Despite our tagline (a catchy slogan at best, a marketing gimmick at worst), Queerty does not have an agenda beyond “entertain and inform our readers.” That’s true for Queerty, and the three other sites under the Jossip Initiatives umbrella.
Most of our readers understand as much. That’s why they continue coming back. Michael Lucas, of porn company Lucas Entertainment, doesn’t understand our appeal or our mission, which is made evident by his column in this week’s New York Blade, where he goes on the attack against this site, myself, and Queerty’s editor Andrew Belonsky.
It was a welcome surprise.
Despite the numerous emails and marketing materials we regularly receive from Michael, his business associates, and his company – evidence of a courtship, it might seem, or at least hopes of a marketing relationship – Michael claims he doesn’t like this site.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
That we regularly discuss Michael on the blog is evidence of his mark on gay culture. As he’ll be the first to tell you (as he does with us, so I’m paraphrasing here), he started his business from the ground up, leveraged his porn career into a level of status among mainstream media, and speaks three languages. (Perhaps building my business from the ground up and leveraging my media rants into a level of status among mainstream media will forever be overshadowed by my only speaking 1.5 languages.)
Alas, his accomplishments deserve recognition.
They also make him a public figure.
And like Rosie, Lance, Reichen, and Ellen, gay public figures draw Queerty’s attention — our praise, and our criticism. If we disallow the mainstream media from poking fun at or criticizing members of our own – they’d receive a stern letter from any number of gay rights organizations – who should have that right but the gay community itself? And while Queerty does not, by any measure, attempt to speak for the entire gay community, we’re certainly a part of it, and command our say.
As someone whose career is wholly dependent on the belief that we should cherish the ability to say and express ourselves as we please – including through parody and satire – I would have thought Michael would be among the first to be in on the joke.
Instead, he has threatened, repeatedly, to sue us over our commentary. Given that nothing we’ve said about Michael constitutes libel or defamation of any sort, I’ve welcomed him to lodge a legal complaint and join the ranks of Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, and the notoriously litigious Steve Bing, who have all threatened to do so, only to recant their decisions soon after brushing up on their case law.
But this debate has little, if anything, to do with legal matters. This is an issue of a gay public figure displeased with his treatment by gay press (if you’ll allow us the term). According to Michael, “of late [Queerty has become] obsessed with me, in the way Bill O’Reilly is obsessed with Rosie O’Donnell.” Funny, because Michael has wasted equal amounts of breath on us. (And we’re pleased to have the attention.)
Simply because Queerty is a gay blog does not mean it will kowtow, defend, and laud every member of our own. Love her as much as the next person, Rosie pisses us off sometimes, too. And while Michael has contributed much to public visibility for gay men and women, he’s also provided plenty of fodder. If anyone, it should be a blog like Queerty that gets to have a laugh or two about it. Or at least weigh in.
Among our recent coverage of Michael:
• We covered the coming gossip-book about his business from Michael’s assistant Heather Fink.
• We plugged his first column in the Blade, where he calls on the gay community to grow a pair and start defending itself. (A position I agree with.)
• We covered his court win over the copyright infringement case to continue marketing his DVD La Dolce Vita. We welcomed his new column — which we also, yes, critiqued. In his column, Michael opined about gay people and their anti-semitism, arguing that disagreeing with pro-Israel policy and being pro-Jewish were mutually exclusive. Like Michael, I’m gay, and Jewish. So is Queerty’s editor, Andrew Belonsky. I’m pretty sure that gives this gay blog a modicum of authority to criticize Michael’s opinions on gays and Jews. It apparently gives Lucas the ability to criticize us.
• At the request of his publicist, Michael asked us to use a better photo of him. So we put it to a vote among readers.
• And, of course, there’s our meta coverage, where we blog about him blogging about his day that involved reading Queerty. I’m not sure how much closer to satire one can get.
Despite what you might think, talking about Michael isn’t all we do. Nor is sometimes taking a light-hearted approach to the news. Queerty also commemorates heroes of the Harlem Renaissance, profiles up-and-coming aritsts, delves into the histories of notable lesbians, introduces you to interesting and underground faces in the gay community, and explores the world of gay travel in supposedly un-gay-friendly places. And that was just The Wild Issue. Not that we’re on a high horse, but publishing photos of pretty people isn’t all we’re good at, and I’d hate for you to read Michael’s column and think as much.
While we’re at it, let’s clear up the supposed scandals Michael attempts to create. Regarding former editor Bradford Shellhammer’s request to have his name removed from our masthead, it’s true; his request came after we ran an item on his friend. His friend’s name? Michael Lucas. The request came one day in March; his name was removed from the site the following day. Bradford remains a friend.
And – who knew this was even an issue? – to clarify any matter regarding Queerty’s award as “Best Gay Blog.” The Annual Weblog Awards (known, in short, as The Bloggies) are voted on by the public. In 2006, voters chose Queerty as their pick for the best blog in the “gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered community.” It’s an award we accepted with great humility. It’s also an award we did not win in 2007; voters chose Perez Hilton‘s website.
And like Queerty, Perez Hilton was also named, by V magazine, as “toxic to the gay community.”
I’m not sure which badge we wear prouder. But we don’t foresake either superlative; they were bestowed upon us by folks who have, hopefully, taken the time to read Queerty and make an informed opinion. I hope you’ll do the same.
— David Hauslaib
Ryan
A thoughtful response, but not complete. I read Queerty because I find it both witty and informative. But neither of those qualities were found in the tasteless and poorly written coverage of Harley Walker’s murder.
BeeDee
Oh, please… who the hell do you think you’re kidding?
There’s nothing funny, or professional, or unbiased about a lot of the material you put out. The nasty, mean-spirited (always topped with the most hideous photo) way you handle O’Donnell… it’s the worst kind of self-destructive homophobia.
The way you consistently make salacious entertainment out of horrible tragedy befalling gays and lesbians and their friends & families is just criminal. Twisting horrible, undeserved murders into a Jerry Springer moment, implying the dead fag was secretly asking for it…
Get a grip! Some of your stuff is worse than the rags sold at the supermarket checkout. Why don’t you try losing some of the overtly hostile bitchiness and pretend you work for People magazine?
People come back because there aren’t many sources of gay NEWS, lifestyle, and fun.
The idea of the QUEERTY mix is good, but don’t pretend your execution, far too often, is anything but the lowest, meanest form of urinel-ism.
Charles
But that’s one out of how many posts on here-he’s fixating on one slip up to cover for the fact that he’s really going after them because he’s thin skinned and wants to control all coverage of him to make sure that it is positive.
And how powerful is he anyway? He just makes porn. There is no reason for you to defend yourself against him anyway-what is he going to do-run you out of the country? He obviously has issues of his own and he is taking them out on you.
nystudman
I give Michael Lucas points for coming to this country with nothing but the shirt on his back, making it in the Land of Opportunity, blahblahlbah. I give him demerits for being a monster of oversized ego.
Ryan
It’s funny that Lucas attacks Belonsky on his command of the English language – Lucas’s columns are barely readable and frequently incoherent at best.
A lot of Lucas’s attacks smacked of “gotchaism” to me. It would have been much better if he had just stuck to the content of the site that bothered him. There are improvements the site could make there, just like any site, but the fact that Lucas went all gotcha and then threw stones at a blog’s grammar when his NEWS PAPER COLUMN ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.
willam
if ignorance is bliss, lucas must be over the fucking moon
mc
My favorite line? “At towleroad.com, for instance, you can find Andy Towle’s tasteful take on the gay scene presented with a pleasing modern graphic”.
It makes him sound so pinky-in-the-air delicate.
Not that I’m a hater. I’d never even heard of the guy prior to reading about him on this site. But I’m very pro-cattiness, so I’m enjoying this series!
adamblast
You can’t figure out anything better for the left side of queery’s page than a newsfeed that hasn’t been updated in 3 weeks?
Michael
At times, Michael Lucas speaks with clarity and dare I say relevance.
His article has me roaring out loud with laughter….let’s see Queerty was relevant in 2005 (was that before you called him out, no pun intended, on his bloviated ego?!)
and Towleroad is “tasteful” is code word for he doesn’t give Michael Lucas “what fors” for his pomposity……and that is me being “tasteful” as compared to what I really should be saying.
I love Queerty….your site is smart, sexy, sassy and sensational…You report and break news way ahead of the main stream media and blogs and you are cutting edge and did I say ‘sexy, sassy and sensational!!!”……smooches for your great site….
tasteful bitch slaps for Michael Lucas…..get a life…..hasn’t he learned that there is no such thing as bad publicity..every time people write about him, it puts his fat headed ego in the news….geesh, he should be paying you for the number of articles you post on him……and instead of complaining..at least lend you a few of his Gay porno stars to enjoy….and to each of us too who have to endure his whinging and whins and bitching…..oh, well, I guess my comments aren’t tasteful….knowing him he would try to give us breeder boys who do Gay porn for play..or whatever…you know the cheap breeder knock offs……
he is sooooo the day before yesterday…..and then some!
Juancito Varon
First off; study English. Lucas noted your grammatical failings, and here you are writing “I’m not sure which badge we wear prouder.” Did you graduate high school? Then, the only thing greater than your talent for linguistic bloopers is your knack for obfuscation. Lucas had some very legitimate criticism regarding substantive matters on this site. You did not address any of that criticism. Nowhere do I see something to the effect of “I’ve given serious thought to the post heading Michael complained about, and decided we were in the wrong there. I apologize for that lack of sensitivity. In the future we will be more respectful of gay people who have been murdered, and the feelings of their surviving loved ones.” If you aren’t big enough to acknowledge horrible mistakes you’ve made, then I have no faith in your ability and intentions not to repeat such horrible mistakes in the future. You are a shallow excuse for a man. That isn’t a badge you should wear prouder, either.
christian_value
Michael Lucas needs to chill the fuck out. Is the hypocrisy of Lucas calling for “tasteful” and sanitized coverage of gay culture when he makes a living filming men (including himself) fucking for money really lost on him? Who is he to address issues of cultural decency? Not that I’m against porn. I think it’s god’s gift, and can be a very progressive and political form of resistance against a heteronormative society. But for someone like Lucas, who not only is a purveyor of what many conservatives who hate the gay community single out as an example of our depraved debauchery and lack of morals, to suggest that he in all his self absorption is above what Belonsky does is a joke. Maybe Belonsky does excercise dark humour, or even bad taste, but that is his right, and people who don’t like it can read Towler’s “tasteful” blog (HA!). The way to cultural liberation for our community is not by sanitizing our media enough so that heterosexuals can stomach it. Sometimes the town of Homoville is just as dirty and disgusting as Hetero City. If Belonksy taps into that from time to time, it only reflects the truths about our own fucked up culture. And what kind of progressive images of gays is Michael Lucas promoting, may I ask?
Matt
This site is anarchic, iconoclastic, and disrespectful of individuals, institutions, and events that demand respect and reverence: in short, it’s exactly what gay culture should be about. Sometimes that cuts too close to the bone, crosses lines, goes too far too soon–all that’s part of the wonderful, sloppy bundle. Keep up the good work. (And by the way, someone who makes his living by filming men fucking each other, however delicately lit and with pinkies extended throughout, really needs to reconsider the whole aesthetic condemnation thing.)
robert
yawn. to all of it. just…yawn.
Richard McLellan
I’ll only believe your side of the story as regards Bradford Shellhammer if you get him to make a post saying that it is 100% accurate.
Mohammed Irkuk
“As he’ll be the first to tell you (as he does with us”
What’s wrong with that phrasing?
Which would be the 1.5 languages that you claim to know?
English does not appear to be one of them.
Eric
My goodness, such a lot of silliness over some gay sex-film worker who thinks having shown the world his penis, coupled with his plastic surgery and orange skin, make him somehow worth critical applause because he’s mistaken tackiness and absurdity for irony and cultural cache.
Reading some of these hysterical responses I scarcely recognize the intelligent and necessarily humorous website that is Queerty. How such a website, that clearly states what it is, could damage the character of a guy who made his name, such as it is, by having sex on camera, is lost on me.
For the rest of us, here’s hoping that Queerty remains unapologetically what it is.
dbb
OMG, I’m laughing poor Mr. Lucas…The School yard bully doesn’t get his way so he goes running to mommy in this case it’s The Blade and he uses that to cry foul without telling the whole story..of what started it and why he’s ranting. Talk about DISHONESTY and then using that dishonesty to try and quite you right to free press and speech.. Almost sounds like…dare I say something Stalin would do in Soviet Russia. Not to mention all the other dictators and Facist through out history.
Mr. Lucas one day will just be another footnote in gay culture, where as what queety and many other blogs are doing, whether you agree with what they write or not, is changing the way the Media and we look at ourselfs community and Politics. No longer is it a few newspapers or a few rich men deciding how things will be reported (Politicaly correct or not) and what gets out to the public.
We’ve seen what happens to the bullies of history and before long they all expose themselves as such, to queerty keep it up and to Mr. Lucas yes even to you keep it up because the more you do the more people will see you for who and what you really are, just another school yard bully.
bryce
Who is Michael Lucas? I mean, I know who he is now, but why should I care?
Gregoire
I like Queerty and I like Michael Lucas. Both are outrageous in their own rights. I would abandon both if they ever got along. Keep up the vitriol, boys!
Damian Johnson
You really should give better-quality thought to how your political statements affect gay people in danger around the world.
You are not serious-minded enough to warrant a detailed explanation of that.
You should be ashamed that is the case.
Matt
Hmm..interesting all the folks who are Simply Shocked And Offended by Queerty’s lack of incisive, thought-provoking, multisyllabic sociopolitical analysis. If you don’t like this site, its irreverent and sometimes shallow point of view, perhaps not reading it would be a thing to think about. (And while we’re at it, does anyone actually think Lucas is attractive in any way that’s not dripping with irony or part of some generally fucked-up fetish? His success befuddles me: hence I don’t buy his Films.)
Tonio Scaglione
V magazine called you “toxic to the gay community.” Now, in the context of a defense against criticism for your having handled the murder of a gay man with obnoxious flippancy, you say you are PROUD (!!) of having been called “toxic to the gay community.” Do you not recognize what a repugnant character you are?
jim
I have never seen so many unpleasent comments on Queerty before. I can only guess that this fracas with Mr. Lucas is driving people loyal to him to come to this site and criticize.
How kind of you to allow them their venting. Mr. Lucas does not allow anything negative to be posted on his site. Much like our darling President, he doesnt’ accept anyone’s viewpoint except his own.
I love Queerty. I don’t love everything they write. I have this magic thing called a brain that lets me skip over what I don’t enjoy.
I enjoyed the “toxic” Perez Hilton for a time. Then it became too much. Now I don’t go to that site. Simple, no?
Reed Thompson
Your attacks on Michael Lucas are petty and shameless. He’s a self-made man who has strong opinions. Even as a porn star, he has commanded far more respect than you by commenting seriously on serious issues.
qjersey
Michael Lucas represents what is wrong with gay culture.
He is a pornographer, which is fine, but don’t tell me that somehow gives him a “voice” to speak for the community.
All he has done…is draw more readers to Queerty.
Here is an UN-PC saying that is SO appropriate:
“Arguing over the Internet, is like competing in the Special Olympics, even if you win, you are still retarded”
Angel Rodriguez
It’s funny how your reaction to the condemnatory piece in the Blade is ten times longer than your typical post. I can only assume that you are SHITTING YOUR PANTS! It’s also funny how your reaction does not make direct answer to any of the criticisms leveled against you in the Blade piece. If it had, people might have concluded that you were honorable.
adamblast
I’ve been extremely critical of queery here in comments, and I think the site has struggled to find its voice since Bradford left. It seems to pick friends and enemies arbitrarily; its unconscious/unspoken politics seem marginally more conservative. More importantly, when politics are touched on the arguments are drastically less compelling and logically formed.
I’m comfortable with the site having a snarkier tone than towleroad, but Andy’s certainly a better role model than Perez H; it’s a shame how often the content seems merely pissy and intantile.
All that said, I wish the site well and have by no means given up on it. Could I do better? Doubt it.
Juergen Kranz
I guess that the sponsorship of Queerty by the Undergear company doesn’t give you enough money to hire a proofreader. It’s OK, though. There’s no need for your site to look professional. Honestly, there isn’t. But I’d be interested to know if your combined IQs are out of the double-digit range. For example, can you tell me what’s wrong here: “Like so many conservatives, Jernigan that the bill threatens his free speech.”
Marvin Shapiro
Who among us doesn’t know any gay men so severely afflicted with internalized homophobia that they would literally remain choking to death on their sexual desires and identity than to ever come out? As happens, there is also such a thing as internalized anti-Semitism in people of Jewish background. Hauslaib and Belonsky are pretty obviously both suffering from it. It doesn’t only show in their negative positions on Israel, either. When has Queerty ever made a Jewish-positive post? Show me just one. Regarding Israel, when has Queerty ever made a post PRAISING Israel for something it did? Not reporting on something positive an Israeli did; PRAISING Israel for something it did. You have sure issued more than your shares of criticisms of the country. If there were a balance here, I could believe you were fair-minded. As there is an imbalance against Israel though, combined with a lack of Jewish-positive posts, I have to assume you have internalized anti-Semitisim.
Mark Mitchel, Esq
As proprietors of this site, you do have certain legal liabilities for libelous comments from readers that you allow to remain in your comments areas. Just wanted to warn you, in case anybody does decide to take you to court
rdr
I love queerty and the 5 people who read the new york blade probably do to. Queerty is funy, relevant, informative, and sarcastic-all great things. It’s not without it’s faults (like all media outlets) but many times I will read something on this site (regardless of it’s “tone”) that I will not have heard about anywhere else, which is a purpose in itself.
Methinks that someone is a little jealous-face about not getting a “column” in something that people actually read.
P.S. Doesn’t anyone know that “grammatical failings” are part of what makes a blog a blog? It’s fun, like a game. Unlike a sinking newspaper, without a copy editor, whose myriad grammatical and typographical errors only pinpoint a complete lack of interest in the product. What a waste of trees.
Trey Riley
If Oscar Wilde were alive today, I am sure he would have some fine bons mots for the inept writers at Queerty. Look at this genius stroke from one of your recent posts:
“As Virgin Galactic gears up for its first flight, Starck also struck a deal with Louis Vuitton to design a line of space age.â€
What part of drugged out space were you exploring when you put the period after the word age?
Jackson Richards
I think Queerty should show the world whether poster number 31, “rdr,†is correct about the readerships of The New York Blade and this site. The best indicator as far as I’m concerned would be advertisers. Who advertises on Queerty, and how much do they pay it per week, and what is The Blade’s weekly advertising revenue? Do you have the balls to gather that information and publish it here?
Leroy Phillips
Here are some philosophical questions for you. Which is hotter; Queerty, or a Lucas Entertainment film? Which shows more sophistication and refinement in its style; Queerty, or a Lucas Entertainment film?
adamblast
Queerty may be lots of things, but Israel-bashing? I’d have to plow through the archives to remember the last time it was even mentioned. If anyone seems warped/biased on that subject, if not obsessed, it would have to be Mr. Lucas himself.
Aloysius Verdooner
Is it true that David Hauslaib was involved with some dubious dealings involving Dutch business associates who might have influenced the content of some of his sites?
Gregoire
I think what’s more interesting about this ‘controversy’ has nothing to do with Queerty or Michael Lucas, but the cockroaches that have climbed out from under the floorboard to express their flummoxed disappointment with a site that has never been obscure about its style or intention.
Somedays I find this place too bitter for my tastes. On those days, I turn elsewhere. On those days I dont post comments demanding your worldview change because it’s gets me just so DURN ANGRY.
But for those days where your catty and bitchiness are rewarding and fun, I say, keep it going and ignore these up-tight fools.
Steven Sonderling
It is not true . .. as some people have commented here . . . that sloppy writing is inherent to blogging. There are first class blogs with exemplary grammar, and then there is the common rabble. In which group does Queerty place itself? Here from a recent post is a representative sentence, if it can be called one: “Meanwhile, while a lesbianic French Connection ad and a gay-tinged Dolce & Gabbana promotion also sparked some angry tirades.â€
Sam Grass
Why is this called a reBUTTal if to make it you forgot to take your head out of your ass?
rdr
Actually Jackson Richards (#33), the best way to see how many people read posts on queerty is to see how many times the website was accessed on any given day. This is information that is concrete and real.
The new york blade only has a number of how many issues they print,which is never an indicator of how many people (very few, probably) read what is between its pages and hence are exposed to its advertisers. (we all know how easy it is to read stuff online while at work…pulling out a newspaper, not so easy)
As far as “weekly advertising revenue”, one pub has been around for a WHILE and it’s numbers aren’t pretty. While another has been around for maybe 2.5 years and can claim (with certainty) a growing readership and with it an increase in $$$ as time goes on.
Jackson Richards
First off, rdr, number 40, my comment was directed at Queerty, not you, as an intelligent reading of it reveals. Secondly, The Blade also has an on-line presence, though you seem unaware of it. Thirdly, among cultured readers, writing for The Blade has more prestige than writing for Queerty. Fourthly, I persist in saying that comparative advertising revenues would be the best indicator of which organ enjoys greater and more justified recognition for its professionalism.
Dan Hoffman
Is it really true that Andrew Belonsky, when talking to Michael Lucas, was SPITTING SMELLY SALIVA at him?
dbb
“indicator of which organ enjoys greater and more justified recognition for its professionalism.”……….
OMG, i’m still laughing you guys are so funny…Until I read this I thought you all were so serious in your anger at Queerty..
I’m so proud of you….
George Bundy
Given that if Lucas were to advertise on Queerty, he’d be paying you, doesn’t it seem more like you’d court him than the other way around? Just asking.
mike
George Bundy – it sounds like lucas is trying to get Queerty to promote his gay porn dvds and the like, rather than queerty trying to get him to advertise with them.
Kenny Adams
Not only are the positive mentions of gay African-American men on this site as rare as a whole post without a grammar slip-up, you even went and said “some gay activists have some pretty twisted panties†when a gay commentator from elsewhere condemned anti-black bigotry. You are backwards, and sickening.
Concerned Reader
I really think Queerty could benefit by publishing an official ban to all Michael Lucas mentions. It would drive him crazy, and effectively make you the bigger person. On top of all else, we could all breathe a sigh of relief that someone is ignoring him.
e-man
I am beyond disgusted with Queerty and the majority of it’s commenters – whether it’s the same 3 people commenting under different names or whether it’s a host of people, who gives a flying fuck. The truth is, Queerty should be ashamed of themselves (especially for writing what they wrote about that gay man who was stabbed – you worthless pieces of illiterate shit!)
This “let’s-bash-Michael-Lucas” bandwagon is sickening. The man is truly brilliant, and at 35 looks better than most 22 year olds. He’s taken care of himself, his friends, has made a truly positive impact on the porn industry AND in the New York scene (as well as in the world) and always has something insightful to say. Yes, controversial he is, but that’s what makes the world a more colorful place, eh?
But this bandwagon, seriously, get over yourselves you aging, balding, fat, miserable, lonely, fucking queens. You WISH you could gain the level of success that man has. It truly is the American dream. I hope I could be half as successful as he at his age (and still look as good!) – and yet all you do it hate him on issues like how he looks, or tit-for-tat on something so minute.
I assure you, he’s laughing all the way to the bank, and enjoys his celebrity status very much. All this negativity towards him makes you look like jealous queens. Get over yourselves. Really.
nystudman
Whoa I thought everyone was ragging on Queerty because it exclusively shows only Brazilian & Israeli men as god-objects. So now it’s anti-Israel? Doesn’t compute.
Yeah, so Queerty sometimes has bad grammar. Big deal! It’s a website, not a slick magazine.
Finally, much as I hate to defend Lucas, yes, he’s a pornagrapher. But he’s been in the forefront of anti-crystal & anti-barebacking activism.
Jerry Wagner
Imagine that your mission statement says that by publishing Queerty you wanted to offer something more “tasteful†than the typical gay blog. Was the unacceptable language you used about the murder of Harley Walker an example of that tastefulness?
seya
to: e-man/#48, you think we should congratulate michael lucas on how good he looks for his age? THAT’S your criteria for determining whether he’s successful and that we should side with him. you’re actually hurting his argument.
Moishe Finklestein
In the past few weeks it came to international attention that Hamas was using a Mickey Mouse-like character to preach hatred against all Jews everywhere to Palestinian Arab children. You can easily enough find transcripts of the Hamas programs on the internet that include statements from Arab children saying that they would like to become martyrs and annihilate all Jews everywhere. This isn’t even to mention the plight of gays living among the Palestinian Arabs. But I would like to see David Hauslaib put his money where his mouth is, and sometime next week list ten things about his Jewish heritage that make him proud. He could, for example, cite the examples of ten other Jewish gay men. I think there’s enough room on these blog pages for him to do that. Why does he do so little to speak up for that other threatened minority of which he is a member?
pxlforge
I enjoy your site (generally). The irreverent humor is something I look forward to daily. BUT – not every news item is appropriate for irreverent headlines. I do have to agree that a bit more respect for the dead would be nice.
Hal Andrews
If you paid your writer twice as much, would you get somebody half as analphabetic? Also I’d like to know whether Andrew Belonsky feels he has risen to his highest level and is being accordingly rewarded, or if he has ambitions to improve himself and his lot any time soon.
david
What I have seen of your coverage of Michael Lucas has been superficial and nasty. If you call this “irony”, I suggest you check a reputable dictionary for the meaning of irony. I understand that Michael Lucas is mad about you. Anybody in his place would be. But that he takes you seriously enough to write about you, surprises me. Anyway, now that he has, and with facts and not just giggly inuendo, your reaction has been pathetic. It seems you can dish it out but you can’t take it. V magazine got it just right.
Michael Morris
Why does Queerty so rarely make posts about the cultural richness of New York City? You could read this site and think that no gay person performs at Lincoln Center or on Broadway, that no gay chef enjoys a position of great status, and that no literary gay writer lives here. Is it that Hauslaib and Belonsky lack the culture to demonstrate even the slightest interest in such activities?
donnyc
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Michael Lucas needs to get off his high horse. Who the hell does he think he is that no one can make fun of him? He decided to make himself a very public figure and guess what…people will talk about him. And no please, I don’t want to be on his comp because I have seen him walking on Chelsea and he looked gross, as a matter of fact he looked sleazy. BTW, he does not speak for the gay community, he can be a spokesperson for the gay porn industry but please, tell him not to fancy himself as a symbol of the gay community. EEK! GROSS!
Francois Delallande
It must be that because David Hauslaib is tall as a troll and has a flat if rather flabby, cellulite-ridden backside, he tries to show he is a really big ass in other ways.
el polacko
holy crap ! where did all these new commentors come from ?? have all these readers suddenly been compelled to comment because of their love for lucas ? i mean, so the fuck what if lucas doesn’t care for queerty or if queerty doesn’t care for lucas ? whatEVer. i own a couple of lucas’ flicks and i enjoy the heck out of reading queerty. i’d say ‘can’t we all just get along’ even though it’s not essential that we do .. but jeeze guys, take the vitriol down a few notches. this isn’t any big deal. if only this much passion could be mustered for something like the hate-cimes legislation or equal marriage rights !
.. oh, and who among us has not made a typo or grammar gaffe ? sheesh… lighten up already, y’all.
David Hauslaib, Queerty
For the record, and to answer No. 59’s question, the following comments were made by the same individual, under different aliases:
No. 10
No. 14
No. 15
No. 20
No. 22
No. 24
No. 26
No. 28
No. 29
No. 30
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No. 58
The common theme? Pro-Lucas, anti-Queerty vitriol.
And who is behind these comments? According to the matched IP addresses, it’s none other than Scott Rose, former Queerty writer and current Queerty critic, who has a habit of posting under different names. And while his comments are certainly welcome, I’d hate to see anyone conned into thinking there are more people who agree or disagree with your own feelings on this matter.
(And, more for the record, anyone call tell you: My ass ain’t small. If only.)
adamblast
>
Take a wild guess. Don’t most of the names sound like they were created by the same person? Remind you of any profession that requires making up new names all the time? Like porn, maybe?
adamblast
I see David beat me to the punch, and with a more accurate answer. (And my quoting of another responder’s question didn’t work either!)
Thanks David. It was clear they were the same person both in the writing style and the choice of imaginary names.
bradford Shellhammer
hi all. thought I’d just give you my thoughts.
http://www.bradfordshellhammer.com/blog/2007/05/queerty_michael_and_me.html
Scott Rose
There’s something I realize that David Hauslaib did not know about me, namely, that 20 years ago a gay cousin of mine was murdered in Ohio, the victim of an apparent hate crime.
It sticks in my memory that during the burial, my family was harrassed by anti-gay locals.
This past week, my boyfriend brought Queerty’s offending post to my attention. I initially refrained from making any response to it. People other than myself commented on the inappropriateness of the post.
What pushed me over the edge, though, was that when Mr. Hauslaib was more publicly reprimanded for this disgusting display of insensitivity, he did not acknowledge being in the wrong and express any remorse.
The post . . . and others in a similar vein that have appeared on this site . . . . is what it is, and are what they are, quite apart from the tragic history of my cousin.
It would even now not be too late for Mr. Hauslaib to show that he is a man and a decent human being, admit that what he published and left online was offensive, and commit to not publishing material insulting to murder victims and disrespectful of their survivors again.
I won’t, however, hold my breath.
24play
Ah, Mr. Rose, so good to be reminded that the vibrant tradition of douchebag Queerty contributors pre-dates Belonsky.
HL
Dear Queerty,
This is all nonsense, he is a pornographer not a fucking humanitarian. Sheesh. I love you. Stay sassy.
dons888
I have to agree with post # 66. After all this nonsense is past, I still love Queerty and will visit the site (and towleroad) often.
Mike
Funny, I stopped reading queerty a while ago because I found so much of what you write here toxic, self-destructive and really detrimental to our community as a whole. I ended up here today by unwittingly clicking a link a friend sent. I used to find this site funny, but it’s not as good as it used to be. (A change of writers?) And I see all the reasons I stopped reading this blog persist. This ridiculous infighting with Michael Lucas (as if anyone cared!) is just the kind of petty bullshit I try to avoid in my own life. Why would I want to read someone else’s jealous, vindictive rants about his own personal nemesis? Hang it up, boys. It’s not pretty.
kenneth
This is America and freedom of the press rules. If you do not like Queerty, do not read Queerty.
P.S. No one likes a sanctimonious porn star.
ralph
Why are people paying attention, good or bad, to a tacky porn director who mugs for the camera like zoolander? He’s repulsive. Stop writing about him for that reason alone. Stop paying attention to him.
The far more impressive porn director – who has gained even greater mainstream visibility and acclaim is Wash West, who’s film Quinceanera won the top prize at Sundance last year, as well as the GLAAD award for best limited release film. He also directed the documentary “Gay Republicans,” and the special “Totally Gay” for VH1.
Ben
I enjoy reading this site because it is one part of a greater discussion on lgbt-relevant topics, and I welcome your voice. Often, I feel you’re harsh, but I’m glad your speak your mind.
I only hope that those who disagree do the best thing they can, and offer their own coverage on there own site. A different product would offer competition to queerty, and everyone would have to do better to keep the page views up.
So, keep doing what you’re doing; all others, do something and not nothing.
John
Take it from someone who unequivocally supports Israel’s right to exist, Michael…you’re not helping when you try to silence criticism. One of the reasons why Israel is considered a democracy is because it allows dissent. And that capability for self-criticism is what differentiates Israel from, say, Saudi Arabia.
The Israeli press is extremely tough on public figures, attacking the competence and motivation of officials, clerics, military officers, and celebrities alike. As it should be.
Is the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz anti-semitic too?
Are you actually saying American citizens shouldn’t have that same rights as an Israeli?
Queerty has not done anything that they shouldn’t be able to do as a media site. That is, report the news and offer commentary. Moreover, I’ve not seen any editorial that even comes close to being anti-semitic. If some users choose to post hateful comments in the feedback section…those users are ultimately responsible for their words. However, to threaten a lawsuit or claim systematic discrimination over a few random jibes belittles actual victims of bigotry.
Chaq
I THOUGHT all those bitter commentaters had oddly pretentious names!
I love queerty and can honestly say that in the time I’ve been reading it I’ve never once been offended by a post. Maybe not interested or in disagreement, but jesus christ, some people are so uptight. I’m actually surprised that people get so worked up over the content of a blog!
Furthermore, as a guy living in Australia, I can say with all certainty that Michael Whatsisname hasn’t even registered a blip on our radar. So all those queens saying that he is a world figure or whatever need to get their heads checked. He’s just some egotistical, plastic porno barbie isn’t he? Get out of your New York headspace guys, the world is a big place and porno purveyors are, in the scheme of things, unimportant.
Anon
I love Queerity. Blogs aren’t meant to be squeeky clean in grammar, or in content either. This isn’t the New York Times. Oh, sometimes they make mistakes too. Remember that blogs are someone’s free-flowing thoughts. Albiet some blogs are very well written, but I enjoy the honesty of Queerity.
Michael does vastly contradict himself in his blog, and consistantly writes inaccurate information (just check the Blade’s website about his comment that Israel recognizes foreign same-sex marriges). He also makes tons of gramatical errors. The Blade will surely drop him at some point, he’s bound to write himself into a corner soon.
The point: Queerity, don’t waste your time on a nobody that is more concerned about being an object of attention than one of substance.
John
Anon, in fact Israel does recognize foreign same-sex marriages. It’s due to a Supreme Court ruling, which the government fought adamantly. Nevertheless, that is the law:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1167467842994&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
It’s a strange situation. Since all marriages performed in Israel are religious (no civil marriage) and no Israeli rabbi would solemnize a same-sex marriage…gay couples have to go to places like Canada to get married. And then come back to Israel and register that marriage license with the Interior Ministry.
This is a stupid hassle, of course. And there’s still plenty of social and religious discrimination against gays in Israel. One court ruling isn’t going to change that. However, when you consider how their Islamic neighbors treat gay people…it’s a no-brainer that Israel is still light-years ahead.
John
Oh yes, and I suppose Israeli gays can get married in South Africa as well (in addition to Canada). Those countries have no citizenship or residency requirements.
They can’t do it in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, or Massachusetts though. All those jurisdictions have such requirements. The other thorny legal question is whether foreign civil unions and domestic partnerships are recognized in Israel. The Supreme Court didn’t touch upon that issue.
DBB
Actually, the new gov of Mass. has recognized all out of state marraiges preformed since Mass. Start recognizing gay marraige. And I beleive but not sure that a bill has been passed to do away with this law.
Mr. B
I can’t stand Michael Lucas–or Perez Hilton, for that matter–but otherwise, I pretty much agree with everything Bradford Shellhammer said in his post. I do think the quality of writing at Queerty went drastically downhill really quickly. I know it’s a blog, and that the fact that I edit books for a living gets my back up about grammar more than the next person, but it’s not really the typos and style errors that turn me off the most.
I know that gay culture has historically focused on the sardonic. What was once exclusively known as an aspect of “camp” is now better known as “snark”. And I laugh at snark. I dole it out myself from time to time. But I do agree that within the past year, this site had often crossed the line from cleverly bitchy into tacky territory. There’s a difference between acerbic and tasteless. It doesn’t make one oversensitive or “politically correct” to be annoyed by occasional lapses into complete insensitivity.
That said, I don’t write the articles. That’s up to Andrew Belonsky and the other editorial staff at Queerty. And obviously, even though I frequently roll my eyes and see more ignorance and pettiness and waxed-white-boy-worshipping by the cult of gay body elitism than genuine insight, I continue to read this blog. And hey, I give Andrew and company props for at least posting the reBUTTals–it’s better than ignoring commenters altogether. And for the most part–though not always–when someone has commented on a story Queerty accidentally misrepresented, they’ve stepped up and attempted to correct it.
Lastly, for the Zionist who keeps ranting about how this blog is anti-Israel…queen, PLEASE. One can be proud to be an American and be opposed to the activity of the American government. Similarly, Jewish people can be critical of the state of Israel (and with good reason) without being anti-Semitic. Sorry, but one can support the idea of a free Palestine without hating Jews, just like one can oppose the Iraq war without being a terrorist.
Thanks for creating the comment option to allow readers–myself included–to speak our piece.
Heather Fink/Reznor
1- I’d like to say that there’s too many words both here and in the article for me to feel like reading them.
2- I love both Michael Lucas and Queerty. (Sorry Michael, you know I never liked feuds! Plus Queerty is entertaining.)
3- It’s not a gossip book, it’s an adventure tale about my magical journey into cocktopia.
4- The last thing in print about Michael and I wasn’t very nice, and we have made up since then. He’s a really complicated person and he’s so fierce about his opinions. But that’s what makes him so special. When we weren’t talking for a bit I was really very sad about it. He’s an extremely complicated person and his greatest virtue is that he’s so unique. Michael has a lot to say and so much passion behind his words. I hope that no matter what you read or see about him, that you can appreciate the fact that he’s a breath of fresh air, and a true entertainer in every sense of the word. I know he can seem like an asshole sometimes, but he’s absolutely not all of the bad things that people say about him. All the time anyway.
Ok. That’s all. Back to work … which I might add is much more corporate and respectable by mothers and those sorts of people, but far less fun and interesting. Sigh. I miss cocktopia.
Clancy
You guys even made status on The Bitchless Blog…
its not very flattering, and the comments come across like a self-absorbed teenager wanting to be involved in the big boys fight…
but hey any attention is good attention!
You guys rock!
Willo
Frankly, I love your bitchy wit. You make large with the funny. Thanks.
And please, Lucas has made himself an object for comment, and easy derision.