Practically each season, a token gay man is cast to compete against the macho frat boys and dumb-as-bricks blonde girls for the end prize (this season being $1 million dollars). They live in the house for a summer, commenting on fashion and décor, adding humor to the testosterone-filled male group. Though they tend to side with the women in alliances, they normally last no more than half-way through the game. A stab in the back or an inability to compromise their virtues inevitably pushes the gay man out the door quicker than you can say Liza Minelli.

This season doesn’t appear to be any different. Though the show prides itself on surprises, it was no surprise to see another young, well-groomed gay male among the 14 contestants when Big Brother 6 debuted on July 7th. His name is Beau, and he is--are you ready for this--a PROFESSIONAL SHOPPER! Big surprise. The CBS website even promotes Beau as someone who “promises to raise the rainbow flag of style and fashion” in the house.

Big Brother seems to have one use for gay men: comic, campy commentary.

Gays on the show are often very stereotypical on paper (past gay men on the show include a fashion stylist and a registered nurse), leaving middle America to assume this is what all gay men are. Flamboyant. Catty. Weepy.

But, that’s not the truth, is it? What about the regular guy-next-store who happens to be gay? The doctor? The lawyer? The cop? Having that guy on the show would reveal the normality and diversity of homosexuality better than the comically flamboyant gay men they use now.

And what about putting two gay men in the house who could possibly hook up? Though the straight couples flirt and copulate left and right, apparently Big Brother thinks America isn’t ready for gay men to be doing that. Thus, the gay man must be alone.

Which brings us to Beau and this season. I predict he won’t last very long. Already, the other male contestants are saying they don’t trust him (specifically, alpha male firefighter Eric), and they’ve made an all-male alliance which doesn’t include Beau or Howie (more on Howie in a bit). Beau’s sole life source right now is Ivette, his lesbian friend from outside the house who is also a contestant on Big Brother 6.

Before long, he’ll be put on the chopping block, and be sent out the door. Probably the sixth or seventh person to go, after the more threatening or annoying players are sent packing. Once the males see him as a possible female vote, they’ll take him out.

Until then, he’ll be fun, harmless Beau, the guy who lists apple martinis and chick flicks as some of his favorite things.

Touchy-feely macho guy Howie adds an interesting dynamic this season. Incredibly flirtatious with both sexes, Howie has admitted (not on the show, but on the live feed) to have had same-sex relations. Is this good for homosexuality or bad? That’s for each person to decide…personally, I think he’s just weird.

Page 1 / 2 - Next