While there are exceptions, I know many more gay men who go by their formal names of David, Michael, Christopher, Robert or Johnathan, than I do those who use Dave, Mike, Chris, Bob or John. I've never understood why they opt for the more formal name. Any ideas? I only go by "Douglas" on formal documents, but cringe if someone call me that instead of "Doug".
2006-07-17 13:04:26 · 4 answers · asked by Doug G 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
This is not intended to be a gay vs. straight question, so please don't make it such. There are may non-gays who also go by their formal names. I was only making an observation strictly of gay men whom I've been in contact with. It may not be universal, hence nature of the post. Maybe it tends to be those in the city, or in certain professions?
2006-07-17 13:29:01 · update #1
It's a good question. I think you are correct in your observation. I decided to quit using a shortened version of my name when I left Nebraska and came out in California. I suppose it was a way of claiming my own identity... defining myself, choosing to be the "complete" me, rather than the truncated me that was in the closet.
Thanks for asking!
2006-07-17 17:01:15 · answer #1 · answered by eyesinla 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This isn't something I've noticed, so it might just be your personal experience that's "off". If it is a trend, though, I could make up some freudian bull to back it up. Having lived in the closet, one always has to keep a distance between one's self and others. Anyone who isn't a very good friend is kept at a distance (so that they can't reject / hurt you); the name is a symbolic way of doing that.
That work?
2006-07-17 16:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by Atropis 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is not a "gay" thing but a people thing. I know plenty of straight guys who love their names and will not be called by anything else. I also know straight guys who love their nicknames or informal names rather than their formal names. It is a preference people have. Please don't generalize.
2006-07-17 13:08:07 · answer #3 · answered by firecracker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats not agay thing, but to clairify it is so much hotter to call someone by their formal name then casual, its like hey joe doesn't roll off the tounge like hey joseph. its just better.
2006-07-17 13:15:56 · answer #4 · answered by Advice Whore 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋