Ping!

Here are some gay slang terms you may not be familiar with that actually suggest that there are gay men:

masculine

Bear: masculine homosexual man, heavy-set and hairy

Gym queen: gay man, who spends way too much time at the gym just to look like the Ken doll and usually writes on dating sites how many times he goes.

As women we may often think to ourselves, "that guy's ass definitely looks better in those jeans than mine does" or "that girl definitely has the Beiber hair going on... or is that a guy?"

Here are some gay slang terms for MEN that perpetuate the idea that gay men are

feminine:

Twink: pretty and shallow gay man, often flighty or lacking in substance

Queen: drag queen, queeny, gay man who looks feminine

Lacy: extremely feminine gay man

When a person's gender lines up with their sex, people often assume they're straight, but when the gender doesn't line up, like a masculine woman or a feminine man, that's what makes people question their sexuality.

Even the most common language and slang terms that we have reinforce the idea that being gay is about not conforming to your gender.

So next time you see somebody with a gender that doesn't seem to match their sex, how will your gaydar react?

¡PiNg!

... or will it react?!?

Here are some gay slang terms for WOMEN that perpetuate the idea that gay women are

masculine:

Diesel dyke: lesbian who dresses like a male truck driver.

Butch lesbian: lesbian with masculine, man-like appearance

Baby dyke: someone who seems easily recognizable as a lesbian, even when they are young, because the are masculine

Chapstick: lesbian athlete, refers to the fact that others believe the only form of makeup they wear is Chapstick.

Here are some gay slang terms you may not be familiar with that actually suggest that there are lesbians:

feminine

Lipstick: a woman who loves other women, but also loves her clothes, makeup and shoes.

Femme: lesbian with exaggerated feminine traits

Based on the common stereotypes that you're familiar with, which of these people do you think are gay?

Let's find out!

I asked each of these four college aged students the same set of questions...

So let's meet them and see what they said regarding their physical appearances and mannerisms...

Don't assume their gay just because their gender doesn't match their perceived sex!

Or a guy who's ass looks better in those

jeans than you do...

So the next time you see a girl who looks like Justin Beiber...

This just goes to prove that there are feminine lesbians and masculine gay men out there, showing that you cannot know a person's sexual orientation based upon their mannerisms and physical appearance.

I bet you would not have guessed that all four of those four people were gay, based upon their physical appearance.

Do you identify with any of the sub categories of gay or lesbian that help define who you are based on your appearance?

I don't really like labels and do not put one on myself. Many others have said I'm a 'Lipstick Lesbian' but thats just a way of saying I'm very girlie! Honestly, I just identify myself as being attracted to other women and that's it. It doesn't really matter to me what type I am.

Does that bother you if so, or if not?

Sometimes I wish they did so that others would know I'm not interested in certain people. The only reason I would want to be recognized by this is so I wouldn't be uncomfortable and nervous when a guy asks me for my number. At these times, many guys have gotten angry with me or just rude. So, having them know right away would take this anxiety away all together. But, I've learned to deal with it and not let it bother me as much.

MORGAN

Meet:

Age: 23

Year: Senior

Major: Human Development/ Psychology

Hometown: Arvada, Colorado

Hobbies: Reading, snowboarding, hanging out with friends, being outdoors anywhere, traveling, and playing sports

Do people tend to perceive you as gay based on your appearance?

People do not perceive me as gay based on my appearance. Many people just assume I'm straight because I'm not a 'typical lesbian'. It's kind of humorous to me when I do tell people my sexuality, especially when someone [a guy] is asking me out. People are very surprised and, a lot of times, don't believe me.

Do you identify with any of the sub categories of gay or lesbian that help define who you are based on your appearance?

I wouldn't identify myself as any of those sub-categories. I don't believe I fit the description of those or fall into any of those labels.

Do people tend to perceive you as gay based on your appearance?

I don't really think that people perceive me as gay based on my appearance. I would probably say that this is because nothing about my appearance has really changed since I came out. I wouldn't say that there is anything really distinguishable between my appearance and a straight person's appearance.

Meet:

Nick

Does that bother you if so, or if not?

Age: 19

Year: Sophomore

Major: Secondary Education (English)

Hometown: LaGrange, IL

Hobbies: Any sport really, watching TV, spending time with friends and family, listening to music

It doesn't bother me at all. I don't really think being gay or straight is something that you can tell through appearance. Obviously sometimes it is, but for the most part I would say that it is just a guessing game.

Nick

Twin brother

Do people tend to perceive you as gay based on your appearance?

I'm not sure if I'm perceived as a homosexual based on my appearance. If I am, I've never noticed. People have asked me if I mean to sound the way I do, and will assume that I'm gay because of it.

CHARLES

Meet:

Charles

Twin brother

Age: 21

Year: Not currently in school

Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Hobbies: Reading, playing the cello, running and hanging out with friends

Do you identify with any of the sub categories of gay or lesbian that help define who you are based on your appearance?

I don’t identify with any gay sub categories, and I won’t let anyone label me as one.

Does that bother you if so, or if not?

I’m okay with that. Not having to tell everyone I’m gay is alright, I don’t have to come out to every new person I meet. Although, I do like that I can stand in a room and blend in, if I keep quiet.

Do you identify with any of the sub categories of gay or lesbian that help define who you are based on your appearance?

Well, I think a lot of people that see me and don't get to know me would consider me butch but myself and others that know me know that I am a lot more feminine than I appear. So no, I don't categorize myself but I know a lot of other people do.

SHEENA

Meet:

Age: 23

Year: Sophomore

Major: Art Education

Hometown: Thornton, Co

Hobbies: Art, sports and hanging out with family and friends

Does that bother you if so, or if not?

I don't usually mind that people perceive me the way they do. I mean, I dress the way I do, have the hair cut and demeanor that I do because that is how I want people to perceive me (not necessarily like a boy but definitely gay). However, I do get irritated with the ignorance of some women in the restroom. I feel like we are in an age where there are gay people everywhere and someone of my age not only knows what the women's restroom sign looks like, but can also amazingly read the word 'women' next to the door.

Do people tend to perceive you as gay based on your appearance?

Most of the time people perceive me as a male based on my appearance but the few people recognize that I am a female, yes, they do perceive that I am gay based on my appearance.