Question: How many different kinds of gay men can you think of?

Question

I don't know why I got this all of a sudden. Maybe too many Queer Eye episodes.

But:

How many types of gay men can you imagine? I can think of the flamboyant gay man, the muscular gay man, the rapper, the music artist, the artistic gay, the metrosexual, etc...

Could you name me a few?

Ahem... guys... this is a questions forum, right? I think I can ask any question I have, no? I'm just wondering. I would hope we all have a good disposition around here. I guess I ask too much from the world, huh?

Answer 1

These are all stereotypes (mostly from porn archetypes, oddly enough), obviously, as gay men come as individual as any other people, but here goes:

1) The gym bunny- he has obvious muscles crafted from tons of time spent at the gym, he's probably pretty tanned (but for the speedo line?), hairless, and maybe even all oiled up. Got a dentist-approved smile of pearly whites. Likes the short-shorts, the tank top, speedos, etc.. Almost exclusively likes other gym bunnies. Very versatile- can be a top or a bottom.

2) The emo/Goth guy. He wears black and eyeliner, if not black fingernail polish and other macabre makeup on his pale skin. Chains and studded belts, piercings and some light tattoos, probably black dyed hair, or some funky color. Always looks rather young. He's generally taller, and usually skinny (almost painfully so). He's poetic, but with an edge. Being gay is just another way in which he's different. Probably attracted to other emos or Goths. Could be a top or a bottom.

3) The college jock. He's young, he's good-looking, he's charming. He's got a killer natural smile, probably blonde and blue-eyed, although could have other coloring. He's by no means a gym bunny, but he has a very nice body, nonetheless- lean, but muscled. He might have a tattoo or piercing, but just one or two, nothing much. He's fairly versatile in topping or bottoming. He's got a cool air about him, laid-back, easygoing, the kind of guy you want to hang out with. He's stylish without trying. He might not necessarily play sports, but he somehow fits the jock category. Within this category, there are surfer boys, as well.

4) The bear. He's a larger man (can be just pillowy, or chubby, or downright obese), but he wears it well. A middle-aged man or near it, he's got a nice, comfortable disposition- no real power dynamics, a muted sexuality. He's hairy all over (hence 'bear'), and both his hairiness and his size are things he wears with pride. Might be a bottom, but seems more inclined to topping. Likes pairing with younger twinks or bears his own age.

5) The skinhead punk. He's seriously bad-***. As the name implies, he's got a shaved head. He ranges from mid-20's to older, probably on the older side (but loses none of his sex appeal for it). He's tattooed and pierced, but not in the silly way of younger punks- this guy has major tattoos, and serious piercings like a Prince Albert. He probably likes smoking- maybe even cigars- and drinking a good whiskey. Either a top with all sorts, or a bottom (only to other skinhead punks). He might or might not also like BDSM elements, leather and chains. Either way, he's hardcore and has an innate authority and power.

6) The leatherman. He goes crazy for S/M, BDSM, leather play. Got a Harley bike. He's into some extreme stuff (water sports, etc.), and he's definitely powerful and dominant. He's probably versatile in bottoming or topping, but when he does either, he's going to want clearly delineated power boundaries. Probably has a mustache, maybe other facial hair. Likes to cruise. Might very possibly live in San Francisco.

7) The metrosexual. He's neat, he's sexy, he's got it going on. Like any self-respecting metrosexual, he pampers and takes care of himself (facials, manicures, etc.), wears only the best and most fashionable (within conservative guidelines, of course- he ain't no fashion queen). Somehow, he's got a sense of masculinity. He can be either a top or a bottom. He's a very nice, average man, probably fairly urban. Seems like a business man, or a career guy.

8) The down-low brother. The African American dude. He's a cool guy, very laid back, and easygoing. He's not, however, a black stereotype- he can be an intelligent black man, or an Ebonics-speaking brotha . . . it all just depends. Can be a top or a bottom- seems to tend more towards bottom, though. He's very straight-acting, and might possibly even be in the closet (on the down-low). Seems to like other black men or possibly white men. Still, seems pretty egalitarian in his pairings- no big power dynamics there.

9) The artist. He's gentle, he's sensitive, sort of quiet, introspective. Usually a pretty boy, almost always a bottom, and tends toward youth on the age spectrum. He can be involved in the arts in any way (painting, music, etc., etc.), but he's got a creative nature. Might be a little tortured in his soul. Messy hair, hippy-ish, cool clothing that is just the right blend of careful choosing made to look careless. Not as high strung or particular as the flamboyant gay man.

10) The flaming flamboyant gay man. He's the ultimate stereotype: he's got a lisp, limp wrists, a high-pitched, girly voice. Might wear a little girly makeup (like some glittery lip gloss). Definitely fashion conscious- this guy wants to be cutting edge, sexy and cute and get all the attention. Like a peacock, he loves to preen. Likes bright colors, enjoys pink. He gets called a 'queen'. He's a bottom without any doubt- absolutely loves it, even though he's not very invested into the whole power dynamic thing. Can be a little pissy and moody, very high-maintenance. He can be young, or older, comes in a surprising many configurations: can be painfully skinny, or a little butterball.

11) The nerdy boy- wears glasses, slightly shy. He's not a real nerd, by any means- more like a suave, sophisticated member of the intelligentsia in his neat, tidy clothing, trimmed and combed hair, smooth skin (no facial hair on this one), and boyish good looks. He's adorable in his shy, self-effacing mannerisms, quite possibly a bottom boy.

12) The bad boy- he's got a motorcycle (a sleek sports bike, not a Harley) and he's a top, most definitely. Probably smokes, eyes you with arrogant charm with his tight pants. Oozes masculinity and makes women as well as men swoon. Kind of seems to be channelling James Dean, a little bit- he's the rebel without a cause.

13) The daddy. Somewhat like a bear, but not necessarily sharing his characteristics of hairiness and extra weight. This guy is definitely middle-age or older, and might get the label of 'Dilf' (as in 'Dad I'd Like to F*ck'). He has a father-like quality. He's got some authority, but he doesn't explicitly acknolwedge it. He's sort of suave in his conservative confidence . . . what you'd imagine the college jock might grow up to be. He's not quite as stylish as the metrosexual, and he's a little closer to average, but still sexy. Likes to pair with similar guys his own age (bottom or top), or topping younger twinks.

14) The angelic twink. Young boy, the barely-legal kind, with a boyish figure and the face of an angel. Creamy white skin, big innocent eyes, basically hairless. He's sort of like a diamond in the rough- doesn't know how precious he is going through the motions. He might slightly resemble a young flaming gay man in appearance, but in temperment, he's completely different- he's quiet and sweet. He loves to be a bottom boy.

15) The thug. Can be black or Latino. He's different from the down-low brother- this guy comes from the streets, knows about gang life. Listens to hip-hop and rap, might wear a little bling bling, probably a doo rag. This guy is serious, even though he can be a jokester, too. It's not very hardcore to be a bottom guy, so they all want to top, but there are tops and bottoms both.

Those are just some of the main ones that I can think of.

Answer 2

There's as many "types" of gay men as there are gay men. This is just furthering an excuse to stereotype people. You're not getting rid of the idea of stereotyping, you're just making more options for a stereotype.


And I'm not in the least surprised that queer eye would lead you to do that.

Answer 3

Do you want me to make a list from what I have seen so far?

- Jock
- Flamboyant
- Punk
- Emo
- Rebel/Loner
- Nerd
- Overweight
- Preppy/Model
- Goth
- Surfer
- Brainy
- Religious
- Atheist
- Vampirish
- Outdoorsy
- Vegetarian/Vegan
- Political/Gay Activist
- Creative/Artsy
- Drama/Musicians ect.

Answer 4

The sexy geek

I'm a car mechanic (some find it sexy when I'm all greasy, go figure)

The hot waiter that you flirt with when your boyfriend isn't looking.
(but that's not really a type is it...just a fantasy)

The hot Latino (could be you Mario, hehe)

The cute twink....you know with the cute twink haircut and clothes

The hot older guy (think Will Geer)

The hot blond surfer

The truth is that for every type of guy, stereotypes notwithstanding, there is another who will find him sexy for some unexplainable reason. I have a friend that thinks that "young daddies" are really sexy. Unattainability?

Answer 5

The Eurostud -- handsome, sophisticated, well-dressed and debonair, charming and exotic, mysterious and loyal.

The Urban Warrior -- educated, market-savvy, and dynamic, comfortable in the gymnasium or at the opera, in academia or playing street ball; lifts weights, hangs drapes, makes sourdough bread on Saturday morning.

The Cool 'Lonely Planet' Dude -- is eco-green, drives a jeep, has a 'free Tibet' bumpersticker, has been to India, works for a non-profit agency, brews his own beer, and has a sexy Brazilian boyfriend named Sergio.

The executive Daddy -- has lots of credits cards, more clothes than God, orders out every night, flies in every two weeks for sex and to weed the rose garden, and must be open but discreet because of the press.

Answer 6

Men who can cook and make great apple strudels;
Men who think and can sure use their noodles;
Some who like dressing in black leather clothes;
These are a few of the gays that I know.

Men in tight dresses with gold lame sashes;
Makeup and high heels and long false eyelashes;
Men who have muscles and men who wear hose;
These are a few of the gays that I know.

Doctors and nurses and students and teachers;
Soldiers and singers and actors and preachers;
Lawyers who fight in the courts with our foes;
These are a few of the gays that I know.

Men who are uncles and men who are brothers;
Parents who live with significant others;
Brave sons with courage who let their love show;
These are a few of the gays that I know.

Young politicians with courage and vision;
Leaders with guts who can make a decision;
Those in the closets and those on the go;
These are a few of the gays that I know.

When the right wing
Spews its hatred
And it makes me sad,
I simply remember the gays that I know And then I don't
feel - - - so bad.

Answer 7

I have to somewhat disagree with Paula Jenel but I agree with her for the most part. We transsexual women are in fact women, and a straight man can date a pre-op transsexual girl. But "Tranny chasers" only have a fetish for mixed body parts. They get turned on by something that doesn't occur in nature, so its considered a fetish. No one is born as a Pre-op transsexual woman. But we aren't a 3rd gender, we are just women who are a bit unorthodox, but we are women regardless.

Answer 8

An infinite number. The gay man changes his colors like a camelion. He makes statements only to serve his narrow purposes.

Answer 9

I really don't see what difference it makes to "list" the differences between gay men, they are just the same basically as us hetersexuals, besides remember the old saying: "variety is the spice of life."

Answer 10

Yes, I would say that there as many kind as you can dream up. Even the guy who nobody would expect to be gay--type.

Answer 11

Gay comes in as many flavors as hetero.