Society uses our love to define us as a community, but rarely do we attempt to define the modern gay relationship for ourselves. If there existed one unofficial golden gay rule, it would solely instruct us to shun labels and definitions, especially when it comes to how we express love. But we’ve never played by the rules, and examining the kaleidoscope of gay relationships in the new millennium is of increasing importance. The first nail in DOMA’s coffin has been hammered, and equality is being awarded in a domino effect, slowly but surely, state by state. As the struggle to have our unions recognized across the board intensifies, it prompts us to ask, Who, exactly, are we fighting for?
Some might say that April cover guys Eric Turner and John Odom (l to r), both 30-year-old fitness models/personal trainers living in Houston, are the modern gay relationship personified. The pair met online, share a life domestic (“with four dogs!”) in their Houston home and are engaged with plans to marry in due time.
And it all began with a status update.
Not uncommon for single men with eye-catching profile photos, the two became Facebook friends without having met in person. Then, in the summer of 2010 and with Instinct magazine as the catalyst, Eric, at the time living in Salt Lake City, broke the ice with a flirty message sent to Houston-based John.
Article continues below...
John explains: “My ex was on the cover last year coming out as HIV positive [July/August 2010]. I started getting backlash from people on Facebook wondering why I didn’t tell anybody. So I put up a status that said, ‘Yes, I’m happy for him, but I’m not HIV positive, so stop with the messages, please.’”
“I actually thought John was straight because he had very few pictures on there,” adds Eric. “When I saw his Facebook [relationship] status, my green light went off. I thought he was really cute, so I sent him a message. We met in person two weeks later, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.”
A long-distance couple finding themselves “inseparable” is not only expensive but time-consuming. For logistical purposes, around Thanksgiving Eric left Salt Lake behind to build a personal fitness business—and to move in with John—in economically sound Houston. Aware of the fast track their relationship navigated, the guys jokingly refer to the decision as “very lesbian.”
Read more about our cover boys and the cover question we pose in our April issue, by picking up Instinct at newsstands now!
Edith, Do you always believe everything you hear? I do know them both very well. I do happen to know as a fact that a lot of these people are jealous because of their success and that what the, as referred to by HoustonDirector, [wanna-be] QUEENS claim is complete and utter horse shit. Pardon my french on the public forum. That smoke you're smelling is coming from their blow hole.
Don't run your trap until you know what it is you're running through. It is also a fact that most people when they are jealous of someone else will say anything they want whether it's true or not. Stop believing only what you want to believe. Introduce yourself to John OR Eric and get to know who they really are. Stop basing your life on the ugly girl gossip.
-1
... written by Peter F,
March 30, 2011
What are all you guys complaining about? These guys are hot, plus the story about the "love story" isn't only about them. The story is actually quite good for Instinct to cover.
Eric - totally self promoted and had some serious beef with people when he was "Janice Dickinson" anonymously on slcdirt. Then he brings her to Salt Lake only to rub "salt" in the wound. All i'm saying is you reap what you sow. Obviously there are some unsatisfied customers in your wake.
+4
... written by the.lover.of.all,
March 30, 2011
i'd rather read the article about matt and cameron again or chew rusty nails than buy a copy of this issue. been in that magazine for ads. it was better when steve was still there, but it's still ok. lost some edge but yea. if they added a classified ad section these boys could do some "extra business" that they're more suited to.
+4
... written by Not Again,
March 30, 2011
Please do a better job at finding couples to put on the cover of the magazine. We need couples that have substance. Not the classic cliche that "defines" the gay.
+3
... written by SmithWesson,
March 31, 2011
You white people are soooooooooo petty. Two, attractive, young, well-built white boys are on the cover and "readers" are upset? I mean, don't they look like ALL your circuit party boys and EVERY guy you put on ALL your other gay publications and ads and so on and so on???? I'd love to hear them speak. I bet they have the requisite, fey, always-sounds-like-they're-asking-a-question voices!!! You people are too much!!! Correction: TOO LITTLE, actually!!!!!
Having grown up in a small city, reading these comments makes me remember why I left. The comments I've read here (both those that were highly inappropriate and modified, and those that remain) from people who expect that the world outside their small-minded little town cares about who either of these boys slept with in their past, are delusional. This isn't your local nightclub, this is a national publication. When I got my magazine in the mail, I thought it was nice to read about a couple who is trying to make it. I'm sure they have a past. Who doesn't? But it seems that many of you think the rest of us give a shit about your local gay politics, and you'd be better reading the articles in the magazine to see what's going on in the bigger world, instead of complaining when a national publication like this paints a picture of society that you don't agree with.
-1
... written by Stp,
March 31, 2011
I totally agree Spencer! These guy probably could give two shits if you like them or hate them. Their too busy living their own lives like the rest of us to care what some jealous, lonely, and immature people have to say about them.
-1
... written by mr.mac,
March 31, 2011
i wonder if they need someone to read all the big words to them.
+1
... written by Aiden2000,
March 31, 2011
I hate john hes a racist queen bitch
+0
... written by Peter F,
March 31, 2011
@Portbud: You're clearly an idiot. Read the story. Instinct never says they are the ideal couple. They are just one example of the many kinds in gay community. You should read more.
+0
... written by Roger Sweet,
March 31, 2011
So many of you guys are missing the point. Eric and John are just used as an example for the story. They are not being held up as the ideal couple. Talk about judging a book by its cover. This is judging a magazine by a cover, and not even reading the story about the modern gay love story. It actually goes into great depth with clinicians and other couples.
+1
... written by THK,
March 31, 2011
Once again, Instinct goes for style over substance. I agree, it would be nice for them to go the extra mile to find gay men who are inspirational to us all...those who are more than just a pretty face, or a steroid body. Yes, eye candy is nice to look at...but I don't think that they realize that they are NOT helping the cause of gay men. Maybe if someone who was not obsessed with gay bars, circuit parties, and getting laid would take the reigns of the magazine it would be a better publication.
You guys sure are hateful and spiteful. Hide behind your computers and attack models and now the magazine's staff. Do you even know anything about them? Read the story. Instinct has great editors and they actually do care about the community.
+0
... written by Stephen G.,
March 31, 2011
Instinct has all types and sorts of guys on their covers. This month they have muscle queens. So what? It's a type. It may just not be your type. It's not my type either. But every month is different. If you read the magazine you would know that.
-2
... written by John Planta,
March 31, 2011
Why all the hate people, Instinct is the only gay national magazine that is not screwing the gay community unlike Out and Advocate. I love my Instinct - you boys keep up the good work.
-2
... written by Tyler D,
March 31, 2011
Maybe we are all tired of the muscle queens and we want someting new...its too much of the same. I think this is what makes everyone here upset.
+3
... written by Robert Durand,
March 31, 2011
I agree with THK
+2
... written by drew.instinct,
March 31, 2011
Eric why are all the defensive comments coming from your ip address?
+1
... written by Rodney G.,
March 31, 2011
It's pretty obvious that most of you guys don't even read Instinct. And that's okay. But what's not okay is assuming all they do is feature muscle queens on their covers and in their stories. Maybe you should check out a couple of issues and see for yourself before you just jump on the "let's bag on them train." I've been a subscriber for 5 years or more, and if anything, they've been more diverse than ever in terms of "types" of gay guys on their covers. And they are also the only gay mag that DOES put gay guys on their covers. GIve them some credit for trying. Lighten up, people.
+0
... written by Andrew Panner,
March 31, 2011
It would be interesting to know how this issue sells compared to a Janet Jackson cover or an 80-year-old man on the cover... get real, guys. They have to sell magazines. At least these guys are gay. And I happen to think they're pretty hot.
-1
... written by Bubbleburster,
March 31, 2011
Sorry "drew. Instinct" but it is impossible to know the owners name of an ip address so try again dumbass. I'm sure Eric could care less about this blog. And I have been getting instinct for 3 years and I don't remember the last time they have featured muscular guys on their cover. People hate what they can't have or what they can never be like. Be happy for people, why do much hatred?
+0
... written by N. Ryan,
March 31, 2011
I couldn't believe all the comments here. They have nothing to do with the story. Just attacking two handsome, seemingly well-adjusted gay men proud of their relationship. I commend Instinct for featuring real gay men on their covers even if I don't always agree with their looks.
+1
... written by Brian St. Phils,
March 31, 2011
These are guys are fucking gorgeous.
+0
... written by MT,
March 31, 2011
They look so vacuous.
-1
... written by Bj,
April 01, 2011
They look so hot!!!
-2
... written by Lane,
April 01, 2011
Salt Lake must be a really boring little city. The people obviously could never handle living in a big city if the most important thing to them is gossip about people there jealous of. Another reason to never visit a backwards Mormon town like this one or even Utah all together.
+0
... written by Blr,
April 01, 2011
I agree. Thanks to Utah we have prop 8. Of course people that live there are not very smart. I don't blame him for getting out of that 3rd world state.
-2
... written by Derek D,
April 01, 2011
Having read the deleted comments, I agree with their deletion, they were just vile attacks of no worth.
-2
... written by Derek D,
April 01, 2011
"MT"... what an appropriate name for that kind of person.
-2
... written by stepback,
April 02, 2011
Eric and Janice Dickinson are pretty close friends and I dont think I would want to be on her bad side. She is a real bitch if you cross her. Thats just what I have heard about her not sure if its true.
+0
... written by Getreal,
April 02, 2011
Instinct also said they don't put porn stars on the cover of their magazine but they put Matt Schiermeier who shot with Falcon, on the cover last year. They just put up whatever they know will sell a magazine.
-2
... written by Bobby G.,
April 03, 2011
I'm a little shocked and saddened by the negative comments made, but it is what it is. I think John and Eric make a beautiful couple and I am proud that Instinct has chosen them for the cover. I have been with my partner for 9yrs now and we have been featured in the "Couple's Quiz" section of Instinct in July 2009. I feel that a modern gay relationship is about sharing love and success, which these two obviously do. I don't look at them and judge their relationship for being "new" but I would hope that we could all show Eric and John some love and support from the community in which they come from. And if you can't do that, THEN SHUT THE HELL UP...cause I'm busy readin' my April copy of Instinct Magazine, bitches! LOL
+5
... written by ototheMG,
April 03, 2011
look it's ODOM & GOMORRAH
+1
... written by SoCal Kev,
April 03, 2011
Instinct keep up the good work! I know Eric personally, he's fairly annoying after any conversation over 2 minutes, but his dog diesel is pretty cool. I also know David N, and friends. They are great guys, and fun to be around. Sad to see them get bad press just for being sexy... Best wishes to Eric and hubby, hope it works out for them. Didnt mean to slam Eric, but if you ever meet him, you will know what I mean.
Don't run your trap until you know what it is you're running through. It is also a fact that most people when they are jealous of someone else will say anything they want whether it's true or not. Stop believing only what you want to believe. Introduce yourself to John OR Eric and get to know who they really are. Stop basing your life on the ugly girl gossip.