Hello I'm Rich Brown and this is my personal website and blog. I'm just your simple, average, down to earth, professional, out gay man and aspiring circuit boy, living in Phoenix, Arizona with a few things to say while trying to find my place among all the scary, conservative, religious nuts in this sick and twisted world.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Misunderstood
You may or may not realize something is missing. I guess it really depends upon the last time my blog was viewed and which entries were posted at that time. Tonight I decided to take down a series of 5 consecutive posts which I published over the last two days because I believe the context of these posts was misunderstood.
What was originally intended to be a source of some helpful safety information for people who were in need of some direct, no-nonsense, non-objective, concise and factually correct documentation was seen by some as an endorsement of a specific behavior. This was by no means what I had intended.
Honestly, I saw the opportunity to use the recent popularity of my blog to republish some information contained in a pamphlet which was handed out to my friends and I while visiting Montreal for Black & Blue last fall. While I posted the text of the document in it's entirety, I believe pieces of the information were taken out of context, the overall meaning of the combined posts was lost, and an incorrect assumption made as to the motive for my posts.
Had this been personal documentation, experiences or opinion I would have hesitated upon taking it down, but because I was merely reposting the text of a publicly available document, I was not completely averse to the suggestion that maybe I rethink it's inclusion in my blog at this point.
I am however, currently struggling on what defines the fine line of self-censorship and appropriateness among interested parties. This blog is a living documentation of my life, my experiences, my friendships, and the issues and topics I think are important. I would never ask anyone to sacrifice their privacy or reputation based on my content, but this blog is not just a frivolous hobby, it's truly an important part of my life and I really do not want to censor what I write or the content provided in this forum.
Since I understand it's not always in the best interest of certain parties who may be incorrectly linked to some of my content based on association by inclusion alone, I've decided to take down these posts for the moment but be assured it's only a temporary solution to alleviate any misunderstandings until I can decide where that line of appropriateness actually falls and how to proceed with a long term solution which will not censor my content. Cheers
Post [Gay Sex On Drugs [Part I] - Hits to My Blog] Removed Post [Gay Sex On Drugs [Part II] - Safer Sex and Drugs] Removed Post [Gay Sex On Drugs [Part III] - The Drugs G & Crystal] Removed Post [Gay Sex On Drugs [Part IV] - The Drugs K & Coke] Removed Post [Gay Sex On Drugs [Part IV] - The Drugs E & Poppers] Removed
Rich, I have been reading your blog for prolly 2 years now, off and on. I have never commented. Today that changes. I read 3 of the 5 posts, and was intrigued that there was this kind of information out there. For someone who has not taken the time do the research (not really needing to up to this point in my life) I found it very informative. I hope you find that line you speak of. Because I always enjoy reading your blog, and look forward to see how it develops.
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Dave @ Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:10:00 AM
Hey Rich,
My partner and I received the same informative handouts at White Party in Palm Springs in 2006. I recognized your post immediately from those materials we had received. I thought it was a bold move but was happy to see it. I still believe education is always a good thing, especially when it can help someone make better informed choices that can dramatically affect their health. I'm not sure who the small minded ones were that didn't understand that but once again we are reminded of how many people don't seem to understand truth and what is in their best interest. I shouldn't be surprised, these are probably the same people who elected our president. Twice!!
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Joe @ Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:05:00 PM
Guys thanks for the comments. In all honesty, it's not an issue of small minded people, I just received several comments that were completely unexpected which prompted a discussion on if the information I posted was being taken out of context and if it would be negatively viewed by others just at first glance. I know it was a bold move to post that on here, and it was a path I originally said I wasn't going to go down, however I respect the opinion of the people who I received the comments from, otherwise I would have never considered modifying my blog. I may in the future post the information, but in a different manner in which it cannot be taken out of context. I do still believe it's valuable information that may possibly help so save someone's life.
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Rich Brown @ Thursday, July 12, 2007 8:19:00 PM
Hi I Leave in Montreal, been reading Rich blog since one year.Did not get the chance to see what material Rich posted but I know what they are. I have these pamplets at home and usually when I have friends comming over I usually show them these pamplets about how to play safe on the dance floor with the drugs available.Poeple from from abroad are so surprise specially USA.Theese pamplets have been there since a long time at least 1994 when I did my first Black & Blue.Our municipal and Provincial governement are for them.They give them to you at the entry an even on available when you pass security tables.Are 3 gay mega party here any where from 10000 to 50000 Black and BLUE, MONTREAL WHITE PARTY, lA GRANDE DANSE inform people by these PHAMPLETS PLUS ON THE WALL of the washroom and in washroom stall they are some many poster with the information written in huge letter and pictures for who does not speak english get the information, my city is french.Plus their where site provide info usually. Been 3 time at Palm Spring White Party since only once such phamplet said its about time but again you simply don't see in USA parties because you hide your self, and yes more than likely are those poeple who has elected twice the president in power at the moment.
|______________________________________________________________________ posted by Robert @ Friday, July 13, 2007 8:32:00 AM
