Kyle's Bed & Breakfast
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kyle's Bed & Breakfast is a syndicated comic strip by Greg Fox.
The comic strip takes place in a gay bed & breakfast, and features a diverse cast of regularly appearing characters, along with an ongoing flow of guests who contribute to the humor and drama. Set in the New England-ish harbor town of Northport, Long Island, New York (which is displayed prominently in the detailed visuals of the comic strip), Kyle's Bed & Breakfast premiered in late October, 1998. Despite the gorgeous visuals, snappy dialogue and abundant humor, (as well as the parade of often hunky characters), the strip has delved into a stunning range of serious topics, including gays in professional sports, gay parenting, racism, gay marriage, gays in the priesthood, AIDS, gay "body fascism", 9/11, gays with disabilities, "straight-acting" conversion therapy, family rejection, and the struggles of married, closeted gay men. Originally running in Genre magazine, the strip now runs in a wide variety of gay & lesbian publications across North America, including the Washington DC Blade, the Chicago Free Press, Philadelphia Gay News, the Dallas Voice, and many others.
Some of the regular characters are:
- Kyle Graham: "30-something" years old, ......Kyle's been through a colorful career history, and a somewhat mysterious past, that has led him to his current position as owner & operator of the B&B. After enduring several "educational" relationships over the past few years, and a good amount of time spent single, he's now in an exclusive relationship with Breyer, a B&B guest originally from Toronto. His main focus continues to be keeping the B&B running and maintaining some semblance of calm amongst the rather diverse array of guests who come through the doors of the B&B.
- Brad Steele: In his early 20s, rising star of a minor league baseball team.....he's looking to break into baseball's major leagues. And he probably will; he's already won awards and has a kick-ass batting average. Essentially still in the closet with everyone outside of the B&B....he's still coming to terms with being gay. Working as the handyman at the B&B is introducing him to the many facets of gay life (many of which he could do without). Recently had his first real, though brief, gay relationship with Vincenzo, an Italian soccer player visiting the B&B.
- Lance Powers: In his early 30s, high-rolling advertising executive, whose latest promotion forced him to relocate from Los Angeles to the Long Island, New York area. Hence, his current residence at Kyle's B&B, although his job causes him to travel frequently. Too wrapped up in his job for a serious relationship…, (although he had a near-miss with Sean, a guest at the B&B). He's also been known to close deals in the bedroom as well as in the boardroom. Just ask famed photographer Max Edgington, one of his recent victims.
- Richard Rubin: In his "mid-to-late" 20s, part-time Club DJ.....full-time Gossip and Fashion Plate (or Fashion Disaster..... depending on your taste). He means well, but has been known to instigate major drama just by walking into a room. A recent relationship with Andrew, (a B&B guest with a baby son), looked as if it might tame Richard's party ways, but after that didn't work out, he was back on the circuit again, and making up for lost time. Currently single.....and looking. Watch out!!!!
- Eduardo Alvarez: Eduardo arrived at the B&B a troubled high school senior, when his parents threw him out on the street after he came out to them. Now virtually cut off from his family, he's made the B&B his home. After months of hard work, (and a brief, disastrous dalliance with Lance), he earned his G.E.D. through self-study. Working as a bus-boy at the Thatched Cottage and trying to get his life on track, he's started taking night classes at Suffolk Community College.
A self-titled book collection of the comic strip, published by Kensington Books in September, 2004, contains the first 5 years of the comic strip in one volume. It went on to become a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Best Humor Book of the Year.
The comic strip, in addition to its large newspaper audience, enjoys a wide, international readership on the internet at the official Kyle's B&B website
