THE DAHL HAUS PRESENTS: BEING A GENTLEMAN IS NEVER OUT OF STYLE

¿HEY GAY MEN, CAN WE JUST BE HEALTHY?

By many accounts, we gay men are a pretty unhealthy bunch. We are much more likely to smoke than our heterosexual brothers, tend to drink more (and more often) and are many times more likely to take drugs. Pretty much the only measure where we tend to be healthier than straight men is that we’re less likely to be obese, but then we negate that by having such a poor body image that we’ve redefined anyone who doesn’t have perfect washboard abs as being ‘gay fat’. And then there’s the whole sex thing.

Your average gay man will have more sexual partners than our heterosexual brothers. It’s not all that uncommon for a gay man to have more sexual partners in a year than a straight man does in a lifetime. Some of us may even hit that target in a long weekend. And with this higher number of sexual partners comes a greater likelihood of picking up an STI. The perception of gay men as irresponsible, sex-obsessed party boys is never far from being truthful, is it? It’s a lifestyle choice.

And that’s what it’s down to, isn’t it? I’m conscious that every day I make choices that have a health impact. Sometimes I make unhealthy choices (some fast-food or a week’s worth of junk in day). Increasingly, as I get older, I make healthier choices. It’s the choices that we all make, whether that’s to exercise, consider what we eat, or to drink and take drugs, that will impact on our health and our longevity.

If you want to live a long time, here’s what you need to do: don’t take recreational drugs; eat fewer fatty foods; have no more than 6gms of salt and eat at least five, probably seven, portions of fruit or veg per day; drink alcohol only in moderation and not on consecutive days; never smoke; exercise regularly and floss your teeth. And pray that you don’t fall under a bus as none of this advice will help you if that happens.

Of course I would urge everyone to make healthy choices in life. It doesn’t mean that I’m blind to how difficult it is to see beyond the next ten or fifteen years of your life. I’m all too aware that when you’re twenty you think that nothing can harm you, that when you’re thirty you probably think that forty is as old as you want to get. Believe me, I’ve been there. It’s a tough lesson to learn but the choices that you make now will have an impact on how long you live and on your quality of life.

TYRA BANKS DEFENDS GAY 'AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL' CONTESTANT FROM HOMOPHOBIC COMPETITOR

Tyra Banks won't allow homophobia amongst the children of America's Next Top Model cycle 21.

The kind that openly gay contestant Will Jardell was subjected to when cast-mate Denzel noticed him wearing six-inch heels. Apparently, Denzel told Will that he didn't want to have to go home and tell friends that he lost to a man in high heels -- a statement that has no place in modern society, especially on a fashion-focused reality competition show.

The dirty laundry was aired when Will rocked the heels in front of the judges, and the comment made its way up to Tyra. She wasn't thrilled.

“This is an industry that is predominately female," she tells Denzel. "So whenever you step into an industry that is predominately a certain sex, you get the stereotype that you are gay. Be proud of this industry and every single male model, gay, straight, heels, corsets. Who gives a fuck?”

Then she really took it home.

“I want to take you back 50 years and imagine you overheard Will say, ‘I hope that Denzel guy doesn’t win, because if a black guy wins my friends at home are going to say I’m his bitch.'"

SOURCE: INSTINCT MAGAZINE

RELATIONSHIP REALITY CHECK: 10 QUESTIONS THAT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LOVE LIFE

Relationships often collapse because couples are not prepared to withstand the inevitable conflicts or even the humdrum and monotonous plateau period that’s nearly certain to present as the years go by.  A relationship can feel more like “boot camp” when trying to acclimate to each other’s personality differences and habits—frustrations, tensions, and resentments that can persist well into a long-term love affair and undermine the ability to feel happy and content. For other couples, it’s shear boredom that can wreak havoc—if the partnership doesn’t continue to stimulate and enrich their lives, the doldrums can be a relationship death knell!

When couples do not understand these are anticipated and natural events in the course of a relationship, they may start looking for the exit door thinking that they have made a grievous mistake. But, many people don’t realize the extent to which their relational health and happiness is under their own control. That power lies in one’s ability to self-assess and foster quality communication with their partner.

Below Dr. Jacqueline Del Rosario, “America’s Relationship Doctor,” has identified 10 self-assessment questions—answers to which can not only help a relationship survive, but also thrive so that both partners can actualize their dreams of “happily ever after”

1. Am I putting my best face forward? People dress up in their best clothes, make sure their hair is done, and put on makeup for the outside world. Do you put forth the same effort to impress and excite your mate?

2. Am I still growing? You must come to a relationship, willing to continuously improve who you are so that your relationship can continue to evolve. Consider trying new things together.  Exploration and adventure can go a long way to keeping things fresh and appealing and will help you understand and appreciate who your partner is today. Continue to date and experience new things as a couple.

3. Am I continuing to invest the time and effort to maintain a strong foundation? All good things take work, and both parties must roll up their sleeves and commit to doing their part to add value to the union. This includes continually stoking the flames of passion.  Are you as proactive or even adventuresome in the bedroom, or are you relegated to business as usual? Break the routine here and watch the magic ensue.

4. What are the anchors in my relationship? What are the things that keep you rooted and well-connected with your partner?  Why are you together in the first place? Identifying and nurturing similar values, goals, and expectancies in your relationship are fundamental and will help you endure during the tough times.

5. How can I help improve our communication style? It is essential to learn how each party in the partnership prefers to communicate.   You must then make the conscious effort to deliver and receive messages from your mate according to their personal style, which may differ from yours. Knowing when and how to disseminate information is a key relationship skill that can be a saving grace unto itself. And, during an argument, always fight fair and with respect—no name calling, no degrading one another, and no using your tongue as a weapon of mass destruction.

6. What unmet expectations do we each have that need to be addressed? Unfortunately, unmet expectations are often not shared and, instead, they can fester within and result in resentment and bitterness. How can you expect your mate to meet your expectations if you don't voice them?  It’s unfair of you to feel that your partner “should know” or be able to decipher passive aggressive cues that something is wrong.  Met expectations equal relational bliss, so be honest with what you need from your partner for a real chance that those needs will be met, or even exceeded.

7. What emotional triggers might be adversely affecting my current relationship? Triggers link back to past traumas and can hinder the way we respond to or even perceive present day issues.  Were you lied to or cheated on in the past? It doesn’t mean you cannot trust your current mate. Did your past partner drink too much? It doesn’t mean this partner can’t enjoy a cocktail responsibly. Put your old baggage aside and experience your current partner on their own merits and actions.

8. Do I stop, look, and listen? Take the time to listen to and validate your mate. Couples often decrease their talk time once they have been together awhile and feel comfortable. Keep the channels of communication open—chatter about the day’s events, current events, family matters and similar. It bonds the heart and abates the feeling of growing apart. Should a concern be expressed along the way, it’s imperative to hear your mate and try to empathize with how they feel.

9. Do I allow outside interference?  There is a reason “interference” is a penalty in most sports. It is because someone is getting involved where and when they do not have a right. This can result in focusing on the wrong issues and reinforcing dangerous and emotional conclusions that can be detrimental to your relationship. Your partner may also be very angry to find out that others are now involved in your private life. Instead, go directly to your partner to resolve relationship problems. However, if things are critical and seemingly out of both of your control, qualified assistance can come from marriage coaches and counselors who are there to help get the dialogue between the two of you on the right track.

10. Do I have a maintenance plan? Are you still doing what you did to get your mate? Do you know exactly why your mate should or would want to stay with you in the months and years ahead? What emotional benefits do you offer your mate that others don’t? Take the time to assess what your virtues are and even ask your mate to cite favorite qualities about you. Then, make a concerted effort to foster these qualities to not only ensure interest remains, but also maximize the caliber of that interest

TODAY IS FIRE PREVENTION DAY!