Why are gay men more likely to have a lisp?

Question

Not trying to play into stereotypes, or be offensive, but it does seem very common among gay men. Is it a true speech impediment or an adopted way of speaking in the gay community?

Answer 1

Actually, not many gay men speak with a lisp. This is a stereotype, and it's perpetuated a lot within the media and the typical image of a gay man that we see. It usually goes hand-in-hand with gay men portrayed as effeminate (or 'girlish'), weak, obsessed with fashion/hair, etc.

And while this is true of some gay men, it's also true of some straight men as well. There is some validity to stereotypes (as in, somewhere in the world there are people like this), but it is NOT the majority of people, and is not the majority of gay men. What you see in the media is a small part of the gay male population, the truth is there are many gay men who speak without a lisp. We just never get the chance to recognize them because they don't fit the stereotype, therefore they're overlooked and not identified as gay men.

It's not offensive, it's just another signal that we don't have access to different types of gay men in the media.

Answer 2

You are talking about Queeny guys, yes it is a mystery. You have a very good point here because in a strange way its the same as a group of African American people who have their way of speaking or twisting the sounds of words. Your not being a jerk your just being honest. It's normal for people in the gay community and it stretches far back in the day. Its our culture and its okay. Gay men are mocked in media, blacks are mocked, the rich are mocked, the asian are mocked, the jewish and even christians are mocked, etc. The list goes on because that is how we as people identify ourselves and how we identify others. We would be hyprocrits if we thought other. Some people are so shelterd (even gay people) that they are afraid to be honest because then they may have to let go of some blame or even more. If we could not judge then we could not have what we call opionions and if we did not have opionions we would not have any values. Its a paradox and its ok!

Answer 3

I wouldn't say they are more likely to have a lisp, but I think it is just what comes with the higher voice. I didn't use to have a lisp, but when my voice got higher (which, btw, you don't really notice, it just happens) I started having trouble saying some words fast and/or clearly, aka the "lisp" as you call it. So I think it's just an adopted way of speaking, but only for femme gay/bi guys with higher voices.

Answer 4

That's a horrible stereotype. I've never met any gay guys who have a lisp. I once had a speech impediment and I promise that it had nothing to do with my sexual orientation.

Answer 5

You sure must know more Gay people than I do because in my 20+ years of being out I've only met one gay person with a lisp and that was due to a car wreck.

Answer 6

I have yet to meet a gay man with a lisp. But if you know some, just don't take them to a Sylvester Stallone movie.

Answer 7

I really don't know. I'm gay and don't have a lisp. Perhaps they should have had speech therapy as children. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm serious.

Answer 8

Lisps?
Where the hell do you hang out, dude?

I've been in more gay bars than I'd like to admit and have known more gay men than Liberace, and that's definitely NOT a common trait in gay men.

I'm old.....don't even try to argue with me on this one.


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next?


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Answer 9

Go to a gay leather bar if you can stand the smell of cigar smoke, boy.

Leather daddies sound more like Russell Crowe than Jack from "Will & Grace".

You live a very sheltered life, son.

Answer 10

ITS NOT A LISP. A lisp is when you prounounce words with a "ph" sound. What YOUR TALKING about is a LONG SIBILIANT "S" like in ssssnake.

Look it up!