Stereotypes

[Skitty]

I've know I was gay for about a year now, (yes I know I need to update my signature XD) but I've begun to notice some things. Firstly, I don't fit in to most gay stereotypes. This is no problem to me whatsoever, I just act the way I like to, not how some people think all gays do. My question, however, lies in the reality of some of these stereotypes. I know a few gay guys, and they all seem to fall into many of these common assumptions about gay people. I know sexual preference has nothing to do with how you look or act, but why do so many people match these stereotypes? Do any of you? And finally, do you think it's a good idea for someone to act a certain way to fit in with what is normal for their people? It seems strange that gay people (who are kinda known for not conforming with everyone else being straight) to conform to a seemingly bizarre way to act, just because other gays do. Anyways, feel free to answer, and I hope I didn't bore you too badly :3

[teen.jpg]

I don't match most stereotypes because besides on TV, those stereotypes are pretty unrealistic.

I think the only stereotype I actually fit is having more female friends then male ones, but that's just a coincidence.

[Hermes96]

i fit two stereo types -
1 - i hang out with a gagle of girls
2- i love fashion and design

[Magenta]

Well, there is one stereotype I've come across about bisexuals (not necessarily gays) is that they're "easy" or promiscuous. And I have had to tell people that that's not true at all. Of course they turn around and say that's hypocritical of me and it's a bit frustrating. I just happen to think casual sex is okay but it has nothing to do with my sexuality really. I don't think my beliefs would change if I were straight or gay. It's kind of stupid because that's not how other bisexuals feel necessarily but people think that I'm lying or something because my personal beliefs happen to come close to a nasty stereotype.

[jayyy-lmao]

I'm bi, and the big stereotype there is being promiscuous. Which in my case is not true.
However, I do act quite like the stereotypical lesbian, and as a bisexual girl, I do prefer girls. I act boyish and dress boyishly, and probably act more like a guy than a girl, especially when I like someone. I go full on Prince Charming.

[Lovelife090994]

My problem which has labeled me as gay even though I'm not is that I am artistic, not athletic, have many girl friends, and do care about fashion and emotions.

[cpkid09]

im bisexual and i fit some of the gay stereotypes like sometimes i talk a little bit feminine and i listen to a few girly songs haha also im not too good at sports

[BlackieChan21E]

I'm bi and the only stereotype I fit is alot of female friends. But other than that I'm all guy. I'm athletic, I'm not promiscuous (virgin till marriage). Most people don't even think I'm Bi until I tell them. I am sort of the hopeless romantic tho!

[Luminous]

Not at all. I am lesbian with long hair and I wear makeup every day and love dressing up and looking pretty all the time, nobody has EVER asked me about my sexuality before because I am a stereotypical straight girl. Unless your stereotyope is girl on girl porn.

[Laquifa]

I've know I was gay for about a year now, (yes I know I need to update my signature XD) but I've begun to notice some things. Firstly, I don't fit in to most gay stereotypes. This is no problem to me whatsoever, I just act the way I like to, not how some people think all gays do. My question, however, lies in the reality of some of these stereotypes. I know a few gay guys, and they all seem to fall into many of these common assumptions about gay people. I know sexual preference has nothing to do with how you look or act, but why do so many people match these stereotypes? Do any of you? And finally, do you think it's a good idea for someone to act a certain way to fit in with what is normal for their people? It seems strange that gay people (who are kinda known for not conforming with everyone else being straight) to conform to a seemingly bizarre way to act, just because other gays do. Anyways, feel free to answer, and I hope I didn't bore you too badly :3

I have some stereotypes , like having more female friends , and occasionally I do the little quirky gay things occasionally . I like looking at heels with my female friends , and I do dramatics at times . Most of the time I'm just a normal teen .

[LouBerry]

The thing is, a lot of people have "gay" traits. Being more comfortable with female friends, having a sense of fashion, all that. Some of those people are gay. Some aren't. But idiots always see those traits and say, "Oh, they're gay." And that can really impact a child's life. Even if you don't think that you're gay, I mean, you fit all the stereotypes, so you must be, right? Can you imagine being eight and having all your friends tell you that you're gay?

Also, I don't know how many of these people you've run into, but there are unfortunately a ton of people who act gay or bi for attention. There is this kid I go to school with, and he tells everyone how gay he is and how much he loves anal sex, and you can tell this kids never made it past first base. Plus, outside of school, and during vacation, he on and on dates some girl from the next town over.

So basically, you can be gay and be feminine, or you can be gay and be masculine, and either way, that's okay. You don't have to fit any criteria to be who you are, just be happy.

[Laquifa]

The thing is, a lot of people have "gay" traits. Being more comfortable with female friends, having a sense of fashion, all that. Some of those people are gay. Some aren't. But idiots always see those traits and say, "Oh, they're gay." And that can really impact a child's life. Even if you don't think that you're gay, I mean, you fit all the stereotypes, so you must be, right? Can you imagine being eight and having all your friends tell you that you're gay?

Also, I don't know how many of these people you've run into, but there are unfortunately a ton of people who act gay or bi for attention. There is this kid I go to school with, and he tells everyone how gay he is and how much he loves anal sex, and you can tell this kids never made it past first base. Plus, outside of school, and during vacation, he on and on dates some girl from the next town over.

So basically, you can be gay and be feminine, or you can be gay and be masculine, and either way, that's okay. You don't have to fit any criteria to be who you are, just be happy.

This is the truth !! I've waited YEARS for someone to say something like this !!

[DerBear]

I guess that's why they're called stereotypes --you don't have to have them to be apart of something, in this case being gay--

What I mean is, you don't have to have these stereotypes to be gay.

[LouBerry]

This is the truth !! I've waited YEARS for someone to say something like this !!

I just hate stereotypes. They are absolute crap. Every single human being on this planet is completely unique. One of a kind. Yeah, we do share traits. But it's like, turtles are slow. They're the animal usually used to evaluate slow. But you know what, so are slugs. Slugs are slow. But that doesn't make them fucking turtles. They're Goddamn slugs and they're happy with it, and so is everyone else.

[Lovelife090994]

The thing is, a lot of people have "gay" traits. Being more comfortable with female friends, having a sense of fashion, all that. Some of those people are gay. Some aren't. But idiots always see those traits and say, "Oh, they're gay." And that can really impact a child's life. Even if you don't think that you're gay, I mean, you fit all the stereotypes, so you must be, right? Can you imagine being eight and having all your friends tell you that you're gay?

Also, I don't know how many of these people you've run into, but there are unfortunately a ton of people who act gay or bi for attention. There is this kid I go to school with, and he tells everyone how gay he is and how much he loves anal sex, and you can tell this kids never made it past first base. Plus, outside of school, and during vacation, he on and on dates some girl from the next town over.

So basically, you can be gay and be feminine, or you can be gay and be masculine, and either way, that's okay. You don't have to fit any criteria to be who you are, just be happy.

That first paragraph hit so close to home here... Back in early grade school kids all thought of me as gay because well... I'm awfully different.

[Skitty]

I think a few of you seem to be missing the point I tried making, sorry I wasn't very clear. LouBerry, You kinda got it :P What I mean to ask is why many of these stereotypes apply to so many people. Pretty much across the board, all of the gay people I know match these stereotypes. (limp wrists, gay voice, into fashion, VERY flamboyant, ect) Personally I think many of those things can be written off as just normal, born-with attributes/interests. However I think that some of those kind of things are decisions done for attention, or done as some sort of "unspoken peer preasure" just because Others like them act that way. I DO NOT MEAN THIS ABOUT EVERYONE, and have no intention to offend anyone. I apologize in advance If I have.

[Lovelife090994]

I think a few of you seem to be missing the point I tried making, sorry I wasn't very clear. LouBerry, You kinda got it :P What I mean to ask is why many of these stereotypes apply to so many people. Pretty much across the board, all of the gay people I know match these stereotypes. (limp wrists, gay voice, into fashion, VERY flamboyant, ect) Personally I think many of those things can be written off as just normal, born-with attributes/interests. However I think that some of those kind of things are decisions done for attention, or done as some sort of "unspoken peer preasure" just because Others like them act that way. I DO NOT MEAN THIS ABOUT EVERYONE, and have no intention to offend anyone. I apologize in advance If I have.

Hmm... why would anyone fake being gay for attention, or be gay and act feminine or masculine when they are feminine or masculine regardless of gender for attention? Good question. Here's another. Why are so many different people myself included called gay for not being the sex-crazed, super burly boy and when we are more artsy instead?

[Cameron14]

Those of us still in the closet try to contain some of the stereotypical facets. Most of the guys I have had sex with do not fit those traits. Perhaps the freedom of your surroundings and how secure/comfortable you feel has an impact.