To recap, Jackman told PARADE magazine, "The questions about sexuality I find more here in America than anywhere else, because it’s a big hang-up and defines what people think about themselves and others. It’s not a big issue in Australia.”
Much like Hugh, fellow Australian actor Daniel MacPherson (pictured above) has dodged gay rumors of his own. Several years ago, MacPherson told Attitude, "I am completely supportive of the gay community, however I am straight."
MacPherson has posed nude for a few magazines and clearly has no problem hanging out at the beach with his buddy in a speedo. Yes, I know these pictures are a little old… but that's not the point.
America doesn't just have a hang-up about defining ourselves by sexuality. We also have an odd prejudice against the speedo. What's up with all the baggy trunks on the beach?
Showing off your bulge in a little lycra remains perfectly acceptable and not uncommon in countries like Australia, Brazil, Japan, China and some of Europe. Though on some beaches in America, a man wandering down the sand in a ol' pair of swim briefs would get a lot of stares. And they wouldn't all be the good kind of staring. Why do you think that's the case?
– Dewitt
Photo credit: Hunk du Jour
For some more pictures of Daniel MacPherson in a speedo, follow the JUMP:
i wonder if hes related to whoever invented MacPherson struts…
Ugh, I’m sorry I actually think guys in speedos look really weird. I don’t think they should be outlawed or stigmatized or anything, I just think they’re ugly and odd. No, give ME a guy in board shorts!
Two comments:
1. Dewitt irritates me sometimes, but his comment about wanting to get down with Hugh Jackman wasn’t offensive. Who hasn’t made comments like regarding celebrities. Personally, I wouldn’t say no if Ryan Reynolds asked me to marry him and have sex five times a day, LOL.
2. Count me in with the no-speedo crowd. There’s something about shorts that is just sexier. I like to open giftwrap, not just be handed the package (pun fully intended). Speedos are like lycra biker shorts to me – anything but sexy.
I agree and lately the guys wearing them SHOULDNT be wearing them. Leave something for the imagination ! I met a guy by a pool once. we started kidding around and I rubbed his chest. He got all embarrassed so I said “You have your cock and balls out for show to all but someone rubbing your chest makes u upset ?” lol Almost as bad the the guys jogging with the lycra Man Bag suits 🙁
I have nothing against men who wear Speedos, but I do think there’s something to keeping a bit to the imagination. It’s like reading Manhunt profiles; I’m more likely to click the picture of the smiling, clothed guy than the picture of the spread cheeks and the smiling, puffed out asshole. But I guess it’s just preference!
To each his own, I guess, but I prefer men in Speedos provided they’re in shape. I know that sounds snobbish, but these suits are not for every body type; they are intended for competition-level physiques. As a bodybuilder and judge, I’ve seen guys in less than their best shape take the stage (and posing suits are even smaller than Speedos!), so in that sense, the suits can be a motivator to get leaner. As for those of you who don’t like Speedos, I’m sure you like the high tech Olympic full body suits. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to see flesh on my swimmers :).
Because American men are fatter than Aussies?
I’m a novice triathlete, and I don’t mind donning the speedos or tri-suits for sport. But I’ll take my Quiksilver or Hurley boardshorts over any banana hammock when I’m lounging around the beach with my kids or catching some surf.
Has anyone ever heard the expression “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”?
In regards to the Speedo/non Speedo issue; this means that the appropriateness of these items of swimwear is situational. If you’re in Australia or Brazil, they are perfectly acceptable beachwear. In the US though, they imply that you are putting your body on display and you are therefore either incredibly vain or gay. I’m not equating being gay with being incredibly vain; I’m just saying that in Australia and Brazil, wearing Speedos to the beach doesn’t scream “Look at my body, look at my junk!” the way it does here. Likewise, neither does wearing a Speedo at a swimming competition; or for that matter, dropping your drawers at a nude beach! Upshot: save the Speedos for the Copacabana, Bondi or Olympics!
I agree with Adrian that here in the US, it’s all about attitude. The guys with the body to wear a Speedo have confidence, the guys who don’t are jealous and hide their insecurity with insults. And as for women who say they don’t like a fit looking guy in a swim brief…they’re a bunch of fucking liars!!!