Last week, the Washington Post published a story called "In 2012, AIDS is a different beast for gay men in D.C.," which aimed to be illuminating, but probably not as much as it would turn out to be. It was later revealed that one of the article's main sources, the HIV-positive D.J. Steedley, who is described as "the modern face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic" and as needing "a certain level of discipline and caution," was signed as a contract performer to the notorious bareback gay porn company Treasure Island Media. Steedely previously appeared as a performer for the equally notorious, often bareback "military" porn company Active Duty. Oops.

The Sword (NSFW) pointed to the announcement of Steedley's signing with the company (also NSFW), in which he rhapsodizes "'giving good, deep, hard, raw fuckings-I don't stop until the bottom is limping on his way out.' But his deepest sexual fantasy, one he hopes TIM will help him make a reality, is 'to be used in a raw, sling gang-fuck.'"

By the way, this isn't the first time TIM has signed someone who is openly HIV positive.

A few days later, the Post realized its gaffe and added this editor's note to the story:

This story includes interviews in text and video with D.J. Steedley, who was described in the story as "the modern face of the [AIDS] epidemic." Following publication, The Post learned that Steedley signed a contract in June with a production company that specializes in filming and distributing videos that depict unprotected sex. This information was germane to the story and should have been included.

That is a correction to give any of the great ones in Gore Vidal's New York Times obit a run for their money.

With bareback sex being so widespread throughout gay porn, there's actually an argument to be made for Steedley being a modern face of HIV because of his career. It's a shame the piece didn't include this exact point and the ethics of it in the nonetheless humanizing interview that accompanied the story:

[Top image via Treasure Island Media]