The trusty website, UrbanDictionary.com, has several definitions for the term lesbro:
1. A man who has more friendships with lesbians than other women or men.
2. The male equivalent of a fag hag.
3. A heterosexual man who is either one or both of the following: a brother to one or more lesbian sisters, or, friends with a disproportionate amount of homosexual women. “Wow, your brother really only hangs out with gay girls, doesn’t he! And you’re a big gay yourself, sister! What a lesbro you’ve got there!”
To us, a lesbro is a little bit of all, but at his core, a lesbro is a male friend to at least one, but possibly several, lesbians. This column shares a little bit about some famous lesbros that we love.
This week’s Lesbro: Damon Cox.
Damon Cox is the drummer for Australian duo An Horse. When he is not touring the world he loves seeing films and eating soup. He lives in Melbourne.
AfterEllen.com: Of the above three definitions of a lesbro, which do you think describes you best?
Damon Cox: I would say the closest would be number 3. I definitely wouldn’t say I’m the male equivalent of a fag hag and I wouldn’t say that I have more friendships with lesbians than other women or men. But I do know, hang out and work with a lot of women who happen to be gay.
AE: What is the best thing about your lesbian friend/s?
DC: They do all the talking. I’m generally pretty reserved until I get to know someone well. So there’s never any pressure to hold the conversation in a group scenario which I like [Laughs] All of my lesbian friends are insanely talented, creative, loving and supportive. They are a huge inspiration in my life.
AE: Do you think that having lesbian friends has anything to do with where you fall on the Kinsey scale? Care to comment on your own sexuality?
DC: Nope. I don’t think having friends who are gay, both female and male, have had any influence on my sexuality whatsoever. Sorry, pretty boring.
AE: What stereotype about lesbians have you found to be false?
DC: Oh man probably all of them. I don’t even wanna type any because most of the classic stereotypes are f–king ridiculous.
AE: What do you think it is specifically that draws you towards being friends with lesbians?
DC: I don’t think I’m specifically drawn to my lesbian friends because they are lesbians. I’m drawn to them because they are good people. It just kind of happened that way. I honestly believe good people find each other, in our professional and personal lives. I do really admire the sense of community and support amongst my lesbian friends though, their big hearts, and their drive and ambition. But they are similar traits I’m drawn to in anyone I associate myself with, regardless of their sexuality.
AE: How has your girlfriend responded to your friendships with lesbians?
DC: I’ve been with my girlfriend for nearly 10 years. We pretty much have all of the same friends. Enough said.
AE: How did you meet the other half of An Horse, Kate Cooper?
DC: Kate and I met in Brisbane where we formed An Horse. I was working in a record store and she got a job there too. That was in 2005. We immediately clicked and became friends. It took a few years before we decided to play music together though.
AE: Do you think that calling Kate your “other half” not only describes your dynamic in the band but in life as well?
DC: I’m not sure if I’d call Kate my other half but she is a huge part of my life. We are close friends, bandmates and business partners.
AE: Have you been in many other bands? What makes your relationship with Kate and your music work so well?
DC: I’ve played in quite a few bands in the past in Australia. Some good, some terrible. An Horse is the first band I’ve played in though where it feels 100 perrcent honest and comfortable with no pretense. It’s really hard to find the right people to play music with. I feel pretty blessed that Kate and I found each other. We have a very similar work ethic. I guess you could say we are musical soulmates.
Check out Damon on tour with An Horse this spring.
