How is it that I just found this thread? I guess I just rarely venture into the "polling place" forum. Anyway, very interesting.
I'm sure my friends here have noticed that I tend to be a Jack fan. This is certainly not to say that I dislike Ennis in any way. In fact, I have infinite sympathy for Ennis and my heart breaks for him every time I watch the movie.
I seem to be the only gay woman (not bisexual) on this board (at least as far as I gather so far). So my interest in the characters has less to do with finding them attractive in conventional terms (although I'm perfectly capable of seeing them as adorable and romantic) and has much more to do with identifying with their predicaments. Essentially, I identify with Ennis while I like Jack. I infinitely admire Jack's boldness in what I see as his courage and lack of inhibitions in pursuing what he wants/ deserves. I guess what I'm saying is that I'd be attracted to a woman who exhibited the personality of Jack. But, I find Ennis fascinating. I understand his stress and anxieties (and I do tend to be more of a cynic and a pessimist... so I'm attracted to optimists, I guess). While I certainly don't think I'm burdened with the level of "internalized homophobia" that plagues Ennis, I absolutely understand the stress of being circumspect. I'm very out to lots of friends and colleagues even. But, I'm certainly cautious and quite closeted around lots of people. I wish I could be as brave as Jack and I hope I learn Ennis's lessons about the dangers of a closeted, half-lived life.
ps. I just turned 31 on April 20. I don't know if my age is a factor in any of this.