: A long-form piece in the New York Times explores how gay men originally used muscularity to "appropriate straight masculinity" as a survival tactic. By transforming their bodies into a version of the "straight ideal," they could reclaim power and ownership over their visibility.

: There is a cultural theory that while many straight men may have "grandfathered in" muscle from school sports, many gay men build it intentionally later in life. This often results in a different aesthetic focus, such as prioritizing full-body balance or emphasizing lower-body development (like glutes and thighs) rather than just the traditional "bench press" upper-body focus.

: A deep dive by Mark Harris for the New York Times on how gay aesthetic ideals have influenced broader culture.