SpectreAgent

Ah, the lovely Mark Drakeford. That list of "essential" items of his was very arbitary. Didn't he unleash the Covid Stasi on the Welsh trains, as well? That said, I got stopped by the police a couple of times at Euston Station while travelling during the pandemic but as I was allowed to travel for work I was okay.

Being half-Welsh this doesn't surprise me in the slightest. I well recall being taken by my parents to visit my Nain and Taid (that's Grandma and Grandpa to the rest of us) in North Wales on a Sunday and everything was closed. And I do mean absolutely everything. It was like stepping into an episode of The Handmaid's Tale.

I have experience of CumUnion events in Manchester and Sheffield - and the two could not have been more different. Let's be honest, Manchester is a very gay. There's a reason Queer As Folk (the original British TV version, not the US remake) was set around Manchester's Canal Street: we're randy, filthy sods here - and long may it continue. But for some reason, CumUnion never caught on in Manchester. I believe it was tried twice (correct me if I'm wrong, anyone) but failed both times. It had nothing to do with the guy who ran it - I met him and he was a great guy who deserved more support. But I think the problem was two-fold. Firstly, the venue did not lend itself to CumUnion. It was in a sauna which was largely very bright and had relatively few darkrooms and very little space for more public play. Also, while the venue seemed happy to take the cash, I got the impression (that might just be me) that they rather disapproved of a planned bareback event and were rather - shall we say? - distant with attendees. The other problem was that the parties were just a ten minute walk from the notorious Basement Sauna. Anyone who knows Manchester will know that it really should be called ther Bareback Sauna - I'm not sure there's been a rubber used there since circa 1996 (slight exaggeration, perhaps, but you get my drift). As the sauna was open 24/7 - and hopefully will be again after all restrictions are liften here on the 19th July - there was little incentive to attend an event no differnt from what was on tap permanently in the city centre. The Sheffield events could not have been more differernt. The venue - a sauna outside the city centre - was perfect. Dark, just the right amount of sleaze. The staff really welcomed everyone and the hours meant that it could go on virtually all night. There was no attitude and all ages, shapes etc could attend without judgement. If you wanted to go off into a dark booth with someone, you could. If you wanted group action, it was there. So popular were they that they started holding them every two weeks. I hope that resumes.

Me, after 3 pints…

I like it.

It’s an odd one. I do like to see a face and am not reticent about showing mine. However, I have never not engaged with a profile just because there is no photo. There are 1001 reasons why a guy might not have a face picture and it’s not for me to prejudge or second guess why. And one of my hottest ever encounters was just before lockdown last year when I was messaged at 2am by a faceless Grindr message from a couple who were just a 10 walk away. I took a chance and went. I met a fantastic black and white couple who were both bb tops…it turned out to be amazing.

Never carry a weapon? What about Tom Baker in The Seeds of Doom…? Sorry to nitpick and I’m only teasing 😂 Although, I loved how violent Baker’s Doctor was in that story.

Just noticed this post of mine and it’s indicative of how things changed so quickly - at least here. I ended up being fully vaccinated in April.

Jon Pertwee, no question. Tennant a close second.

The Basement in Manchester is reopening soon “providing government advice and restrictions remain as stated”, but caution some restrictions might apply. They add that they anticipate all restrictions to be relaxed “early July”.

We sound two of a kind. That could describe me…

If it is an addiction, it’s not one I intend giving up any time soon…

I totally agree. Without knowing the motives of the woman - which may or may not be well-intentioned - acting on hearsay can be a very perilous path.

I’ll only add the caveat that I haven’t been since before Covid, so it might have changed - as many thjngs have.

Leaving aside the fact there’s nothing actually wrong with “old geezers” - you may be one yourself one day 😂 - your information is incorrect. Sailors has always been populated by authentic East End geezers of all ages, which makes a refreshing change from saunas up West.

Another “same here” here.

I have a fuckbud who does exactly that.

Although I was only an occasional visitor to Chariots, as I don’t live in London, I did visit over the years and wholeheartedly agree with your assessment that they didn’t seem arsed in the last few years. There was a sense of them being jaded and going through the motions on some of my visits. It’s a shame, because back in the day a visit to Chariots could be thrilling. Maybe I’m being unfair and it was just my bad luck to catch them on off days.

I haven’t used one in years. I never carry them and have none in the apartment when I entertain. They just aren’t on my radar. And here in Manchester, I’m not sure many guys use them at all anymore.

Most guys will go in raw given the chance.

Haha. I’m sure you’re not. The perils of abbreviation.

This is very true. That said, I’ve found that the quality of meets from apps I have had this past year - admittedly bending restrictions a little - have been with some of the most terrific guys I’ve ever met online. One from BBRT has become a fabulous fuckbud as has another from BBRT, who I found lives in the next building… There is also a BZ regular, who I finally met last year after months of chatting, who is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met/played with (he knows who he is!) .

Your post brings up a really interesting dilemma and it’s hard to give advice. As far as I can see, your information is based on the word of a third party who may, or may not, have her own agenda. I’m a little unclear if she knows you’re gay. If she does, she may be entirely altruistic in warning you - or may have more Machiavellian reasons to stir things. If she doesn’t, she may suspect you are and is trying to test it. Or, she might just be sharing some titbit of information about a co-worker. It might be instructive to know why she has told you this. We are all human and it’s only natural to feel some bitterness to someone you otherwise respect and rate. I would feel the same - also if I learned a co-worker was racist or anti-Semitic. If you found out that this woman is telling the truth and if his homophobia would impact on his role, then you certainly have much to ponder. Otherwise, I should rise above it and perhaps just be aware of it. Interestingly, I have just left a company in the UK where I was very much able to be open. In fact, I spotted two co-workers on BBRT and if I ever opened Grindr at work I would see a dozen more. All forms of discrimination were frowned upon and I could talk openly about partners, and invite them to company events. But I had one line-manager who, while outwardly very liberal, one just knew had a problem with gay men. Nothing was ever said, or acted upon, but instinctively one knew it was there. That is an equally difficult path to navigate.

You’re absolutely right. Guys have been meeting up all the way through. It will be interesting to see how busy the saunas will be once they’re allowed to reopen next week.

Ah, the red triangle programming on Channel 4. I recall being bitterly disappointed one week to have gone to all the subterfuge of creeping back downstairs to watch the TV with the sound turned right down while my parents slept (why the hell weren’t AirPods invented for another 30 years?) only to find they were focussing on a Lesbian who used her own pubic hair in her art. Queer As Folk it wasn’t!