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Towleroad also allows for reader interaction with the blog which Towle enjoys. In fact, readers often give him tips for story ideas. While he encourages this, he tries to stay away from pure gossip unless the story can be backed up by another trusted news source or if he actually witnessed the buzzed about event himself.

Such was the case earlier this summer when celebrities Reichen Lemkuhl (Amazing Race) and Lance Bass (N'Sync) were seen together in Provincetown, one of the most popular gay destinations in the country. While on vacation Towle himself spotted the couple. While Lemkuhl is openly gay, Bass has never said anything about his sexuality. But by being seen together Towle believes Bass is "opening the door to speculation of all sorts."

"I think celebrities can do a lot of good when they come out of the closet," he says. "I don't believe in 'outing' celebrities but I will report when other media speculates."

He admits that outing closeted celebrities grabs the public's attention. And while he frowns upon the outing of celebrities, Towle does think that politicians should be held to a different standard. "They create and facilitate legislation that affects many people. If a conservative closeted gay Republican is approving anti-gay legislation, that's a hypocrisy that deserves to be exposed."

Along with providing tips, many visitors comment, sometimes viciously, on his stories.

"Blogging can be exhausting," he explains. "It's hard to take a day off when you're a one-man show. I feel like the majority of readers who comment, only choose to comment when they dislike something, or disagree with [my] point of view, and often come from fairly vitriolic and bitter perspectives."

On other occasions, the readers merely sling insults at one another.

Sometimes the negative feedback is not specifically aimed at a particular piece, but at Towle's content in general. He defends against those who claim his blog is too serious or depressing. "I attempt to keep things mixed up with a variety of topics, and not just focus on the hate crimes or the despicable administration currently running our country.

"Life is about balance, and I try to reflect that in the site." This, he claims, is not very difficult to do. "Towleroad often tends to reflect the mood I'm in, so if you're seeing less serious stuff, I'm more likely in a less serious mood."

In the past, he has focused on a particular story for a few weeks, like Hurricane Katrina or some nefarious doings in the government. He sees the ability to follow a certain story all the way through as a strength.

"That said," he quips, "the same kind of obsession can apply to something relatively shallow, like stalking Jake Gyllenhaal."

Other readers, perhaps those that prefer the serious side of the site, criticize Towleroad for showing too much overt sexuality.

He is quick to point out the double standard that exists between gay media and other media when it comes to sex with "gay media being held to a different, stricter standard." Simply put, the mainstream isn't completely comfortable with seeing men sexually objectified as women have been for thousands of years. It is changing, though, and, as everyone knows, sex sells, and helps bring in more visitors.

As for blogs that do rely solely on sex, Towle is quick to point out that there is a place for them as well. "It's natural that there should be many sites about all kinds of topics within a subculture.

One of his greatest satisfactions in the creation of Towleroad is knowing he can touch others on a personal level. He believes that blogs can be a tool for social change. "I think it is a form of activism," he says. "I have received a number of emails from gay men just beginning the coming-out process who say the blog has given them something to hold on to, a feeling that they're not so alone in the world....I think the ability to reach such a large number of people is an amazing kind of grasp to have."

As for the future of Towleroad, Andy is working on various new projects and partnerships to increase his interactivity with the readers. He's also in the process of adding some other voices to the blog. "I think having another blogger on board adds a slightly different dimension, and I plan to continue expanding in that direction." This includes having blogger Daniel Williford write a weekly tech article, TowleTech.

"I think that Towleroad will continue to evolve," Towle concludes. "And I'm excited about what the future holds."

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