reportage

Tourist Guide to Gay male side…. Also for women…

 

Exploration video:

Introduction

I don’t know how many people did notice, but being proved not only by our personal experiences but by some researches, the full-immersion in SL has some collateral effects, like letting men and women explore things that in their own real life wouldn’t ever dare doing. To experiment hidden aspects of our personalities, or peek in behavior of other people who we wouldn’t know how to cope with. So it can be a very useful tool to undestand from the live inside ours and others deep and hidden reasons and motivations.

In the protected sphere of our computer, quietly sat in the “safety” of our security homes, thousands of men and women dedicate themselves to interactively explore such not so known aspects. Very often it is the man who tries to enter as a female avatar, and they probably can feel at least a time in their lives what kind of difficult “sexual/psychological” pressures women must endure. And women, “pretending to act as men” might eventually touch directly some male psyche so far weird and incomprehensible.

The exploration of sexual/affective human various variants seems to be an almost impossible thing to avoid. The Newbie (but not only them) appears magnetically attracted to the “virtual” possibility, including gender change (also animal genders, see the Furry), or at the extremity the BDSM possibilities offered by SL (see these posts in Italian from this site http://virtualworldsmagazine.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/introduciamo-il-bdsm/, e http://virtualworldsmagazine.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/gli-strani-amori-di-second-life/ ) .

In this post I wanted to offer a small guide to what you can find in SecondLife submitting the “gay” search in the small viewer window. Actually, I’m just exploring a bit of the “male gay” Universe, which is deeply different from the “lesbian” female Universe (maybe a further post). I deliberately eliminated from this guide esplicit spam, such as sex products and beds, disco music club with undressed escorts, dating places which usually tend to be boring and trivial, focusing instead on places where I could find something interesting and original.

As once told me one of the interviewed people while collecting info, trying to avoid the “Meat market” which is so spread all over SL places. Final result is this bunch of landmarks explored directly, which can represent a first track of gay turism trying to appreciate male esthetics and sensibility too often censored or ignored by the Art or our habits.

From Artistical point of view it is supposed by definition that male nude is ugly or depraved, but while it is universally considered acceptable the appreciation of feminine beauty and everybody women include should do, we should naturally avoid prejudices and learn to appreciate male aesthetic. In a similar way it was appreciated (according to some of sims explored) in the ancient times, where it was explicit a very powerful omophily (which is even a bit excessive from the eyes of a XXI century prospective), but probably not exactly equivalent to our contemporary homosexuality or “being gay”.

Anybody can experience this interesting tour. Even if you are a woman and you need to enter in a male only sim where women are forbidden, you can create a male alt (probably you already have). Some statistics tell that even now in SecondLife (as an average “online game”) an incredible amount of Female Avatars can be indeed males pretending to be female (see http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tech-news/gender-bending-or-good-game-play/167) even if this is normally done not for gender bending but to have more chances to “win”. I hope that this guide can be helpful to those  gay, bi-sex, curious, or just “normal” people would feel like to explore at least a part of the way of “being gay” and don’t want to be trapped in the overwhelming spam offered by the SecondLife search….

The trail

To come to the choosen “trail” (obviously incomplete and perfectible)  [[ If you have a better guide with landmark with original material please comment and send me ]]. I’ve selected at least 5 landmarks and sims in SecondLife.

These are:

Just for refence:

And now some details about these landmarks, explored in the introductory video starting this post (in italics the actual notecards from each sim):

The Male Art Centre


The Dôme Gallery is the 6th Gallery that Popov Huldschinsky has created in Second Life. All began 2007 when his dearest friend and SL coach offered a site to make up the first gallery in SL.
The Gallery is in SL in order to show homoerotic art in the proper sense of the term. The main exhibition shows works from C de F Photography where Popov’s ‘string puller’ is a master artist photograph and plastic artist in RL, there are also works from invited guests selected for they art by Popov.
The goal of the Gallery and land around it namely: The Male Art Centre, is to allow people in SL from any walk of life and with any orientation to appreciate the male form as an art form as well as other subject either through photography, painting, drawing and sculpture all within a pleasant environment. The Male Art Centre also has a FrameShop proposing a full selection of more than 80 frames as well as a Photographic Studio for portrait works in photography, painting and drawing. (Popov Huldschinsky)
 

I begin the tour with a couple landmarks regarding pictures and artistical visual exhibitions, where it is possible to see wonderful original creations (and you can also ask for photographic services for your own avatar). This is a gallery of drawings / pictures environments made by my friend Popov. I still remember the first time I found it: I was impressed by the fact that some of these exhibitions were sponsored by royal cultural UK  institutions, because of their educational value.

Pera Stables:

Gay Art Museum “Pera Stables”
Is a museum with erotic art, meant for gay men and boys. The showed art is made with different techniques. Photo’s, drawings, (oil)painting, guaches, etc. They have in common that I like them. Some art is of explicate nature, but its for sure not a pornographic exhibition.
(Ghio Pera)


As seen in the video we can see some interesting content. Phallic statuary at the entrance has its own charm. Inside you can find “classical” pictures, some of them even a bit embarassing. There are virtual photographic album on sell and it is surely a must for who wants to enjoy famous omo-erotic drawings (there is also an entire floor dedicated to Tom of Finland and other well known masterpiece). Many display are multiple and to complete explore them you have to push the back and forward buttons to see the entire collection.

Phallikos Island:

Phallikos Island, all male, gay SIM, is one of SLs premiere ancient world concepts. The fusion of Greco Roman motifs allows visitors and residents to explore a fantastical world filled with homoerotic ideals. (…) Unlike modern times where men are frequently forced into seclusion for who they are, Phallikos affords men the opportunity to live in a time when prejudices and public opinion weren’t as they are now. It is our history, it is our lives, it is how we wish to express ourselves and find contentment with others like ourselves.
(Czarhahn Yao) 

Phallikos island begins to be a bit more “difficult”: side by side with an intriguing rebuilding of ancient historical environments you will find some people playing a BDSM inspired RPG. Probably a bit uneasy for casual visitors is the offer for “slaves” who can give much from romantic to  “hard core”. I didn’t verify directly, but this kind of offers are often to be considered to be paid services (male escort),but it is non unlikely to find people doing this for innate passion. In every case the island is part of a mini archipelago including other historical reconstructions (see the video) which are worth to be visited. If you want to avoid “bad” surprises normally it is advisable to avoid the “dungeons” or secluded places where “adult” experiences are normally consumed. Environment quality is high and original. One thing impressed me some positions and animations to produce the wine the way it was produced two millennia ago! 🙂

Brokeback Babylon:

Brokeback Babylon was officially born in 2006 but the project had been brewing under the name « Babylon » since the death of my partner in 2003, a victim among so many others of the hatred linked to homophobia.Its final name was insipired by Ang Lee’s movie « Brokeback Mountain » (…)
Brokeback Babylon is first and foremost an Educational project whose main goal is to fight against the plague of homophobia through cultural actions and encounters.
The main cause of homophobia is ignorance, Brokeback is an open place where straight and gay people can meet, talk, learn and share life experiences freely in a spirit of respect, understanding and friendship.
Second Life was the natural outcome of the success the website received since it offers many way to interact between people from different backgrounds.
(Draghan Marksman)



I found this interesting place in SL search and it is surely an interesting land because instead of usual “meat market” shows an intest towards a bit less “light” aspects such as AIDS prevention, fight against omophobia and various activities and annual exhibitions. Interesting the presence of sport events such as Olympics. Here you can also find artistica exhibitions (see video), but also secluded places for adult entertainment.

Gay Archipelago

You can find an exhaustive history of this incredible archipelago here : http://gay-archipelago.com/about/, trying to resume its interesting history we can say that this association is followed very closely by Linden who provided a specific plase outside from the mainland. It is reachable also in facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_340961292840&ap=1

Here we count hundreds of different sims, many of which are just renting land to residents, but you can find also interesting noprofit initiatives. Maybe it will be worth a dedicated future post.

As you see there is a very wide liberty of choice. I include attaced an extract of all these lands.un prossimo articolo.

Come vedete c’è un’ampia possibilità di scelta. Alla fine un estratto di queste land.

Hope I didn’t get you bored 🙂

Salahzar Stenvaag

Appendice elenco sim del Gay Archipelago

L’elenco completo delle SIM di questo arcipelago è qui: http://gay-archipelago.com/gay-archipelago/ga-sims/ con i relativi tp,

– Alcatraz – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Alex Ander – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Andros – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Araluv – owner : Ellyse Glas – visit this location [lesbian]

– ARMENELOS – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Bahia Beach – owner : Baz Ceawlin – visit this location

– Bay 1 – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Bay 2 – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Bay Isles – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Berkeley Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Belvedere – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Bleeding Heart Island – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Brokeback Mountain – owner : Dom Bamatter/Fran Ghoststar – visit this location

– Brazil Tropical – owner : Zarco Mildor/Jeff Rubermeyer – visit this location

– Cabria Bay – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabria Shores – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news –  visit this location

– Cabria Lagoon – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabria Landing – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabria Sunrise – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabrian Outpost – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabrian Dreams – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Caerus – owner : Marcus Steeplechase – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Calas Galadhon – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Castro – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– ChorroN LametazoN – owner : SquirtN Wonder – events/info/news – visit this location

– Chilipepper – owner : Myles Capalini/Philippe Ocello – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Crazy Garden – owner : Sascha Laval/Arnel Choche – visit this location [full shopping]

– CyTeck Commerce – owner : Sascha Laval – visit this location [full shopping]

– Dimrill Dale – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Domination – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– DoQtown – owner : Oric Dorival/Luckas Horsley – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Dos Toros – owner : Kael Martinek – visit this location

– Eloi – owner : Marcus Steeplechase – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Falkenau Bay – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Ferik Island – owner : Jarod Sodwind – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Fisherman Wharf – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Flag Factory – owner : Sascha Laval/Frenchy Kazan – visit this location [full shopping]

– Folsom – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Folsom East – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Friendship – owners : Sascha Laval – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Archipelago – owner : Fabrice Snook – visit this location [GA welcome Hub]

– Gay France – owner : Maxel Cortes – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Friendly – owner : Maxel Cortes – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Fun Beach – owner : Oiswiss Decuir/Gmjorge Aeon – visit this location

– Gay Fun World – owner : Oiswiss Decuir – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Beach – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Lagoon – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Reef – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Resort – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Sunbay – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Tropic – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Riviera – owner : Baz Ceawlin – visit this location

– Gay Zone Germany – owners : Sascha Laval – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gewehr – owner : Maxel Cortes – visit this location

– Glandium – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Golden Gate – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Golden Gate 2 – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Golden Gate Park – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Grey Havens – owner : Tymus Tenk – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gulf of the Lune – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Halfmoon Bay Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Highlands of Tabor – owner : Fourleafclover Woodget – visit this location [gorean]

– Hillcrest of Tabor – owner : Bearded Munro – visit this location [gorean]

– Hubs Development – owner : Hubs Howlett – visit this location [full shopping]

– Hulneth Bay – owner : Jimmie Hammill – visit this location [gorean]

– IGBC Gay Rehoboth – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Heliopolis – owner : JeanLuc Guyot/Liamone Troglodite – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Bay – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Landing – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Reef – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Sea1 – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Shores – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Island Boys – owner : Frogman Firegrave – visit this location

– Isle of N4RS – owner : Alecat Bredat – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Isle of Scimitar – owner : Jimmie Hammill – visit this location [gorean]

– Isle of Tabor – owner : Tiberius Brouwer – visit this location [gorean]

– Jameson Architects – owner : Jaij Jameson – visit this location [full shopping]

– Kanaloa Marketplace – owner : Keokipele Ansar – visit this location

– Magic Folsom – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– Marathon – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Mirromere – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– MISTY MOUNTAINS – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Mountains of Tabor – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Navan – owners : Sascha Laval – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Northern Tabor – owner : Tiberius Brouwer – visit this location [gorean]

– Nyundo – owner : Sascha Laval – visit this location [gorean]

– Ometeotl – owner Callinet Dagostino – visit this location

– Orpheum – owner : Philip Eubanks – visit this location

– Pallas – owner : Evan Rutledge – wiki page – visit this location

– Pandore – owner : Fabrice Snook – events/infos/news – visit this location [full shopping]

– Pride – owner : Marcus Steeplechase – events/infos/news – visit this location [official LGBT community gateway]

– Pure Domination – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Heaven – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Isle – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Luxury – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Sin – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Temptation – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Rendezvous – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Rodos – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Romanum – owner : Emperor Galtier – events/infos/news – visit this location [role playing]

– Romanum II – owner : Emperor Galtier – events/infos/news – visit this location [role playing]

– Romanum III – owner : Sebastian Montpenier – events/infos/news – visit this location [role playing]

– Saint Niguel Isle – owner : Rockridge Constantine – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Bay – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Marina – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Zoo – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– Sandbox Archipelago – owner : Fabrice Snook – visit this location [GA public sandbox]

– Sausalito – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– Scimitar Plains – owner : Jimmie Hammill – visit this location [gorean]

– Selene – owner : Chance Rasmuson – visit this location

– Sheherazade Island – owner Mandy Dorfler – visit this location [lesbian]

– Skybeach – owner : Thorn Andel – visit this location

– South Farthing – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Sons of Sunrise – owner : Kael Martinek – visit this location

– Sparta – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Spice Islands – owner : Evan Rutledge – wiki page – visit this location

– Straight of Falkenau – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Tabor Bay – owner : Marin Urdaneta – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor East – owner : Marin Urdanetta – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor Fields – owner : Dragonlord Sparta – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor Oasis – owner : Martin Terr – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor Tropics – owner : Dragonlord Sparta – visit this location [gorean]

– TBONE Island – owner : Tom06 Castro – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Terra Ursa – owner :  Ketter McAllister – visit this location

– Theos Cove – owner : Myles Capalini – visit this location

– Thira – owner Alan Bolero – visit this location

– Thrace – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Three Winds North – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– Three Winds South – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– Tiburon – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Tiffanyluv – owner : Marge Beaumont – visit this location [lesbian]

– TresQueens – owner : Mandy Dorfler – visit this location [lesbian]

– Tromsoe – owner : Jimmy Warbaum – visit this location

– Troy – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– TT Designs – owner : Toothfairy Tizzy – visit this location [full shopping]

– Vulcania Fine Art – owner : Keokipele Ansar – visit this location

– Wayfarer Bay – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Wayfarer Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Whitewater – owner : Dom Bamatter/Wendell Thor – visit this location

– White Water Canyon – owner : Thormec Micheline – visit this location

– White Water Delta – owner : Dom Bamatter/Wendell Thor – visit this location

– White Water Falls – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– White Water Highlands – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– White Water Peaks – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

Guida Turistica al lato “gay” dei maschi. Anche per donne.

 

Video Esplorativo:

Introduzione

Non so quanti di voi ci abbiano fatto caso, ma come anche dimostrato, oltre alle proprie esperienze personali, l’ “immersion” in SL ha spesso come effetto collaterale quello di lasciare liberi uomini e donne di fare cose che nella vita reale non oserebbero mai fare. Sperimentare lati nascosti della propria personalità, oppure investigare nel comportamento di persone che nella vita reale non sapremmo come affrontare può essere un utile strumento per capire dall’interno le ragioni e le emozioni degli altri e di sè stessi.

Nel privato del proprio PC, tranquillamente seduti in una situazione di “sicurezza”, migliaia di uomini e donne si dedicano la sera all’esplorazione interattiva di questi aspetti poco conosciuti. Uomini che entrano con avatar femminili riescono forse almeno una volta a sperimentare e capire le pressioni “sessuali/psicologiche” che devono subire le donne. E le donne, “mascherandosi” da uomini possono finalmente toccare di prima mano luoghi della psiche maschile finora per loro incomprensibili.

L’esplorazione delle varianti sessuali/affettive del comportamento umano pare una tentazione difficilmente ineludibile. Il newbie (ma non solo!) diventa magneticamente attratto dalle possibilità “virtuali”, dal cambiamento di sesso (ma anche di genere animale, ricordiamo i furry), oppure anche in modo più “estremo” le possibilità BDSM offerte da SL (cfr, questi articoli già pubblicati in Virtual World Magazine: , e http://virtualworldsmagazine.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/gli-strani-amori-di-second-life/ ) .

In questo articolo mi sono proposto di dare una piccola guida di quello che si può esplorare in SecondLife inserendo la parola “gay” nella finestrella di ricerca del viewer.
* Attenzione *: in questo articolo esploro in particolare la parte “gay male” maschile che è profondamente differente dalla parte “lesbian” femminile (magari da investigare in prossimi articoli). Ho deliberatamente eliminato dai risultati forniti quelli che evidentemente erano associati a spam, vendita di prodotti e letti sessuali, club discoteche con “cubisti” più o meno svestiti e  luoghi di incontri (dating) tremendamente noiosi e banali, concentrandomi invece nel cercare di offrire una sorta di guidadi sim di un livello che potremmo dichiarare interessante e originale.

Come ha detto una delle persone che ho intervistato nel lungo lavoro di raccolta dei dati, cercando di evitare il “mercato della carne” (meat market) che trasuda putroppo da troppi posti di sl. Il risultato è questa lista di una manciata di landmark esplorati direttamente che qui illustro e che possono costituire una prima traccia di turismo gay cercando di apprezzare l’estetica e la sensibilità “maschile” che vengono spesso censurate o ignorate dall’arte e dalle nostre abitudini.

Dal punto di vista artistico si suppone che il nudo maschile sia per definizione brutto e/o depravato, mentre così come è accettabile che la bellezza femminile possa essere apprezzata da chiunque, donne comprese, non si capisce perchè non si possa liberarsi dai propri pregiudizi ed imparare ad apprezzare anche l’estetica maschile, anzi, come suggeriscono alcune delle sim linkate qui sotto nell’antichità vi era una netta e definita omofilia forse agli occhi moderni perfino eccessiva che non è detto che coincidesse con l’omosessualità.

Chiunque può fare questa interessante esperienza. Perfino nelle sim male only dove le donne non possono entrare, se qualche lettrice vuole provare l’ebbrezza di questa esperienza basta che si crei (sempre che non ce l’abbia già) un avatar maschile (d’altronde già sappiamo che una quantità non indifferente – si parlava di quasi il 60% – di avatar femminili sono in realtà maschi che sperimentano). Spero inoltre che questa piccola guida possa essere di aiuto a chi gay, bisex, curiosi, o persone “normali” vogliano esplorare almeno una parte del modo di essere “gay” e non vogliano essere intrappolati o spersi  nel grosso spam offerto dal search di secondlife….

Il percorso

Ma veniamo al percorso scelto (ovviamente incompleto e perfettibile) [[ Se avete un elenco con sim migliori e più belle, magari anche italiane e con materiale originale, mandatemelo al più presto in modo che si possa migliorare questo piccolo esperimento ]]. Ho selezionato come dicevo almeno 5 landmark e zone di secondlife.

Che sono nell’ordine:

A proposito di sigle:

Ed ecco qualche dettaglio sui landmark, peraltro parzialmente esplorati dal video a inizio articolo (in corsivo la traduzione delle notecard di presentazione):

The Male Art Centre

La “Dome gallery” è la 
sesta galleria che Popov Huldschinsky ha creato in SecondLife. E’ iniziato tutto nel 2007 quando il suo caro amico e mentore di SL gli offrì di fare la sua prima esposizione in
 SL.
La “Galleria” è in SL per poter mostrare arte omoerotica nel senso appropriato del termine. La mostra principale mostra i lavori di fotografia di C de F dove la controparte reale di Popov è un fotografo artista e scultore in RL, ci sono anche lavori di ospiti invitati selezionati per la loro arte da Popov. Lo scopo della Galleria de del Male Art Centre è di consentire alle persone in SL da ogni sentiero di vita e con qualunque orientamento di apprezzare la forma maschile come forma artistica e come soggetto sia attraverso la fotografia, la pittura, il disegno e la scultura e tutto all’interno di un ambiente confortevole. (Popov Huldschinsky)

Inizio la carrellata con un paio di landmark di quadri e realizzazioni visuali artistiche, dove è possibile ammirare delle ottime realizzazioni originali (e anche farsi fare dei servizi fotografici a pagamento per valorizzare il proprio avatar). Popov continua inoltre a chiedermi se in Italia ci sono artisti che volessero esporre cose originali e non so mai cosa rispondergli….

Questa è una galleria di disegni/quadri ambientazioni fatta dall’amico Popov. Ricordo ancora la prima volta che l’ho trovata ed ero rimasto impressionato per il fatto che alcune delle sue mostre erano state addirittura finanziate dalle istituzioni della monarchia inglese, proprio per il loro carattere educativo.

Pera Stables:

Museo di arte Gay “Pera Stables”. E’ un museo di arte erotica, pensato per uomini e giovani gay. L’arte esposta è fatta con differenti tecniche: foto, disegni, dipinti (a olio), acquarelli, etc…. Quello che hanno in comune è che mi piacciono,. Alcune opere sono abbastanza esplicite, ma sicuramente non è una mostra pornografica. (Ghio Pera)


Come intravvisto anche nel video questo museo ha dei contenuti interessanti. Lo statuario “fallico” prima di entrare ha un suo interesse. All’interno trovate gallerie di quadri “classici”, alcuni anche un pochino imbarazzanti. Libri fotografici virtuali in vendita ed è sicuramente una tappa obbligata per vedere disegni omoerotici famosi (ci dovrebbe essere un piano dedicato a Tom of Finland e sicuramente altre opere già viste). Molti espositori sono multipli e quindi per esplorarli occorre cliccare sui tastini avanti ed indietro.

Phallicos Island:

E’ una sim per soli avatar maschi, una delle principali che illustrano concetti del mondo antico. La fusione di motivi Greco Romani consente ai visitatori e ai residenti di esplorare un mondo fantastico traboccante di ideali omoerotici. (…) diversamente dai tempi moderni dove gli uomini devono spesso nascondersi per quello che sono, Phallicos dà agli uomini una opportunità di vivere in un tempo dove i pregiudizi e l’opinione pubblica erano differenti da quelli odierni. E’ la nostra storia, le nostre vite, è come noi vorremmo esprimerci e trovare soddisfazione in noi stessi e negli altri. (Czarhahn Yao) 

L’isola di “Phallikos” comincia ad essere un pochino più impegnativa: accanto ad una ricostruzione accattivante di ambienti storici troverete probabilmente anche diverse persone che giocano a GDR di ispirazione anche BDSM. Forse un pochino inquietante è l’offerta di “schiavi” che possono darvi molto dal romanticismo al “hard core”. Non ho verificato, ma spesso questo genere di offerte sono da considerarsi a pagamento (male escort), ma non è improbabile trovare anche persone che lo fanno “per passione”. In ogni caso l’isola fa parte di una specie di mini arcipelago di altre isole storiche (vedi il video che valgono sicuramente la pena di essere visitate). Se volete evitare brutte sorprese di solito è consigliabile evitare i “sotterranei” o i luoghi appartati dove di solito si consumano le esperienze “adult”. La qualità degli ambienti è alta ed originale. Vengono vendute anche delle cose strane tipo posizioni ed animazioni per pestare il vino come si faceva duemila anni fa 🙂

Brokeback Babylon:

E’ nata ufficialmente nel 2006 ma il progetto si è sviluppato sotto il nome “babylon” in ricordo della morte del mio partner nel 2003, una vittima fra molte altre dell’odio collegato all’omofobia. Il nome finale è stato ispirato dal film di Ang Lee “BrokeBack Mountain” (…) Brokeback Babylon è inizialmente e fondamentalmente un progetto educativo il cui scopo principale è di lottare contro la piaga dell’omofobia attraverso attività e incontri. La causa principale dell’omofobia è l’ignoranza e così Brokeback è un posto aperto dove persone gay e non gay possono incontrarsi parlare, imparare e condividere liberamente le loro esperienze in uno spirito di rispetto, comprensione ed amicizia. (Draghan Marksman)



Questa trovata nel search si SL è sicuramente una SIM interessante proprio perchè in luogo del solito market meat presenta un interesse verso argomenti un pochino meno “leggeri” come la protezione dall’AIDS, la lotta contro l’omofobia ed altre attività e spettacoli annuali.

Interessanti sono i giochi “sportivi” pallacanestro ed altro con campionati annuali. Anche qui una zona di esposizione artistica (vedi video) ma anche alcuni luoghi dove “infrattarsi”.

Gay Archipelago

Potete trovare in inglese una ampia storia di questo incredibile arcipelago qui: http://gay-archipelago.com/about/, cercando di riassumere la sua travagliata esistenza possiamo dire che questa realtà è seguita molto da vicino dalla Linden che ha provveduto a costruire un apposito spazio per l’arcipelago fuori dalla mainland. Anche su facebook:

Qui contiamo centinaia di sim, molte che affittano parcelle a residenti, ma anche ospitanti iniziative noprofit e volontarie (non ho capito se ci sono finanziamenti diretti dalla Linden), magari varrebbe la pena di approfondire per un prossimo articolo.

Come vedete c’è un’ampia possibilità di scelta. Alla fine un estratto di queste land.

Land Gay Italiane

Purtroppo in questo elenco non sono citate sim Italiane. Ho fatto delle ricerche per verificare se vi fossero delle community attive in Italia che non fossero solo dedite allo shopping e quello che ho trovato (ma se avete notizie differenti vi prego di mandarmele) è al momento pressochè nullo. Sebbene negli anni passati ci fossero delle sim vivaci queste ormai sono chiuse e il massimo che pare che si possa trovare è SIM parzialmente gay friendly. Spero di arricchire questo articolo presto con informazioni Italiane 🙂

Sperando di non avervi annoiato,
Salahzar Stenvaag

Appendice elenco sim del Gay Archipelago

L’elenco completo delle SIM di questo arcipelago è qui: http://gay-archipelago.com/gay-archipelago/ga-sims/ con i relativi tp,

– Alcatraz – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Alex Ander – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Andros – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Araluv – owner : Ellyse Glas – visit this location [lesbian]

– ARMENELOS – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Bahia Beach – owner : Baz Ceawlin – visit this location

– Bay 1 – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Bay 2 – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Bay Isles – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Berkeley Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Belvedere – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Bleeding Heart Island – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Brokeback Mountain – owner : Dom Bamatter/Fran Ghoststar – visit this location

– Brazil Tropical – owner : Zarco Mildor/Jeff Rubermeyer – visit this location

– Cabria Bay – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabria Shores – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news –  visit this location

– Cabria Lagoon – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabria Landing – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabria Sunrise – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabrian Outpost – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Cabrian Dreams – owner : Myles Capalini – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Caerus – owner : Marcus Steeplechase – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Calas Galadhon – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Castro – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– ChorroN LametazoN – owner : SquirtN Wonder – events/info/news – visit this location

– Chilipepper – owner : Myles Capalini/Philippe Ocello – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Crazy Garden – owner : Sascha Laval/Arnel Choche – visit this location [full shopping]

– CyTeck Commerce – owner : Sascha Laval – visit this location [full shopping]

– Dimrill Dale – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Domination – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– DoQtown – owner : Oric Dorival/Luckas Horsley – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Dos Toros – owner : Kael Martinek – visit this location

– Eloi – owner : Marcus Steeplechase – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Falkenau Bay – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Ferik Island – owner : Jarod Sodwind – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Fisherman Wharf – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Flag Factory – owner : Sascha Laval/Frenchy Kazan – visit this location [full shopping]

– Folsom – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Folsom East – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Friendship – owners : Sascha Laval – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Archipelago – owner : Fabrice Snook – visit this location [GA welcome Hub]

– Gay France – owner : Maxel Cortes – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Friendly – owner : Maxel Cortes – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Fun Beach – owner : Oiswiss Decuir/Gmjorge Aeon – visit this location

– Gay Fun World – owner : Oiswiss Decuir – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Beach – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Lagoon – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Reef – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Resort – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Sunbay – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Island Tropic – owner : Medhi Bury – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gay Riviera – owner : Baz Ceawlin – visit this location

– Gay Zone Germany – owners : Sascha Laval – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gewehr – owner : Maxel Cortes – visit this location

– Glandium – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Golden Gate – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Golden Gate 2 – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Golden Gate Park – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Grey Havens – owner : Tymus Tenk – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Gulf of the Lune – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Halfmoon Bay Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Highlands of Tabor – owner : Fourleafclover Woodget – visit this location [gorean]

– Hillcrest of Tabor – owner : Bearded Munro – visit this location [gorean]

– Hubs Development – owner : Hubs Howlett – visit this location [full shopping]

– Hulneth Bay – owner : Jimmie Hammill – visit this location [gorean]

– IGBC Gay Rehoboth – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Heliopolis – owner : JeanLuc Guyot/Liamone Troglodite – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Bay – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Landing – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Reef – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Sea1 – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– IGBC Rehoboth Shores – owner : JeanLuc Guyot – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Island Boys – owner : Frogman Firegrave – visit this location

– Isle of N4RS – owner : Alecat Bredat – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Isle of Scimitar – owner : Jimmie Hammill – visit this location [gorean]

– Isle of Tabor – owner : Tiberius Brouwer – visit this location [gorean]

– Jameson Architects – owner : Jaij Jameson – visit this location [full shopping]

– Kanaloa Marketplace – owner : Keokipele Ansar – visit this location

– Magic Folsom – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– Marathon – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Mirromere – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– MISTY MOUNTAINS – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Mountains of Tabor – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Navan – owners : Sascha Laval – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Northern Tabor – owner : Tiberius Brouwer – visit this location [gorean]

– Nyundo – owner : Sascha Laval – visit this location [gorean]

– Ometeotl – owner Callinet Dagostino – visit this location

– Orpheum – owner : Philip Eubanks – visit this location

– Pallas – owner : Evan Rutledge – wiki page – visit this location

– Pandore – owner : Fabrice Snook – events/infos/news – visit this location [full shopping]

– Pride – owner : Marcus Steeplechase – events/infos/news – visit this location [official LGBT community gateway]

– Pure Domination – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Heaven – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Isle – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Luxury – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Sin – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Pure Temptation – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Rendezvous – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Rodos – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Romanum – owner : Emperor Galtier – events/infos/news – visit this location [role playing]

– Romanum II – owner : Emperor Galtier – events/infos/news – visit this location [role playing]

– Romanum III – owner : Sebastian Montpenier – events/infos/news – visit this location [role playing]

– Saint Niguel Isle – owner : Rockridge Constantine – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Bay – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Marina – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– San Francisco Zoo – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– Sandbox Archipelago – owner : Fabrice Snook – visit this location [GA public sandbox]

– Sausalito – owner : Dom Bamatter – events/info/news – visit this location

– Scimitar Plains – owner : Jimmie Hammill – visit this location [gorean]

– Selene – owner : Chance Rasmuson – visit this location

– Sheherazade Island – owner Mandy Dorfler – visit this location [lesbian]

– Skybeach – owner : Thorn Andel – visit this location

– South Farthing – owner : Tymus Tenk – visit this location

– Sons of Sunrise – owner : Kael Martinek – visit this location

– Sparta – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Spice Islands – owner : Evan Rutledge – wiki page – visit this location

– Straight of Falkenau – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Tabor Bay – owner : Marin Urdaneta – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor East – owner : Marin Urdanetta – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor Fields – owner : Dragonlord Sparta – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor Oasis – owner : Martin Terr – visit this location [gorean]

– Tabor Tropics – owner : Dragonlord Sparta – visit this location [gorean]

– TBONE Island – owner : Tom06 Castro – events/infos/news – visit this location

– Terra Ursa – owner :  Ketter McAllister – visit this location

– Theos Cove – owner : Myles Capalini – visit this location

– Thira – owner Alan Bolero – visit this location

– Thrace – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– Three Winds North – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– Three Winds South – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– Tiburon – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Tiffanyluv – owner : Marge Beaumont – visit this location [lesbian]

– TresQueens – owner : Mandy Dorfler – visit this location [lesbian]

– Tromsoe – owner : Jimmy Warbaum – visit this location

– Troy – owner : Sterling Whitcroft – visit this location

– TT Designs – owner : Toothfairy Tizzy – visit this location [full shopping]

– Vulcania Fine Art – owner : Keokipele Ansar – visit this location

– Wayfarer Bay – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Wayfarer Island – owner : Dom Bamatter – visit this location

– Whitewater – owner : Dom Bamatter/Wendell Thor – visit this location

– White Water Canyon – owner : Thormec Micheline – visit this location

– White Water Delta – owner : Dom Bamatter/Wendell Thor – visit this location

– White Water Falls – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– White Water Highlands – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

– White Water Peaks – owner : Levy Munro – visit this location

Parlare con le immagini

 

Questo è esattamente quello che faccio, e che farò, nella mia collaborazione in questo magazine dal promettente successo.

E’ l’occasione per presentarmi: sarò un autore atipico, silenzioso e un po’ ai margini, perché in fondo il mio modo di raccontare le cose sono le immagini. Ho interpretato così il mio modo di osservare Second Life: attraverso il superficiale strumento “fotografia” che ci offre il viewer, tento di ricreare punti di vista e messaggi che spesso, troppo spesso sfuggono ai viaggiatori del metaverso in cui siamo tutti protagonisti.

E raccontare quello che persone dalla spiccata creatività e abilità hanno messo in piedi, saranno i miei piccoli “2 cents” alla causa.  Buon viaggio a tutti.