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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Check out this guide to ”gay up” your guy

Lucy Kafanov Knight Ridder

OK, so you love your man. You’ve been together long enough to overlook the unibrow, the occasional stale pizza crust between the couch cushions and even his favorite boxers that have so many holes in them that you wonder what they’re meant to cover.

But admit it: after watching enough episodes of “Will and Grace” and “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” you just can’t help but wish your man was a little bit more … well, gay.

Nan Shipley and her gay best friend, Jason Anthony, understand how you feel. In fact, they wrote a book just for you: “Is Your Straight Man Gay Enough? The Ultimate Renovation Guide” (Chronicle Books, $14.95). Take their quick multiple-choice quiz to assess the gayness level of your husband or boyfriend, and you’ll soon be on your way to renovation success.

The guide provides you with useful tools including Social Etiquette Cue Cards (the “It doesn’t make you look fat” card can be whipped out when shopping together) as well as Gift Flash Cards (expect to get lots of jewelry if you use these) for all holiday occasions. The chapter titled “From Slob to Suave: Conquering His Fear of Grooming” gives tips on how to lure your man into a salon and what exercises will make him build the toned buns you’ve always dreamed about. There’s even a “House and Homo” section to help turn the feng shui-challenged into decor demigods.

Finally, if you think you took the renovation process a bit too far, there’s a handy “Fancy Boy or Nancy Boy” section that helps you assess whether your straight man is at risk of being converted to the other side.

Get crackin’ to turn the slob you love into the stud you’ve always wanted.