Nice to See StevieB: Tea for Steve

That hot pink Tupperware pitcher,
behind the "sports drinks" and soda...
is my tiny stash of iced tea.

By StevieB

Over the dinner table my friend Michelle announced that she would attempt to give up Starbucks for a month. An amazing feat for a woman that announces her daily arrival at Starbucks on Facebook. A daily treat for her, and a great check-in for Facebook friends. When she announced this change for better health, the wheels in my head started to turn.

Could I really give up my four daily helpings of Diet Coke?
The life giving elixir that brings sun shine to my day, yet also brought a little padding to my middle. We all have read the articles on how diet coke isn’t better than regular sodas. In fact it may be worse. Tricking your body to release even more chemicals to absorb the unnatural chemicals directly into your fat cells.

My self-declared challenge was to cut out the cola, and switch to iced tea, the real stuff, un-sweetened. Although at some restaurants I'm finding that I do have to drink the strange powdered mystery tea. So far, so good.

This post originally appeared on Steven Bennet's website Nice to See StevieB. Republished with permission.

The Gay Vegans: Bacterial meningitis killing gay men

By Dan Hanley

I just read a story about a gay man in West Hollywood, CA who contracted meningitis and is now brain dead. He was fine one day, then became ill, hospitalized and now will most likely die.

I have read similar stories about gay men in New York City, as recent as last week. After looking up some information, seven gay men have died of meningitis since 2010. There are 13 reported cases of meningitis just this year in New York City. There seems to be an out break right now.

There is a vaccine.

"Although the vaccine can help prevent the disease, it is not used to treat it. Even if diagnosed early and treated with antibiotics, the disease can still sometimes cause permanent brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure or even death." From an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.

I am not a doctor. And I am just learning. But I feel I need to do my part as a gay blogger to get this word out.

If you are sexually active and not in a monogamous relationship, please read more about this and consider getting the vaccine. The vaccine is 80-90% effective and in most cases one dose works. Those with HIV and some others may need two doses, over a period of a couple of months.

From what I have read, this can be spread through sex or even kissing.

In New York City, the city's health officials recently put out a warning. They have urged men who "regularly have intimate contact with other men" to get vaccinated for meningitis.

This brings back memories of the 1980's to me. The difference is that for the cases reported, the cause of death is known. And most importantly, there is a vaccine.

This may just be a small outbreak. The fact that deaths have now occurred in areas with big gay male populations may or may not end up being very relevant. Yet, I just had to write about this.

Again, no medical background. All I have presented here came from reading articles online for the past hour or so. We must get the word out.

Please spread the word.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

On the Rise, but Easily Cured: Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 

 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·     Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·     Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·     In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·     Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

On the Rise, but Easily Cured: Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 

 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·     Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·     Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·     In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·     Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

Attention, Gay Denver: Syphilis is on the Rise!

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 
 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·      Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·      Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·      In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·      Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

Did you know that syphilis is a growing problem among Denver’s gay community?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 

 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·     Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·     Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·     In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·     Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

Tranifesto: Do Trans Men Die Young?

A reader writes: “I have a pretty scary question. I’m a trans man, and pretty early in everything, so I used to like looking accomplished trans men up online to have some celebrities to feel some sort of connection to.

“But then I noticed than trans men seem to die pretty young – at least the ones mentioned in ‘famous trans men’ lists all around. So many died before they were even fifty or sixty. And now I just saw another memorial post on Facebook for a guy who died, also before his 50th birthday.

“I know that it’s probably a coincidence, and that all the trans men who live long, happy lives are probably never heard of. But I just have this nagging fear inside that it might have something to do with medical conditions that aren’t being noticed because of bias in the medical system, or something to do with testosterone or … you get the picture.

“My doctor doesn’t know anything about anything, so now I ask you. Maybe you and your readers know something. Do you know if there is any kind of medical study of how trans men in general do medically after transitioning?”

The one thing I do know is that you will never get out of this life alive. I’m not trying to be snarky. You will die of something, and my philosophy has always been that I would rather die after having lived a full and authentic life than after having lived as someone I am not.

There are some health risks associated with testosterone, but for most people, these can be mitigated. From what I have read, trans men overall have the same life expectancy as non-trans men, which is slightly shorter than for women.

Some of the guys who you have read about have committed suicide. Lou Sullivan, a very famous trans man who is probably on many of those lists, died from complications related to AIDS. Robert Eads, another very well-known trans man, died from ovarian cancer. Both of these deaths were quite likely complicated by bias in the medical system.

Many of the guys you have probably read about would have died whether they transitioned or not. They might have had some overlooked or undiscovered health problem that would have killed them regardless. They might have developed a terminal illness that had nothing to do with testosterone. The only reason you know about them is because they were trans.

I will turn 58 in March. I know that Jamison Green, one of the most famous trans men in the world, is a hair older than I am. My very best trans-guy friend will retire this year at 62. Both James and my friend have been on testosterone longer than I have, and I have been on it for 15 years.

There are honestly a ton of trans guys over 50 out there. Some of us might not be as visible because we have assimilated into the mainstream and are not visible as trans men, or because we are not as Internet savvy (or as interested) as the younger guys who grew up with technology.

So don’t freak out about dying young. I can’t guarantee that you won’t, but I can guarantee that you will hear more about people who die than you will about people who are living, because death is almost always a shock, and when someone dies, people will talk about it. People also tend to elevate dead people to a higher plane out of respect, which draws more attention to them.

Here’s what you can do to mitigate any health concerns associated with T:

1. Get your cholesterol, blood pressure, red blood cell levels, and liver functioning checked regularly. I take cholesterol medication. My friend takes medication for high blood pressure. Both of these conditions can be exacerbated by testosterone, but we’re both fine as long as we’re on our meds.

2. Don’t smoke (this, not T, is what is going to kill me), exercise regularly, try to maintain a weight that’s right for you, and try to eat as healthy as possible. This is good advice for anyone, but one thing that T can do is cause fat redistribution around your middle, which is the most dangerous place to carry fat. It puts you at higher risk of heart attack and stroke, so try to keep it away from there.

3. If T has increased your anger or hostility levels (for some guys, it does, and for some guys, it doesn’t), try some regular meditation or anger management techniques. Research has shown that the thing that kills Type A personalities (hardworking, competitive, time sensitive, quick to anger) early is heart disease, and the heart disease tends to stem from anger.

4. Get regular PAP tests and pelvic exams if you still have your original reproductive organs.

5. Find someone who will act as your advocate if you become too sick to advocate for yourself. Even if you develop some illness that is not related to testosterone, there is always the possibility that you will experience bias in the medical system because you are trans. If you have someone to monitor your care and treatment, that person can hopefully prevent some of this from happening.

I would also suggest referring your doc to some helpful sites like Hudson’s FTM Resource Guide and The Transitional Male, as well as the publication Medical Therapy and Health Maintenance for Transgender Men: A Guide For Health Care Providers, for some good information.

But my advice is not to sweat it. Testosterone has its dangers, but so does estrogen – even when your own body is manufacturing it. If you had been born male, you would be dealing with the dangers of testosterone, just like every other guy. Take care of yourself and you will live the life span that you are intended to live. None of us knows what that is. So we just have to keep on going and hope for the best.

Readers, what do you think?

This post originally appeared on Matt Kailey's award-winning website Tranifesto.com. Republished with permission. 

Did you know that syphilis is a growing problem among Denver’s gay community?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 

 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·     Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·     Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·     In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·     Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

Did you know that syphilis is a growing problem among Denver’s gay community?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 
 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·     Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·     Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·     In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·     Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains: Friendly, Affordable Healthcare for Gay Men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men in Denver and throughout Colorado including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Did you know that syphilis is a growing problem among Denver’s gay community?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 
 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·     Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·     Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·     In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·     Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains: Friendly, Affordable Healthcare for Gay Men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men in Denver and throughout Colorado including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Did you know that syphilis is a growing problem among Denver’s gay community?

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spread by direct contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Anyone can get syphilis, but in Denver it is most common among gay men and men who are having sex with men. 
 

The truth is: if you’re a man having sex with men in the Denver area, you could be at risk. Consider these facts: 

·      Approximately 90% of all new early syphilis cases in Denver are in men who have sex with other men.

·      Since 2007, early syphilis cases have increased by 340% in Colorado.

·      In just one year (Oct. 2011 – 2012), early or infectious cases of syphilis increased 57%.

·      Most infections have occurred in men who have sex with men, many of whom are living with HIV. This makes it very important to be screened for other STDs, including syphilis, at least every six months. 

The good news is that syphilis is easily detected - through a blood test - and cured using antibiotics.

If you’re sexually active, Denver Public Health recommends routine STD testing at least every three months if you have HIV and every 6 months otherwise. It’s also recommended to make STD testing a routine habit – schedule it every six months just like you would for your dental check-up.

Ready to know your status? Find a convenient testing location today.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains - Friendly, Affordable Healthcare for Gay Men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men in Denver and throughout Colorado including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

What Can Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Do For Denver Gay Guys?

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men in Denver and throughout Colorado  including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Check them out!

The Gay Vegans: The Beginning of the End (Part III)

By Dan Hanley

This is part three of a three-part blog series around alcoholism. I decided to write about alcoholism and my personal journey because I continue to see my communities affected by it, as well as addiction.

When one is consumed with self hatred and fear and has found that the only thing to help them deal with that is to drink (or do drugs) the thought of not drinking is equal to or more than the fear that already consumes you.

I first dealt with the terror of a life without alcohol when I was 18 and in an alcohol treatment center. It was bearable there. Like many treatment centers it was group therapy type things during the day and then trucked off to AA meetings at night. By the end of my time there I was convinced that I could live without a drink. By the evening of the day I got out of rehab I was drunk.

That was the last time I had attempted to not drink. Aside from the terror of thinking about not being able to drink for the rest of my life I also kept thinking that alcoholics were old people, not teenagers. I was sure I had many years ahead of me of drinking before I would have to look at not drinking.

Back to the end. I was sitting in a bar in Norfolk. I didn't know how I was all of a sudden drunk. I decided it was time to go back to base and could not find my car.

The next day was December 30th. I was excited as I had decided to try to quit smoking for the new year. A great resolution I thought. On the outside I was trying to hold everything together, and failing. My boss had brought up the fact that based on my military record, I should not even be drinking. I weighed 138 pounds at 6'3". To give you a good picture, I now weigh 198 pounds.

That evening I was at the enlisted bar on base. Simply Red's video was on the screen and I was settling in for a night of drinking with friends.

I don't know what happened. No, this time it wasn't a blackout or a lost car. It was me standing in front of a Navy alcohol rehab guy on base, a few blocks from the enlisted club, asking if he could tell me where the closest AA meeting was.

This was the end. Due to the "anonymous" part of Alcoholics Anonymous, I am not going to go into what happened after that. I will say that if you know me, you know that I am in recovery and that is something that I am not shy about sharing. I share about it in my daily life, on Facebook, at work and at social events. I share it because people who know me today (and did not know me when I drank) cannot possibly conceive the person I used to be.

I have not had a drink since that night.

Alcoholism kills people. It destroys families and relationships. It shows up in different ways. Some people drink daily. Others binge drink. Others only drink beer.

For more information on alcoholism and on Alcoholics Anonymous click here: http://aa.org/?Media=PlayFlash

I feel that it is important that I offer information about alcoholism after writing about it. There is indeed help for those who think they might be alcoholic. One does not have to die, kill someone in a car accident or live an entire life consumed with fear and disgust.

There you have it. If you have read one or more of this blog post series, I thank you. It is not easy sharing an ugly part of ones' life. I also appreciate the huge amount of love and support I have gotten from our readers.

If you would like to connect with me but do not want to share a public comment, my email address is vegandude@msn.com.

This post originally appeared on Dan Hanley's website The Gay Vegans. Republished with permission.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Provides Friendly, Affordable Healthcare for Denver Gay Men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Offers Affordable, Friendly Services for Gay Men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Safe and Affordable Healthcare for Gay Men in Denver Available at Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains - Affordable healthcare for gay men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men in Denver and throughout Colorado including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.