What is “gay?” It could refer to homosexuality, but is there a cultural stereotype that is associated with the word, which I think is a problem.

It peeves me when someone asks me about my friend, a straight male, and they refer to him as gay, not because being gay is negative, but because it is an assumption. And based upon what?
Gay men are considered stylish, super tan and obsessed with fashion and good hair, said Ted Allen and Carson Kressley, two stars from the show “Queer Eye,” in an ABC News article about gay men stereotypes.

“There is research that suggests gay men do prefer certain professions, like fashion, interior design and hair coloring, and that lesbians are more likely to prefer sports and the military,” the article read.

It is not always true, though, that opposite gender roles are associated with homosexuality. There are straight women considered tomboys and straight men considered metro.

I have no issue with homosexuality, and as a straight woman, it would actually be an honor to “be hit” on by a girl. But the people who are offended when people ask about their sexuality are probably less offended by the label and more offended by the assumption.

I do not want to hear that someone who is asked if he or she is gay is offended. There is nothing wrong with that; sexuality is simply a preference, and these days, homosexuality is not taboo.
The problem here is labeling people as something they are not without communicating with that person first.

And if an individual does not tell you, you should not ask.

Plus, this label often receives a negative connotation. Again, why? The flamboyant stereotype in the media makes gays look obnoxious, extreme and overbearing. This is not only homophobic, but also problematic, because the representation of the one part of gay culture is represented and seems to over-shadow other homosexual styles.

“But gay men are different, very different and homogeneity should never be the ultimate goal as it disallows individualism and true pride,” said David Davis Jr. of Pride celebrations in The Daily Texan earlier this week.

The ultimate point I wish to make is that we should not judge someone’s sexuality based upon his or her appearance because it does not matter.

Unless you are interested in potentially dating the person, it should not matter whether he or she is straight, gay, bisexual, transgender or other.

Share