Tag Archives: LGBTQ

COL682: Bears in Entertainment Media Today

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the cubs turn on the TV and get into a discussion about bears in the media today. The guys ponder the question about bear representation in films, TV and more and how it has changed over the years. Are there still stigmas about hirsute chubby men or have we become “mainstream”? Tune in as the cubs share their feelings on the subject while waxing nostalgia about bearish actors of yore.

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Bears in Entertainment Media Today

Given the changes in the media landscape over the past decades, is there any bear representation today? Do we continue to see fatphobia in the entertainment media, especially when it comes to men regardless of their self-identified sexual orientation? Has the bear community peaked in the media as the broader LGBTQ+ family continues integrating into the broader world society?

In The Last Us’ zombie hellscape… – The Guardian Article

 

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COL667: LTA… BROS (film)

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s time for another Let’s Talk About…Well, actually, the guys bring back COL Movies for a bit to discuss the movie “Bros”. Talked up as the first mainstream LGBT rom-com, listen in as the cubs share their thoughts on the film, its hype and the recent uproar it has received from fans and critics alike. Does it live up to expectations or is it just another gay movie?

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LTA… BROS (film)

Hollywood made the first ever ‘mainstream’ all LGBTQ romantic comedy, BROS. Opening weekend box office numbers did not match expectations/hopes. Opinions abounded online with digital finger pointing. Having seen the film, what do we think are the ups and downs of this movie? Did it meet our expectations? Do we care about it much?

Bros | Official Trailer [HD]

 

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COL658: WGO: July 2022

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s our What’s Going On for the month of July. Things are heating up for the cubs (some quite literally) as summer drags on. From travel plans to wedding bells, the guys share their good and frustrating moments for the seventh month of the year.

What’s Going On?

  • Jeff: Don’t You Know That It’s Hot, Hot, Hot
  • Damon: ONYX travels, Chorus Transitions and Date Set
  • Gary: Frustration, Chicago Cherry Pop and Work Travel

Feedback 

Facebook Follows:                               

  • Sidekick Productions
  • PupZeo – 2021 World Pet
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Facebook Follows & Likes:

  • Andre N Ayala
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Facebook Comment/Post:

  • Re: COL656: Nostalgia For Sale? – Doug Joy: (Looks around room at toys) nah no way lol

YouTube Comment:

  • Re: COL656: Nostalgia For Sale? – Doug Joy: Short answer yes, absolutely 

Twitter Followers

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Patreon Updates

  • Welcome our newest Buddy level Patron J.R. the Hiker Bear who joined us 7/19/22!
  • BIG BEAR CUB HUGS to our Patrons! 
    • Cubsters: Charles W. 
    • Ubehrs: Dave T., Li, Michael Q, and Tim S.
    • plus our Buddies: Lloyd G., Michael V, Zack B., and now J.R.!

Recent Shows

  • COL653: WGO: June 2022
  • COL654: LTAS: Awakening
  • COL655: Health Alert: Beyond STIs
  • COL656: Nostalgia For Sale?
  • COL657: World Pet 2021

Congrats to previous guest Paul Lanner on the success of this month’s HAH The Event.com!

From the HAH FB post on July 11, 2022: The amazing speech given by the Tommy Clancy, HAH haunter of the year.  “I am honored to be the recipient of the Haunters Against Hate haunter of the year award. From a young age I have been very passionate about Halloween. Without my incredibly supportive parents it wouldn’t have been possible for me to get involved with the haunt industry. My family and I put on a home haunt every year starting when I was 8 years old. After a few seasons my Mom and I traveled to Columbus for the Midwest Haunters Convention. I walked into the convention center with the biggest smile on my face, I felt at home; I was surrounded with what I love. A few years back I met Paul and was instantly made to feel welcome and loved. I am so thankful to have met him, the incredibly kind man that he is. He asked me to be in volume one of the Haunters Against Hate books and I very excitedly accepted, with my home haunt character. Eventually I grew out of wanting to put on the home haunt, I wanted more. I am appreciative of Jenny Braverman for gracefully introducing my family to the Zombie Army Productions team. The next season I started scaring at HellsGate Haunted House. I’m very lucky and grateful to now be a part of the Zombie Army, the most loving and rowdy group I could ever ask for. Zombie Army has taught me to be proud of who I am, something easier said than done. I have always preached acceptance of everyone, but at the same time have struggled with acceptance of myself. I am currently recovering from Anorexia, a disease stemmed in hate and unacceptance. I didn’t even know if I would be able to attend this ceremony because I was away from home for 2 months due to my treatment program. I used attending Haunters Against Hate the event as motivation. I was struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel for so long, but that’s just what Haunters Against Hate is for me. That light at the end of the long fucking tunnel. I was able to muster all my might and get through it. I owe it to Paul and the love of my family. Thank you for this honor Paul and for the work you do for our community.”

Previous guest Joshua Pangborn from SideKick Productions is continuing their new project film “A Taste of Youth” with a fundraising campaign has been launched with Indiegogo. Consider supporting Queer Horror and Fat Positivity content by visiting A Taste of Youth.com to see how you can help make this horror feature happen.

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COL655: Health Alert: Beyond STIs

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s a sort-of Hostful News Update. For this update, Gary brings the guys up to date on recent alerts that may have a major impact on the LGBTQ+ community. While not traditional STIs, two recent disease outbreaks are affecting men who have sex with men. Listen in as the guys share some knowledge to keep you all informed, safe and protected.

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Health Alert: Beyond STIs

Sexually active people can become infected with more than just the commonly known diseases of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. In 2022, two other diseases are having reported outbreaks of cases among the category known as ‘Men who have Sex with Men’, aka MSM. Today we’ll bring awareness to these two new disease outbreaks.

Meningococcal Disease Outbreak in FL

    • CDC page
    • What MSM Need to Know PDF
    • Serogroups
      • What are they? A group of bacteria containing a common antigen
      • How many exist?
        • At least 13 serogroups for Meningococci have been described: A, B, C, D, E, H, I, K, L, W-135, X, Y, and Z
        • Serogroups B and C have caused most cases of meningococcal meningitis in the United States since the end of World War II; before that, group A was more prevalent. 
        • More than 99% of meningococcal infections are caused by serogroups A, B, C, 29E, or W-135.
  • In response to the serogroup C outbreak in Florida, CDC is encouraging gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (with or without HIV) to:
    • Get a MenACWY vaccine if they live in Florida
    • Talk with their healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine if they are traveling to Florida
  • CDC routinely recommends MenB vaccine for people 10 years or older who are at increased risk for meningococcal disease during an outbreak involving serogroup B. CDC also recommends a booster shot for those at increased risk due to an outbreak who received the vaccine more than 1 year ago.

Monkeypox Disease Global Outbreak

  • History/Naming: 
    • First discovered in 1958, two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research
    • Source of the disease remains unknown; African rodents and non-human primates may harbor the virus and infect people
    • First human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970
    • Prior to 2022, nearly all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel or through imported animals
  • The 2022 Outbreak
    • World Health Organization info: Most reported cases so far have been identified through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health-care facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men.
    • Actual number of cases is likely to be underestimated, in part due to the lack of early clinical recognition of an infection previously known in only a handful of countries, and limited enhanced surveillance mechanisms in many countries for a disease previously ‘unknown’ to most health systems.
    • CDC Global Case Map – updated frequently
      • As of July 8 ‘22, reported 8,238 cases
        • UK: 1,552
        • Germany: 1,490
        • Spain: 1,256
        • US: 790
    • CDC US Case Map – updated frequently
      • As of July 8 ‘22
        • New York: 153
        • California: 136
        • Illinois: 91
        • Florida: 72
        • District of Columbia: 64
  • CDC Monkeypox FAQs
  • Spread:
    • Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact. 
    • Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.
    • Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids.
    • Not considered a sexually transmitted infection. Monkeypox can be spread during intimate physical contact between people. This contact can happen when you have sex, including:
  • Oral and insertive sex, plus touching the genitals or anus of a person with monkeypox
  • Hugging, massage, kissing or talking closely with a person infected with monkeypox
  • Touching fabrics, shared surfaces, and objects, such as bedding, towels and sex toys, that were used by a person with monkeypox
  • Anyone can get monkeypox if they have close contact with someone who has the virus.
  • Sex is not required for infection, but is a delivery mechanism.
  • Signs / Symptoms:
    • Typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications
    • Underlying immune deficiencies may lead to worse outcomes.
    • Usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks
    • Incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days
    • Invasion period (lasts between 0–5 days) characterized by:
      • Fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph nodes
      • Back pain, muscle aches, and an intense lack of energy 
    • Skin eruption period usually begins within 1–3 days of the appearance of fever. 
      • Rash tends to be more concentrated on the face and extremities rather than on the trunk. 
      • Affects the face (in 95% of cases), and palms of the hands and soles of the feet (in 75% of cases). 
      • Also affected: oral mucous membranes (in 70% of cases), genitalia (30%), and front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids (20%), as well as the cornea. 
      • Rash evolves sequentially from lesions with a flat base to papules (slightly raised firm lesions), vesicles (lesions filled with clear fluid), pustules (lesions filled with yellowish fluid), and crusts which dry up and fall off. 
      • Number of lesions varies from a few to several thousand. 
      • In severe cases, lesions can coalesce until large sections of skin slough off.
  • Treatment / Vaccination:
    • There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections.
    • Although vaccination against smallpox was protective in the past, today persons younger than 40 to 50 years of age (depending on the country) may be more susceptible to monkeypox due to cessation of smallpox vaccination campaigns globally after eradication of the disease.
    • CDC does not recommend widespread vaccination against monkeypox at this time.
    • U.S. government has two stockpiled vaccines—JYNNEOS and ACAM2000—that can prevent monkeypox in people who have been exposed to the virus.
    • Watch for changes on this as vaccine availability changes. There is a presumption that at-risk populations, such as MSM, are encouraged to get prophylactic vaccination.

Takeaways:

  • Knowledge and awareness are the prevention tools of fear. While these diseases can be life changing and could lead to death if not treated, we have the tools to limit infections and community spread.
  • If you are unsure about any symptoms you are experiencing, talk with a healthcare professional, preferably one that is familiar with these diseases. This could be staff at a Federally Qualified Health Center [FQHC], your personal physician, or a reputable LGBTQIA health practitioner.
  • Meningococcal Disease
    • Talk with your healthcare provider about getting a MenACWY vaccine, especially if travel to Florida may be in your plans.
    • Provide them with information/links and be your own health care advocate.
  • Monkeypox Disease
  • Prevention is key in public health to limit the spread of infections.
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COL648: Voting in 2022

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the cubs head to their local polling places and discuss voting in the year 2022. Given the leak of the US Supreme Court’s opinion draft for the potential overturn of Roe v Wade, the impact of personal freedoms is becoming unknown. Is the SCOTUS opinion a slippery slope? Could marriage equality and gay adoption be next? With this and other topics potentially on the chopping block, is voting the only power society has left? Listen as the guys share their opinions on the recent news and deliberate on the importance of voting and more.

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Voting in 2022

Given the leak of the US Supreme Court opinion draft for the potential overturn of Roe v Wade, the impact of personal freedoms is becoming unknown. Could marriage equality be ended? What about adoption? Will the education of future generations become more polarized?

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