Somehow or other, Stroili the Straight is destined to "view the world through gay eyes." "Straight Up With a Twist" is Stroili's exploration of his past -- in order to explain (always through humor) his confused, conflicted present. Soon, we travel with him as he hilariously embodies all of the characters in his vibrant life: his German mother Charlotte, who chain smokes while lamenting the mixed nature of her obsessive-compulsive son; his Italian father Bruno, who fears that his son is gay and tries to engage him in "man things"; his all-American jock brother John, who looks on in amusement; his bratty little sister Carrie; his college drama coach Kendal Jackson; and shrink Dr. Andrews, who decides that Stroili is "the Mercedes" of patients.

When Stroili finally gets a small role in his first film, he is cast as a gay hustler. Go figure.

Stroili met Monica in 1989 and has been living with her since then in Los Angeles, where fitting in with the lifestyle seems less of a problem and he's somewhat more at ease with himself. At 36, he's unmarried, a self-proclaimed blend of Tim Allen and Woody Allen.

Still, there's hope. "We're part of a new subculture," he says in parting. "And we're not freaks. We're Renaissance geeks."