of move to do any real good, but time will tell. What we need however,is more porn that shows how to eroticize safer sex. Porn that teaches and encourages guys to play safe because it looks hotter than hell.
This makes me want to purchase more BB porn and not support the next IML. Come on people, we are all adults, everyone who wants to, knows how to use a condom. This makes me mad.
I think a lot of you are giving people too much credit. If you’ve been drinking or doing some drugs, are you going to be as persistent about using condoms as you would be sober?
I don’t think IML attendance is going to change at all either. If you’re seriously going just for BB sex, go to the bathhouse. IML is a leather event, it is not a BB event.
Bareback porn, for some men, affirms their sexual desires and practices. It is among the most democratic in its use of different types of bodies and ages. And importantly, these are adults making consensual adult decisions. If people are not alarmed that IML (a gay leather organization!) is actually censoring gay sexuality, then they haven’t thought this through. Relegating bb porn to the underground will have the exact opposite affect on men’s erotic desires than the IML executive committee is intending. It will make men who already think of themselves as mavericks in our culture all the more inclined to view barebacking as an act of outlaw status – that is, more attractive than ever. Foolish move, IML.
Kaleh:
If your premise were true, there might be something to your argument, but rates of new HIV infection have declined and continue to decline: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/factsheets/transmission.htm
This move just cuts out the players who by their very presence and ancillary events encourage serosorting.
Frankly, I think this is just a prelude to a bigger announcement to come: IML merging with the Grabbys
“For a lot of us it’s like walking across a busy intersection-you’re pretty sure you’ll make it across”
What a frightening perspective. If you continue to cross that busy intersection, oblivious, not paying attention, perhaps texting a friend and cruising the guy across the street, you will get run over by a bus. Welcome to the the ever declining rates of hiv infection. I hope you have good health insurance because you’ll be needing it.