>>What do you think? If you have an opinion, a suggestion, a comment or a critique, please let me know.

For the latest information on the application process, read the Status Report.

HEY, GAY ERIC! IN THE NEWS

CBS News on Logo, the LGBT cable network — April 25, 2006


The Straight Dope — Weird Earl of the Week, April 18, 2006
Oh, the irony of being featured on the Straight Dope whilst searching for my gay Eric. I know it's not a site for "the straights," but it does make for a funny juxtaposition. (As an aside, why are so many straight men applying to be my boyfriend? Note to all you curious types: I'm not your guy. Sorry.)


From the Bay Area Reporter — April 13, 2006
Gay man seeks BF – only Erics need apply
by Matthew S. Bajko

Gay men's dating behaviors have been Balkanized for decades.

There is the bear community for hirsute men. There are daddies seeking out youthful mates and "sons" hoping to land handsome – preferably wealthy – older gentlemen. Circuit queens, bar boys, hip-hoppers, gym rats, jocks, leathermen, drag queens, tranny chasers, and of late, serosorters who only mix with someone of the same HIV status, are all treading in various waters of the gay dating pool.

Now comes one man's Eric fetish. Read the full story


Queerty.com and Chrisafer.com
I've been found by the gay blogging mafia! Thanks guys for telling a few thousand of your closest friends about the site. I knew something was up when I had 47 e-mails waiting for me this afternoon. You can see the postings at Queerty (scroll down to April 6) and Blah, Blah Black Sheep.


YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
Thanks to everyone who has written in, pro and con. Your feedback means so much to me, and I've already made several updates to the site based on what you've had to say. So, please, don't be shy. The only way this experiment works is if I hear from you.


Notes from the Fortune Teller's Ball:
A very big thank you to the AIDS Emergency Fund, which invited me to their annual Fortune Teller's Ball fund-raiser to consult with local psychics for more information about my gay Eric. I had a tarot card reading, an astrological consultation and an intuitive body reading. Most of the issues that came up had to do with my career (Yay, I'm on the path of "right livelihood" and I should continue — go me!), but there were some positive indications that my romantic life is going to take a big turn for the better. Of course, it won't be without its struggles (story of my life), but it will all be worth it in the long run.

I did get some more specifics on my Eric, but I don't want to influence anyone's answers to the application, so for now, I'm keeping mum. Thank you again to AEF. They are a great organization doing important work. If anyone feels so inclined, I'm sure they would love it if you made a donation here.


From Lars in Denmark, in response to the first bit of Useless Eric Trivia on the home page:
Actually, there are only seven "official" Danish kings named Erik. The last two or three are "prehistoric" and from a time where Denmark was both larger and divided into smaller regions, and the historic sources were not too accurate. They can be found on the List of Dubious Danish Kings. Sweden also has had kings named Erik, including a line of kings named Erikska ätterna (Dynasty of Erik). A number of kings bear the last name Eriksson, which means "son of Erik." By the way, 37,231 are named Erik in Denmark today, but it used to be more popular.
 
Gay Daniel responds:
Thank you so much for the information, Lars. I have updated the Useless Eric Trivia to reflect the official historical records for both Denmark and Sweden (as opposed to the nine Danish kings to which I originally referred). And, I have to say, my favorite part of your e-mail is the list of dubious Danish kings. Brilliant!


From Chris:
If it's a spoof, then very interesting. If it's not, then you need to get a clue (keeping that bed warm at night?).

Gay Daniel responds:
Chris, thank you very much for your feedback. Your critique is interesting in its brevity. If I tell you I'm being ironic and insincere, then it means I pass the "camp" test, right, and it's safe to like me. But if I tell you that I mean it, it makes me a loser. I see no way out of this predicament. In fact, it's probably what got me here in the first place.


From an Eric who pulled out of the running:
Tiger, after much thoughtful consideration, I'm going to yank myself from the running. Even though you didn't ask for feedback, I thought I'd mention, this all just seems so dreadfully serious (it's too much "making a doctor's appointment" and not enough "making a date, while laughing along the way")...especially in contrast to the charming, creative, fun and original idea of the web site. I'm really looking for a little more joie de vivre in my, um, processing ;-) Anyhow, good luck — I have no doubt you'll attract all the best gay Erics out there!

Gay Daniel responds:
Thanks, Tiger. I appreciate your point of view, and feedback is always welcome. Perhaps my response to your application did come across a bit serious, especially in contrast to the website, as you say. But you can imagine how many people complete the application just for fun, or to kill time at the office, or because they think their answers are going to yield a score that tells them what kind of Eric they are. (I'll say it again: There is no score! The application is completely subjective. I look at your answers and think, "Yeah, he's funny, interesting, thoughtful, sensitive." And I send you my answers so you can do the same. Each question tells me a little something about you that contributes to the overall impression.)

If I respond pretty matter-of-factly, it's so the Erics who aren't serious can take themselves out of contention. Besides, the guys I'm most interested in will know when they hear back from me. I'm not all that subtle with the Erics I think I'd be the most compatible with.


From Ron:
First of all, how do you know if someone is attracted to your picture or if they want a piece of cake with pink frosting? There are many Erics who might not have felt a special attraction to you if it wasn't for that cake.
 
But to a more important point: If a psychic was involved in planting this Eric notion in your head, shouldn't you have that same individual involved in the current process as well? If this person could really look into your future and "see" the person you wind up with, aren't you destroying that vision by including hundreds of Erics who you never otherwise would have chanced to meet (in person, online, or otherwise)?
 
Finally, "the standard hiring practice" you use as a model is not something between two equals. "Hiring" a boyfriend implies the unspoken existence of probationary periods, performance evaluations, and even a possible firing. And while it is big of you to allow people to take themselves out of the running, it also emphasizes that you are not doing any of that old-fashioned male pursuing that people like. Yet, you are being "pursued" in a sense and, in return, you are evaluating applications — albeit with an open and intelligent mind. For that reason I think your search is more cute (and harmless, I hope) than it is romantic.

Gay Daniel responds:
Ron, where to begin? Yes, the psychic planted the seed, but let's just say I'm giving it fertilizer. I see it as equal parts taking a leap of faith and taking control of my own destiny. In that way, I don't really feel like I need the psychic by my side to identify the "real" Eric; the process I have constructed should help me identify an Eric who understands me and shares my values.

And I do realize that this process is not exactly the same as a standard hiring practice. In fact, I have tried to level the balance of power in the equation by giving applicants the chance to decide for themselves how compatible they think we are. After submitting their application, they get to see my answers to the same questions, and it's up to them to decide if they want to go on to a phone interview. I do pursue the Erics I'm most interested in by letting them know what I think, but if they don't respond, then I leave it alone. Fair is fair.

Finally, as to whether people are attracted to me or whether they just want cake, well, Ron, I can think of no better metaphor for life. In the end, how do we ever really know what makes us attractive to someone else?


From the folks at For Me magazine, who apparently know from Erics:
Just wanted to tell you your site rocks and we're all rooting for you here at For Me Magazine. You see, we've all dated Eric(k)s: our editor is married to one, our managing editor dated one, I've dated an Erik and an Eric, and I can say they're all good people. What's more, you've put yourself out there, you're honest and you know who you are, which will make you extremely attractive to anyone. The best part is that we wholeheartedly believe in the wisdom of psychics, but that you have to make things happen, too. Plus you don't take yourself too seriously. Love it!


From Thomas:
Most psychic predicitions do not always produce a name as a first name — i.e., Eric could be his name, but he could go by another.

Gay Daniel responds:
Thomas, you have raised an important point. In fact, several guys with the middle name Eric (or some variation) have already applied. One such applicant helpfully informed me that, in numerology, the energy of your middle name influences your life in your 30s. I have obviously put some trust in the psychic, but it's not blind devotion. If there's a compelling Eric-relatedness to any person's application, I'm open to the connection. Still, I would say about 95 percent of applications right now are from an Eric, Erik or Erick.


From (alas) a non-single gay Eric:
Were I single, you'd be hearing from me. You wild guy!


From Sarah Mary, a well-wisher:
I love, love, love your website. And were I a gay Eric/k/Enrique I'd be busting out that application like nobody's business. Anyways. I, too, went to see a psychic back when I lived in Oaktown (I moved out here to the freezing east coast last year), but she didn't mention any specific names, just that I'll meet the love of my life when I'm 27. I'm 22, but I guess I don't mind waiting. Good things come to those...

I wish you the absolute best of luck in your seach for the Eric of your life, and I really hope you update for all of us who are excited by your journey.


From Gay Eric in the East Bay:
I can really appreciate the idea of this site, and I'm sure you're going to get a lot of attention because of it. Hopefully, it'll net you a local gay Eric of your very own. As a Gay Eric myself, though one who is currently partnered so certainly out of your consideration set, I'm not sure I would go through the application process for a couple reasons.

There just aren't enough pics of you on the site. Sure, I understand that the match you are looking for is not solely based on physical attraction, but still if the spark isn't there initially, experience has shown it ain't gonna happen. But I don't think I would complete your long (and dare I say slightly patronizing) application when it's not clear from the amount of stats and pics you provide if there would even be significant chemistry later should a worthy Eric make it to the next round.

All that aside, I wish you luck. This is the fun kind of cyberage activity I think is very cool.

Gay Daniel responds:
Okay, Gay Eric in the East Bay, I take your point that physical attraction is an important consideration. So I've added a larger picture of myself on the About Me page, as well as a brief physical description a little further down in the text. As to the length of the application, it's designed to be like a questionnaire you might fill out when applying for certain kinds of jobs where personality type is really important. Hopefully the questions are interesting and fun to think about. I put a lot of thought into each one, as well as my answers to them, which are sent to each applicant in response to their submission. So far, at least, the Erics who have applied have told me it's a helpful tool in diagnosing our compatibility.

Some love from fans:
Unfortunately, my name's not Eric, so I can't apply, but this is absolutely brilliant! Good for you and good luck! —Randy

I'm absolutey in love for the first time in my life. But having been single for most of my 42 years, I find this to be the smartest, most creative dating thing I've ever seen. I don't know you, but I truly hope this helps bring you together with your life partner. If not, it should bring you many friends and admirers. Best of luck! —Steve

You are a genius! Seriously, that's the best thing ever, I posted it up in my online journal, and I actually do have a gay friend named Eric, so I will tell him about it! —Miriam

I LOVE you and you are fucking great! —Rick

HeyGayEric.com is so awesome. I love your juicy brain. You are so frickin cute. I am passing around the site. We are totally going to find you a gay Eric. —Beth

Gay Daniel responds:
You guys are making me blush! But, really, thanks for the love, and especially for spreading the word. Please everyone, tell your friends!