The Arts And Gay Men-Why?

[+ Gar1eth]

I almost put this topic in the Comedy and Tragedy Section. But if Daddy and the Moderators don't mind- I put it here because I thought maybe it would get a wider viewing in The Lounge. So that being said...

 

 

What is it about us that a lot of us (and why don't lesbians have the same type of reputation for the arts) like musicals, symphony, and opera? In my case it's mainly theater and not opera/symphony. I also have to admit that I am not really fond of drag queens/drag shows.

 

(In my case it might be natural for the interest-failed actor here- well not really failed- I didn't even make it far enough to fail- children's theater back in the day as well as high school, but I can't sing (one of the greatest regrets of my life) or dance ( we did Guys and Dolls in high school- I was in the Mission Band. I couldn't learn the dance steps in the Mission/Rocking The Boat Scene so they just told me to go wild as if I has seen the light); a few community plays during college; and one spectacular failure as an adult- major part- more lines than I ever had to learn as a child/adolescent, no one to help me memorize, less time than ever to memorize, and I had to drop out at the semi-last minute).

 

But as I often say- back to the topic. Why do we? And I know a lot of us do- but is it a majority of us 'Men Of A Certain Age' or is it not a majority just an awful darn lot of us- and a stereotype that most gay men like these things? Is the only reason we like these things as adults because we were art inclined in our youths and carried this over to adulthood even if we aren't involved in the arts as adults.

 

I mean the NYT just ran an article about how 'straight' men aren't as enamored of the theater as we are. And that recent shows with sports themes hoped to find a masculine audience but failed- and how the current Rocky was trying to market itself more for straight guys. There was also a comment from a reportedly straight guy who did not want to see Wicked when his wife and daughter(s) did. I have trouble understanding why he was so against it. Out in the heart of the country I've seen Wicked twice- and I'm going to assume that many of the men I've seen with women there are straight- and seemed to be enjoying it.

 

But the other part of my question- is it a constant in 'all' of us versus 'Men Of A Certain Age'. I don't really know any young gay men except for escorts- and while I realize an ad can't show everything about a person- I look at so many of these ads of the younger escorts- and yes many of them would be the perfect guy to take to the theater- many others don't. And I think to myself when I look at these younger guys in their early mid- 20's or slightly older-so many of these guys seem to me to be of the circuit boy/bar hopping type crowd. And I wonder if I were able to hire like I used to, whether these guys would enjoy an overnight that included going to the theater. (My philosophy back when I was able to hire for overnights or weekends was that in general I wanted to schedule outside non bedroom activities that both the escort and I enjoyed. I mean yes it is a business for them- but if they hated musicals- why subject them to something they dislike- better to find some non-bedroom activities you both enjoy. That being said- I usually screened guys beforehand and wouldn't hire those that didn't like musicals).

 

Gman

[Decatur Guy]

I'm glad you brought up this topic -- I've thought about this time to time.

 

I don't think I really fit the stereotype of the gay guy's interests, but I don't entirely go in the other direction either of the stereotype of the straight man's interest. It's a mixed bag for me. I probably fit most closely to the Straight Nerd's interests, but even there, I don't exactly fit the stereotype.

 

I've never been to the opera and probably never will, but I'm not a big sports fan either (though I like tennis, basketball and football in that order). I'm going to my fourth Bruce Springsteen concert later this month. Not exactly a gay icon. I don't swoon over Lady Gaga or Barbra Streisand. Yet I liked disco, and that's usually associated with gay guys more than straight guys. Musically, I'm really all over the map: '60s psychedelic, soul/R&B, Beatles, classic rock, classic country, a few current hits "Get Lucky."

 

I did go to symphony once and quite enjoyed it. I like listening to classical music.

 

I like walking and hiking. That's pretty orientation neutral. TV-show wise, I like soaps. Not many straight men like those. But I like "straight guy" shows and movies such as "Deadwood" and "Die Hard." TV shows I'm currently watching from Netflix: "Cougar Town," "Hustle," "Breaking Bad," "Terra Nova" and "Mission:Impossible" reruns. I'm not sure if that's a gay man's line-up, a straight man's line-up or maybe I'm culturally bisexual! LOL.

 

Some of my favorite movies are musicals: "Sound of Music" and "Meet Me in St. Louis." And yet, I'd say I'm not a big fan of musicals in general.

 

I don't like drag shows very much and just a lot of the things that are classically gay icons don't do anything for me. I've often said I'm gay in sex only. And it's not that simple, but you get the point.

 

As for the age thing, I'd be inclined to agree that generally speaking, opera and such appeal more to the 50s and older crowd.

 

Again, great topic. Look forward to your reply and other insights.

[+ Gar1eth]

 

I've never been to the opera and probably never will, but I'm not a big sports fan either (though I like tennis, basketball and football in that order). I'm going to my fourth Bruce Springsteen concert later this month. Not exactly a gay icon. I don't swoon over Lady Gaga or Barbra Streisand. Yet I liked disco, and that's usually associated with gay guys more than straight guys.

 

I've been to one Cher concert. I've always casually liked her stuff since the Sonny and Cher Days when I was a child- but normally I wouldn't have gone to one of her concerts. It was back in 2002-2003 when she went out on her supposedly 'last' concert tour ever. I thought I better see her if I can just because I might never have the opportunity again. Who knew the 'last' touring concert was going to last for 5 or so years.

 

TV-show wise' date=' I like soaps. Not many straight men like those. [/Quote']

 

I was the youngest in my family- and my Mom didn't go back to work until I started school at 6. So I used to watch soaps with her and liked them- and continued watching them during the summers. But I'm not straight.

 

On the other hand I think some straight males watched them. There was a coed group of 10 or so of us that watched them (mainly All My Children) during lunch in college in the dorm TV lounge. I think the majority of the guys were straight. And back in the day when soaps were more common I remember seeing fluff news stories about college 'kids' watching soaps in groups which I assume included non gay males.

 

Gman

[+ Charlie]

Different strokes for different folks, no matter what their sexual orientation. I love opera, but have never been interested in theater. My interest in movies comes and goes. Although I have always loved classical music, I enjoyed lots of popular music when I was younger; however, I haven't listened to any contemporary music for at least thirty years, and have no idea what today's gay icons sound like. The only channels I watch on TV, often for hours on end, are sports channels--and HGTV. And the only one of the plastic arts that has ever interested me is painting. Who knows what influence my gay genes have on any of it?

[foxy]

I go to the theater in NYC about 4 times a month. I go to concerts, ballets and occasionally the opera. I belong to 4 major art museums and go weekly. Everywhere I go I see great looking men of all ages. Gay? Straight? I don't know or care but they are there. I also listen to classical music in my car but I'm usually alone. This sounds like all gay men are hairdressers and fashion designers bullshit to me.

[+ Gar1eth]

This sounds like all gay men are hairdressers and fashion designers bullshit to me.

 

Well obviously not all stereotypes are true-otherwise I'd be able to dance fabulously whereas I can't dance at all due to my lack of rhythm and grace. But some stereotypes are at least 'true-ish'. I don't know if an interest in the arts is one of those or not. It seems like it--but that may be a false perception.

 

Gman

[Samai139]

Perhaps the older crowd is/was more inclined to fit the stereotypes of gay(dom) because back in the day gay men were of necessity closeted. Theatre, opera, musicals, ballet "the arts" as you put it, offered an opportunity to perform, dress up, receive applause and be stars. If they couldn't be the performers, they could enjoy the exeriences vicariously.

 

Young gay men in the 21st century have nearly limitless opportunities to be themselves. An example: on a recent Wendy Williams show a young man asked her advice on how to react when his partner did not introduce him to others as his partner, but simply as "Michael." Trying not to be judgemental here, but his clothing, make-up, jewelry, speeech pattern and mannerisms would have subjected him to ridicule 40, 50,60 years ago. Does he go to musicals, Lady Gaga concerts, watch television shows aimed at gay or gay friendly audiences, does he listen to classical music? Doubtful---but who knows---we are experiencing a major cultural change in this country about sexual identity and it is interesting to say the least.

[Frankly Rich]

I love live theater, but have no artistic talent to call my own. Musicals are just that. I couldn't tell you the lyrics from any Broadway musical. I know little of Ethel Merman, hate Barbra Streisand, and generally just don't do female stage icons. But I love going to see people perform, sing their hearts out, or engage in some stage drama. When it's well done it makes life worth living. When it's bad, well, I wish I had cable television, but I don't. To each his own, but New Yorkers are some of the most privileged people in the world, as long as they can afford the theater!

[bigvalboy]

I'm uncomfortable putting people in boxes, and then trying to figure out why they are there. That being said, I will admit that among my straight friends, it goes without saying that I have a greater sense of design/style than they do. Honey, I can make a shoe box look good. Why that is, I just haven't a clue. As a friend of mine once said to me as we toured a straight friends new house. It was ten thousand square feet if it was an inch, but it was an abomination. He said, "He has all this money and no taste, and I have all this taste, and no money, it's a crime"....that always made me laugh.

 

I love the theater, but learned a long time ago, that only New Yorker is sacred ground, so I never pursued that passion, instead I turned my interest, to what some would call, very non traditional interests for a gay man, racing boats and cars, and indeed my gay brothers are poorly represented in either sport. No matter, I have met and enjoy the friendship of some incredibly talented, and yes, straight friends. Hanging out with them on weekends and vacations, enjoying a mutual passion, I never once saw judgment of any kind, and for that I am grateful.

 

By and large other things in my life that I enjoy are fairly typical if one were gay or straight. I love art and art openings, especially those that feature new artists that have pushed the envelope perhaps just a little bit too far, but then I can also knock back a beer at a Bruce Springsteen or Bob Segar concert.

 

The world is changing to the point where as a community we can be ourselves, express what we feel, and contribute to a world that, at least from my recollection, is more accepting than anything has been in the past. Like being an NFL player and coming out to the world. I thank the new generation for much of that.

[+ Gar1eth]

I think my question is/was--why do those of us of a certain age--seem to like musicals and the like more than straight guys? And is this carried through to younger gays of today. I know that I was interested in drama/theater long before I knew I was gay. My parents had bought the soundtrack--movie--of My Fair Lady when I was about 4 (1965), I loved listening to it. In grade school, I loved the Carol Burnett show. But maybe it was in my blood so to speak. One of my grandfathers whom I assuming was straight--was involved in theater and Barbershop quartet singing.

 

But something that occurs to me is that straight males in general in the earlier part of the 20th century--may have liked vaudeville/theater more than straight males like theater today. I wonder why that would be unless it's due to the ability to watch things in the comfort of our homes today.

 

But there are so many gay stereotypes--liking art/theater/opera, being effeminate, ? higher voice, fashion sense--I obviously know they aren't true in every case--but they seem to be true-ish enough to have engendered the stereotype in the 1st place.

 

The intersection of nature vs nurture for all of us-straights and gays alike--such a mystery. I don't want to confine anyone to a box--it's just so difficult to determine whether we for example--take note of an effeminate gay male/butch lesbian more than we take note of an effeminate straight guy/butch straight female--in which case the stereotypes are only true because we see what we expect to see (bias).

 

Maybe I can sum up my feelings as follows

 

Who am I anyway?

Am I my resume?

That is a picture of a person I don't know.

What does he want from me? What should I try to be?

So many faces all around, and here we go.

 

I need a job.

Oh G-d, I need this show.

 

Gman

 

PS And no one has even noted that I've recently become a Marquess. I do want to thank my non-employed status for the last 22 months for making it possible for me to post so much.

[bigvalboy]

I think my question is/was--why do those of us of a certain age--seem to like musicals and the like more than straight guys? And is this carried through to younger gays of today. I know that I was interested in drama/theater long before I knew I was gay. My parents had bought the soundtrack--movie--of My Fair Lady when I was about 4 (1965), I loved listening to it. In grade school, I loved the Carol Burnett show. But maybe it was in my blood so to speak. One of my grandfathers whom I assuming was straight--was involved in theater and Barbershop quartet singing.

 

But something that occurs to me is that straight males in general in the earlier part of the 20th century--may have liked vaudeville/theater more than straight males like theater today. I wonder why that would be unless it's due to the ability to watch things in the comfort of our homes today.

 

But there are so many gay stereotypes--liking art/theater/opera, being effeminate, ? higher voice, fashion sense--I obviously know they aren't true in every case--but they seem to be true-ish enough to have engendered the stereotype in the 1st place.

 

The intersection of nature vs nurture for all of us-straights and gays alike--such a mystery. I don't want to confine anyone to a box--it's just so difficult to determine whether we for example--take note of an effeminate gay male/butch lesbian more than we take note of an effeminate straight guy/butch straight female--in which case the stereotypes are only true because we see what we expect to see (bias).

 

Maybe I can sum up my feelings as follows

 

Who am I anyway?

Am I my resume?

That is a picture of a person I don't know.

What does he want from me? What should I try to be?

So many faces all around, and here we go.

 

I need a job.

Oh G-d, I need this show.

 

Gman

 

PS And no one has even noted that I've recently become a Marquess. I do want to thank my non-employed status for the last 22 months for making it possible for me to post so much.

 

CONGRATULAIONS ON BECOMING A MARQUESS!!! Sorry for the oversight.....AND I apologize if I drifted topics....I would have deleted the post, but the two hours had expired. At any rate, have a great weekend.

[+ Charlie]

I'm sorry you still don't have a job, but I'm glad you are posting. And, unfortunately, being a marquess doesn't pay well--I know.