When I was in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago, I reunited with Zack the Photographer, who I met when he was the most stunningly handsome guy in the world, a 19-year old college freshman, dating Drake the Teddy Bear artist. That was over 20 years ago! He invited me to dinner at his glass-and-steel apartment in a great retro building near the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Zack is now 40 years old, working as an IT manager for a company in Marina del Rey. Bearded, a little rugged, but with the same stunning face, smooth, pale skin, thick chest, prominent nipples, and uncut Mortadella that I remember from his twink days.
Q: Are you still doing photography?
A: Some. I've had a few things published online, and I enter my work in contests, but lately I don't really have a lot of time.
Q: How did you get to West Hollywood?
After I dropped out of art school, I bopped around a bit, from New York to Philadelphia to Boston, and then back to San Francisco for awhile. I got a second degree in computer systems, and this job opened up. But I don't think of myself as living in West Hollywood -- I go out there maybe once a month -- my life is here in Santa Monica.
Q: Is there a lot of gay culture here?
A: I'd call it post-gay. The younger generation never knew the discrimination we did, so they don't shun straight people. They hang out in straight bars, and meet guys on dating apps.
Q: Since you turned 40, have you become a twink magnet?
A: Well, I've just been 40 for a few months, but yeah, I've noticed that at the gym. 20 year olds always coming up to me, asking me questions, staring in the steam room. I could hookup with a dozen a day if I wanted, and that doesn't even include phone apps.
One, maybe two if I'm lucky. I work 10-hour days and go to the gym 6 days a week. Not a lot of time left for hanging out on Grindr.
Q: Does your gigantic penis get you a lot of attention?
Not really. I mean, most guys I meet don't ask, and those who do, don't believe me. I've always been what they call a "pretty boy," desired for my looks, not my cock.
Q: Any long-term relationships?
I was with Tim for three years. That's the longest, and we didn't actually live together. I don't think I'm the settling-down, domestic type. I like my privacy.
The full interview, with nude photos and sexual situations, is on Tales of West Hollywood.