That’s So Gay: The Bromance

Are these guys gay or just happy to see each other? (photo by Think Stock)

Recently, a columnist in Toronto’s National Post bemoaned what she perceives as an increase in physical affection among straight men. And she’s not talking about sucker punching either. Instead, Christine Blatchford – who swears that she adores gay men…”as a group” – is getting a little nervous about so many heterosexual guys engaging in so-called bromances and metrosexuality. So much so that she penned an entire rant about why her city is becoming overrun with wimpy guys.

“I am wearying of the male as delicate creature,” she writes. “I am wearying of men who are so frequently in touch with their feminine side they, not to mention me, have lost sight of the masculine one. I’m just plain sick of hugs, giving and getting, from just about anyone, but particularly man-to-man hugs.”

So much for hoping for that sweet and sensitive male to come along.

The writer goes onto to blame issues like bullying (and tough laws surrounding it) for turning her Popeye into Olive Oyl. She even accuses Toronto as – gasp! – being a “city of sissies.” She’s downright tired of being the biggest butch in the room (we paraphrase).

But does a guy who takes care of himself, shows his feelings and treats people with love and respect really deserve to be called a sissy? And where exactly does she get the idea that a sensitive guy’s got to be gay?

She’s kidding right?

Anyone who’s ever been to The Bike Stop on a Friday night knows that not all gay guys are getting mani-pedis with their gal pals, but rather, some are hunkering down with leather chaps and a very hairy, um, end zone.

Gay men have been battling the stereotypes now facing straight men for years. In truth, we love the biggest queen as much as the behemoth who looks like he stepped out of a Tom of Finland drawing (and everyone in between) as much as we love the idea that guys – straight or gay (and everything in between) – should have as much right to get in touch with themselves in any way they see fit. If this means that more guys are less likely to lift a hand to someone as they would a word, then how much better would we all be?

This assumption that a man needs to be the strong and silent type is for the birds. That’s like saying a woman’s place is in the kitchen. And call us silly, but we sincerely doubt that Christine Blatchford wants to be spending all of her time baking Snickerdoodles.

To us, picking on straight guys who are sensitive is like mocking gay guys for liking other guys. It’s also similar to when men call each other by female genitalia names as if to say they are somehow lacking in the tough department. I don’t know about you, but anyone who’s given birth – or seen someone who has (or even just that film strip about it in health class) – might argue that the lady parts in question are about as tough as it gets.

So much for stereotypes.