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When did it become okay to stereotype gays?

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Joyce Since: Apr, 2009
#1: May 10th 2011 at 7:47:14 AM

I'm a little older than most of the tropers here (in my 40's) and when I was growing up, the books and articles we read that explained sexuality always insisted that you couldn't tell if a person was gay by their hobbies and interests. For instance, a girl who didn't wear makeup or a boy who liked being in the school musical wasn't automatically a homosexual just because of it.

But lately I'm hearing more and more often, when some celebrity or real life person comes out of the closet "are you really surprised? Didn't his collection of Hummel figurines clue you in?" or something like that. Funny thing is, these remarks come most often from people who have no philosophical objection to gay sex.

In the media, the two examples that come to mind are: The movie "In And Out", Kevin Spacey's character—who never shows any interest in men—decides he's gay because another character told him he is, and because he discovers an appreciation for disco. More recently, in the comic "9 Chickweed Lane", Roger—who never shows any interest in men—decides he's gay because another character tells him he is and he's a foodie with refined tastes.

I really hate to see our society moving backward to the old gender stereotypes.

Move confidently in the direction of your dreams.
MadassAlex I am vexed! from the Middle Ages. Since: Jan, 2001
I am vexed!
#3: May 10th 2011 at 7:56:31 AM

I really couldn't answer that question.

And as much as I hate to stereotype gays myself, sometimes... it just kinda works out that way. You know the voice, right? The one stereotypically associated with gay males? In my personal experience, a lot of gay males do have that inflection. It's really bizarre. I always thought it was entirely a media construct. But there you are.

On the other hand, yeah.

We probably should stop stereotyping homosexuals.

Swordsman TroperReclaiming The BladeWatch
Counterclock Since: Feb, 2013
#4: May 10th 2011 at 7:58:10 AM

I think the bigger question here is.... when is it ok to stereotype anyone?

Honestly.

MidnightRambler Ich bin nicht schuld! 's ist Gottes Plan! from Germania Inferior Since: Mar, 2011
Ich bin nicht schuld! 's ist Gottes Plan!
#5: May 10th 2011 at 8:01:20 AM

The name of the trope Straight Gay is another example. It refers to male gay characters who act like "normal" men "despite" being gay... so calling it "Straight Gay" implies that 'straight = normal masculine behaviour' and 'gay = campy effeminate mannerisms'.

edited 10th May '11 8:03:59 AM by MidnightRambler

Mache dich, mein Herze, rein...
MadassAlex I am vexed! from the Middle Ages. Since: Jan, 2001
I am vexed!
#6: May 10th 2011 at 8:03:59 AM

^^

It shouldn't be okay, but it's unreasonable to think that people won't do it by accident from time to time, if only out of ignorance.

Swordsman TroperReclaiming The BladeWatch
Counterclock Since: Feb, 2013
#7: May 10th 2011 at 8:10:04 AM

If that's the case then, I predispose that it became okay to stereotype gays when homosexuality became more socially acceptable.

that is to say.

Less gay people = less stereotypes.

More gay people = more stereotypes.

LouieW Loser from Babycowland Since: Aug, 2009
Loser
#8: May 10th 2011 at 8:37:58 AM

Joyce,

But lately I'm hearing more and more often, when some celebrity or real life person comes out of the closet "are you really surprised? Didn't his collection of Hummel figurines clue you in?" or something like that. Funny thing is, these remarks come most often from people who have no philosophical objection to gay sex.
This bugs me too. I feel like I have been in plenty of situations in which people speculated about someone's sexual orientation based off of something silly like how high someone's voice was or that person's interests. In particular, I remember someone "reassuring" me that a certain person was not gay even though he was into drama.

Personally, I think that one's sexual orientation is probably one's own business. I find it inappropriate to try to predict someone's sexual orientation based off of his or her mannerisms or hobbies, especially when one barely knows that person at all.

edited 10th May '11 8:38:37 AM by LouieW

"irhgT nm0w tehre might b ea lotof th1nmgs i dont udarstannd, ubt oim ujst goinjg to keepfollowing this pazth i belieove iN !!!!!1 d
randomtropeloser Since: Jan, 2001
#9: May 10th 2011 at 9:05:38 AM

It really is a little strange. Maybe now that society's become more accepting of gays, we're more comfortable about making tongue-in-cheek jokes about them? At least, I'm assuming the people who make jokes like that aren't against gays considering they're making jokes and not saying things like "DIE FAGGOT DIE!"

BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#10: May 10th 2011 at 10:00:06 AM

When did it become okay to stereotype gays?
Since humanity existed.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Landstander God Of Cake from Somewhere else Since: Jan, 2001
God Of Cake
#11: May 10th 2011 at 10:02:15 AM

I wasn't aware this was a new thing, it seems that there's always been stereotypes. The difference today I think is that now the stereotypes are known by everybody, not just those in the know about these kinds of things.

Emperor Wu liked cake, but not exploding cake!
Ukonkivi Over 10,000 dead.:< Since: Aug, 2009
Over 10,000 dead.:<
#12: May 10th 2011 at 10:47:00 AM

It seems like the more a minority gets exposure on TV, the more stereotypes they get.

And then, because of Hollywood, the public decided the stereotypes are true. Just look what happened with hip-hop in the 90s. Pretty much shoved down everyone's throats was this unchallengable opinion that black people like big butts, and they cannot lie, ghetto-speak, dancing, sex, violence, rapping, ending their words in 'z', guns, failing school, and all sort of other icky little things that have become the modern day blackface that still endures as we speak. Also this has apparently led many people to thinking that white people should not make hip-hop. And if you act like Carlton, you are not a black person. Because black is a behaviour more than skin colour. Gotta love what Hollywood does to minorities. If you're not gonna be invisible, you have to be put into a box.

It's kind of a double edged sword, on the hand, LGBT fellas are getting more rights and acceptance. On the other hand, the whole of society also has come to accept a model of normal LGBT behavior that will last for who knows how long.

Funny thing is, we Bisexuals don't seem to get too many gender role stereotypes, like being butch or effeminate. Just that we're universally incredibly slutty.

The one stereotypically associated with gay males? In my personal experience, a lot of gay males do have that inflection.
I get the feeling that a lot of gay men do this because think it is what they're supposed to do. "Oh, I'm attracted to men. This is what the men who are attracted to men on TV act like. This is what I should act like as well."

edited 10th May '11 10:56:20 AM by Ukonkivi

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inane242 Anwalt der Verdammten from A B-Movie Bildungsroman Since: Nov, 2010
Anwalt der Verdammten
#14: May 10th 2011 at 1:11:51 PM

You know the voice, right? The one stereotypically associated with gay males?

...The one that fills me with homicidal rage? Yes I do.

The 5 geek social fallacies. Know them well.
cutewithoutthe Góðberit Norðling Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Star-crossed
Góðberit Norðling
#15: May 10th 2011 at 1:15:22 PM

When did it become okay to post OT Cs in Yack Fest? :P

HungryJoe Gristknife from Under the Tree Since: Dec, 2009
Gristknife
#16: May 10th 2011 at 1:16:19 PM

It's a thing. It does in fact signal a certain lack of straightness, even if that is not the cause.

Conotations can be more important than literal definitions.

Charlie Tunoku is a lover and a fighter.
Haldo Indecisive pumpkin from Never never land Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
Indecisive pumpkin
#17: May 10th 2011 at 1:20:34 PM

I wasn't aware this was a new thing. It drives me insane that what appears to be the majority of people actually believe these stereotypes are true. It would appear that people who actually believe the stereotypes don't realize that they're subscribing to what I like to call "square-rectangle logic" (all squares are rectangles, therefore all rectangles are squares).

My question is: What the heck can we do to stop the stereotyping?

edited 10th May '11 1:23:25 PM by Haldo

‽‽‽‽ ^These are interrobangs. Love them. Learn them. Use them.
HungryJoe Gristknife from Under the Tree Since: Dec, 2009
Gristknife
#19: May 10th 2011 at 1:24:29 PM

Make the Singularity come quicker. Until then we're going to be human and therefore prone to stereotyping.

The existance of, and even humor based on, stereotypes is nothing to worry about. Only when people let them cloud their world views and can't see past them.

Charlie Tunoku is a lover and a fighter.
inane242 Anwalt der Verdammten from A B-Movie Bildungsroman Since: Nov, 2010
Anwalt der Verdammten
#20: May 10th 2011 at 1:25:06 PM

Draw and quarter Adam Lambert, use his intestines to garrote Lady GaGa and beat Elton John to death with GaGa's skull.

A more serious answer: We need to stop having Campy bastards as figureheads for the gay rights movement.

The 5 geek social fallacies. Know them well.
Saigyouji Since: Dec, 2010
#21: May 10th 2011 at 1:28:09 PM

^ I think it's a little late for that. They're the ones people remember.

Haldo Indecisive pumpkin from Never never land Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
Indecisive pumpkin
#22: May 10th 2011 at 1:29:21 PM

I think one of the reasons we have the stereotypes is because Camp Gay's tend to stick out in people's minds more than Straight Gay's.

‽‽‽‽ ^These are interrobangs. Love them. Learn them. Use them.
HungryJoe Gristknife from Under the Tree Since: Dec, 2009
Gristknife
#23: May 10th 2011 at 1:30:14 PM

You see, the ad-server is stereotyping me.

NO THANK YOU, I DON'T WANT TO FIND "HIM". I WOULD RATHER FIND "HER", BUT I'D PREFER TO DO THAT ON MY OWN, THANKS FOR THE HELP!

The ad-server has bad hearing, you see.

Charlie Tunoku is a lover and a fighter.
Malkavian What is this from madness Since: Jan, 2001
What is this
#24: May 10th 2011 at 1:30:19 PM

^^^^... I like Elton John...

Yes, I'll go to the police station to turn in my balls now...

On the subject of Gaga, I know she has gay fans.... but when do they start feeling pandered to? Seriously.

I think it might be because before there seemed to be a large population of people in denial such a thing would exist. Bewitched wanted a gay character (played by a gay actor) but had to settle for subtle hints. Now that the cultural consciousness is wider, stereotypes of the most vibrant characters have formed.

[down] This must be some definition of the word 'cool' I was not aware of.

edited 10th May '11 1:36:38 PM by Malkavian

"Everyone wants an answer, don't they?... I hate things with answers." — Grant Morrison
Aondeug Oh My from Our Dreams Since: Jun, 2009
Oh My
#25: May 10th 2011 at 1:31:04 PM

But Lady Gaga is cool...

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

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