Why do many gay men develop a lisp?

Question

I hope this wasn't offensive. I was just curious as to why some gay men do and others do not have a lisp...

Oh, so it's known as 'Sibilint S'? So how and why does that develop?

Answer 1

I've honestly have only known one gay man who lisped. I believe your referring to the "sibilint S" (where words are pronounced with too many "s's") not actually lisping, which is when you pronounce your words as ending with a "ph." They are totally different things from a word prounounciation stand-point.

Answer 2

A gay lisp is actually not a lisp but refers to stereotypical speech attributes assigned to and sometimes seen in gay males. Several speech features are stereotyped as markers of gay male identity: careful pronunciation, wide pitch range, high and rapidly changing pitch, breathy tone, lengthened fricative sounds, and pronunciation. However, other demographic groups also use assibilation and many people speak with lisps. A study by Rudolf Gaudio investigated claims that people can identify gay males by their speech and that these listeners use pitch range and fluctuation in deciding. Gaudio found that listeners could identify gay male speakers, but that there were no convincing differences in pitch. In a similar study of female speakers, Birch Moonwomon found listeners could not tell lesbian speakers from heterosexual speakers. Comedian David Cross lamented in his stand-up album that not all gay men have the gay lisp, but only gay men have the gay lisp, and used this information as proof that being gay is genetic. Some analysts say gay people speak with an affected accent, as a way of signalling their identity and affiliation with the gay subculture, or a way to express femininity. Still others suggest that the accent stems from marginalization.

Answer 3

It's always the really camp guys who affect the lisp. They're also usually sort of dramatic and showy people in general. They are the type who mince rather than walk normally and also make it obvious that they are extremely limp in the wrist... all of this is a SHOW and it is for the sole purpose of letting others know that they are a raging pouf. I'm sorry, but those guys turn me off completely. To date a really camp guy would be the gay equivalent of dating a slutty, ditzy bimbo, in my opinion at least.

Answer 4

Everyone keeps mentioning stop the stereo typing,,,Just remember that EVERY stereo type is some sort of truth. It happens OFTEN but not all the time.

Yes MANY MANY MANY gay men speak with a lisp.

Answer 5

That's a stereotype, like all black men talk like rappers or all hispanics have a spanish accent. It just isn't true. However, there are gays who see the stereotype and feel to some extent they must conform to the idea given to their culture and so form lisps. Another reason is that being more in touch with your feminine side, as many gays are, leads to a more soft spoken, passive voice than most men, trapped by the feeling they have to deepen their voice to sound macho, are used to.

Answer 6

I'm gay and do not have a lisp, nor does my partner. But you are right, it does happen to more affeminate gay guys. I think it is them connecting more with their effeminate side. To each his own, but I prefer more masculine guys.

Answer 7

I guess you mean gay TV characters, may be because they think they are supposed to have a lisp so they fake one and play the roll.

Answer 8

I was watching a young guy doing the whole showgirl thing while working the checkout the other day. I wondered at what age do they start bunging this false rubbish on?

Answer 9

I think it is so other gay men will know who they are..
There is one more reason but I am not allowed to post it here.

Answer 10

Its a mating call to let other gays know they're available.