A Touch Of Gay Podcast 56 – 04/26/26

Dallas police raid on gay sex party, Mr Texas and Mr Australia Leather contests, International Mr. Leather coming up!

Daily Inspiration: Our sex can a beautiful violent joy

* Leo Herrera, Analog Cruising

Check In: Crazy Season

* Events filling up the calendar for spring and summer

* IML coming up and getting ready to make some pieces

* Work challenging with new training to escape AI encroachment

Politics Social: Sex Party Police Raid – Dallas Observer

* Dallas Police raided a Cumunion sex party last week on Friday the 17th, detaining dozens of men and ultimately arresting two of the event’s organizers.

* Police said the raid was part of an initiative targeting sexually oriented businesses. The venue, Spayse Studios just off Harry Hines Blvd says it host everything from “birthday parties, to anniversaries, to adult kink parties.”

* Forty-eight men were detained. Police seized a load of drungs including 27 grams of marijuana, 671 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and 11,000 grams of hash oil. Also seized was $11,000 in cash, multiple computers, hard drives and other electronics, as well as “pleasure devices” along with a cargo van believed to be used in the production of pornography.

* Ultimately two men who police say organized the event were arrested and now face charges.

* Police say the reason for the raid was that organizers didn’t get the proper permits.

* The Cumunion event is part of a nationwide franchise brand of gay sex parties that are held at various kinds of venues from bathhouses to rented warehouse spaces. The Cumunion website only stated that “due to circumstances outside of our control,” the evening portion of the party was canceled.”

Leather News:

* Austin Kink Weekend - Mr. Texas Leather – Rodrigo - https://www.instagram.com/khal_rodro/

* Austin Kink Weekend - Ty and Bootpup Maximus who are the new Mx.Texas Leather and Texas Bootblack.

* Mr Australian Leather - Cal - https://www.instagram.com/hair_n_hide

Event: International Mr. Leather – Chicago – May 21-25

* International Mr. Leather contest

* Dozens of events, parties, workshops, vendor mart

* Tickets still available

* Host hotel wait list, but neighboring hotels still available

* Recovery Meetings twice daily

* Link: https://www.internationalmrleather.com/

Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

* Website: atouchofgay.com

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* Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

* YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

* Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am

This week our host Daddy Sam celebrates 9 years of continuous sobriety from alcohol and drugs, the pride flag returns to Stonewall Inn, and the latest leather news and events!

Daily Inspiration: After getting sober, it was a whole new world

* “The gay world is intertwined with drinking and drugging. After getting sober, it was a whole new world” - Dave Becker

Check In: Nine years of sobriety

* Admitting I could not continue as I was.

* Willingness to change everything.

* Leaving the scene doesn’t mean checking out of life.

* A journey to clarity and purpose.

* Joy and fulfillment beyond imagination – not giving up anything.

Politics Social: Pride Flag Reinstated At Stonewall

* The National Park Service will restore the Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument in New York after a settlement was struck between the Trump administration and a group of nonprofit organizations.

* The administration ordered the removal of the rainbow flag from the first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ back in February, citing a policy restricting non-government flags.

* The Stonewall National Monument was first designated by President Barack Obama in 2016, protecting the Stonewall Inn in New York City as a historic site, becoming the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ history.

Leather News:

* Mr. Anvil Phoenix 2026 – Bloo

* Indigenous Leatherman of Diné and Hopi Tribes

* Flags red, sex positive, music lover.

* https://www.instagram.com/bloo.by.nite/

Event: Baja Bears Bear Weekend 5/29-31 – Mexicali, Baja California

* Friday - Underwear Party at Porkys Show Center

* Saturday - Pool and Foam Party at Rancho Arroyo Hondo

* Sunday - Tour Secretos De La Chinesca Barrio Chino

* Sunday Fetich Room at La Interna – Farewell Gathering

* https://www.instagram.com/bajabears/

Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

* Website: atouchofgay.com

* Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

* Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

* YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

* Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am

Today we get some wisdom from Queen Williamson, a new once-daily HIV medication for "the forgotten population", checking your sources before posting, and the latest leather scene news.

Daily Inspiration: Your playing small does not serve the world

* Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. - Marianne Williamson

Check In:

* Leather weekend in Phoenix

* Mr. Anvil Leather

Politics Social: Misinformation

* Verify news memes before you post or comment on them

* Google, Associated Press, Reuters, CNN, NBC, etc

Health: One tablet per day HIV medication in testing for legacy HIV patients

* New 1-tablet HIV medication being tested by Gillead for “forgotten population”

* To replace multi-medication regine for patients from 80s-90s who have become resistant

* Combines Bictegravir and Lenacapavir into one tablet that’s smaller than a multivitamin.

* Gilliad expects to submit to US government for approal in near future

* Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/03/nx-s1-5727702/hiv-aids-pill

Leather News:

* Mr. Fetish Berlin 2026 – Alexander – Stompee https://www.instagram.com/werepup_stompee/

* Mr London Leather 2025 – Galen https://www.instagram.com/solidwolfg2/

Event: Folsom Street East – June 21st

* 27th street between 11th and 12th Avenues in Manhattan

* Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

* Information about all surrounding events

* Tickets available at the website for festival

* Website: https://www.folsomstreeteast.com/

Please drop your comments on YouTube or email them to daddysam@atouchofgay.com

* Website: atouchofgay.com

* Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky: atouchofgaypod

* Audio Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

* YouTube Podcast drops a day early on Saturday

* Our Podcast plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am

In-depth interview with Mr. Cincinnati Leather Sgt. Alex on how he got started in leather, what motivates him, and where he is headed next.

Follow Sgt. Alex:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsargentoalex/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579373378664

Pulse Nightclub demolition, LGBTQ+ workplace employment discrimination, and DadFest 2026.

Our Daily Inspiration: Today I will affirm my worth as a human being and a gay person.

* Growing up we were bombarded with negativity about being gay.

* We were taunted, called names, and attacked.

* We should feel good about being gay.

Check In: High heat and navigating transportation

* It’s already over 100 degrees in Arizona before end of March.

* Sold vehicle requires strategies to get around, do errands, and smartly.

Pulse Nightclub Demolition

* March 18th demolition of the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL commenced.

* Bittersweet moment as the building has been a makeshift memorial since the 2016 massacre where 49 were killed.

* The demolition follows a symbolic step taken last week, when the club’s iconic sign was removed.

* Demolition makes way for a new permanent memorial that will be built by the City Of Orlando.

* A dedicated website offers a detailed narrative of the project: https://www.pulseorlando.org

Legal Alert: Fourth Circuit Federal Court to weigh LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination case

* Zinski v. Liberty University, began as a straightforward Title VII claim. Ellenor Zinski alleges she was fired in 2023 after informing Liberty University – a conservative religious college, that she is a transgender woman and is undergoing medical transition.

* This week, a federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, heard the case where Liberty University wants to invoke its religious beliefs to fire a transgender employee.

* Her lawsuit argues that her termination violated Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination, relying on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that firing someone for being transgender or gay constitutes discrimination because of sex. Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch extended workplace protections to LGBTQ+ employees nationwide, but left unresolved how those protections interact with claims of religious liberty.

* The court will rule in the coming months.

Event: Dadfest – Cathedral City, CA – July 2-5, 2026

* Time to show off those Dad Bods! Western Xposure’s Dadfest is a sexy daddy way to celebrate the 4th of July. This coming July weekend is your chance to get some quality pool time in with dads, bears, and other big friendly men.

* DJ’s from Dry Heat will be poolside all weekend bringing their unique sound to all of Dadfest!​

* Explore CCBC! There are trails to roam, grassy areas to relax in, dark rooms and outdoor play spaces, and much more including hot tubs, a steam room, and cold plunge waterfall.

* Free lunch BBQ on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

* Passes and reservations for CCBC now available at https://www.westernxposure.net

Viewer Comments:

In reference to Episode 43 topic, “Are you a traveling ho?”

“Hi Sam! Would love if you could highlight the various Jacks clubs around the country (and the world), giving men access to safer play (and lower-pressure play for those who may be cock-curious), and also the social bonding that can come from mutual masturbation. It’s also awesome for breaking-down age barriers! “

Please drop your comments on YouTube or email to me at sam@growingoldergay.com

* Our website: growingoldergay.com

* Follow our social media channels

* Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

* Video version of podcast drops a day early YouTube!

* Our show plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am

Our 50th episode covers sex positivity and blunt discussion into moral judgements about sexual preferences, practices and STI prevention.

Our Daily Inspiration: Sex positivity is an philosophy, not a behavior

* Def: Having or promoting an open, tolerant, or progressive attitude toward sex and sexuality.

* Viewing sex as a normal and healthy part of life, respecting others’ sexual preferences.

* Not being judgmental of other’s consensual and legal sex practices and preferences.

Check In: Choosing not to own a car

* I sold my personal vehicle not out of need, but desire to live without one.

* Reduce living costs and free up money for other priorities.

* Change perspectives and strategies on transportation local and long distance.

What our podcast is about and our perspectives

* Our tagline: A leather scented weekly discussion of LGBTQ+ kitchen table issues, can’t miss events, and life lessons.

* Sex positive, unashamedly advocating for sexual health, safe practices, and prevention.

* Open and frank talk about health, sex, social topics, and how political matter affect us.

* Celebrates a vibrant lifestyle – just because we are aging doesn’t men we quit living.

* Support transgender community 110% - no apologies.

* Content admittedly leans toward topics concerning gay men.

Viewer Comments:

In reference to our topic on last week’s podcast episode alerting our community to a new STI that is beginning to circulate:

“We are who we are and we do what we do” ??? Only SOME in the community do what they do. SOME of us prefer stable partnerships instead.............

Really speaks to the benefits of fewer partners or monogamy for our community”

* Monogamy is not a foolproof or reliable STI prevention method.

* We do not judge our community around legal and consensual sexual practices – especially in when discussing important health issues that people need to learn about without bring contextualized around shame or shade.

* Making judgements, throwing shade, and speaking down to people around their relationship styles, sexual practices, and their preferences is no better for our community now than when people shamed AIDS victims in the 1980s and 1990s. There is no place for this behavior in our community in 2026. Period.

* Viewer followed up but we will not platform them further.

Please drop your comments on YouTube or email to me at sam@growingoldergay.com

* Our website: growingoldergay.com

* Follow our social media channels

* Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

* Video version of podcast drops a day early YouTube!

* Our show plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am

Alert for a new sexually transmitted fungal infection, embracing the unknowns, tax time and viewer comments about consent and etiquette.

Our Daily Inspiration: Accept the full force of your mystery

* Embrace your unknowns - the new questions that arise, let them exist.

* Let go of the need for immediate, logical explanation or certainty in everything.

* Finding comfort in the inherent, unfolding process of life - trust in the journey.

Check In: Tax Time

* I put it off until the last minute as always.

* Gig work, business corporation tax return.

* Changing income formula requires constant adjustments to the withholding or tax prepayment scenarios.

Sexual Health Alert: TMVII sexually transmitted fungal infection emerging

* Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII) is an emerging, highly contagious, and often painful sexually transmitted fungal infection.

* A form of ringworm, it causes causing inflamed, itchy, and scaly skin rashes, found primarly in areas of sexual contact including the genitals, buttocks, and face.

* First identified in the US in 2024, it is primarily reported among men who have sex with men (MSM).

* Treatment requires extended oral anti-fungal treatment with medications such as terbinafine or itraconazole.

* Avoid skin-to-skin contact, including sexual activity with infected person(s).

* Can also be be transmitted via contaminated towels, clothing, bedding and sex toys.

Viewer Comments:

Question on our video about sex play space etiquette: How often do smaller or younger or inebriated guys get raped in these places?

Please drop your comments on YouTube or email to me at sam@growingoldergay.com

* Our website: growingoldergay.com

* Follow our social media channels

* Podcast drops on all major platforms every Sunday

* Video version of podcast drops a day early YouTube!

* Our show plays on GayPHX.com streaming radio every Monday at 10:00am