About the Cover

Our 30th qvCover Model is Carlos Cardona. This sexy 26-year-old lives in Los Angeles, CA, where he is currently finishing up school. After that, he hopes to realize his goal of running his own vegetarian restaurant. Carlos is a quiet, mellow, masculine man who was born in the tropical state of Veracruz, Mexico. Being that he is our “XXX” cover model, we ask Carlos if there is anything behind his quiet innocence. He responds with a shy grin and the gleam of a devilish eye, “Oh, I can be bad!” But he stresses that you’d have to get to know him to find out. Carlos, an Aquarian, enjoys taking care of himself both physically and mentally. He works out and maintains a healthy diet, but he does admit to one food weakness: he loves sweets—especially fried plantains with cream! His hobbies include mountain biking, going to the beach, listening to alternative rock music, swimming, reading, writing, and of course, what he refers to as his other weakness—the essence of a man. Carlos, who is is currently single, says his favorite qualities in a guy are honesty, attraction, and chemistry.

Click here to e-mail cover model Carlos

Welcome to the XXX Issue!

This is our landmark 30th Issue which, of course, in Roman Numerals translates to XXX. We’re using that theme to look into a seedier side of our community. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is going to be all about sex with no purpose. What we’re going to attempt to do in this issue is to take a look at sex in our community from a more analytical perspective...

Your Thoughts About Going to War

Tidbits of News, Views, and Politics
...In and around the qvCommunity.

• YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT GOING TO WAR • QV Readers share their thoughts on the war in Iraq.
• U.S. LATINOS ARE NOW LARGEST MINORITY• Census Reveals Latino Population Reaches 37 Million.

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40 Years of Hits
QV Interviews the Latino Prince of Song.
--By Luther Orrick-Guzman

LEGENDARY POP SINGER Jose Jose is known as “El Principe De La Cancion” (The Prince of Song), a nickname he got in the early days of his career when his tailored jackets, big ruffled collars and cuffs gave him that prince-like image. In reality he’s a king of a unique musical, vocal style, and stage presence. qvMagazine spoke with the legend who, for four decades, has brought us countless musical gems.

““You need to know and learn about what’s going on. Not only living in this marvelous country, having the opportunity to go to work, or living better than your parents would have in another country, just pay attention to what you have—whether you’re a teen or older. Always know that you can better yourself and your future.”—Jose Jose

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A Dash of Pepper
Dance Diva Pepper MaShay Adds Spice to the Club Scene.
—By Demetrio Roldan

SHE’S BEST KNOWN for the mega-hit club track “Dive in the Pool,” a song that was the unofficial anthem of the HBO series “Queer As Folk.” And now, Pepper is taking things to the next level with a new hit single and video. qvMagazine spoke with the spicy performer about how she got her start, and what she thinks about her huge gay following.

“I’ve had family members over the years who have come out. So I just feel that my role, other than just the music, is to tell people to realize their dreams and live life to the fullest. Don’t hide behind what other people say. Don’t hide.” — Pepper MaShay

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Eddie on Top!
From Motorcycle Mechanic to Club Deejay.
—By Demetrio Roldan

EDDIE BAEZ is a deejay force to be reckoned with. The New York native, who was once a motorcycle mechanic, has impacted the dance music scene in a big way, having produced major remixes for artists like Cher and Toni Braxton. QV spoke with the sexy Dominican about deejaying, producing...and leather!

"I spin for everybody, but for some reason it’s easier for me to express myself as a deejay with a gay audience than it is with a straight audience sometimes." —Eddie Baez

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Poetry in Motion
Grammy-Nominated Soul Group Floetry Speaks to QV Magazine.
—By Demetrio Roldan

IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE YEAR for Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart, the two talented women who make up Neo-Soul group Floetry. Their debut album, “Floetic” has sold nearly half a million copies and has so far spawned two hit singles. On top of that, the group was recently nominated for three Grammy awards. Currently on tour, the girls took time out to talk with QV about their musical journey .

“We never put a sexuality, race, creed, or color on anything. It’s really just about the love. I appreciate a human being’s zoning into our music’s honesty. We try to be true to love. Love has no limits.—Marsha from Floetry.

[click here to read the interview!]

The XXX Survey!
What Are Gay Latinos Doing Behind Closed Doors? Read here to find out!

WHAT DO QV READERS have to say about sex? Earlier this year, qvMagazine conducted a detailed online survey about sexuality. We asked our readers to answer various questions about the many aspects of sex and sexuality. We received hundreds of responses, and some of the things we found just might surprise you.

[click here to read the results!]

Inside the Mind of a Porn Star
Adult Film StarCarlos Morales Talks About How and Why He Got Into the Biz.
—Interview by Bradley Jacobson

FOR THIS ISSUE, we have decided to do something we have never done before—we have interviewed a porn star. We did this because we wanted to enter his mind and see how life is—through his eyes. We felt this interview would fit perfectly in our 30th issue, aka the XXX issue. His name is Carlos Morales and while growing up in Venezuela, he had a dream—a dream to be in movies. No, not Hollywood movies, but instead, porn movies. So Carlos moved to New York, where he began dancing his way through life as a go-go boy. During one stint, he was offered to appear in an adult movie. And the rest is history. Now, years later, Carlos has appeared in over 20 films and has found himself a bonafide adult movie star. QV’s Brad Jacobson spoke with Carlos about being in the adult business, how his family and friends react to him, and how he views sex...

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No Place Like Home
Chapter Two in the Continuing Saga of aGroup of Gay Latino Buddies.
—By Erick Serrato

WHEN WE LAST caught up with our five heroes, we learned that there were some interesting tidbits going on. We found out that Frank, the successful career man, was involved in a mysterious relationship he was keeping hidden from his buddies—a secret that chismosa Javier planned to get to the bottom of. Meanwhile, Mark, the Hollywood stylist, was struggling with his new diet and Rafa announced that he was finally moving out of his mom’s house. Finally, Carlos told Mauricio, his boyfriend of five years, that he didn’t know if he wanted to be in a relationship any longer. And so continues the story...

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Fighting the Fire!
A Bi Latin Proudly Serves the Community as a Firefighter!
—By Demetrio Roldan

LALO GAMBOA has lived a truly unique and inspiring life. The 30-year-old was once a gang member from South Central Los Angeles, but he turned his life around is now helping people as a firefighter in San Diego, California.We spoke with the bisexual Latino about his experiences in both the gang world and as a firefighter.

“A couple of the people I work with seem open because I’ve asked them if they have gay friends, and they’ve told me they do. They’ve said, ‘I don’t care if you’re gay. I wouldn’t think of you differently.’” —Lalo Gamboa

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qvAstrology
The fierce La Chicharona reveals what the stars have in store for you!
YO QV BOYS! Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means—fine shirtless papis strolling the streets! So which one of these guys will be your summer love? Well, La Chicharona is here to answer all your questions about the coming months, and believe me, it’s looking hotter than ever! ...

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Dear Papi
Boyfriend troubles getting you down? Let your dear 'ol Papi help you out.
THE PAPI IS IN! Haven’t you ever wished relationships weren’t so complicated? I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to find the right guy, the first time, then fall in love and have everything turn out right? Well, life isn’t quite that simple. But it’s all about learning and growing, and believe me, with relationships, you certainly learn and grow! So whatever is happening to you in your life right now, let me know...

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