Michael: Well, there's two huge issues at hand. I think safe sex is one, and stopping the spread of AIDS, and the second one is overpopulation of the earth. I generally think people have to start taking responsibility in both areas. Have to take responsibility for the spread of AIDS. Have to start taking responsibility for their health and the health of their lovers and the people that they're encountering. I think that people have to take responsibility for the earth and the fact that we're destroying the earth by having too many people on it. We have to start looking at cutting down the population so that the human race can continue.

Tripod: Tell me the best way to make contraception more exciting.

Michael: When someone reaches for the contraception it can be a really sexy, erotic moment. It can be totally brought into the play. Also, applying a condom to a man's penis can be extremely exciting. Extremely. If you take your time and do it slowly, it doesn't have to be like, "Okay, here's some work we've got to do to enjoy the fun." It can be a part of the fun. Rolling it onto the penis slowly, caressing while you're doing so. It can really add to the excitement -- add to the buildup.

Tripod: Give me your best line to use to bring up contraceptives with a new partner. Make up a motto or saying.

Michael: I've never had any sort of motto or anything. I've actually never had any problems with partners. Every partner I've ever had has been very positive about the use of condoms. There's been no problem whatsoever. It's never been an issue. Whenever I've had a new partner, one or the other of us would just reach for them.

Tripod: How would you handle a situation where you and your partner are very  ready for sex, but realize that you don't have any contraceptives? Do you take a chance?

Michael: I'm in a long term relationship in the moment. But in the past I would not ever take a chance. I never have taken the chance. I don't feel that people should risk that. I mean, one chance is all it takes for AIDS or pregnancy or whatever, regardless of what type of relationship or partnership you're in. I think it's too important to risk your life over a moment of pleasure. It's so easy to run down to the deli or the pharmacy and get something to take care of it. And if the person can't wait, then they're not important enough to share your body with.

Tripod: Is it possible to incorporate contraception into sexual role playing without losing the excitement?

Michael: Yeah, I don't see why not. I mean, I've never had any problem with it. I often hear that people complain that contraception gets in the way, is too much of a hassle, too much of a bother-- I've never had any problem with it. I think if you just simply take the attitude that it's part of it and that's it, then it doesn't get in the way. It just becomes a part of the sexual act. And it doesn't have to get in the way of role playing.

Tripod: Sexually, is there anything that shocks you nowadays?

Michael: After living in New York for four years, no. When I first moved here I would have said yes -- okay, actually there is. It shocks me when I hear of people having unsafe sex with new partners. With people they don't know. Especially when they haven't been tested, their partners haven't been tested. It just shocks me that people would be willing to have unsafe sex in this day and age. It is so easy to have safe sex, it is so simple to take care of yourself, protect yourself and your partner.

Tripod: I understand that with many types of contraceptives, it's good to use some type of spermicidal lubricant. Play out a situation for me, where getting out that ugly tube and squeezing out that junk becomes part of the buildup to sex.

Michael: I always keep it, whenever I would have a partner come over, whenever I know there's going to be a sexual situation, I keep the lube and the contraceptives next to the bed, so it's within easy reach. Basically, there's a lot of foreplay. You build up to the moment. You're ready for intercourse, and one or the other just reaches over. And it can actually be a real erotic moment, especially if the person who's going to be on top reaches over, grabs it and starts to apply it -- just kind of takes control of the situation. That can be an extremely erotic moment. They're showing that they want you.

Tripod: Do you use protection during oral sex? Why or why not?

Michael: In the relationship I'm in now I don't use protection anymore. I'm in a long-term relationship, and we have an agreement to have unsafe sex with each other because we're monogamous. Prior to that, I would mess around a little bit orally, but not too much. It depended on whether or nor the guy had a lot of pre-come. If he had a lot of pre-come, I wouldn't, because there's enough sperm cells in pre-cum to possibly contract a virus. There's no hardcore facts on oral sex, and it's really got to be everyone's decision. My personal decision was to play it extremely safe. I felt that there was enough that I could do orally, and otherwise, without putting myself at risk.

Tripod: From your experience, personal or otherwise, what is the most sensitive brand of condom?

Michael: I've always had good luck with Sheik. I thought that that was a very good condom.

Tripod: What do you think of the female condom?

Michael: I don't know. Some gay men are using it actually. There's been some experimenting with it. I don't know what to think about it. It seems like it's more hassle than the traditional condom. The traditional condom is easy to apply and easy to use. I don't know. It seems like it's just putting the responsibility of the contraception onto the other person. It's just shifting it. It should be a shared responsibility anyway, but I don't know what to say about it. I've never seen one -- except in photos.

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