Gay Men Don't Get Fat: 04/15/13

Gay Men Don't Get Fat is Simon Doonan's latest book. After reading all the reviews and news about his bizarre (to me) book publicity tour, I'm not sure how to review this book.

First there's Doonan's celebrity — if you're from New York and shop (or window shop at Barney's). I don't. I live in California — in a semi rural area. Outside of Doonan talking about his work at Barney's I have no clue what the store is like (nor do I care to learn more).

What I have gleaned from the book is that Doonan is petite. He's short even compared to the short men on my husband's side of the family. My ten-year-old son is as tall as he is. Being so short and being rather active, he's rather thin. So of course he doesn't get fat. But among his friends and acquaintances, he's decided (semi-jokingly) that everyone should be as fabulous and stylish as he is. And of course what works for him will work for everyone.

I will admit that at the time I read the book, I did actually laugh at parts. But in siting and mulling the book and after reading about his campaign against man-boobs, I'm just starting to scratch my head. His view of the world — even when making light of it — doesn't come close to matching the diversity and richness of the LGBT community here. I think more and more he's a throwback to a different era.

And before I get his publicist complaining about how I didn't mention how he celebrates all the different subcultures of the gay community — yeah, he mentions them. He says a few nice things in chapters, but those chapters have to be taken in the greater context.

Read via NetGalley

Two stars

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