The third season of Bravo's hit reality show Project Runway continues to be a front-runner when it comes to portrayals of gay men on television. This season, 27-year-old Kayne Gillaspie of Norman, Oklahoma, and 37-year-old Robert Best of West Hollywood, California, bring two new gay perspectives to Project Runway. We recently talked with them about Tim Gunn, being a gay role model, and Isaac Mizrahi. Don't worry, we dished about the other designers, too.

AfterElton.com: You've both been pretty honest about your sexuality on the show. Do you think it's important for gays and lesbians to be open when they're on reality shows like Project Runway?
Robert Best: I think the important thing is to just represent themselves. If that's not something you want to represent, then that's a personal choice. I can respect and understand that, because people have different reasons for putting themselves out there in the public eye. I think, for me, I just consider it a facet of my life like any other facet, like I have salt-and-pepper hair. I'm not going to make it an issue, and I'm not going to deny it. It's part of who I am, and I'm just like, “This is me. This is all of me. Take it or leave it. I don't really care.”

Kayne Gillaspie: Ditto. I never pressed for votes or tried to force my beliefs or opinions on anyone, but I am 27 years old, and if I'd gotten on this show when I was 19, it would have been a different Kayne. Obviously, I think people still would have known I was gay, but I might not have talked about it as much. I'm 100 percent comfortable with exactly who I am. I have plenty of friends. I don't have to hide who I am to make sure people like me anymore. I really don't care. I have wonderful people surrounding me.

RB: In response to the question of whether it's important, in a word, yes. I think it's important for viewers to understand that the gay world is represented by all kinds of people, and not just stereotypes, or not just what the Christian right would have you believe. So in that regard, of course it's important. You want to represent that gay people are out there whether they're on Project Runway or Amazing Race or whatever it is. They're functioning in society and they're not just some sort of cartoon or character. They're real people.

AE: There's been a lot of talk recently about gay role models, with George Michael claiming to be one and Lance Bass saying he didn't want the job. Do you see yourselves as role models?
RB: If that's what people want to perceive it as, I have no problem with that. I'm proud of who I am. I think I'm an accomplished, intelligent human being, and if people want to see me as a gay role model, I'm comfortable with that. I'm sure there are people who I don't represent. I can't speak for everyone. At the same time, I'm happy for someone to look up to me or whatever.

KG: I 100 percent agree. I've had a ton of messages and email and on MySpace. Message after message from young guys somewhere in Idaho or Michigan, or even a big metropolitan area, who have said, “You've been so fun to watch; you look so happy with who you are, and you've been inspiring to me.” To get a message like that, that someone took their time to get that message to me, and they're looking up to me for whatever reason in a positive light — it's incredibly awesome. I love it.

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