“Queer Eye” – the gay gift that keeps on giving
Unbeknownst to many back in the early 2000s aka Britney’s pre-breakdown days, gay men had something many straight men didn’t. Fabulousness. A crisp, clear perspective on style, taste, and “tsujzing” (or tweaking something to make it better). From this philosophy was born Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, a reality series where five gay men invade the life of a hapless heterosexual and transform him into a better version of himself. As the show’s motto goes, “You – only better!”
After it launched in 2003, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy became a global phenomenon and a cultural juggernaut. The original Fab 5 (Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Ted Allen, Jai Rodriguez, and one of our favorite Drag Race judges Carson Kressley) specialized in fields many straight guys had blind spots in. Our quintet, aided with sharp wit, an enormous budget, and seemingly unlimited patience, helped their subjects pursue excellence, whether it was giving a guy his first mani-pedi, pushing a high schooler towards prom king potential, or throwing a spectacular 40th birthday party for a double lung transplant beneficiary.
For five seasons, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy demonstrated that gay men are more than just sassy sidekicks dispensing bon mots at lightning speed. It showed the world that we are inspirational and aspirational figures. It might have also sparked the beginning of my nightmare.
For five seasons, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy demonstrated that gay men are more than just sassy sidekicks dispensing bon mots at lightning speed.
Many of my friends and acquaintances hastily generalized that all gay men were experts in fashion, interiors, dining, grooming, and culture. Most, if not all, of my friends back then (and a lot of them were girls, mind you) began to seek my sage advice.
“Victor, what products should I use to treat my oily skin?”
“Victor, I plan to get a haircut. Come with me so you can tell my stylist what cut flatters my square jaw.”
“Victor, I know I’m 200 pounds but I can still rock this crop top, right?”
“Victor, I want a pinker labia. How? How?!? HOW?!?!?”
If you think that my friends are dumb, superficial bitches, well, yes, they are. Also, I am no longer friends with a lot of them so it’s totally okay if you think so. But you see, they aren’t the only ones who think this way. Uncles came to me when they wanted to know how to lose their beer gut, while officemates wanted to know how much makeup is too much makeup (“Karen, unless you were trying to color your gumline in MAC matte pink, I guess that’s too much lipstick?”) Thankfully, my life as a walking advice column waned when the series died a natural death. It was back to straight people asking me about my sexual proclivities (a fave topic, yay), especially when a series like HBO’s Looking became popular.
CUT TO 2018: Netflix has rebooted the hit series, now simply called Queer Eye. It follows the same premise of the original: five gay men (this time, ethnically diverse! And woke!) take it upon themselves to spread the Gospel of Good Taste in Atlanta, Georgia. There are less zingers and more heart and humanity. Not only do we get to know the case studies better, we also get a glimpse into the joys and struggles of the new Fab Five as they navigate being queer in today’s divisive world.
Binge-watching the series as a gay man pushing 40, I can appreciate how it still underscored gay men as the inspirational and aspirational figures that we are. Moreover, with over 15 years of hard-earned wisdom under my belt since the original series aired, the reboot highlighted what should be intrinsic for gay men everywhere: the desire to help someone improve their lives.
Now, the irony doesn’t escape me that we, a marginalized and underrepresented sector of society, ought to selflessly help those basking in the privilege of heterosexuality. A reminder: being queer is still a criminal offense in over 70 countries. Here in the Philippines, while we enjoy a more tolerant society, we still do not share equal rights with the general population (because hey, even government agencies think it’s okay to reveal your HIV status to the nation!)
We have been told that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. But we gay men know better—by adding some glitter to that proverbial honey, we will catch those flies, and sparkle in the process.
As a gay man who lives for the applause (having been born into a world that wants you to fail based on how you love), I’m not limited to living like I’m the star of my own show. I can also be the Best Supporting Actor in someone else’s. As I, ahem, matured and became less selfish, I’ve realized I can do more than just toss witticisms and puns to delight the people around me. I began to share my skills and wisdom with friends and co-workers alike. Presently, I am helping out a dear friend’s small business by sharing my digital marketing know-how with her. I am also using my network to help another friend land the job of his dreams. And don’t forget me pointing out whenever my colleague, Karen, has lipstick teeth.
I’m not limited to living like I’m the star of my own show. I can also be the Best Supporting Actor in someone else’s.
The advice I dispense may not be as glamorous as how to make one’s apartment look grander, or which wine to pair with your sinigang, but they are nuggets of sound judgment on career, on relationships, fiscal responsibility, and on how to live one’s truth. And then, of course, I throw in a few handy tips on how my female friends can give their husbands better head because why the hell not, right?
Today’s internet culture puts so much premium on our personal brands that we have become quite the narcissists. I am super guilty of that. I mean, hello, have you met me? But there is no harm, as Queer Eye has taught us, in stepping away from the spotlight once in a while and using our gay superpowers (whatever they may be) to light someone else’s path to betterment. Most especially if that path’s perspective was once dim when it came to gay people. After all, being better goes hand in well-manicured hand with understanding people better.
Hey, queer reader or ally.
The facts are as obvious as Manny Pacquiao’s homophobia: in order to run a decent website that our queer tastes deserve, your favorite gay Asian publication could use a real TEAM effort from its readers.\
If you’d like to see more of TEAM, we hope you can take the time to help your homos out.
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