Following up from that NYC Health Officials sex guidelines update from a few weeks ago I had time to consider some good […]

The wonderful people of Rendschina.com were kind enough to send over a pink “wand massager” and what they call their Linga: Pulse Wave Lasting Training Device (see the pictures here).

In this particular column, though, I am ‘catching you up’ as it were on my doings. I am sure, like you, I found there is just so much cleaning out a closet/jigsaw puzzle-making/baking I can stand (actually since I work from home doing this writing thing, my work situation didn’t change all that much in the time of COVID). But I did get into something new and what I am about to tell you about is as much about porn stars, juicy sex-positive happenings, and kink as it is about me, so I feel somewhat justified (somewhat) telling you all about my new podcast, Licking Non-Vanilla.

NYC health officials have just released an update to their guidelines for safe sex during the pandemic…and it suggests more kink.

Yeah, I guess you can say I am making light of a dire situation. But beyond the illness and death, the good old COVID-19 seems to be giving us; there appears to be an ever-deeper divide being cut as both political parties take a position to prove whatever point they think best to prove when we are all at our weakest. I wish you the best of health and us all a speedy and safe way through our many current crises, from battling the bug to determining what closet to cleanout.

Seeing as we will be denied some of our favorite sports during the crisis, Mr. Skin has taken it upon themselves to initiate their own March Madness Tournament with their ‘Whack-It Bracket XXX’ Challenge Featuring 64 GIFs with some of the best real sex pulled from the deepest nooks and crannies of its expansive website, competitors are divided into four ‘regions’—Cowgirl, Doggy, Missionary, and Weird & Wild—with fans voting for their favorites in tournament-style meet-ups. One winner will stand from every vote that marks an entry to win a 55” Samsung 4K T.V. This is the site’s 2nd ‘Whack-It Bracket XXX’ competition.

I have featured Fetish Map London plenty in this column. A regular contributor to all things kinky and fun, spreading as it has for the past few years, to an ever more global perspective, this is the one fold-over-put-it-in-your-pocket-go-out-sightseeing pamphlet I feel no self-respecting kinkster or even the mildly curious tourist should be without. I was lucky enough to get a sit down with James Drury, the head honcho for the Map, the creator of its design agency/publishing company, PictureRama, and an all-around super dude to discuss all things Fetish Map.

If we agree that sexual freedom lies at the heart of human dignity, like equality and civil rights, in this day and age, people should be able to explore what they want without shame, without something like Facebook trying to pushing all of us underground as if our desires were dirty.

With Carlos Falu (Steven Spielberg’s WEST SIDE STORY) choreographing flash-mob style dance numbers alongside some of New York’s most prominent queer voices/influencers including Glow Job, Domenic Mykel and Thee Suburbia, this immersive theatrical tribute to a bygone time and place is sure to have you enjoy your 14th like never before. I spoke with Glow Job (real name Zach) and Carlos Armesto (the producing Artistic Director of Theatre C) about what one might taste, feel, and see at the event. They assured me, in the most passionate of ways (I loved these guys, they are so into this event and what they do) that this hybrid theatrical experience not only blurs the line between disciplines and cultures, but it champions all expression in a sex-positive safe space.

I have it on good authority, from a friend and colleague that was there, that this past weekend’s 37th AVN Awards Show and the AEE that preceded it (Adult Entertainment Expo) were a very good time. This gathering of the porn faithful, adult stars and the people who work the business from behind-the-scenes is a one-of-a-kind see-and-be-scene that descends on Las Vegas yearly and gives Sin City a run for its pasties. I have scored press for it a few years running but as I am an east-coast guy (faithfully staying to report to all you shortandsweetnyc’ers) I have yet to be on hand when AVN comes to town.