Editor's note: After we posted our list of the 100 Unsexiest Men of 2011, defenders and detractors of our rogue's gallery came pouring out of the woodwork from all corners of the Web to let us know what they thought of our rankings. Below are a few choice examples, published here mostly as we found them. Read the rest (and add your own) at thePhoenix.com/unsexy.
RE: NEIL GAIMAN (#15)
When I was directed to the Boston Phoenix several days ago, it was because of an immature, offensive, and ultimately pointless list which catalogued the "100 Unsexiest Men of the Year 2011." While I consider the entire piece to be exceptionally idiotic, for obvious reasons, the entry which I considered most objectionable was the one concerning fantasy author Neil Gaiman. Naturally, as a fan, I believe Gaiman to be attractive both physically, and as an individual in general, but if the short article detailing his flaws had specifically targeted him, I would not have thought much of it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, after all, and there is little that I can do, or would be willing to do to make the beliefs of others conform to my own.
But while I would not object to an attack upon Gaiman, as unfounded and moronic as it might be, I cannot tolerate the content of the piece. Instead of denoting the personal flaws of the intended target, the Boston Phoenix chose to declare his relationship with the musician Amanda Palmer as justification for calling him "unsexy." The main complaint was about Palmer's bodily hair — a product of her stance against shaving in order to live up to the expectations of the societal normative in regard to the female body. I have always admired Palmer for refusing to shave, even in the face of ridicule (such as the insults she was subjected to in the list I am currently discussing), and the fact that the Boston Phoenix would employ such misogynistic tactics in order to insult her partner is evidence of the issues still present in our society in regard to gender, and say more about the quality of the publication than they do about those being mocked. Both Palmer and Gaiman are incredible, intelligent, attractive individuals, and to suggest that their love detracts from their beauty is ludicrous. I would suggest that the Boston Phoenix apologize to both artists, as well as to anyone else mocked in a similar fashion by the paper.
EVELYNA KAY
HAMILTON, ONTARIO
RE: ADAM SANDLER (#61)
You're a fucking idiot whoever wrote this. Sandler is a comedic genius, MUCH more successful and much funnier than you will ever hope to be. And don't think you're impressing anyone with your metaphors and flowery language you moron.
"ANDREW"
RE: EL PRES (#49)
Wait the Phoenix is a newspaper? Never fucking heard of you guys and neither has anyone else. Probably because it's written by a bunch of liberal shits who think their smarter than everyone else when their obviously not cause they work for the fucking Phoenix. Viva la Stool.
"BSSPORTS"
RE: TRIPLE H (#20)
Are you aware that there are people in this world with a severe medical condition which causes them to be that way?
"EIKER_IR"
Is it called steroiditis?
"ANON"
RE: VIOLENT J AND SHAGGY 2 DOPE (#1)
I didn't even know the made music. I thought they were WCW wrestlers 15 years ago or so. Anyway I just heard their stuff. Not bad! Not great either. But certainly not sexy. I wouldn't put them at number on though. Definately in the top 20 for sure.
"JAY F"
AND IM JUST SAYING ALL YOU COCK SUCKERS FROM BOSTON ARE A BUNCH OF CUNT LICKING PANSY BITCH'S FUCK YOU . . . JUGGALO PRIDE
"JR RIDENOUR"
