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A new study asks if a man's sexual orientation can be observed by the way he walks; the study also addresses how that "snap judgment can unleash a series of stereotypes--even from the most liberal-minded."
A swing of the hips or a swaggered shoulder is enough for many casual observers to identify a mans sexual orientation, according to a study published in the September issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
This simply can't be true. After all, "ex-gay" leader Alan Chambers and his deputy Randy Thomas swish through the halls of Congress trying to pass anti-gay legislation - and they are straight. They have even sworn on a stack of Bibles.
This whole study reminds me of Brian, a guy I dated several years ago in Washington, DC. He once recounted a story of coming out to his mother when he was eighteen. He sat her down and said, Mom, I'm gay."
Without skipping a beat she replied, "I know honey, I've seen you walk."
12 Comments:
Many gay guys dont have a stereotyped walk or talk, but a sizable portion do. This is fertile ground for research as to why etc...
posted by Anonymous, at
9/14/2007 1:08 PM
Ever seen Lindsay Graham walk? Talk about swish!
posted by Sam, at
9/14/2007 4:13 PM
Years ago, it was considered unmasculine for a man to cross his legs when seated. Just look around at society today, most men do it, so are we to assume they're gay or potentially gay? This kind of study though interesting will just continue stereotyping who we are. What does it matter how we walk? There are women who walk like men but aren't men or lesbians either. I think this study is futile and a waste of time and energy.
posted by Anonymous, at
9/14/2007 4:48 PM
To add to what Robert NYC said, prior to WWII the closest thing men came to cologne was Old Spice after shave if at all. Men then according to my father did not scent themselves unless, of course, they were queer! Imagine his surprise when Dad lived in South America and Europe and he came across cologne scented men who were men as per his sexual dictionary! Have we too come a long way, baby?
posted by Anonymous, at
9/16/2007 9:19 AM
Richard, I remember during the later 50s when I was a small boy, Old Spice was the only after shave of any import, then later in the 60s, Faberge's Brut came on to the scene, after that there was an explosion and interest in men's cosmetics. Europe of course at the time was a lot less hungup on men smelling nice and sexuality in general. Times have changed for sure, but we have a long way to go, at least in our society.
posted by Anonymous, at
9/17/2007 4:09 PM
