Tag Archives: HIV

Mason Wyler declares his porn career dead

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Former Dallasite says HIV-positive status led to cancellation of contract

RICH LOPEZ  | Staff Writer
lopez@dallasvoice.com

QUIETER LIFE | Wyler figures life out as he’s lost his healthy salary from making adult films and tending to his HIV poz status. (Courtesty WylerNation.com)

Mason Wyler can be a hard man to figure out. He could be smarter than people give him credit for. After causing a frenzy last year coming out as HIV-positive, he’s received both criticism for irresponsibility in the industry but also reassuring feedback from his fans.

As he sees his career options dwindle, Wyler now has to figure what his next role will be — not in film, but in life.

“I would say my career as a porn performer is dead. I’m calling it. Mason Wyler as a porn performer is dead,” he declares.

Porn stars work in an industry that doesn’t garner them a lot of sympathy from society, but Wyler likes to remind people that he’s a human with real-life issues. Stating his career is dead lends itself to the same worries other people losing their job would feel. Following disclosure of his HIV status, his studio, Next Door, fizzled out his contract; his last “job” was the end of May. All as a result of his status.

“Because of my work, I’ve been able to not give a thought about money or bills or savings,” he admits. “But it’s been unreal. I’m sad and it is worrisome.”

During his contract for the past four years, Wyler says he was earning between $50,000 and $75,000 a year, but since coming out, he has been relegated to just webcam shows, clocking time until his contract was met. And as he saw it, the other studios were done with him.

“I worked with every major studio under the sun,” the former Dallasite says. “Now it’s a different story. But also, the industry is struggling due to the Internet.”

So maybe ending his career, by choice or not, is a smart move. Wyler considered his options and finds himself approaching an entirely new career path. Part of that includes moving back to the Dallas area away from his Houston suburban home with his partner.

“I’m sort of an idiot,” he laughs. “I had one semester left at UNT to graduate so it looks like in the near future I’ll be trekking my ass back up to DFW area and finishing my degree at UNT. Thankfully I left in good standing and able to be readmitted. For some reason I thought I had two years left and it turns out I only have 15 hours.”

He was working his way toward a teaching certificate initially, but now plans to finish his schooling and receive a bachelor’s degree in history. His goal: To work in a museum.

As for his health, he says he’s fine.

“I had a massive infection after just getting my wisdom teeth out but that had nothing to do with the HIV,” he says. “I go to my doc once a month to get my blood screened. People ask me what meds I’m on but my doc says as long as I feel healthy, my immune system is working, my T-cells are high and my viral load is down, I don’t need to be on any right now.”

Although a public person of sorts, Wyler has yet to resolve his position as any kind of spokesman for HIV prevention. He’s aware of the likely societal impression a former porn star would make, but he’s also conflicted about the messages already out there.

“There are two message the community wants to put out there: Know your status, play safe, etcetera. And then, from the poz side, the message is to stay healthy, live your life, what not,” he says. “If I’m trying to get rid of any stigma, I think it cancels out the ‘safe sex message.’ Then it doesn’t show how devastating it can be. As a positive person, when I hear those reassuring messages about feeling fine, I think it lends to actually making people feel worse about the situation. It’s very difficult for me to resolve it all.”

There is a certain earnest and conflict in his voice with an added confusion. This is why he hasn’t attempted to be any sort of activist. Additionally, his decision not to be on medication may be controversial for others. He’s still figuring it out.

“In terms of any kind of platform, I still write on my site, but I don’t think I’m the person to turn to for any sort of legitimate advice,” he acknowledges. “Hopefully I can just tell people that everybody should know the risks and act accordingly. I think it’s a personal responsibility.”

So what does the future hold for “Mason Wyler” now that he’s been publicly announced as dead by his creator.

“Maybe one of the Caven clubs can host a funeral for him,” he laughs. “I’d attend that for sure. That could be fun as I return to Dallas!”

For more on Wyler, visit his blog WylerNation.com.

—  Rich Lopez

Proof positive

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Terrance Gilbert combated the stigma of HIV by turning his camera on himself

HIV?IN?FOCUS | Gilbert’s photo essay is part of a series by queer black artsis. (Arnold Wayne Jones/Dallas Voice)

RICH LOPEZ  | Staff Writer
lopez@dallasvoice.com

When Terrance Omar Gilbert takes a look at himself, he does it in dramatic fashion. It’s not with a mirror that he gazed into the man he is, but through a lens. At 18, Gilbert was diagnosed with HIV; by 24, his body had deteriorated to 110 pounds before he got on medication. That’s when he decided to use his camera to document his body’s reaction and transformation.

“It’s very difficult, but those early pictures are something I have to look at in order to appreciate where I am now,” says the 25-year-old photographer. “I look back at them and think about how I felt and the pain I was in. I see a skeleton.”

In Gilbert’s petite body, now 40 pounds healthier, lies a dynamo. He struggled initially after the diagnosis, suffering depression and a sense of dread along with coping with the stigma of having HIV — which, in his African-American culture, was an added burden. But he opted not to be seen as a victim. Instead, he strived for self-awareness and empowerment. That resolve led him to point the camera at himself, where he could gain something even more important: Knowledge.
“Never once was I exposed to proper sex education in school, so I educated myself,” he says. “For me to go in and do research, now that I work professionally in the field, that makes me have a passion to help anyone. And honestly, I can do that through pictures.”

Gilbert teamed with Fahari Arts Institute for their “Arts and AIDS” season, which addresses the disease through African-American perspectives. Gilbert was set to debut his photographic essay for the Poz Eyes exhibit in April, but there was a bump in the road.

“That didn’t happen as planned,” Fahari artistic director Harold Steward says. “But we’re reworking it and intend to have Terrance’s work up maybe by the end of summer.”

The intent of Poz Eyes is to feature exhibits by queer, poz black artists in solo shows. The rescheduling, however, worked in Gilbert’s favor: His pictorial essay is perpetually evolving, and he has added photos to his work.

“My goal is to do a day, to six months, to a year with this project,” he says. “And the year wrap up would roughly be around October. I have done portions of it at conferences and as well as the Positive Youth Conference which will be here in August.”

The photos range from abstract images of himself to daily living to visits to his doctor.

But Gilbert just isn’t about his pictures. Although it’s his artistic expression, he’s been an advocate for education and awareness with intent on teaching people his age, notably African-Americans, the language of HIV and the preventive nature people can approach it with. In Houston, he worked with Empowerment as an introduction to AIDS advocacy work. Upon moving to Dallas, he transferred to United Black Ellument to expand his work. He is now the Youth Ambassador for the Anthony Chisom AIDS Foundation, which the organization announced last Monday.

Although he speaks in a professional and serious demeanor, Gilbert chuckles at his own vanity and admits to pulling out the camera for random photos of himself to post on Facebook.
“I have like 1,300 pictures on there, and, like, 1,200 are of me,” he laughs.

The photographer who had been taking pictures since he was a child has the philosophy that every picture tells a story.  And his own story turns out to be one of the most compelling — and not just for him. Gilbert is documenting not only his own life, but also the face of HIV in a younger generation.

“I found this was my calling,” he says.

For more on Gilbert’s photography work, visit  TrademarkFotography.Blogspot.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 1, 2011.

—  Michael Stephens

Demolition complete at new AIDS Arms clinic

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Heavy equipment completing demolition at the new AIDS Arms clinic on Sunset Avenue in Oak Cliff.

Construction on AIDS Arms’ new Oak Cliff clinic on Sunset Street is progressing on schedule.

AIDS Arms Executive Director Raeline Nobles reports that all demolition is complete with plumbing now being installed in the foundation of the building.

“In addition, the new HVAC system is being put into place,” Nobles said. “Wall materials have begun to be delivered as well.”

The new facility on Sunset Avenue should open for clients by the fall. The building formerly housed the administrative and social services offices of AIDS Arms. Those have moved to 351 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 300.

The new clinic will compliment the agency’s Peabody Clinic in South Dallas. A full-service pharmacy, laboratory, diagnostic and exam rooms and an HIV research center will all be part of the new facility.

Other support services that are offered by AIDS Arms and other agencies will be provided in a community resource center at the clinic.

Construction began May 4 after a sledgehammer party to begin tearing down the old walls of the facility.

—  David Taffet

UT Southwestern marks HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

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DAVID TAFFET | Staff Writer
taffet@dallasvoice.com

UT Southwestern’s Dr. Mamta Jain will be at ilume on May 18 to give a presentation on the necessity for an HIV vaccine.

Jain is heading a clinical trial of a vaccine that may help researchers understand how the immune system may prevent HIV. They are trying to understand why some people who are HIV-positive develop AIDS while others do not.

The study began last September but participants for the trial are still needed.

Jain said that participants cannot contract HIV from the vaccine.

“The vaccine is composed of man-made proteins that are found in HIV, not the HIV virus itself,” Jain said. “The vaccine cannot cause infection.”

Participants will receive three shots of either the vaccine or a placebo plus a booster shot in the first six months. Then they will return every three months for an HIV test, interview and risk-reduction counseling.

The study runs for three years.

Investigators are looking for gay men or transgender women who have sex with men who are between the ages of 18 and 5o and are HIV-negative. Testing to qualify would be done at UT Southwestern.

Jain will speak in the Great Room and Champagne Lounge at ilume, 4123 Cedar Springs Road on May 18 at 5-7 p.m. Free.

—  John Wright

Action Alert: Texas Senate panel to consider funding for HIV/AIDS drug program

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Resource Center Dallas is calling on people to contact members of the Texas Senate Finance Committee and ask them to fully fund the state’s HIV Medication Program. The Finance Committee is scheduled to consider the funding on Thursday, according to RCD.

As we noted last week, a Senate finance subcommittee did not list the HIV Medication Program as one of its top priorities when making its recommendations last week. Unless the state Legislature provides an additional $19.2 million for the program over the next two years, the state will have to cut off enrollment or restrict access. The program currently provides life-sustaining medication to 14,000 low-income people with HIV/AIDS.

From the Resource Center moments ago:

ACTION ALERT! Tomorrow the Senate Finance Committee will consider funding the Texas HIV Medication Program.

We must let the committee members know that if they fail to fund the Texas HIV Medication Program people will not have access to the drugs that keep them alive.

We are asking you to make three phone calls to key Senators on the Senate Finance Committee. The message is simple-

“I am asking you to fully fund the Texas HIV Medication Program.  The lives of thousands of Texans depend on it.”

Senator Steve Ogden  512.463.0105

Senator Juan Hinojosa 512.463.0120

Senator Jane Nelson    512.463.0112

We are asking you to make these calls now!  The vote is scheduled to take place on Thursday morning. In addition to your own action, please reach out to your networks: email lists, Facebook, Twitter, co-workers and friends.

—  John Wright

What’s Brewing: Anti-gay La. pastor arrested for masturbating at park; new hope for AIDS cure

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Grant Sands

Your weekday morning blend from Instant Tea:

1. The Rev. Grant Storms, an anti-gay pastor known for protesting the Southern Decadence gay festival in New Orleans, was arrested Friday for masturbating at a public playground. Two women observed Storms masturbating in a van while looking at children near the carousel.

2. Speaker John Boehner said in an interview Monday with the Christian Broadcast Network that the House is likely to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court now that President Barack Obama’s administration has announced that it will no longer do so. Boehner called Obama’s decision not to defend the law “raw politics” and said he expects a decision on the House’s next step by the end of this week.

3. Scientists used genetic engineering to develop blood cells resistant to HIV in a new approach they say could lead to a cure for the virus that causes AIDS.

—  John Wright

Study says gel with tenofovir may prevent HIV transmission during anal sex

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Results of a study released today during the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections being held in Boston indicate that a medicinal gel containing the HIV drug tenofovir could help prevent the transmission of HIV during anal sex.

According to a report posted today on DrugWatch.com, the same gel has been shown in other studies to reduce the rate of HIV transmission during vaginal sex. The risks of HIV transmission during anal sex can be as much as 20 times higher than during vaginal sex.

In the study, participants were given either the tenofovir gel, a placebo gel or a tenofovir tablet to be taken orally. Researchers then took anal tissue from each group and exposed the tissue to HIV. The study indicates that of the three, the tenofovir gel significantly reduced the rate of HIV transmission, and that it provided the most protection after a seven-day course of treatment.

Researchers said they are also “tweaking” the gel’s inactive ingredients to hopefully eliminate some of the side effects — such as severe diarrhea and lower stomach cramps — reported by study participants who used the tenofovir gel.

Reuters reports that a separate, mid-stage study, comparing the oral and gel forms of tenofovir in African and American women, indicates that daily use of tenofovir gel resulted in a more than 100-times higher concentration of active drug in vaginal tissue compared with use of an oral tablet.

—  admin

WATCH: Lady Gaga on self-love, AIDS prevention and her little monsters on ‘Good Morning America’

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In case you were heading in to work at this time, Lady Gaga appeared today on Good Morning America. Remember, she’s the spokesperson for MAC cosmetics and discussed their work with HIV prevention, but she also talked to Robin Roberts about a few other things.

Not that we’ll post every appearance on TV by her, but I thought she was relatively poignant about working toward educating and preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS.

—  Rich Lopez

Osito Foundation launches HIV awareness effort

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A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control, conducted in 21 major cities and released last September, indicated that one in five men who have sex with men are infected with HIV — and of those infected, nearly half don’t know they have the virus.

Spurred on by those findings, the Osito Foundation, based in Spring, Texas, has launched its first website targeting HIV awareness, education and prevention, StoppingHIV.com.

The website, according to Osito co-founders Rod Castle and Carlos A. Obanda, offers “a short and straightforward” message “designed to communicate the message that every individual has to take personal responsibility in stopping the spread of HIV. The purpose of this website is to encourage people to make a personal commitment and to sign the online pledge.”

The website features an introductory segment that has music with a thumping bass beat and messages flashing across a plain, dark blue background urging people to act responsibly. The home page offers a “contract with yourself” regarding safe sex practices, and explains “the ABCs of safe sex”: Abstinence, Being faithful and using Condoms.

There’s more, of course, including an “HIV 411″ page with links to various online resources on HIV/AIDS.

“HIV is 100 percent preventable, and new infections could almost be eradicated overnight if every sexually active person would live by our motto: ‘I’m not going to GET IT; I’m not going to GIVE IT,’” said Castle, CEO of the Osito Foundation CEO.

Obanda, the foundation’s vice president, said Osito is planning HIV awareness and education events in more than 20 cities across the U.S. with the highest rates of HIV infection.

For those of us who have been living in, around and with the epidemic for more than 20 years, the information on the website might seem like old hat (although the music is great!). But obviously, considering infection rates continue to rise, there are plenty of people out there who haven’t gotten the message yet. So check out the site and spread the word. If it helps keep just one person from becoming infected, it’s worth it.

—  admin

Mason Wyler: Why I’m Returning To Porn As An HIV+ Bareback Performer

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On Sunday Queerty published a post about hypocrisy of some gay porn studios claiming to care about their performers' HIV health while not insisting on blanket condom use. Mason Wyler, the HIV-positive porn star, drafted a response.

Last week, RawFuckClub.com released a scene I did in December with owner Owen Hawk and his boyfriend Brandon Hawk. Condoms were not used during the shoot. I don't have any sort of ideological reason behind why I chose to do what I did but I do have reasons.

I did it because my career had been at a standstill (or dead) for nearly nine months. I sent out emails, made phone calls, and tweeted to little or no avail. I got offers from plenty of bareback studios but the big studios, which are "safe-sex" studios, weren't interested. There are many justifications as to why my time in the mainstream part of the industry is seemingly over. I don't look as good as I used to… especially compared to who's out there today. I've worked for nearly every major studio/website there is when companies covet exclusivity. I make headlines and gain attention for horrible things. I'm HIV Positive and everybody knows it. I've been in this business for six years, that's a long time for porn, maybe too long but I can't bring myself to throw in the towel so when RawFuckClub.com gave me an offer too good to refuse, I took it. I love having sex on camera and I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. Not yet anyway.

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Queerty

—  David Taffet