At the Book Shop

[ocnblu]

Yup, Borders Books, in the periodicals I was, looking at the car magazines (with my back to the gay magazines) when these two guys, dressed up-to-the-minute, 20-something, walk up to the gay magazine section. One of them pulls up a copy of "Gay Times" and laughs. They both look at the dude on the cover, then laugh again.

"Hey, we should send in a subscription for (insert a missing friend's name here). That would be hilarious! We could put his address on it and everything!"

They linger there, then move on...

I need to ask a question here... what's the fascination? Would they have had as much fun looking at a yoga magazine? A magazine on knitting, rock climbing, or dogs? Why must this subject elicit so much nervous laughter among some guys? Unless "society" is keeping them from doing what they want to do. I cannot think of another esplanation, Lucy. Can you?

Edited January 16, 2006 by ocnblu

[Enzora]

Idunno, but personally, I'm quite fascinated by yoga magazines.

Edited January 16, 2006 by Enzora

[ocnblu]

Damn, look at those abs! She'd put a hurtin' on ya.

[Cory Wolfe]

Gay... plus... Yoga... equals... happy BV.

Anyways, Blu, I don't either but that's how almost each and every day goes here in Brookville. Something event the slightest bit "gay" comes up and every guy is going "blah blah blah..." about it like that. Depressing. Oh well...

[ocnblu]

Viper, take heart. The loudest complainers are usually the most curious. I wouldn't recommend testing this theory though, unless you're sure. Be careful.

[NOS2006]

I enjoy looking at this horseriding apparel magazine, Devon Aire. My mom always has a copy at her store.

It features a bunch of gorgeous females in spandex and the like. Very sexy.

[NOS2006]

In response to the question asked by oblu, maybe the one that pointed out the magazine is gay himself and seeing how comfortable his friend, who he might have liked, was with the topic. Seeing his friend find it humorous, he might have gone along with the laughter?

Just a guess, but probably not right. Odd situation though.

[Robert Hall]

I'll admit to reading my g/f's Vanity Fair every month... though it has an image as a chick mag, there is very good writing in there...

[ocnblu]

How about Cosmo? From what I understand, a lot of guys read that mag to try to figure out their gf's.

[Enzora]

I like taking the quizzes in them. According to some, I have the attitude to be a very sexy woman.

[Croc]

Well, they could have just as easily picked up Good Housekeeping or something else as contrary to their friend as the gay publication they chose. The intent wasn't really anti-gay, or in my opinion even all that homophobic...just that they were playing a practical joke on their friend that would elicit the response. I dunno, I guess I don't really see what the big deal is.

As for the biggest complainers being the most curious? Eh...I dunno. It makes for a good cliche, but I think a lot of the complainers are just ignorant and are misdirecting their negativity. Some undoubtably are in denial, but I think that's a pretty small percentage of all the complainers. Surely not every small-town he-man redneck is gay, you know what I mean?

[mute]

i read almost no mags pop science and pop mechanics and the occasional car mag as well as GQ and Vitals but thats it prolly gayer to read vitals than any of those

[ocnblu]

I follow you, crocford files, but to me, a real straight guy should not care about gays, he should be chasing girls, ya know?

[Enzora]

I follow you, crocford files, but to me, a real straight guy should not care about gays, he should be chasing girls, ya know?

Should be, but alas, our society is far too preoccupied with sexual preference.

[NOS2006]

Should be, but alas, our society is far too preoccupied with sexual preference.

Yes, indeed. Sexual preference is such an exaggerated area of controversy, but it shouldn't be.

Every American who is against gay rights should read this board. I swear.

[Enzora]

This reminds me of something I learned in my Latin class last semester. (Because I'm a dork who would actually want to learn a dead language) Much of our class was devoted to learning about ancient Roman history and culture, and one of the interesting factoids I learned was that the Romans had no concept of heterosexual or homosexual. Our teacher told us about some passage that devoted an entire paragraph trying to explain that one emperor liked only women. Ironically, a culture with such a liberal view of sexuality still had a very sexist view towards women.

[Croc]

Now let's think here for a moment, ocn...If a guy gets a gay mag, his fear or source of embarassment will be over someone seeing it. Why? He isn't gay...well...if people think he is, no matter how liberal he is, it will hurt his game with women, now wouldn't it? Face it, people talk. If someone saw it, they'd talk, and then people think something about him that isn't true.

Paulie made it quite clear in a thread today or yesterday that it irritated him that that one girl refused to believe he was gay and constantly hit on him, so I know it goes both ways.

[knightfan26917]

Now let's think here for a moment, ocn...If a guy gets a gay mag, his fear or source of embarassment will be over someone seeing it.  Why?  He isn't gay...well...if people think he is, no matter how liberal he is, it will hurt his game with women, now wouldn't it?  Face it, people talk.  If someone saw it, they'd talk, and then people think something about him that isn't true.

*nods*

I think you're onto something, Croc.

I've been "accused" of being gay ... too much, in fact. Why? Because I've only had 1 gf ... and never, um, well, you know. People hear/read this & about 50% of the time (if not more) say something "wisecrackish" like, "Oh, you're gay, eh?" or ... "Um, are you gay then?".

Um. NO. Sorry to burst your mind's bubble ... but no.

I am most definitely/certainly/absolutely attracted by females ... slender, curly haired females, to be exact.

Trouble is ... none of 'em (well, except 1, for 10 months, apparently) are attracted to me.

*sighs*

Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker

MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/

chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html

"Chances that a fool takes" ... Johnny Lee ... 'You Could've Heard A Heart Break'

[NOS2006]

Cort, it's alright dude. Anytime I do find a girl I think is worth the time/effort/money, I get slammed in the face with something ridiculous.

And if I say a word to a girl that could be translated as flirty, even if it isn't flirty, I get ridiculed for saying that to an ugly girl.

You just can't win..

[trinacriabob]

How about Cosmo?  From what I understand, a lot of guys read that mag to try to figure out their gf's.

I don't know. I have NEVER seen any male read one of these.

What I will comment on is the proliferation of these magazines and the tabloids you see at the check out stand. It's amazing how many people (women through these mags and tabloids and more recently the Men's Health and Men's Fitness types mags aimed at men) need to be given a series of SHOULDS in life. Figure it out yourself and don't line anyone else's coffers.

I was at B & N in a Portland suburb with one of my friends and, I don't know if there is a gay section per se', but the progressive social issue mags are grouped together. He picks one up called "Girlfriends," evidently aimed at the lesbian set. (He likes them about as much as I do). It ranked the best places for lesbians to live. I think Long Beach CA (LA suburb) came in as number 1. Without failing, Seattle and Portland (where they seem to thrive in dreary overcast weather, clapboard bungalows, curio shops, used bookstores, with their fleece vests, cats and Subarus) also made the top 5, if I recall.

Edited January 16, 2006 by trinacriabob

[knightfan26917]

Cort, it's alright dude. Anytime I do find a girl I think is worth the time/effort/money, I get slammed in the face with something ridiculous.

And if I say a word to a girl that could be translated as flirty, even if it isn't flirty, I get ridiculed for saying that to an ugly girl.

You just can't win..

*nods*

Exactly.

Aye.