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Then shot number 2 on June 23rd.

Today the gay community in much of the world has gained a freedom unthought of even half a century ago. Along with this liberation has come an understanding that gay icons are important, especially for younger gay boys and girls. Chatting with friends over dinner recently, the conversation drifted into two rather interesting directions. Who were the first gay icons, and why are there none in Asia? As for the first gay icon, was it perhaps Alexander the Great? Deeply in love with his childhood friend Hephaestion, the Greek philosopher Aristotle described them as “one soul abiding in two bodies.” But the best known of the ancient figures to attract iconic status is surely St. Sebastian, the young, beautiful, near-naked youth, his body tied to a tree and pierced by arrows. Throughout history, hosts of artists have painted their ideals of his martyrdom. Gay film-maker Derek Jarman’s 1976 “Sebastiane” used him to examine the overlap between sexual and spiritual ecstasy. In the novel “Confessions of a Mask” by the gay right-wing Japanese Yukio Mishima who committed ritual seppuku in 1970, one character has his first ejaculation over a reproduction of St. Sebastian. As far as Asia is concerned, those in the west tend to forget there was a near thriving gay culture in many Asian countries long before the arrival of Arab traders and the missionaries who followed in the wake of western colonists desperate to convert souls for Christ. Going back in time, Chinese emperors not infrequently had concubines of both sexes. A tale often told concerns the tenth Han Dynasty Emperor Ai Ti (6 – 1 BC) who had numerous male lovers. Sharing his couch with his favourite Dong Xian, the young man fell asleep across the Emperor’s sleeve. Rather than wake him, the Emperor took his sword and simply cut off the royal sleeve. From then on, “cut sleeve” (黄九郎) became just one of many terms that appear throughout China’s literary history as a euphemism for homosexual love and devotion. Homosexuality was introduced to Japan by a bonze who had returned from China around 800 A.D. Thereafter many young boys entered into relationships with monks, a concept called nanshoku. The monks would look after the boys and teach them life skills, with sex as one of those skills. With samurai warriors being Buddhists, it became accepted that they, too, would take boys under their wing to teach them martial arts and other skills. Close by, homosexual activity was far from uncommmon at court during the the three main Korean Dynasties. During the Silla Dynasty, King Hyegong was known for his adventures with other men. One group of his elite warriors were the Hwarang or ‘Flower Boys’, so called because of their homoeroticism and femininity. During the later Koryŏ Dynasty, King Mokjong and King Gongmin are both on record as having several male lovers. When his wife died, Gongmin even went so far as to create a Ministry whose sole purpose was to seek out and recruit young men from all over the country to serve at his Court. His sexual partners were called “little brother attendants”! But as Asian countries have developed their own independent identities in the 20th century, a new gay culture has slowly re-emerged. As mentioned earlier, the novelist, playwright, essayist, actor and model Mishima has become a Japanese gay icon, albeit a controversial one due to his extreme right-wing views. Although married, he frequented gay bars and had several affairs with men. Another more recent is the adored Hong Kong singer and actor, Leslie Cheung. Handsome in the extreme and discovered in a singing competition, he was hugely successful as a silky-voiced singer, actor and songwriter. Unlike other movie stars, Leslie played several gay characters in Hong Kong movies, mirroring his secret life as a closet homosexual. He came to world attention in Chen Kaige’s 1993 movie “Farewell My Concubine” with a superb portrayal of a gay Chinese opera singer involved in a love triangle set against the violent political turmoils in 20th century China who ends up committing suicide. This gorgeous film won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Film category. By this time, Leslie was known as one of the Canto-pop “kings”, four Hong Kong singers who dominated record sales around Asia for over a decade. In 1997 he starred in another major movie, “Happy Together”. This was a dark, grim tale of two 30ish gay Hong Kong lovers who decide to travel to Argentina’s Iguazu Falls on a tiny budget in an attempt to reignite their relationship. It does not work. Both end up seeking other sexual encounters. Throughout, the entire movie themes of loneliness and emotional pain are intertwined in a recurring cycle of mutual abuse and dependence. “Happy Together” gained worldwide acclaim, including another Palme d’Or for its director Wong Kar-wai and a third Best Actor nomination for Leslie. As a singer, in 1989 Leslie filled 10,000 seats in the Hong Kong Coliseum for an astonishing 33 consecutive nights. Eight years later at another series of concerts for which Jean-Paul Gaultier designed his costumes, he announced that he was gay and had had a banker lover for many years. It did nothing to upset his adoring female fans, although some of the guys were disappointed! Not known then was that despite his legendary fame in Asia and his growing fame around the world, Leslie suffered from severe clinical depression. On April 1st 2003 his manager was waiting for a meeting in the mezzanine lounge in Hong Kong’s Mandarin-Oriental Hotel. Unknown to her, Leslie was already in the hotel having a coffee on the 24th floor. Phoning to check why he was so late, she later claimed his last words to her were “I’ll be down in a moment!” He then jumped to his death. He was just 46 years old. Millions of hearts around Asia and in Chinese communities around the world were broken. Can you imagine three cuter young Hong Kong guys? Actors Danny Chan, Leslie Cheung and Paul Chung in the 1981 Hong Kong movie “On Trial”. Danny and Leslie were closet gays at the time. All died tragically young. Danny of a drug overdose aged 35. Paul like Leslie committed suicide aged 30. Leslie left a short note thanking his family, his lover and his psychiatrist. He added, “I can’t stand it anymore . . . In my life I have done nothing bad. Why does it have to be like this?” His funeral was the largest Hong Kong had seen since the death of another movie icon, Bruce Lee, with many thousands flying in from all over Asia as well as North America and Australia. In a 2010 CNN poll Leslie was voted the Third Most Iconic Musician of all Time after Michael Jackson and The Beatles. Had he lived, he would be 65 on September 12.

With the UK having promised to take in up to 5.4 million British National Overseas passport holders from Hong Kong (a relic from 1997) with the offer of citizenship after about 5 years residency, good luck to any Thai wanting to relocate there! But that poll is surely more an expression of utter dissatisfaction over the way the pandemic has been handled and the general governance of the country. The elites will find a way of staying in power whatever happens. And they will still fail to find the Red Bull heir who murdered the traffic cop. If Interpol can find Carlos the Jackal and the Lord knows how many other from its "most wanted" list, its failure to find Vorayuth Yoovidhya is clearly a result of the Thai government deliberately not providing the information Interpol requires. It sucks, but TIT.

This is a very interesting read. During the pandemic, I have found better stuff on the fan sites that I do with the studios. https://ilikepinga.com/2020/09/26/adios-gay-porn-studios/

this is another good channel for those who miss Bangkok. This guy is a Dutch expat who does real estate in Bangkok. He makes a lot of videos on public transport (lots of new train lines coming online) and rides his bike around the city with his gopro rolling. Seems like a nice guy and good quality videos

Everything in Costa Rica is open right now but... they have been experiencing a major surge in CV19 cases in the last month. So, it's an unpredictable situation. Funny, I was just looking at CR yesterday.

For tiktok, find the user by their id, and follow. The more user u follow, the better will the random tiktok theyll show as they know more about tour preference. Otherwise, u can also view new tiktok from those u follow only. There is also discover, where u can search user or #hashtag topic

No clue. They made my second appointment after I chose my first one.

From USA Today By Lawrence Ferber, National LGBT Media Association As travel rebounds, and some international borders open to U.S. residents – especially, or exclusively, if you're fully vaccinated – you'll need to pack more than a suitcase to ensure safe trips during the pandemic's latter days, and far beyond. After all, it's not quite a COVID-free world yet, nor will it be for a while. (And yes, I'm staring at those who traveled to dance parties and other superspreader events during the height of the pandemic.) Since the world packs travel hazards besides COVID-19, from accidents to dangerous individuals and villainy targeting queer tourists, the National LGBT Media Association compiled some advice and resources for LGBTQ travelers to take into consideration. Bon (safe) voyage! Before booking that flight, cruise, hotel or car rental, secure a travel insurance policy. Make sure it covers COVID-19 related calamities, including hospitalization and cancellations on either your end or that of the airline, cruise line, hotel, tour company, etc. – as many learned since March 2020, most policies did not cover everything. For several years before the pandemic hit, I took out an annual individual policy with Allianz (they've added COVID-19 benefits to some policies), which I made one claim on during early 2019 for a doctor's visit in Singapore. The claims process was easy and paid out in a timely manner – a simple urgent-care illness situation that included medication. When my husband joined me in Bangkok for just a week, I purchased a single trip policy from Travel Guard for him (which does not appear to cover COVID-19, as of now). LGBTQ-friendly insurance company Seven Corners offers policies for both singles and same-sex couples, and can even ensure you stay together if a medical evacuation is required for one partner – check out the video about clients Daniel and Felipe on their LGBTQ landing page. Seven Corners also offers policies covering COVID-19. Be sure to activate your phone, iPad and laptop's geolocation features. Worst-case scenario, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your iPhone's been stolen if it's suddenly five miles away from where you last left it and can deactivate the device (also, though: Don't leave your phone unattended). I've learned it's an all-too-common practice for airlines to take bags off planes pre-departure if the vessel's too weight-heavy or may excessively tax its fuel supply. They won't always confess yours lost the lottery and where it's chilling, but Apple's new tracking device, AirTag, could spill the tea. Homosexuality is still illegal and even punishable by death in parts of the world. Some of these anti-LGBTQ laws entail toothless legislative holdovers, like Singapore's Penal Code Section 377A, which remains on the books despite ongoing legal challenges and an open, even thriving local gay scene (and entertainers like “Drag Race Thailand” queen Vanda Miss Joaquim). Continues at https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2021/05/07/gay-travel-safe-covid-travel-lgbt/4970195001/

Hopefully when their own vaccine production started, things will speed up.

Thank you, my friend. I am flattered. I cannot wait to see if the studios register the blossoming of creativity in the independent circuit, and the awakening on discrimination and job sexual harassment, and operates changes in their practices. I am pesimistic. By the way, Rhyheim is about to reach the 1M followers mark in Twitter.

Marcelo Pombo has just liberated 20 years if his productions. He is my friend and one of my favorite South American contemporaneous plastic artists. You can visit the website with the catalogue of two decades: https://marcelopomboimagenesliberadas.com You can also read my report: https://ilikepinga.com/2021/05/08/sexodelico/ SIEMPRE ALERTA (ALWAYS ALERT)

He was a writer, a playright, an aesthete, bon vivant, dandy and absolute master of the pithy epigram. The title of this article is one. Even better known is, "I can resist everything except temptation!" He was also gay - although not initially so. For a time, he was the toast of London and its high society matrons and their rich friends. Eventually leaders of that society were to turn on him with a viciousness more suited to a violent criminal. He was disgraced, tried in a court of law, found guilty, imprisoned and died in exile. Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde came into this world in Dublin in October 1854. After a stellar success at the universities in Dublin and Oxford, he moved to London. With his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversation, Wilde quickly became one of the best-known personalities of his day, much sought after at soirées given by the great and the good. Following a brilliantly successful lecture tour of the USA and some time in Paris, he married and had two sons. He spent some years writing essays and novels before turning his talents to the theatre where he enjoyed even greater success, especially with his last, "The Importance of Being Earnest", now considered his masterpiece. Even if you have not seen the play, almost certainly you will have seen this very short clip from the 1952 movie version with the incomparable Dame Edith Evans uttering arguably Wilde's most immortal line. The formidable Lady Bracknell has just been told that her ward’s paramour was not born in a hospital or even a bed. He was found in the lost luggage department at Worthing station in - Another of Wilde's epigrams ends, "A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies." It was to prove prophetic. In 1886 aged 32 he was seduced quite deliberately by a 17-year old Canadian Robert Ross and they entered into an intense relationship. Their friendship was to last for the rest of Wilde's life, but five years later another young gay friend was to sow the seeds of his downfall. He was introduced to the dissolute, bored young Lord Alfred Douglas, known to his friends as Bosie. They started a relationship and soon Bosie was to become the love of his life. Through his connections, Bosie introduced Wilde to London's low life and the male brothels which he soon began to frequent. Bosie's father was the Marquis (sometimes spelled Marquess) of Queensberry, a man's man who had drawn up the Queensberry rules used in the sport of boxing. Well aware of Wilde's gay reputation, Queensberry was incensed on learning of his son’s relationship. Unable to find Wilde when trying to warn him never to see his son again, he left his name card at Wilde's club, adding "For Oscar Wilde, ponce and somdomite (sic)." Wilde should have let the matter pass, but proud and vain as he was, he sued Queensberry for libel. He lost. Within hours Queensberry counter-sued - and won. In court a succession of private detectives hired by Queensberry exposed all the detail of Wilde's promiscuity with young men and boys. Wilde was convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years hard labour. His place in society forever lost, on his release he moved to exile in France where he died in Paris aged 46, the faithful Robert Ross at his side. His remains were eventually interred in the Père Lachaise Cemetery. Here he was in the company of such luminaries as composers Chopin, Rossini ("Barber of Seville") and Bizet ("Carmen"), pop singer Jim Morrison of The Doors, authors Gertrude Stein and Marcel Proust, artists Seurat, Pissarro, Delacroix and Corot, and perhaps most appropriately of all, the Irish revolutionary William Lawless. Wilde may not have fomented revolution, but through his manners, his openness and his writing he came to present a complex problem for the establishment of the day. By failing to play by their rules, he ensured his own downfall. The establishment always won. Not that Queensberry was a paragon of virtue. He was an arrogant, unpopular brute of a man whom no-one liked. As an atheist, he refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Queen – he called it Christian tomfoolery – and so was not permitted to take his seat in parliament. He particularly disliked the Prime Minister, a fellow Scot, the 5th Earl of Rosebery. Rosebery was certainly bisexual if not homosexual and always surrounded himself with handsome young men. Queensberry called him a “snob queer”. For some years Rosebery’s circle had included as his Private Secretary Queensberry’s eldest son and heir, the Earl of Drumlanrig. Queensberry will certainly have been aware of the strong rumours of a homosexual affair between his son and Rosebery, and this may well have fed into his anger towards Wilde's relationship with his third son, Bosie. Then tragedy struck. Drumlanrig died with a single gunshot to the head, a suspected suicide. Soon Queensberry underwent a lengthy period of mental decline, a result of syphilis. He died after a stroke aged 55 a year before Wilde’s own death. In 2012, Wilde was in the first group to be inducted into Chicago's Legacy Walk, an outdoor public display which celebrates LGBT history and many of its personalities. In 2017 he was one of up to 50,000 homosexual men given a posthumous pardon by the British government under what has become known as the Alan Turing Law. It is surely another of Wilde's epigrams that is the most suitable epitaph for a man who is one of history's true gay icons: "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."

well like everywhere else it's fucked until we all get the vaccine.

Keep in mind that the guy was aged 81 and had underlying health conditions (diabetes, hypertension). Also, the article was published in the Global Times, which is a Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece. Any surprise that the article suggests that Chinese vaccines might be more effective against variants of the virus? (The issue with the vaccines developed in China is that there is poor transparency -- how the trials were conducted and their data/results are not fully publicised. Even the director of the Chinese CDC admitted that their vaccines aren't very effective! see https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n969)

Well, we met two generations. I met William Shawcross at a media briefing in Hong Kong. We did not discuss his Cambodia book nor Kissinger, as I recall. But I think Kissinger can rightly be called both a warmonger and one who played the realpolitik game. For that is what it was. A game in which other countries and peoples were the pawns and vast numbers of human lives ended up being lost. Millions! For Kissinger, the game was American interests - and to hell with the consequences. He could easily have stopped the East Timor annexation had he merely told Suharto the US did not agree. But he told Suharto the US would not object. His only stipulation that it be done "fast". Realpolitik for Kissinger meant supporting dictators and the repression of democracy. I saw with my own eyes what that realpolitik resulted in in The Philippines under Marcos. It was a near total disaster. Ever since Mao, successive US administrations had been completely blinkered by the "Who Lost China?" mantra. From then on, every country was considered a communist target. If Roosevelt, Truman, Acheson, Dulles and their successors including Kissinger had only stopped to think about countries like Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, had only looked closely at their own files, had only considered the desire of leaders like Ho Chi Minh for a national identity, not a communist state allied to Russia and China - after all Vietnam had fought alongside the US in World War II, Asia and the world would not have had to endure mass slaughter. Whatever good he actually achieved - and there was indeed some - I wish that the names of the dead could be carved on his mausoleum. A gravestone would be vastly too small.

They have indeed started there, over 100k people have already received vaccines (don't ask me if one or two shots and in what proportion), representing 25% of Phuket's population. Not so bad relative to the rest of the country. I just read this recently, but don't have the source handy. Presumably Bangkok Post or Khaosod or Thai Enquirer.

Went to Lagoa last night, their first night open after about a month. Hours are Noon- 7pm but let most stay until 8pm. Was the busiest I think 've seen it in the new space. Namazu was there along with a couple of other board members. I told Namazu that people were waiting for his updates and he said he's busy "making new content", lmao I was also in Rio last week, the Atlantico Copacabana rooms were about $20 usd a night, felt like old times staying there. Lions is closed with doubts that it will re-open, who knows. Point 202 had a few good nights Meio Mundo is good on Monday, 117 was good on Tuesday, 202 on Wed.....but 202 seemed like it had the most going on more than just 1 night. With restrictions in SP of most everything closing at 7pm is kind of different, but I always plan to have someone come to my place after to keep me entertained. Seems like if you get into a restaurant or sauna before 7pm, you can stay until 8pm. That's all I got, not the writer like Namazu....I don't know how he does it