Why No Gays at YP???

[XXXWriterDude]

I just got back from the YNOT Party held in La Salina, Mexico this past weekend, and I was thoroughly disappointed to see that no gay webmasters were in attendance. I spoke with YNOT Bob, who said he would be ECSTATIC to see gay webmasters joining the caravan, so it's not like they're not open to it.

This is one of the most awesome webmaster gatherings I've been to yet. Four days and three nights in lovely Mexico at a resort right on the beach. Laid-back, relaxed, and totally conducive to really getting to know the webmasters. And cheap to boot!

I was the only gay guy there all weekend, but got along famously with most of the folks I met. I've been to a few shows now, and I think this was definitely my favorite, even without the presence of other gay folks. And that's saying something.

I would like to see more interaction between the gay and straight side of the industry. I think both sides can benefit from each other considerably.

I took lots of pics, both of the folks attending YP and also of the resort ground and of close-by Ensanada, which I really liked.

You can check them out here:

YP Pics: http://imageevent.com/lalalifer/ynotpartymexico06

Mexico Pics: http://imageevent.com/lalalifer/mytriptomexico

[D-Rock]

One of my coowrkers where there - From Python...And he had quite the time...Apparently one of his retailers had their Hummer stolen, and another guy almost got thrown in Jail. That's why the Gay's dont venture down there for shows, we're smarter than that!

[XXXWriterDude]

One of my coowrkers where there - From Python...And he had quite the time...Apparently one of his retailers had their Hummer stolen, and another guy almost got thrown in Jail. That's why the Gay's dont venture down there for shows, we're smarter than that!

That was Stephan (aka "Shaft")??? He was great. I hung out with him for most of the last night I was in town.

The Hummer was stolen b/cuz the guy was stupid enough to park it in the street in Ensanada instead of parking it in a patroled lot. I mean, DUH! You don't take a Hummer into Mexico and park it on the street.

One guy actually DID get thrown in jail. But there was actually a pretty good reason for that.

Anytime you travel to a different country, you have to be careful. Those who aren't usually find themselves in sticky situations. But the event rocked.

[Squirt]

I just got back from the YNOT Party held in La Salina, Mexico this past weekend, and I was thoroughly disappointed to see that no gay webmasters were in attendance. I spoke with YNOT Bob, who said he would be ECSTATIC to see gay webmasters joining the caravan, so it's not like they're not open to it.

There are a lot of great people involved with the Ynot board

but I found their board group mentality less then desirable, this was about 4-5 years ago. I haven't posted there since.

When I first started reaching out to other webmasters the first board I became a member of was the Ynot board. I didn't like the way people in our community were treated there, neither did others in our community, that is why GWW became my posting place after some bad experiences on Ynot.

This could be part of the reason you don't see others in the Gay community participating in Ynot events like the one you attended.

As far as the straight community and Gay community working together, I love that idea. I work with a lot of straight people and they're great. Assholes are just assholes no matter what their sexual orientation :groovy:

[XXXWriterDude]

Interesting, Squirt. Bob seems really open to "the gays."

Here's the story I wrote on this year's YP: http://avnonline.com/index.php?Prima...tent_ID=276179

[Squirt]

Interesting, Squirt. Bob seems really open to "the gays."

Here's the story I wrote on this year's YP: http://avnonline.com/index.php?Prima...tent_ID=276179

How open was he Ken? Ha ha ha!

Bob always seemed like a laid back fun guy

[XXXWriterDude]

How open was he Ken? Ha ha ha!

Bob always seemed like a laid back fun guy

LOL! Not as open as a few of those other guys that were there. If I'd just had ONE more night with them...

[Xstr8guy]

Why No Gays at YP???

Did YNOT actually reach out to the gay webmaster community in anyway? This is the first time I've even heard of this particular event. And it's not going to do me a lot of good now since it's already past.

Btw, I didn't see even one sponsor of the event who has a significant gay presence. So why would a gay webmaster have any interest in attending an event like this?

[Dzinerbear]

Yeah I never really got the impression they were all that gay friendly.

Michael

[Lee]

Why were there no gay marketers there?

Simple, because yet again, YNOT didnt post about the YP on any of the boards where gay companies or webmasters hang out.

Not to mention i feel the gay side of the industry is still reeling over the incident that happened on YNOT many years ago, i know a lot of people in the gay side of the industry feel YNOT are only interested in taking money from gay companies, in fact, they only ever promote 'sponsorships' to the gay market place for their San Diego show where they know there are a lot of 'us'.

Plus, based on previous shows, the gay attendance has been low (or non-existant) so what is the point in any of us turning up, if we cant do business with the individuals and companies we want to do business with?

Regards,

Lee

[basschick]

ken, isn't bob in glendale? if he wants to get to know gay webmasters, why doesn't he show up for the webmaster lunches? you've already discovered how accessible us l.a. webmasters are - and heck, we even have out of staters like chad and develish show up.

it's not enough to ask you to find us for him. a little involvement from the ynot folks would go a long way. i have been registered there since 97 (or possibly 96) and they've always seemed very clique-ish to me.

[D-Rock]

Not to mention i feel the gay side of the industry is still reeling over the incident that happened on YNOT many years ago, i know a lot of people in the gay side of the industry feel YNOT are only interested in taking money from gay companies, in fact, they only ever promote 'sponsorships' to the gay market place for their San Diego show where they know there are a lot of 'us'.

What happened a few years ago?

That was Stephan (aka "Shaft")??? He was great. I hung out with him for most of the last night I was in town.

Yep, it's Stafford actauly, ("Shaft")....He mentioned haning out with you, and said you were really fun!

[Lee]

What happened a few years ago?

Long story, not worth going in to if you dont know the 'history' of adult as it wont mean anything to anyone except those in the know

Regards,

Lee

[WegCash Robert]

I went last year and I had a blast! I love all those guys!!

[XXXWriterDude]

I'll put it to you this way:

Years ago, when I came out to my mother, she freaked out. She cried and cried and cried, and became very combative with me if I attempted to explain things to her. Eventually, as I realized that she was going to throw a fit every time I tried to mention anything about my sexuality, I stopped talking about it to her. But that was MY mistake. I should have stayed the course and stood my ground, b/cuz it only contributed to a huge gap in our relationship for several years. I told myself that she was the one who didn't want to know about it, when in fact, the truth was that I was the one who didn't want to talk about it or deal with it. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy that she would have problems with me, b/cuz in my avoidance and my silence, I made it seem like my life was something to be ashamed of or looked down upon.

I think it's a good example to bring up in this situation. The thing about straight people is that you have to train them. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is. You have to show up at their events and act like you belong to be there just as much as anyone else, and you have to put yourself out there and just have fun. This past weekend, I was the ONLY gay person in attendance, and I had a fucking BLAST. They loved me. And I know that my presence and my ability to be "one of the guys" helped them to see beyond my sexuality.

You can sit around and say that YNOT is clique-ish, but honestly, the problem with gay people is that we are just as clique-ish. We get an idea in our heads that straight people don't want us around, so we just go off into our own little corner and only talk to each other or talk to the straight people that we're comfortable with. It's so easy for us to play the victim in every scenario, whether it be that we're not wanted at predominantly straight events or that Hollywood is out to get us by making allegedly non-flattering movies like Brokeback Mountain.

I think it would be cool, though, if more gay people moved out of their comfort zones and made the effort to reach out to those who, while they might not outwardly act as if they want us around, are still very much open to it.

By the way, YNOT Bob didn't put me up to this. He has no idea I'm even posting this. I'm not here to be a publicist for anyone. I only advocate the causes and events that I think are worthwhile, and YP is definitely one of them, based on my AWESOME experience this past weekend.