Gay mannerisms

LGBTQ stereotypes are stereotypes about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people based on their sexual orientations, gender identities, or gender expressions.

So for gay men in a heterosexist sex/gender system, taking on certain feminized mannerisms is a way to claim pride in their sexuality. This is especially salient during times when it is dangerous to be identified as gay.

Several respondents noted that: (1) what straights think of as gay mannerisms often are nothing of the kind; (2) many gays have no mannerisms and are outwardly indistinguishable from straights; and (3) many persons exhibiting supposedly gay traits in fact are heterosexual.

For LGBTQ+ communities—and especially those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or any non-heteronormative orientation—stereotypes can be doubly impactful, reinforcing marginalization.