Scott O'Hara Died 13 Years Ago Today

'Spunk' O'Hara (I prefer 'Punk,' as he stood at about 5-4, feisty little devil) wrote his own obit, and I quote from it, 'Writer/publisher/performer Scott 'Spunk' O'Hara wishes to announce that he croaked at 10:40 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. All of his friends and fans are sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, he requests that you make a donation to your favorite sperm bank.' That's what the Bay Area Reporter (BAR) and other gay media printed. For once, Scott was too modest here: he was also a great social commentator and philosopher. For some samples of his own wicked take on life, look into 'Rarely Pure and Never Simple' (1999) published by the Harrington Park Press, a collection of his essays, some of them culled from STEAM, Scott's 'zine of the '90's.
When I need inspiration, I read selected passages from Scott's 'Autopornography: A Memoir of Life in the Lust Lane' (1997)...who can deny the eroticism of 'God it felt good to shoot inside an ass again...and then reach inside and feel my cum squishing around in an asshole made fiery hot by the friction of my dick,' that's on page 141, and it was totally politically incorrect back in '97, when barebacking was considered dangerous, one of the most irresponsible things you could do...we were still a couple of years away from 'Depth Charge,' 'Breed Me,' and 'Bareback Buddies.' Uhm...wow. Only chemo could slow Scott down, and it finally did him in...renal failure during chemotherapy for lymphoma. He had just attended a rehearsal of his new play, 'Ex-Lovers.' He was at it to the very end.
He had a contrarian streak in him as wide as Van Ness Avenue, and I attribute that to his rather hippie Christian contrarian upbringing in Oregon. He had his own ideas about sex; and he talked and wrote about it at great length...some of his vocal comments were loud and boisterous, all of the writing was hearthfelt, sometimes idiosyncratic, and always personal. I love the chronology included in 'Autopornography,' which documented his jobs, travels, performances, and red letter dates, such as 'August 11, 1985: won Greasy Jockstrap Contest at Powerhouse, San Francisco, met Al Parker,' followed by 'September 2, 1985: fucked by Al Parker.' Isn't that great?
Scott O'Hara was one of a kind; and getting fucked by Scott O'Hara was something to remember.

Year of Living Positive

Treasure Island Media has designated 2011 as the Year of Living Positive. So far they haven't done much to articulate beyond what is implicit in the language, except to run a short video clip on the website starring three studs who are poz and out...and 'proud!' as my pal Jayson Park says. We're anxiously watching to see where they go with this.
It was bound to happen: a porn studio was going to acknowledge the presence and attraction of the HIV-positive fetish and admission of the erotic nature of poz cum, impregnating somebody with it or absorbing it into your most intimate parts...the most conclusive manner of bonding.
I have been ruminating about the 'All Sucking! All Fucking! All Poz!' video for a long time, from even before the late porno diarist Scott O'Hara quoted 1980's performer Cory Monroe's ultimate wish by using the language of 1930's movie musical promotion. Paul Morris launched Brad McGuire and James Roscoe as an example of a sexual relationship that has thrived despite sero-discordancy; Brad is notably HIV-negative. I think Paul Morris realizes that this match doesn't quite work as a fantasy for a lot of us; most of us poz guys into longterm relationships dream of a hot poz partner, not a negative guy who will put up with us. In short, and I wish him no harm, but a guy like Brad would be so much hotter if...
There's an unseemly side to the Year of Living Positive that will doubtless raise the ire of the AIDS mafia, those professionals and activists whose existence and paychecks depend upon marketing guilt and fear as the means of HIV prevention. Also provoked will be those rightwing politicians who play the gay card to secure political donations from terrified hairbags in the hinterlands, frightened into giving up a share of their Social Security checks. As I wrote earlier, we'll be anxiously watching.
It IS interesting that some of the mainstream porn studios are now producing bareback videos with a disclaimer that all the performers tested as HIV-negative. We hereby certify that all performers in this video tested negative as of 1/31/10. What pleasure it will give me if Treasure Island puts it right back out there: We hereby certify that all performers in this video tested positive as of 1/31/10. That would be hilarious (!) and something to think about.
Until then, we'll be anxiously watching...