LGBT Stereotypes - Gay Men

Gay Men

Homosexual men are often equated interchangeably with heterosexual women by the heterocentric mainstream and are frequently stereotyped as being effeminate, despite the fact that gender expression, gender identity and sexual orientation are widely accepted to be distinct from each other. The "flaming queen" is a characterization that melds flamboyance and effeminacy, it remains a gay male stock character in Hollywood. Theatre, specifically Broadway musicals, are a component to another stereotype, the "show queen". The stereotype generalizes that all gay men listen to show tunes and are involved with the performing arts, are theatrical, dramatic, and are campy.

The bear subculture of the LGBT community is composed of generally large, hairy men called bears. Stereotypically, they are usually seen with facial hair and wearing suspenders (=UK: braces). They embrace their hypermasculine image, and some will shun a more effeminate man, such as a twink.