Esquire has an interesting theory about the success of Twilight, HBO’s True Blood, and The CW’s Vampire Diaries: “Vampires have overwhelmed pop culture because young straight women want to have sex with gay men,” Stephen Marche writes. “Not all young straight women, of course, but many, if not most, of them.” Among his support statements, the following analysis of Twilight’s Edward: “[He's] a sweet, screwed-up high school kid, and at the beginning of his relationship with Bella, she is attracted to him because he is strange, beautiful, and seemingly repulsed by her. This exact scenario happened several times in my high school between straight girls and gay guys who either hadn’t figured out they were gay or were still in the closet.” Had Marche wanted to, he also could’ve pointed out that on True Blood, telepathic Sookie can only be intimate with a man (Vampire Bill) whose lustful thoughts she cannot hear, and on Vampire Diaries, Elena knows that Stefan has been hiding who he truly is, that he’d sworn off women for quite a while, and that he cooks and journals. (Marche could also have mentioned that True Blood’s Eric gets his hair highlighted and enjoys solo candlelight baths, for that matter.)
When I first read the essay, I wanted to flat-out shoot it down. But then I remembered that I’m someone who’s said “I’d like a man who’s just to the left of gay” and “I know I’m really into a guy when I fantasize about watching Golden Girls with him.” (It’s a turn on to watch him appreciate vocal, funny women and their friends.) So maybe I can’t call total bulls—. What do you think? Are, as Marche suggests, young straight women attracted to vampires because they’re dangerous — see: their ability to kill through draining or incredible sex — yet safe? They are, after all, at first unattainable and then ultimately fictional; we can mute their desires (Bill) or hinder their powers of seduction with an herb (Vampire Diaries‘ Damon) or code of conduct (Eric). Does the fact that we constrain them — and have a preference for sensitive souls (Edward, Stefan, Bill) or bad boys with a heart that only one woman can touch (Damon and Eric) — turn them metaphorically gay?
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LOL, I’m not a fan of vampires, but still, I think this article is ridiculous.
Ditto. Could care less about the vampire craze, but I think the much more obvious theory is the one that’s been put forth before, about women liking the idea of someone who is dangerous, but at the same time safe (i.e. Edward won’t sleep with Bella because he loves her too much, or whatever). This sounds to me more like another phenomenon; the tendency of guys to ridicule any man (or group of men) liked too much by women as “gay,” for reasons that are probably rooted in their own psycho-sexual dissertation topic.
amen to that daisyj! i don’t think there’s anything gay about a guy who can have any woman he wants. lol
Hmmm, I have always said that I wanted to marry a gay man…and who doesn’t love vampires?
I want to scream “Bullshit” but I just can’t. I mean, I am in love with more gay celebs than straight ones now (Neil Patrick Harris, Adam Lambert) so who knows? Maybe girls do dig gay guys.
Hmmm.. i wanna say that too, but some guy gays are just awesome.
weird…
And i’m 100% straight female.
Are you kidding me with this? This is ridiculous even for EW.
It’s from an Esquire’s writer actually but still, this is crap.
He’s just jealous, maybe he is gay or can’t get a date with a girl that is why he has to write about the hot vampires getting all the girls.
What utter nonsense. Just trying to push the gay agenda…..
Yes, we have an agenda. You are the smartest!! You are on to us!!
do you have a copy of the gay agenda? i was wonder what was up next. if anything that is utter nonsense here, it’s your comment.
whoops, i forgot to proof read. i guess i was too concerned with pushing my gay agenda.
Do you have the minutes for last week’s gay agenda meeting? I was getting waxed at the time (literally…not metaphorically…although, that would’ve been nice too).
Does the gay agenda come with a synopsis or brief for easy reading?
Will we be discussing the agenda at next weeks meeting? I’ll bake cookies!
Our secret devious plan is to have the same legal rights you do. Scary, huh?
Ah, yes, the gay agenda – to take over the world and make it fabulous!! Watch out Kelly, they might try to give you a makeover!
Oh yes. The “gays” really want young women to want to have sex with them. exactly correct.
Oh corse, because, thats what gay means…
*stifles laughter*
Mandi I have to agree with your assessment. When I read the blog title I was saying to myself, “oh come ON” but then, as I read through, it became more plausible with every line.
I know a couple of ladies who go for gay guys. Doesn’t mean it is what ALWAYS happens, but I can tell you it does happen.
I’ve been saying this for YEARS. Not in connection with vampires, but the fact that many straight women LOVE gay men and HATE straight men and what does that have to say about straight men. Think a little deeper and you will see the point. Also, everything gay men did 10 years ago, straight men do now….where do you think the whole idea of “metrosexual” came from….I think this is an interesting idea and should be delved into a little deeper.
This article makes a interesting point!
Wha…huh??? Is this for real? Wow. The things people come up with…
I think the idea of a vampire is attractive not because of their effeminate qualities but because of their masculine qualities. They’re in control, they kill to live, they’re dark and dangerous. I think “Twilight” popularity can be blamed on women wanting to have sex with gay men, but actual legit vampire shows and books don’t emphasize that.
It’s probably not far off the mark, except, why did they limit it to young women? I feel so left out.
Mel, I totally agree with you!
I’ve been a vampire fan almost from the day I was born, my mother is, too. I don’t think that insinuates that we want to have sex with gay men.
Vampires, male or female, are mysterious and dark and bad, something most of us are attracted to in some way or other, gay or straight.
I think the Esquire writer is just trying to make some men feel better about their women being into the current vampire craze.
Well I think girls want vampires because they are so different from the typical guy they encounter. They are dark and mysterious. Looks don’t always come into the idea since I don’t believe Bill (True Blood), Edward (Twilight) and Stefan (Vampire Diaries) are that sexy. I love them with their respective true mates. And the chemistry is fantastic. But sexy, not really. Althoug Stefan is getting there for me. But, really it’s because they are usually dark and mysterious. That is why woman want them so much. Given what they typically see in their home town, vampires offer something unique to the table.
I agree with the “dark & mysterious” factor as well, and add that the idea of “being pursued” by a vampire, of being seduced or “overcome” by a vampire may add to the whole attraction. Gayness never entered into MY mind, it’s more a seductive “gotta have you” thing coupled with the danger factor, like playing with fire. Girls have gone for bad boys for centuries after all.
And when men in a relationship find out their woman is attracted to TV character or celebrity, isn’t it just typical for them to say, “Oh, he’s gay!” I get that all the time! The only one my husband doesn’t say that about is Brad Pitt.
As a straight women, I have never ever wanted to have sex with a gay man whether he’s real or imaginary-a vampire. The vampire appeal for me and probably for alot of woman is that vampires are the ultimate perfect men, the good vampires that is. Take one character for instance-Edward Cullen, his entire existence revolves around keeping Bella safe and happy at all cost. What straight women wouldn’t be drawn or attracted to a man like that even if he is imaginary. My attraction to a male vampire does not lessen my appeal for a straight man or heighten my appeal for gay men, so Marche please give your insecurities a rest.
I agree the vampire men (since they are a lot older then normal) actually act like men and not like the men and even young men out there, now they have no manners they don’t hold door or anything like that. So yes I can see why women would want that, they will take care of you an act like a gentlemen. There are not many gentlemen left and forget about how the kids are being raised now, they don’t even know what gentlemen means.
Totally agree. The male vampires in books and movies come from a different time when men treated women different, when men acted like gentlemen. Plus, these guys have been around and are definately going to have the maturity factor going for them–something definately lacking in most men you’re around these days. I am a HUGE vampire fan and have been for years and I’ve never made any kind of connection of vampires being the supernatural world’s version of the gay man. Nope, I just think women like the mysterious and the intriguing. Esquire, stop over thinking it.
You’re probably just hanging around the wrong type of men
I think this theory is spot on! And also works to explains the appeal of Adam Lambert to women
OMG That is too funny!!!
That and we want his clothes.
I’m not personally a huge vampire fan but my wife is and the only vampire stories I enjoy nowadays is True Blood. The others are completely ridiculous. Shiny skin in the sunlight? A ring that lets me go in the sun but I still get to keep all my other vampire powers? Come on!!! It’s an interesting theory though to say the least. Also left out was that until recently vampires were traditionally considered celebate (sp?). Only using their seductive powers for sustenance.
Funnily enough… it kinda make sense.
Has the print edition of EW become as ridiculous as the website? I’ve lost touch with both because of articles like this.
I just want to point out in defense of Mandi that the original article was written in Esquire and Mandi is just putting it out there for discussion.
C.J. – the original article is in Esquire, which she says at the beginning. Notice this blog post is COMMENTING on the article.
I don’t think this has anything to do with gay men specifically. I think it reflects that women want men who are unavailable. Gay, straight, vampire – women want the chase and the chance to tame a guy who acts like he’s not interested. It also explains why “He’s just not that into you” took women by surprise.
I actually think you make a good point. I wouldn’t say “he’s just not that into you” took me by surprise. But I do know a lot of women, myself included, that love to go after the unattainable guy.
I wanted to shoot this article down also, but I found it much easier. Mandi and the guy from Esq. could be right, but how would they know? Most or even just many women? It’s one thing if somebody who works in Our Stupid Entertainment media says something about themselves based on their own observations, but the morons who wrote this (as typical in OSEM) think everybody feels that way. After reading this, I have to ask – is there anybody you won’t have sex with?
As a young straight woman, I call BS.
I think there’s a much simpler explanation. People want what they can’t have. Gay or straight, that’s been a rule of thumb for millenia. Throwing sexual preference into the mix is just a way for the author of the article to be controversial and get people talking. I think the idea is ridiculous.
Honestly, I find this somewhat offensive – who says only gay men are “sensitive?” It just plays into the worst stereotypes. Seriously? It’s because they’re dark, mysterious, and unattainable that women find them so intriguing. Why do men find models so hot? Unattainable!
I wonder what the popularity of Zombies says?
hahahahaha
Well, who doesn’t go for a big lunk who’s only after one thing! Oooh, he’s so driven! And when it comes to slow dancing… drrrrty!
I don’t agree. It sounds like the author is just looking for an angle that will stir things up AND appeal to his primarily male audience. There must be *some* reason why all these girls/women are turned on by vamps, right? I’ve been a fan of vampire stories since I was a teenager (um… that was a little while ago) and I can honestly say that I have no desire to have sex with gay men. While I can’t speak for all females, what has always turned me on about vamps is their intensity and their unbridled sexuality. This doesn’t apply to all of them (True Blood’s Bill is a dud in my book), but the ones that work their way into my dreams all share those traits. To me, there is something incredibly primal about a vampire “feeding” (both literally and figuratively) off my body. They are dark, sexy, mysterious, sensual and passionate – perfect fantasy fodder. And… for the record… Eric (True Blood) did NOT color his hair in the books (although, to be fair, the books did indicate that he’d been with both men and women in the past, but hey… when you’ve been around 1000 years, the lines are bound to get a bit blurry).
You are indeed a smartypants!
Young women have always been attracted to feminine guys. Look at any issue of Tiger Beat anywhere in its entire history. Feminine guys are the “gateway drug” for the female transition into sexual maturity. They are “safe” in that they are sexually non-threatening while still being sexual. Vampires have always had that same ambiguous “gay-ish” sexuality. Someone finally put two and two together and rolled it all up in a trendy package for the tween and arrested development set.
You sir, are an idiot.
Why, Hork is right. My feminine cousin had more girl friends hanging out with him than males.
Sorry, but I wouldn’t buy that with your dollar. I think the allure of vampires in pop culture has more to do with the overwhelming way they show love and affection for those they care about. It’s an obsessiveness that draws you in as a reader or viewer. There is also the danger factor and the thrill of being young forever. I think it’s more akin to forbidden fruit; you know it isn’t necessarily good for you, but you want it just the same. As much as I appreciate when a man dictates to me about why I like the things I do, I’m going to have to disagree with this assessment. Upside – maybe InfoMania will skewer this absurdity during a Thats So Gay segment.
Or maybe young women like to hang out with guys who are actually hundreds of years old that break into their houses and creepily watch over them and stalk them.
Yeah, that must be it.
This theory is total crap and clearly just a polarizing and ’scandalous’ article to drum up controversy and debates. Ick.
And you fell for it.
Does this mean you are suggesting that Angel was gay? I strongly disagree with that.
In many vampire tales, vampires, for the most part, are bisexual, at the very least. Read some Anne Rice if you don’t believe me…
Well, Spike does mention that there was that one time…