Politics Discussion spun off from First real poz scare

[PozBearWI]

On 8/16/2025 at 3:38 PM, verbalBTTM said:

20 years ago I was terrified of HIV, but was always respectful & polite. I turned down many hot men that I knew had more of what I wanted on a mental level. Today things are radically different medication wise, however the inhumane treatment to a fellow brother is unacceptable. To my poz brothers those person's fears are not your problems it's theirs. It's beyond fear, it's a weakness inside themselves that has to lash out in order to protect their southing lies. Most of the people they hook-up with in random situations are poz. However when it comes to being honest online the "panic" strikes. They are afraid to admit who and what they really are. No matter how much porn they watch that has their perverse truth in it, and that's the stuff that really turns them on. They are still boys mentally.

But we live in a time when POTUS spits out vile statements about others.  So why would we expect ordinary citizens to not do similar?

Seriously, if you're going to risk getting poz develop a thick skin first.  But nearly all of us have and will experience hateful comments.  It is part of the human experience.  Indeed those spewing the hate almost always have issues themselves.  

Moderator's Note: This thread may be a little disjointed. This is a political discussion spun off from a Backroom thread. If people want to continue this discussion, they are welcome to do so. Please note this thread is now in General not the Backroom. 

[verbalBTTM]

15 minutes ago, PozBearWI said:

But we live in a time when POTUS spits out vile statements about others.  So why would we expect ordinary citizens to not do similar?

Seriously, if you're going to risk getting poz develop a thick skin first.  But nearly all of us have and will experience hateful comments.  It is part of the human experience.  Indeed those spewing the hate almost always have issues themselves.  

Sinking to a lower level is never the answer, I was taught much like many of us to be tolerant, open, and honest. We are dealing with immature people who suffer from arrested development. They do not understand the conflict within themselves that forces them to lash out at men who are honest about their status. They are pigs like the rest of us, but they hide behind comforting lies they tell themselves so they can keep the "correct appearance" in public. (Sure I take Anon cock at a bathhouse when I'm high on drugs, but I won't be with a poz guy or be honest to anyone about what I do when the lust hits me, especially when I'm traveling to another city). 

To blame the president is nothing more than a scapegoat. The issue is with each person who responds in such ways, and we should take pity on them. You, myself and many other members on this site are honest about their dirty desires and don't shy from it. It's the reason I've stayed with this site. Unlike hook-up sites, this is a platform for the mind to play, not just the simplicity of the flesh. 

Think how fortunate you are to be in a community of like minded people who say forget political correct speech, no I want disgusting filthy gay sex that would make most sluts grab their pearls. We are free, they are trapped in a mental prison of their own creation. Rejoice in your freedom my brother, for we may be few but we know who and what we are and we will not hide from it. This is frightening to cowards, we cannot be controlled by opinions. No social norm will hold us back from our thoughts, desires, or actions that are mutually agreed upon. 

They think saying I'm gay is liberating, how we laugh at their baby steps trying to walk amongst us giants

[PozBearWI]

@verbalBTTM If you think what I wrote is "blaming the President", then perhaps a new POV is in order.  I think stating the facts that Donny spews out vile shit about anyone he is angry with is hardly "blame".  Describing what we can hear and see on a daily basis wouldn't be blame.  It is just accurately describing what is, much like the sun is either shining on our side or the other side of our planet.  That others are replicating his behavior is also an observable fact, not an opinion.  

What makes you think I live in a community of like minded people.  I am the non maga guy in magaland.  Most who choose to be in municipal government here are aware of facts.  We have to be.  My peers in local government are non partisan.  Again, we simply can't afford to be.  

As far as the guy who went off on me, my response was direct.  His premise that my sucking him off would certainly infect him and that I should be arrested just for bringing that up obviously reflects what's going on in DC.  But it isn't like our society in my lifetime hasn't been here before.  We'll get through it.  I am disappointed though to see the increase in stigma once again based upon fear rather than facts.  

[verbalBTTM]

46 minutes ago, PozBearWI said:

@verbalBTTM If you think what I wrote is "blaming the President", then perhaps a new POV is in order.  I think stating the facts that Donny spews out vile shit about anyone he is angry with is hardly "blame".  Describing what we can hear and see on a daily basis wouldn't be blame.  It is just accurately describing what is, much like the sun is either shining on our side or the other side of our planet.  That others are replicating his behavior is also an observable fact, not an opinion.  

What makes you think I live in a community of like minded people.  I am the non maga guy in magaland.  Most who choose to be in municipal government here are aware of facts.  We have to be.  My peers in local government are non partisan.  Again, we simply can't afford to be.  

As far as the guy who went off on me, my response was direct.  His premise that my sucking him off would certainly infect him and that I should be arrested just for bringing that up obviously reflects what's going on in DC.  But it isn't like our society in my lifetime hasn't been here before.  We'll get through it.  I am disappointed though to see the increase in stigma once again based upon fear rather than facts.  

People were like this before Clinton was in office, it's nothing new. The issue is with the person who attempts to cause the offense. They choose that language because they are scared how close they are to you in their desires. This person has the Internet and could look these things up for themselves, but instead they choose to be ignorant. Which is why I suggest having pity for them. Imagine what that's like living such a repressed and purposely ignorant life. Unable to be honest with ones own self. I liken it to when I was sleeping with women and afraid to admit I wanted gay sex. I wasn't happy back then no matter how grand the lie I told myself. At the end of the forget the guy and move, you can't fix stupid.

As far as the community what do you think this site is. We as degenerates have always sought refuge to the obscure corners and dark Ally's. You and I both know our thoughts aren't common, however here they are. Maybe this is as far as some of them go maybe some evolve beyond our current discussions.

[SomewhereonNeptune]

10 hours ago, verbalBTTM said:

Sinking to a lower level is never the answer, I was taught much like many of us to be tolerant, open, and honest. We are dealing with immature people who suffer from arrested development. They do not understand the conflict within themselves that forces them to lash out at men who are honest about their status. ...

To blame the president is nothing more than a scapegoat. The issue is with each person who responds in such ways, and we should take pity on them. ...

Think how fortunate you are to be in a community of like minded people who say forget political correct speech, no I want disgusting filthy gay sex that would make most sluts grab their pearls. We are free, they are trapped in a mental prison of their own creation.

For a second, I had to check whether I was in the Politics Sub. 🤣 

Here's my observations. I'm an early Gen X'er. That says most of what you need to know about me, except that I'm libertarian/moderate-conservative. I'm tolerant, open and honest knowing that my stances will likely get a few downvotes for my stating my positions simply because they disagree, and that's becoming more the norm than practicing any sort of tolerance whatsoever for differing perspectives. 

I'm growing tired of the constant arguments of "I stepped on Lego in bare feet, it's Trump's fault", or blaming things on one person rather than offering up other options. While I pity them for not having the ability to reason things out for themselves and suggest productive alternatives, a lot of people are just "fatigued" from it all. 

Where I'll differ and need to quote @PozBearWI is the following:

3 hours ago, PozBearWI said:

What makes you think I live in a community of like minded people. 

He's right. As a community, we are loosely cobbled together with a bunch of disparate groups who innately dislike each other. Gays aren't happy with straight views, lesbians are vehemently unhappy with anyone who isn't lesbian, the rest of the rainbow alphabet dislikes bisexuals, trans folks don't generally get much love from any of the other constituencies, the list goes on. Even here, what's there in the LGBTQIAP2S+++ (I'm sure I'm leaving yet another constituency out, ergo the +++) to make anyone think that this community is like-minded? Hell, I'd give my left nut to chuck the notion of politically correct speech and be able to speak what's on my mind respectfully without being gaslit or known as a pariah. We'd all do well to be tolerant of the reality that everyone's perspective is different. Let's agree to disagree, but at least be civil about it. 

 

 

[verbalBTTM]

58 minutes ago, SomewhereonNeptune said:

For a second, I had to check whether I was in the Politics Sub. 🤣 

Here's my observations. I'm an early Gen X'er. That says most of what you need to know about me, except that I'm libertarian/moderate-conservative. I'm tolerant, open and honest knowing that my stances will likely get a few downvotes for my stating my positions simply because they disagree, and that's becoming more the norm than practicing any sort of tolerance whatsoever for differing perspectives. 

I'm growing tired of the constant arguments of "I stepped on Lego in bare feet, it's Trump's fault", or blaming things on one person rather than offering up other options. While I pity them for not having the ability to reason things out for themselves and suggest productive alternatives, a lot of people are just "fatigued" from it all. 

Where I'll differ and need to quote @PozBearWI is the following:

He's right. As a community, we are loosely cobbled together with a bunch of disparate groups who innately dislike each other. Gays aren't happy with straight views, lesbians are vehemently unhappy with anyone who isn't lesbian, the rest of the rainbow alphabet dislikes bisexuals, trans folks don't generally get much love from any of the other constituencies, the list goes on. Even here, what's there in the LGBTQIAP2S+++ (I'm sure I'm leaving yet another constituency out, ergo the +++) to make anyone think that this community is like-minded? Hell, I'd give my left nut to chuck the notion of politically correct speech and be able to speak what's on my mind respectfully without being gaslit or known as a pariah. We'd all do well to be tolerant of the reality that everyone's perspective is different. Let's agree to disagree, but at least be civil about it. 

 

 

We had a strong community before gay marriage, that's when we fractured. Now it's all about self. 

[viking8x6]

I believe some of you are missing the mark on @PozBearWI's comment about community:

Quote

What makes you think I live in a community of like minded people.  I am the non maga guy in magaland.

He's referring to the community he lives in, not to our community or the LGBTQ+ community at large (such as it is).

 

That said, we (in which I include myself) do see to have wandered from the topic of "first real POZ scare"...

 

[hntnhole]

16 hours ago, verbalBTTM said:

We had a strong community before gay marriage

I think we still have a strong community - albeit sometimes not in-the-flesh.  There are some guys on here I feel I actually "know", from their posts, replies, all of that.  The advent of universal online "communities" is, as I see it, a boon, not a boondoggle.  Gay Marriage may have fractured the original sense of "community" a bit, but it didn't turn out to be a serious fracture.  We - as a community - are merely widening our spheres of consciousness - and that's a good thing. 

There's room for every guy in our corner of the World - even if some of them never did learn good manners.  There are plenty of obnoxious straight bores too.  

[PozBearWI]

I'm not sure how strong any of our communities are.  This is a "not in the flesh" community".  But humans are tactile critters; so that proximity and touch of others is important to the experience of being human.  

[rawfuckingonly]

On 8/17/2025 at 8:19 AM, PozBearWI said:

But we live in a time when POTUS spits out vile statements about others.  So why would we expect ordinary citizens to not do similar?

Seriously, if you're going to risk getting poz develop a thick skin first.  But nearly all of us have and will experience hateful comments.  It is part of the human experience.  Indeed those spewing the hate almost always have issues themselves.  

“Accuse your enemy of what you are doing, as you are doing it to create confusion." 

-Karl Marx 

 

Edited August 19 by rawfuckingonly

[greo]

US politics in my stroke forum 🤮

Edited August 19 by greo

[verbalBTTM]

@PozBearWIin response to your down votes

 

The conversation that I was a part of was about a first real poz scare, where I shared previous feelings, but you had to make it about politics.

 

Then I tried to be uplifting and put things back on track, and we’re rather flippant about things when I wouldn’t entertain politics. Here’s a little story about why I was scared and why I protected myself, since you didn’t get it the first time.

 

A picture that I keep, somewhat wrinkled and aged over the years, with parts of the image distorted by my tears, is a photo of 21 of us plus the photographer standing at Riis Beach in Queens, NY. We’re all young, naked, and full of life, without a care in the world except what we’re doing that night.

 

I am number 18 in that photo if you count from left to right, with me at the back since I was one of the taller guys. All of them, except me, are deceased from HIV complications. ALL OF THEM.

 

They weren’t just fair-weather friends; they were my everything. Sometimes a therapist, a banker, a chef, a comedian—just someone to share a moment of your life. They were more than all of that; they were my brothers.

 

All of us were discarded as trash by our families just for being gay. Some of us had harder beginnings than others. I’ll speak now of three of them.

 

Brian #2 was from Canton, Ohio. He was beaten up for being the school fag. Unfortunately, things weren’t much better for him at home, as his father made sure that lesson was reinforced every time he drank, especially with his belt. At age 16, Brian started prostituting himself to get enough scratch together for a bus ticket to NYC. Where, on a fateful night, he ran into my friend Mark and i. Covenant House wasn’t working out for him (a shelter for youth), so Mark and I, clearly understanding his needs, put him up and shared custody of him, if you will. He wasn’t cute by any measure, but loyal like a dog with a big heart who just wanted to be loved.

 

Before long, we helped him get a job at a coffee house that was understanding of his situation, and with the help of a pro-bono lawyer, his emancipation papers so he could legally be on his own. Eventually, he obtained his GED. As a present, we got him a fake ID so he could walk into Kurfew an 18+ party. He was so happy that day; he finally was able to go out on his own, but always wanted to be with us. Life was looking up for him until one day all of his strength was just gone, and he looked like shit. We brought him to a doc-in-a-box who did a simple HIV test. Of course, it was positive, and he wasn’t Mr. Vitamin either, so he deteriorated pretty quickly. We spread his ashes on that very same beach a few days before his 21st birthday.

 

Mark #8, who I mentioned before, was from Chicago. His parents abandoned him at three, so his lesbian aunt took him in, doing the best she could. Life wasn’t easy for Mark; there was tons of violence in his neck of the woods. So, the day after graduating high school, he moved to NYC, which is where I met him with a terrible fake ID at my bar. I cut it up in his face, telling him I’m doing you a favor, and then asked what he wanted to drink and offered him a job as a barback. Our friendship grew fast, and he took to the gang quickly, becoming a main pillar of support. In early June 2000, on a Tuesday, we went to have lunch in midtown at a straight titty bar that had free baked ziti with admission. Titties and lunch all for $10—fantastic deal, especially considering "Showgirls" was our movie. By that weekend, he was in the hospital, and we spread his ashes in Central Park the following Sunday.

 

Nicolas #15 was a fun-spirited guy from Ronkonkoma, Long Island. His father was a disabled war vet with a terrible drinking problem, and he never mentioned anything about his mother. He ran for the big city the day he turned 18. I met him at a party called Kurfew; tall, slender, handsome—a real catch. He loved to drink and somehow would always be able to make you laugh. He just had a knack for that, even when he got sick; he’d still make a joke about everything. A little after his 23rd birthday, his father came to collect his things.

 

So when I mentioned in a previous post that I was scared, I meant it. The 18 other people who were part of that photo weren’t the only ones who passed on because of HIV, but that photo encapsulates a moment before, when we were still innocent. Before anyone was diagnosed, before I helped them pass with some dignity. Before I cleaned their apartments out of porn and toys. Before any of my scares, before I was afraid.

 

The years went on, and so did the number of people I lost to HIV, including the man I loved. Some hurt more than others; each one is a piece of me gone, a part of my life lost. After a while, it all became a blur, and I stopped going to funerals. I became voluntarily celibate. Alone and afraid, with almost everyone I know dead by the time I was 27.

 

A little after my 31st birthday, I buried the man I loved, which I have never recovered from and never will. So when I say I was afraid, I have a ton of reasons why. Each one with a name, a face, and a story, and I knew them all. They were my brothers.

 

So in conclusion, keep your self-righteous political opinions to the political section, ok.

 

As far as me being honest and sharing, FUCK YOU. I hope you never went through any of what I had to endure. Thanks for the downvote; it really shows who you are when a man shares of himself. You just had to inject your fucking politics, didn’t you. Hope you learn from this drubbing and become the better man that I know of you through this site. After all, isn’t that the point of life?

[PozBearWI]

Thanks.  Yes the last 40 years have been pretty fraught with loss.  

For the record, this IS the political section, hence my commentary.  As far as your loss, man that had to be hard to endure.  Glad you're still here.  And I'm glad you made it through.  If we can't agree to disagree then we didn't learn our lessons of the last half century very well did we?

 

[verbalBTTM]

3 hours ago, PozBearWI said:

Thanks.  Yes the last 40 years have been pretty fraught with loss.  

For the record, this IS the political section, hence my commentary.  As far as your loss, man that had to be hard to endure.  Glad you're still here.  And I'm glad you made it through.  If we can't agree to disagree then we didn't learn our lessons of the last half century very well did we?

 

Good show, sir. Good show, and thank you.

Absolutely, we need to rise above the purposeful division and come together as one. That's what made us a community before, and it was one of our finer hours. If we come together, like you and I did, with love in our hearts and a dash of humility, there is no obstacle that can stand in our way Brother

Edited Saturday at 01:05 AM by verbalBTTM