Fabulis: A Rather Retrograde Thing Happens To Gaydom
So there's been this new gay site, which just launched its official beta today, that got a very minor pantsload of startup funding (both private money and from the Washington Post Company) and they are starting up whatever it is that they will do. This could be fascinating! Their idea? "fabulis connects gay men with amazing experiences down the block and around the world." (But wait, there's already Manhunt, you're exclaiming. Hush, class clown.) First I am positively disposed to any gays trying stuff on the Internet! So I have been suspending judgment for a while now. Second, I have acquaintances involved in it, and also I like to be supportive of other startups. Still, I cannot ignore some serious warning signs.
1. From their blog: "team fabulis are big believers in GLAAD's mission and we encourage all our fans to learn more about the organization." This is a huge whatever.
2. This video. (Which is actually funny too, as well?)
3. And now, this is what is pushing me away: they're listing and rating gay dudes. Because, you know, gay dudes aren't insanely competitive with and hostile to each other already? To their credit, staff members take up slots #1 and #3 on their list of greatest gays ever.
I guess my jury isn't really still out? For now, I'm thinking: peace out, gays! Best of luck. I'm off to go find a lesbian separatist ashtanga commune that isn't interested in reproducing tired social structures and supporting sad, bloated, useless gay fundraising organizations.
Haaaated it!
Hey, what got your Aqua Undies in a bunch?
Lime Neon & Chinos w/ suspenders.
Fabulith.
Do I need a new place to find the same idiots I'd seen on Manhunt, Gay.com, Grindr, DList, and OKCupid? BRRRRRNT. I am quitting the Internet!
I meet all my dates in the comments at the Awl. Btw just unlocked X pics for you.
Ditto, Choire…
I just hate them on principle for the "cool" misspelling. Does that make me a New Old New Old New Gay?
Oh, but the boys in the picture could TOTALLY get it. Nerdy threesome, please!
OH MY GOD TAKE ME TO THE COMMUNE WITH YOU.
Burlington's a nice town. A bit cold.
Oh no you didn't.
Strike it from the record.
The question is: Why are overtly homosexualist online Internet Web sites so repulsive as a category?
You take that back! There is nothing repulsive about the Awl!
While I personally think its design sucks (unless you're actually talking about design), I think Towleroad is quite unrepulsive. And, as Apparatchik already pointed out, there's always our friend Rod's new site!
@joeclark: Self-loathing?
@vulpes: If you're going to pimp us, as least provide a link.
I loathe everyone but myself (â„¢ Wilde).
The problem is it's impossible to float parts of the internet, like this one, into the ocean and sink them, which will hopefully become possible one day with, for example, Florida.
Because this website is Ft Lauderdale, or something.
Team FYF.
Hug.
Now go rate me on fabulis.
Choire is #8? Fuck. That.
AAAAAAAgh. They just raped my Facebook profile!
http://fabulis.com/rod-townsend
I wondered when you'd pop into the conversation, Rod!
Oh, and what's Duane's ranking?
I tried to nominate him, but it didn't work?
The incessant propogation of this hyper-sexualized weirdoness integrated with lgbt sites really freaks me out. I'd prefer my online news and my getting laid separate, thanks.
Happily, Autostraddle is a ray of progressive queer hope in a sea of HotorNot throwback regression. It's pretty much a snarky lesbian (not-so) separatist commune. But I practice Power Vinyasa and not Ashtanga, so I can't speak to that. Definitely worth checking out.
I like the Awl and Americablog. A healthy interest in the gay coupled with an even healthier interest in everything else – this seems to be the key. Also, tamping down on the audience's tendency to self-market actually makes them more appealing. I like all the commenters I recognize here! I do not think I would like them as much if we had a "pics of you in your underwear" thread. (At least, not in a 'be less stupid' way.)
If only there were a MSM site for grumpy dudes who like to hug each other.
define 'hug'
The Internet makes everything so _efficient_, even our aggressive and incessant ranking of one another.
Wonderful, yet another thing for Michael Lucas to obsess about. When I interned at Lucas Entertainment he made me search a press release for the Out 100 list that year that had a graphic with the "honorees" listed in increasing smaller print for his name. It was like being forced to read the world's gayest eye chart. I'm fabulis-ly nearsighted.
The problem with Fabulis is that it's about the personalities behind it. If they want to be the next big thing, they need to have their product speak volumes, whilst they remain silent. I still don't get how this isn't another gay geocities circa 1999. Or the biggest facebook app ever.
Isn't Julian dead? Apparently that does not make him any less fabulous. Yes, damn it, fabulous not fabulis.
Not a single ass shot, shirtless 6-pack or hot twink kissing montage in sight? How's a straight gal supposed to jump on this bandwagon?? FYI: You need us! Also Queerty – I hear they're looking for a buyer.