Any straight guys here that hang out at gay bars? | Sherdog Foms | UFC, MMA & Boxg Discsn

Contents:

• KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH A US MEN’S PROFSNAL SPORTS LEAGUE TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY
• LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC"I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021/2:24 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:3840PX;WIDTH:5760PX;}GETTYGROUP OF YOUNG CHEERFUL PEOPLE ARE HAVG FUN THE NIGHT CLUB, DRKG CKTAILS, SG, BONDG, CLUBBG, CHEERG AND DANCG.BY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021 / 2:24 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BOBBY BOX","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I MOVED TO TORONTO OM MY HOMETOWN OF HATON, ONCE MORTIFYGLY CROWNED THE CY WH THE MOST HATE CRIM CANADA, WAS 2018, AND I ONLY HAD ONE IEND. IN A SPERATE ATTEMPT TO MAKE IENDS AND MONEY, I CREATED A GRDR PROFILE LOOKG FOR A JOB AS A BARTENR SCE I LIVED ONE STREET AWAY OM THE CY’S GAY VILLAGE. I RECEIVED AN OFFER 24 HOURS LATER TO WORK AT ONE OF THE CY’S MOST POPULAR BARS, WHICH HOSTED DRAG SHOWS EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK AND WAS PARTICULARLY POPULAR AMONG QUEER STUNTS AND STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG MY STT AS A BARTENR AND BAR-BACK, MENTS LIKE, “IT’S A SHAME THAT YOU’RE GAY,” AND UNSOLICED ASS- AND CROTCH-GRABBG, WERE NIGHTLY OCCURRENC ALMOST EXCLIVELY OM STRAIGHT WOMEN CLIENTELE. ON ONE PARTICULAR OCSN, I LOOKED BACK AT A DNKEN ASS-GRABBER TO SLD HER. SHE RPOND BY WKG AND MOUTHG THE WORDS, “YOU’RE WELE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A VETERAN -WORKER LATER ASSURED ME, “YOU’LL GET ED TO . IT’S JT PART OF THE JOB.” I QU AFTER TWO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THERE ARE TWO TYP OF STRAIGHT PEOPLE THAT TYPILLY E TO QUEER SPAC: THE ON WHO E LARGE NUMBERS AND HAVE NO RPECT OF HOW TO BEHAVE A QUEER SPACE AND TRY TO TAKE OVER, AND THERE ARE THE ALLI, WHO ARE WELL-TED AND UNRSTAND THAT THEY ARE GUTS OUR SPACE,” TORONTO-BASED DRAG PERFORMER KERO SALEIB TELLS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PHONE, KERO RELLS A PARTICULARLY HARROWG EXPERIENCE A POPULAR DRAG BAR. HE AND A GROUP OF IENDS WERE WATCHG A DRAG SHOW WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN APPROACHED AND PLIMENTED HIM. TAKG HIS KDNS AS A GREEN LIGHT TO PH FURTHER, SHE GRABBED HIS CHT AND STARTED BBG HIS CROTCH WHILE LGHG. TO PROVE A POT, KERO GRABBED HER CHT. SHE RPOND BY SLAPPG HIM.GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IF ISN'T OKAY FOR ME TO DO THIS TO YOU WHOUT [YOUR] NSENT, WHAT MAK YOU THK YOU N DO THAT TO ME?’” HE ASKED. “SHE THEN TRIED TO JTIFY THAT BEE I’M GAY, I SHOULDN'T RE, AND I HAD NO IA WHAT SHE MEANT BY THAT. I EVENTUALLY HAD HER KICKED OUT OF THE BAR WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET EVEN MORE VLENT WH ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORE I SPOKE WH OTHER QUEER NIGHTLIFE PROFSNALS AND ENTHIASTS, THE MORE STORI LIKE THIS I HEARD. MIKHAIL, 34, REMEMBERS BEG OUT DANCG WH HIS HBAND WHEN A WOMAN OM A BACHELORETTE PARTY PHED HER FGER THROUGH HIS SHORTS AND TOUCHED HIS ASSHOLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST OR EVEN THE MOST RECENT TIME HE OR HIS HBAND WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“JT LAST MONTH, MY HBAND WAS KNOCKED OVER BY A GROUP OF DNK STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO WERE 10 MUT LATE TO THE DRAG SHOW AND WANTED TO BE UP ONT,” HE TELLS LOGO. AS THE DRKS NTUED TO FLOW THAT EVENG, THE SAME GROUP WOULD LATER PH MIKHAIL AND HIS HBAND TOGETHER, ENURAGG THEM TO KISS. THE UPLE SUDNLY BEME A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN AN RMAL POLL ON TWTER, I ASKED MY QUEER FOLLOWERS HOW THEY FELT ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE OUR SPAC. NEARLY 80% OF THE 250-PL PEOPLE WHO VOTED WERE AGAST . THOUGH THIS POLL TENTNALLY LACKED NUANCE (I ONLY GAVE “YAY” OR “NAY” OPTNS), MOST SAID THE ANSWER PENDS ON THE DIVIDUAL AND THEIR MOTIVATNS. “STRAIGHT ALLI ARE WELE, BUT STRAIGHT TOURISTS ARE NOT,” ONE VOTER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BOYSTOWN: SEX AND COMMUNY CHIGO, THOR AND QUEER SOCLOGIST JASON ORNE S THIS BEHAVR “ON SAFARI.” STRAIGHT PEOPLE OFTEN VIS QUEER SPAC AS ONE MIGHT VIS A ZOO, ONLY STEAD OF OGLG TIGERS AND LNS, THEY’RE ENTERTAED BY BEARS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A PRR NVERSATN WH ORNE FOR IN MAGAZE, HE EXPLAED THERE ARE BOTH PH AND PULL FACTORS THAT LEAD STRAIGHT WOMEN TO GAY BARS. FOR STANCE, SOME STRAIGHT WOMEN MIGHT BE DRAWN TO GAY BARS AS SAFE HAVENS OM CREEPY STRAIGHT BROS, WHICH IS PLETELY UNRSTANDABLE. OTHERS MIGHT REGARD GAY CULTURE AS SAFE AND FUN EROTICISM WHOUT UNRSTANDG HETEROSEXISM, OR THE REJECTN OF RPECTABILY THAT WH .GETTY IMAGPORTRA OF SG IENDS LOOKG AT MERA AND HOLDG DRKS AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERCEPTN IS ALSO A FACTOR THIS NVERSATN SCE YOU N’T ALWAYS TELL IF SOMEONE IS LGBTQ BY THEIR APPEARANCE. FOR EXAMPLE, A TRANS MAN AND TRANS WOMAN TOGETHER MIGHT LOOK LIKE A STRAIGHT UPLE. FEMME LBIANS OR MASCULE GAY MEN MIGHT BE MISTAKEN FOR STRAIGHT PEOPLE. BY ATTEMPTG TO QUANTIFY PEOPLE’S QUEERNS BASED ON HOW THEY LOOK, YOU ALSO N THE RISK OF VALIDATG BISEXUALS, PANSEXUALS, AND OTHER QUEER PEOPLE WH FLUID SEXUAL ORIENTATNS, PECIALLY IF THEY ENTER A SPACE A HETERO-PRENTG PARTNERSHIP. QUEER BARS AND CLUBS ARE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR MUNY, NOT JT THOSE OF WHO READ AS VISIBLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S MORE, QUEER PEOPLE N BE JT AS GRABBY WH STRAIGHT WOMEN AS THEY ARE WH . I’VE SPOKEN WH MANY STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO’VE HAD THEIR BREASTS TOUCHED BY GAY MEN WHOUT NSENT, AND THE RATNALY IS THE SAME ON BOTH SIS: BEE WE AREN’T SEXUALLY PATIBLE, THIS KD OF NTACT IS EMED NOCENT OR HARMLS. I N TELL YOU OM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT UNWELE TOUCH ARE VASIVE NO MATTER WHO THEY E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INAPPROPRIATE GRABBG ASI, MANY LGBTQ PEOPLE I SPOKE TO SAID A STRAIGHT PERSON’S PRENCE A MAJORY-QUEER SPACE N MAKE THEM FEEL UNFORTABLE OR UNSAFE, AND FEATS THE VERY PURPOSE OF A QUEER SPACE THE FIRST PLACE. THIS UNEASE N BE MAGNIFIED SEXUAL SPAC, WHERE ACTG ON OUR SIR N BE REGARD AS ENTERTAG — OR WORSE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN JAB, 28, ATTEND MARKET DAYS, AN LGBTQ FTIVAL CHIGO, WH A STRAIGHT GIRLIEND, SHE MENTED ON HOW PUP MASKS ARE “SRY” AND DIDN’T UNRSTAND THEIR RELEVANCE AT THE EVENT. “AS A GAY MAN, I KNOW WHAT ’S LIKE TO WANT ANONYMY, AND I N UNRSTAND WHY WOULD BE A KK OR SEXUAL SIRE,” HE TELLS LOGO. JAB BELIEV MANY STRAIGHT PEOPLE STGGLE TO GRASP THIS NCEPT BEE THEY THEMSELV HAVE NEVER HAD TO HI PART OF WHO THEY ARE OR WHAT THEY SIRE OM THEIR LOVED ON.OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAGBERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 26: PARTICIPANTS WH PUP-FETISH MASKS TAKE PART THE QUEERSCHUTZ NOW! (QUEER PROTECTN NOW!) MARCH MEMORATN AND CELEBRATN OF CHRISTOPHER STREET DAY ON JUNE 26, 2021 BERL, GERMANY. A VARIETY OF GAY PRI MARCH AND GATHERGS ARE TAKG PLACE ACROSS THE CY TODAY, EACH WH S OWN POLIL OR THEMATIC EMPHASIS. THE MARCH ARE TAKG PLACE CLOSE TO THE 52ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1969 RTS FOLLOWG A POLICE RAID AT THE STONEWALL INN NEW YORK CY THAT IGNED THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. (PHOTO BY OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR DANIEL CRAIG MA HEADL LAST MONTH WHEN HE TOLD THE LUNCH WH BCE PODST HE ENJOYS GOG TO QUEER SPAC BEE HE “DON’T GET TO FIGHTS GAY BARS THAT OFTEN,” AND THEY ARE “VERY SAFE PLACE[S] TO BE.” HE ALSO NFSED HE WENT TO GAY BARS AS A TEEN TO PICK UP STRAIGHT WOMEN. HIS MENTS HAD QUEER FOLKS DIVID. SOME APPLD HIM FOR HIS HIS SUAL ALLYSHIP, WHEREAS OTHERS CHASTISED HIM FOR EXPLOG QUEER SPAC FOR HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHETHER WE DIVIDUALLY WELE THEM OR NOT, STRAIGHT PATRONS HELP KEEP QUEER TABLISHMENTS AFLOAT. MANY BS WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN WHOUT THE BOOST, PECIALLY NSIRG RISG RENT PRIC, GENTRIFITN, AND NOTED E DISPARI BETWEEN LGBTQ AND CIS-HETERO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE STUDY FOUND THAT BETWEEN 2007 AND 2019, 37% OF GAY BARS AMERI HAD CLOSED, AND 14% OF THOSE CLOSUR OCCURRED OM 2017–2019. IN 2020, THE LBIAN BAR PROJECT UNTED JT 15 REMAG LBIAN BARS THE ENTIRE UNTRY. IT’S THE ULTIMATE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, WHICH IS WHY THIS TURF WAR WILL NEVER BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?” ORNE TOLD ME. “IT’S THE SAME QUTN I THK PEOPLE SHOULD ASK ANY TIME THEY ENJOY SOMETHG THAT DON’T STEM OM A HERAGE THEY HAVE. NOT TO NOT DO , BUT TO JT ASK WHY. THAT ACT, I HOPE, WOULD MAKE THEM BE A B MORE RPECTFUL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, CIS-HETEROS WILL NTUE EQUENTG OUR SPAC, AND THERE’S NOT MUCH WE N DO ABOUT . WE’RE WELE THEIR SPAC, AND ALTHOUGH WE EXPERIENCE MARGALIZATN THEY WILL NEVER UNRSTAND, THEY ARE WELE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE WE N’T ENFORCE A “YOU’RE ONLY WELE IF…” LE, OUR ENERGY IS BETTER SPENT TG STRAIGHT FOLKS ON HOW TO NDUCT THEMSELV AS GUTS OUR SPACE. IS THIS OUR RPONSIBILY? OF URSE NOT, BUT ’S A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN HAVG TO AL WH A BARRAGE OF BELLIGERENT BACHELORETTE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• ANY STRAIGHT GUYS HERE THAT HANG OUT AT GAY BARS?
• HOW TO BEE POPULAR AT A GAY BAR
• THE 42 BT GAY BARS AMERI
• WHAT EXACTLY IS THE POT OF A “STRAIGHT-FRIENDLY” GAY BAR?

KEV MAXEN BE FIRST MALE ACH A US MEN’S PROFSNAL SPORTS LEAGUE TO PUBLICLY E OUT AS GAY

In a sea of nned cktails, Gay Water wants to stand out.

LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC"I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?"{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}CULTUREBY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021/2:24 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:3840PX;WIDTH:5760PX;}GETTYGROUP OF YOUNG CHEERFUL PEOPLE ARE HAVG FUN THE NIGHT CLUB, DRKG CKTAILS, SG, BONDG, CLUBBG, CHEERG AND DANCG.BY BOBBY BOXNOVEMBER 4, 2021 / 2:24 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LET'S TALK ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE QUEER SPAC","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2021-11-04T18:24:36.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"BOBBY BOX","ARTICLESECTN":"CULTURE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN I MOVED TO TORONTO OM MY HOMETOWN OF HATON, ONCE MORTIFYGLY CROWNED THE CY WH THE MOST HATE CRIM CANADA, WAS 2018, AND I ONLY HAD ONE IEND. IN A SPERATE ATTEMPT TO MAKE IENDS AND MONEY, I CREATED A GRDR PROFILE LOOKG FOR A JOB AS A BARTENR SCE I LIVED ONE STREET AWAY OM THE CY’S GAY VILLAGE. I RECEIVED AN OFFER 24 HOURS LATER TO WORK AT ONE OF THE CY’S MOST POPULAR BARS, WHICH HOSTED DRAG SHOWS EVERY NIGHT OF THE WEEK AND WAS PARTICULARLY POPULAR AMONG QUEER STUNTS AND STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG MY STT AS A BARTENR AND BAR-BACK, MENTS LIKE, “IT’S A SHAME THAT YOU’RE GAY,” AND UNSOLICED ASS- AND CROTCH-GRABBG, WERE NIGHTLY OCCURRENC ALMOST EXCLIVELY OM STRAIGHT WOMEN CLIENTELE. ON ONE PARTICULAR OCSN, I LOOKED BACK AT A DNKEN ASS-GRABBER TO SLD HER. SHE RPOND BY WKG AND MOUTHG THE WORDS, “YOU’RE WELE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A VETERAN -WORKER LATER ASSURED ME, “YOU’LL GET ED TO . IT’S JT PART OF THE JOB.” I QU AFTER TWO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THERE ARE TWO TYP OF STRAIGHT PEOPLE THAT TYPILLY E TO QUEER SPAC: THE ON WHO E LARGE NUMBERS AND HAVE NO RPECT OF HOW TO BEHAVE A QUEER SPACE AND TRY TO TAKE OVER, AND THERE ARE THE ALLI, WHO ARE WELL-TED AND UNRSTAND THAT THEY ARE GUTS OUR SPACE,” TORONTO-BASED DRAG PERFORMER KERO SALEIB TELLS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE PHONE, KERO RELLS A PARTICULARLY HARROWG EXPERIENCE A POPULAR DRAG BAR. HE AND A GROUP OF IENDS WERE WATCHG A DRAG SHOW WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN APPROACHED AND PLIMENTED HIM. TAKG HIS KDNS AS A GREEN LIGHT TO PH FURTHER, SHE GRABBED HIS CHT AND STARTED BBG HIS CROTCH WHILE LGHG. TO PROVE A POT, KERO GRABBED HER CHT. SHE RPOND BY SLAPPG HIM.GETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“IF ISN'T OKAY FOR ME TO DO THIS TO YOU WHOUT [YOUR] NSENT, WHAT MAK YOU THK YOU N DO THAT TO ME?’” HE ASKED. “SHE THEN TRIED TO JTIFY THAT BEE I’M GAY, I SHOULDN'T RE, AND I HAD NO IA WHAT SHE MEANT BY THAT. I EVENTUALLY HAD HER KICKED OUT OF THE BAR WHEN SHE TRIED TO GET EVEN MORE VLENT WH ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORE I SPOKE WH OTHER QUEER NIGHTLIFE PROFSNALS AND ENTHIASTS, THE MORE STORI LIKE THIS I HEARD. MIKHAIL, 34, REMEMBERS BEG OUT DANCG WH HIS HBAND WHEN A WOMAN OM A BACHELORETTE PARTY PHED HER FGER THROUGH HIS SHORTS AND TOUCHED HIS ASSHOLE ON THE DANCE FLOOR. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST OR EVEN THE MOST RECENT TIME HE OR HIS HBAND WERE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“JT LAST MONTH, MY HBAND WAS KNOCKED OVER BY A GROUP OF DNK STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO WERE 10 MUT LATE TO THE DRAG SHOW AND WANTED TO BE UP ONT,” HE TELLS LOGO. AS THE DRKS NTUED TO FLOW THAT EVENG, THE SAME GROUP WOULD LATER PH MIKHAIL AND HIS HBAND TOGETHER, ENURAGG THEM TO KISS. THE UPLE SUDNLY BEME A {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN AN RMAL POLL ON TWTER, I ASKED MY QUEER FOLLOWERS HOW THEY FELT ABOUT STRAIGHT PEOPLE OUR SPAC. NEARLY 80% OF THE 250-PL PEOPLE WHO VOTED WERE AGAST . THOUGH THIS POLL TENTNALLY LACKED NUANCE (I ONLY GAVE “YAY” OR “NAY” OPTNS), MOST SAID THE ANSWER PENDS ON THE DIVIDUAL AND THEIR MOTIVATNS. “STRAIGHT ALLI ARE WELE, BUT STRAIGHT TOURISTS ARE NOT,” ONE VOTER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BOYSTOWN: SEX AND COMMUNY CHIGO, THOR AND QUEER SOCLOGIST JASON ORNE S THIS BEHAVR “ON SAFARI.” STRAIGHT PEOPLE OFTEN VIS QUEER SPAC AS ONE MIGHT VIS A ZOO, ONLY STEAD OF OGLG TIGERS AND LNS, THEY’RE ENTERTAED BY BEARS AND {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN A PRR NVERSATN WH ORNE FOR IN MAGAZE, HE EXPLAED THERE ARE BOTH PH AND PULL FACTORS THAT LEAD STRAIGHT WOMEN TO GAY BARS. FOR STANCE, SOME STRAIGHT WOMEN MIGHT BE DRAWN TO GAY BARS AS SAFE HAVENS OM CREEPY STRAIGHT BROS, WHICH IS PLETELY UNRSTANDABLE. OTHERS MIGHT REGARD GAY CULTURE AS SAFE AND FUN EROTICISM WHOUT UNRSTANDG HETEROSEXISM, OR THE REJECTN OF RPECTABILY THAT WH .GETTY IMAGPORTRA OF SG IENDS LOOKG AT MERA AND HOLDG DRKS AT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERCEPTN IS ALSO A FACTOR THIS NVERSATN SCE YOU N’T ALWAYS TELL IF SOMEONE IS LGBTQ BY THEIR APPEARANCE. FOR EXAMPLE, A TRANS MAN AND TRANS WOMAN TOGETHER MIGHT LOOK LIKE A STRAIGHT UPLE. FEMME LBIANS OR MASCULE GAY MEN MIGHT BE MISTAKEN FOR STRAIGHT PEOPLE. BY ATTEMPTG TO QUANTIFY PEOPLE’S QUEERNS BASED ON HOW THEY LOOK, YOU ALSO N THE RISK OF VALIDATG BISEXUALS, PANSEXUALS, AND OTHER QUEER PEOPLE WH FLUID SEXUAL ORIENTATNS, PECIALLY IF THEY ENTER A SPACE A HETERO-PRENTG PARTNERSHIP. QUEER BARS AND CLUBS ARE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR MUNY, NOT JT THOSE OF WHO READ AS VISIBLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S MORE, QUEER PEOPLE N BE JT AS GRABBY WH STRAIGHT WOMEN AS THEY ARE WH . I’VE SPOKEN WH MANY STRAIGHT WOMEN WHO’VE HAD THEIR BREASTS TOUCHED BY GAY MEN WHOUT NSENT, AND THE RATNALY IS THE SAME ON BOTH SIS: BEE WE AREN’T SEXUALLY PATIBLE, THIS KD OF NTACT IS EMED NOCENT OR HARMLS. I N TELL YOU OM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE THAT UNWELE TOUCH ARE VASIVE NO MATTER WHO THEY E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}INAPPROPRIATE GRABBG ASI, MANY LGBTQ PEOPLE I SPOKE TO SAID A STRAIGHT PERSON’S PRENCE A MAJORY-QUEER SPACE N MAKE THEM FEEL UNFORTABLE OR UNSAFE, AND FEATS THE VERY PURPOSE OF A QUEER SPACE THE FIRST PLACE. THIS UNEASE N BE MAGNIFIED SEXUAL SPAC, WHERE ACTG ON OUR SIR N BE REGARD AS ENTERTAG — OR WORSE, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN JAB, 28, ATTEND MARKET DAYS, AN LGBTQ FTIVAL CHIGO, WH A STRAIGHT GIRLIEND, SHE MENTED ON HOW PUP MASKS ARE “SRY” AND DIDN’T UNRSTAND THEIR RELEVANCE AT THE EVENT. “AS A GAY MAN, I KNOW WHAT ’S LIKE TO WANT ANONYMY, AND I N UNRSTAND WHY WOULD BE A KK OR SEXUAL SIRE,” HE TELLS LOGO. JAB BELIEV MANY STRAIGHT PEOPLE STGGLE TO GRASP THIS NCEPT BEE THEY THEMSELV HAVE NEVER HAD TO HI PART OF WHO THEY ARE OR WHAT THEY SIRE OM THEIR LOVED ON.OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAGBERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 26: PARTICIPANTS WH PUP-FETISH MASKS TAKE PART THE QUEERSCHUTZ NOW! (QUEER PROTECTN NOW!) MARCH MEMORATN AND CELEBRATN OF CHRISTOPHER STREET DAY ON JUNE 26, 2021 BERL, GERMANY. A VARIETY OF GAY PRI MARCH AND GATHERGS ARE TAKG PLACE ACROSS THE CY TODAY, EACH WH S OWN POLIL OR THEMATIC EMPHASIS. THE MARCH ARE TAKG PLACE CLOSE TO THE 52ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1969 RTS FOLLOWG A POLICE RAID AT THE STONEWALL INN NEW YORK CY THAT IGNED THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT. (PHOTO BY OMER MSGER/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR DANIEL CRAIG MA HEADL LAST MONTH WHEN HE TOLD THE LUNCH WH BCE PODST HE ENJOYS GOG TO QUEER SPAC BEE HE “DON’T GET TO FIGHTS GAY BARS THAT OFTEN,” AND THEY ARE “VERY SAFE PLACE[S] TO BE.” HE ALSO NFSED HE WENT TO GAY BARS AS A TEEN TO PICK UP STRAIGHT WOMEN. HIS MENTS HAD QUEER FOLKS DIVID. SOME APPLD HIM FOR HIS HIS SUAL ALLYSHIP, WHEREAS OTHERS CHASTISED HIM FOR EXPLOG QUEER SPAC FOR HIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHETHER WE DIVIDUALLY WELE THEM OR NOT, STRAIGHT PATRONS HELP KEEP QUEER TABLISHMENTS AFLOAT. MANY BS WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN WHOUT THE BOOST, PECIALLY NSIRG RISG RENT PRIC, GENTRIFITN, AND NOTED E DISPARI BETWEEN LGBTQ AND CIS-HETERO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE STUDY FOUND THAT BETWEEN 2007 AND 2019, 37% OF GAY BARS AMERI HAD CLOSED, AND 14% OF THOSE CLOSUR OCCURRED OM 2017–2019. IN 2020, THE LBIAN BAR PROJECT UNTED JT 15 REMAG LBIAN BARS THE ENTIRE UNTRY. IT’S THE ULTIMATE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, WHICH IS WHY THIS TURF WAR WILL NEVER BE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I WANT STRAIGHT PEOPLE TO QUTN THEMSELV WHEN THEY GO TO A QUEER SPACE, WHY DO I FEEL ENTLED TO GO TO THIS PLACE?” ORNE TOLD ME. “IT’S THE SAME QUTN I THK PEOPLE SHOULD ASK ANY TIME THEY ENJOY SOMETHG THAT DON’T STEM OM A HERAGE THEY HAVE. NOT TO NOT DO , BUT TO JT ASK WHY. THAT ACT, I HOPE, WOULD MAKE THEM BE A B MORE RPECTFUL.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, CIS-HETEROS WILL NTUE EQUENTG OUR SPAC, AND THERE’S NOT MUCH WE N DO ABOUT . WE’RE WELE THEIR SPAC, AND ALTHOUGH WE EXPERIENCE MARGALIZATN THEY WILL NEVER UNRSTAND, THEY ARE WELE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE WE N’T ENFORCE A “YOU’RE ONLY WELE IF…” LE, OUR ENERGY IS BETTER SPENT TG STRAIGHT FOLKS ON HOW TO NDUCT THEMSELV AS GUTS OUR SPACE. IS THIS OUR RPONSIBILY? OF URSE NOT, BUT ’S A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN HAVG TO AL WH A BARRAGE OF BELLIGERENT BACHELORETTE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

In other words, where Bud Light has buckled unr prsure as bigotry grows agast the LGBTQ+ muny, Gay Water’s creator Spencer Hodson wants his new boozy brand to be the anthis of that.

“The key issue that Bud Light tapped to was the fact that they didn’t unrstand their re dience and know enough about them,” Hodson, a gay man, told CNN about the ntroversy that began when the Anhser-Bch beer brand sent fluencer Dylan Mulvaney a n of beer.

Gay Water, however, is out and proud.

ANY STRAIGHT GUYS HERE THAT HANG OUT AT GAY BARS?

The nned cktail is named after a lloquialism given to the popular mixed drk (vodka and soda) orred at bars by the gay muny. “Puttg a product wh the word gay the tle is reprentatn self,” which he hop reclaims the word om the negativy ’s sometim associated wh. He thought of creatg Gay Water about a year ago while on a vatn wh his iend that had got a job wh the beverage dtry.

HOW TO BEE POPULAR AT A GAY BAR

The two chatted about the limed amount of gay people wh , and wh Hodson burnt out om his tradnal day job tech, started the nned cktail. Hodson built up a strong social media followg on TikTok and Instagram durg Covid-19 and is g some of the money om that (as well as om iends and fay) to help fund Gay Water.

“Gay is an umbrella term and the ia behd the brand is to be as clive as possible, which means we want alli, we want straight people to be part of this muny we’re buildg.”. For now, Gay Water is sold largely onle (wh a few retailers) and four sugar-ee flavors — watermelon, lime, peach and grapeu — at lnch. Gay Water might not have the ep pockets pared to s petors, like Whe Claw, but “even at small sle, pani of many siz are havg succs makg spir-based seltzers and premixed cktails,” Bryan Roth, an analyst for Feel Goods Company and edor of the alhol beverage newsletter, Sightl+, told CNN.

“There’s lots of space the spir-based seltzer tegory which Gay Water n play, pecially if the brand n offer a cultural or emotnal nnectn that will feel more excg than the prospect of another peapple-flavored vodka seltzer om natnal or ternatnal rporatns,” Roth said.

THE 42 BT GAY BARS AMERI

Of urse, other drks e the word “gay,” too, cludg Gay Beer and So Gay Rosé, Hodson noted, which are also tryg to reach the queer muny and offer them an alternative the straight-domated space. Kev Maxen has bee the first male ach a US men’s profsnal sports league to e out as gay.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE POT OF A “STRAIGHT-FRIENDLY” GAY BAR?

Per Outsports, as of September 2022, there have only ever been 16 players NFL history to publicly e out as gay or bisexual. Carl Nassib beme the first active NFL player league history to announce that he is gay 2021.

Per Outsports, Maxen is the “first publicly out male ach a major Amerin men’s pro sports league, ” wh WNBA ach Curt Miller, who publicly me out to the media as gay 2015, also a publicly out male ach an Amerin profsnal sports league. Somehow, the origal “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” premiered on Bravo two s ago this month, prentg five gay men – each specializg a specific liftyle area – as they scend upon a (ually) heterosexual male subject need of some support, whether was wh clothg choic, groomg, anizatn or perhaps an unrlyg issue around self nfince. It was a novel take on the makeover ncept, not only terms of beg one of the first monstroly succsful programs the then-nascent realm of realy TV, but also one of the first tl to feature not one – but five – gay people as the leads.

(For ntext, had only been five years sce the s “Ellen” got nceled, shortly after the ma character played by Ellen DeGener me out as gay. Krsley agreed, sayg, “We meet people all the time who are probably their thirti now, who say, ‘I me om a very nservative fay, we were very relig, “Gay” was not somethg that was ever spoken about our home, and your show allowed to at least have that nversatn, if not make easier for me to e out. He add that of urse, isn’t only gay people who approach them wh spiratnal msag, and that at the time the origal show aired, the st saw how their visibily as gay people wh a larger straight world was beg received firsthand.