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Then, when it was time for the tribes to merge, Rafe was one of the only Yaxha members to immediately sit and socialize with a group of the Nakum tribe's women, while his other former Yaxha tribe mates sat away from the group and plotted their advantage. At this point Rafe came out all over again, glowingly discussing the "honeymoon stage" he is in with his boyfriend Stephen.

Although this chit-chat seemed like a pointless move at the time given his tribe's majority over the others, one of those Nakum women, Danni, is still in the game. Because of this, Rafe's goodwill and strategy of coming out (and therefore not being perceived as a threat) on the first day of the merge may not be forgotten. Also, while still remaining aligned to the original agreement he made with his Yaxha tribe mates, Rafe and Danni have since agreed to help each other in the game.

Over the final two episodes, the original alliance must begin voting each other out of the game, but here Rafe also seems to have a distinct interpersonal advantage.

Several episodes ago, Rafe enjoyed a reward challenge meal, massage, and hot spa swim with Cindy. The twosome was aware that they were lower class alliance members compared to some of the others, and they seemed poised to align with each other and make a move. Meanwhile, Rafe has also been one of the few in his alliance to avoid alienating Lydia, a short, middle-aged woman who has ruined several challenges for their group.

But the leader of this alliance is Stephanie, a hard-luck competitor from last season who returned to the show to try her luck with a new group in Guatemala. Publicly, Stephanie makes the decisions, although her emotions can be manipulated. But Rafe has stayed close to her, and aside from Judd--last week's cast-off--he may be the person who is most strongly aligned with her.

Rafe isn't the villain, but he also isn't naïve. He cast majority votes at nearly every tribal council throughout the game, but he never appeared to be the tribe member who swung the proverbial axe to eliminate the other contestants. This is something that will prove valuable if Rafe makes it to the Final Two, where a jury of ousted cast members will ultimately decide his fate.

In short, everybody likes Rafe. He is a compassionate guy, and he plays the "buddy" role very well in Guatemala without being seen as the typical threatening male in a tribe full of women. Perhaps there's something to the "straight women who love gay men" stereotype after all?

Even Survivor fans like the way Rafe is playing the game. Although CBS.com's weekly polls show strong slants towards Bobby Jon and Stephanie—two well-known contestants who returned from last season--Rafe has consistently been one of the most popular new players. Also, he has never been portrayed on the show in a negative way, something that few of Survivor 's other contestants can claim.

Over the next two weeks, we will learn the fate of our favorite gay Mormon Ivy Leaguer. As the lone man alongside four women in the final challenges, his ability to exert his physical prowess and win immunity at this point will be key, lest a smaller, gender-specific alliance be made. But if Rafe can survive until the final vote, his easy-going demeanor and lack of burnt bridges with the seven-member jury means that there won't be much stopping him from becoming the winner of Survivor:Guatemala.

Maybe being a gay man is a million dollar strategy after all.

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