Why do people think there is only one kind of gay person?

Question

There's nothing wrong with being effeminate, acting effimnate, or however many adjectives you want to list there.

What I don't like is when people actually think that "I love gay people they all make me laugh and they're all helping fashion!" I saw an answer like that here.

Trust me, in every society and group there are REALLY nice people, and there are REALLY crappy people. To generalize like that is like setting yourself up to get your opinion shattered whenyou see an asshole gay person or something!

I can see likeing ALL the people who make you laugh, and who you enjoy, and if you like effiminate stuff that too. But It's stupid to generalize all the gay people like that...its so diverse.

I mean I enjoy good people too, but good people exist in everything, not just gay people, etc.

And trust me, I don't like anything to do with fashion, lol.

I hope people understand what I'm talking about and don't get pissed!

Bearlicious, What I've heard about g0ys is exactly what the gay bear community is. I can't help it if I dislike something for whatever reason. It shouldn't even be part of the a subculture, because that's the reason why there are gay bear places. People shouldn't have to have another lable for them just because they don't like anal sex. Being gay does not automaticly equal anal sex. You can be into things without labling yourself that much. It also seems like cowardice to me, that you don't want the stigma of being gay. It's like you're throwing out everything that the gay peopel fight for, just for our own persona cowardice.

BUT I think I know what comment you were reffering too. It wasn't very mature of me to say so, although I don't think I need to defend and justify my opinion on something.

If you go around readnig every single thing a person says just to hold a personal grudge or keep hating the person, it's better to just not read what I say. Don't like it? Deal with it.

goldwing110083, I've had people my own age think I was discusting for being gay, when they were CROSSDRESSERS, just because for my love of gay bears.

It's so stupid, but I'm not going to end up hating people for it anymore, I'm glad the other question and answers the other day solved my ignorance.

People are just people, and unfortunatly I guess there's going to be people who are hateful, I really wish that wasnt' true too.

Answer 1

Oh, this doesn't piss me off...not in the slightest! :) I think that people in the mainstream only see one type of gay person (and one type of lesbian, bisexual and Trans) because there are only so many types portrayed in the media. If you don't know any one in the lgbt community first hand, then what you see on TV or the magazines is how you are going to formulate your opinions. I think that is why there is such a push for networks like LOGO and shows like the L word and Queer as Folk..That way the mainstream world can see that there are, indeed, different types of folks in our community.

And lets face it. So many people just automatically believe what they see/hear or read that they don't bother to delve further into it.

Mainstream society (and I'll probably catch some flak for this...."we can be just as mainstream as anyone else...") also is striving to become comfortable with us...so they are going to latch onto the stereotypes that they can handle and/or gloss over.

There are as many different types of people in the lgbt community as there are in any "culture". We are all not the same, just as folks in the straight community are not all the same.

Another point I would like to bring up is this. There is a portion of our lgbt community that doesn't like the fact that the "queens" and "butches" and leather boys and drag kings are seen at the forefront of the community. Stop giving these people a hard time! It's because of them, and their courage to live their lives openly and honestly that the rest of us are seen as more "normal"!

Any way..that's my 2 cents....this plus my post will buy me a cup of coffee.....lol

Answer 2

It's so much easier to generalize and paint every group with a broad brush than to actually attempt to understand that every group is made up of individuals -- good, bad, nice, mean, etc. I hate generalizations as much as the next person, but as humans, it is a daily fight not to give in to the drive to lump everyone together. Some overcome it, some don't. I am as guilty of it as anyone else, but as I said, I consciously make the effort to see each person as an individual. That is how G-d made us, with all of our attributes, quirks, personal likes and dislikes, and, yes, our failings. Not saying everyone needs to enthusiastically embrace the diverse individuality of each and every person, but they should at least try to understand that that individuality exists and not trample the crap out of it by throwing us all into the same hopper!
And as a woman born and raised in NYC, I know diversity and I thrive in it. As a country, we claim to embrace diversity -- what a crock of sh*t. Conformity makes people comfortable, and I think it will always be like that, no matter how enlightened we as people think we have become. All I know is, there are effeminate gays, there are very masculine gays, and there are those in between. And you know what? I love you all!

Answer 3

In my life, I have known many, many gay men and women..I have had businesses that were built entirely on gay clients. And trust me, the cross section is as vast, if not greater, than anything you find in the straight world...and unfortuantely, we find homophobia in our own world! I have seen gays discriminate against queens, flamers, leather, you name it, someone has something bad to say about someone else. WE are represented by a RAINBOW flag, enough colors in it to include all. I have found some of the funniest people I have ever know to be screamers, and some of the most interesting to be the same...butch or fem, we all contribute to a great world. That we choose to splinter this vast array of people is, in my opinion, worse than the damage the ignorant straight homophobes can do...for from them, at least we expect it. We do not get broadsided by these lunatics.

Answer 4

They simply don't understand. perhaps picking a portion of a stereotype and applying it toward those who treat others that way would make a difference.... Asking why white men play basketball when they can't jump well, making comments about a woman not being good with numbers and overly emotional..... sometimes they take the hint.
Being gay is an aspect of who we are, not the end all be all of our existence.

Answer 5

Your post made me think of that episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, when they made over a gay guy. LOL.

I know what you mean. People want to make things really simple - black and white without shades of gray. It is too much work to figure out each person we meet as being totally unique who would take time to get to know. It is much easier to figure out the category \ label that needs to be applied, and create our impressions based off that!

To be fair, I think we all do it to a certain degree. If we are wise, though, we try to catch ourselves and make the time to correct our prejudicial judgements.

Good question!

Answer 6

Stereotypes. They rule American minds. We make fun of what we don't understand. (I'm using we in a broad term :)
Just like how they assume all lesbians are lumberjack types.

They want it to be easier to recognize lesbians and gays so why not make a stereotype that goes against the typical American image of a woman and man.

Well, that is my idea on why things are the way they are.

Answer 7

A person's sexuality is a private matter. I really have never judged people by that...but I can see if you have personal issues about your own sexuality, you might "act out" on gays just as you might "act out" on "fat" people or "fit" people because it strengthens your own sense of self. We are not a very forgiving lot of souls so it seems.

Answer 8

Your hypocrisy has no limits and is very transparent! Within the last two days, I remind you; you have posted several negative remarks against g0yz. Yet you fester such propaganda now, to the contrary to your past rhetorical statements, against g0yz. In as much; how do you logically justify, not wanting people to place you within a narrow hole; and you indeed do the same thing?

Trust me, I don't doubt the veracity of your posting; just the response to other peoples posting in the past, where you pointed your finger against, non-shared philosophies and beliefs.

Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. Don't expect anything, you yourself aren't willing to do.

Answer 9

Thank you, someone's said it! I just figure it's because they have never really met many people who were gay and have just seen them presented on television. Because homosexuals are made up of such a diverse group of people, no stereotype can even apply.

Answer 10

I personally don't think about it. I am not gay, nor will I ever be. But if people want to be, why not. I don't know if it is a choice or if they are born gay, and honestly I have more important things to think about. So should everyone else.