Sexual preference and voice

Just curious what others thought. Why is it that many homosexual males have distinct "gay" voices? This is a serious question. What's the deal?

We probably think the majority do - b/c we hear it, notice other 'signs' and think our 'gaydar' is rockin'. There are likely even more gay men who have perfectly masculine voices that do not set our lame, hetero 'gaydar' off.

[SuzySunshine]

My boss is gay - if you met him on the street, had lunch with him, you'd never know. His voice is perfectly masculine, he doesn't set off a gay-dar at all.

I didn't say the majority. Not all gay men have the "gay voice", but if someone has the "gay voice" they're almost certainly gay in my experience.

What is the etiology?

[planet]

I think I recall an alcoholism study in flies. Maybe there could be a voice study in mice. Now there's a thesis project.

eta: meaning...if they can study drunk flies, they can study homosexual mice.

But I'm Jewish and have some pretty deep feelings (from my grandfather's baggage mostly) about being 'marked' in a way that hate groups could pick me out. I don't know that I'd want some 'explanation' linking a person's voice to their bedroom behavior. So...I doubt it would get funded anyways.

[alison]

I agree with Janet.
Back in the 18th century (my dissertation period!), people were looking at head shape, contours of the forehead, nose shape (physiognomy), to see if they were a window into the human soul. It's interesting, but of course was used by the Nazis for different reasons...

I don't think there's a particular etiology of the way gay men speak. Yes, there are particular instances where a man may speak in a more feminine tonal quality, but I think it may be that he is trying (whether it be consciously or not) to conform to the way *he* believes he should speak, or what's projected on to him as a norm for homosexual men.

I think we all speak a certain way depending on the context we're in. I've got a "teacher voice" when I'm in front of the classroom that is very different from when I'm talking to a girlfriend.

I agree with Janet.
Back in the 18th century (my dissertation period!), people were looking at head shape, contours of the forehead, nose shape (physiognomy), to see if they were a window into the human soul. It's interesting, but of course was used by the Nazis for different reasons...

I don't think there's a particular etiology of the way gay men speak. Yes, there are particular instances where a man may speak in a more feminine tonal quality, but I think it may be that he is trying (whether it be consciously or not) to conform to the way *he* believes he should speak, or what's projected on to him as a norm for homosexual men.

I think we all speak a certain way depending on the context we're in. I've got a "teacher voice" when I'm in front of the classroom that is very different from when I'm talking to a girlfriend.

I'm thinking you're right. It probably is more of a learned voice. I had an inkling it was that when a guy I knew in high school started talking stereotypically gay after coming out, but prior to that spoke "normal".

As an aside, once again Godwin's law proves true. "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."

[PrincessFiona]

As an aside, once again Godwin's law proves true. "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."

:>


I think it's an interesting thread....I've met too many gay men that are perfectly NOT "Just Jack" to believe that it is possible to use certain behaviors to stereotype, though there are some behaviors where you do "know".

Now that you've come out with this question, we'll be asking Michele for voice updates about you. :>

kris

[Stella]

Well, here's throwing it back the other way. When I rented my apartment I was beyond convinced that my landlord was gay - as was SO and a good friend who were with me - but the other day he said something about his wife and I almost fell over on the floor. He talks more "gay" than "normal" and yet, he's married. What gives?

[Vanquisher]

Well, here's throwing it back the other way. When I rented my apartment I was beyond convinced that my landlord was gay - as was SO and a good friend who were with me - but the other day he said something about his wife and I almost fell over on the floor. He talks more "gay" than "normal" and yet, he's married. What gives?

You can be a closet gay and still be married.

I am not sure about the voice though. Is it learned, adopted behavior? I'll have to ask my gay cousin.

[alison]

Couldn't it be the same "phenomenon" (for lack of a better word) as regional accents, drawls, dialects? They're acquired too.

[DCJenn]

I live in "the" gay neighborhood in San Antonio and used to live in what was known as "poor man's Dupont Circle" in DC. 99% of the men had regular male affectation. 99% of the lesbians wore make-up and looked like, well, girls. There's a certain group within the 'label' that are stereotypical either for attention or to make sure that 'everyone' knows.

and a lot of the time, for the guys, the more effeminate they were, the more likely they were to also go into drag for nights out. Particularly if they're performers, it's hard to switch from having a deep bass voice to your show voice, so most people just sort of stay in character. At least the guys at my Safeway did. (We had the drag disco Chinese restaurant. Great Kung Pao chicken, too.)

Jenn

[reciprocity]

I had a roommate in law school who had a very... "expressive" voice, but man, that guy was as straight as an arrow.

Absolutely EVERYONE I introduced him to would ask if he was gay though.

[Gwendolyn]

Couldn't it be the same "phenomenon" (for lack of a better word) as regional accents, drawls, dialects? They're acquired too.

Yep...it isn't just gay men...any cultural group could be "identified" by vocal affectations. Really squishy territory making assertions based on anecdotal evidence...not that any one is, just a little pink flag that is waving in my danger zone...