THE LIFE: A decade of Manhunt



Jonathan Crutchley, co-founder of Manhunt.net, poses with New York City
bartenders and Manhunt models.

 For 10 years Jonathan Crutchley has equipped and supported gay men in their favorite sport -- the hunt.

As a part owner of Manhunt.net, Crutchley, his co-founding partner Larry Basile, and 100 employees based in Cambridge, Mass.,  provide an outlet for men to connect and possibly meet one another. The hookup site, which is how Jonathan describes it, marked its first decade of operation in April.

During the past six years, the Manhunt team has traveled and worked to extend its reach globally. It's been translated into about eight languages and can be used in 100 countries. With nearly 2 million active accounts, it's one of the leading social networking sites for gay men, but growing the company beyond the U.S. hasn't been all fun and games.

The first attempt to expand into a foreign country in 2005 "bombed," Jonathan said.

POLITICS: 'No More Mr. Nice Gay!'

Two reactions were palpable in the days, weeks and months following California voters' approval of a same-sex marriage ban in 2008.

Disappointment, then anger.

A phrase scrawled on signs and often shouted at demonstrations for marriage equality was "No More Mr. Nice Gay!"

Many gay men were, and still are, angry that once again they were denied a right because of their sexual orientation. With that single phrase, they sent a message to supporters of Proposition 8 that the ban would not be tolerated without a fight.

It was more than a threat against an opponent; it was a rallying cry for lesbians and gay men to express their anger in a constructive way.

Anger became passionate activism for some. It's the kind of activism screenwriter and producer Del Shores explores in his art and practices in his life.

THE MOVIES: 'Eating Out' serves up two new courses



The cast of "Eating Out" on location at the Triangle Inn in Palm Springs, Ca.
 (photographer Michael Green)

 The other night I walked into the middle of what I imagine to be many gay men's fantasy.

I'm standing poolside as the sun is going down and a group of young men and a girl stands chatting at the other end. They look to be in their 20s.

Then the tall, tan, beautiful brunette boy in the black Speedo trips and stumbles into the waifish blond boy wearing a T-shirt and shorts. He smiles, pretending to be drunk. I know where a smile like that leads.

On the other side of the pool two guys in tiny swimsuits stand mere inches apart as they caress one another and look into each other's eyes. The photographer recording the encounter must've snapped the money shot, because the boys part and head for the warmth of a hotel room.

A woman approaches the first group from a nearby room and drapes a towel over the brunette's shoulders.

The spell is broken as the scene rehearsal and the photo shoot end. The cast of the fifth "Eating Out" film takes a break while the crew sets up for a night shoot at the Triangle Inn in Palm Springs, Ca.

HEALTH: Are you at risk for anal cancer?

You've stepped on the scale, had your blood pressure checked, maybe even had some blood drawn for a medical test.

But for sexually active gay men, the exam isn't complete until the doctor is asked one important question:

"Am I at risk for anal dysplasia?"


The pre-cancerous condition known as anal dysplasia (pronounced dis-pley-zhuh) is present in 56 percent of men who have sex with men, according to the AIDS Education and Training Centers National Resource Center.  The origin of the disease is unprotected anal intercourse with someone who has human papillomavirus (HPV), which is present in 93 percent of men who have sex with men, according to resource center data.

The HPV infection prevents cells from making the proteins that protect the anus from dysplasia and cancer.

Similar to cervical dysplasia found in women, anal dysplasia is the clustering of infected cells in the lining of the anal canal. These cells form lesions which can lead to anal cancer if left undetected and untreated.

PASSIONS: Let the music play or pay

DJ Victor Rodriguez prefers the warmth of vinyl to the crisp, clear sound
of digital music.

When was the last time you dusted off classic Elton and put him on for a spin?

Or cranked Michael Jackson so loud the music bounced "Off the Wall"?

Remember allowing Richard and Karen Carpenter to get "Close to You"?

Unless you've downloaded digital versions, it's probably been awhile since you've heard this music. For many fans who fell in love with it when it was released on vinyl, their favorite albums now accumulate dust in storage.

Ever wonder what to do with all of those albums you never play anymore?

DJ Victor Rodriguez has a few ideas. Music has been his passion and profession for years, and he has a collection of 10,000 LPs to support them.

RELATIONSHIPS: December seeks May for romance

I have a confession to make: I've been extremely judgmental of gay couples with a huge age disparity.

I've often seen a guy in his 40s or 50s with a boyfriend in his 20s and thought their coupling was the manifestation of one psychological complex or another. You know the textbook cases --  the older man has a "daddy" complex and wants someone young to idolize him or to control; the younger guy seeks a loving replacement for a distant father or someone established and richer to take care of him.

The sexual appeal of Mr. May's dewy, taut flesh and Energizer Bunny stamina was another obvious attraction I identified for Mr. December. (I'm so wise and generous).

And yes, I've considered they could be in love. I'm not so jaded that I ruled it out altogether. I just thought it highly unlikely.

But today I pressed pause on "What's Love Got To Do With It?"

It dawned on me as I was driving home from my Spanish lesson that a huge part of the appeal of May-December relationships for older guys could be this idea of a romantic love.

THE LIFE: Social networking in the 21st century

Edison Farrow has what many may consider a dream job.

At least three nights a week -- and a couple of extra nights a month -- he hosts a party for gay Miami at some of the city's most glamorous and trendy hot spots. There's The Simple Life each Thursday, Hype on Fridays, Jump every Sunday, Martini Tuesdays once a month, and a new monthly event called Plastic is in the works.



Edison Farrow, SoBeSocial Club founder


But Edison's duties go beyond hosting. As the one-man force behind SoBeSocial Club (http://www.sobesocialclub.com/),  it's also his business to organize and promote the events. His duties include designing the fliers and website, and booking venues and performers.

It all started 10 years ago with Martini Tuesdays, a weekly gathering of a few friends at that time.

"It was never meant to be an 'event' and I never planned to become a promoter," Edison said. "I called 10 friends with the idea to meet at a chic hotel bar once a week. It grew and grew and by the fifth week, seven people were attending."

Today,depending on the event and venue, attendance ranges from 200 to 1,000 people, he said.