Gay San Francisco-based astrologer Barry Perlman (aka Astrobarry) has been a personal favorite of the editor for years now. His weekly horoscopes are tops and his astrology articles taught us things we never even thought we would want to know. He took a few minutes to sit down with us and talk about everything from what the gays really want to his own personal astrological magnetism.

1. Which did you realize first: that you are gay or that you wanted to be an astrologer?

I realized the gay thing first. Being an astrologer sort of snuck up on me. I'm still surprised it's what I do. I didn't grow up with exposure to such belief. I just stumbled there on my own, and liked what I found. It's funny the directions life takes, if you’re open to crazy plot twists.

2. What is the number one reason that gay men should have a birth chart reading?

To learn more about yourself, and to gain more perspective on what’s going on in your life now. Your chart maps where the planets were at the time and place of your birth. This gives a good overview of potentials in the personality. Then, by tracking the planets as they continue to move, we can see the luckier opportunities and trickier challenges as they arise in different areas of your life. That way, you’re better informed—and can make
more conscious, well-timed choices.

3. Is life in San Francisco good for a gay astrologer?

Life in San Francisco is good for a gay anything. I love SF to pieces. It's so quirky, gorgeous to look at, great food and culture, and people tend to be pretty laid-back. We SFers are quite content inside our liberal, fog-filled bubble.

4. You recently went to Tokyo for a couple weeks. Is astrology a big thing there?

Yes, definitely. I saw lots of cute cartoon zodiac characters in Japanese magazines and on the public video-screens. But it drove me crazy that I couldn’t understand any of what they were saying.

After the jump, hear what Barry has to say about cosmic love matches, and also a few words for you skeptics.

5. Has astrology and the concept of the "cosmic love match" made you ultra-picky about men?

Astrology certainly helps me understand my own relationship behavior, and what I'm looking for in men. It explains why, for instance, all my serious boyfriends have been Capricorns. And when I was single, my hookups often seemed to be with Leos. (Yes, I usually ask that cheesy question: “What’s your sign?”). My current partner is a Cap with a Leo moon, which is a good mix of qualities I’m drawn to.

6. Do you have a lot of gay clients? What is the most common question you hear from them?

My client base is pretty diverse—straight, gay, men, women. And almost everyone wants to hear about the same two things. Relationships and work. Love and money.

7. Have the stars already revealed to you which celebrities are in the closet? If so, please dish.

Astrology doesn’t tell me who's in the closet. My intuition, on the other hand, is a different story. What is “gaydar” anyway, if not some sex-charged form of intuition?

8. Do you ever read blogs? If so, which ones?

Of course I read blogs. How else does a writer waste his time these days? I love my Aussie astro-homegirl Mystic Medusa’s site. I really like the way Melissa (from Real World New Orleans) writes on
PrincessMelissa.com. And all the usual gay suspects—Vividblurry, those porn star boys from NYC (nakedcityboys and notthatboy), Dan Renzi. Plus, lots of mp3 blogs, news, and tons of celeb gossip crap.

9. Finally, what do you say to all the skeptical gays who think astrology is bunk? This is your chance to change their minds.

Skepticism is a healthy thing. I wouldn’t want to convince people to change their minds. It's a personal decision to believe in something or not. Astrology undeniably requires a leap of faith, or at least an open enough mind to consider other such possibilities. But before you can fairly conclude that astrology is bunk, you’ve got to give it a try for yourself—real astrology, not just your sun-sign horoscope.

Whether or not you live in the Bay Area and you want to give it a try, Astrobarry does astrology consultations in person and from afar. We can personally say he is excellent and managed to put our whole life into perspective in the course of an hour.

Astrobarry [Official Site]