Boy w the Phoenix Tattoo

Actually the term you are looking for is Mujahid (singular) and Mujahideen (plural). However, a true Jihad is a declaration of war for all Muslims and can only be created by the Caliph and the last Caliphate was abandoned in 1923. There has not been a true Jihad since then. While the current perpetrators of violence would like to believe they are Mujahideen, they are not. This is not, and can never be a true Jihad, since war has not been declared by the Caliph and the current violence is only being perpetrated by a small percentage of Muslims. These people are terrorists, pure and simple.

Also an argument in favor of condom usage.

I may have had one or two negative experiences. More importantly, I think it is important to appreciate and recognize our best providers. They should get the attention they deserve.

I guess I'm confused because I don't think there's an over-arching "gay scene." Each city has its own, and then you've got their respective subcultures. As a gay trans man in the DMV, sure, there are places I do not go because I know I won't achieve acceptance there. Half of me is the impassioned young activist who wants to fight for his place in those spaces; the other is exceptionally bitter that I have to fight to be in such spaces, and that I can't just roll up to any old bar and feel safe getting a drink with my friends.
 
In some ways, the scene has shaped my preferences. I think there's a misconception that my generation (or younger) is more progressive and accepting about any manner of diversity; but I've found that a lot of gay men my age or younger double down very hard on labels, so I generally don't date my age. You've also got other groups like the masc4masc types (which does include trans men, but that's another story for another day), the "no fats no fems no Hispanics no (insert label)" types, etc. Everyone in my local area wants to be polyamorous, which believe it or not, I don't do.
 
Despite all of that, there is a small population of gay people in my area that I fall in with like we're some kind of island of misfit toys. There are places to go in my city that are predominately gay spaces, and yet their function is purely social. So I'd say that I personally am part of my local scene because I've found my niche, but I'm not as entrenched in it as I perhaps could be.

I am glad we have providers with your perspective. A note of appreciation to you and all the providers like you.

LOL Im from Philly -- Same Here!

But many of us have a respectable attention span. No need to write for Trump.

Agree. But, "War and Peace" is not a difficult read despite the length.

By you...

I'm a client, but I prefer dinner before. If I'm having an overnight, I'd like to play a bit, then go to dinner before the main event
 
For a shorter period, I would rather not enjoy a time with a companion, than go to dinner which will probably make me want to enjoy him again than see him go.

We have a new police now, I see. The only think that matters is whether or not the inked one likes the image. If you think that you need to be an expert on whatever image you chose to tattoo on yourself, great. Apply that policy to yourself.

I'll tell you what I've told my kids. Feel free to do with these words whatever you wish.
 
1. Life isn't fair and the overwhelming wealth of resources are in the hands of very few.
2. Don't expect anyone or anything to ever care more about you and your future than yourself.
3. In terms of financial topics, know your expenses. Understand what you spend, where, and why.
4. Understand that your time has value. Remember to account for that value regardless of what you're doing. In other words, you have one life, time is the most valuable resource you have, use it wisely.
 
Regarding investments, understand your whole situation first. figure out your expenses and create a budget. There are loads of apps to choose from so make the most of your smart phone. Mint, Personal Capital, and Clarity are some decent places to start to understand your financial situation. Avoid apps like Acorn because the fees take too much of your money. If you already have a decent amount to invest, you might want to check out one of the algorithmic investors: Aspiration, Betterment, OpenInvest, Wealthfront, etc.
 
Save as much as you can without sacrificing too much now. If you want to manage your own investing--helps lower the fees--then you need to do some research. Unless you plan to spend considerable time & energy on managing your investments, start with some good low-cost index funds.
 
If you want to jump into stocks or other financial instruments, do your research!
 
Some "old school classics" that are worth reading to start your investment journey:

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book On Value Investing by Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig and Warren Buffett
One Up On Wall Street: How to use what you already know to make money in the market by Peter Lynch
The Future for Investors: Why the Tried and the True Triumph Over the Bold and the New by Jeremy Siegel
Rule #1: The Simple Strategy For Successful Investing in Only 15 Minutes a Week! by Phil Town

welcome back

I get LOTS of positive feedback on mine. I guess the people who don't like them have manners enough to keep it to themselves.

It's intimidating, I get it. But it's not too hard. The big lesson, to me, is to realize there's no one right answer. Nobody's going to make fun of you for your choices.
 
At your age, an annual contribution to an IRA, whether Roth or traditional, will make a huge difference later on. The younger you start, the longer compound interest has to work in your favor, and now is the best time to establish good savings habits. In general, the tax structure is extremely favorable for those with modest incomes who manage to save even a little. (Despite the current congress's best efforts.)
 
If you do decide to explore a bit, one simple, easy to read book to cover the basics is The Elements of Investing. http://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Investing-Burton-Malkiel/dp/0470528494
 
Good luck, and prosper.
 
Kevin Slater

I'm fairly heavily-tattooed: quarter-sleeves on both arms and a large back tattoo that covers my entire back. I guess one could say they're a fetish with me.

You might think about limiting cheating to single meals rather than entire days.

This is exactly what I'm getting at. If what you want is great sex, focusing only on the best looking guys is using the wrong criterion.
 
Not saying that no one who's good-looking is good in the sack, just that those aren't even close to the same thing. And if your dick doesn't applaud the idea of looking for great sex, something's wrong.

Please mark your calendars for the next Forum DC Gathering, January 12-14, 2018.
 
@ArVaGuy and I have been working the past couple of months to put together plans for next year's gathering, and we'll be co-hosts. As with past DC gatherings, the weekend will span the MLK weekend, and coincide with Mid Atlantic Leather (MAL). There will be a range of get-togethers, culminating in the traditional brunch on Sunday, January 14th.
 
Last year's effort for the gathering had the best of intentions, but fell short when a venue for the brunch was not arranged. No harm, no foul, but not something anyone wants to have happen again. For this next year's event, arranging the venue for the brunch has been the first order of business, and it's been all confirmed. This event WILL happen, and you can start making arrangements with confidence.
 
Along the lines of making arrangements, we wanted to post an announcement early particularly for those interested in booking a hotel room in the MAL host hotel, or one of the hotels nearby. As of this writing there are still rooms at the MAL host hotel, but in year's past the host hotel has sold out well in advance of the event. So if you've been thinking you might want to book a room in the host hotel, you might want to do that sooner than later. Here is the link to the reservations page: http://www.leatherweekend.com/hotel/
 
For those of you who may not be interested in MAL or the leather scene, not to worry! Traditionally the DC gathering has coincided with MAL because it's a long weekend and many of us are in town, but the forum gathering is otherwise independent of the leather activities and is welcoming to all forum members. You may choose to sample some of the MAL activities, or go "whole-hog", or alternatively forgo them completely. That's up to you.
 
At this early stage we are posting so you can plan the dates ahead, book your hotel if inclined, and let us know if you're interested in attending so we can start putting together a head count for the brunch.
 
If you're interested in attending, please send a direct message to either @ArVaGuy or @nate_sf or both of us (direct messages can include more than one recipient). As the date approaches, we'll get in touch with each member who has expressed interest.
 
And if you have general questions or suggestions for the gathering, please do so in this thread.
 
We're excited to be continuing this fun tradition and hope you'll join us!

@Keith30309 - thanks. I've added him to the post/list.

Excellent list!
I'd add https://rentmen.eu/PhoenixFtM of Atlanta.

A quick survey shows that some of the US-based gents currently advertising include:
 
New England:
https://rentmen.eu/benjifoxxx
 
NYC:
https://rentmen.eu/Cyd_StVincent
https://rentmen.eu/FtmShawn
https://rentmen.eu/xxKiloxx
 
Mid-Atlantic/Philadelphia:
https://rentmen.eu/phoenxx
https://rentmen.eu/TripleXTransMan
https://rentmen.eu/TopsyTransguy
https://rentmen.eu/MisterLobo
 
South/Texas
https://rentmen.eu/LukeHudson
https://rentmen.eu/TankBoi
 
Midwest:
https://rentmen.eu/KippSlinger
https://rentmen.eu/AndreFTM
https://rentmen.eu/ScoutFinnFTM
https://rentmen.eu/BADBOYWITHAPUSSY
https://rentmen.eu/MicahJames
 
RockyMountain/SW
https://rentmen.eu/LoganPhilips
https://rentmen.eu/PhoenixFtM
 
Bay Area:
https://rentmen.eu/viktorbelmont
https://rentmen.eu/Carlosxxx
https://rentmen.eu/AlexSebastian
 
SoCal:
https://rentmen.eu/ConnorAtlas
https://rentmen.eu/ethanswitcher
https://rent.men/LukeHudson
 
PacificNW:
https://rentmen.eu/DannyGermaine
https://rentmen.eu/Sailorjames
 
ETA: If I missed someone, sorry; shoot me the details in a PM or email & I'll add him into the post.

You can look for content from [uSER=15773]@Boy w/ the Phoenix Tattoo[/uSER] and [uSER=12528]@FTM_Twink[/uSER] or reach out to them directly.

We have some dear trans sex workers actively participating in these forums.

Yes
 
An enlightening article - thank you. I learned a new word: "transphobia".