Devon Hunter

My entire life there has never been any question whatsoever from anyone I’ve ever met as to my sexuality. Suddenly that has changed.

In February, 2008 I was dancing at WareHouse 250 in Florence, SC and no one would talk to me, make eye contact, or approach me. When I asked then-owner Jeffrey Brown what was happening he said, “They think you’re straight, and they’re scared to touch you.” The DJ then made an announcement to the entire bar that I’m gay. I was flabbergasted. I had never had that happen to me before.

With increasing frequency, however, I am finding that as I gain size from working out, I am asked more and more often whether or not I’m gay. In the last week, in fact, I’ve had multiple people ask me what my girlfriend thought of my being a dancer in gay clubs. Incredible!!

Whereas many gay men are “straight acting,” a practice I loathe for socio-political reasons, and many others would be flattered to be mistaken for heterosexual, I am completely at a loss and very offended. Being gay is one of the central points of my identity. Suddenly who I am is cloudy??? Because I started lifting heavy objects??? REALLY?

Perhaps most people will think this a pointless rant, but I would like to say unequivocally that I am not flattered when someone asks me if I’m gay (or assumes that I’m straight… no bi… no…), I tell them that I am gay, and then they ask “Are you sure you’re gay?”

You must be done lost yo’ mind!