Rudy Galindo, gays own pop culture and bachelor parties?

Yesterday the Boston Herald did a lengthy interview with out gay skater Rudy Galindo. Skating fans know Galindo not just for his athleticism and grace on the ice, but the fact that he is the only professional skater to come out while still competing. Galindo, who just underwent surgery for a hip replacement, talks about his friendship with Johnny Weir, the pressure the skating world put on him to "straighten up", and getting dumped by fellow skater Kristi Yamaguchi--professionally, not personally.

Boston Globe columnist Alex Beam apparently thinks gay folks haven't moved much beyond the 70's. Inspired by The New York Times recent article on gay cars, Beam laments how us 'mos have appropriated pretty much every aspect of contemporary culture. To prove his point, Beam cites Judy Garland, Dinah Shore, Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," and, naturally, ABBA. He proceeds on to Superman, Brideshead Revisited, and Smith college as well.

Um, news flash, Mr. Beam. We didn't "appropriate" most popular culture--we invented it. Beam then compiles a list of what isn't gay which includes NASCAR, the NFL, and 24. I guess Beam hasn't noticed all those gay websites devoted to NFL players or just how much flesh those NFL players have been showing these days--thanks to us, no doubt. Even NASCAR has been sexed up pretty gay as of late. Don't believe me? Here is proof.

So sorry, old chap! As for 24, in previous years I would've argued that Keifer's hot, sweaty visage seemed pretty gay at times. But the show pretty much sucks this year, so he can keep it. For now.

Finally, do you find yourself sitting around in quiet moments pondering what straight boys really do at bachelor parties and why they do it? Yeah, me neither, but lucky for us, out writer David Boyer did just that and even wrote a book about it! Bachelor Party Confidential looks at the history of the ritual, how it varies from culture to culture and even ponders where us gay boys might take it to now that we can get hitched in some states. It's a fun, interesting read and don't let the Neanderthals profiled early on turn you off. Boyer also talks to a number of cool, straight boys who put their own fun twist on the down and dirty rite.