uberSEXual

"Ubersexual" is a new term 1^st spotted in the book, "The Future of Men" authored by Marian Salzman-EVP & Director of Strategic Content of JWT-the largest ad agency in America, Ira Matathia, and Ann O'Reilly. It means a "return to the positive aspects of masculinity or "M-ness" of yesteryear (strong, resolute, fair, confident)," according to the writers, who helped spread the word on Metrosexuality in the first place.

The descriptor "uber" was chosen because it means the best, the greatest, says Salzman. Unlike Metrosexuals, who the authors now claim risk being seen as "sad sacks" who seem "incapable of retaining their sense of manhood," Ubersexuals are confident, rugged and influential.

The authors' list of Top 10 Ubersexuals includes George Clooney, Bill Clinton, Bono, Barack Obama, Guy Ritchie, Jon Stewart and others whose growing sex appeal reflects a drop-off in Metrosexuals' popularity, according to the writers, who say Metrosexuals now seem high-maintenance, self-absorbed and overly dependent on women's fashion tips.

The 41-year-old singer of Third Eye Blind, Stephan Jenkins seems to be a big-time Ubersexual, a quick mover with broad masculine appeal to many women and men. The Oakland native was UC Berkeley's valedictorian in 1987, and he recently dated (and might still, if www.StephanJenkins.com is correct), 25-year-old singer Vanessa Carlton. Previous girlfriends include Winona Ryder and Charlize Theron.

But, as befits the label-resistant spirit, Jenkins rejects the Ubersexual tag altogether. "It seems like a marketing ploy," he said. "I don't think men need a 'sexual' put next to their names. ... What kind of sexual is the Dalai Lama? I want to be that."

The San Francisco author of the best-selling "Tales of the City", Armistead Maupin, has become a literary giant, an openly gay author whose appeal seems Ubersexual. When asked his thoughts on the Ubersexual label, he laughed. "It's absurd. Are there any gay men on the authors' list? No. She (Salzman) implies that homosexuals are naturally excluded from the list." "The list," Maupin added, "seems to suggest that gay men cannot be strong and masculine and sensitive and self-determined."

Is Ubersexual a pseudo-academic prognostication, marketing ploy or a real new trend? This is NYC. There's always room for all sorts of sexuality!