Why would a Straight Woman and a Gay Man Date?

It's a confusing situation, one that resulted from me changing the histories of one of my characters. As it was, two young men were rivals with each other and they were both vying for the affections of the same woman. But as a rather stupid Plot Twist created by my young mind, I had the whole thing settled by revealing one of the men to be gay. Which leaves me with a rather big Plot Hole in three of my character's backstories. A little help sorting this thing out would be much appreciated.

A beard?

Him being bisexual?

Just wanted to compete and win, not actually get the prize?

edited 23rd Feb '11 3:08:11 PM by MrAHR

No, the gay man is a gay man. I never really did put much thought into all three of their motives.

edited 23rd Feb '11 3:09:17 PM by SandJosieph

His trying to hide his homosexuality?

OK. Well, maybe he did it because it was expected of him? He knew that guys dated girls and he thought that girl was pretty cool?

Just wanted the other guy to fail?

On a bet?

I wonder what kind of bet that would have been.

I bet I can get any girl in this room just point to her and I'll get her?

I bet I can get a girl before you do?

Well, the straight guy and gal were actually very close friends before all this mess started (they were next door neighbors and would often shoot spitwads at each other's windows).

The girl had money.

Or the gay guy needed a beard.

Really, just about any reason not related to sex.

edited 23rd Feb '11 3:20:38 PM by BudZer

Well, the girl did have money but I don't think that would be a very compelling reason for the gay man to want to date her. The rest of the students, however, thought they looked cute together (even though they noticed that the girl was happier with the other boy). Perhaps the other students could have been playing matchmaker?

edited 23rd Feb '11 3:24:46 PM by SandJosieph

If he was unsympathetic, I could picture him doing it just to aggravate another person interested in the woman.

Well, one idea that did come up was that the gay boy was dating the girl in an attempt (with some really bad justifications) to make the straight boy gay while the girl was dating the gay boy because she wasn't aware that he was gay and only wanted to make the straight boy jealous enough to finally ask her out on a date while the straight boy likes hanging around the girl because they're childhood friends.

He's romantically attracted to women but sexually attracted to men, maybe? Would be a fairly simple explanation. I have no idea how plausible that is, though.

Oh boy, you and your ideas. He could see her as somebody to protect and with whom he is good friends which is why they spend time together. Sorta like a sister. Or maybe she only feels good with him because other men have hurt her so he is going out of his way to make her comfortable with the other gender again.

Hmmm...

A panromantic homosexual?

Able to fall in lov with anyone, but only sexually attracted to males?

Or polyromantic- romantic attraction to certain KINDS of women, but no sexual attraction?

Those could certainly work.

Does the gay guy know that he's gay?

Well, the gay guy does know he's gay. And I've never heard of a panromantic. What are those? Some kind of shoe?

Panromantics can feel romantic affection for anyone, though they may differ in who they are sexually attracted to. It's like the difference between an aromantic and an asexual.

One important question - do you wish to portray this guy sympathetically?

He's actually a Jerk with a Heart of Gold. So he does have some sympathetic traits.

OK, better question - do you wish to portray him dating this lady despite being gay sympathetically? As in, is it of the 'jerk' section, or the 'heart of gold', or even 'dick move, but at least his intentions were pure'?

It's not portrayed negatively, if that's what you're wondering. The whole affair is really played quite neutrally.

I'd say the panromantic idea is your best bet. It could make for interesting character development if used as a plot device.

He might be going on a date with her out of pity for her being single, or vice versa. It can happen, rather often, a pity date. Not much like pity sex at all.

Maybe she bugged him or ages, or the date is more of a present (like box seats at a hockey game)