The Reese Rideout Controversy

J.C. Adams has taken the lead on the Reese Rideout controversy and if the comments section on his blog is any indication, there is no shortage of personal convictions. First a little background: Reese Rideout, if you don't know by now, is an extremely popular model on RandyBlue.com. He has worked with Messr. Blue for three years and in that time his popularity has only grown in stature. Each year, Men Magazine holds their annual "Man of The Year" contest and this year Reese won. He was competing with nine others, apparently eight of whom - along with Reese - aren't gay. The controversy erupted when the magazine, under pressure from a growing chorus of angry readers who felt that the choice of an admittedly straight man was a slap at gay sensibilities, responded: "Men magazine doesn’t choose the Man of the Year, its readers do. We just count the ballots and take the pictures. We think of Men as an equal opportunity purveyor of beautiful men — gay, straight, and that intriguing area in between." Obviously that's true but it's also like saying, "Head I win. Tails you lose." If the magazine only puts forth heterosexual men, that doesn't leave a lot of room for the consideration of gay men. So, the question that's really at the heart of the matter is: Is it wrong to promote, market and lionize heterosexual or bisexual men in the gay community. The responses seemed to indicate people were of two camps.

There is the gays-are-self-loathing-to-desire-straights camp as articulated by 'Mike': "It is sad that we as a community still suffer from self-loathing and internalized homophobia so much that we have to pay straight men to have sex with us or each other because we still cannot fully embrace our own sexuality." "And then there is the opposite point of view as expressed by 'Callum': I don’t really care who Reese fucks on his own time. I think he’s as hot as anyone I have ever seen. In my imagination, he is as gay as I want him to be. I don’t get off on the fact that he might actually be straight. I get off on his general hotness." And, then, there were some auxiliary comments about why presumably straight men even do gay porn and how truly heterosexual men wouldn't take a cock up their ass for all the money in the world. One comment I liked in particular came from Marco Channing who caught the irony in much of this: "Men magazine is, let’s be blunt, a jo rag. If gay men are going to all of a sudden get P.C. over other people’s jo fantasies, then I suggest they also call the kettle black and throw out their all their David Beckham, Tom Brady, Taye Diggs, Chris Meloni, Brad Pitt, and Daniel Craig photos. Oh, and your gonna have to trash the Abercrombie pics too, ’cause 95% of those models are straight as well." But what I see as much sadder commentary about this whole debate is that it's primarily a bunch of white guys arguing about another group of white guys. Men Magazine claims it's all about male beauty not sexual orientation. So, if that were truly the case why the appalling lack of diversity? Whether or not one's sexuality is manufactured to appeal to a demographic - in this case presumably heterosexual men being marketed to homosexuals - seems incidental. (Although I don't recall anyone really elaborating on why being desirous of straight men is an indication of gay self-loathing.) The fact of the matter is the dialog about the controversy is still being controlled by whites for whites and only two or so of the comments really addressed that. And that, to me, is the real controversy here.

Comments

[Tre Xavier]

If anyone hasn't elaborated on how being desirous of straight-men is a sign of self-loathing, I will. It's not so much the fantasizing about straight men, it's the fact that these gay men, be they producers, directors, or viewers, are not giving straight men the same respect they CLAIM to want for themselves by living by the motto of "live and let live". And a lack of respect to someone you want the same respect from is practically always a sign of self-loathing.
I'd rather see a video of a straight guy fucking a pussy as straight men do, then use ONLY my imagination that he pounds my ass the way he pounds that pussy. In fact I bought some straight DVDs yesterday and did just that. Instead, producers, directors, and these viewers make these models feel that the only way they can have a great following is by going through the motions of a gay man, thereby needing live action. That's why I give SOME credit to Jake Cruise for creating "Straight Guys For Gay Eyes", Corbin Fisher for making "Amateur College Sex", and the site "Next Door HookUps". And even more credit to those models who on all of these sites show they are the TRUE straight men when they refuse to crossover to these sites version for gay action.

[Wondermann]

This is spot on. This foolishness continues some of the mess within our community. We need to get it together if we hope to move forward

[Jon Royce]

Reese Rideout is a total entertainer. I worked with him before Randy Blue. IN fact, I referred him to Randy. Straight or whatever he is a great entertainer and does a great job. We all have preferences. I like black guys - straight or gay. Nice blog you have.

[Robin]

This controversy is beyond typical. Is anyone surprised that there are GAY drama queens?

[Chris]

The fact that Reese Rideout's selection as Man of the Year is a "controversy" is rather ludicrous. I certainly don't think experimenting a couple of times with the same sex makes one gay or bisexual; however, if someone willing engages again and again in same sex activity, then that person is at the very least very flexible with their sexual orientation. I believe Reese has been pretty open about the fact that he doesn't identify as 100% straight. In any event, what he does in his private life, off-camera, really shouldn't affect anyone watching his videos. If you are watching his videos, then your just jacking-off to him, you're not trying to start a deep and meaningful relationship (and if you think you are, then you need therapy). Of course, I do understand the concern about internalized homophobia by some members of the LGBT people (and sorry, the "B" and "T" are included in our community, so I don't understand any objections related to "lionizing" bisexual men). If a gay man feels that the mere fact that a man is straight makes him more attractive than a gay man or fetishes straight men (and I think Tre Xavier's comments about "TRUE straight" men seems to indicate a fetish), then they are clearly dealing with internalized homophobia. But, I think most gay men watching Reese simply think of him as being gay, or perhaps bi, and they don't really sit around either worrying or fantasizing that he is off having sex with women when he's not on camera. In the end, it's amazing to me that this much thought and concern is poured into what is just pornography. Maybe, people should channel their energies into more serious matters, like feeding the hungry, promoting peace in the U.S. and around the world, helping to find a cure for killer diseases, etc. There are so many things that seem more worthy of attention, then worrying about who Reese Rideout dates when he's not being "Reese" and his off-camera.

[Michael]

It's funny that he is marketed as a "gay for pay".... My friend just found out that her boyfriend was gay because he went home with him..... So, no more controversy, he's totally queer!

[Dylan]

"Reese" isn't straight, unless by straight you mean he is bisexual sexually but identifies as straight because he doesn't have gay sex as often as he has straight sex. Technical mumbo jumbo that in the end just means that Nick isn't straight. I don't think he has ever claimed to be.

[drigg1]

I personally don't like the fact that nine of the competitors for a Gay Magazine were straight. Yes he is very goodlooking. I also think there is a difference between lusting after a clothing model and lusting after a pornstar in a GAY Magazine. I also know that as a gay community we've had Straight Pornstars in the past that were icons in the Gay Community. I still, think there are plenty of Hot, Handsome, Gay men who love to be with men and don't have to look at a Playgirl to get ready for a scene.