Marc T.
 late November, 2005  

FRB: Name:?

Marc: Marc T.

FRB: Age:?

Marc: 46.

FRB: Height:?

Marc: 6'1/2".

FRB: Weight:?

Marc: 175ish.

FRB: Ape Index:?

Marc: 6'(?).

FRB: Sexual orientation:?

Marc: I'm sexually attracted to (some) men.

FRB: How did you get into climbing, Marc?

Marc: I was first inspired by watching climbers at Cathedral Ledge in New Hampshire, where I did lots of backpacking. I was completely fascinated, but I didn't start climbing til years later, when I was close to 30 years old. I was taking a class at San Diego State and happened to be reading "Annapurna", by Maurice Herzog. A woman in my class saw the book on my desk and told me it was her favorite book. We got to talking and she invited me to join a climbing class that she was instructing out at Joshua Tree. I took her up on the offer and have been climbing ever since (1988).

FRB: What is your favorite type of climbing?

Marc: I like just about any kind of climbing, as long as it's outdoors. But if I had to pick a favorite type, I'd say it's multi pitch trad climbing.

FRB: What is your favorite climbing area and why?

Marc: Probably Yosemite -- lots of multi-pitch trad routes, incredible scenery, and awesome rock.

FRB: Favorite Colorado climbing areas?

Marc: The number of areas I've visited for someone who has lived here for 12 years is sort of pathetic. I tend to stay in or near Boulder, but then that's why I moved here-- to be really close to lots of good climbing. That being said, I'd have to say Eldorado Canyon is my favorite, though lately I've really taken to some of the climbing in Boulder Canyon.

FRB: What else do you like to do, Marc?

Marc: Well, I also bike and run, but I don't really do either because I like to. They're just quick, inexpensive ways of getting an aerobic workout. As for other types of recreation, things that come to mind include two-stepping at Charlies (in Denver), reading, movies, and coffee shops.

FRB: Tell us about your sexual orientation?

Marc: Not sure there's much more to say, except that I wish it wasn't an issue for so many people. It'd be so nice to be able to express oneself without having to worry about how someone is going to react.

FRB: Why do you prefer men over women?

Marc: To my knowledge this question hasn't really been answered yet, at least not completely. But if I can draw on my own experience, I'd say it's at least partly due to genetics/biology.

FRB: What do your climbing partners think of that?

Marc: Well, if they're not OK with it, then they're not my climbing partner for long. For those who have no problem with it, it's often a good source of humor.

FRB: What is the up-side to your preference?

Marc: I think it has given me lots of insight into prejudice and discrimination and has made me a more sensitive and compassionate human being.

FRB: What is the down-side?

Marc: The down side, which is much more obvious, is having to deal with how people express their fear and ignorance.

FRB: What is it like climbing virtually exclusively
          with your sexual preference object?

Marc: I'm guessing it's the same as a (straight) guy climbing with women. Being human, sexual attraction is bound to arise sooner or later. Whether it's acted upon depends on the other's interest. If there's no interest, no problem -- let's climb.

FRB: Where do you go to look for 'friends'?

Marc: If I'm specifically looking to meet gay men, then I usually go to a gay bar. I wish that bars were not the best (easiest) place to meet guys, but it just seems that they are. (Another down-side). Parties are another good option, but they're not consistently available. Then there's the online thing, but that can be sooo shaky. I'm telling ya, it ain't easy.

FRB: What about the gay bar scene...
          are there any gay bars in Boulder?

Marc: ONE! Can you believe a ("progressive") city of almost 100,000 has just one gay bar. It's pretty pathetic really. Some say it's cause we're too close to Denver. Whatever.

FRB: How can you tell if some one is gay?

Marc: You can't (yet another down-side) unless they're really flamboyant. But then I think my "gadar" is really bad.

FRB: Does it make for awkward situations
          climbing with men?

Marc: It can. That's why I'm usually up front about it. It feels weird bringing it up, cause ultimately it has nothing to do with climbing and seems so irrelevant. But if someone can't deal with it, I probably don't want to be climbing with them a whole lot, (and vice versa I suppose).

FRB: What about life after climbing...
          what are your plans?

Marc: This may sound bad, but I really don't have any plans per se. One of my favorite book titles is "Being Nobody, Going Nowhere". It's a book on basic Buddhism. Maybe I'm taking it too literally, but I sort of see myself just taking what comes. I do some things to help maintain my health and hope it holds up so I can be working, climbing, and traveling when I'm older. Retirement is a nice thought, but I'm not totally banking on it, especially when I consider the current administration and where this country may be headed.

FRB: Final wise words of wisdom for someone
          struggling with an alternative lifestyle?

Marc: Be true to yourself. You'll be much freer. It may seem scary to be "out", but hiding is such a burden.

FRB: Thanks for the interview, Marc.

Marc: You're welcome. If any of your readers have any questions or want to discuss any part of this interview, they can reach me at Marc@yahoo.com.

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