[ooc] Bert and Sexuality
Essay ahead... ye be warned.
As far as I can remember, there isn’t anything in canon that directly addresses homosexuality. But considering the general time period they set it in, or relate it to, one can assume it’s not looked on too highly. Headcanon says it’s something that people simply do not talk about, but which happens. Since Gunslingers are all male and something of a cross between and Old West sheriff and a Knight of the Round Table I suspect there is probably more than a few instances of homosexuality among their ranks. Not gladiator levels of it, but more than your average group of people. I mean, they do deal with guns ALL THE TIME, practically to the point of worship. And as Tracy Jordan tells us men like guns “because they’re metal penises”. No one is going to talk about it, that’s for sure. What happens in the boys only dormitories stays in the boys only dormitories.
As far as it goes for Bert, he has the biggest man crush EVER on Roland, who by all rights is a BAMF, and worthy of man crushes. I can’t honestly imagine him trying anything physical with Roland, nor just because he would get his ass kicked, but because he respects him too much. There have been times when it’s crossed his mind, but only briefly and he wouldn’t admit it to himself or anyone else.
As far as his behavior in camp… Cuthbert loves attention, especially good attention. He’s been second banana fiddle to Roland for basically his whole life, and because of that he acts out a lot (usually in the form of jokes) in order to set himself apart and to draw attention to himself. Without Roland in camp, he doesn’t have to compete as much and he can just bask in all the attention he wants. Unfortunately for him, his flirtatious nature, quick tongue and old fashioned sensibilities don’t work as well with the women around camp… but it seems to get attention from men. For a bit, Bert was unhappy about that, but he’s mellowed out considerably and decided that any fun he can have here is better than none at all.
As far as I can remember, there isn’t anything in canon that directly addresses homosexuality. But considering the general time period they set it in, or relate it to, one can assume it’s not looked on too highly. Headcanon says it’s something that people simply do not talk about, but which happens. Since Gunslingers are all male and something of a cross between and Old West sheriff and a Knight of the Round Table I suspect there is probably more than a few instances of homosexuality among their ranks. Not gladiator levels of it, but more than your average group of people. I mean, they do deal with guns ALL THE TIME, practically to the point of worship. And as Tracy Jordan tells us men like guns “because they’re metal penises”. No one is going to talk about it, that’s for sure. What happens in the boys only dormitories stays in the boys only dormitories.
As far as it goes for Bert, he has the biggest man crush EVER on Roland, who by all rights is a BAMF, and worthy of man crushes. I can’t honestly imagine him trying anything physical with Roland, nor just because he would get his ass kicked, but because he respects him too much. There have been times when it’s crossed his mind, but only briefly and he wouldn’t admit it to himself or anyone else.
As far as his behavior in camp… Cuthbert loves attention, especially good attention. He’s been second banana fiddle to Roland for basically his whole life, and because of that he acts out a lot (usually in the form of jokes) in order to set himself apart and to draw attention to himself. Without Roland in camp, he doesn’t have to compete as much and he can just bask in all the attention he wants. Unfortunately for him, his flirtatious nature, quick tongue and old fashioned sensibilities don’t work as well with the women around camp… but it seems to get attention from men. For a bit, Bert was unhappy about that, but he’s mellowed out considerably and decided that any fun he can have here is better than none at all.