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Gay King Richard: He won Survivor, He won fans, detractors--and $1 million. Now Richard Hatch speaks to the gay press for the first time about the secrets of his past and how being gay prepared him for his island challenge
The tribe has spoken: Richard Hatch may not be King of the World, but after the nail-biting climax of CBS's summer ratings blockbuster Survivor (now in reruns), Hatch was certainly king of the island of Pulau Tiga. The mainstream media, after dutifully noting that Hatch is gay, went looking for other reasons to explain the skill with which he played the game and won the $1 million. But his lesbian and gay fans, cheering his victory, no doubt saw something of their own lives in Hatch's game plan. His 39 days on an island with 15 strangers (gradually whittled down to Hatch alone) was a veritable metaphor for surviving as a gay person in a potentially hostile environment. Life's lessons had taught Hatch--overweight and something of an outcast as a child, by his own admission--to bide his time, quietly analyze the workings of the straight world, master its rules, and then beat it at its own game. It was a survival competition that was as much steely mind game as physical endurance contest.
No PC exemplar, this out single dad didn't bother playing the good gay Boy Scout, eager to prove himself trustworthy, loyal, and kind. With his bold asides to the camera--"I've got the million-dollar check written already," he confidently predicted in the very first episode--the show's producers portrayed the 39-year-old corporate trainer as a castaway Richard III, methodically knocking off his enemies at each episode's "tribal council."
Yet in his fashion Hatch was the island activist, overturning more than a few stereotypes: While hetero Sean--with his smooth-shaven chest and nipple ring--stood around playing the dim twink, Hatch dived into the reef to spear some dinner, proving himself the Tagi tribe's alpha male. While old salt Rudy griped about spending time with a "naked queer," Hatch earned his grudging admiration and unshakable loyalty. And when finalist Kelly begged for love in the ultimate tribal council, Hatch simply demanded respect. When he won, it was as if the tormented Piggy had bested his persecutors...