Is there really such a thing as 'gay culture'? Can you give me an example of a 'gay' custom or tradition?

Question

Gay protesting is NOT a 'cultural' event. It is a POLITICAL event.

Gay literature is not 'cultural'. Would you describe pornography as 'culture'?

Indy T -- Being gay makes you 'artistic' does it? Are you saying all gay men paint like Pablo Picasso just because they like men? Gimmee a break. Artistic endevours are not gay 'cultural' events they are ARTISTIC events....

Answer 1

Gay culture is exemplified most by the special language used by the "in" crowd developed over many years of not being able to come "out" about their lifestyle. Words, phrases, idioms, sentence structure, are all used in a deceptive way to mean one thing to the insiders when they appear to mean a more traditional thing to an outsider.

Also as a result, special forms of social retaliation developed so that insiders would be severely punished if, and inevitably when, they betrayed the secrets of any of the inside group. Also ways of enforcing their own rules of behavior developed, since they couldn't for many years, go to police when beaten, robbed, or otherwise been victimized when such reporting would either reveal their status as gays, or their status as having committed crimes themselves just by being gay.
Certain flamboyant behavior, which is thought to be "normal" for gays, actually came about as both a way to mock straight behavior and also to disarm those who would otherwise take the behavior more seriously.

i could go on, but perhaps you get the idea.

Answer 2

I think there is a gay community, but not so much of a gay culture. The closest thing that I can think of culturally are things that almost exclusively apply to gay people only such as a book on someones coming out experience. That would be of interest to a gay person, but not so much to a straight person as they would not be able to completely relate to it. I think that most things attributed to gay culture are mostly stereotypes. The best example I can give is when I moved to my current home my neighbors introduced themselves to me, and the neighbors on one side are a gay male couple and the neighbors on the other side are a straight couple. If culture played a predominant role I should talk more to my gay neighbors, but I don't. I have more in common with the straight neighbors. Being gay is an aspect of who I am, but it is not the only aspect.

Answer 3

Um, I'm not really sure about gay culture. But there are the gay parades they have. And yea there have some famous gay people throughout history, but I think gay culture pretty much is tucked underneath other aspects of culture. Such as if there was a black gay man. Being gay would go under his personality as being who he is. To me however, rather there is a real culture to it or not, its just another label.

Answer 4

Pride celebrations (including but not limited to marches)

Civil rights marches and other protests

A strong network of Lesbian and gay Community Centers nationally

Gay fiction writing (see any bookstore that isn't run by morons)

Above are all large regional/national/international types of events. Like all cultures there are also localized traditions.

Here in my hometown we have done an annual Thanksgiving day meal for 29 years, and there have been other groups gathering for different functions including support, since the 1960's.


Of course, like with any culture not all people in the community choose to take part in all, or any of the aspects of the community.

All gay and lesbian people are also members of other communities based on race, religion, profession, avocations etc.

Answer 5

sure, there are subcultures all round us in each and every thing of society. some examples are: surfing lifestyle, quilting lifestyle, motorbike lifestyle. sure there's a gay-lifestyle, besides the undeniable fact that that is not a club that you attend and grow to be a member. you want to study up on what lifestyle is. you're so of route soliciting for a paper you want to jot down.

Answer 6

ashley, ive never heard of the expression of "gay culture" before in my life. but that doesn't mean it isnt there.
gays have been open until recently(the past three decades). i will tell you what.you have it made........ there never was this information available to me even when i was only your age that you are now. this is only a decade ago, which would have made me 31 at that time. on yq&a you can freely express your opinions without but a few verbal reprocussions.
in my day, verbal reprocussions came from fists,bats, and any other form of physical abuse that would end up in a serious beating and death. you speak in a way that makes you feel like an intulect. but in reality you havnt seen or respected anything of substance. grow the f up!

Answer 7

No, there is no such thing as "Gay Culture"...
nor gay customs or traditions....
the term "gay Culture" IMHO, is a marketing tool...used in some cases to pigeon-hole us by the media...
Do I use the term "gay culture"....yes...until I find a term that better suits us

Answer 8

Well, you have the "Pride" celebrations then you have traditions of activism and artistic endeavors.........
but then, according to you it's all about the genitals and the next conquest so I suppose I'm just wasting my time here. If you don't get it by now, you won't get it if I were to take the time to actually explain it.

Y'know, Ash, like I said, I knew you wouldn't get it. Maybe someday when you grow up, you'll see things differently.

Answer 9

Maybe you have not noticed but homosexual people are being more accepted to day then ever before. It used to be just sex and violence on t.v. Which was bad enough! Now it is sex, violence, and queer people on t.v. Your three major reality shows allways have these queer people on them and it makes the world assume "oh as long as they dont bother me i dont care it is ok" Well the truth is it is not ok, it is a disgusting life style is it any wonder the majority are in the closet. Could it be cause they are ashamed. Then there are the flamers, the loud and proud to be queer. It is just further proof that the world is out of control. Homo sexuality is now being taught in public schools in California, what is wrong with this picture people? All those who are queer need Jesus fast!!!

Answer 10

We have a gay pride parade every summer in Philly and I think they have a weeks worth of celebrations.