Speedomania! The Swimsuit Gay Men Love

Not even all gay people are fans of the suit or its major manufacturer. “After being lied to and dumped by Speedo, I have difficulty saying anything nice about the company,” out diving champion Greg Louganis tells AfterElton.com. But when asked to elaborate, he declines.

Greg Louganis at the 1988 Olympics

Photo credit: Pascal Rondeau/Getty Images

In fairness, some of the reason for the anti-Speedo backlash probably resulted from the stereotype that people who don’t have the bodies for Speedos wear them anyway. Ultimately, this may simply be the price that must be paid for the beauty that is the Speedo: for every paparazzi shot of a scantily-clad Ricky Martin, there is a similarly undressed Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Ricky Martin (left) & Arnold Schwarzenegger

Full Circle

Sadly, in competitive swimming circles, the classic briefs-style Speedo is quickly becoming a thing of the past. In the 1980s and 1990s companies such as Speedo introduced the “drag suit” — baggy trunk-like suits that were specifically designed to create more resistance in the water. They’re usually worn during workouts to increase stamina, but swimmers still wore the Speedo in competitions.

That changed in the late 1990s, when Speedo introduced half and full body suits. By outward appearances, they’re not that different from the style worn by Weissmuller and others back in the 1920s. But they’re actually very different, made out of new fabrics that supposedly reduce drag to virtually zero. The materials are made to duplicate the skins of marine animals like sharks.

Speedos latest such product, introduced in February, is the LZR Racer, supposedly “the world’s fastest swimsuit.” And, in fact, swimmers wearing the suits have broken 44 world records since its debut. Speedo claims that its fabric is the lightest yet and that it actually repels water; supposedly the shape of the suit actually presses muscles into a perfect aerodynamic swimming form.

Michael Phelps models the LZR Racer

But while they’re less revealing than the classic Speedo, these new body suits also have their gay and bisexual admirers.

Still, given the popularity of the Speedo in the rest of the world, it’s not going anywhere soon. And Mark Tewksbury still wears one — not just in the pool, but also on the beach. “I grew up in them and feel most comfortable,” he says. “I also like the tan lines they give.”

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