HOOK: E-zine By, For, and About Men in the Sex Industry

The truth about sex is that it is like all other things: its meaning is relative. But such truths, such meanings get explosive, contested, especially when the sex is bareback. HOOK had a tête-à-tête with escort HotBoy Bareback and in asking, “Why bareback?” you may find that his responses recall something you have thought deep inside yourself as well. Thus, if his logic of barebacking is true for him, how true is it for you too?

HOOK: How long have you been escorting?

HotBoy Bareback: 2 years.

HOOK: Are you a full-time escort or a part-timer?

HOOK: What do you do outside of escorting?

HB: I’m an actor.

HOOK: How old are you?

HOOK: Do you identify as gay, bi, queer, straight?

HOOK: How long have you been marketing yourself as a “bareback” escort?

HB: 1 and a half years.

HOOK: Do you only have bareback sex, or will you take clients who want to use condoms?

HB: Only bareback.

HOOK: Do you only bareback bottom, bareback top, or both?

HOOK: If/when you bareback bottom, are their precautionary measures to screen new clients? For example, only taking referrals from current clients?

HB: No, I will bottom with any client.

HOOK: Do you think there is a problematic safer-sex ideology that is used in most models for HIV/STD prevention?

HB: I think that more money, effort, and time should be spent on treatment and counseling of HIV-infected people on how to be healthy, and live life to its fullest. Education is one thing, but no matter how much you speak about prevention, etc, for the most part, people will do what they are going to do, regardless. Personally, I know everything there is to know about HIV, AIDS, STDs, barebacking, re-infection, etc, and I bareback because I like to bareback, and while sex is supposed to be the closest and most intimate physical connection between two people, a condom simply makes that connection fake.

HOOK: What do you think would be a better way of “promoting” safer-sex practices?

HB: I don’t think promoting safer-sex at all is nearly as effective as people wish it was, as I said before.

HOOK: What do you think barebacking means to other people?

HB: “Other people” being quite a vague description, I think that to men who are sexually active with men, barebacking is something that everyone thinks is hot or intimate, and that everyone wants to do—yes, many men never do it, but it is one of those taboo things that more people do or have done than say they’ve done it. It is interesting that the term barebacking has become so taboo. Also, most of the straight people I know have no idea what the word means past riding a horse without a saddle. Overall, the people who know what it is are either very into it, or condone it, judge people for doing it, and then do it themselves privately.

HOOK: What does barebacking mean to you?

HB: As I said earlier, sex is supposed to be the most physical, intimate, unguarded connection between two people. When this connection contains a barrier, it is fake, unreal, and it might as well not be done, because it is not being true to its purpose. I DO believe, however, that oral sex, cuddling, kissing, etc, can be extremely intimate as well, which is why, in my personal life, if someone does not want to have unprotected anal sex, it is perfectly acceptable and enjoyable to me to just stick to oral sex. But anal sex, to me, has no purpose if it is guarded by a piece of latex.

HOOK: How have you negotiated the fear of contracting HIV?

HB: I have no fear of contracting HIV. I have HIV. I am not ashamed, nor has it drastically changed my life.

HOOK: No doubt, other escorts wrestle with the idea of bareback escorting. What would you advise them to consider if they are reading this interview?

HB: I would advise them to use their best judgment and do what they feel is best for them; but overall, not to judge others for their behaviors or interests. Many people do not feel the same way I do about it, which I respect. It is unfortunate that this world was made in such a way that a loving connection, or physical connection, includes needing to be aware of such a disease. But, it is the way it is. And while it is extremely unfair of whomever you believe it was that creates such things in the world, it is there. People need to make their own decisions, but the fear of everyone else’s judgment on the subject is a hindrance to most. Any one of us could be hit by a bus tomorrow. Any one of us could be diagnosed with cancer (a much harder disease to deal with, and much more deadly, than chronic HIV). Life is too short, and way too unpredictable. Do what is in your heart, and what you feel is right and good for you. That is my best advice regarding anything in life.