I have been doing some thinking lately about underwear. I know that’s a shocker! But, It’s about how far we have come in the last 15 years. I ventured out and started UNB, and to start with was just with gay guys. I am not complaining; some of those guys are still my friends. But, In the last five years specifically, it’s no longer just gay guys reading the blog or even listening to our podcast.
Straight guys are listening and really enjoying what we are saying. If you had told me in 2005 that straight guys would be reading a blog about underwear, less listening to a podcast about men’s underwear, I would have said you were fucking insane. No straight man is going first to love underwear as much as we do, and second, those guys are too far in the closet with their love, and their girls (wives, gfs, etc.) never will go along with it.
I would have been proved wrong! Some of our most loyal readers and listeners are straight guys. I think that’s awesome. Not just are they straight, but we bond over underwear, and it’s something that brings us together. In our world today, there is so much that divides us, but underwear is bringing guys together. I have had so many great conversations with the “straight” guys who get it and love it as much as I do. I”m getting to the point where sexual orientation isn’t a question for me anymore. My only criteria are how much you love gear.
A perfect example of why I am stopping assuming sexual orientations is a call I recently was on for the podcast. I am talking to many guys to get them on the show. One guy, in particular, I thought, “oh, he’s gay,” in my head because we were vibing on our love of underwear/gear. Not in a sexual way, but just connecting and really having a great convo. Then he posted something a few days later in a DM about his wife. I was like, “WHAT?” I had in my head that “only gay guys” would love all of this. At first, I was taken aback, but then I went, this is fucking awesome. This is what it should be; we should connect and not care about sexual orientation.
Some of the good things happening in the world of underwear/gear
- Guys are wearing thongs across the spectrum
- Nontraditional undies – aka fem gear (lace, satin, and the like) are gaining fans.
- Swim briefs are making a comeback (to some degree)
- Spandex is again approved for men to wear while working out and exercising.
Work we still have to do:
- Underwear is still called Gay; if you wear something skimpy
- Many guys across the spectrum still hide their underwear from family and friends
- Straight guys and some gay guys need to have partners who support them and their choice of underwear.
- We need more guys to have the courage to buy undies in person.
I”m curious about your story and how you see the world of men’s underwear changing. I think it’s definitely going better, but post a comment or email me.
