It's a rare feat when a pair of shoes changes one's life but that's exactly what happened to Chad Gowan, 28, when he stepped into a new pair of Merrell clogs a few months ago.

"I had always laughed off the idea of wearing clogs even though they were becoming quite popular," says Gowan, "they just look so...gay."

But in a quest to find a shoe that was easy to get on and off Gowan decided to give clogs a chance. "They were just so easy," he says.

And comfortable. So comfortable and convenient, in fact,

Merrell clog model 5A86: "The Persuader"

that Gowan began wondering what else the gay lifestyle could offer him. In the following weeks he began to observe gay culture in a whole new light.

"I saw some guys carrying around these little purse like things and it looked funny, but I got to thinking about how organized that would make me. I got one and it is so handy, I haven't been late for anything since, and I always have whatever I need."

Two weeks later the changes became even more drastic. Long time friend Jerry Campione became concerned when he notice Gowan eating salad at dinner one night.

"Chad's always been this big steak and potatoes kind of guy," says Campione, "I was surprised to see him skipping all that. He said he'd read somewhere that most gays were vegetarians so he thought he'd give it a try. I didn't really know what to think, I thought that's all gays did was eat meat...get it? Eat meat? Whoo, that's funny."

"Jerry can be very insensitive," counters Gowan, who has lost 30 pounds as a vegetarian, and says he feels great. "I think the new walk has helped me feel better lately too." Gowan refers to the "swishy" kind of walk he picked up when trying to emulate the homosexuals he has seen at the gay clubs he's been hanging out in. "At first I was doing it as a goof, and to fit in, but damned if it hasn't alleviated almost all the pain in my back." Gowan has suffered from chronic back pain as a result of a construction accident four years ago. "Sure the guys on the job site make fun of me now, but as long as my back doesn't hurt...sticks and stones, honey."

Gowan even notes that as an unexpected side effect to his new lifestyle he has been asked out on more dates by women than ever before.

"I'm not sure what it is, whether it's that they view me as non-threatening so I'm easy to approach, or if it's the weight I've lost or if they just think I'd be fun to shop with, but they all seem disappointed when I tell them I suck cock now."