A Whole New Meaning For Gay Life
You never know when youre going to get a great idea.
It could be while youre sipping Mumm from a flute as the souffl? is rising in the kitchen; or while youre window-shopping at Prada in Soho; or as youre doing your own fantastic version of Gloria Gaynors “I Will Survive.”
In any case, I think this idea came to me as I was watching a “Will & Grace” rerun. Simply put, its this: Why doesnt some entrepreneur start a life insurance company solely for gays and lesbians? No straight people need apply.
As far as I know it hasnt been done, but the potential for success is staggering.
First, there are the demographic factors. Many surveys have documented that the gay and lesbian population has a high level of disposable income, a willingness to spend it, and a desire for products and services tailored to their needs and desires.
Industries of all stripeswith the glaring exception of insurancehave responded with products marketed specifically to gays. This ranges from car manufacturers to liquor companies to clothing retailers and vacation providers.
Second, the gay thing has never been so ubiquitous. This is true not only in the entertainment worldthink of the phenomenal success of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”–but in the way that the whole issue of gay marriage has been dominating the headlines. OK, one can understand San Francisco. But New Paltz in sleepy upstate New York?
Third, and most important, is the need. The ravages of the early years of the AIDS epidemic, particularly among male homosexuals, have struck home. The self-destructive promiscuous drive, while still flourishing in some quarters, has been largely replaced with a greater appreciation for living long and settling down. Find a partner, raise a family.