Fashion forward Jeffrey Kalinsky does not appreciate journo Brandon Voss’ P.O.V.
Kalinsky, who owns the Jeffrey retail chain, sat down with Voss to discuss “Fashion Cares,” an annual fund raiser benefiting GMHC, Lambda Legal and the Hetrick-Martin Institute, which Voss describes as “one of the hottest parties of the year.” Jeffrey’s not amused, and quickly corrects Mr. Voss, “I don’t see it that way, I guess… It’s a charity event trying to raise money for some really great causes.” Me-ow!
Things get even stickier when Voss veers off topic to wonder whether Jeffrey’s customers are largely lavender, but Kalinsky refuses to engage: “I don’t approach life like that.” Bless foolish Voss, for he kept going back for me more, describing Kalinsky as “politically correct,” which garnered this tart, surprisingly philosophical retort: “No, I’m just being honest with you. Just because I’m gay, I can’t make my answers gay if they’re not gay.”
-M-
Why is this apparantly so difficult to understand and seemingly so controversial?
Just because I am gay, does not mean I have to act in a specific manner, associate with specific people, work in specific fields, harbour specific feelings, vote a specific way, or dress a specific way (amongst a number of other things).
Being gay (to me personally, of course) does not define me as a person, who I essentially am and want to be, but very simply informs about my sexual orientation: as a man, I like men! That’s it!
abracadaver
Bravo, Mr. Kalinsky. Please continue (along with those of us of like mind) to resist the “one size fits all” mentality of the gay community. Reject the claims that if you’re not a radical revolutionary complete with Angela Davis hairstyle, you’re “hopelessly suburban” or “clutching at the pearls” or (gasp)”politically correct”…or whatever other garbage label the knee-jerk reactionaries like to put on who don’t follow lock-step with their agenda.
Paul Raposo
Mr. Kalinsky knows that the vast majority of his customers are het males and females and he is not about to “be” gay, out of fear of loosing his bread and butter. So yes, Mr. Voss was correct, Mr. Kalinsky’s answer is politically correct.
As a side note, I’ve been to Jeffrey New York and it was like walking into the boys department of a JC Penny.
chandler in lasvegas
By reading these comments, it is so refreshing to see so many Log Cabinetts post. That Line about not defining yourselves should be set to music and made into YOUR anthem as we choose to describe YOU.
-M-
Well I’m sorry if I don’t buy into that whole “just add water” idea of the universal “instant gay” indistinguishable in form and function from other “gays.”
Just as other social, ethnic and cultural minorities are monotonous and lacking in diversity, right?
abracadaver
I think its hilarious that if you have any opinion, belief or value that doesn’t fit with the “just add water” crowd, its automatically assumed that you’re a Republican.
I think I’ll start assuming that all such LGBT’s are fetus-murderering Democrats.
leomoore
Oh Chandler, Log Cabinett? What a narrow-minded view you seem to have. The whole concept of the rainbow flag is that we appear all over the spectrum. I am ferociously anti-Republican in my politics although not necessarily an adamant Democrat, but I am also one of those who finds it irritating that when a gay person is interviewed it is assumed he or she must frame every response in gay language. Most of the time, a fruit is just a fruit and isn’t queer at all. I am always gay, but most everything I do and everything I say has nothing to do with my sexual orientation.
hells kitchen guy
If he knew the interview was for the Advocate, didn’t he expect “gay” questions? If he were being interviewed for Car & Driver, would he keep saying he doesn’t want to talk about his car?
hisurfer
The questions weren’t even that ‘gay!’ This guy sounds like a putz; there is almost nothing in that interview that didn’t sound like a sound bite.
But then again I could never afford to attend the high-end benefits, and I have a bit of a bias against society-types who flit from occasion to occasion all in the name of helpin’ the poor downtrodden masses. Don’t know if this guy is one of them or not … but he sure comes across that way in this interview.
abracadaver
God forbid someone should help the poor. God forbid someone should raise themselves up out of poverty by sheer will and volition, yet not forget where they came from.
Go flit to the nearest bar or bathhouse and leave the politicking to the adults.
hisurfer
Huhn what? I am involved in politics, kid.
abracadaver
Good retort. Did they teach you that one at an Old Grumpy Socialists of America meeting?
dr
Voss does nothing more than embarass himself and to tote the title of journalist is a joke. The article was supposed to about the charities and th incredible amount of money Jeffrey has raised to benefit the GLBT community – several millions. How much money or work has Voss done for the community. He just makes himself look liek the campy and insecure person his words reflect him to be. He has never even been in the store so how would he know if the clientele is gay and how friendly the staff is or isn’t. “Journalists” are supposed to research their topics?!
Brandon Voss
DR,
How do you know what they article was supposed to be about? Unless you’re the editor who assigned me the story, you don’t – and you’re wrong. The event was a jumping-off point. When a celeb is promoting a movie, are the interviews that the actor gives ever solely about the film? How exciting and fun to read that would be! I covered the basics about the event and the charities. Check. There’s only so much you can say about it – and even JK didn’t know what was being auctioned… So I thought we’d talk about some gay topics. And unless you’ve got a homing device on me, how the hell would you know whether or not I’ve been in the store? I have been in the store, but didn’t pretend to know whether or not the staff is friendly or whether or not it welcomed a large gay clientele – that’s why I ASKED THE QUESTIONS: to find out. OK, with the exception of the Tibetan maid question (so sue me) I don’t think any of my questions were inappropriate or even particularly campy. But I’m sorry if you think I embarassed myself, Dad. I’d love to discuss this further if you like – and would love to hear about what other stores I do and don’t frequent, and what my other interviews were “supposed to be about.” Write me at [email protected].
Josie
Great comment, Brandon! You make reading interviews fun, and I think these other people don’t understand the context of what your questioning is about. OMG you have made it: You’ve got haters!!
xoxo
J
Meeg
A flame war, awesome!
You should have said “i write my articles like i live my life! over the top! no excuses, no regrets… (ok i’ll stop now)”