Speaking Of Gay Culture Moving Online...
Last week, I wrote about an article that appeared in Out Magazine taking a look at the impact that online gay dating and hooking-up sites have had on gay culture. More specifically, the article looked at Manhunt.net, possibly the world's gayest hook-up/casual "encounters" site. For those that haven't yet ventured into the depths of Manhunt (probably NSFW), who's tag line is "Log In, Get Off"… well, I suppose that speaks well enough for itself!
It may seem odd to think that the founder of Manhunt, Jonathan Crutchley, is a politically active and motivated person. Someone that has spent many years of his life trying to get gay men laid just doesn't strike me as the same person that would vote, much less donate the maximum amount allowable by an individual to a U.S. Presidential candidate. But that's just what he did. Donated $2300 to John McCain.
Wait… what? Was that suppose to be McCain? Crutchley didn't accidentally put the wrong address on the envelope? No… no, he really did donate to the Republican presumptive candidate. And McCain happily accepted money from a man that amounts to an online, hands-off pimp. Good game, McCain, good game.
To be honest, I'm not sure which of these people to be most confused about. On the one hand, McCain confuses me completely. Since 2000 or 2001, I've just not been able to understand the guy. But then Jonathan "Get Off" Crutchley comes along and starts the "I'm a walking conundrum" dance, and my head starts to hurt.
Minor update: Changed the pic because this one is just too good.
Jesse James
Posted to In the News on 14 August 2008
· Comments (8)
Other stuff like this: donation, John McCain, manhunt, Politics
3D iPhone glasses. Why?
A friend of mine approves pictures for Manhunt. Apparently he's either puking or jerking off all day long.
So do we:
A) Publicize the fact that McCain is accepting donations from a man who helps the homos hook up
B) Boycott Manhunt
C) Find out how to get a job reviewing all the Manhunt photos
D) All of the above
Maybe, just maybe this is a clever ploy on the part of Crutchley to give the Right Wing even more reason to split over McCain.
Or, maybe, he's just a self-serving business guy who perceives the Republicans as more "business centered," and doesn't care about the social consequences, so long as he can continue to make a buck. I have no way of knowing.
But boycott Manhunt? No problem for me; I'm legally married to another man (go California!), but would the community really do something like that? Probably not. Unfortunately. I think the Gay Community has lost its political edge.
There's a follow up article on Towleroad concerning this. Basically, someone canceled their membership and wrote to Manhunt stating they were canceling due to Crutchley donating to McCain.
They responded with a generic "Crutchley donated as an individual, Manhunt did not donate to McCain."
Whatev, that's like saying "I gave my body to the Devil, just not my soul." Same difference.
And grats @SFDex! You have pics from the wedding up anywhere, or did y'all do a ceremony?
Just noticed the "Ads by Google" McCain 2008 ad on this page... it never ends! The irony is crippling.
@Jeffery Morgan Yeah, I saw that earlier today too!
New headline: McCain is really the mostest gay supporter evar!
@Jeffrey Morgan:
D. All of the above. Though I may call in sick for C.
@SFDex:
Legally married here too! (Yay Massachusetts!)
@everyone:
You vote with your dollar these days. If the founder of Manhunt is donating to McCain, he's a greedy, self-loathing bastard. Though not entirely self-defeating: the more ostracized we are, the more we'll need places like Manhunt to meet.
Frak Manhunt. There are plenty of other places to hook up. (Craigslist, anyone?) Just like I said frak Bear411, because that owner's a prick too.
The best things to do are to delete profiles, cancel memberships, and refuse to do business with a homophobic corporation like McCainhunt.