To say Queer Eye for the Straight Guy made a splash when it first premiered on Bravo in July of 2003 would be an understatement. For the first time in history, openly gay men appeared on national television and their being queer was part of the draw. The trailblazing show opened the door for other gay friendly series to follow on Bravo including Project Runway, Work Out, and Top Chef, though it eventually took the back seat to those very same shows.

However, thanks to some fresh ideas (making over professional baseball teams and Kevin Bacon's brother, for instance) Queer Eye still pulls in viewers every week. And on Tuesday night's all-new episode, the Fab Five do something completely different: they make-over Miles, a transgendered man. AfterElton recently spoke to culture vulture Jai Rodriguez about this unusual episode, as well as how the show continues to break new ground, what really goes on behind the scenes, and whether the guys will be back for another season.

In doing Miles' makeover, what special issues did you have to take into consideration?
Jai Rodriguez: When they told us about Miles, we were so excited. Our show is about starting over. And that's what Miles is doing. He's got a whole new life. He's in his mid 20's and he's become a new person. If you look at pictures of him when he was a little kid, he looked like a drag queen. Like a boy in a wig. And he felt it. Like a stranger in his own body. So, he changed himself. And that's admirable.

What did Miles want help with in particular? Did he want to be more masculine or was it something else?
We thought he'd be really feminine. But he was the butchest one of all of us. There was no teaching him to walk like a man or shake hands like man. He knew better than all of us. And he was totally comfortable with his masculinity which surprised us. He was not afraid to wear designer outfits. He wanted that New York aesthetic. He said he felt so comfortable as a man. And he felt more comfortable around men as a whole. He gets more respect as a man. He told me this story about how he was on a subway, and a guy was checking out his sister. All he had to do was look over and the guy quit it.

What do you hope the public will learn from this episode?
JR: Acceptance and tolerance. Beyond that, it's interesting to see how we are all uniquely different. Some people, when they heard what we were doing, were like “Eww…” Even gay people. There's such a taboo over transgendered people. I don't even think twice about it. I hope people get humanity out of this episode. And acceptance.

How did you relate to Miles? As a man? Or some other way?
You know, Miles's family are Born Again Christian. So are mine. So we related to each other a bunch. We knew a lot of the same church songs. We had a lot in common.

How did the show find Miles?
JR: At the beginning of each year, we have conceptual meetings. How are we going to challenge ourselves this year? So we suggested a transsexual or transgender. And to be honest, I am shocked they let us do it. Everyone loved Miles. Not everyone is nice and good to work with or grateful for the experience. But Miles was. We really helped him. He was working at Starbucks, since it was hard for him getting a job when your license says you are female. He needed the basic things that adults need, and we helped out. I got him a computer which he didn't even have. And he was so sweet.

Miles hosts a party for his friends and family at the end of the show. How did that go? I assume all his friends and families knew he was transitioning. Were they supportive? Was this the first time some had seen him since the transition?
It was an awesome party. We got DJ Brenda Black who you can't really get because she's always booked. And we had great organizations there that honored the family. I wish I'd been at the reveal. I would have cried when I shook hands with his parents. I understand what it's like to feel rejection as a gay youth. And that's not necessary. Miles' parents are proof that you could love a child who is different. They are great role models for the Christian church. Aside from them, everyone else was shocked and genuinely happy for Miles. There were some major reactions.

Does Miles now identify as straight? Does he have a girlfriend?
He identifies as a transman. We didn't go into sexuality. He knows he's sexually attracted to guys and girls. We can't really put people into a category. He's a healthy fun person who contributes to society.

Was it difficult for you being a Born Again Christian and gay?
Yes. Frankly, in my senior year in high school, I was rejected by my church based on rumors that had been circulating. I hadn't even held hands with a guy yet! And it's this huge church with over 3,000 people. I was the star of the choir. I had said to some pastor that I was having thoughts, and the church turned on me. They went to my mom and said “So sorry about your son.” To have them all turn their back on me...

Then I got the role of Angel in Rent on Broadway. I had to tell my mom I was leaving school to play a gay role, and she thought that meant the same thing as saying I was gay. And I've lost two relatives to AIDS. So she thought me being gay was a death sentence. Over time, she adjusted. And when Queer Eye hit, the rumors were solidified for everyone. The church told my mom they were praying for me. She said, “Just so you know, God loves him too. And I support him 100 percent”. And as the universe accepted our show, more people began to accept me. My mom doesn't get the whole gay thing, but she loves me. And she loves Carson and the show.

How will Queer Eye continue to break new ground?
Well, we haven't been asked back for 2007. Maybe this is how we are going out with a bang. Everyone has big new projects. I'm working on a TV show and a movie in the fall. We just had a tour of the Philippines. We are huge there. Like Michael Jackson in 1983.

How have you guys remained friends with all this attention and after so many episodes?
It's only been three years, but it feels like so much due to the overexposure. I started when I was 23. In that first year, I was on Oprah's couch. I was on Ellen. People recognized me. J. Lo is a huge fan of ours. Thom just re-did her house. We went through all this together. How have we stayed friends without killing each other? Well, we're all so different and we respect our differences. We're VERY different. Music tastes. Anything. Not one of us likes the same anything. So, it's a good thing because we represent a vast amount of gay culture.

Do you ever fight?
I'm Switzerland. I never fight. I can't speak for the other boys. I'm like Raymond--Everyone likes me.

Did you make a conscious decision like the cast of Friends that it was all for one and one for all? And has it been hard sticking together?
It was exactly like the Friends. Actually, the lawyer that did their contract represents Carson. So, we've always stuck together. Sometimes it sucks. If one person doesn't like something, they have to grin and bear it until the next battle. I just did a concert in New York, and they all came. I didn't think they would. They're celebrities with their own careers. I look at them now as colleagues but colleagues who became famous. I saw them in the audience and said “I know them!” We define ourselves as family, not friends.

Since the success of Queer Eye, Bravo has gone onto numerous gay friendly shows. Do you think they are so gay friendly because of the success of Queer Eye?
Queer Eye made Bravo. If they don't recognize that, they're idiots. But I think their programming is fantastic. They know their audience. Project Runway has a huge gay following. And this new show Work Out. They endorse gay friendly things. And it's more accessible because it's not just a gay network. It's kind of a gay network but not so exclusive.

What's the general reaction to you when someone meets you on the street?
They always say “I'm sorry.” Like “I'm sorry, but are you Jai?” I think that's funny. I mostly get people who love the show. The gays especially come up. And the gay Latinos. They say “What you're doing for the Latin gay community is so important. We need role models like you.” It's amazing, but I have to stay humble. They don't really know me. I'm just a normal human with a job that is televised. Here on Fire Island, all my housemates are built like superheroes. There's nothing more humbling than that. So when we all go out to the bar tonight, guess who will be back home sitting by the pool himself later on? I know I'm on a small cable reality show. I'm realistic where I stand in the scheme of things.

Is the fact you identify as bisexual ever an issue for fans? Are you bi?
Hmmm… I consider myself gay because at the end of the night, that's who I want to cuddle with. But when I go out, I go to straight clubs. And occasionally in Page 6 they will report some lady fun I've had. But, I have no apologies. Yes, I've had sex with a woman. Will I be straight? Never going to happen. I'm sure it's an issue for some gays, but it's who I am.

Are you dating someone now? What do you look for in a guy?
I wish. I don't know what I want. Someone to WOW ME! Someone worth being in a relationship with. Someone who is like minded and interested in the same things as I am. I haven't found that yet.

Have you ever regretted some of your advice (fashion or other) from the show?
I more regret stuff I've worn or let be done to my hair. I have 1,000 regrets. Sometimes they would tell me what to say. But eventually, I said I wasn't doing that anymore. I took more control.

What's going on with your career aside from Queer Eye?
I'm about to shoot a movie called One Month in Hell in San Francisco. It's about the porn industry. It's a thriller based on reality. And I'm doing one of either two shows in the fall. Big time stuff. I'm waiting to hear what happens.

What do you think of Lance Bass coming out?
Uh duh. I knew for years. I think he's been out and about forever. I've seen him at gay bars. I mean, he looks like a gay boy. He has the look in his eyes. He said some things in the People article that got me pissed. That he doesn't want to be the poster boy or marching down sidewalks for gays. That's ignorant. First off, just because you are out doesn't make you the poster boy for gay community. But secondly, you are on the cover of People magazine for being gay. That's why you are there. Don't forget that. But they're things young gay guys say. He's a fantastic performer and person, and I bet he will end up being an advocate for the community.

What do you think of his relationship with Reichen?
Interesting. I know Reichen socially. He's a nice guy. I don't know Lance that well but he seems like a wonderful guy. I know Joey Fatone who loves the gays. And Justin is comfortable with the gays. There's no reason why Lance couldn't come out sooner. But I admire what he said about not wanting to affect the careers of his other band members. I get that.

Some fun questions now. Which Sex and the City character would you be--Miranda, Samantha, Carrie, or Charlotte?
In my personal life, I'm probably Charlotte. And on Desperate Housewives, I'd be the Eva Longoria character.

Jake or Heath?
Anne Hathaway. I don't think either of them are cute. If I saw them at a gay bar and didn't know they were famous, I wouldn't go “Oh my God, they're stunning”!

Answer this one… If I met Mr. Right I would want/not want to get married?
Get me a date first then we can discuss marriage.

The most overrated part of being gay is...
That you get to sleep around which is not true.

On my boyfriend, I prefer boxers, briefs, or commando?
Boxer briefs.