‘Party and Play’ (PNP), or as its better-known chemsex, is a
subculture of recreational drug users who use drugs to enhance sexual activity.
Normally associated with gay men, which places them in a high-risk situation of
acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by having unprotected group sex with
large numbers of sexual partners. The drug of choice is normally
methamphetamine known as ‘Tina’ which is used to increase sexual desire and
allows users to engage in non stop sexual activity for several days, unfortunately
is very addictive and can have severe side effects! Drugs can also include
mephedrone, a mild sexual stimulant that has effects similar to cocaine but
longer lasting, GBH, known to the general public as the ‘date rape drug’ or
liquid ecstasy and GBL which has similar effects to alcohol.
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| The interviewees. |
William Fairman and Max Gogarty have directed and produced a
full on documentary about this rising phenomenon called Chemsex (2015). This very
powerful film follows the life of a group of vulnerable men who become trapped
in a vicious circle of sex, drug addiction and dependence and how their lives
have been affected by this modern trend. With the help of modern technology and
various ‘hook-up” apps and dedicated websites, like grindr and Bareback Real
Time, these group sex activities are able to be arranged and would not just
involve traditional sex but erotic play and experimentation. An increase in HIV
rates has been blamed on the growth of PNP activities.
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| 'We are the brave' |
The idea for the film came from a Vice.com article in 2013[1]
and what started as a look at a health care emergency soon evolved into
investigation into PNP and sadly as the directors have stated ‘It wasn’t the
sex or the drugs that shocked. Neither was it the danger or the consequences.
It was the realisation that, for the majority of people, it was intimacy and
not lust nor hedonism that was the driving force behind their behaviour’[2].
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| If you don't like needles.... |
Never an easy viewing experience Fairman and Gogarty’s brave
documentary does give a very interesting insight into the dark and sad side of
the modern urban gay scene. Those of you with an open mind should increase your
awareness and watch this thought provoking movie
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