In a move that surprised many, the Trump administration has launched a global campaign to decriminalize homosexuality in dozens of nations where it is still considered a crime to be gay. According to NBC News, the move is part of a plan to denounce Iran over its human rights record.

Heading this effort is Richard Grenell, who is the U.S. Ambassador to Germany and the highest-profile openly gay person in the current administration. Multiple LGBTQ activists from all over Europe are going to be flown in to the United States to help come up with a strategy that will push countries in the Middle East, Africa, and the Carribean to decriminalize homosexuality.

The hanging of a young gay man in Iran partly served as a catalyst for this Trump administration move. Grenell wrote about this execution in the German newspaper Bild, saying: “This is not the first time the Iranian regime has put a gay man to death with the usual outrageous claims of prostitution, kidnapping, or even pedophilia. And it sadly won’t be the last time they do it either. Barbaric public executions are all too common in a country where consensual homosexual relationships are criminalized and punishable by flogging and death.”

Of course, this new campaign has aroused some skepticism, especially since the Trump administration has not been particularly  supportive of LGBTQ rights back at home. Trump has previously shut down research into an HIV cure, has blocked visas for same-sex partners of U.N. diplomats, and has rolled back Obama-era definitions of sex and gender identity.

Trump’s vice-president, Mike Pence, also has a well-documented history of being anti-gay.  In September last year, Pence became the first sitting vice-president of the United States to address the anti-gay Family Research Council’s Value Voter Summit. Both Pence and Trump have ran on a Republican platform that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. He has been the target of a number of protests actions. Quite memorably, a queer dance party was organized in the streets outside his house in Washington, DC.

What do you guys think about this campaign by the Trump administration? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

(Photo Credits: Screengrab from @karllagerfeld’s Instagram)

Gay fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld has passed away on Tuesday morning—February 19, 2019—at the American Hospital of Paris located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. He was 85. According to The Mirror, Lagerfeld had been battling pancreatic cancer though it remains unknown when he was diagnosed.

The House of Chanel confirmed the sad news in a statement that described Lagerfeld as “an extraordinary creative individual” who “reinvented the brand’s codes created by Gabrielle Chanel: the Chanel jacket and suit, the little black dress, the precious tweeds, the two-tone shoes, the quilted handbags, the pearls and costume jewelry.” 

Fendi, on the other hand, said on Instagram, “Thank you Karl for the most beautiful journey. With all our love. Your Fendi family.” 

View this post on Instagram

The House of KARL LAGERFELD shares, with deep emotion and sadness, the passing of its creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, on February 19, 2019, in Paris, France. He was one of the most influential and celebrated designers of the 21st century and an iconic, universal symbol of style. Driven by a phenomenal sense of creativity, Karl was passionate, powerful and intensely curious. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as one of the greatest designers of our time, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed.

A post shared by KARL LAGERFELD (@karllagerfeld) on Feb 19, 2019 at 5:11am PST

To say that he was highly regarded in the industry is an understatement. Karl Lagerfeld was, since 1983, the creative director of the French luxury fashion house Chanel. He was also the creative director of Italian fashion house Fendi as well as his eponymous label Karl Lagerfeld. 

Karl Lagerfeld had always been candid about his sexuality when he was alive, saying that he had known he was gay at age 13 and that his parents had no problem with it. Lagerfeld was a cat lover and had a Birman cat named Choupette who appeared in a magazine with French supermodel Laetitia Casta. He was also a book lover so he opened a bookstore in Paris called 7L on Rue de Lille in December 1999. 

Lagerfeld reportedly rose from humble beginnings. His father, Otto Ludwig Lagerfeldt, “owned a company that produced and exported evaporated milk” while his mother, Elizabeth, “worked as a lingerie salesperson from Berlin.”

For years, the way to deal with HIV has been through antiretroviral treatment, which involves having the person with HIV taking a daily regimen of medication for the rest of their lives. Attempts at a vaccine have been made over the years, but usually involve a series of shots given over the course of a year.

However, a new study published in Immunity and reported on by Plus offers the possibility of a single-shot HIV vaccine. The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, has manufactured a single-shot HIV vaccine that could possibly change the course of how we deal with HIV.

Other HIV vaccines that are being studied make the body produce normal anti-HIV antibodies that significantly lessen the chances of HIV contraction. However, the vaccine made by the Scripps researchers induces the production of bNAbs, which are usually only seen in people who have lived with HIV for many years. These antibodies are rare and potent, and researchers believe this will translate to a “complete response” to HIV should a person be exposed to the virus. Not only would the vaccine repel the virus, it would also contain any infections that occur.

It may still take years before the vaccine goes out to the market, as the research was done as a proof of concept study. From there, researchers will now test how safe and effective the vaccine is compared to other available options.

This is yet another breakthrough in the fight against HIV after scientists last year were able to successfully destroy HIV-infected cells in a laboratory setting. 

What do you guys think of this new development in the fight against HIV? What other advances against HIV do you wish to see in 2019? Share your thoughts and comments with us below.

(Photo Credits: patricianellwarren.com)

American novelist, poet, and journalist Patricia Nell Warren—best known for her novel titled The Front Runner—passed away on February 9, 2019. She was 82. Friends of the author confirmed the sad news to various news outlets, saying that Warren had been battling with lung cancer for the past three years. 

The Front Runner was published in 1974. Critics called it “timeless,” “moving,” and, according to Washington Blade, “the first gay-themed novel to ever print the word ‘gay’ on the cover and the first gay novel to make it to the New York Times bestseller list.” These are just a few of the praises on The Front Runner which sold over 11M copies worldwide and translated into 13 languages including Japanese, German, French, and Italian. 

Her book resonated with many and continues to do so today. And perhaps, not even Warren herself had anticipated how her book would have had such an impact, a profound effect on the lives of the many generations of gay men and women. We’ve read various accounts of fans, how The Front Runner had not only changed but also saved lives, and how it also changed the mind of one homophobic husband who “never realized how people like him can hurt people.” The Front Runner after all, is about “the lives of two men who only wanted to love each other and do sports” and yet, Billy and Harlan couldn’t do so in peace. 

The book was even the name inspiration of a worldwide organization called International Front Runners (Frontrunners), which was formerly “The Lavender-U Joggers.“It’san LGBTQ running and walking club said to have over 100 chapters, about half of which are in the US and the other half in various countries and cities worldwide such as London, Toronto, Sydney, Paris, to name a few. 

Apart from being an author, Ms. Warren was also an editor for Reader’s Digest, a volunteer teacher for at-risk LGBT high school students, and an activist. Ms. Warren was also a passionate runner said to be one of the first few women to run in the 1968 Boston Marathon who “got women’s marathoning recognized in the U.S.” Her passion for marathon was what eventually led her to meet the people who would inspire her to write The Front Runner. 

Today, we remember Ms. Warren for her invaluable contributions to the LGBT community and for her body of works that have served as the beacon of light for many, and will continue to be, well into the future. Because once upon a time, “gay” was an unmentionable word and those who dare utter or reveal their sexuality risks losing their job, their family, friends, and for some—their lives even. But unfortunately for others, this remains their truth to this day. 

Adam4Adam readers who wish to read Ms. Warren’s books may purchase them on Amazon. The Front Runner has two sequels on Amazon titled Harlan’s Race (1994) and Billy’s Boy (1997). Moreover, two weeks before her death, Ms. Warren had finished the fourth and final novel in The Front Runner series though no publication date has been announced yet. 

(We want to give a shout-out to our A4A blog reader Mike14 for emailing us about the passing of Ms. Patricia Nell Warren. Also, A4A readers, please feel free to email us your blog post suggestions at [email protected] if you’d like us to discuss a special subject.)

If you’ve ever wondered what 20-year-old singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes looks like in his underwear, you won’t have to look very far as Mendes himself has tweeted images from his Calvin Klein underwear campaign set to debut this week.

The first picture Mendes tweeted has him with his legs spread wide and wearing just a pair of black Clavin Klein boxer briefs. The second photo has him leaning against a kitchen counter, this time wearing white Calvin Klein boxer briefs.

Check out the two photos below:

.@CalvinKlein #MyCalvins. Campaign coming this week. pic.twitter.com/durcpJlzYh

— Shawn Mendes (@ShawnMendes) February 16, 2019

.@CalvinKlein #MyCalvins pic.twitter.com/gVOrHxPhuf

— Shawn Mendes (@ShawnMendes) February 16, 2019

Judging by the fact that Calvin Klein trended worldwide because of the announcement, it’s safe to say that a lot of people have definitely wanted to see Mendes in his skivvies. Check out some of the Twitter reaction below:

pic.twitter.com/5Atr9CipBl

— marz (@loveablemednes) February 16, 2019

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS pic.twitter.com/xBc7kfJYa6

— Shawn Mendes Updates (@ShawnM_Updates) February 16, 2019

Mendes joins a list of Mendes celebrity endorsers that have posed in just their Calvins. These include Justin Beiber, Mark Wahlberg, and Moonlight stars Mahershala Ali, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex Hibbert.

What do you guys think of Shawn in his Calvins? Tell us about it in the comments below!

(Photo Credits: Screengrab from Vincent Riendeau’s Instagram Account)

Who’s your favorite diver, guys? Any chance his name is Vincent Riendeau?

We are asking because a video of Riendeau, taken while he was diving, is making a splash online. It is unclear when exactly the competition took place, only that the signs said it was the Canada Cup 2018. Not that anybody cared when the event happened, mind you, as their attention is elsewhere entirely—specifically Riendeau’s “impressive body” and, ahem, “bulge.” 

Hey, I’m just quoting people here, and I don’t mind reading their comments because they make me laugh. One particular YouTube user for example, quoted the emcee: “He’s getting 8…8.5 and it’s GOOD entry,” before commenting on the side, “I agree.” A user on the other hand, rated Riendeau’s swimming trunks, “I don’t know diving but I’d rate his Speedo torpedo 9.5” while another said, “Am I the only one looking at his face more than his bulge? Impressive diver, btw.” 

That being said, many netizens confessed they don’t know a thing about diving (neither do I, I was there for the comments) but that now, they are huge fans of diving because of Riendeau. Watch the video below that’s left the social media thirsting over him.

Anyway, Vincent Riendeau is a Canadian Olympic diver. He was part of the Canadian Olympic Team in Rio 2016 where he competed in the 10m platform and finished 14^th. According to his official bio, Riendeau is 22 and he enjoys “playing video games, reading, golfing, and boating.” 

Want more of Vincent Riendeau? Check him out on his Instagram account here and don’t forget to swing by Adam4Adam’s official Instagram account while you are at it. 

Happy viewing!

Valentine’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be enjoying something frisky.

If you and your partner are one of the friskier types, let us help you out with some recommendations from the Adam4Adam Store. Here’s a bunch of sex toys that should probably be in your bedroom repertoire!

1. Beginner Fleece Bed Restraints Kit

If you or your partner want to get all tied up, this is the right tool to do the job. Made of nylon, fabric, and plastic, these restraints just need to be slid under the mattress and then pulled out when it’s time to play. The velcro is secure, while the fleecy material makes sure the one restrained is comfortable. It’s worth $25, but we’re currently selling it for only $19.95

2. The Ride Me Double Dildo Mouth Gag

Here’s a toy that does double duty. It’s a strap that has a small dildo and a larger one. The small dick gag goes inside the mouth, with the bigger one sticking out so the other guy can sit on it. If you’re the Dom in the bedroom, you get to keep your sib quiet while getting your ass fucked at the same time. You can buy it for $35.95 at the Adam4Adam Store.

3. Crimson Tied Steel-Enforced Paddle

Engaging in a little S&M play with your partner? You can start out with this paddle, which has a red embossed side and a faux leather black side. It’s 12 inches in length, steel reinforced, and sells for only $12.99, less than the $16.99 it usually retails for.

4. Vibrating Fox Tail Plug

If one of you has to stay home while the other has to work, the person staying home can keep their hole loose with this plug. Not only does it have a soft faux fur tail, its also got a vibrating bullet that ads an extra sensation that massages the ass. Rather than paying its usual $45 price tag, you can buy it for only $33.99 at the Adam4Adam Store.

5. Jolt Electro Puppy Trainer Shock Collar

Planning on having the sex be really kinky? This sex toy is sure to add a little kick to the proceedings. After the batteries have been put in both the remote control and the shock unit, lock the collar onto whoever the slave is in the bedroom and prepare to be in control. It can deliver a series of stinging electrical pulses or just vibrate menacingly. It sells for $74.99 on the Adam4Adam Store, less its usual $99.99 retail price.

(Photo Credits: MEN – Save 50% Today)

Happy Valentine’s Day, guys! Will you be going out on a date today—maybe with friends, family, or boyfriend or partner if you have one, or with yourself, why not? Personally, I’m not averse to spending quality time with myself but that’s just me.

Speaking of dates, would you go on a first date on Valentine’s Day? More importantly, have you ever done this before? If so, how did it go for you? Admittedly, I have not, hence the curiosity. 

But to answer my own question, well, it depends on who I am going on a date with. If it’s a blind date set up for us by mutual friends or if the man is someone I met here on Adam4Adam, then sure. However, if he’s a friend who suddenly confesses he has romantic interests in me and asks me out on a date, I’d only go if we pick a different date unless of course, the feeling is mutual.

I guess it all boils down to expectations? I mean, if you’re meeting a guy for the first time…yes, you are excited, there’s a bit of anxiety, maybe fears, awkwardness… but at the end of the day, both of you have realistic expectations. 

Maybe you guys may end up not liking each other, maybe you will; but as strangers, the two of you know these things from the get-go. Having a Valentine’s date with a friend who has romantic designs for you on the other hand, is an entirely different matter in the sense that saying yes might lead him on. And what if, after said date (and many, many dates after) you find out that though you like each other, there was no chemistry and no spark between you at all?  

Maybe I’m overthinking this and I’m probably already rambling, so let’s go back to the question: would you go on a first date on Valentine’s Day? Why or why not? Maybe you already have? Share with us your Valentine’s date stories in the comments section below.