Thu 30 Nov 2006 In: True Stories View at Wayback View at NDHA
Simon Latimer's recent appearance on condom and lube packs was so popular, those clever condom campaigners called him in again, this time for an intimate four-hour shoot with another model. We caught up with the stunning 25-year-old to get the low-down on his safe sex shoot. GayNZ.com: Those Gay Men's Health guys told us your 'speedo' pics were so popular they just had to ask you back for another campaign. How did it feel to be asked back? Simon Latimer: Well I didn't know that! I guess it's nice to be able to be involved in promoting and campaigning an important message like the safe sex one for NZAF - but it would also be nice if all gay/bi guys were being more personally responsible for their own sexual health too. Can you sum up what this latest campaign is about? In my opinion - it is asking men who have sex with men, to take no risks whatsoever when hooking up for sex. It's important that guys do not rely on the decisions/actions of others/partners to make sure sexual encounters are safe-they need to do that themselves. Time to stop being passive when it comes to protecting themselves! How was the photo shoot? It was fine - actually easier than the last one. This time it was warmer weather, last time I stood around in a studio in the middle of winter in my speedos! It took about 4 hours, although I wasn't involved the entire time. I wasn't too nervous - there was no actual sexual contact, although one of the positions we got photographed in was a bit like playing twister, so not so easy to maintain for too long! Everyone was in good humour the whole time too! What does your boyfriend think of your website photos and all the attention your getting? He thinks it's for a good cause, and is appreciative of that fact. He actually had the chance to be the model I was photographed with in the shoot, but was way to shy to do that. He hasn't properly seen the photos from the second campaign yet, but he has the general idea! He's pretty pleased there was no naked action on my part though! Do many people you meet recognise you from your safe sex campaigns? Some people recognised me at Family, and on K' Road. Some other friends also said they saw the posters and condoms throught NZ in bars, clubs, and saunas. I got a few random messages to my cellphone and e-mail that someone had wanked off to my photo on a condom packet! Another person offered me sex after tracking me down on the 'oldfriends' website. Mostly they were good reactions though. Oh yeah, I walked into someone's flat and they had my picture on their fridge! How many medals did you win diving at the Out Games, and how did it feel to win? I won 3 gold medals - in the 1m springboard, 3m springboard, and 10 metre platform. I was stoked to win because diving was one of the best-attended events, and had a pretty high standard (lots of international level divers are gay). Probably the coolest thing was having heaps of support from the Canadian crowd because my closest rivals were Americans! They didn't want them to win at all! Also, winning was awesome but a bit sad too, because the reason I actually competed and got back into shape was because my best gay friend had died of cancer a year before (he was from Quebec). So his family and friends were all there to support me and cheer me! Are you still diving these days? Well I'm still going to the gym - but my actual diving training has slowed down a bit because I have a sore back (I quit diving in 2002 because I had a stress fracture in my spine). But I hope to compete in NZ Men's Championships on the weekend 8-9th of December. Do you have any role models? Yes, Ian Roberts (gay Australian Rugby League player) because he was tough, but also proud to be openly gay! I wish more gay men in sport would come out! So for you, what's the best thing about being gay? Well there are so many things! Mostly I think it's all about what a gay man/woman can make out of his/her life. I am lucky to live in a time when we don't have to hide, and we can be proud and respected by the most people, and where many famous people are admitting that they are also gay, while others show that they support equal rights with heterosexual couples. But there is also the obvious part - guys are hot! Watch Simon's Out Games gold-winning dives below (click the 'play' button twice to activate): Back 1 Matt Akersten - 30th November 2006