Daniel Nardicio also known as the Willie Wonka of Queer New York is marketing director for Playgirl Magazine.

Thursday, Daniel circled his magenta, man-centric wagon outside of the Georgetown University campus in search of hunks for the magazine’s annual “Campus Hunks” issue.

Washington’s City Paper interviewed Daniel Nardicio:

So do you think Playgirl is in this sweet spot where it’s insulated from criticism both by feminists and by homophobes?

DN: You know, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Women were objectified for so long, and now straight men are being objectified. It’s a great position to be in. I’ll drive my van down the street and yell at construction workers—”Hey! Show me your dick!” I do this for fun, and to let them know what it feels like to be cat-called. Of course they yell things at me, but let’s face it—it’s hilarious to turn the tables on this. But the van is so in-your-face—I don’t want to say it’s so “gay,” because it’s not necessarily “gay”—it’s just in-your-face male sexuality. There’s a brilliance to it in a weird way, because it’s all about beefcake men, and it’s in a position where people are really forced to acknowledge that. So it’s fun to watch their reactions.

Unlike the construction workers, though, it seems like some of the straight guys are really into this.

DN: Oh my god, yeah. It’s great! At first, I was a little scared going into Rutgers yesterday. I felt like Chris Hanson was going to jump out, like To Catch a Predator. I felt very pervy for a few minutes. But the great thing is that the reputation of the magazine isn’t really hardcore, and guys seem to respond to it really well. The greatest response guys have for me is, “Do I measure up?” Of course, I’ll still get called “faggot” now and again, but that’s something you learn to live with when you drive a magenta van. It’s like being in a pride parade 24-7.

Do you think gay men particularly like seeing straight guys in the magazine?

Yes. As a gay man, I think there’s something about the power of turning the tables. Growing up, a lot of us were bullied. I know I was bullied by straight guys in high school for being gay. And I think there’s something to be said for straight guys, you know, stripping down for us. Even with Levi, you know, there was that satisfying elment of the straight cocky stud from Alaska taking off his clothes. Levi is now actually amazingly, amazingly gay friendly. He’s even pro-marriage.

READ THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW AT WASHINGTONCITYPAPER.COM

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