MAY 17, 1996 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

EVENINGS OUT

An honest view of a year playing straight for the crowds

BOB

& CAROL

& TED

& ALICE

cor Bob & Ted, and Carol & Alice.

Dirk Shafer wins a buns contest on the Phil Donahue show.

Man of the Year Written and directed by Dirk Shafer

Reviewed by Tamara Murphy

What do women really, want? I, for one, would relish the opportunity to spend an entire year being paid to “research” this question. Then again, I'm a femme-dyke, not a gay man.

Man of the Year is a self-proclaimed “mockumentary” chronicling a year in the life of Dirk Shafer, a model who spent 1992 playing "every woman's ideal fantasy" as Playgirl magazine's "Man of the Year." What "every woman" didn't know was that Shafer

is gay.

Using dramatization, home video clips, stills, and broadcast footage from his year on the talk-show circuit, Shafer tells a nimble tale that takes us with him through the journey of self-reclamation that started on a lark, after a friend's snapshot segues into a fullblown spread for Playgirl.

At first, Shafer imagines the whole thing to be harmless. After all, it's just another job, right? But as his popularity grows, and this new "job" intrudes more and more on his real life, Shafer is forced to confront some uncomfortable realities about the structure of society, and the content of his character.

While Shafer gamely tries to approach his "Man of the Year" status as a blank slate onto which the fantasies of both male and female

fans can be projected, the media works overtime to portray him as straight America's "perfect man."

What he comes to realize is that there is no way of walking the line. Sexuality in our society is straight by default. We don't live on Kinsey's continuum, but within strictly defined parameters of normal (read straight) and abnormal. There is no such thing as "don't ask, don't tell”: American culture is straight until proven otherwise.

Shafer's film deals deftly with this struggle, injecting the story with humor, warmth and honesty. From Shafer's conservative mother, an Oklahoma native who wrestles with the guilt that a carefree afternoon spent dressing her baby boy in baby girl's clothes may have "done this to him," to the weekend date with the winner of a Valentine's Day contest, on which Shafer sneaks his real-life lover, this film will have you laughing as well as thinking.

The film is also a witty, fun, and thoughtprovoking exploration of the dichotomy between image and identity, particularly in this media-drenched era, where the line between fantasy and reality is so often blurred. We do not have to accept the default. There is a clear choice between identity and image, between the truth of our lives and the polite fiction that allows us to remain invisible. Man of the Year is a heartening journey to that place of choice and beyond. It's worth every mo-

ment.

Corporate Transportation • Airport Service • Weddings • Dances Dinner • Theatre • All Special Events

SHEA LIMOUSINE CO.

AVAILABLE 24 HOURS

Whoever your family of choice, and whatever your home buying OF elling needs...Bob Wehn's the answer to your real estate ques tions.

Straight talk for the

gay

unity 15

rofessional

expertise, Call Bob

today.

BOB WEHN

STRESS

Get rid of it!

A great relief for stress can be found in a massage. Masso Therapy is a healthy way to deal with the hectic life you lead.

Brian Keating

3052 W. Blvd. • 216-671-0663

Phone (216) 397-3131

Pager (216) 790-1583

Tim Shea

ANTONE F. FEO, Ph.D. & Associates, Inc.

Clinical Psychologist

Gay and Lesbian Issues

Chemical Dependency

Sexual Dysfunction

SEXUAL Addiction

DEPRESSION/ANXIETY

Couple And Family Therapy

Shame and Guilt Crossdressing/Transgender

OUR NO WAIT POLICY Allows you to be seen within 24 HOURS. For more information or to make an Appointment, please call: (216) 899-1300

24500 Center Ridge Road, Suite 100 • Westlake, Ohio 44145

Licensed by the Ohio Medical Board

ADVANCED AUTO GLASS

"Clearly the Best"

WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT & REPAIR

INSURANCE REPLACEMENT CLAIM CENTER

AUTHORIZED BY MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES

FAST MOBILE SERVICE

TO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE

STONE CHIP

REPAIR $24.95

OPEN 8:30-5:00 MON-FRI OPEN SATURDAYS TIL NOON

216/351-6880

WEST

1060 Brookpark Rd. Between 1-480 & Broadview

EAST 6029 Mayfield 1-271 & Mayfield