Ostentatious Wealth

Dateline: Provincetown MA Sept 8, 2009

I walked, waded, and traversed through street, highways, and dunes to arrive at the beach.

No less than 30 minutes of arriving, a pair of middle age men rode in with their horses. They proceeded to pace the horses into the bay, walking them to the depth of the horse's shoulder.

In the 4days of my Lower Cape visit, I've seen many typical white gay male "consumer" status symbols. The matching pair of dogs, one for each half of the couple. The more benign logo clothing (Polo, Lacoste), initialed sunglasses (DG) or brand name (example: Prada), the logo sneaks (Puma, Adidas, Diesel), the ubiquitous so 2000 and late symbols --the sport watch and designer swim trunks. European cars (BMW seem most popular, Rover, and a smattering of Benz) were aplenty parked or parading on Commercial Street. And the often heard murmur of the Cape house, while picking up coffee, a cocktail, or meals. A bona fide 200 or so feet of floating luxury was docked at the pier when I arrived and it left for another port the same afternoon of the horse's arrival to the beach. Speed boats, yatchs, horses, papered dogs an accumulation of symbols. Do they know they are mimicking a lifestyle that is not theirs in originality. The lives of the rich and famous.

Of note, many of those bearing the noticeably "trendy" accessories and possessions are middle age white gay men. Grey haired, bic headed, some buff from gym and diet regimen, while others squeezed into under sized TShirts or are bellicose from sedentary life.

Why is it that many of these urban gay men can adamantly renounce the "stereotype" of affluence, when it is in full display. Living large at a time of great recession. Where retirement funds, home values, other securities have lost value.

Is it really, disposable income resulting from having no children? Are there that many stock brokers, lawyers, physicians, real estate agents or financiers among this set? Or is the ugly hidden truth of consumer debt that fuels keeping up with the (fill in the blank). Yes, men make more money than their female counterparts. It can be argued for this group, men spend more than women.

Noticeably, few gay men of color can be seen amongst this crowd. Of those participating are attached to white men. MSM or gay Men of Color are they creating their own enclaves and its sense of brand style? Do they congregate in Atlanta, Los Angeles or New York City?

How much does the gay male community look to the boys who frequent Fire Island, Palm Springs, South Beach Florida, or San Francisco as iconic of the perceived gay role model to emulate?

How do aging men, who still hold to their ideas of a twenty something lithe body give themselves a sense of mastery. Can we say their pursuit and acquisition of possessions are the golden handcuffs keeping them in their place. Consumerism affirms their attractiveness and success.