However, I do think The Velvet Rage is the most important book we have on gay men’s development.
It’s an interesting theory, and one that would be hard to prove or disprove.
“We’re experts in making things and people look good,” writes Downs. As kids our true selves did not get validated, and so we learned to create the appearance of beauty as way to hide our “unbeautiful” selves from the world. Is there a special gay “taste” gene yet to be discovered?Īlan Downs, in his popular book The Velvet Rage, argues that the reason that gay men are overrepresented as leaders in these industries is that we’ve had to become masters of hiding. Why is there an entire décor resale website named “Previously Owned By A Gay Man”?
Why are we often the tastemakers of the fashion industry? Why are there so many hair stylists who are gay? Why are our homes so often featured in interior design magazines?
