I'll be Homo for the Holidays

World AIDS Day 2009

November 12th!

Game Night! November 4th

Email thevillage@utahaids.org with questions or if you want to attend but you're not sure you'll know anyone. Plan to grab pizza after the games!

Homo Harvest! Saturday, October 24th!

B-I-N-G-O

Hotel Monaco & the Utah Cyber Sluts will be hosting Bingo with great prizes of Overnight Stays, Bambara Gift Certificates, Animal Print Robes and much more.
Join us for a night of wickedly funny entertainment, great prizes, and friendly cutthroat competition.
Bingo is an alcohol free, family friendly event. Refreshments will be available!
Admission is $5 and includes one bingo card!
So come join Monaco Lewinsky for this Fab Fun event! Doors open at 6:16pm so get there for good seats.

Friday, October 16, 2009
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Columbus Community Center
2500 South 500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
(Park in the rear and enter through the north door!)

Somewhere ...

Walk for Life Pre Party!

The picture should explain it all. Dinner will be followed one of three exciting activities. Please come out and join us for a good time. Bring your friends and partner with you!

This Week: Hot N' Tasty

Wednesday, September 9th. 7 to 8 PM
Join a phenomenal group of men for great conversation and coffee tomorrow night over at Cafe Mestizo (631 W. North Temple Suite 700)

Tuesday, September 15th. 4 to 8 PM
The Utah AIDS Foundation, in conjunction with National LGBT Center Awareness Day, will be cooking up 3 gallons of chili for the PRIDE Center's first Chili Cook-Off! We've got our poker faces on for this one, so we can't say much about what kind of chili we're making or how delicious it WILL be. We do, however, encourage you to stop by The Pride Center between 4 and 8 PM to try the most scrumptious pot of chili ever cooked up by a community-based organization (hint: the special ingredient is love).

Friday, September 18th. 7 to 9:30 PM
Pre Walk for Life Party! Please join us at Noodles and Company in Sugarhouse as we prepare to walk it out for this year's Walk for Life, a fund raiser to benefit the Utah AIDS Foundation. Still haven't registered to Walk for Life? Visit http://www.firstgiving.com/utahaids today!

Saturday, September 19th. 8:30 AM
WALK FOR LIFE! Join the community in walking to prevent the spread of HIV and provide services for people who are living with HIV. Meet at Liberty Park bright and early for a warm up session and special dance number from the men of The Village. This year's Walk features an optional 22 mile bike tour and the actual walk will end at the 9th and 9th Street Fair. Please call 801.487.2323 with questions.

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?

"At their core, heroes are trailblazers, engulfed by a spirit that is unafraid to break outside the constraints of conformity to innovate and improve the space in which they exist. And their path is a rocky one – some of the greatest minds of our time have been plagued by the pioneer's curse. All too often, the rest of the world greets these ahead-of-their-time individuals with a blind eye (or even worse, hostility). Unfortunately, tangible genius is rarely recognized until it is no longer with us..."

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?

XLGXLGXLGXLG

A HERO OR A VILLAIN?

The CORE Group Meeting - For all you leader-types...

What we're asking for is simple, but not for the faint of heart. We need a few extraordinary men who have a profound love for community, health, fun times, and friendship to be the leaders of The Village. You'll plan events,distribute condoms in the clubs, and kick ass on a regular basis.Your passion and energy will be nurtured and you will have every opportunity to make a real and lasting impact in the lives of Gay men. You'll also meet incredible new friends while building your resume. Will you join us?

CORE Group Meeting:
Thursday, August 20th @ 6PM
Cafe Mestizo (641 W. North Temple Suite 700)
Questions? Need a ride? Call Josh Newbury at 801.487.2323

National HIV Testing Day

It is time to get tested! Utah AIDS Foundation will have FREE HIV testing on:

June 22nd Monday from 5 PM until 7 PM (walk in)
June 25th Thursday 10 AM until 1:30 PM (by appointment)
June 27th Saturday (walk in) from 11 AM until 2 PM.

We also offer FREE Chlamydia & Gonorrhea urine testing (rectal testing is $15), Syphilis testing for $5 & Hep C testing for $25.

So mark your calendar and get tested!

Thank you!

Our biggest appreciation to all volunteers who help us organize and to have a successful Pride celebration weekend. I'm proud to say that we distributed 8,000+ condoms to different bars & clubs and even in our booth. Our Giant condoms was a hit and our condom balloons was floating around the festivities. YOU made these happen and for that WE thank you!

GUS is coming...

SLC Gay Pride Parade & Festivities

Calling all Villagers!!! We want you to walk with us in the SLC Gay Pride Parade, please contact Carl at TheVillage@UtahAIDS.org if interested! The Test Site is in need of many volunteers! Especially, if you are a trained HIV Counselor, please call Josh Newbury to sign up to volunteer for this years Pride HIV Testing at Josh.Newbury@UtahAIDS.org.

Hermanos! Brothers! Juntos! Together!

Join us for the first Hermanos de Luna y Sol and The Village Picnic event in Sugarhouse. Bring your kites, your balls/pelotes (soccer, foot, volley etc), frizbee, picnic basket, blanket and some yummy food to share. We will bring some dish and drinks and to complete the fun is YOU!
We will be meeting at the Northwest Terrace Soccer field area from 5 PM until 8 PM.
Questions? email thevillage@utahaids.org or by calling 801-487-2323. Cya there!

SLC Film Center | DAMN THESE HEELS! Karaoke Fundraiser

SLC Film Center | DAMN THESE HEELS! Karaoke Fundraiser

Beyond Black and White

This is a Book and Movie lovers club for those who like to read amazing books and watch killer movies together. As intellects and aspiring intellects, we will discuss the intricacies of these great films and books and hopefully enlighten and uplift each other with our different perspectives and life experiences. It is the best way to enjoy a good book or a good movie as a group.

We will be meeting every other Tuesday and it starts this Tuesday, May 19th at 8 PM in Utah AIDS Foundation - group room. This is moderated by one of our Villagers - Alex Larson and Richard Matthews. So come and join us for another program of The Village.

Fancy Feet runs TODAY!!!

We are still on the process of building this new program of The Village called Fancy Feet. Some of us love to go jog, run, bike or even walk but we love to be active and think healthy all the time.

We are scheduled to run, walk or jog on every Monday, Thursday and/or Saturday from 7PM and we are planning to run Memory Grove and maybe up to Capitol Hill and Jordan River Parkway. We will be meeting at the mouth of the Memory Grove Park.

This program is moderated by one of our own Villager - Young Han. So join us or should I say run with us!

Utah LGBT Health Fair 2009

Utah LGBT Health Fair 2009

Where: Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (head east on 100 South and continue past the University of Utah Hospital)

When: Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Come learn about health issues and services for the LGBT community.

Activities include:

· Information booths
· Health screenings
· Demonstrations
· Speakers
· Light refreshments

Organizations involved include the Utah AIDS Foundation, Utah Pride Center,, PFLAG, American Cancer Society, TransAction, VOAUtah, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, , Planned Parenthood of Utah, Ogden OUTreach Resource, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Jones Waldo, Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Resource Center @ the University of Utah, Endmethnow.org, Clinic 1A at the University of Utah, Cornerstone Counseling, University of Utah Department of Radiology, Salt Lake Police Department, IJ and Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center, Pride in your Community, Health Policy Project, Lumen Episcopal/Lutheran Campus Ministry, Club Tri-Angles, JAM, Gastronomy, South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, University of Utah Counseling Center, Affirmation SLC, Silverado Hospice and others…

For more information call the Huntsman Cancer Information Service at 1-888-424-2100 or e-mail patient.education@hci.utah.edu

REALationship 101

We hear it everywhere, complaints about our relationships or lack thereof. Enter REALationship 101, a discussion to show you how to create and sustain a relationship that serves as a launching pad to bigger, better, deeper connection with yourself, your partner, and your life.

Our moderator - Nick James is an Transformational Coach and Educator primarily focused on helping gay men create and sustain healthy, loving relationships. Influenced by the work of Drs. Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks, the world's foremost relationship experts, Nick's focus over the last 7-years has been to develop a simple, accessible and effective way to share this knowledge with the rest of us. Along with his partner Mauricio Shoup, Nick delights in coaching his clients on their way to a good life!

Where: Ken Garison's Social Hall 5th Floor
55 S 500 W Apt 601 SLC, UT (look thru the directory under Ken Garison and dial to get in)

It will be a potluck event so please bring a side dish but not necessary and please come at the designated time so that we can eat, socialize and go thru with our House Party discussion.

If you have questions or concerns, please call Carl @ 801-487-2323 or by email thevillage@utahaids.org

The Village Kick-off...Castro Style in memories of Harvey Milk

Hosted by Ron Thurber and catered by Joe & Russ Baker-Gorringe for The Village Program. Click here for our Myspace invitation.
$15 suggested donation per person
2215 E Aspenwood Way (9760 S)
May 9th (Saturday) 6 PM until 11 PM

Enjoy delicious family style home cooking, drinks, entertainment, movie, drawings and much more!!! Cash bar is available and prizes for the best 70's outfit! We would like to bring you back during Harvey Milk time, celebrate his life and his dedication for a better Gay life.
If you have questions and inquiries, please email Carl at thevillage@utahaids.org or by calling 801-487-2323. See you there!

Coffee Talk "A Million Little Pieces" 4/1/09

Last weeks coffee talk was an interactive exercise that explored the diversity & density of human composition. In a room full of values posted on the various walls, such as religion, sexual orientation, immigration status etc., participants had to honestly affiliate themselves to values that best described them. After such questions as " What value(s) do you take pride in?", "What identity do you think is portrayed positively in the media?", & "What identity do others instantly associate to you?", the group would discuss the substance behind our choices or leanings. The conversation flowed between various concerns like racial inequality, body image, & the internalization of discrimination and kept probing the deeper construction of everyones individuality. Although the conversations were brief the exercises allowed everyone to show and observe the "million little pieces" that we acknowledge, consider, resent, & honor in our day to day lives.


Lets discuss it further:

What aspect of your identity most affects you in a negative way? Why? (Make a comment)


Contributed by: Cesar Romero, an active Village Core Group and our Coffee Talk Brewer.

Mountain West Flag Football

Mountain West Flag Football League 2009

Open Play: (Thursdays) April 9th - June 4th (6PM)
Team Selections - June 11 (6 PM)
Clinics and League Play June 11 - July 30th (6:30 PM)

All games @ Sugarhouse Park
Affiliated with the Salt Lake City Gay Athletic Association (501c3)

for more info - www.mwffl.org

Coffee Talk "Masculinity" 3/25/09

Topic: Masculinity
Moderator: Cesar Romero
Location: Utah AIDS Foundation

This weeks topic was centered around masculinity. Attendees were asked to give their thoughts on what the word masculinity means to them, then what the outside world wanted them to believe masculinity should be.

We then discussed being gay in a masculine world. We discussed "straight acting" and how those who do not fall into this category are treated.

It was very lively conversation and many opinions were presented by those in attendance. After coffee talk was finished, many of us continued the conversation at Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta as our traditional breaking of the bread.

Contributed by: Ray Middlesworth an active Village Core Group and member.

Gayme Night

Come and play with us!
When: Saturday, April 11th @ 7pm
Where: Ken Garison's Social Hall 5th Floor
55 S 500 W Apt 601 SLC, UT (look thru the directory under Ken Garison and dial to get in)
What: Board Games, Card Games, Fun times with your new and old friends and a fun way to meet guys outside of the clubs. We'll have some snacks and drinks, but feel free to bring something to share. Questions? Email thevillage@utahaids.org or call Carl @ 801-487-2323.

April is National STI Awareness Month

Yes you heard it right! April is National Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month and what you need to do about it? well I can give some suggestions...

* Get TESTED!
* Educate yourself on how you can get infected with STI's and how to avoid them

...and here are some more facts:

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are approximately 19 million new cases of STIs each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24. This annual Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness about the impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the lives of Americans and the importance of individuals discussing sexual health with their health care providers and if sexually active, their partners.

For more information, check out http://www.cdcnpin.org/stdawareness/index.htm

G0Ys

When one of my co-worker ask me if he can forward an email to me in regards to what he read, I was so excited but then he said, “let me know if you need therapy” and now I’m more curious about it.

I click the website www.g0ys.org and starting to read. It is a new term out there defined as: G0YS (Spelled with a ZER0) are guys who find men physically & emotionally attractive, but (for whatever reason) are offended with the stigmas that currently defining the 'gay community' in the public psyche. G0YS recognize that the prominent facets of the "gay-male" community tend to embrace every gender-bending act, fetish & affectation; --And include those things in the general specter of the image that "gay" projects publicly.

Behaviorally: Anal-sex is innately shunned by g0ys - as it represents the ultimate form of sexual disrespect whether male/male or male/female. Other distasteful stereotypes include (but are not limited to): Effeminate behavior, extreme passivity (like cowardice) & drag. G0YS don't call other men "girl", "bitch", "queen", etc. You probably get the idea.

What G0YS embrace is masculinity in its purest forms. Many G0YS are GAY, or (usually)-BI identified men (who might wear those labels IF they were not aware of the G0Y movement). Many G0YS are STRAIGHT identified (involved in marriage or exclusive relationships with women) also - but have these deep feelings for masculine affection nonetheless (whether ever acted upon or not). Many of these men have had 1 or more sexual encounters with other men (not anal) & lack the language to describe those feelings & relationships. The term "gay" simply encloses too large a group & offensive associated stereotypes. G0YS place friendships at the top of their proverbial "list". Some of those friendships deepen to a level that is so intimate & personal that sexuality often becomes an element; -- & strong, invisible cords of love, respect & extreme-discretion cover what is an intensely personal thing. The reputation of the flamboyance, promiscuity, filth & bizarre cross-culture of the term "gay" - is seen as an affront to g0y relationships.

This was the same article I read “Rub me the right way” by Shocka Zooloo about the term “frot” from the term Frottage is simply the good old-fashion “grind”. It is the same concept but have different label.

G0Ys is growing out there and we found out they have different websites, social net workings like facebook, myspace etc.

I want you to check it out and find what G0y means to you. Again the website is www.g0ys.org. Now I would like to take that therapy please.


Contributed by Carl Navales and from the amazing ideas of Josh Newbury.

The Village Yoga

The Village Yoga is back and we are doing a 6 weeks course in Salt Lake Main Library - Conference room B level 1. The dates are: April 5th, April 19th, May 3rd, May 10th, May 17th and May 24th.

Josh Newbury will be instructing and it is a good way for the our Community to enhance the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Health thru Yoga. This is FREE and limit to 25 people only due to the space so reserve your place now by calling Carl at 801-487-2323 or by email thru thevillage@utahaids.org.

Gay men want sexually explicit internet-based health promotion information, US study finds

Edward J. Bernard, AIDSmap News

The largest-ever survey to assess the health promotion information that gay men who use the internet to meet sexual partners in the United States would like to see has found that sexually explicit materials are not only acceptable across a diverse range of demographics but are preferred to non-visual, non-explicit and technical communication when describing HIV risk between men.

The survey, recently published online in the journal, AIDS and Behavior, targeted more than 2,700 users of the US gay social networking site, gay.com, and also found that gay men also wanted information covering much broader topics than HIV prevention, encompassing diverse sexual and mental health concerns.

Even though a significant number of gay men are now using the internet to meet sexual partners, the concept of using internet-based approaches to HIV prevention with gay men is relatively new, and, accordingly there is little evidence-based information on which to base these interventions. (See this news report from the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto for a discussion of the various types of interventions that currently exist).

To rectify this, investigators from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Minnesota conducted an online needs assessment over three months in 2005 to help answer four questions:


**To what degree should internet-based HIV prevention interventions include sexually explicit materials?

**What content areas are of most interest?

**Do different groups of men who use the internet to look for sex with men differ significantly on issues of acceptability of sexual explicitness and content priorities?

**What sources of information are most credible and desired?

A total of 2,716 gay men completed the survey after they had clicked on a banner advert on gay.com. To be eligible, participants agreed that they were male, over 18, resident in the US, and had sex with men. Participants were paid $10 on completion; this rose to $20 in the third month in order to speed recruitment.

The participants were racially and ethnically diverse, with approximately three-quarters identifying as non-white: 25.1% were Latino; 18.9% Asian-American; and 16.4% African-American.

A high proportion (42.7%) were aged 18-24, but older men were also included: 26.7% were aged 30-39, and 11.8% were aged over 40. Almost all had at least a high school education, and 29% were still higher education students.

Of the 2,322 men who answered the question, 20% admitted to more than one act of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the previous six months. However, the vast majority (95.6%) of all of the survey respondents reported being HIV-negative.

Coffee Talk "MSM who BB, PnP & PSS" 3/11/09

Last week at coffee talk, Josh led us all on a discussion about fantasies. We are in world where sex is all around us through various forms of media and with that our minds can create our own sexual or intimate fantasies in which we may want to further explore. We question if the fantasies can be turned into reality, how that can affect us. In your fantasies are you being safe? Do you use lube or wear condoms? The truth is, most people would not go into that much detail in a fantasy. If being safe isn’t acted out in your fantasy, will it be acted in that passionate moment when fantasy turns into reality?

contributed by David Castillo an active Village member and The Village Core Group

Report: DC has nation's highest HIV/AIDS rate

Report: DC has nation's highest HIV/AIDS rate

Posted using ShareThis

By The Associated Press
03.16.2009 9:03am EDT

(Washington) A new report by D.C. health officials says that at least 3 percent of residents in the nation’s capital are living with HIV or AIDS and every mode of transmission is on the rise.

The findings in the 2008 epidemiology report by the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration point to a severe epidemic that’s impacting every race and sex across the population and neighborhoods.

Scheduled to be released today, the report says that the number of HIV and AIDS cases jumped 22 percent from the nearly 12,500 reported in 2006.

Almost 1 in 10 residents between ages 40 and 49 are living with HIV, and black men had the highest infection rate at almost 7 percent.

The report says that the virus is most often transmitted by men having sex with men, followed by heterosexual transmission and injection drug use.

Our YouTube of the Month selection

Do you feel you have these experiences before? Well it might not be as "and they lived happily ever after" and for some of us are still in the verge of searching. So in the meantime, Use barriers all the time.

Gayme Night

Come and play with us!
When: Saturday, March 14th @ 7pm
Where: Ray Middlesworth's Apartment
174 N Canyon Rd #4, SLC, UT (near by Memory Grove)
What: Board Games, Card Games, Fun times with your new and old friends and a fun way to meet guys outside of the clubs. We'll have some snacks and drinks, but feel free to bring something to share. Questions? Email thevillage@utahaids.org or call Carl @ 801-487-2323.

Coffee Talk "X OBjectify" 3/4/09

I hear footsteps! A new arrival soon approaches the second story loft of the Salt Lake Roasting Company. A few heads glance over to critique the fresh meat (yes, including mine). I think to myself; “Is he cute?” or perhaps “Is he the one?” Whether it’s a fellow coffee house patron, a passer-by at the gym or self-talk in the mirror; at some point in time we’ve all objectified or been objectified. “Everybody doing it..” so does it become unhealthy? Where do we draw a line? Like any behavior, too much of anything can cause harm to yourself or others. If you haven’t guessed it by now, our coffee talk discussion was on objectification. Having admittedly arrived late and with some disruption; I might add. I apologize in advance for any views I may have missed. Give me a nice non-objectified spanking the next time you see me.

Regardless, a good place to start is by defining the process of objectification and what it means to you . The root word “object” is defined as “…anything that is visible or tangible…”(dictionary.com) but to objectify caries additional implications. To objectify someone is to remove all emotional, mental and non-tangible components from an individual. In other words, our perception of that individual is incomplete either by choice or by lack of information. Most of us objectify others during the inception of a new relationship. We lack the necessary information to construct an accurate and complete depiction of an individual. At a subtle level, we may objectify this new acquaintance until more information is acquired. At this level, objectification is completely normal and quite healthy. So rest assured, you haven’t sinned ….yet!

Objectification is in the eye of the observer, right? Twink, Jock and Leatherman! These homoerotic social classes resonate objectification by nature. The innocent onlooker isn’t always to blame, an individual may participate is certain types of behaviors or actions that contribute to his or her objectification. A go-go boy prancing around in his underwear, a Leatherman in a jock strap or drag queen in costume are all exhibits of behaviors that contribute to objectification.

The other day I was flipping through “Genre” a gay men’s magazine. It’s not often I read this magazine and It didn’t take me long to remember why. How can you guys read with those visual enticements on page-after-page. Hairless STUDS bursting with muscles flexing their budging bodies beneath a layer of kin-tight spandex? “Perfection.” A phrased used often by the Borg in Star Trek. Is this what being Borg are all about? If so, where can I sign up? After all, you only have your humanity to lose… As I flip through a few more delicious pages of sweaty jocks and tempting daddies, I think to myself; won’t he blow a seem wearing that? The stage is set and the pressure is building… I can’t take it anymore! I know what’s coming next… (DARLINGS, get your mind out of the gutter!)…Under the pressure, I SNAP! My internal verbiage begins to digress; “Would he find me hot?’ like “…popcorn popper hot, like exhaust pipe hot.” (dirty love) One objectification leads to another, before you know it; I’ve just self-objectified. Sounds kind of dirty, doesn’t it? Self-objectification manifest itself in our internal judgment of physical appearance, behavior roles and sexual activities we chose to participate in..

When used wisely objectivity is something useful, it may help us negate situations in our life. When this trait falls out of balance, we become harmful to ourselves and others around us. I am not in a position to qualify what is right and wrong for you as an individual, however I believe when we open our hearts and mind in greater awareness of each other; we do the right thing. We must be conscious that each individual has a unique history of emotional, philosophical and share experiences which makes them a product of today. In addition, most individuals strive for goodness and the wellbeing of others and a community as a whole. It’s when miscommunication or blatant disregard for other occurs that an individual becomes toxic to himself and society.

Contributed by: Jeffrey A. Wood, new to The Coffee Talk but not new to The Village.

Coffee Talk has a new place!

Starting this Wednesday, March 11th 2009 we will be meeting at the Utah AIDS Foundation Group Room. This will be a test for about a month and we will see if this will be an alternative from Salt Lake Roasting Company. Hope to see you in our new Coffee Talk location.

Quitting Smoking?

Are you planning to quit smoking? Or are you planning to quit smoking soon?

Here are some few helpful websites that can help you quit smoking.

http://utah.quitnet.com

http://www.becomeanex.org

Hope this help on your journey to choose a healthier lifestyle.

The Village Movie Day

We are planning to see "Watchmen" this Saturday, March 7th at The Gateway Megaplex and the show starts at 3:15 PM. Please come early and we will be meeting at the lobby theater around 2:45 PM to purchase the tickets.

It is a great way to socialize and to know more about The Village. See you there!

Note: This is a Rated R movie with a lot of violence scenes.

Outreach Opportunity

We are looking for few good gay men out there who would like to respond to the question: "How can we lower the HIV/STI in Utah???" One of the answer is to be proactive and to distribute safe sex kits to a high risk population.

The Village is proactively distributing safe sex kits to the bars, clubs, social gatherings and many more places to the community but WE NEED MORE HELP!

If you are interested, please email at thevillage@utahaids.org or simply call 801-487-2323 and ask for Carl.

Together we can help reduce the HIV and STI in Utah and YOU can make a difference!

The Next Condom Conundrum

The Advocate Feb 2009 Iss. 1023


"The Next Condom Conundrum" by Steve Weinstein


A nascent practice among pay men around the country in an effort to prevent HIV contraction is a method know as Pre Exposure Prophlaxis or PrEP. The practice involves gay men taking HIV medication such as Tenofovir, a.k.a. Virad, before intercourse to protect against HIV. The genesis of PrEP emerged from observations of Post Exposure Phophalaxis (PEP) drug regiments. Individuals that obtain Tenofovir often acquire it from friends, partners, or drug dealers. Since antiretroviral drugs aren't controlled substances, they can be readily obtained from people with possession of those drugs. Often at circuit parties Tenofovir is sold in conjunction with other drugs in a combo known as "MTV" or Meth, Tenofovir & Viagra. Upon rare cases, physicians that observe HIV negative patients exhibiting high risk behavior will prescribe antiretoviral drugs but only as a last resort measure and not as an alternative to counseling.
Despite the availability of Tenofovir, PrEP has not been proven to be an effective HIV prevention method. Studies of PrEP in major metropolitan areas is limited and inconsistent. However the medical community is investigating the validity of PrEP drug regiments to determine its success and/or effectiveness. Preliminary research has yielded promising results but the investigations are ongoing. If PrEP techniques prove to assist in HIV prevention, physicians believe it should be used in conjunction with condoms and not as a stand alone method. Doctors don't want to be perceived as condoning bareback sex by approving PrEP techniques. PrEP appears to be another favorable tool usable to combat HIV contraction but medical experts concede it should not replace condom use, addressing at risk personal behavior, or informing oneself on established HIV prevention techniques.
So what do you think?

Essay submitted by Cesar Romero, The Village Core Group active member

Coffee Talk 2/18/09 "Commmmmmm"

Self expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment
Pearl S. Buck

At Coffee Talk this week we talked about Communication and also Communication Skills: what we need to have a better communication between others? Why we need to learn to listen? And also when to speak?

Effective communication is all about conveying your messages to other people clearly and unambiguously. It's also about receiving information that others are sending to you, with as little Distortion as possible.

Doing this involves effort from both the sender of the message and the receiver. And it's a process that can be fraught with error, with messages muddled by the sender, or misinterpreted by the recipient. When this isn't detected, it can cause tremendous confusion, wasted effort and missed opportunity.

In fact, communication is only successful when both the sender and the receiver understand the same information as a result of the communication. By successfully getting your message across, you convey your thoughts and ideas effectively. When not successful, the thoughts and ideas that you actually send do not necessarily reflect what you think, causing a communications breakdown and creating roadblocks that stand in the way of your goals.

Problems with communication can pop up!! At every stage of the communication process which consists of the sender, encoding, the channel, decoding, the receiver, feedback and the context.

To be an effective communicator and to get your point across without misunderstanding and confusion, your goal should be to lessen the frequency of problems at each stage of this process, with clear, concise, accurate, well planned communications.

To deliver your messages effectively, you must commit to breaking down the barriers that exist within each of these stages of the communication process.

Once we understand this, we need to work to understand our audiences culture, making sure we can converse and deliver our message to people of different backgrounds and cultures within our own conversational group.

And last but not less important we need to LEARN to Respect differences: dont judge people because of the way they speak.

Contributed by: Frangy Gomez a regular coffee talk attendee.

Coffee Talk 2/11/09 "He's Just Not That Into You"

He's just not that into you.

If you're reading this then you've survived - or relished in - another Valentine's Day. While a growing counter movement might be reclaiming February 14th as Singles Awareness Day, the fact remains that Valentine's as a holiday has for most of our collective lives been about red roses, chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, and singing gorillas. We know to some degree, whether we subscribe or not, WHAT Valentines should look like and HOW it should be celebrated. Too often the WHY of Valentine's Day - WHY we celebrate on February 14th or WHY the holiday means so much - goes unexamined. Like many holidays, Valentine's is celebrated because we've always celebrated it. From the moment we dropped our Transformer or Care Bear cardboard valentines into shoeboxes covered in pink and red construction paper we were being conditioned to be zealous celebrators of the commercialization of LOVE.

And with those first valentines sent and received it's possible that we had an early introduction to what it means to be rejected. You know what I'm talking about: noticing that "so-and-so" or "what's his face" got more valentines and conversation hearts than you did. Or being acutely aware that some of your peers were very selective about the kind of valentines they gave you ("Let's BEE Friends") This played out until about fifth grade, when puberty kicked in and expressions of love in the form of Disney-themed valentines taped to the back of suckers became dangerous and beneath us. Then the rejection of our childhood was outdone by the rejection of our early and late teens.

Rejection is tough my friends. It cuts deep, especially when all we want is someone to take us out for a romantic dinner at Olive Garden on February 14th. After being rejected so many times one may start to think that they have only themselves to blame, that they must be flawed. Certainly we each have a "personal responsibility" for quelling our loneliness, but not being able to "couple on command" isn't a sign we're worthless - right?

In reality, being rejected may simply have more to do with the fact that, "he's just not that into you." I mean, why does it always have to be about you? Maybe that guy didn't want to go on a date with you because he had a terrible bikini waxing accident and doesn't want to be put in a situation that needs explaining. Maybe "what's his face" wasn't receptive to your passes because he's straight, or he's only into dating third or fourth cousins. Maybe the reason "so-and-so" didn't call you back is because he's just not that into you. Perhaps, and I don't think it's a stretch, not being paired up on Valentine's Day DOESN'T mean you're worthless. It may just be that the Valentine's Day is a crock. We should give some hard thought to why we celebrate, and how February 14th could be a real celebration of the many kinds of loves that are out there for us and others.


contributed by: Josh Newbury, The Moderator of Coffee Talk.

Qualities of a Healthy Relationship

A Healthy Relationship...

* Is basically calm rather than frantic.
* Is a friendship that does not force anyone to succumb to unacceptable peer pressure in order to maintain a friendship.
* Accepts the need for privacy on both sides.
* Allows for differences of opinions.
* Allows the time two people need to get to know each other and find out how compatible or different they are.
* Involves two people who already feel good about themselves and who carry those good feelings into their relationship.
* Will not destroy anyone if the friendship breaks up.
* Allows for the equal sharing of power and control - neither one dominating, neither one constantly submitting.
* Doesn't make unrealistic demans on each other.
* Involves no ideal expectations.
* Accepts responsibility for one's own thoughts, feelings and behavior.
* Involves sharing in decision-making.
* Enjoys freedom to express all emotions.
* Involves communicating effectively.

May you have a safe and fun Valentines Day!

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Stop Kiss

Coffee Talk "God???" 2/4/08

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” This is one of the many sentiments that C.S. Lewis shared about God. At Coffee Talk this week we approached this most delicate of topics. It had been anticipated that the subject would be a difficult one, given the variety of experiences and wide scope of backgrounds of our membership. It is perhaps the god-induced pain mentioned by Mr. Lewis that made the subject so difficult to discuss this week. This was most evident at the beginning of the evening when, even before the topic could be properly introduced, there was a collective outcry for an extensive set of ground rules to regulate the discussion (Primarily: no discussion of organized religion). This was very clearly a sensitive topic; one which our moderator has been reluctant yet eager to broach.

The only general consensus reached by our group, was that the topic was a difficult one to tackle, even by a group with such stunning mental prowess. God means so many things to each person. Are terms such as spirituality and faith inherently associated with God? Can a person have faith and be spiritual, yet reject the notion of a divine power? These questions and more brought our conversation to a tumult. Want to know more of our thought provoking questions? Try these: as gay men, are we limited to just being spiritual? Furthermore, are white Christian gay men limited to just being religious?

“It's complicated.” That became the new theme of the evening. Many feel that the crux of our various spiritual struggles is this: Is there a benefit to being spiritual creatures? I believe this question received a resounding yes. “Religion is for those who don't want to go to Hell. Spirituality is for those of us who have already been through it.”

contributed by Richard A. Matthews, an active Village Core Group member and a devoted Coffee Talk attendee.

Gay Movie Night

Gayme Night **updated**

Come celebrate the Single Awareness with us or if you have a beau, partner, husband or a date, you are still welcome to play with us!

When: Saturday, February 14th @ 7pm

Where: Richard Matthew's Social Hall (pls dial 288 to get in)
150 1st Avenue SLC, UT

What: Board Games, Card Games, Fun times with your new and old friends! There is 2 pool table & a ping pong table a fun way to meet guys outside of the clubs.

We'll have some snacks and drinks, but feel free to bring something to share.

Questions? Email thevillage@utahaids.org or call Carl @ 801-487-2323.

Coffee Talk 1/21/09 "Us versus Them"

Hello Friends of The Village,

Every week, well almost every week, I attend The Village Coffee Talk held on Wednesday Nights, 7pm, at Salt Lake Roasting Company. It is always an enjoyable discussion led by Josh. I always get in trouble for talking when I'm not suppose to. But, it is a fun, lively discussion, with a provocative topic.

Last week the topic was a comparison discussion between The XMen and being gay. What are the similarities? What are the differences? Are the movies really about US, in a way? The answer to all of these questions is "Yes".

Similarities between the gay (GLBTASDJALX) community and the XMen are many. We are singled out. We are blamed. We are outcast. We are often left to figure things out on our own. We are discriminated against. People don't understand us. People are afraid of us. People do not understand why we are they we are. We all admire and respect Patrick Stewart. We all enjoy life when it is cast with pretty people.

Okay, I digress. Back to business. There are many positive similarities as well. We do have to figure things out on our own, until we find role models and others like us to help along the way. This causes all of us to really examine our lives, our values, our beliefs on very profound and deep levels. It is a challenge that truly strengthens us. We are gifted. We are very creative. History is built upon the creativity and contributions of homosexuals. If we are able to overcome our own fears and phobias we are usually very compassionate, caring and empathetic. We are natural spiritualists and shamans. We are forced to think outside of almost all cultural boxes, thus we become free to live outside of many cultural preconceptions. This is very liberating. Why, yes, come to think about we are intimidating. Once we realize, find and claim our identity and strength as gay individuals we are powerful. Just like the XMen we are also cross-cultural, pan-cultural. We occur everywhere. We, as our own community, are a global community with a lot in common, that ties us together across all boundaries and borders.

Actually, there may not be that many differences between us and the XMen. Well, there are a couple. First, we are not fictional. We really do exist. Our lives are not scripted. A script does make a show slick, easy and interesting. Our lives are interesting, but like all humans, we are really making it up as we go. And, our lives do not last two hours, like a movie. Even after a big finale, they still go on. So, yeah, there are a couple of differences, that actually make us better than XMen.

So, this is my two cents worth, as a bit of a follow-up to last weeks coffee talk. I hope Carlos actually blogs the whole thing without edits!

Contributor: Shawn Dallas Stradley, an active Village Core Group member and a devoted Coffee Talk attendee.

Quick Self-Esteem Assessment

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Don't forget we will have The Village House Party this coming Saturday, January 31st from 7 PM until 11 PM at Steve Rossi's residence (1915 South 1300 East SLC, UT 84105). We will be talking about "Empowering You!" and it is a potluck event so bring a side dish and/or a drink (non-alcoholic).

Validation

A short film about the magic of looking for the best in people.



Once in a while we needed to be validated and reminded on how good we are on our work, our appearances and our whole being. Create a smile and be that someone today!

This movie has played at 34 film festivals worldwide and won 17 awards.

The Village House Party

Have you thought of where you at now? Are you stuck? Doing things repeatedly? Do you need change?

Well we would like to invite you to our Quarterly Village House Party and we are talking about Empowering You!

Carl and Josh will explore the realm of comfort zones and breaking out your own walls as a preliminary position to start Empowering You!
Don't forget this will be a potluck event and bring some side dish and drinks.

When: January 31st 7 PM until 11 PM
Where: Steve Rossi's House 1915 South 1300 East SLC, UT 84105 (sugarhouse)

Questions? email thevillage@utahaids.org or call Carl @ 801-487-2323.

Coffee Talk 01/14/09

Hello everyone!

Last week coffee talk was all about "A Hard Thing to Break".

As always we met at Salt Lake Roasting Company around 7 pm and have an icebreaker. Our moderator, Josh was teasing the crowd that everyone knows what he says before the coffee talk starts so he wants a little change and pushes one of our Coffee Talk regular to take over about the talk.

Everyone was amazed and surprise for a sudden turn of the discussion.

It is difficult when we have changes in our lives and that was the main topic at that night. The energy was low and few participated on the discussion. Some say that it isn't easy to be in a place of rut or being stuck. Unless if they notice it, change is needed in order to move on. Others say that it is difficult when you are already in your comfort zone and get out of your comfort zone. The moderator asks everyone if they notice when they come to coffee talk and sits with the same people, others agreed and some disagree.

How do you feel when there is a sudden change in your life? What if change is the only feasible solution, will you do it?

Connexion Cocktail Party

Coffee talk 1/7/09

If you miss our 1st Coffee Talk of the year, don't you worry because I will give you the highlights of the 1st Coffee Talk of 2009.

We talk about "Bod".

Our Coffee Talk mediator - Josh Newbury divided the group into 4 and each group was given a task to draw their Ideal healthy body and what does healthy body looks like to you.

After few minutes each different groups reported and showed their ideal and what is a healthy body looks like to them. Some of the drawings showing a nice pecs, nice abs, great hair styles, big smiley faces, weights in the other hand & money on the other and some have hearts on their chest, a vision of dreaming and don't forget the healthy ass.

Some thinks that being healthy shows like being physically fit & others thru mentally, emotionally & accepting themselves. The discussion lasted for more than an hour due to different ideas and prospects about what is the definition of healthy to everyone.

It ended up by a good closing remarks that each of us have different ideas on how we really see being healthy looks like.

So what about you, what is a healthy "bod" looks like to you?

Gay Movie Night

We are partnering with Wasatch Theatre Company's production of Boys in the Band. If you buy a ticket to the play you can watch the movie for free. Tickets can be purchased at ArtTix, www.arttix.com, (801) 355-ARTS.

Winter Black & Red