BOOKS

Explicit safer sex guide

is a hot read

Safer Sexy

The Guide to Gay Sex Safely by Peter Tatchell

Photographs by Robert Taylor Freedom Editions (Cassell) 112 p. $19.95 paper.

reviewed by Timothy Robson

I admit it: I loved this book. It's slick, raunchy, sexy, and by far the most straightforward, plain-talking, funny safer sex manual for gay men published so far. The models are hot, and the pictures of the sexual techniques are explicit, the fact of which the reader is warned on the cover.

SAFER SEXY

Several authors and publishers have previously attempted safer-sex pornography; these attempts have been almost uniformly major snores. Safer Sexy doesn't try to be pornographic; however, the techniques of erotic photography and text used are those of pornographers. How better to advance a didactic message than through something we want to look at? The book is, in fact, probably illegal in many of the United States. The British pubisher Cassell is to be congratulated on this bold effort, which is sponsored in part by the British investment firm Ivan Massow Associates.

Beneficiaries of sales include the Terrence Higgins Trust and Gay Men Fighting AIDS, both of the United Kingdom.

The theme of the entire book is summarized by the caption on an opening page: “Hard on, rubber on." The use of condoms is reinforced in bold graphics and photographs on virtually every page, and is recommended for all genital-anal and oral-genital contact. The message that safer sex can be great, hot sex is preached equally to HIV-positive and negative men.

Safer Sexy does not shy away from showing exactly how you should do things. The whole spectrum of gay male sexual activity is covered, from the standard "vanilla" of sucking and fucking to fantasy, bondage, phone sex, fisting, water sports, etc. There are significant discussions about cruising safely, dealing with rejection ("World Population = 5 billion; 10 percent are queer 500 million; Half are men 250 million. Turned down? There are 249,999,999 others to choose from") the pros and cons of monogamy, and dealing with relationships.

-

=

Sexy is, however, in the eyes of the beholder; another member of my household looked at the photos in this book and was appalled by the models, most of whom are of the queerboy, shaved head, multiple piercing variety. If you are prudish, or think that singlepartner, monogamous relationships are the only thing for everyone, or you only like blonde, surfer types, this book is definitely not for you. It is non-judgmental in its advocacy of anything that is pleasurable sexually, so long as both partners agree and both are protected.

Otherwise, skip the next couple months of Mandate, Honcho, and Advocate Men, and buy this book. At the same time, get some rubbers, some water-based lube, get a friend (or more) together, and teach them a few things. Safer Sexy is the lesson book to use. [

MARCH 10, 1995 GAY PEOPLE's ChronICLE 27

Make Life Less Taxing.

Worried about getting your taxes done right?

Relax. We can help you save time. And save money. Call Today. Business and Personal Taxes.

Ernest Giaco

Certified Public Accountant

(216) 561-1212

Capata Chours and COME

Capital CER

11.40 viber hàn

11040 US dutual ing

AFFIRMATIONS

HOWARD R. FRADKIN

PhD, CCDC III, Psychologist

A Center For

Psychotherapy &

Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor

KATE KITCHEN

MSW, LISW

Clinical Social Worker DON LAUFERSWEILER

MS, CCDC III, LPCC

Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

SADIE MICHAEL

MSW, LISW

Clinical Social Worker

Growth

SPECIALIZATIONS INCLUDE: Individual, Group, and Relationship Psychotherapy Affirmative Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy AIDS Related Concerns Women's Issues

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

Incest Survivors/Sexual Abuse Hypnotherapy

Adult Children of Alcoholics Healing the Child Within Dual Diagnosis Counseling Domestic Violence

VITTY

6,14 / 445 / 8277

918 South Front Street Columbus, OH 43206

Two White classics reissued in paperback

The Beautiful Room Is Empty Forgetting Elena by Edmund White

by Timothy Robson

Vintage has recently re-issued two of Edmund White's novels in trade paperback versions. The Beautiful Room Is Empty is a portrait of a young gay man who moves from a repressive midwestern town in the 1950s to Greenwich Village on the eve of the Stone-

wall rebellion in 1969. The novel is presumably autobiographical, since it closely follows White's own life.

White's first novel Forgetting Elena, first published in 1973, is the satirical story of a young man's pursuit of acceptance in a remote, privileged island community. These are major classics from a gay American author. If you haven't read them before, these inexpensive but well-made editions are a good opportunity.

help here...

parenting

Fissites nd children

Becky Streem

LISW, ,CCDC III

953-8809

Dr. Eileen McGee & Associates, Inc. 34950 Chardon Road Suite 102 Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44094

We Carry The Largest Selection of Gay & Lesbian Merchandise!

Cards

the Clifton Web

Gifts Trendy Items

▼ Jewelry ▼T-Shirts

11512 Clifton Blvd. • Cleveland, Ohio Phone: (216) 961-1120

What's Cooking at Parker's

Cooking classes for everyone

amateurs.. the gourmet .. aspiring chefs.. beginners ..

Please phone Jill at 771-7130 for your 1995 class schedule

PARKER'S Restaurant & Catering

The Cleveland Restaurant Cooking School

2801 Bridge Avenue

M

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

771-7130