Wednesday, 20 May 2009

• What's Manlier Than A Gay Guy?

  According to popular, or at least to prejudicial and stereotypical belief, homosexual men can never fulfill the traditional definition of "manly." 
  
  Luckily for us, all we need is a few instances to prove that bigoted statement wrong.  In no particular order...
  
  

  Manly Gay Men:
  

  
  1) George Takei
  
  

  
  

  
  Considering how a majority of society treats and views homosexuals, it's no wonder how many homosexual individuals keep their sexual orientation a secret.  However, when they do come out, it's either a "Duh, we already knew" or "WTF O REALLY?!?!?" moment.  Bathroom-stall-tapping Senator Larry Craig and George Takei both fall in the later category but for different reasons.  Now for Takei, when he came out recently in 2005, I think we were all surprised because of how much he didn't fit the homosexual stereotype, which I am convinced doesn't exist (like pixies and dwarfs) and/or completely false (like creationism) and/or full of itself (like Sean Hannity).  ZING!
  
  In actuality, there are plenty of homosexual men who, with the exception of the attraction to other men, do not fit in the gay mold completely.  These individuals usually don't go around in tight pants, have that "gay" accent, and are sometimes found even *gasp!* fit the stereotype for "manly."
  
  For example, Takei is famous for playing the role of Sulu on the original Star Trek series and damn was that man manly.  Need I really say why? 
  
  But really, the thing to remember is that homosexuality isn't a handicap and doesn't physically prevent anyone from achieving "manliness".  A gay guy can easily go hunting, beat your ass in a bar fight, or simply save you and your friends from Klingons. 
  
  Manly.
  
  2) Stephen Fry
  
  

  
  

  
  Now before the days of "House," Hugh Laurie was involved in a lot of British comedy (what's that?) and most notably with his long time friend Stephen Fry.   I seriously recommend looking up "A Bit of Fry and Laurie" on YouTube.  It will be a good hour well procrastinated.
  
  Anyway, because of Fry's comedic work not only with Hugh Laurie but also with Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) in the Blackadder series, up to this day comes to mind about this guy would most likely be "hilarious" or "original" or even "that guy from 'V for Vendetta.'" 
  

  Despite being openly gay for quite a while, his sexual orientation is overshadowed by his other accomplishments.  This has to do with the fact that one's sexual preference does not make the person.  An affinity for a particular gender, whether it be for the same or opposite gender, is not the sole inspiration for an individual's personality or character.

   3) Sir Ian McKellen.
  
  

  
  

  
  Again, manliness just radiates from Sir McKellen.  I really cannot elaborate more on this guy.  For the longest time ever, until 1988, nobody could have guess that McKellen was gay.  I can only imagine the hordes of female fans that just wanted a Sir Ian McKellen baby.  It just comes to show that following the "Signs he is gay" checklist is a complete waste of time.  But despite his orientation, not only does he continue play bad asses in film and on the stage, he is definitely a bad ass off the screen. 
  
  

  For example, back in 1988 before McKellen came out to the public about his sexual orientation, he was involved in a movement against Section 28, the British amendment that would essentially ban the publication of material that favored homosexuality.  At one point in this campaign, McKellen went to Michael Howard, a British politician in favor of Section 28, to try to convince him to change his stance on the amendment. 
  
  

  
  

  
  After Howard refused to withdraw his support, Howard then had the audacity to ask Mckellen for an autograph "for his kids."  Being the bad ass that he is, McKellen agreed to the autograph but instead of a pleasant little note, he wrote, "Fuck off.  I'm gay."
  

  
  Bad ass.
  
  4) Neil Patrick Harris
  
  Doogie Howser.  Riding a Unicorn.  Can't get any more manly than that. 
  
  

  
  

  *cue holy hymn*
  

  
  So, to answer the question posed by the title: what is manlier than a gay guy?
  
  Answer: most likely not a straight guy. 
  
  Can gay guys also be manly guys? Why or why not?
  
  

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