STRAIGHT GUYS IS THE NEW COOL

“Gay men and straight men have a lot more in common than gay women and straight women,” says Simon Doonan, creative director of Barneys New York, who calls straight men who hang out with gay men “fag stags.” “They both want to make money, to work, and they’re here to satisfy their libidos. Gay men are particularly drawn to masculine straight men because they find them very entertaining and exotic. Guys who are too woo-woo—their herbal-tea collection is a bit too large and they do a lot of yoga—aren’t so interesting.”Within these nontraditional pairings, there is plenty of opportunity to be un-p.c., to mock and stereotype each other, which can be liberating for both sides. “The gay-straight divide is a source of constant amusement,” says John, who is close friends with Mayer, a gay editor, 36. “If I see somebody that looks ridiculously gay and stupid,” says John, “I’ll say, ‘One demerit for your team.’ And he’ll tell me about some literary party and say, ‘I’m sure the straight smart set will be coming out in droves.»

New York Magazine
Oct 13 2003