I think the male gaze is such a pervasive cultural phenomenon that even gay men are harmed by it (while perpetuating it).

As products of our broader culture, we find value in how other people see us sexually — as sexual objects.

I'm not suggesting this is conscious, of course. It's just the pervasive sexism that we all live with whether we want to or not.

We can choose to think and live differently, but it takes effort, and it's not something that our peers generally understand or appreciate.