2018-11-01 Dna Magazine.pdf

ADDICTED TO ® m a d e t h at w ay

HOW TO TOP! dnamagazine.com.au

FROM THE BOTTOM UP

SEX BEATING CHEMSEX

AND PROCESS ADDICTION

JOHN GRANT GAY POP’S MAD GENIUS...IS BACK!

SKYY KNOX NAKED, COOL AND CLASSY

Viva DIVAS! CHER, TINA AND DONNA

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LA

GET THE THEATRE TREATMENT

FREEDOM! OUT THERE SWIM WEAR FOR SUMMER ’19 THE TEAMM8 STORY:

SEX+STYLE AND NOT PLAYING

#227

IT SAFE!

BROOKLYN'S

BLIND DATE A HAPPY ENDING FOR OUR CUTE COUPLE?

SPEEDO REVELATION

A RAUNCHY READ BY JACK LADD

THE HIV BOOK PROJECT OVERCOMING STIGMA ON THE COVER BENJI CONDIE BY CHRISTIAN SCOTT

WE’RE BRINGING

SEXY BACK - S U M M E R 2 01 9 -

Connect & Win :

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®

m a d e t h at w ay FOUNDING EDITOR

ANDREW CREAGH [email protected]

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE

DAVID SHOEMAKER [email protected]

ONLINE COORDINATOR

TROY MURPHY [email protected]

DESIGN

TROY MURPHY [email protected] MARC NORRIS [email protected] CAIN COOPER [email protected]

GROOMING EDITOR ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR STYLE EDITOR BOOK REVIEWER THEATRE REVIEWER SUBSCRIBER SERVICES CONTRIBUTORS

MODEL FOR DNA LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PITCH A STORY

WILL FENNELL [email protected] MARC ANDREWS [email protected] JOSHUA HEATH [email protected] GRAEME AITKEN [email protected] MATTHEW MYERS [email protected] RAE MILLS [email protected] VANESSA MCQUARRIE, TORSTEN HOJER, CAMERON MCCOOL, XAV JUDD, ANTONY KOZZ, JEREMY SMITH, CAIN COOPER, JACK LADD, VINCENT CHINE, JAMES FRANKLIN.

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DNAmagazine.com.au magazine DNA (ISSN 1443-1122) is published monthly in Australia by DNA Men Nexus Pty Ltd, PO Box 503, Baulkham Hills NSW 1755 Australia. DNA and Made That Way are registered trademarks in both Australia and the USA. Trademark pending in the UK. Registered by Australia Post (PP243459/00169). Copyright © DNA Men Nexus. All rights reserved. No part of DNA may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. The appearance, mention or likeness of any person or organisation in editorial or advertising in no way suggests sexual or political orientation. Photographs used to illustrate editorial do not depict the real lives, behaviour or sexuality of the models. Opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers.

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CONTENT 227 #

The Swimwear Issue 38

FASHION: FREEDOM ’19

The rule book has been tossed away! Reflecting the latest beach trends, swimwear brands have not played it safe or swum between the flags for 2019.

56

58

FROM THE EDITOR.

14

BURNTTOAST: WHAT READERS SAY.

16

THE MONTH IN A MINUTE.

19

THE STUFF WE’RE LOVING

22

MUSIC REVIEWS

26

THEATRE: DONNA, TINA AND CHER

28

BOOKS: THE HIV PROJECT

30

BOOKS: PATRICK GALE AND MORE

64

66

24

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

32

WHY HIV TESTING?

Features 36

78

OUR STRAIGHT MATES: BRENT HILL

52

BROOKLYN’S BLIND DATE

INTERVIEW WITH A PORN STAR: CADE MADDOX

From school-boy crushes to hotel room “auditions” and Stormy Daniels… We go deep and meaningful with Cade Maddox. 80

COURTNEY ACT’S BI LIFE

Who needs textbooks when you have guitars reckons Brent, star of Rock Of Ages and School Of Rock.

SPEEDO REVELATION

Welcome to Australia, Jack. Now get these speedos on your butt so that some lucky prick can peel them off!

HOW TO BE THE HOTTEST TOP IN TOWN

If you spend time on the top bunk, here’s a bunch of moves to take your reputation into the top-osphere!

She sashayed away from Drag Race and won Celebrity Big Brother. Now the Aussie showgirl is hosting a pansexual dating series, The Bi Life! 50

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHEMSEX

This month we look at chemsex and process addiction, and how gay men can be vulnerable when the two are combined.

DNA Samples NAT CONWAY

JOHN GRANT

The gay pop genius returns with a gritty new album of electronica, Love Is Magic. In this DNA interview, Trump, transphobia, the politics of hate and the magic of love are all up for discussion.

66

20

TEAMM8’S TENTH ANNIVERSARY

For ten years, iconic Aussie menswear brand Teamm8 has been giving guys what they want! We speak with founder and Creative Director, Michal Nicolas.

Regulars 12

SUMMER GROOMING

Pack your summer beach bag because here come those sexy, salty days. Make sure you’re ready for action!

Photography 72

COOL AND CLASSIC

Skyy Knox by Vincent Chine.

What happens when radio news reader Brooklyn meets car salesman Esteban on a reality dating show, Blind Date? Will there be a happy ending?

On The Cover: Benji Condie wears Garcon Model Photography by Christian Scott 10 DNA

On This Page: Drake Abshire wears Cocksox CX02GL Lavish -5 swimwear brief. Photography by Jerrad Matthew

DNA 11

FROM THE EDITOR

ANDREW CREAGH

“GET THEM WET!”

Benji at the beach wearing Rufskin!

R

eaders, I wish you could’ve been at the pre-shoot fitting for this swimwear issue! Our gorgeous cover star, Benji Condie, tried on dozens of swimwear samples before we arrived at the final shot list. And, bless him, to save time he didn’t bother using the change room. He just popped everything on and off in front of us. No one complained. Discussing casting options with photographer Christian Scott weeks before, I’d said, “I want to get the swimwear wet this year. I want the model to roll around in the surf and show the gear doing what it’s designed for. We need someone naturally well built, not too huge, and I want a hairy chest and stubble with a fun personality.” “What about Benji?” suggested Christian. We’d shot Benji for DNA #208 and loved working with him, so I agreed straight away. Benji has just the right kind of body for a swimwear story – beautifully muscular, clear skin, soft natural body hair that’s not waxed or clippered into shape, and a smile and positive attitude that light up the room. He’s perfect and at the fitting I just wanted to hug him – which would’ve been totally inappropriate because he was naked! Everything looked great on Benji, which made our job very easy. The final ten garments chosen, Benji and Christian, assisted by Cain Cooper, headed to the beach for the afternoon. Cain captured some great behind-the-scenes video, which you’ll find on our website and social media. Even though I’m fair skinned and burn easily, I love the beach. Floating around in the ocean soothes the soul; there’s something reassuring 12 DNA

Teamm8

I just wanted to hug him – which would’ve been totally inappropriate because he was naked.” and almost decadent about it – especially when the water is clear, warm and there’s a gentle swell. People behave differently at the beach. Maybe because the beach is no longer “civilisation” but not really the wilds of nature, here’s a sense of freedom; that the usual rules don’t quite apply. I’ve noticed in recent years, on Australian beaches, that many people are no longer taking the rules of beachwear seriously! Beachwear seems to have become anything-goes-wear. In particular, some men seem to think it’s okay to rock up to the beach in street clothes and take a dip in their underwear. Is this a bad thing? It depends. If the body emerging wet from the waves is fit – it’s a very good thing. Wet underwear leaves nothing to the imagination. In this month’s swimwear fashion story, Freedom ’19, you’ll see the changing tastes in swimwear reflected – and you’ll see what I mean about gorgeous Benji, too. Elsewhere this issue, we speak to Michal Nicolas, Creative Director of Teamm8, who

DNA Pool Party

celebrate their 10th anniversary this year. Teamm8 have earned a global following and become style influencers in the world of men’s underwear, swimwear, active and streetwear. I know a lot of DNA reader, both here and in the States, are devotees of the brand and eagerly await new ranges. What I like about Teamm8 is that they are always that little bit ahead of the curve, coming up with fashion-forward ideas that are totally wearable and aren’t too “out there”. A swimwear issue without a nod to the erotic charge of swimwear would be remiss – so in the raunchy read Speedo Revelation by Jack Ladd discover how a shy English “ladd” first came to grips with the Aussie reality of wearing a speedo! I think you’ll enjoy it. Speaking of which… the DNA Christmas Pool Party is almost upon us and the big question is what to wear. For me, it’ll be a hat and a lot of sunscreen. Don’t worry, I’ll be wearing more than that, but I expect that a lot of the boys won’t be wearing much at all. If you’re in Sydney December 22, do come along. The fabulous Maxi Shield is hosting, Teamm8 are treating us to a fashion show and our DJs include local boy Dom de Sousa and, from London, DJ Joelby. I don’t mind saying, it’s Sydney’s sexiest Christmas party. Also in this issue, we take a look at The HIV Book Project, a collection of interviews and photographs that document changing attitudes to HIV over the years. We also speak to Tony, who’s on a mission to increase testing – it’s one way we’re helping end HIV for good! Founding Editor, Andrew Creagh

LGBT+ dedicated treatment & recovery World-leading rehabilitation facility, Resort 12 is exclusively dedicated to LGBT+ people experiencing issues with addiction, trauma and mental health. With tailored treatments from renowned medical experts and therapists, we have a 96% client completion rate. Located at a premium private sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand, your chances of a successful recovery are dramatically improved in our purpose-built environment, far away from your everyday triggers. At Resort 12, we empower you to let go of the behaviours holding you back to achieve a lifetime of recovery. Part of

To live your best life, visit resort12.com DNA 13

BURNTTOAST MARIO ROSSI ON THE COVER OF DNA #226 REMEMBERING

RIVER

PHOENIX

dnamagazine.com.au

David, great suggestion. The DNA reader demographic is very broad, including older guys like yourself. We’d love to hear from other readers 60-plus who feel the same. Please send your comments and suggestions to [email protected]

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FROM DNA’S INSTAGRAM

LGBT REVOLUTION

RAINBOW

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THE POWER OF MUSIC IN UGANDA’S STRUGGLE

MEET OUR FIRST OUT

GAY

THE WARWICK

ROWERS N A K E D AG A I N !

#226

HEAVENLY BODIES

BRIAN

AFL STAR!

(WELL, SORT OF…)

COX

ON THE COVER: MARIO ROSSI BY ANTONY KOZZ

This is my husband – Danyon Bott I’ll bet his c*m tastes like candy. – Ross Arbogast Sexy so hoot! – Sun Tiara Have you seen my gloves? – Jon Ralls

GAY SWANS, DNA #223 The story in Month In A Minute about a couple of gay swans reminded me of a recent report about a gay Emperor Penguin couple at a Danish zoo who “abducted” a chick from another couple to raise as their own. Seems like birds are #representing Gay Pride! Good on ’em. Only thing is, they all need to cool it a bit on the aggro front – the swans were attacking people, and the penguins kidnapped some other penguins’ egg then gave them grief when they tried to get it back. Anyway, I bought your magazine for the first time the other day and I love it. Thank you. – James, Stornoway, Scotland

James, welcome to DNA! We love our gay penguins. A couple of years ago there was a sad story about a gay penguin couple who tried to hatch an egg-shaped stone.

OLDER GAYS I was wondering if you feel there’s a need for something for your older readers. I’m 60 and would like the odd article looking at issues for older guys. Maybe even a pic of a more mature model? Talking to other older guys, they can feel isolated. – David from WA 14 DNA

On October 11, we posted, “Today is International Coming Out Day. Does anyone need to get anything off their chest or come out of the closet?” The responses were mixed and prompted an intriguing conversation: No, I still can’t. – gvdmn It’s been hell. Sometimes I wish it hadn’t happened. – jgfnix

Our Insta-followers loved Virgino Damo, shot by Martijn Smouter. The comments included, “Excelente te ves,” “Pape Dime Mame” the overfamiliar, “Sexy I fuck you,” and the complimentary, “We love your feed and your magazine!” Thanks, we love you, too!

The day I chose to accept myself, I was crying because I knew I would be rejected by those I loved. I couldn’t have made a better decision. Now I have thousands more who love me as I am. Plus, I learned to completely love myself and embrace it. – okada 13 I’ve been out of the closet since my dad passed on my 12th birthday. That was 34 years ago. I will never change for anyone or anything. I LOVE being me. – noahsarc1974 Why do people have to come out? Straight people don’t… being gay, bi etc is NORMAL, so why the pressure? – stephengeorgej I’m tired of being handsome because nobody cares how good a person and good friend I am and the only thing that they want is sex. I’m at the fucking point that I feel used because I tried to date and I feel just like that, used! It might sound vein but really makes me feel bad. – Danielromp47 Daniel, you are important and nothing else matters. – behnoud.rad I understand you, same sh** happens to me. – Volkaru God ble$$ & be$t of luck to all tho$e goin through $um difficult $hit. – phatzoe561

DNA 15

MONTH IN A MINUTE

COMPILED BY TORSTEN HØJER

The show came from a deeply painful place… I expected it to peel me off into the margins by telling my truth so brutally, but I have been so overwhelmed by how positively the show has been received and how connected I am to the world. It is a great honour.” – Hannah Gadsby, after winning an Australians In Film award for Nanette, in which she “pairs punchlines with revelations about sexuality and gender”.

AND WE’RE DONE Billionaire Amazon chief

Jeff Bezos stuns LGBT+ people by donating more than $10,000 to Republican Senator Cory Gardner, who consistently votes against gay rights, is vehemently opposed to marriage equality and adoption by gay couples.

sex listed on a person’s birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person’s sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence.” The LGBT+ community and allies react by protesting that trans people will “not be erased”.

saw his genitalia and complained to staff, who told him the sauna was “a male-only space”. The move raises questions about trans rights and sparks online debates. HAPPY FINNISH Finnish police launch an

LGBT+ group to build trust between the service and the LGBT+ community and ensure all officers feel comfortable about being open about their sexuality. Tom Of Finland fantasies reach boiling point.

HATE SPIKE French LGBT+ activists report a

worrying increase in anti-gay attacks across their country. Statistics show that homophobic hate crime violence is up by 15 per cent since the start of this year. Some blame the rise of the far-right and backlash as legislation favours LGBT+ rights.

SURVEY Australian researchers embark on the first ever study into the sex lives and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse citizens. The Kirby Institute hopes its findings will lead to better healthcare and support for the community.

GRANDE3 American pop star Ariana

Grande’s brother Frankie reveals he’s in a three-way relationship with two other men. Frankie has been open about his sexuality for years, but this is the first time he has spoken publicly about his three-month relationship with two boyfriends, who are married.

VISIBILITY Grey’s Anatomy actor Jake

WITCH HUNT Tanzania asks citizens to engage

Borelli (pictured) comes out as gay on Instagram, coinciding with the 27-yearold’s character, Levi Schmitt, coming out as bisexual. He says he hopes both he and his character can inspire young people struggling with their sexuality.

in an anti-gay witch hunt, encouraging members of the public to “report” anyone they suspect is gay. It’s part of a “crackdown” on homosexuals, spearheaded by politician Paul Makonda. Thousands of names have reportedly been submitted to authorities, with those “discovered” facing 30 years in jail.

TRANS ATLANTIC A leaked memo from US

President Trump’s administration threatens trans people across America. It reads: “The 16 DNA

EJECTED A London gay sauna makes headlines for asking a trans man to leave for “not having a penis”. He says he was ejected after others

REMEMBERING The cast of the 1993 film Philadelphia, in which Tom Hanks starred as a young man dying of AIDS, will release a short film to mark the classic movie’s 25th anniversary. Hanks will join co-stars including Denzel Washington to explore how attitudes to HIV/AIDS have changed. Called The Last Mile, it will be available from the end of November.

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THE STUFF WE’RE

Loving...

Ru Goes GuRu For You “I’ve spent my life creating my own value system… If I tried to fit my worth into what I was taught by society, I’d be worthless,” writes RuPaul in GuRu. “I had to learn what my true value was by forging ahead into the wild frontier. I wanted to be free and I’ve done that.” Drag Race has taught us this paradox: the more masks we wear, the more we reveal ourselves. RuPaul reveals his inner-philosopher in this beautifully presented small book. Of course, the photography is exceptional but Ru’s life insights lift this beyond a mere celebration of glam and make it a contemplation on life and finding your own path. Lofty, but hey, RuPaul has the heels for it!

10 BEST GAY VACAYS FOR 2019

® m a d e t h at w ay IMAGINE DRAGONS

DAN REYNOLDS’

LOVELOUD

+ 10 PLACES THAT HATE THE GAYS (SOME OF THEM ARE YOUR FAVOURITES!)

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SAVING LGBT KIDS

TRAVE L

SEX JACK LADD’S

JUICIE ST

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SEX-PLOITS!

Fifty Boys And The Plants They Love is a cute idea and a great Xmas stocking stuffer! What started as an Instagram account for Perth boy, Scott Cain is now a charming little book for flipping through and finding how green hot guys can be.

MATTHEW SHEPARD

20 YEARS ON, HIS MOM SPEAKS OUT

SPECIAL FEATURE: HOW TEEN TRAUMA TRIGGERS ADDICTION

THE L AP OF

INTERVIEWS :

RONAN KEATING MATT PRICE HARRY COOK PAUL FREEMAN MATT JAMES

#225

Luxury INSIDE THE COTERIE , FORTITU DE VALLEY

TAKE A BETTER D**K PIC

ON THE COVER: JARRAH MARTIN BY RUSSELL FLEMING

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ON THE COVER: BY MITCHELL G FLEMIN RUSSELL

TREN PENING HAP

NOW

BETTE R

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® m a d e t h at w ay

HOTTER HOOK-UPS

WHITE BRIEF / GOLD TRIM Fashion moves in mysterious ways. As we draw to the close of 2018, it’s clear our favourite designers we all in synch and on trend: the white brief with gold detail is the defining style of right now!

dnamagazine.com.au

THE

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Boys With Plants

Oliver Nemeth by Rick Day wears Garcon Model; DNA on trend!

SEXIEST

MEN alive

35 OF THE WORLD’S HOTTEST!

EXCLUSIVES:

TROYE SIVAN GUS KENWORTHY JORDAN BRUNO DANIEL RENGERING OUR SEXY NEIGHBOURS TIE THE KNOT

#224

PLUS: TAB HUNTER: THE ORIGINAL HEARTTHROB HERO

ON THE COVER: SERGEY BOYTCOV BY JORGE FREIRE AND ABEL CRUZ DNA 1

DNA 19

DNA SAMPLES Nat Conway is loud, free, fearless and can’t cook – that’s just how we like our pop star / DJs, actually!

Nat performing Everybody’s Free at Mardi Gras.

FEELING THE LOVE 20 DNA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANN-MARIE CALIHANNA

Fearless… it’s a great Mardi Gras theme. It’s equal parts celebration and call to action.

DNA: What’s your new single, So Loud about? Nat Conway: It’s about looking back on a failed relationship, knowing that you miss that person, but at the same time knowing it’s over and that you are okay with it. Tell us about the writing of the song. I wrote the song during an APRA Songhubs writing camp. We fly in from all over the world, get sorted into teams for each day, and get to write a song. On this day I was paired up with Jon Hume from Evermore, who I love and had written with before (Summer To Stay), and a woman named Mozella from America, who I didn’t know much about. I’m glad I didn’t know much about Mo until after the session otherwise I would’ve been super nervous. She wrote Wrecking Ball for Miley Cyrus, and has written with Beyonce on Lemonade, and Madonna on Rebel Heart. She’s legit! We created So Loud. Did you perform Everybody’s Free at the Mardi Gras after-party? I’ve been lucky to have two Mardi Gras theme songs… Everybody’s Free in 2017, and Summer To Stay in 2018. I performed Everybody’s Free at the 2017 Party and it was incredible. I have never felt such love from the audience. It was like a wave came forward from the crowd. I can’t wait to do it again. Last year’s Mardi Gras was big: the 40th anniversary, Cher came, we had marriage equality. What are we celebrating in 2019? This year we are celebrating being Fearless. It’s a great theme: equal parts celebration and call to action. Who are your LGBTIQ heroes and heroines? My dear friend DJ Beth Yen. She’s an incredible DJ and a beautiful person inside and out. She’s very inspiring to me Aussie actress and DJ, Ruby Rose has been cast as a lesbian Catwoman – which superhero would you like to play? She-Ra, the Princess Of Power. She has a horse that turns into a unicorn called Swiftwind and when she’s fighting evil she wears the hottest pair of gold, knee-high boots. Speaking of which… what makes a great party outfit? No carbs a month before the party! Jokes! You’re a singer, songwriter and DJ – what can’t you do? Cook. I’m terrible at it. Good to hear! When you’re DJ-ing, what are some of the guaranteed floor-fillers on your playlist? Well, if I told you I’d be giving away all my secret weapons! One that comes to mind is Superstylin’ by Groove Armada. MORE: Nat’s latest song So Loud is out now.

Gay Ski Week March 8th to 17th, 2019

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MUSIC REVIEWS

BY MARC ANDREWS

SOUNDTRACK – A STAR IS BORN Let’s cut to the chase here – no one is buying this record to hear Bradley Cooper sing. Sure, he’s great to look at but if you’re gaga for Gaga then this album gives you plenty – five duets between the movie leads and eight solo songs by the lady herself (including Whitney-lite ballad I’ll Never Love Again). Briskly skip past Bradley’s five solo cuts. For our money, we’d have liked more of Drag Race’s Shangela in the movie, but perhaps she’ll get a deserving sequel (A Wig Is Worn?) Having acquitted herself rather nicely as a leading lady, let’s now see Gaga get back to what she did best ten years ago – glossy, polished pop few could better.

BROCKHAMPTON – IRIDESCENCE Best described as a Texan hip-hop collective, this is not what you initially think – or perhaps fear. This band’s debut album this year opened at #1 in the US. That’s cool, but what if we told you that on their fourth album they rap about coming out and how “every time she took her bra off my dick would get soft” (Weight). Kevin Abstract is the main man for a band currently numbering 14 members claiming this album was inspired by indie gods Radiohead and their critically beloved Kid A album. If anything, Iridescence gives us hope that the sound of young America is inclusive, diverse and all that the struggles that went on before them, which Trump continues dumbing down, were worth it.

JOHN GRANT – LOVE IS MAGIC With the album’s first video celebrating the joys of dog tricks, JG is clearly in a happier place these days. “Love’s a shit show that requires work,” he explains, “but, in spite of it all, love is still magic”. Forsaking folk-rock on his fourth album, the gay expat American (now an Icelandic resident) plunges head first into electropop. It’s considered, thoughtful and reveals things at its own pace and that’s not just the music. He’s Got His Mother’s Hips (with the year’s best video!) sees him playfully rhyming “lava lamp” with both “damp” and “stamps”; standout ballad Is He Strange is about being lovestruck; while other topics include addiction, his HIV+ diagnosis and WikiLeaks activist Chelsea Manning. At times it sounds like JG has fan-girled on Robyn’s last few records but, hey, no one’s complaining, right?

PANIC! AT THE DISCO – PRAY FOR THE WICKED It’s time to re-assess this American band’s sixth album, released earlier this year, but before married lead singer Brendon Urie announced he is now “pansexual”. It’s probably no surprise PATD made this album after Brendon finished starring on Broadway in Kinky Boots. He calls this, “the most fun I’ve ever had making music”. Say Amen (Saturday Night) and High Hopes are good examples of Panic!’s Wicked ways: big, shouty choruses they adore at your local pub late on the weekend with plenty of air guitar. The lyrics are decidedly circumspect (“It’s a little bit complicated!”) and while it’s not exactly a coming-out album, we can’t wait to hear how the next Panic! album “pans” out.

CHIC – IT’S ABOUT TIME Forget what we just said above in the A Star Is Born review. The best Gaga track of the last five years, if not more, is here on disco outfit Chic’s first album in decades. Gaga remakes their ’70s hit I Want Your Love, stamping her personal best all over it. It’s a shame she wasn’t asked to do the rest of the album because the other tracks are pale imitations of Chic’s glory years, with guest stars Elton John, Emeli Sande and Haillee Steinfeld leaving little real impression. The worst thing about this album is that it shades the glorious Chic legacy. 22 DNA

Love’s a shit show… but still magic.

DNA 23

DNA SAMPLES Freddie only hosted one party and nobody enjoyed it – if you believe Bohemian Rhapsody.

NOT READY FOR REAL FREDDIE Rami Malek tries to “break free” from Bohemian Rhapsody, a superficial, moralistic and sanitised version of a gay icon’s life. By Jeremy Smith

TAKE ONE of the greatest rock stars of all time,

Freddie Mercury. Cast an enigmatic rising star, Rami Malek. Add a cliched script and some by-the-numbers directing and what do you get? A film that reads like a Wikipedia entry. Freddie Mercury was full of rich contradictions – great stuff for storytellers and filmmakers, but Bohemian Rhapsody never takes us even remotely close to Mercury the man. Instead, we get a good imitation of Mercury the performer. Blame for this disappointing, missed opportunity should be laid at the feet of its trouble director, Bryan Singer. After a decade of production troubles, Singer was fired halfway through the shoot due to “absences from the set” and after clashes with the star. Malek puts in a commanding performance and is the best part of an otherwise lacklustre film. Dexter Fletcher replaced Singer to finish the film and was given an Executive Producer credit. Popbitch reports Fletcher telling an assistant that the role of the EP was to “haul the director out of gay sex cinemas when a decision needs to be made”. Other reviews have complained that Mercury has been “straight-washed”. This is not the case. He’s very out and very gay, but this family 24 DNA

The real Freddie and Queen: pop legends.

Naughty gays lead poor Freddie astray. Then he became HIV-positive. You do the maths on what the film is suggesting here. friendly film sanitises his life – there is no gay sex on screen. There are oblique references to his wild excesses – crazy, drug-fuelled parties, anonymous sex and multiple partners, but these are quickly followed by moralistic judgements about his behaviour. The film wants us to think that Freddie’s “lifestyle” made him unhappy. There is plenty of evidence that this was not the case. A villainous gay manger and naughty gay party friends lead poor Freddie astray. Then

he becomes HIV-positive. You do the maths on what the film is suggesting here. The bad dialogue, the made-for-TV directing and the absence of any real understanding of Mercury the man could all be forgiven except for the fact that the film is so joyless and moralistic – everything Freddie wasn’t. He was legendarily debauched yet, every time the film gets close to showing his fun side, it undercuts it with a morality lesson. Worst of all, the film brings his HIV diagnosis forward two years early than the truth – and this is done cynically to coincide with Queen’s legendary Live Aid performance, making a ham-fisted point about “defiance in the face of his illness” etc. The best scenes are when Malek is on stage making love to the audience, particularly at Live Aid. It’s a good performance by a talented actor in a film that doesn’t explore its protagonist with any depth or, to be frank, honesty. Don’t expect to see the real Freddie here. There’s very little bohemian and not much rhapsody. Despite the overall bad reviews, the film succeeds by exploiting the power of Queen’s music. Their anthemic, feel-good pub rock keeps the toes tapping and buoy what is an otherwise mediocre movie. Plus, the recreation of Queen’s performance at Wembley during Live Aid pulls all the right levers on the emotional dial. There is a better Freddie Mercury movie yet to be made. Freddie deserves it. On the up side, you could take your nan to Bohemian Rhapsody and leave with a happy tear in your eye and your middle-class morality intact.

DNA 25

THEATRE BY MATTHEW MYERS REVIEW Adrienne Warren, acclaimed for her work in Tina.

VIVA LA DIVAS! It’s curtain up on the lives of Cher, Tina Turner and Donna Summer… with mixed results.

The Cher Show.

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.

MUSICALS NEED a great plot in which our

lead character must overcome adversity while delivering a catalogue of great songs. Staging the lives of great pop divas, then, must have seemed like a no-brainer to producers. Cher’s life can now be experienced as a Broadway musical, The Cher Show. Written by Rick Elice (Jersey Boys), the story follows Cherilyn Sarkisian through three stages of her life, with a different actress as Cher in each chapter. Micaela Diamond (Jesus Christ Superstar) is Babe, Teal Wicks (Wicked) plays Lady, and Stephanie J Block (Falsettos) is Star. Directed by Jason Moore, the set has a variety show vibe and puts Cher’s famous Bob Mackie costumes front and center. Reviews have been mixed, but Cher attended an early preview and said that while she thought some parts needed work, she didn’t feel like “gouging her eyes out”. She told The Chicago Tribune, “I’m pushing them to be more truthful about me. I’ve already said so much about my life. It would be silly for them to come up with a Mother Teresa.” Also on Broadway is Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which also uses three actresses to portray the pop star at different points in her career. Ariana DeBose, who graduated from So You Think You Can Dance to earn her Broadway stripes in Les Miserables and Hamilton plays “disco” Donna and tends to carry the show. The 23 Summer songs featured include Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, MacArthur Park and the Streisand duet No More Tears, but don’t expect to see a characterisation of Streisand. Instead, 26 DNA

Summer’s issues with the gay community, suicide attempt and becoming a born-again Christian are glossed over. we get two Donna’s singing together. Eurodisco production wizard, Giorgio Moroder, who worked with Summer, is played by Mackenzie Bell (Sunset Boulevard), adding complexity to the show with female cast members playing male roles. Summer has not had great reviews. A major criticism is the lack of drama. Summer’s issues with the gay community, suicide attempt and becoming a born-again Christian are glossed over and would’ve added the missing grit. Variety called it “narrow minded” while The New York Times said it was a “blight” on Broadway! On London’s West End, Tina: The Musical unfolds with unique depth and gusto. First developed back in 2016, Tina Turner herself has

been onboard from the beginning and, after opening this year in London, a Broadway debut is set for 2019. Adrienne Warren (Orange Is The New Black) plays the lead, with Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as the formidable Ike Turner. Ryan O’Donnell plays Turner’s Australian manager Roger Davies, who masterminded her legendary comeback. Tina: The Musical has the ability to engage the audience with real roof-raising enthusiasm. Think of Turner’s catalogue – Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits, What’s Love Got To Do With It? Private Dancer, We Don’t Need Another Hero… and on. Reviews for Tina have been positive, with particular praise for Warren. The Guardian declared, “As bio-musicals go, this is as good as it gets.” How long until Virgin! The Madonna Story, Lucky! The Kylie Story or Wig! The Sia Story hit our stages?

MORE: tinathemusical.com thedonnasummermusical.com thechershowbroadway.com

The

Saint Collective Joel Ilacqua CEO & Founder @Saint.Collective Shot by Daniel Richards @Daniel_Richards_ TheSaintCollective

BOOK REVIEWS

BY GRAEME AITKEN

THE HIV BOOK PROJECT

28 DNA

Photography by Roy Wilkins, Interviews by Phillip Shipton THE HIV BOOK PROJECT comes as

we celebrate the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day on December 1. The book is a compelling Australian social history and a vibrant artistic response to the changes that have occurred to people living with HIV over the past 35 years. It chronologically documents the story of HIV treatments: from the early years of AIDS-related infections and death, then onto experimental treatments and their side effects, which were often were worse than the disease. Gradually hope was rekindled as effective treatments were developed and became available, and today those living with HIV have sustained undetectable HIV viral loads, which means they cannot transmit the virus to others. This transformation

has brought many HIV-positive people out of their closets and they feel able to talk openly and honestly about HIV. The two creators of this book are both HIV-positive and have lived with the virus for more than 30 years. Roy Wilkins’ vibrant portrait photography is superbly complimented by Phil Shipton’s reflective interviews. The portraits are also often extremely personal. Each model was asked to nominate a shoot location that had meaning to them and their HIV. Twenty individuals are featured in the book and the photographs and interviews capture the heartbreak, despair and courage of their individual stories. These reflections change over time in line with ongoing medical breakthroughs but a constant refrain throughout the book is the impact of stigma and discrimination on each person’s life. Many of the individuals featured are from the fringes of mainstream society but they are also extremely diverse.

From the book, stories of Johann, Mark, Rich and Yasser.

Many gay men are featured but there are also migrants, a trans-person, an Indigenous Australian, a person with medically acquired HIV, a refugee, a father, and also women living with HIV. Garry Wotherspoon, who has written extensively on Sydney’s gay history, has contributed a foreword to the book. He examines the New South Wales legislative HIV responses from an historical perspective and provides insightful commentary on how this impacted and affected the gay community and other groups and also considers what the issues are going forward. The book has been very handsomely produced in hardcover and comes with a choice of three different cover designs. The initial response to the book has also been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. As manager of Sydney’s The Bookshop Darlinghurst, I admit that I was completed surprised (but delighted) that the book has been selling so well. There is a perception that books with HIV/AIDS as a theme don’t sell strongly. Twenty or 30 years ago, this was probably a more valid statement. Although there have always been exceptions (Tim Conigrave’s Holding The Man, for example) and publishing/bookselling has always been wildly unpredictable. You never really know what is going to capture the public’s imagination and sometimes it comes completely from left field. So it’s extremely gratifying to see The HIV Book Project at the top of our monthly bestseller list and outselling other popular and well-known titles.

Gradually hope was rekindled… this brought many HIV+ people out of their closets and they feel able to talk openly and honestly.

MORE: The Bookshop Darlinghurst specialises in gay and lesbian books. Tel: (02) 9331 1103. Email: [email protected]. Web: thebookshop.com.au. Visit: 207 Oxford Street, Sydney.

DNA 29

BOOK REVIEWS

BY GRAEME AITKEN

TAKE NOTHING WITH YOU by Patrick Gale With almost 20 books to his name, Gale has often included gay and lesbian characters in his novels although they have usually tended to be secondary, not the main focus. Then, in 2015, he published A Place Called Winter, a historical novel about a man banished from London after a homosexual scandal to the wilds of Canada. It proved to be one of his most successful books, earning him a prestigious Costa Novel Prize nomination. He followed up by writing the TV series The Man In The Orange Shirt, the centrepiece production of the BBC’s 2017 Gay Britannia season. This dual portrait of gay men in the 1940s and the present day was a hit with the critics and viewers alike. His new novel, Take Nothing With You also features a gay lead character. Eustace, who we see largely as a teenager, is pursuing his passion for the cello, encouraged by his bohemian teacher, Carla, who lives with a gay male couple. Eustace lives in a retirement home for the elderly that his parents manage. The strength of these coming-of-age sections is the limited point of view that young Eustace has of people and events because he’s too young to fully understand or because he’s willfully deceived by the adults around him. Some sections of the novel are set in the present-day with Eustace, now 50, enlivened by a new long-distance love affair with a soldier. A health crisis proves not to be what the reader expects: it’s revealed in the first few pages that he is HIV-positive but that’s not the issue. Rather, Eustace has thyroid cancer. At one point he is obliged to take a radioactive iodine pill and spend 24 hours in a lead-lined isolation room. When he’s free to leave, he’s instructed to “take nothing with you”. But the real heart of the novel is Eustace’s passion for the cello, his destiny as a musician, and how this plays out. The details of cello playing is extremely impressive, based closely on Gale’s own experiences. This coming-of-age novel is a wonderful evocation of youth and its mysteries, enlivened with some memorable characters, including a few complicated monsters. ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF DIRT by Rick Morton Morton is a journalist and this memoir of his upbringing on an immense farming station in the Australian outback is immediately attentiongrabbing and atmospheric 30 DNA

Mikes Arlen’s Guys Volume 12 is out now!

but may also be startling to city-dwellers as the hardships of this existence are revealed. It’s not immediately apparent that there is anything remotely gay-themed about One Hundred Years Of Dirt – though praise from Christos Tsiolkas on the cover may be construed as a hint. Rick’s family owned five cattle stations that were collectively the size of Belgium: about 30,000 sq kms. But life in the outback is unforgiving and can sometimes prove fatal. A family travelling by car break down on Christmas Eve in an isolated spot and eventually succumb to the 50-C heat. Their bodies are found by Morton’s grandfather. A great wind sweeps sand inside a farmhouse, caking a baby in her cradle. Rick’s brother is consumed by a fireball, due to a careless farmyard accident. The book opens with the attention-grabbing line that Rick’s sister Lauryn has taken up hunting wild pigs. It will be startling to urban readers, but rather humdrum to country folk. Hunting in rural communities is commonplace and, yes, women turn their hand to it. But what is also fascinating about this memoir is that Rick is gay, so this upbringing was especially challenging. This is one of the most evocative and distinctive Australian books of the year. Seek it out!

MIKE ARLEN’S GUYS In the age of digital photography in which every image we see is heavily retouched, it’s difficult to know just how much an image truly represents the person in it. So there’s something deliciously refreshing about the photography of Mike Arlen, published in his series of soft-cover magazines. By today’s standards, these are “old school” and are all the better for it. Arlen’s guys are sexy in a “regular guy next door” way. There are soldiers, plumbers, leather boys, guys in kilts, men soaping-up in showers, men together. Expect plenty of huge, hard cocks – this is Arlen’s specialty. His signature poses include men with their legs wide apart, the camera shooting up at their raging hard-ons and hairy butt holes, and the reverse, which sees the models on all fours, butt towards the camera and hard-on pushed down towards the camera. These images are raw and real – you can see the sweat and the lube glistening on flesh. You won’t find these online; they’re only available in print, reviving the illicit thrill of receiving a dirty magazine in the mail! For the contact details, see Mike’s ad on page 55 of this issue. MORE: The Bookshop Darlinghurst specialises in gay and lesbian books. Tel: (02) 9331 1103. Email: [email protected]. Web: thebookshop.com.au. Visit: 207 Oxford Street, Sydney.

DNA SAMPLES

HIV TESTING: IT’S WHAT WE DO It’s now easier than ever to make HIV testing part of your sexual health regime.

THE FIRST time 27-year-old Tony Nhan had an HIV test it was under a cloud of apprehension and dread. “I was 22 when I first had my HIV test and I remember feeling very nervous,” Tony tells DNA. “I was living in Western Sydney, and first had to talk to a GP about it, which was awkward. I was then referred to a clinic in a hospital and I remember having to wait and wait. Then, I had to schedule another appointment to come back to be informed of the results. It was all very daunting. “But it was important for me to get tested and find out my HIV status. As time went by, it got easier. More recently, I’ve been using a[TEST], which is staffed by peer workers and offers free, rapid HIV testing.” Tony eventually participated in the EPICNSW PrEP trial and, as part of the study, had to get tested every three months. Such has been the ease and convenience of testing that he has now made it as part of his sexual health routine. “These days, I get tested at least four times a year. I just make an appointment online, pop into a sexual health centre or ACON’s a[TEST], get tested with no judgement, and have my results back much quicker than before.” As we mark the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day, which in 2018 is themed Know Your Status, Australia’s largest HIV prevention organisation ACON is reminding gay men and other men who have sex with men about the importance of regular HIV testing. “HIV testing has been a pillar of Australia’s HIV response – it lies at the heart of our HIV prevention activities,” says ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill. “Our communities have been testing 32 DNA

for decades so it’s a big part who we are. It’s what we do to look after our own health and the health of our partners.” Recent data from New South Wales Health shows that between April and June 2018, there was a 27 per cent drop in newly diagnosed HIV cases in NSW. The longer-term trend is also very encouraging with decreases since 2014. The report also shows that testing rates continue to reach record highs, with a six per cent increase in the number of HIV tests compared with the same period last year.

Many cases of HIV transmissions are from people who are unaware they are HIV-positive. “NSW is currently seeing the lowest rates of HIV transmission on record but to maintain the momentum, we need gay and bisexual men to continue getting tested frequently for HIV and STIs,” Parkhill says. “But, while we are seeing record levels of testing, there are still a number of guys being diagnosed late. This means that many cases of HIV transmissions are from people who are unaware they are HIV-positive. The more guys know about their HIV status, the quicker they can access treatment, improve their health and reduce the risk of passing the virus on.” There are now more ways than ever to access

Tony Nhan: “I get tested at least four times a year.”

an HIV test in NSW including sexual health clinics, GPs and community-based testing services such as ACON’s a[TEST] facilities. People can also opt to get tested remotely by using NSW Health’s Dried Blood Spot testing service, which allows users to collect a finger-prick sample of blood in the comfort of their own home and have it sent by mail for laboratory testing. “With a broad range of options, it’s easy to adopt HIV testing into your sexual health routine. It’s recommended that everyone should test for HIV at least twice a year, or more if you have multiple partners,” Parkhill says. “As we approach World AIDS Day, ACON thanks gay men for their commitment to ending HIV by testing more frequently,” adds Parkhill. “We’re encouraging other gay men in NSW to book a test or to drop into any one of our testing sites across NSW, because these days it’s never been easier to get tested.” Tony hopes that by sharing his experience, he can help change people’s perceptions and that others will follow suit. “We need to reduce stigma by making testing a normal part of everyday life and not shaming others,” he says. “Talk to your friends and partners about testing. It’s important to know your sexual health status to look after your own health and the health of your partners.”

MORE: Find your nearest HIV testing location, including ACON’s a[TEST] clinics, at endinghiv. org.au. For further information on HIV testing at sexual health clinics and GPs, and Dried Blood Spot testing, go to health.nsw.gov.au/ endinghiv.

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FEATURE The Bi Life cast and Courtney.

COURTNEY’S BI LIFE Courtney Act sashayed away from Drag Race and won Celebrity Big Brother, UK; now the Aussie showgirl is hosting a pansexual dating series, The Bi Life. Naturally! By Marc Andrews

IF ANYONE’S going to host a dating show for bi, pansexual and genderfluid folks it’s Courtney Act. Airing on E! globally, the 10-part series follows a group of bisexual+ or “questioning” British singles on their queer-ish quest to find love. The guys’n’gals live together, party together and navigate the travails of what E! calls “bisexual+” dating in steamy Spanish hotspot, Barcelona. “It’s time there was a dating show for the large number of people who, like me, are attracted to more than one gender,” said Courtney at the show’s launch. “In 2018 we know that sexuality is fluid and sharing the stories and experiences, the laughter and the love making of young bi people is so important. These are the true stories of bisexual singles, who are the largest part of the LGBTQ+ community, but the least known.” While The Bi Life arrives with some dubious credentials (the producers are also behind faux reality shows Made In Chelsea and The Real Housewives Of Cheshire) the fact that Courtney is involved lends some credibility. Now based in London, Courtney has become a mainstream media presence in Britain and will follow The Bi 36 DNA

Life with her own variety special, The Courtney Act Show, for Christmas. DNA: When were you first approached to be involved in The Bi Life? Courtney: I came out of Celebrity Big Brother on a Friday and by the Monday my manager had set up meetings with the people who were producing The Bi Life. We just finished a screening of the first episode with community people here in London, which went very well.

A real issue for a lot of bisexual men is that women struggle with the idea of having a boyfriend who’s also attracted to men. It’s been a fast turnaround for a TV show. Yes, it has. The conversations about The Bi Life came up after we started chatting about The Courtney Act Show first. Then they said, “We have this show called The Bi Life and we think you’d be perfect for it!” They told me about it and I was a little bit scared. Why? I was scared of representing a sensitive topic on a reality television program. The E! network is the home of the Kardashians. It also used to be the home of Joan Rivers and Fashion Police!

Exactly. Don’t you wish she was still alive? Maybe this is your chance to embody Joan and carry her spirit further. I don’t think that I approach things from the same angle as Joan. Fortunately, we have Bianca Del Rio to do that! Speaking of Drag Race, didn’t you win the talk show challenge on your series? I did! The Bi Life is a good match for your talents then, right? There’s an element of art imitating life here. I’m the host, but I don’t go, “Hello and welcome to The Bi Life. In tonight’s episode…” I’m like a friend. I come into the villa, have a chat with everybody, see how they’re feeling and send them out on dates. I’m single Courtney who sets everyone else up on dates but doesn’t get to go on a date herself. I go back to my Barcelona hotel room alone! So you didn’t live in the villa with the cast? No. I just came, had fun and left. Everybody going on dates and having a great time and I’m spinster Courtney! I’m the fairy drag mother. That doesn’t seem fair. You should be getting some of the action. I think so, too, quite frankly! That’s another series – Courtney Wants A Pansexual Partner! I’ve always felt bisexual men are my target demographic because they understand femininity and they understand masculinity. You recently declared you are widening your ethnic choices in the dating pool. I made some statements about growing up in Australia and having been socialised in a country where sexual racism, and racism in general, is very much a part of our unconscious bias. When I moved to the US, I was much

more aware of the conversations around race. It felt like Australia wasn’t aware that it had a problem. I don’t think I ever had any examples of people of colour being sexually desirable, which is why I had a preference for white guys before I moved to LA. Then you realise this was an issue for you? I remember being on Grindr, swiping right when it came to people of colour, then realising what I had just done. So I made a conscious effort to stop, look, and take it in. In LA there are a lot more opportunities to have contact with people of different ethnicities. It was interesting for me to observe that the country I grew up in had taught me to be unconsciously sexually racist. What did this awakening teach you about yourself? It was liberating. As you get older you get the chance to unlearn a lot of the things you learned as a child that may not have been necessarily true. When can we expect you to host The Gay Life? Um… I’m always hosting the gay life! [Laughs] There are so many labels, but I identify with pansexual. I’m attracted predominantly to men, but I have attractions to other genders as well. I’d love to see a gay and queer dating show. We’re very happy you’re doing this show because you do good work. After screening the first episode of The Bi Life everyone thought it was done in a tasteful and fun way. That’s what the queer community needs more of – be it The Bi Life, The Gay Life or The Trans Life. What can viewers expect from The Bi Life? Real people having real dating experiences that happen to be with different genders. Coming into it, I knew it was a reality dating show on E! and neither of those things instantly made me think of a responsible, heart-felt show about an important topic. I was very clear that it [had to be] handled correctly and E! were very much on board with that. Describe meeting the cast. On the first day we had a big lunch and it all made sense in my head because there was no political activists talking about important points, it was a group of real people having real life experiences. We talked about our attractions to different genders and I don’t think any of us had sat in a group of likeminded people without having to explain something or make excuses before. What’s surprised you the most about the show? Being in an environment where the cast were allowed to express themselves however they liked. I thought they’d get here and have themselves figured out but it’s been a place of real growth. The support they show for each other is really nice. E! says the cast will “help each other navigate the rocky road of bisexual+ dating”. What’s the rockiest part of that road? It’s different for guys and girls. Ryan said he was more romantically attracted to men and

Ryan and Michael.

Kyle. Matt.

more sexually attracted to women. He said he finds it challenging to connect with women because when he tells them he’s bisexual that’s often the end of it. A real issue for a lot of bisexual men is that women struggle with the idea of having a boyfriend who’s also attracted to men. For a lot of women, the idea of a man being attracted to another man is a threatening or dangerous or off-putting idea. Women struggle when finding women to date in bisexual relationships. The girls have all said it is really challenging to work out whether a girl is gay or straight or bisexual, whether there was interest or they were just being friendly. There are no dating experts on The Bi Life. How have you supported the cast? I’m a devil’s advocate or voice of reason, asking questions. When I came out in the year 2000, I had to go to gay bars to be myself; that’s where I felt safe. I needed that monoculture to work out who I was. In 2018 a lot of young people are identifying as pansexual but there’s [often] no understanding of people who like different genders. What’s really lovely on The Bi Life is watching these people not reacting to that struggle, just being able to be there and live their lives. What kind of things have gone on in the villa? We had lots of parties – a masquerade ball, a pool party, a speed dating night where bunches of people from the UK and locals

from Barcelona came in. There’s been lots of sparks and some tears. When someone goes on a date, the rest of the cast sometimes have the opportunity to watch them. It’s like watching sport. People have teams, but you want it to end well. I remember watching one with Mariella: the more calm and collected she was, the more this guy lost his shit. He turned bright red and there were chopsticks involved as well, which made it even more awkward. Why do you think the show will capture the public’s imagination? People are obsessed with dating shows – look at the success of First Dates and Love Island. The cool thing about The Bi Life is there’s something for everyone. There’s opposite-sex people going on dates with same-sex people, there’s trans experiences… In the society we live in [bisexuality] is misunderstood and a bit taboo and therefore people might want to watch. Will The Bi Life normalise bisexual dating in a way that society needs? I think so. Bisexual people suffer most from lack of visibility. The Bi Life might not be the most activist-y or advocate-y thing, but there’s a group of people having genuine experiences. That’s interesting and wonderful to watch. On The Bi Life, how do you decide whether you’re presenting as Shane or Courtney? Courtney comes out at the parties. I don’t wake up and get into drag and go down the shops to get some milk. It’s like when someone gets dressed up to go to a party, or an event, but it’s more often a few times a week. Have there been any off-set dramas? The day I arrived I realised that most of the boys, including myself, had been shopping at the same stores because we all had the same clothes. We had to work out who’s going to where what. Is there an actual winner on The Bi Life? One thing I love about it is that it’s not a competition and no one wins a prize. It’s just a bunch of people having real-life experiences. DNA 37

/ ON THE COVER

The rule book has been tossed away! Reflecting the latest beach trends, swimwear ranges for 2019 have not played it safe or swum between the flags. There’s still traditional brief, trunk and boardshort styles, but also in the mix are fabrics, cuts and colours inspired by underwear and gym gear. This summer’s rule? Go your own way…

PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTIAN SCOTT CHRISTIANSCOTT STUDIOCHRISTIANSCOTT.COM

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MODEL BENJI CONDIE : BENJIAUS

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BENJI WEARS COCKSOX CX76NG SPORTS BRIEF.

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/ ON THE COVER

BENJI WEARS TURLOCK & CO BLUE STANDARD STREAMLINE SWIM BRIEF.

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BENJI WEARS TEAMM8 AXIS LASER-CUT YOGA SHORT.

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/ ON THE COVER

BENJI WEARS COCKSOX CX01NG BRIEF.

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BENJI WEARS RUFSKIN CIBLE, LYCRA SWIM BRIEF OVER LAYER OF TRANSPARENT LASER-CUT MESH.

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/ ON THE COVER

BENJI WEARS LUNCH MENSWEAR LIQUID LUNCH SWIM BRIEF.

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BENJI WEARS ADDICTED ADS170 METAL SAILOR SHORT AVAILABLE AT ADDICTEDAUSTRALIA.COM AND BANG CLOTHING, SYDNEY.

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/ ON THE COVER

BENJI WEARS SQUIRT.ORG TRUNK.

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BENJI WEARS PUMP UNDERWEAR FROST JOCK.

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THE DNA CHRISTMAS POOL PART Y IT’S HOT, IT’S SEXY… YOU’RE WELCOME! The DNA Christmas Pool Party is just around the corner so to “wet” your appetite, we’ve pulled a few fun pics from last year’s party. This year’s DJ’s are Joelby, hot from the UK, and local boy Domenic De Sousa, and buxom beauty, Maxi Shield will be presenting a very special poolside performance. Special first-release tickets are on sale now for $40. For more info and tickets go to: DNAmagazine.com.au/poolparty PHOTOGRAPHY BY RILEY-MCFARLANE PHOTOGRAPHY, CAIN COOPER AND ANDREW STUBBERSFIELD.

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BUY YOUR TICKET!

SWIMWEAR FASHION SHOW

HOSTESS MAXI SHIELD

DJ JOELBY (LONDON)

DJ DOM DE SOUSA

SQUIRT FREEBIES! DNA 49

OUR STRAIGHT MATES

BY MATTHEW MYERS

ROCK ON!! 50 DNA

He may be in musical theatre but, reckons Brent Hill, from Rock Of Ages to School Of Rock, who needs textbooks when you have guitars!

DNA: What’s the best thing about working in musical theatre? Brent Hill: I love plugging into an audience and feeling the energy that they bring, because it changes every show. It moves, changes and evolves. It keeps things fresh when you’re doing eight shows a week for several months. I recently saw Patti LuPone and you can hear that in the way that she sings. She’s incredibly smart; it’s just a simple thing of changing vowels so it’s not as harsh on the vocal chords. She did Don’t Cry For Me Argentina with great conviction. I love the technical side of theatre. Your stage roles include Rock Of Ages, Little Shop Of Horrors, Once and now School Of Rock… is there a dream role awaiting you? Evita! Er… as Evita? It was between Tina Arena and me, but I got School Of Rock so I let her have it! [Laughs] Actually, I’ve done a lot of the roles that I wanted, like Seymour in Little Shop Of Horrors and Leo Bloom in The Producers. Now I’m interested in writing and creating my own musicals. I have four on my current project board, and I’ve written myself a role in two of them. How would you describe Dewey Finn, your School Of Rock character? He’s a bit of a dropkick who just loves rock’n’roll. He’s so focused on it that all other aspects of his life get forgotten, including looking after himself. He basically sees himself rocking out on a mountaintop with Thor and Odin. But he’s mid-’30s, can’t pay his rent and needs money. So, he poses as his friend Ned, takes his role as a substitute teacher at a prestigious school where the kids play classical music, and he gets them into rock. In developing Dewey, did Jack Black’s characterisation from the film influence you? It can be tricky. Years ago, I did a production of Cosi and developed my own characterisation for Roy. But a few days before the show I watched the film, where Barry Otto played it exceptionally well. Then, of course, my version changed. It’s a weird middle ground because you have to be half what people expect and something that’s your own. What gives School Of Rock its gusto? It’s a great story; fun and, ultimately, it’s joyful. A lot of the magic is seeing the kids play their instruments live. It has real energy and it’s a rock concert where the kids are savants. They’re like nine- and 12-years-old and already exemplary musicians. Are you into AC/DC-style rock?

DNA: IF YOU WERE GAY, WHO’D BE THE ONE? Brent Hill: Alan Cumming. He’s fantastic! He’s an exceptional performer and there’s something about him that’s very magnetic. I saw him on Broadway in Cabaret, and he’s just mind-blowing.

I’ve always been a more jazz-based musician. That said, all my cousins are huge Acca Dacca, Guns N’ Roses and Nirvana fans. I’d hang out with them and listen to that music by proxy. When I did Rock Of Ages there was a lot of singing like Axl Rose every night! What about playing guitar? I’m more of a pianist and drummer. For School Of Rock I’ve been practicing guitar.

When the same-sex marriage law passed it was a wonderful, joyful day. Who are your favourite artists? One of my favourite songs is Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses but at the same time I can enjoy Miles Davis or big band jazz. Who’s your diva? Whitney. My go-to song is I Wanna Dance With Somebody. When it comes to getting up to dance I love Beyoncé’s Single Ladies. Have you ever played a gay role? My last role was as Lord Goring in An Ideal

Husband and he’s an embodiment of Oscar Wilde. It’s not gay per se but it has that hidden agenda. In fact, during the first production of the play, Wilde was jailed. A lot of the play deals with self-acceptance and public acceptance. Speaking of public acceptance, what was your impression of last year’s marriage equality debate? I was incredibly disappointed that some people, who I knew quite well, held these misinformed opinions. It was just terrible. I have a lot of gay friends and when the same-sex marriage law passed it was a wonderful, joyful day. We all celebrated and forgot the stress of work. Who has been the biggest influence on your professional career? My parents have been very supportive and my grandmother was a dressmaker and she’d make me costumes like Spiderman and Sherlock Holmes. I always enjoyed the process of creating a character and my family encouraged me. In fact, every single person I’ve worked with has influenced me in some way, whether good or bad. I learned long ago not to have heroes and meet them but, that said, I worked with Hugo Weaving on The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui and he’s the best actor I’ve ever seen. He’s not guarded at all, there’s no ego and it’s all about the work. He was one of those people I was wary about meeting but, once I did, I fell in love with him. Have you ever had an on-stage wardrobe malfunction? In An Ideal Husband we had an elegant upperclass party scene with a chaise lounge. I sat on it and it tumbled like a Jenga tower! We were meant to be having a fun time, and the whole thing just broke apart. Michelle Lim Davidson, who played Mabel, simply said, “Oh, don’t worry, I’ve got enough money to pay for that!” MORE: School Of Rock plays at Her Majesty’s Theatre Melbourne from 31 October. Go to au.schoolofrockthemusical.com

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FEATURE REVIEW

BROOKLYN’S BLIND DATE What happens when Sydney radio news reader Brooklyn Ross meets Melbourne car salesman Esteban Calvo on a reality dating show? It could be love (but don’t tell Brooklyn’s mum!)

DNA: What were you expecting when you signed up for Blind Date? Brooklyn Ross: I thought it would be a fun experience. I didn’t expect anything, but I had an open mind. I was putting it out there to the universe and decided that whoever I was matched up to I’d have a crack. From the audience’s perspective, it seemed like Esteban was right for you because you said, “Caucasian is boring. I want something different.” And “I’m ready for kids”. And he said, “I’m here to find a husband.” How soon did you think contestant #2 was the one? When it’s happening, and you’ve got questions going everywhere, it’s a tough call. It wasn’t until the end when I had ruled out the other two. Esteban said his most prized possession was his dad’s wedding ring. Did that sway you? You know what? That was the point I decided. Yes, 100 per cent to this guy! The other’s answers to that question didn’t work for me. Contestant #3 was too sassy! 52 DNA

I love a sassy guy! And #1’s Kylie answer almost made me go with him. And when the screen rolled back and you saw Esteban for the first time…? I couldn’t believe it. He’s such a babe! He just blew me away. I actually haven’t seen the episode so I’m cringing to think what I looked like – I remember my jaw being on the floor! It was a very lovely feeling. There was real chemistry between you. He reacted to you in the same way. It was very easy. On our date we just clicked. Do you believe in love at first sight? Ah… yeah. I definitely do but I think you have to put in the effort afterwards to make it work. Relationships require work. But I’m also someone who believes you shouldn’t have to “settle”. I’m happy to be single until I find that person that it’ll work out with. Your read the news on KIIS FM on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, which means very early starts and limited dating opportunities. Does that mean hook-ups apps? Me and dating apps have never gelled. Over the years I’ve met up with just three guys from dating apps and each time was terrible: just awkward, or they looked nothing like their photo. I like to go out to a club and meet up, have a dance, have a kiss, and maybe go home together but I need to know the person a bit; get a sense of their personality. On apps you can’t find that out before you meet them, so it’s like

you’re agreeing to have sex with someone you don’t know anything about. At least in a bar you can have a bit of a chat. Are you a romantic gay? In my younger years I was more of a party gay. Now, hitting the 30s, I really want to settle down and start a family, which is weird because when I was younger I never thought I would be like this! Time changes you. On your first date with Esteban you actually started discussing adopting kids! What are you like!? Yeah, it was full-on! In that situation, on a TV show, it put getting to know each other into overdrive. It was, strangely, really nice getting to know him like that. Tell us about the photoshoot on the date; was it a bit of a challenge? Oh, yeah! It was intimidating because Esteban seemed to be such a natural at it, but it ended up being great fun. There was a moment during the date where you almost kissed… you both wanted to. Did you feel that? One hundred percent. We were both waiting for the other one to do it! Looking back, I should’ve just gone for it. I should’ve had the balls to make that move. Could you feel the love from the Blind Date studio audience? They were really on side. They were and, yes, we could feel it. We were the first same-sex couple on the show and

He chooses Esteban and they meet.

Brooklyn’s potential dates answer his questions.

everyone was really supportive including Julia Morris. Channel Ten is great at putting gays in television. They just had the Neighbours gay wedding and they have my favourite show of all time – Gogglebox! If our episode ends up on Gogglebox I’ll die! Have you been able to get to know Esteban better since the show? At this stage we’re not an official couple, we’re still in the dating stage and getting to know each other. He lives in Melbourne and I live in Sydney… What sort of values do you share? We’re both emotional people, we’re both deep thinkers, it’s been nice to meet someone who I can talk about life with. Any major differences? [Laughs.] I make fun of his Instagram account. He gets a bit risqué on there. It’s all good – I enjoy looking at it! [Laughing.] I can’t say I’m seriously protesting by not looking! Have you met Esteban’s twin? I have! And funnily enough I had met his twin before the show! It didn’t click until later – he’s a friend of a friend. And this is weird – my friend who is the friend of Esteban’s brother, was in the Blind Date audience that day! That’s a crazy coincidence. Yes. His twin lives in Amsterdam at the moment but he gave me a good recommendation. Had you been on a romantic date with the twin? No. Luckily! You guys were brought together by a toprating TV show. Twenty years ago, there would’ve been angry letters to Media Watch. Yes, it’s incredible. But, just personally, my mum isn’t that supportive of my sexuality. I have a career in the media so I’ve always been mindful of not rubbing it in her face… But over the last five years so many things have happened, including same-sex marriage, that society has

I couldn’t believe it. He’s such a babe… I remember my jaw being on the floor. It was a very lovely feeling. given me the strength to say yes to something like this. I have nothing to be ashamed of but a few years ago I would’ve said no to Blind Date because it would’ve been too public. Does your mum know you’re on Blind Date? I haven’t told her. I came out to her a while ago when I had a serious boyfriend, someone I was proud of and I wanted my parents to know this person. So I told her I was seeing a guy. She didn’t take it well; there were tears. She was worried and ashamed and confused. She suggested trying to change [my sexuality]. She doesn’t want to know about that side of my life. I feel disconnected to her by not being able to share that. In 2017, during the marriage equality debate, your mum must’ve heard a lot of positive messages through The Kylie And Jackie O Show. Definitely. I don’t know how she can even listen to the show… she must secretly not care all that much! [Laughs.] I do remember some early fight where she said, “I better not see you on TV at the Mardi Gras…” Where you on the KIISFM Mardi Gras float this year? Yes! [Laughs.] I’ve been in the Parade before and it’s always such an amazing experience

but to be on the KIIS float with Kylie and Jackie as the gay representative of the show and be celebrated like that… it was incredible. I’ll never forget it. Not many people have colleagues as supportive as Kyle and Jackie. Right from the start they’ve been LGBTfriendly. I’ve been on the show four years now but before me was Geoff Field, the previous news reader, also gay, and they insisted that he just be himself on the show; that he not keep that side of his life quiet. Blind Date is just light entertainment, but it felt that the emotions in your episodes were very real… Definitely. It was quite emotional. I felt overwhelmed. I’m comfortable behind the microphone but being under the lights and the cameras – it’s all very different. So, what are you hoping for with Esteban? I’m hoping that at some point we can be a little bit closer to each other. Spend a bit more time together. Because we live in different cities we’ve put each other in a “lay-by” situation… seeing how it goes… We look forward to finding out. All the best. MORE: Brooklyn and Esteban’s catch-up episode screens on Network Ten on Monday November 26.

Happy ever after?

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YOU COULD BE THE FIRST PERSON YOU KNOW TO HAVE A MAGAZINE PACKED WITH 21 STUNNING MEN TAKEN BY BRITAIN’S TOP PHOTOGRAPHER OF MALE NUDES WHO COLLECTED GUYS FROM THEIR BARRACKS TO REMOVE THEIR UNIFORMS. THEY ARE IN VOLUME 15 OF MIKE ARLEN’S GUYS WHICH COMES WITH MANY FREE COLOUR PRINTS OF HIS LATEST DISCOVERIES SENT AIR MAIL RECORDED DELIVERY FOR $20 FROM THE WETHERBY STUDIOS. 23, WETHERBY MANSIONS, EARLS COURT SQUARE, LONDON. SW5 9BH. DETAILS FROM HIS UK NUMBER +44 20 7373 1107.

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GROOMING WITH WILL FENNELL

PACK YOUR SUMMER BEACH BAG For most Aussies, the first whiff of sunscreen in summer is like an aphrodisiac – here come those sexy beach days. Make sure you’re ready for action!

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I WAS NEVER a Boy Scout. Actually, I wanted

to be a Girl Guide like my sisters, causing my mother a mountain of worry, but I do live by the Scouts’ motto of “Be prepared”. This is especially important when it comes to fun in the sun and keeping my beach bag stocked with all the essentials. Diligent planning means I never get to the beach and, realising I’ve forgotten something, quite dramatically ruin my (and everyone else’s) day! But what grooming essentials should be in the bag? I’ll keep a few of mine secret, but here are the absolute must-haves.

BEACH TOYS Okay, these aren’t anything to do with grooming, but I am predicting beach toys will be huge this summer. The beach is one place where grown men can behave like boys and still be totally, adorably, sexy. So, go on, start building that monster sandcastle!

SUNSCREEN This one is a no-brainer. The brand you use isn’t important, the SPF rating and application definitely is. When you’re out in the Aussie summer sun, using anything less than a broad spectrum SPF30+ would be dangerous. Make sure you lather it on thick (which is why I prefer creams over sprays), and re-apply every two hours and after swimming. Don’t forget to (casually) flex and as you apply it onto your hard-to-reach places. You never know who might be watching and might offer to give you a hand.

When applying sunscreen to your hard-to-reach places, don’t forget to (casually) flex. You never know who might be watching.

HAIR AND SCALP UV PROTECTION Definitely protect your hair and scalp from the sun and surf and apply liberally and often. However, tossing your hair around like you’re in a Beyonce video, while spritzing may induce a masculinity plummet. Go to www.aveda.com.au

SUNGLASSES You probably got the memo about sunglasses as a teen-homo, well before most of your friends, right? But what type of sunglasses you wear at the beach is about more than just a fashion statement. Make sure your sunglasses state that they have UV protection. Sunglasses without UVA and UVB protection simply filter out the ambient light, the glare, but won’t protect your very delicate eyes from UV damage.

WIPES You know, the ones parents clean up messy kids with! Keeping some handy in summer helps prevent greasy, sun-screen-y fingers and sand going in your eyes, in your food and on your screens. You will thank me for this one.

DEODORANT I prefer using “natural” smelling deodorants when I’m at the beach instead of the medicinal type fragrances of your everyday antiperspirant. There are some great chemical-free choices available and, although they might not cut it as a weekday 9-to-5 option, you don’t get more Australian than the fresh feeling and smell of eucalyptus on a hot day at the beach. Go to www.malinandgoetz.com

LIP BALM FACE CARE There is definitely nothing wrong with using the same sunscreen on your face that you use on the rest of your body. But I’m something of a princess (I hear you gasp of disbelief) and prefer to use something lighter and less greasy on my face. This helps stops the breakouts and clogged pores that many of us suffer during summer. I use an SPF30 on my body but I never use less than an SPF50 on my face. It is scientifically proven that sunscreen prevents skin ageing and who wants to look like a sultana?

Lips need extra special care out in the elements as they have fewer of the cells that trigger tanning, which is the skins’ natural protection from UV rays. This means they get burnt and damaged faster. Again, the brand isn’t important as long as it has UVA and UVB protection and is a minimum of SPF30. Note that you will need to apply lip protection more often than sunscreen on your face and body, especially if you are a lip-licker.

MORE: Will Fennell, The Grooming Guy @leskinbar_bywillfennell www.leskinbar.com

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FEATURE

Virgino Damo. 58 DNA

TEAMM810TH Ten years since the launch of iconic Aussie menswear brand Teamm8, we speak with founder and Creative Director, Michal Nicolas about evolution, sex appeal and giving guys what they want! By Joshua Heath DNA: Michal, congratulations on the 10th anniversary of Teamm8. What prompted you to launch the brand ten years ago? Michal Nicolas: When I launched Teamm8 it was purely as an underwear label. Arguably, the idea of men’s underwear as a fashion statement had been well established by Calvin Klein back in the 1992 campaign with Marky Mark and Kate Moss. That changed the game, and suddenly every brand wanted to showcase men’s underwear. If you look at the market today, it’s hard to even contemplate that there was a gap that I thought Teamm8 would be able to fill – but there was. That Calvin Klein campaign was a long time before Teamm8 launched, though. Yes, many years before, but it had a huge effect on me and stayed with me. I love the classic yet hyper-sexy feel of it, and it influenced my design ethos. But ten years ago I thought the big players were all playing it safe and I felt I had something to contribute – without the constraints of focus groups. [Laughs.] I mean, in the second campaign we shot for Teamm8 the guys weren’t even wearing the underwear, they were naked and just holding them! You went your own way from the beginning. The way I see it, if you have a good product and a strong brand ethos there’s always the possibility to carve yourself a niche. What was your design background? I’m not a trained designer but I’d worked in every aspect of retail fashion for years before I launched Teamm8. I’d worked at Country Road in sales and stock control and went on to be a Manager and then Area Manager for the United Colors of Benetton in Sydney. I then entered the luxury market working for

Liz Jones’ Arida and was buying her men’s collections. So, although I had no formal design training, for 20 years I underwent a fashion industry apprenticeship! [Laughs.] I felt I knew a thing or two about creating a quality product and, just as importantly, a strong brand. You also had an earlier career as a singer and performer. Yes, prior to Teamm8 and interspersed within those years in retail, I had a career as a singer. And although that feels like another lifetime ago, it really was the launching pad for Teamm8. How so? Back in those days it was all about Myspace – so retro! I had a record deal in Germany and was lucky enough to have had some success and had garnered a significant international following. My strategy was to launch Teamm8 to the audience I already had and, I guess, that’s why since the day I launched the brand it has had international success. How did the early days go? Who embraced the brand first? The concept I launched with was the Teamm8 search for Everyday Champions. I had ten local guys who each had a back story and, of course, were easy on the eye! I then created a profile for each of the guys on the site and asked the public to vote for their favourite. The top three became the Teamm8 Star Players and featured in the campaign. Blogs all over the world picked up on it and it went from there; it was huge. So it would be fair to say that gay men from around the world embraced Teamm8 first. I literally launched with a Brief and a Trunk underwear style in

three colours each. That’s it. The brand has evolved a lot since then! Today, Teamm8 is much more than just an underwear brand, with activewear and swimwear being just as important. I feel like every couple of years Teamm8 evolves into something different. We never lose our

I thought the big players were all playing it safe… in our second campaign the models weren’t even wearing the underwear, they were naked and just holding them! brand ethos, but we try different things and most importantly give our loyal customers something to look forward to. I’m still blown away when guys tell us they have been a customer from the beginning and still love Teamm8! In an age where we’re bombarded with so much, I don’t take that lightly and I’m so appreciative of the support and loyalty. What is the brand’s ethos? Teamm8 was created for the confident guy who was comfortable in his own skin. He is fashion-forward without being a fashion victim and appreciates classic style with a DNA 59

FEATURE definite twist. Above all that, the Teamm8 man wants to look his best whether he’s sweating it out at the gym, hanging out with friends or enjoying the beach. And when all that comes off he’s supported by superior quality underwear that impresses. [Laughs.] The Teamm8 man is sexy but he doesn’t take life too seriously! From your perspective, how has the fashion retail landscape changed over the ten years? It’s a completely different ball game these days. Fashion has become so accessible and disposable, with the latter making it a tough field for players like Teamm8. We are a boutique brand and very proud of that, but some people don’t differentiate between a mass brand who can manufacture for a fraction of the cost, and brands like us, who focus on quality and uniqueness. Lucky for us, we have a huge market who appreciates that, and doesn’t want to be wearing something that thousands of other guys are wearing. What have been some of the “hero” pieces over the years? Believe it or not, a design from our second ever underwear collection called the Super Low Brief is still our number-one bestseller. It sums up the whole Teamm8 brand perfectly. Classic, understated yet super sexy. It’s who we are. So, although we bring out several new styles each year, we still listen to our customers and make sure they get what they want. What about in the swimwear range? Two years ago, we did a flamingo print swimwear collection that went crazy. The was the fastest sell-out we’ve ever had. We still get so many enquiries about it that we’ve just launched the new version of the Flamingo and it’s awesome. As Creative Director, I never want us to rest on our laurels and just repeat what has been successful before because I think it’s really important to keep moving forward. At the same time, our customers need to know they can come back and find that cut or that piece that works perfectly for them, so my aim is to provide a little of both.

Matthias Franke (and opposite) in the Aerial range

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It about continuing to evolve and being aware of what our guys want… They want to workout and hang out and want to look good and feel sexy. That’s what we’re here for!

Let’s talk about the over-arching trends of the last decade – fast fashion, and the rise of online retail! Fast-fashion is a by-product of this manic social media world we now live in. Everything is so instant and fast. Millions of people are witness to things as they happen, no longer having to wait for it to appear in the media. Every person is now a broadcaster, whether they are equipped to be or not. As a result, fast-fashion brands are poised and ready to strike as soon as something hits the catwalk and make it widely accessible and affordable. I don’t think it’s a terrible thing, but it has changed the game. This fast-paced life also means that Activewear is our go-to and I think that’s great. People are more body conscious than ever, travelling more, and generally just jam-packing their lives with as much as possible so, really, it makes sense that we dress as comfortably as possible. When we’re designing Activewear we’re very aware that the pieces we make have to be able to take you from the gym to your everyday life. Our slant is fashion active and it works great for us. There’s also interesting stuff happening in the technology of fabric making, right? There are some incredible things happening in fabrics being crafted specifically for Activewear that makes them more durable, functional and enhances performance. We have all of that available to us and it’s exciting. You introduced a range of activewear a few years ago; do you have any plans for a readyto-wear or street-wear collection? We’re definitely more Fashion Active now. The pieces are still very functional but they have a sexy street-wear appeal. It goes back to continuing to evolve and being aware of what our guys want. And they want to work-out and hang out but above all they want to look good and feel sexy! That’s what we’re here for! Sexy men… let’s talk about this important aspect of the Teamm8 story: model casting and marketing images. We’ve built a very strong following based on our brand image and that has everything to do with the campaign and marketing images we shoot. Our guy is confident but not arrogant. He is sexy but in a natural, understated way. I know it’s just a photoshoot but we will not work with anyone who thinks too much of himself or takes it all too seriously. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the nicest guys around and most of them don’t even realise how incredibly hot they are. That, to me, makes them the perfect Teamm8 man. You’ve also worked with some great photographers. Amazing photographers like James Demetri, Michele Aboud and Martijn Smouter. They’ve helped create our aesthetic and our very unique footprint. DNA 61

FEATURE The 2016 swimwear range, featuring Iago Botelho.

The Super Low Brief is Teamm8’s most popular style, here worn by Dima Zinchenko.

The Flamingo swimwear range sold out in record time and is due to make a comeback. 62 DNA

The Base Brief campaign featuring Thomas and Jan Miedema.

I really focus on our customers and what they’re telling us they want… We try not to be too tricky. Less is more and our guys love that. Where do you draw inspiration for each collection? It’s hard to talk about this and not sound wanky! [Laughs.] I truly follow my heart in everything I do in my life. Sometimes with success, sometimes with monumental failure! But for me the biggest pay-off is learning from both and the best lesson is learning to trust myself without being closed off to other opinions. Like most people, I can be consumed with self-doubt, but I think as long as you stay true then either result is acceptable. Is part of that listening to and trusting the people around you? You’ve always had a tight-knit Teamm8 team. Absolutely. This is by no means a one-man show. We have a great team and we’re all involved in the design process and brand image, so a lot of inspiration comes from what the team brings. It’s very much a team collaboration but I love driving it. I’m so lucky to work with incredible people who share the Teamm8 vision and we are very close. Sounds like a bit cliché but we are like a family. For any fashion brand to survive 10 years is a huge achievement so, congratulations! Thank you. I’m very aware of that, and so grateful for it. Every day I see a new brand emerging and I honestly wish them all the best; I think there’s room in the market for

anyone doing something great. I also know what it takes to launch a brand and keep it going, stay relevant and survive. I like to keep abreast of what’s going on out there, but I’ve never spent much time looking at what other people are doing. I really do focus on us, our customers, and what they’re telling us they want. And they love that we listen to

The Nations range featuring Jason Beam for Team USA.

them. We try not to be too tricky. Often, less is more, and our guys love that. I believe that’s probably the biggest factor contributing to us being stronger now than ever.

MORE: Teamm8.com

Josh Ivory in the Aerial brief.

DNA 63

FEATURE INTERVIEW

LOVE, HATE, MAGIC John Grant, now 50, returns with a gritty new album of electronica, Love Is Magic. In this DNA interview, Trump, transphobia, the politics of hate and the magic of love are all up for discussion. By Marc Andrews

ove Is Magic is not your average gay pop record. Its avant-garde creator, John Grant is not the kind of gay man who does things by halves. This is, quite possibly, the reason his music has resonated so brilliantly through the years among the LGBT community. At the ripe young age of 50, Love Is Magic is Grant’s fourth solo album and to say that he has embraced electronica like never before would be an understatement. Meanwhile, his lyrics remain as acerbic and witty as ever; his observations on the world as sharp. John Grant first came to public attention as the lead singer with alternative ’90s rockers, The Czars. After they split in 2004, he took six years off to deal with his addictions to sex, drugs and alcohol before the release of 2010’s critically adored Queen Of Denmark solo album. 2013’s Pale Green Ghosts and 2015’s Grey

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Tickles, Black Pressure followed, each acclaimed as works of genius, attracting a growing mainstream appreciation. Alongside his solo albums, John has found time to sing with Goldrapp and Kylie Minogue, co-write songs for Robbie Williams, Asgeir, Hercules & Love Affair and even the Eurovision Song Contest. He has toured with the band Elbow and his compositions featured in Andrew Haigh’s classic gay film, Weekend, Daisy Asquith’s Queerama and HBO’s queer series, Looking. In 2016 he fronted the BBC’s Reimagining The City, taking listeners on a personal tour around the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, where he has lived since 2012. A year later he curated North Atlantic Flux: Sounds From Smoky Bay In Hull, showcasing new and innovative musicians from Scandinavia and Iceland. He’s also working on his autobiography, which is bound to be as frank and forthright as his music. Yet, these accomplishments only tell part of the John Grant story. As his devotees know well, John has been open about his HIV+ diagnosis and his not-so-sober past, topics well documented on his albums. Love Is Magic finds him revisiting some of these topics, remaining outspoken on global politics (guess who Smug Cunt is about?), and, as the title suggests, enjoying a loving relationship.

DNA: Love Is Magic has garnered five-star reviews, but some reviewers are much less impressed. Is this the John Grant album you either love or hate? John Grant: It seems like it. I’d prefer people to love it, of course, but you do your head in if you think about it too much. You just have to go in and do your thing, have fun and then it goes out into the world after that. There’s a killer line in Metamorphosis – “how long have you been clean?” – that will resonate with many on a number of levels. I don’t know if I was thinking about HIV or addiction but I guess you could throw that in there. [Laughs.] Part of it is a state-of-the-nation rant but mostly it’s just… all sorts of speech that’s thrown at you every day from billboards, phones and television as well as what’s going on in your own mind. Smug Cunt must be a contender for song title of the year! I just think it’s an appropriate reaction to the US government right now and the type of person that supports it. You also throw in a personal observation about “your obsession with your chest hair”. That’s a reaction to the absurdity of severe narcissism. Who is talking at the beginning of the track The Common Snipe? That’s the father of a friend of mine reading

poetry about the common snipe [a small, brownish bird native to much of Northern Europe] off the top of his head. At the end of the song my friend reads a scientific description, in Icelandic, of the sound that the snipe makes. This’s not your average pop song, but you’re probably not too worried about that. I never think about making a pop song – just whatever comes into my head and what sounds good to me. There are echoes of Kraftwerk, Giorgio Moroder and even a little Robyn on your album. Is that a fair appraisal? No, I wouldn’t have been thinking of Robyn, although I have listened to. I’m much more influenced by older things. The final song on the album, Touch And Go, is about Wikileaks trans-activist Chelsea Manning. That’s a tough subject to tackle. I was thinking about her story, about the people who have accused her, about what it might be like to go through that transition. Some people are disgusted by that but have no idea what the person is going through. I’m impressed by people who have survived horrible ordeals. The positive title of Love Is Magic sounds like you’re in a good place right now. Last time you spoke to DNA you’d just coupled-up. Yeah, I’m in a good place. The world’s going to hell in a basket and I’m just fine. [Laughs.] I enjoyed making this record and now I’m back into getting out there and doing the songs live. That’s a whole different ball game. Do you worry fans might have expected a different record from you? I don’t think about that too much. There’s no accounting for taste and I’m not making records to please a specific group of people because if you do that you’re always going to fail. If I made Queen Of Denmark again people would make fun of that as well. You need to mix it up a bit otherwise you’re doing the same thing over and over. Hopefully people will stick with you. It’s definitely very me and I love that. The Trump Presidency – can we assume this is one of the issues that’s troubling you at present in the world? Generally, it’s this resurgence of the politics of hatred that has come out into the open and been embraced by so many people. It’s not something I want to necessarily be involved in, but one has a reaction to it. In your art you can react however you want. I would like to be involved in supporting people who are having a difficult time. I find it very hard to be compassionate when it comes to people having put Trump in office simply out of spite because they hate Obama so much. That seems really disgusting to me. Isn’t there the saying, “compassion for all, or none at all”? [With a sigh of resignation.] Resentment is a deadly thing, for sure. You’re American but have been based in Iceland for a long time now. Is there a lively LGBT scene in Reykjavik?

THE LOVE IS MAGIC COVER EXPLAINED John Grant is happiest when subverting conventions and this brings us to the cover art of Love Is Magic: an uncomfortable image of John in baggy white undies, sad-drag and with a birdcage stuck on his head. “Basically it’s just getting into character and doing whatever it takes to get the right sound for each song,” John tells DNA. “You can imagine the cover photo being taken during the recording of The Common Snipe.” Righto!

On LGBT rights: “There are a lot of people coming out of the woodwork who still hate us.” You can definitely walk down the street holding your partner’s hand in Iceland and nobody cares. They do a really good Pride parade in August, which seems like everybody takes part – families, everyone, literally the whole country, which is really cool. That’s something I hadn’t experienced before. There’s quite a gay music moment happening – Sam Smith, Troye Sivan, Frank Ocean and others. Do you feel you’re a part of that? I don’t feel different or feel the need to do duets with Ariana Grande. [Laughs.] Although she does have a fantastic voice. I am happy doing my own thing. I feel like we are all doing our own thing. What do you listen to at home? At home, a lot of time, I’m just resting from being out in the world. I’m always buying new music. I listen to a lot of film scores like Ennio Morricone and Devo. I have one of these things where you can put 5,000 CDs on the thing and then mix it up. You don’t know what’s coming next – it could be anything from Olivia Newton-John’s first album to Fad Gadget [kooky

industrial electro-pop pioneer from the ’80s] and everything in between. I love all sorts of different things. Where do you think the LGBTIQ community is at in terms of civil rights? A lot has been achieved and we’re in a good place – but there are a lot of people coming out of the woodwork that still hate us as well. How should we react to that? We have to keep reminding these people that just because they slipped out of their mother’s vagina into a privileged position doesn’t mean that they own the place or that they built it. We have to reiterate that our lives and what we do in private is none of their fucking business. There’s this whole thing… how gay people feel they have to work hard to prove something because other people have always said, “Oh, you’re not natural!”, “You shouldn’t be doing that!” or “That isn’t traditional so that can’t be done!” It doesn’t matter what it is, it’s just none of your business. We shouldn’t have to prove anything to anybody. I have no intention of trying to prove anything to anybody either. [Laughs.] You just want to enjoy your life, right? Right. You just want to enjoy your life but when people are saying, “Faggots should die!” you’re forced to deal with these issues, like whether you deserve to be alongside other humans or not. It’s sad that it is the way it is. Any final words for the readers of DNA? Thanks for your support. I love you, go out there and be yourself, and if people don’t like that, then fuck ’em. [Laughs.]

MORE: Love Is Magic is available on all music services. For more on John Grant go to johngrantmusic.com

DNA 65

FEATURE

ADDICTIONS, PART 3: CHEMSEX AND PROCESS ADDICTION

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHEMSEX This month in our continuing series, we look at chemsex and process addiction, and how gay men can be vulnerable when the two are combined. By Vanessa McQuarrie

THE APPEAL OF combining sex and drugs is

obvious: more intense sex, increased arousal, lower inhibitions, and enhanced intimacy. People have been combining drugs and sex – as couples and in groups – ever since, well, ever since they could. The types of drugs involved change according to what’s popular at the time and available. Chemsex or “Party And Play” (PnP for short) is an iteration predominantly practiced by gay and bisexual men. PnP has come to focus on a handful of illicit drugs which, combined with prescription medications such as Viagra, add longevity to its list of appealing attributes. Simon Ruth, CEO of Thorne Harbour Health, an organisation which provides services to the LGBTQI community in Victoria, notes that while people are still using a range of drugs to enhance sex – from ice and ecstasy to cannabis 66 DNA

and amyl – the biggest change over time relate to the circumstances in which they do so. “The move from bars and clubs to apps and private spaces has had an impact,” he says. Using drugs in homes is easier than navigating use in more public spaces like laneways, crowded dancefloors and toilet cubicles. Meanwhile, hooking up using an app allows for almost instant gratification. Along with the pros come the cons, like an increased risk of overdose: “Some of the drugs can have fatal consequences if you don’t know how to use them.” The drugs may also inspire men to take on sexual roles they normally wouldn’t – tops become bottoms and vice versa – and this requires different approaches and preparation methods to stay safe. If safety is neglected, there’s an increased risk of acquiring HIV and STIs. Men who practice chemsex frequently may risk addiction – and not only to the drugs. Process addiction is the constant scrolling through apps to the point that it’s detrimental to work, social and home life. Compulsively repeating the processes leading up to chemsex is a type of behavioural addiction. It affects the brain differently to substance addiction, but both types are characterised by the same law of

diminishing returns: the more a person seeks out the experience, the less pleasure they derive from the action. “As with all long-term drug use across any community, chemsex can have some serious impacts on people,” says Brent Mackie, Associate Director Of Strategy, Policy And Research at ACON, an LGBTQI health service in New South Wales. Men who are more dependent on chemsex are at greater risk of mental and physical health problems, he says, and may experience anxiety attacks, acute paranoia, sexual dependency, injection site injuries, and sexual consent concerns. Mackie is one of the authors of the FLUX Study (Following Lives Undergoing Change) which collects data on drug use by gay and bisexual men. FLUX confirms that only frequent illicit drug use (including chemsex) is associated with poor mental health outcomes. “For the most part, men who engage in such things as sex partying are no different in terms of mental health to other men; [they] may even have somewhat better mental health. Of course, a small proportion of men who engage in chemsex have problems, including mental health problems, and they deserve appropriate support,” says Mackie.

“The far bigger mental health issue for gay, bisexual, and other homosexually active men is that poor mental health is associated with internalized homophobia and inability to express one’s sexuality freely, without shame, and without fear.” Both Thorne Harbour Health and ACON offer support services around drug use. ACON provides up to 12 free counselling sessions for clients who want to manage, reduce or quit using. “ACON’s drug and alcohol programs are peer led and have a familiarity with the gay community including the personal, social and sexual contexts of drugs use,” Mackie says. Thorne Harbour Health currently offers two programs, including Rewired, which specifically addresses methamphetamine use. Simon Ruth is a strong advocate for LGBTQIspecific services and programs, having worked in mainstream drug and alcohol services for 25 years. “The work a queer service does is very different to mainstream drug and alcohol services.” Unfortunately, tailored services are limited, and most are only available in major cities in NSW and Victoria. “We don’t have any LGTBQ residential programs in Australia at all and that’s a real gap.” However, residential programs specifically for LGBTIQ people are available at Resort 12, part

Process addiction is the constant scrolling through apps to the point that it’s detrimental to work, social life and home life – the more a person seeks out the experience, the less pleasure they derive from the action.

of The Cabin group in Thailand. Stu Fenton, a clinical lead and Gestalt therapist, treats clients at Resort 12 and says he’s seen an increase in the number of clients seeking help for chemsex. Fenton agrees men who engage in chemsex infrequently “don’t need to do anything because there is no problem” but anyone who feels like they’re struggling would benefit from short-term interventions like counselling or case management. Such men are classified as “abusers” of chemsex who would benefit from harm reduction services where they can start to moderate and change their behaviours to become “engagers” again. Those who have an addiction are likely to need a period of abstinence, possibly in a residential treatment facility. “A good amount of time in residential treatment is between three and six months,” says Fenton, who runs an abstinence project for men who have tried everything but can’t break free. A former addict himself, he’s put in the hard yards by committing to rehabilitation (including a 12-step program) and completing stints in residential therapy. Upon recovery, he began a career as a therapist to help others. Those who work on the frontline of addiction see it all and Fenton admits that even now, he can still be shocked when he hears about the ways in which gay men continue to “push the envelope”

HELP AND SUPPORT • Resort 12 offers addiction and trauma treatment to LGBTQ clients internationally: resort12.com • ACON’s Pivot Point website features a self-assessment tool, information and resources for LGBTQI people in New South Wales: pivotpoint.org.au • Thorne Harbour Health’s Touchbase website provides alcohol & drugs, mental health and sexual health information, support and services for LGBTQI people throughout Australia: touchbase.org.au

as they seek more intense chemsex experiences. “Some engage in typically taboo behaviour such as injecting other people’s blood and purposefully trying to catch HIV or hepatitis C,” he says. “Or having more extreme sex and pushing their bodies to the limit – whether that be through pain, multiple partners, or partying for days without food or water or sleep.” Other people may move on from ingesting or smoking their drugs to injecting them and taking meth anally. Combining certain drugs and taking risks with GHB and alcohol is also common. The consequences have been reported in the media and, while chemsex is often sensationalised, Fenton has seen gay men die or severely injure themselves as a result of drug psychosis triggered by chemsex addiction. Because relationships, families and friendships can be shattered, and people can end up in trouble with the police or in jail, “it is a problem for the whole community,” he says. At the Second International Conference on Chemsex in Berlin this year, attendees discussed the relationship between chemsex addiction and mental health issues like trauma and loneliness, bullying and abuse, low self-esteem and internalised pain from homophobia. The conference released the following statement: “We need to treat chemsex as a condition of loneliness, low self-esteem, disempowerment, fear and lack of community cohesion.” If this perspective doesn’t resonate with you, don’t worry. Simon Ruth stresses that “there’s no one path for everybody” and ultimately treatment comes down to the individual. However, he notes that all treatment programs should examine why people turn to certain substances and behaviours, and to prompt the person to question what role they are playing. “You just have to find a program that meets your needs.” If you have concerns for yourself, your partner or a friend, the online resources listed below are a good starting point. DNA 67

RAUNCHY READS

WITH JACK LADD

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMON LE

SPEEDO REVELATION

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Welcome to Australia, Jack. Now get these speedos on so some lucky prick can peel them off!

PHOTOGRAPHY RUSSELL FLEMING

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’ll never forget my first pair of speedos. Midnight blue with an anchor emblem across the front in white. Tight but not constricting. Shiny in the right light and smooth to touch. Perfect fit. My cock bulging like a dream. My arse more than fuckable. It helped that I was 23 and not long out of a difficult break-up, and opting for a trip to Dr Dumbbell in the evening rather than staring at dirty marks on the wall where framed memories once hung. Their cheek-cupping, crotch-hugging aesthetic, however, is not the sole reason I remember my first budgie smugglers so vividly. It was how they made me feel. Like new. One hell of a claim; that something so small could have such a big impact on my life. Donning that tiny piece of fabric, synonymous with sun, sand and sea, was a moment in my memory that won’t ever shift. Just like having the balls to finally put a gay mag on the shop counter or hold a boy’s hand in public or buy a butt plug or march in a pride parade, pulling up my first pair of speedos was a step forward in my evolution. As part of the break-up, I’d had to move from Potts Point to Darlinghurst and, one November Friday, unpacking boxes after work, a Facebook message chirped from my phone. It was my good mate, Jase, who’d convinced me to travel to Lismore with him for the infamous LGBT New Year party, Tropical Fruits. To “blow off some steam.” Translation: I needed to get fucked. And by fucked I mean my ex had been almost exclusively a bottom and, while we’d had plenty of fun, my entire body craved to be bent over, foot-on-the-back-of-my-head-hole-destroyeduntil-I-couldn’t-walk kind of fucked. So I’d jumped at the suggestion of camping out under the stars at Tropical Fruits with thousands of fun-loving dudes at arm’s reach. Opening his message, a link took me to row after row of glorious thumbnails on an online clothing store alongside the message: “You’ll need at least two pairs. One will get ruined, trust me.” The next morning, we met for coffee. “I can’t,” I said, excuses already primed to roll from my tongue. “Why the hell not?” asked Jase, his handsome face incredulous. “Where I’m from, the only people wearing banana hammocks are over 60 and don’t give a fuck… or French.” He giggled and said, “You’re in Sydney now, mate. Don’t be such an uptight Brit.” “I guess,” I said, and my mind was already wandering.

Wandering to beach days spent ogling stunning physiques sauntering along North Bondi while I sat in my, albeit short, boardshorts. I was a million miles from my landlocked, conservative upbringing but still not close enough. Truth was, I was scared. Don’t get me wrong, I’d done plenty of wild stuff in my time, but usually pissed or buzzed or behind closed doors with a select few in darkened areas. And despite my often-fearless outward persona, I’d never soberly worn anything so skimpy in public for the world, his wife and kids to see. And, coming out of a twoyear relationship, my confidence was shot to shit. Even with my new exercise regime, I couldn’t shake the notion I’d stick out like a pale, podgy sore thumb who should have picked something more suitable to his sad existence. Even though plenty of people told me the opposite, I didn’t feel sexy and didn’t want to advertise the fact. But a part of me did. Badly.

The part of me that had made me jump on a one-way flight to Australia two-and-a-half years previously. That part of me wanted to strut about, showing off every socially acceptable inch of flesh and then some, and yearned to feel the hot, hungry stares of men. To be in the same league as the guys at the beach. To not give a crap. To feel wanted again. To be me. “Listen,” said Jase, picking up his phone and rapidly thumbing the screen. “I’ve just bought us a pair each.” “What? Why?” I said, the grin pulling at my lips belying the anxiety in my chest. “We have less than two months until Tropical Fruits, right?” I nodded. Said nothing. “Next Sunday, we’ll test drive these bad boys at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool. If you’re not into it, we’re the same size, I’ll keep it and you can go back to pussying around in your basic boardies.” Eight days later, I was pulling up my brandDNA 69

RAUNCHY READS / WITH JACK LADD new pair of midnight blues and checking myself out in the changing room mirrors. Jase was already poolside, stretched out and sunning himself. It was still early, before the afternoon crowds, and I was alone and able to scrutinise the reflection staring back at me, expecting to hate what I saw. But before I had a chance to feel anything, a man of about 45 walked in: the gentle thud of his trainers echoing around the tiled space. Handsome, tall, well-built with thick salt-andpepper hair, wide, powerful shoulders and dressed in gym gear, he was coated with sweat, like he’d just run from the city. Placing his small rucksack on the same bench as mine and only a few rungs away, he looked around the empty change room, his wide chest pulling in deep, long breaths. Then his gaze landed on me, unapologetically checking me out. His powerful brown eyes slowly tracking down and then back up. His smile growing with each second. I went to grab my towel to cover myself up but in a ball-fizzingly deep voice, he said: “Nice speedo.” I laughed uncomfortably. “You think so?” “Fucking oath,” he said, beaming wide and pulling his wet T-shirt up and off to reveal a glistening, tanned and sculpted hairy torso; his eyes hungrier than before. “Not everyone suits them, but you? Definitely.” “They’re new,” I said, giving him a half twirl. Then he growled like a wolf… Seven minutes later I was on my knees, the rush of shower water muffling our grunts as his load, streaming and salty shot across my tongue. My speedos unable to contain my raging boner. My confidence growing with each pump. A few minutes later and alone in the change rooms again, I returned to my spot in front of the mirror, red-faced and dripping wet. Running a hand down my stomach, over my newly redefined abs, I reached the waistband. I watched my fingers as they kept going. Over the mound of flesh slowly decreasing in size, hidden by a few millimetres of Lycra. Then both hands round the back over each cheek, tingles running down my neck and through my empty balls. I felt great. Better than great. For the first time in a long time I was happy to walk out with my shoulders back, tits out and only a slither of material between my cock and balls and anyone who cared to look. I could finally remember the brave, sexy, confident me I’d forgotten. Obviously, I kept them. Called them my lucky speedos and thoroughly showed them off all afternoon. Bought another pair the same day, as per Jase’s advice. This time, white and patterned in green and orange and red tropical motifs like palm trees and parrots and flowers. Perfect for Fruits. And they were. And, yes, they did get ruined. But, for my all-time favourite speedo memory,

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follow me 14 months forward to February 2015, and a sight and sensation forever blissfully seared into my wank bank. One Sunday afternoon, a friend created a Facebook event to see who’d be keen to go in on an afternoon boat cruise. Less than 24 hours later, he realised he would need two boats. When the day came, 43 of us congregated excited, colourful and on mass at Woolloomooloo wharf before splitting into two groups and setting off, music blaring and booze flowing for Obelisk Beach. The day was warm but grey, then, as the boats dropped anchor, almost on cue the sun broke through the thin cloud cover and shone bright and hot from a patch of stunning blue. Friends and friends of friends and new friends I’d yet to make, squeezed into two boats,

Two strong thumbs pulled my speedos down: enough to let the air warm my cheeks but keep my thighs bound together. started undressing. All peeling up shirts or pulling down shorts. Every single one of them in a speedo. Body after body of glorious flesh in all tones and types. Daddies, bears, muscle boys, boys-next-door, otters, wolves and twinks. All relishing the glamour of our convoy and the high energy of the day. Basking and bathing, laughing and joking. Dancing and touching. Smiling and winking. It was like a Roman frieze of sculpted muscle had come to life and I was part of it. Part of the loud, proud, colourful throng comfortable in its skin. And boy did I make the most of it. Swimming from boat to boat, splashing handsome lads or jumping on the backs of strong men; wrapping my naked legs around their waists and pushing my Lycra-covered groin into their muscular backs until I got hard. Reaching out and feeling smooth colourful spandex. Its glossy touch under my palm and fingertips. Gently playing with waistbands or slipping a few fingers underneath. Letting others do the same to me. Their heat against mine. Their bodies. Tight material against the back of my hand as my fingers explored, locking us together. And, of course, there was Michael. He was gorgeous and, I mean used to be a model and still could be, gorgeous. But he was in a monogamous relationship. Or so I’d thought. “They broke up,” Jase said, sat between my

legs with his toned back against my chest; the pair of us chugging cold bottled beer and bobbing idly on the water. “You’re fucking with me, right?” I said, my stare over Jase’s head suddenly locked on Michael, chatting in a group of six guys on the other boat. Fifteen metres of the deep blue harbour separated us. Him a powerful beast at 190 centimetres and 37 years. Me 190 centimetres, toned and slim and 25. Both of us leaving very little to the imagination. “Nope,” Jase said. “Free as a bird. He was talking about you earlier, too.” So, Jase now chatting up his own new friend, I made a move. I waited for Michael to look over so I could catch his eye, held it and stood, taking hold of the railing and nonchalantly stretched out in my midnight blues, throwing him a smile. It didn’t take him long to dive into the water, swim over and climb the ladder onto my boat like Daniel Craig. It took even less time for him to follow me downstairs. Click went the cabin door as we locked it behind us. Whoosh, my arms were lifted above my head until I felt hard wood and could push against the low ceiling, locking my body in place. Then two strong thumbs hooked under my speedo before slowly peeling them down: just enough to let the air warm my oceanchilled cheeks and my thighs to be bound together. Followed by his hot, powerful tongue against my salty hole. Each probing push firing electricity through my body, held between his dinner plate hands, until neither of us could take any more. Down went his speedos, unleashing his thick, uncut cock. Then he pulled me back, spit-lubed, until pain followed instantly by throbbing pleasure forced me to let go of the ceiling and wrap my arms backwards, around his neck. Over and over he pulled me up and down his beautiful cock like I weighed nothing, my legs still held together. Until he pulled out, took hold of himself and with a long low moan shot his load over my arse as I stained the sheets below with mine. Then, before I could do anything, he pulled my speedos up, smearing his load between my crack and over my reddened hole. Then, pushing the soaked fabric against me with two thick fingers, he said: “I want you to think about this for the rest of the day.” “Don’t worry,” I said, turning to look at his devilishly handsome face, my hole hot and gooey and beaten. “I’ll never forget this.” MORE: Jack Ladd is the author of the semiautobiographical erotic novels Oscar and Oscar Down Under. Go to jackladd.org or search for Jack Ladd on Facebook.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN MCDERMOTT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SIMON LE

Ed’s Note: While Speedo is the registered trademark of a swimwear brand, the generic term “speedo” refers to any bikini-cut men’s swimwear brief. The speedo, unlike the trunk, is cut high over the thigh, helping create the characteristic front bulge. It should be worn low across the hips, not pulled up over them. In Australia, the home of the speedo, they are colloquially referred to as “budgie smugglers”, “banana hammocks” and “dick stickers”.

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/ PORTFOLIO

COOL AND CLASSIC The soft black-and-white tones of these images capture the model’s quiet masculinity.

PHOTOGRAPHY VINCENT CHINE MODEL SKYY KNOX

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INTERVIEW WITH A PORN STAR School-boy crushes, hotel room “auditions” and Stormy Daniels… We go deep and meaningful with Cade Maddox. Interview and photography by James Franklin

MY AMAZING YEAR!

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DNA: What were you like in high school? Nerdy, a jock, the popular boy? Cade Maddox: I was nerdy until high school, then I hit puberty! I was on Homecoming Court and crowned Most Handsome in my senior year of high school. So, I guess you could say that I was somewhat popular. Who was the first guy you were sexually attracted to? He was my best friend from kindergarten up until the time that I graduated high school. We never hooked-up because I was too afraid of rejection or being found out. Was he gay? Unfortunately, he did not turn out to be gay. He got married a few years ago to a beautiful woman. They still live in our small hometown in Mississippi. What was your first job? I worked at a veterinarian’s office. I’ve always loved animals. However, I wasn’t aware that veterinarians had to also sometimes euthanize the animals. So, needless to say, that career path didn’t work out for me. Thank God, or I wouldn’t be answering these interview questions here today. At what point did you seriously consider getting into the adult industry? Honestly, I never put much thought into it. I mean, the thought had crossed my mind a time or two: “Wouldn’t it be cool to be able to fuck for a living?” But things just kind of fell into place for me in some weird and wonderful way. I was visiting my mom in Cincinnati when I was discovered by Jason Sparks [jasonsparkslive.com]. I travelled with him for about six months, filming with guys in hotel rooms all over the country. I ventured off on my own and have now filmed for some of the best studios in the industry including Men, Falcon, Cocky Boys and Icon. How did you feel performing your first scene? I feel like my first scene was pretty easy. I met the producer on Grindr. He invited me to an “audition” at his hotel room. There were only three people in the room, including my scene partner and myself, so I wasn’t very nervous. I was already fucking like a rabbit anyway so I thought it would be cool as hell to get paid for it. This was the beginning of my career in the porn industry. And it has been the most

amazing year of my life, so far. Have you always felt comfortable without clothes on in front of others? No, that part definitely took some getting used to. I mean, I’m still a human being. I have insecurities just like the next guy. I feel more comfortable with clothes on. Is there anyone in the porn industry who inspires you? Yes, one of my best friends in the industry, Billy Santoro. What is it about Billy that inspires you? He’s an amazing human being. This man has gone above and beyond to help me and make sure that I had the tools and knowledge that I needed in order to succeed in the porn industry. You don’t see that a lot because it’s a very competitive industry. Not only is he a wonderful person, but he is also very successful; the man knows what he’s doing. It’s inspiring for new guys like me in the industry to see guys like Billy, who have been doing this a decade and still going strong. Love you, Billy!

I was already fucking like a rabbit anyway so I thought it would be cool as hell to get paid for it. Are you crushing on anyone currently? If so, would you pass them a note or approach them directly? Yes! I am. My boyfriend, Max Adonis, drives me wild! I would definitely approach him. I feel like my charm works better in person than it does on paper. Describe your ideal man. He would be shorter than me, boyish/twink looking, beautiful smile and eyes, fit body (not too muscular though) with a round ass that I can pound every night. Describe how you feel you present yourself to the world. I consider myself outgoing, outspoken, trustworthy, modest, kind, respectful, strong, loyal. You’ve been invited to a dinner party; what do you bring as a gift to your hosts? I’ll bring the marijuana! Outside of your porn career, what do you get up to? I still consider myself a “normal” guy, minus the

porn career. I enjoy things like swimming, going to the beach, working out, spending time with friends and family… I just moved to LA from DC so there is always something new to discover. For our international readers, can you describe what the hell is going on in American politics right now? I wish I could tell you what the hell is going on in American politics right now, but most of us Americans are still trying to figure out what the hell is going on. [Laughs.] I laugh because that’s all the fuck we can do at this point. And vote!!!! Please, please, please make sure that your voice is heard. Stormy Daniels is the most famous porn star in the world right now. Have you ever had

an intimate encounter with a politician or a celebrity? I love me some Stormy Daniels! No, I have not had an intimate encounter with a celebrity or politician… yet. I just moved to West Hollywood a couple of months ago so, who knows what could happen. That could be a future goal! [Laughs.] Well, my more immediate future goal is becoming certified in Personal Training. I’m studying at the moment. WEBSITE: OnlyFans.com/CadeMaddox Instagram: @Maddox_Cade Twitter: @CadeMaddoxxx

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YOUR BEST SEX MOVE WITH CAMERON MCCOOL

HOW TO BE THE HOTTEST TOP IN TOWN If you spend time on the top bunk, here’s a bunch of moves to take your reputation into the top-osphere! LET’S FACE IT: a lot of tops don’t know how to

fuck. Even worse, many don’t seem to care about upgrading their sexual skillset. But they should, because when a top is great in bed, every willing bottom wants to get fucked by him, again and again.

MAKING THE MAGIC HAPPEN Average tops are only interested in getting themselves off. Great tops derive pleasure from getting the bottom off. If you fall into the second category, you win at sex every single time. When your pleasure comes from getting someone else off, your sexual adventures 80 DNA

will go into the next dimension. You’ll have a blast making your partners cum, and they’ll reciprocate by being the best goddamn bottom you’ve ever taken to Pound Town. On the flipside, if you’re just there to cum and run, if you treat your bottom like he’s just a dick receptacle, you won’t get a lot in return, and shouldn’t be surprised if guys stop returning your booty calls. Case in point: I was once fucked by a top who didn’t bother to make me cum. I let him fuck me a second time and, again, he was content to blow a load and not bother to help me orgasm. When the guy called for a third helping, the

words of the great Samantha Jones came to mind: “Fuck me badly once, shame on you. Fuck me badly twice, shame on me.” Needless to say, there was no round three.

ENTRY BY INVITATION ONLY If you throw a cake into the oven before the ingredients are fully mixed, the cake turns out like shit. Same goes for your sexual encounters. If you shove your dick inside a bottom before they’re warmed up, it won’t go well. So when is the right time to penetrate, exactly? Read the room. It’s all in the signs. Are the bottom’s eyes rolling back in his head? Is

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he moaning when you whisper in his ear? Is he responding positively to your finger/tongue/ cock playing lightly on his hole? His mood should be eager but relaxed. And don’t forget that you can just ask him! You’ve seen this done in porn, when the top teases the bottom by saying, “You want this, don’t you?” If he does, he’ll tell you. If he’s not ready, he’ll likely take the lead with a bit more foreplay.

UNLOCKING THE PLEASURE PALACE Rimming is a quick way to prime a bottom for penetration. But what makes a rim job great? Variety. Don’t just give his hole a light kiss and call it a day. Shove your tongue deep inside. Blow on the hole. Spread his cheeks and rub your stubble down his butt crack. Gently bite his ass. If the bottom can’t guess where you (or your tongue) will be going next, you’ll heighten his ecstasy tenfold. His butt hole is alive with nerve endings and muscles which, when stimulated expertly, will increase his arousal and send signals to his brain that more stimulation in that particular location would be a very good thing. A thorough, playful, inventive rimming that focuses on his pleasure lets your partner know that you mean business, that you’re the one in charge and that having you slide your cock into him would be a privilege and pleasure.

LEAVE THE JACKHAMMER AT HOME There’s a time and a place for pounding. It’s usually well into the experience when the bottom begs you to fuck him harder. But until you reach that point, slow the fuck down, champ! His sphincter is going to be tight at first, so warm it up with tons of foreplay (see above). And, for the love of good sex, change speeds occasionally. Switching things up will make the bottom think you fuck like a pro, and it can also help you from climaxing too quickly. Win-win. And, like a good architect or cinematographer, experiment with your angles. Your partner not a piece of Ikea furniture. There’s more than one way tab A can go into slot A. When you slow it down, also adjust your angle of entry. Some will work better than others. The two of you will have fun finding out which ones are the funnest!

Your second orgasm in an encounter can often by the bigger and more intense. If you’ve just met and the chemistry is going crazy between you, perhaps go at it hammer and tongs and get the first climax out of the way. Then, after a little rest, resume and enjoy the slower build of the second cuming. But if you came first the first time, be a gentleman and make sure he cums first on the second. As I said earlier, your pleasure should be his.

DON’T CUM TIL THE BOTTOM CUMS

DOUBLE STIMULATION. TRIPLE STIMULATION.

Once you cum, it’s hard to muster the enthusiasm to keep pleasuring your partner. Get into the habit of maintaining your hard-on until the bottom has cum. If you can, time it so that you cum together. If you struggle with this, just be open about it. Take a break while you’re fucking. Pull out and make out. Mini breaks will help you regain your cum-posure and prolong the session.

This sex move works every time. While you’re fucking a bottom on his back, spit into your hand and stimulate the head of his dick. Want to raise the stakes even further? Lean in and stimulate his nipple with your tongue. And here’s the triple threat: while fucking him, stimulate his cock with one hand and his nipples with the other. Do it right and you’ll send him into sensory overload.

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TURN UP THE JETS WITH INTIMACY Ever stared deep into someone’s eyes while you’re deep inside their butt? It heightens every other sensation during sex. Flip the bottom onto his back, grab his ankles, and slide in and out, nice and deep. While you’re doing it, maintain eye contact and enjoy the intensity.

BEAR HUG HIM FROM BEHIND For bottoms, few things are hotter than relinquishing control to a great top. Here’s one way to go about it. Put the bottom on his stomach and slide inside. Then, wrap your arms around his body and hug him tight. Enjoy deep, long thrusts. Lick his neck and ear. He’ll be writhing and squirming on your cock in no time. MORE: Got something to add to this list? Want to ask a question or make a suggestion for a future column? Email Cameron: [email protected]

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