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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2001)
21.2001 Who's that girl? aPé Madonna concert virgin didn’t think he had, like, a prayer of seeing the icon in person, but he lives to tell by M ic h a e l W ayne K eck |&ra£pps EVERY SINGLE BOOK OF GAY EROTICA ALWAYS Vi STOCK! he’s a headline-grabbing, con- Most of the songs are from her last troversy-making sex symbol two albums with a few exceptions. The and superstar. Not to sound obvious crowd favorite comes toward like a total fag, but 1 really the end of the show when she sings think Madonna is one of the most “Holiday.” The entire audience leaps to revolutionary and influential artists their feet and goes collectively nuts. of the 20th century— and maybe (Myself included— I literally screamed this one, too. (OK, so 1 sound like a like a little girl!) fag. Who cares?) During the concert Madonna is Seeing Madonna in concert is witty, charming, brash and rude— everything I expected and more. The something I’ve dreamed about for as long as 1 can remember. I sup concert lasts about two hours, but it pose 1 just always figured it was one feels like five minutes. of those things you fantasize about I am enthralled and engrossed the hut never really happens. entire time. Whether she’s flying So 1 was in complete shock last around the set like a ninja, shakin’ her May when 1 ended up getting tickets ass to “Ray of Light” or just sitting at to the show. I kept thinking I must the end of the stage singing “G one” in he the luckiest hitch in the world— a single spotlight, I love every second. not only was I going to he seeing Madonna, hut I was going to he see t’s amazing to think about the impact ing her in, of all places, Sin City! Madonna has had on so many peo Never having been to Las Vegas ple. She certainly influenced me as a before, 1 was pretty pumped up to go. young gay man. 1 wasn’t sure what to expect beyond There is something inspiring about gambling and drinking (which, after a woman who really doesn’t give a fuck being there, is pretty much all I have what people think. That’s part of why 1 to say about Vegas— lots of gambling like her so much; she just says and does and drinking). whatever she wants— no excuses, no apologies. 1 brought along my ex-boyfriend Madonna displays her biceptuality Mark, who is as big a Madonna I think gays are drawn to her because freak as I am. (Considering we had just broken Everywhere I look, sorority girls are trying to she’s such a rebel and fighter as well as some one who has no problem defying convention. up, maybe he’s the luckiest hitch in the world?) impersonate Madonna’s latest look with rhine All I’d been talking about for the past few stone T-shirts, cowboy hats and studded jeans. We understand how it feels to be hated for sim It’s fun to see them, and I can’t help hut wonder months was Madonna. Anytime I was in my ply being ourselves. car or at home I was listening to Madonna, and how many days they fasted to paint those tight As Mark puts it: “She relates to gays pants on. A few older fans even pay tribute to I’d been reading every article I could find on because our lifestyle is not the norm, and nei the old-schcxil Madonna with ther is hers. Instead her. I don’t think I was quite at the stalker wedding veils, crucifixes and of fitting into a mold stage, hut I was pretty damn close. of what society fake moles. thinks we should be, As the magic hour of hen I wake up the day of the concert I’m she has broken it. 8 p.m. arrives, my anxiety immediately tense. As the day drags on my Gays are attracted to peaks. I am repeatedly anxiety level increases by the hour with that strength.” reminded to breathe. Mark is the anticipation of seeing her Materialness. I can Mark even admits equally in shtxrk, and we hardly eat, and by about 6 p.m. I think I’m going she helped push him to start breaking out in hives or convulsing. exchange only a few words as we sit there fidgeting. out of the closet. We arrive at the MGM Grand early, and “When I watched I’m happy to discover the arena is much small Finally at 8:45 (hey, she’s Truth or Dare and saw Madonna, she can do what er than I had imagined. Our seats are toward her interact with and the hack hut still decent. ever the hell she wants) the mother the most fem concert begins. As people fkxxJ in I see all types of fans, inine of gay hoys, it It’s difficult to describe most in their 20s and 30s. Not surprisingly, made me realize that I how amazing and surreal it is homos are everywhere. was OK. I had always to see her perform live. The Some people’s outfits are pure entertain been afraid of such show is pure spectacle, danc ment. One flamer is in a big white fluffy fur femme guys, because I ing and theatrics. coat resembling my grandma’s shag carpet— the thought it would draw only other things he’s wearing are some flashy Madonna definitely attention to my own knows how to entertain. The boots and his boxers. homosexuality. But set is stellar and features Crouching tigress, hidden dragon after seeing her accep her very own mechanical tance of them, it helped me to accept myself." hull— which she rides like the naughty There really is no doubt she has helped cowgirl she is. change the way our society looks at sexuality. At one point in the concert some of her hot male dancers chid in nothing hut G-strings Good looking, full of attitude, talented, driven, controversial and smart— Madonna is the (with asses so tight you could bounce quarters package deal. off them) dangle from their ankles upside And not to mb it in— but I got to see down. It was actually a little trippy. her live! Her costumes are numerous and flaw less, and her dancing is off the hook. She MADONNA trivia huffs, express yourself: In what flaunts some kick-ass creations by Jean- year and what city did she perform her first-ever Paul Gaultier, including an incredible live concert! The first correct answer e-mailed to geisha dress with a 52-foot wingspan. But what surprises me most is how great jusuntt@justout.com urns a pizza. she sounds. I was nervous she wouldn’t M ichael W ayne K ecx is a Portland free-lance sound very good in person, hut let me tell writer. E-mail him at michaelwaynekecl<@hotmail.com. you: That girl can sing! “ in <@ > Photorotic 1,2. #1 is all foreskin and #2 is all boners. Any problems with that? $24.95 ea. < ne w)Twink. 20 stories, bursting with creamy goodness— oh wait that’s Twinkles'. $13.95. ( new ) Queer Pulp. A riotous look at 50s/60s gay paperbacks. Tons of illos, lucid text. $19.95. 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