Writer
Alex Hutchinson
The dictionary said, “Marked by originality and cleverness in conception or execution.”
Alrighty, then! Alex Hutchinson has written an ingenious novel called Virgin Gloves. Plot points dovetail flawlessly into the proverbial page-turner. Even people who are not necessarily into boxing will feel like part of the action.
Boxing is not the only subject that springs naturally from Hutchinson. Unless you are a total homophobe, I believe you’ll find his approach to bisexuality smart and refreshingly normal.
There is something for everyone: Intriguing detective work, clipped but satisfying boxing matches, and human drama featuring a love triangle with an unexpected twist at the end.
It was my distinct pleasure to ask Alex Hutchinson the following interview questions.
Alex: Virgin Gloves is partly based on my real experience as a boxing publicist for a heavyweight fighter. I knew that my fighter was moving up awfully fast and yet he wasn't progressing the way he should be. That led me on a hunt to discover why. I did a little detective work on my own.
Alex: Yes, I was very uncomfortable about sex growing up. I grew up in a prudish family who never talked about sex. My parents allowed the public school system to teach me about sex but schools do not teach about sexuality. I learned slowly, usually through friendships with older gay men and a few fast women. It took many years for me to overcome the guilt that I felt about my own body and the feelings that followed.
I didn't lose my virginity (with a girl) until I was nineteen. It happened in a big black van on a back road. The girl and I didn't stay together because I was leaving for the military and when I returned she was with someone else. There was one more encounter with a girl a year later but that didn't work out either. Then I was celibate for seven years. At the end of those seven years I found a very aggressive girl who loved sex and I got to experience four years of passion with her. That allowed me to break through a lot of inhibitions.
On the other side, I had a secret relationship with a guy for a few years (from age 15 to 18) but after him there were only one time meetings, usually in parks, with older men. Those encounters were on and off until I was thirty. They usually provided me with more counsel than sex but those meetings made me feel attractive. I got to be the center of attention and it was very appealing.
It really was a long hard road (no pun intended) but well worth the learning. Now I'm more comfortable with my sexuality than most of the people I meet. In addition, I learned enough to develop an excellent relationship with my current girlfriend. I'm enjoying a deep, honest, true love because I got through all the barriers that hold most people back from expressing themselves. If I had to go back, I wouldn't change a thing.