Re-reading (and re-re-reading) Ethan Mordden's Buddies and I've a Feeling we're not in Kansas anymore; from the latter of which ('The Case of the Dangerous Man'):

...keeping the fantasy fantastical allows every one to play. In a culture run by the fascism of looks, the Imaginary Lover is a democratic exercize. A beauty knows he might well land something comparable to supreme, even be one. A nice-looking fellow has a shot at it. A homely-but-hot man is ever loveable. And certain objets trouve's may win out through force of personality; unthinkable but true, my favorite combination. Below a certain level of appearance, however, a gay man is in big trouble; yet everyone can dream. And, though no one likes to hear about this, I know that the ugliest man in town visualizes himself being fondled, or toughed up, or tucked in by some divo just as easily as the handsomest man can. But why does no one want to hear about this?
Carlo shook his finger at me when I spoke of the matter late one night. And when I went on undeterred, he held his hand over my mouth and said, "I want you to please stop. I don't want to know about morals, or politics, or death, or feelings, or any of the other things that ruin everybody's fun**."

"What morals?"

"Trolls,"+ he said. "Talking about trolls+ is talking morals. Or politics."



+ See blogs November 28 and December 13, 2007

**See blog December 13, 2007