Remember the first time you heard “Yes, sir” or “Hey, Daddy”? It’s funny and sorta hot – until it’s nothing but the vision of your ill-spent youth in a rearview mirror. All men feel it, but is the gay midlife crisis unique or especially traumatizing?
Some gay deep-thinkers ponder the notion of a "Gaylife Crisis" for HuffPost Live (video above). They say that there’s more to it than how to overcome your salt-n-pepper combover or adding iron to your vitamin supplements. New York Times contributor Steven Petrow says that gay men have more difficulty grappling with age than their straight counterparts.
"There's a real almost fascism about youth and the body culture ... we tend to be childless more, we tend to live alone," he said. "So when it comes to getting to this point in life, we don't always have the same resources available."
Ouch. But times are changing, and gay aging isn't necessarily all bad, says MISTER app creator Carl Sandler. An uptick in the appreciation of "daddies and guys with a little facial scruff,” is a good sign, he says. "I think there are more and more actual opportunities for older guys.”
He could be right. There is that whole gay daddy Stephen Ritts thing, after all. See what else the assembled panelists have to say, including one lesbian’s take on the issue for her tribe, in the video above. Then let us know in the comments when your middle-age hit you and how you’re handling it.
