(no subject)

[rm]

I don't have time right now, but I know some of you must:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-04-21/how-male-bisexuality-got-cool/

via moominmuppet

Comments

[mellacita.livejournal.com]

I just saw that via a friend on facebook.

The comments, particularly, are made of epic fail.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I think the article manages to not grok an amazing number of things beginning with "bromance" (that word makes me want to die) != bisexuality.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I just had a scan of the first paragraph, and that was the first thing that came to mind - particularly, it has to be said, since I've read a bit of historical fiction that contains much in the way of homosocial or at the most homoromantic relationships but nothing that could be realistically construed (unless you're a slashfic hound) to be either homo- or bisexual.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

To play devil's advocate for a second...

If guys get more comfortable with "bromance," do you think it's possible that it'll get us closer to being comfortable with male bisexuality?

The difference between "I'm flattered, but I'm straight" vs. ugly words, an ended friendship, and god forbid, a hate crime?

[rm.livejournal.com]

Sure, but, that's not what the article is positing. That would be the smart article.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

That would be the smart article.

Of course, what was I thinking? ::eyeroll::

[rm.livejournal.com]

Also, somehow they managed to find a chick to be like "I had never considered how hot it might be to watch two guys make out before".

Okay, I've spent waaaay too long on the Internet, clearly, but naive much?

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

Eh, I think there actually may be enough mainstream people for whom that light bulb hasn't turned on yet.

[askeladden.livejournal.com]

Icon WIN.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

I felt it was relevant to the topic at hand. ^_^

[browneyedgirl65.livejournal.com]

Well the article itself is of total fail :-P

But the trends that it's noting are kind of interesting and I'm hopeful it's a more general cultural shift toward "Hey that's cool, just not my thing," as opposed to OMFGkillitkillitkillit... *headdesk* In some ways I'm more shocked at these trends than I was for the similar ones for women because after all the typical str8guyz drool over women on women anyway...

But yeah, I laughed at the obvious utter lack of knowledge of slash, too...

[ladypeculiar.livejournal.com]

Wow, that was pretty dumb.

For some reason, what's sticking out for me is the fact that "man crush" is the catchphrase of this year? Hasn't "Man crush" been the catchphrase of every year since George Clooney gained mass popularity?

[stardust9121.livejournal.com]

ontd_political is having a field day with that one.

[mamadar.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you've ever read Sentinel fanfic, but there used to be a genre of the same called "smarm"; I'm not sure if the specialized use of the term ever made it into other fandoms. Smarm had Jim and Blair professing undying nonsexual love and doing all sorts of physical things *but* except sex--hugging, massaging, h/c caretaking, etc.

I preferred the porny slash, myself, preferably with mystical/shamanistic elements.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I've never been in that fandom, but this has been reported to me frequently. It seems unique to you all (although I think I've heard of similar in Due South).

[mamadar.livejournal.com]

I guess it really was the product of that particular premise--two guys living as well as working together, the younger man training and guiding the older in the use of extraordinary sensory acuity. That and the fact that the actors kept doing things like holding hands and smooching in the gag reels. *g*

[sethg]

I don't think the arrow of causation goes in that direction, because there have been lots of historical cultures (and, I assume, a few contemporary ones) where platonic male-male affection is accepted or even lauded, but actual homosexual behavior was still regarded as a horrible crime.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Try any strictly sex-segregated society for one.

In redstapler's defense though, I think the arrow of causation could go that way in our society, because we try make everything about sex.

[these-3-remain.livejournal.com]

My husband refers to his male BFF as his "heterosexual life partner" (a la Jay & Silent Bob). They've been friends for fifteen years and probably will be for decades to come, but I doubt they'll ever hold hands.

[sethg]

Could it be precisely the opposite: since being gay is more socially acceptable now, straight and straight-tending-to-bi men are less afraid of seeming gay?

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

I am Brewster's complete lack of surprise.

[drfardook.livejournal.com]

The term "bromance" fills me with rage. Why do straight men need to have their relationships justified by a sidebar article in Entertainment Weekly?

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

So wait. Social acceptability of affection between generally heterosexual people of the same gender = bisexuality?

...

I have never been more confused/conflicted about my sexual orientation. And that is saying something.