Cruising in person or on the apps is never easy, but trans masculine people often have a more difficult time in both spaces. In this probing episode, Gabe and Chris talk to filmmaker Jules Rosskam about his new documentary DESIRE LINES, which explores the sexual lives and histories of gay trans men. Then, Transferno co-organizer Santos J. Arce stops by to talk about his cruising experiences and what every curious cis guy needs to know to before hitting up gay trans men for dates or hookups.
A Note From the Director, Adam Baran
When I started throwing NYC INFERNO, a queer sex party in 2016, I said that I never wanted to exclude anyone. To that end, trans men needed to be welcomed and invited into my party. When I started making entreaties to trans community members to come to NYC INFERNO, I was invited to speak to a trans-masc cruising group. The group gathered each month to teach each other how to cruise in cis gay spaces and to develop strategies to deal with the different behaviors they’d encounter while cruising.
Hearing from this group was the first time I realized that cruising—both on the apps and in person—was a different experience for trans guys. With the help of some very amazing trans-masc party attendees, my party became a place where cis and trans people felt comfortable to come and play. It’s really a special thing to see.
You can imagine then, how thrilled I was to watch Jules Rosskam’s incredible documentary DESIRE LINES at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Rosskam’s film is a brilliant hybrid-documentary that explores the phenomenon of trans men who realize they’re attracted to other men (both cis and trans). Rosskam’s film is moving, informative and so hot that when watching it at home with a friend we both took a break mid-film to have sex. Jules was an amazing guest on this episode, and especially gagged us with a story he heard about a lactating trans masculine person’s wild visit to a bathhouse steam room.
Then, Santos J. Arce, who helps Kris Grey and I organize TRANSFERNO, a trans-masc centered party spun off from NYC INFERNO, stopped by to chat about an article he wrote for Them.us detailing his experience cruising as a trans man. He offers amazing tips and tricks for both trans and cis guys to help make the cruising experience better, hotter and safer. Santos is a dear friend and it was amazing to have him on this platform. I’m continually impressed by his insights and every time we get together I learn new and very hot things!
For all these reasons, I’m especially proud of this weeks’ episode, and I hope everyone finds it as compelling and arousing as I do!
Follow the hosts:
Gabe Gonzalez
Chris Patterson-Rosso
Guests featured in this episode:
Jules Rosskam (DESIRE LINES film)
Santos J. Arce (Kink Punx)
