Homoeroticism in gay networking sites.

On a certain gay networking site of which I'm a member there was recently an ad posted looking for decent models to be in a campaign touting the site as better than others - particularly those with half-naked pictures of me showing six-pack abs and who only want to hook up or show off their dicks just for attention. I applied, thinking to myself, "I'm just what they're looking for: someone who doesn't post half-naked photos of myself just for attention, someone who hates the fact that gay men use their bodies to get what they want, someone who hates the oversexualization of gay dating." A few days later, I was informed that I wasn't chosen for the campaign - at least, not this go-around.

Today, surfing that site, I see the profile of an administrator of the site standing with one of the models chosen: A tall, slender man with rosy cheeks, blonde hair, and a cute smile, standing, arms wrapped around a slightly shorter, yet perfectly tanned and sculpted muscle god with an apparant V-line disappearing into a showing boxer-brief line just above the rise of his jeans.

And this model is now the image of what is supposed to be a "nice" place to meet guys without the tensions of exposed perfect bodies casting shadows over those who don't feel comfortable [or slutty?] enough to share their midsections to the whole world. What happened to saving one's body for the one they love? What happened to surprise and secrecy? Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? If I know what's under a shirt, it somehow makes it far less intriguing as to what's underneath.

I don't know why I wasn't selected for this modeling spot, but as I see it, it seems to be apparant that the directors of this site chose to portray a "nice" site which features shirtless, ripped men, sending the image that the gay community is just full of 6-pack-boastin', perfectly-tanned gym rats who are more concerned about their outward image than actually meeting a decent, sweet, kind-hearted, caring man.