Beats

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. It can show up as a rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes. Because of that, you could think you have another STI. 

Typically, it results in a mild illness associated with a rash, in some cases, it can cause severe pain and hospitalisation. It is spread mostly through prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with someone who has mpox. Most people recover within a few weeks. 

The good news is, we’ve got a vaccine and it’s free.

Initial symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes (similar to COVID or the flu) before progressing to a skin rash or lesions. The rash or lesions can also be found on the face, arms, and legs as well as in the mouth and around the genitals/anus.

For people who are fully vaccinated that acquire mpox, symptoms can be very mild and a noticeable rash or lesions are less likely to occur. However, among individuals who have been vaccinated, common symptoms reported include:

• proctitis (inflammation of the rectum)
• stomach cramps
• increased or constant need to go to the toilet
• severe lower back or body pain
• sore throat and/or mouth ulcers
• painful urination

for more information on MPOX

• If you are having casual sex here are some ways to reduce your risk, remember none of these are fail safe for avoiding COVID-19

• Where possible get contact details, save them on an app as a favourite. If you are diagnosed you can let each other know.
• Avoid sex that involves the exchange of saliva such as kissing or spit play.
• Wash your hands and face in soapy water before and after sex.
• Shower before and after sex.
• Reduce the amount of body contact-Glory holes, if available are a good way to do this or mutual masturbation.
• Have encounters that don’t involve touching- such as watching each other jack off or encounters that don’t involve face to face, such as doggy style.
• Get vaccinated, boosters are now also available so check with your GP to see when yours is due.
• Reduce your risk by making your sexual network smaller.

For more information check out Thorne Harbour page

If you are at a beat you are approached by a police officer, you may be asked to provide your name and ID and asked why you are here. Unless you’re being charged, you are not required to provide any additional information beyond your name. This can be quite confronting and you may feel pressured to provide your identification or justify what you were doing. Unless you have been charged with a crime, you are NOT required to provide any formal identification or reasoning. Have a think about what you were doing when you were stopped. Were you having sex in open view of everyone, were you just walking through and cruising, or were you trying to find your chat buddy?

If you are being harassed or feel pressured, ask to speak with a GLLO officer?

It is not illegal to be at a beat. It is not illegal to ‘cruise’ in public – walking around checking out fellow beat goers is perfectly legal. You might be breaking the law if you expose yourself (genitals or even your arse) in view, or engage in “offensive behaviour”. It’s not considered offensive behaviour if the person witnessing has to take abnormal steps to view what you’re up to (like peering under toilet doors or over stalls).

The maximum penalty that can be imposed on someone behaving in an ‘indecent, offensive or insulting manner’ under the Summary Offences Act is 2 years imprisonment. However, for the most part the police aren’t interested in what you’ve been up to behind that toilet door or out of sight. They will usually only head to a beat if there have been reports of incidents occurring, and are more interested in keeping you safe.

Sex venues are a great option as they are a safe, clean and discrete place to have fun. They also have condoms and lube as well as information on testing and friendly staff to answer any questions. A number of venues also have Thorne Harbour Health outreach volunteers their to answer any sexual health questions you might have.

It is a good idea to make sure you’re both vaccinated. Get information on how and where to get vaccinated here

Cruising at a beat is similar to cruising at a sex on premises venue. If you’re cruising it’s important to read body language and look for the right signals before moving in. If you move in on a guy who isn’t keen, or isn’t there to cruise at all, you might get politely rejected – but you might also put yourself at risk. For more information check out our guide to cruising and beat safety.

SAFETY FIRST

Any time you’re hooking up with random guys, keep yourself and your possessions safe and sound. If you are heading to a beat;

• Leave your wallet and valuables locked in your car, or at home.
• Keep your pockets empty
• Carry keys in your sock.
• Stuff your phone in your boot or socks when it’s not in your hand.
•  Don’t walk around with headphones in
• Wear shoes and clothes you can run in

First time at a beat?

• Try cruising with a mate
• Meet someone at a beat you’ve fucked before
• Choose a beat close to your car/main road

Use your judgment. If a situation looks or feels unsafe, give it a miss or head somewhere else with your new trade (if you’ve gotten that far), like a sex on premises venue.

Unfortunately, beats can sometimes attract homophobic violence including physical violence, harassment or theft. If you use apps or sites, they can often tell you if a certain beat is safe, and you can ask other guys who use that beat for tips to keep your hook-ups safer. If you’ve been assaulted, witnessed an assault, or have noticed peculiar behaviour we encourage you to report it to the police.

If it is safe to do so, you can take pictures of suspicious cars or people – or where something has happened.

The police will not bust you just for having been at a known beat. They are more concerned about your safety and the safety of others. If you don’t want to give your name or details, you can report information to the police anonymously. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with the police, you can contact Down An’ Dirty to report something you’ve seen/heard and we will forward it on to the police anonymously.

If the Police turn up while you’re at a beat, it is usually best to co-operate and to be calm and polite. You may be asked to give your name and personal details – but you can also ask the name, rank, and place of work of the police officer. If you are being interviewed in regard to offensive behaviour and you think you might be in the wrong – it might be wise to say ‘no comment’ and seek legal advice (see our links page)

If you’re heading to a beat, plan ahead and take your own condoms and lube. Unlike a sex on premises venue you probably won’t find any at a beat. Be respectful that beats are frequently public places, and dispose of condoms, wrappers and any rubbish as you leave.

Because of the anonymous nature of most beat hook-ups, there isn’t a great deal of communication around sexual health, HIV & STIs before or after you’ve gotten off. If you hit the beats, we recommend keeping up your regular STI screening every 3 months.

If you’ve fucked without a condom at a beat – you can get PEP within 72 hours to prevent HIV. If you regularly have sex without condoms you can look into getting PrEP to protect against HIV.

In an emergency: Call 000

GET PEP: www.getpep.info 1800 889 887

Get PrEP info: www.thorneharbour.org/PrEP www.pan.org.au www.prepdforchange.com

Thorne Harbour Health’s Counselling Services: www.thorneharbour.org 03 9865 6700

LGBTI (GLLO) Liason Officers: www.police.vic.gov.au

Switchboard: 1800 184 527

Victorian Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby: www.vglrl.org.au