Confessions Of A Bareback Sauna Slut & Queer Identities

I've been following a blogger for a few years now and although it was possible to work out his identity by looking at several sites, he always kept it 'secret' in terms of his blog which has evolved over time. I've used exerts from his blog in my law and sexuality class to talk about bareback (condomless) sex and the identities that some men take on in terms of defining bareback sex and also the broader concept of 'slutdom'. I've always protected his identity when using these extracts on the basis of his own secrecy and I've never been able to make my mind up about linking directly to his blog due to the ethical questions that could raise - that is until now.

The blogger - Josh - has over the past year been uploading videos of him engaging in bareback sex - he has carefully garnered a heightened online presence with recent moves into Facebook and Twitter as his abreback 'persona'. This latest 'incarnation' follows a break from the blogosphere but Josh is back, desperate to break into bareback porn via Treasure Island Media and talking openly about his desires, and his identity. This week he decided to 'out' himself and his 'real world' identity. Josh describes this move in the following terms:

'This is a huge step, as it means I am fully identifiable... something that I never expected to do given the nature of the blog. And I suspect that I am only one of perhaps a couple of authors of amature [sic] gay blogs, especially bareback ones, who is outing himself publicly in this way... the majority of the mob like to hide behind anonymity.'

In addition to his desire to make porn for TIM and Liam Cole (TIM's UK man - see my brief article on them here), Josh explains his rationale as follows:

'i've been recognisable in my videos and some of my photos for quite some time. Most people who know me on the scene where I live, know I do bareback, and don't judge me for it. Granted there's my parents and work colleagues, but hopefully they'll never be made aware of this blog, as I don't divludge [sic] that sort of information. Secondly, I always strive to keep my blog ahead of the field. I was one of the first amature [sic] bareback bloggers on the scene; my first posting was way back in 2006. I've witnessed the boom in gay bareback bloggers over the last few years, and gone from one of a handful, to one of thousands. I like to think that my blog is well enough established that I can do something like this, and reveal my identity to the world. It keeps my blog different from the crowd.'

He is indeed one of few bareback bloggers to reveal his identity. I've been reading since 2006 and found it a particularly interesting example for its candour - and being UK based (many were US based in the earlier days) it also offered a rare UK perspective on bareback sex as a fetishised behaviour and lifestyle. Josh's identity has also evolved from barebacker slut who visited saunas to a slut par excellence for whom sauna visits are rarely mentioned.

This latest move is really important in creating public 'out and proud' barebackers (Josh says he is repeatedly tested as HIV negative). This is in turn important in the politicisation of this identity, and thus creating a queer force that can challenge the law (both actual and emerging) in the area of bareback sex and HIV transmission. The blog also shows a guy who - shock horrror - looks like a normal guy you might pass in the street. The use of what Josh calls 'normal' pictures is to position Josh at the cross-axis between normative and queer sexual behaviours. We see Josh as the ordinary young guy next door (he may indeed be next door to some of you!) and he's also cast in his blog and videos as the bareback cum-hungry slut.

It is also a rather courageous move - with obvious implications for his life if employers (present and future), or family members stumble across the blog (although that is unlikely and if they are Googling 'Bareback Sauna Slut' there are probably bigger fish to fry). It also means that Josh could be a target for those who are concerned by bareback and/or promiscuous behaviour. He will inevitably put the spot-light on the commercial saunas that he visits as well as the men he encounters.

Nonetheless, I now feel able to link to his blog here. He has clearly had years to reflect on this decision and if he is happy for you to know who he is, it seems you know that this fascinating and engaging blog exists. As you (hopefully) will have realised, it contains explicit sexual images and explicit sexual language. If that's not your cup of tea or you're accessing the site from somewhere where it might breach your own IT regs (i.e many universities!) check it out at an alternative venue.

I'd be really interested in hearing your thoughts on the site. For my students - we'll be taking a look at the blog posts (you won't need to go on the actual blog) in the workshops before winter vacation.

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