Ask the Flying Monkey! (October 21, 2008)

More than anything, though, Jack is likeable. He’s sensitive, vulnerable, and desperate to be liked, but also completely untalented and utterly self-deluded. On some level, can’t we all relate? His queeniness annoys a lot of people, but if you take that out of the equation, isn’t he sort of impossible not to emphasize with?

Q: I saw a spread in the New York Times last weekend about this former college a cappella band, Straight No Chaser, that just got a major record deal ten years after they graduated. They’re all men and, um, quite hot. Are any of them gay? – Joseph, Yakima, WA

A: Straight No Chaser is aptly named; incredibly, none of the ten vocalists is gay.

But the Monkey agrees they’re hot, which he is sure had nothing to do with their getting a record deal. What’s weird is they’re all hot — sort of a singing Bel Ami video. The Monkey went to his ten-year college reunion and, not to be catty, he knows that most straight men are already starting to look a little dumpy ten whole years after graduation. So what did the members of Straight No Chaser do — drink the “eternal youth” potion from Death Becomes Her? Or did they simply not take the phone calls of any member that had gained weight or lost too much hair since college?

Straight No Chaser

Q: I saw your answer a few weeks ago that movies with younger gay teens were rare. What about films that feature gay characters in supporting/background roles that could be shown to a younger audience?—Ellen, Oz, Not Kansas

A: Taboo, thy name is younger gay teens! And this is true whether they’re leading or supporting roles. Yes, gay boys have turned up as “best friends” in a few movies, notably This Boy’s Life or Billy Elliott, but in each case, they’re basically walking stereotypes, cross-dressing and all.

And don’t get the Monkey started on High School Musical, where the character of Ryan, who many people interpreted to be a “coded” gay character (and who was made openly gay in the Disney-created stage version), is apparently taking a girl to the prom in the film series’ latest incarnation, High School Musical 3. Might there still be some coded gay element? We'll find out when the films opens on Friday.

Lucas Grabeel plays Ryan in the HSM movies

Photo credit: David Livingston / Getty Images

There are two newer movies about younger gay boys, Breakfast with Scot and Ready? OK!, but the Monkey didn’t like either of them.

Next page! A history of gay soap stars. Plus, whatever happened to Tom Robinson?