Treasure Island Models Max Cameron and Drew Sebastian Talk HIV, PreP, And Romance

A new documentary video about Truvada use among gay men has just come out from Fusion TV, and it centers on serodiscordant couple Max Cameron and Drew Sebastian, who both happen to be porn models and shoot for Treasure Island, among others. (Max also just shot this hot flip-flop scene with Trenton Ducati in NakedSword’s Addict.)

Max is HIV-negative and Drew, who he met a year and a half ago, is positive. They both say in this video that Truvada/PreP has helped them be more intimate, and it’s time that more gay men caught on to the reality that this isn’t just a drug that sluts and whores take because they can’t abide by condoms — it really may become the new normal, and the term “Truvada whore” could end up applying to all of us one day soon.

A lot of urban gay men have embraced Truvada, the HIV prevention pill that has been shown, when taken properly, to be safer than condom use in preventing HIV infection. The FDA approved its use among HIV-negative men in mid-2012, and as a doctor at UCSF medical school says in the film, it’s kind of like the birth control pill after it was invented — it came along in 1959, but because of societal taboos, it’s use, especially among unmarried women, didn’t take off until the 1970s.

Anyway, the doc also includes some behind-the-scenes footage of a Treasure Island orgy. And Drew goes by Andy here, and we learn that he’s a chef! And I’m sure some of you are still going to scream that condoms are the only safety we have, etc. etc., and it’s not like this stuff doesn’t freak me out too. But if you were negative and fell in love with someone positive, you might consider it, right?

 

 

[Fusion TV]

h/t: mr. Pam
 

28 thoughts on “Treasure Island Models Max Cameron and Drew Sebastian Talk HIV, PreP, And Romance”

  1. I’m just curious, who is it that’s comparing ARVs to birth control pills? Is it something these guys said in the interview, or is it the writer of this article? Seems like a really dangerous logic.

  2. i am currently taking “Viread” because i fucked up somewhere along the line and got hepatitis b. anyway Viread is “tenofovir disoproxil fumarate” which some people have told me /feel? can be just as effective as that Truvada as a PREP. They say they read it on the internet – go figure….Although i’ve been on it for just about a year i have not have any bad symptoms…yet… As far as the PREP thing goes i wouldnt take a chance on it anyway, besides i stopped fucking anyway just to be on the safe side from now on. my doc is very good but also a very conservative business type. ive not asked him anyway i have enough to worry about so why push my luck lol

  3. This video was really irresponsible. No, condoms aren’t the end-all-be-all. But neither is Truvada. The last person I’m going to take any advice from is some deteriorated looking bareback TIM actor. It’s awesome that there is finally a drug that will help reduce the chances of infection. But this drug costs $1,400/month, and is as volatile on the body of an HIV- man as when used by HIV+ men. As a result, less than 10% of test subjects took Truvada as directed because of stomach bloating and discomfort. Regardless, it’s clear that the benefits, if any, will be offset by the behavior of the kinds of people in this video and studios like Treasure Island. Until the number of HIV transmissions begin to decline, people should not trust the promises of some drug before it actually has a chance to show proven success.

    1. Irresponsible for informing people about Truvada as an option in addition to condoms? Maybe that is irresposible to you but I think think is educating people. Knowledge is power.

    2. About the only thing you got right about Truvada is the cost, and I might add there are a lot of resources for assistance with that currently.

      You need to provide a link to the statement of 10% of less took Truvada as prescribed due to side-effects…I’m calling bullshit on this one and it sounds like the kind of false information that AHF would love to spread in their war against PrEP.

  4. So this guy fucked bareback before meeting his bf, then he meets him and continues barebacking with him too. Where’s more “intimate”? He would have fucked bare with him anyways, the other being his boyfriend or not.
    He just doesn’t care about hiw own status, he fucked bare before and then he met a boy who “happened” to be hiv+… I really don’t understand.

  5. Everyone is talking the wonders on PreP. Yet NO ONE has discussed the myriad side effects HIV Meds cause in the human body. Can someone please explain to me why you would want to incur the EXPENSE, the side effects & the responsibility of taking pills everyday just so you can take a load up your ass?????

    Watch- all these Truvada cheerleaders will be barking a different tune when a few years down the road, HIV infection rates skyrocket.

    1. Truvada is actually typically tolerated side effect free when used for PrEP. The “myriad [of] side effects HIV meds cause in the human body” actually occur far less frequently than you imply. Older HIV medications did indeed have a significant amount of side effects, the newer medications (including Truvada) are far safer and better tolerated. Those taking PrEP must be regularly screened to ensure their HIV status remains negative and also have kidney function testing performed to ensure that the medication is not affecting their kidneys. TJ, I would encourage you to avoid trying to use scare tactics, it didn’t work for smoking and it isn’t working for HIV either. Truvada has been on the market for several years now for HIV treatment, there is not a smoking gun waiting to be discovered, it has been extensively studied over several years. As for the “EXPENSE” (not sure why you chose to highlight that word,) insurance covers it for the majority of users and the manufacturer provides a co-pay discount card that will take off up to $400 monthly, often resulting in patients having to pay nothing at all out of pocket. Yes, from a healthcare affordability stand-point it does tax the system, but the cost is far far far less than paying for HIV treatment over the course of a lifetime.

      As for HIV infection rates skyrocketing, or other STDs for that matter, that is false and unproven. You should do some research before you make baseless claims. It’s not tough to do, just look at the statistics on the SF Department of Public Health website.

      I’m not a “Truvada cheerleader” by any means, I’m just realistic. Those using Truvada for HIV prevention without using condoms most likely were already not using condoms. People have been screamed at about condom use for 30 years now, I think they are aware that they ideally should be using them. At least we can try to reduce their HIV risk, it may not be perfect but it’s better than nothing. (I get it, they should use condoms, I agree… but get real, they aren’t!)

      1. Great response Caleb! I’ve seen people talk about the side effect of HIV meds as an excuse against PrEP treatment and frankly it is clear their opinions are based on old, outdated information that is irrelevant in 2014. There are ALWAYS potential side-effects with any medication, from aspirin to antibiotics to Truvada, but in most cases they are extremely rare. Here in Cleveland we have one of our leading medical facilities offering PrEP and doing a lot of evaluation on it, everyone that I know who is currently taking it have had success in being side-effect free and are happy the chose to consider PrEP as part of their overall strategy to prevent HIV infection.

        And let’s not forget, taking PrEP is NOT a lifelong requirement! You take it when you are sexually active and feel you are at potential risk for infection; you don’t have to continue taking it if you find a partner and settle down, you are no longer having sex, or simply feel it isn’t part of your safe-sex strategy any more. Better to have these choices than to be HIV positive and not have a choice!

      2. yes there are side effects to every drug and while this drug may not immediately affect anyone,the kidney side effects are nasty and not reversable…, this drug (as some of you have said) is an option for ones overall safer sex plan…

        1. John, some of the issues with kidney problems/function do clear up when stopping treatment with Truvada, just wanted to make sure everyone knows that. Obviously we are not speaking specifics here but again the amount of people with severe side-effects is small when compared to the overall amount of people using Truvada, whether as PrEP or for controlling their HIV infection.

      3. caleb while i am NOT on prep this med i am taking has “tenofovir disoproxil fumarate” which is part of that truvada med you talk about. you say truvada does not have many serious side affects and its tolerated well. i just wanted to mention my doctor said to keep careful watch as i urinate as it can have very serious side effects on my kidneys i have also read that once this happens the damage is done to the kidneys

  6. the next story we will read here will be how this guy was fired from his teaching job, and he’ll be SHOCKED ! i have known many porn stars personally, seen stories on line and it never fails to amaze me how surprised they are that their day job fires them, angry bf send mom and dad their movies, or to their work places, others in interviews will say they hope their familiy or friends never find out…ha ha…as far as the other comments about adding condoms to the mix here, it is so hard for me to understand why a person would not take every single precaution they could. bb cant possibly feel better than being neg and/or STI free…

    1. As many porn performers do Max Cameron also prostitutes himself. He has an add at rentboy where he wrote that not only he but if the John wishes, his companion , Drew Sebastian ( The HIV+…) is also available.

  7. Truvada may be good for the promiscuous and libertines that can afford it but I still don’t support the use of it by all gay men because condoms are cheaper ( or even given for free ). The argument that condomless sex is better is true but doesn’t contemplate other aspects of a couple’s commitment and only prioritizes sex. Even so Truvada may be a choice for people that aren’t in a monougamous relationchip or are soro discordant ( although it can’t prevent other STDs… )

  8. TIM does not test it models so who knows what other nasty STI’s besides HIV go around on a set of TIM and other bareback studios that do not test their models? And: nobody knows what the long term effects of Truvada are. Plus: a condom is much cheaper than a Truvada pill.

  9. I don’t quite understand…he’s doing BB porn knowing that some of those actors are Positive only trusting that the PREP from TRUVADA works. I can’t imagine that PREP is 100 or even 90 % secure. I don’t see how he can talk so freely about, I’d be worried. Why not just use a condom? I also do understand how he’s doing porn while also being a teacher?

  10. If only there was a way the porn industry could still film bareback but be safer if only, and maybe models unionize, for emergencies in case someone does get HIV if only. And giant studios inside armories did not have to move outside California and maybe be revolutionary and invest in models health IF ONLY.

    1. The thing is that there is a lot of other reason to wear condoms other than for hiv. Anal herpes is a lifetime issue and as you get older your immune system gets weaker. Also surgery to remove internal anal warts with the possibility that they may come back isn’t a cake walk either.

  11. ps – AHF can go suck my left nutsack!

    They’ve already RUINED the porn industry in California – and now not even supporting PrEP.

    AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, Isadora Hall & Michael Weinstein – YOU SUCK!!

    1. AHF also has helped thousands of people Mr. Pam. Many of the porn performers who get zero insurance coverage from the companies they perform for get treatment from AHF-and the treatment is either free or low cost. So AHF isn’t all bad. Plus, the internet ruined porn.

  12. YAY!!!
    I love this interview – almost as much as I love Max Cameron & Drew Sebastian. You guys are awesome and I applaud you for sharing your love & groundbreaking relationship with the world.

    Knowledge is key! I’m proud to be living in San Francisco and have access to the information and medical treatment that can greatly impact HIV.

    Remove the stigma! Know your status – and Talk before you shove it in Boys!!

    big hugs… your fan…
    mr. Pam

  13. Bravo to Max and Drew for being forthcoming about their relationship situation and speaking about their experience with PrEP. I’ve been critical in the past, especially on this site, of porn companies/businesses for not doing enough to stop the ignorance that exists about HIV in 2014 and getting the word out about PrEP. This is a great video that I think all gay men can relate too and will be of great service to educate and raise awareness about PrEP as one option to prevent HIV infection.

    Now to just deal with that pesky problem of Michael Weinstein at AHF, what a douche.

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