Everybody was gay for 15 minutes in the 80's

[bec_87rb]

http://tmbw.net/wiki/Myke_Weiskopf_Interviews_Adam_Bernstein

That this phenomenon has recurred 20 years later is so funny to me.

Comments

An Ironic Twist

[tardis60]

My dear friend Joe has been known, in various airport lounges, bathrooms, and actual airplanes during return trips, to apply makeup, tint his hair, and paint his nails. Inevitably he is the recipient of odd looks, and rather than admit he is homosexual and cause those around him even more discomfort, he will say, "It's all right, I'm in a band."

The onlookers' brows smooth, relieved smiles appear, and make approving, understanding noises. They'll ask, "What kind of band?"

"We do eighties punk rock covers."

"Oh yeah? Like who?"

"Oh... The Dead Milkmen..."

Re: An Ironic Twist

[bec_87rb]

Ha Ha! It was all the rage for a while there, men painting their neatly trimmed short nails. I remember painting a boyfriend's toenails for him, for instance. I think it was a culture me-too because pop stars were doing it? I'll be interested to see if it comes back around; do goth guys paint their nails black?

Your agent has a good dodge, though, very clever. :)

Re: An Ironic Twist

[tardis60]

do goth guys paint their nails black?

The ones I know do purple or green or red or clear varnish.

Although I don't think the one with red nails should count because in addition to being goth he's crazy. Also he might be painting for non-goth goth purposes, e.g. he's an artist and also gay, either one of which is suitable grounds for nail decoration.

Your agent has a good dodge, though, very clever.

I love that Flans, being in a band, explained away his nails with, "I'm gay," and Joe, being gay, explained away his nail-painting activities with, "I'm in a band." Perhaps no matter what the truth is, it feels embarrassing?

Re: An Ironic Twist

[bec_87rb]

Perhaps no matter what the truth is, it feels embarrassing?

Which is kind of weird. What does nail polish have to do with masculinity? I mean, it's like, I dunno, skirts. Scotsmen wore skirts at one time, like their neighbors wore pants, and in the past, men wore tights, so who's to say how a man properly covers his legs?

This nail polish thing is so crazy! If a man wears nail polish, he's still male, right? Isn't being a man a thing of the heart, a process, a slowly won aspect of character?

Re: An Ironic Twist

[tardis60]

Isn't being a man a thing of the heart, a process, a slowly won aspect of character?

That sounds like a pretty good description of essential maleness, and distinguishes it from the lazy man's 'being a guy' for which most masculine ape-descended life-forms settle.

I know a guy who wears a kilt. He's a pretty manly man, too. Also has been known to wear a movie-accurate Captain Jack Sparrow outfit that goes over great with the ladies. (Actually, so does the kilt.)