What is it about being gay that makes us the ideal models for surviving a pandemic? Well, on screen cock and an affinity for sex toys is a good start. Also- it’s not our first deadly virus.
Let’s get real for a hot minute. If everyone took a page from the “How to Be Gay” handbook that definitely doesn’t exist, this world would be a lot better off. Particularly in the face of covid-19. Stay with me here. There are a few things that we understand better than most. On the top of that list are things like: knowing where to go to get excellent free porn videos (because: downtime), how to use sex toys as an adjunct for penetrative sex (sometimes you’re just not there yet, but come on- a prostate massager from Ella Paradis is twice as nice with a partner), how to have video sex like a champion (Grinder may be cancelled, but masturbatory zoom sessions will always be on point), and how to self-isolate.
Sure, the last one might be a bit depressing, but I am absolutely positive that every single one of us have felt the weight of that solo life in some way. Figuring out how to find somewhat distant tribes and interact with them outside of a face-to-face, because neither of you have time and the travel is inconvenient. Understanding the toll that it can take on your mental health, and learning how to process that. It’s just a part of it all. We also know everything there is to know about disease testing for your conscience alone. We test. Constantly. Often sharing our results with complete strangers. It’s how we show we care about them, their health, their status. We protect others by constantly monitoring ourselves.
These might be the darker truths that we’re familiar with, but they’re important all the same. Specifically with a novel disease running amuck, killing people. Candidly- these are some long standing truths that straight people could do with learning.
The Gay Porn Industry Has Changed
While the gay community seems to be fielding a good amount of shade for our continued use of Grinder and similar hookup apps- we’re not the only wayward youth community. Just take a peek at any Florida beach scene, or the latest Fashion House party in Nashville, and you’ll understand why it’s a little less than called for that we’re getting singled out as a community. Regardless of what some may or may not be doing, the gay community has made a number of really fantastic changes to our everyday lives in respect to this virus.
The gay porn industry is one excellent example of how we pivoted perfectly when the storm hit. Doubt me? Just look at any of the gay porn videos and movies on Porndoe. While most of the Heteroworld hit up the lucrative cam-girl scenes, gay porn became something better. The industry started hitting up archives, making incredible mashups and highlight reels. Professionals began to experiment with sex toys in ways that were genuinely groundbreaking. Big industry names completely shut down massive productions.
People started using dildos and strap-ons, prostate massagers, and even dick-friendly barrier masks. Doing everything they could to follow rules, limit transmission, but still protect their sanity. Instead of actively lashing out at new restrictions, the community has figured out how to embrace them in ways that work best for us. Giving the classic “what’s your status?” Line a new portent.
Male Sex Toys Aren’t the Only New Normal
Not to suggest we didn’t use them in the pre-covid days, but sex toys made with-him in-mind have definitely sky rocketed in adoption as of late. The use of male sex toys have gone from mere enhancement, to main facilitator. Even public health initiatives have taken notice of this trend and started suggesting exploring kinks. But it’s been a long time that the community has found fascinating, fun, and wholly inventive ways to repurpose hum drum sex toys. Keeping in mind that butt plugs, prostate massagers, and urethral sounds are just recently hitting markets as actual toys; where for years stimulating our deepest erogenous zones required an impressive imagination and some hard earned acrobatics.
The early days of covid also saw many countries lifting bans or reducing deferral periods on blood donations. While we absolutely know how to stay salty long after insult, we also know when it’s better for everyone to pocket our grudge and pitch in. Which is exactly what happened when countries like the US and Canada decided it was finally okay that gay men donate blood after a deferral of 3 months.
An outpouring of support from the community was seen to boost blood donations, but of course, it didn’t stop there. Understanding that many in the gay community might not have a safe space to shelter at, we mobilized. Ensuring that everyone possible was accounted for. Creating different lodging situations and extending hospitality as far as we reasonably could. Which isn’t unusual, as the gay community has been working hard to create safe spaces for everyone in it since before recorded history. So maybe, just maybe.
