Why do some gay people seem to talk differently?

[crepesack]

I hope this doesn't come off as offensive but I'm just curious: Is it just me or do some gays, some guy men specifically, seem to have a distinct accent? Any of the gay escapist members want to shed some light? Is it something you can't help? Or is it something that you picked up?

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Why do so many people believe in the oddest stereotypes? I don't know what the OP is talking about, what odd accents?

 

[JochemDude]

Some people like to be stereotypes so they have the feeling they belong to something. Most commonly seen in clothing styles, but sometimes in the voice, yes.

 

[z121231211]

Why do so many people believe in the oddest stereotypes? I don't know what the OP is talking about, what odd accents?

I really don't know.

 

[Catchy Slogan]

Why do so many people believe in the oddest stereotypes? I don't know what the OP is talking about, what odd accents?

I think he means why do they sound 'camp'. Which is ridiculous as a lot of straight guys also sound 'camp'. It's not exclusive to the gay community.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Why do gamers talk in that weird gamer speak? Why do ditzy girls supposedly talk in ditzy girl speak? Why do action heroes have silly deep voices?

 

[crepesack]

This isn't a stereotype. In my time as an active member in my school's GSA I've noticed that some of the gay males talked differently. Like it's a lisp. But not as extreme as people portraying stereotypical gay men have. It's more of a subtle slurring.

I don't get why you're all being so harassing. This is just out of legitimate curiosity. I've personally not met a straight male that talks like that.

 

[Dags90]

My guess would be a sort of Green Beard Effect [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_beard].

It helps some gay men recognize each other. It's hanky code, but with less paisley.

 

[crepesack]

Some people like to be stereotypes so they have the feeling they belong to something. Most commonly seen in clothing styles, but sometimes in the voice, yes.

This is what I was thinking since it was always the ones that were the most "open" or "enthusiastic" about being homosexual that had it.

 

[FalloutJack]

Why do so many people believe in the oddest stereotypes? I don't know what the OP is talking about, what odd accents?

The ones you see on television, which I have only encountered maybe a couple times in my entire life.

Answer: They don't really do that, or not as much as you think.

 

[TheNaut131]

...you're talking about the whole "You look so FABULOUS in X piece of clothing" kind of voice, aren't you?

Well, I've never heard anyone talk like that in real life, aside from this one retarded show called RuPaul's Dragqueens, a few movies, etc. Even then only a few people actually speak like that, or whatever it is you're talking about.

Frankly, I think the reason certain people in general, not just homosexuals, speak like that is some sort of attempt to sound either feminine, dramatic, or they're just acting slightly stupid, pretentious, and "snooty"

It's either the above, or perhaps it's just the way their voice is. Not really an issue, in my opinion.

 

[crepesack]

...you're talking about the whole "You look so FABULOUS in X piece of clothing" kind of voice, aren't you?

Well, I've never heard anyone talk like that, in real life, aside from this one retarded show called RuPaul's Dragqueens, a few movies, etc. Even then only a few people actually speak like that, or whatever it is you're talking about.

Frankly, I think the reason certain people in general, not just homosexuals, speak like that is some sort of attempt to sound either feminine, dramatic, or they're just acting slightly stupid, pretentious, and "snooty"

Not that crazy. It's more subtle. I can't really find an example but I'll try to find something...If you just pay attention you'll notice. I'm also not saying ALL gay men have it just a few but it only seems to happen in gay men. And considering I've met many more straight people than gay people there has to be some correlation

edit: and denying there's a difference doesn't help at all. When you deny differences you neglect that certain cultures and people ARE different and knowing the differences lets you act appropriately and hopefully inoffensively

 

[crepesack]

Wow some people are just being really thick today. I'm saying SOME not all and I'm trying to ask this as inoffensively as possible. I mean if they couldn't help it wouldn't it be something genetic? If they could then why would they single themselves out?

If I had said I was homosexual myself I'm 100% sure this would have turned out differently and I can guarantee you some homosexuals would agree that there is a difference in accent amongst some members in gay society.

 

[hecticpicnic]

One gay that i know kinda talks like a girl, but thats 'cause he hangs around with a lot of girls and doesn't care about being "gay", he only does this when talking excitedly though.All other gays/bis i know talk normally.

 

[crepesack]

One gay that i know kinda talks like a girl, but thats 'cause he hangs around with a lot of girls and doesn't care about being "gay", he only does this when talking excitedly though.All other gays/bis i know talk normally.

Of then 10 or so I know about 3 talk with that kind of girly, campy accent or whatever you want to call it. I guess that might be also why if you found company with only females.

 

[Timbydude]

I don't quite get what everyone is blasting the OP for...

Yes, in my experience, many gay people do have a different "accent", if you will. It's usually a lisp or just an overtly feminine tone, but it's still (usually) very easy for me to identify if someone's gay just by listening to them speak.

Do all gay people sound like this? Certainly not. But there are reasons for stereotypes.

Similarly, you can very often hear someone's voice and immediately deduce that they're black. That doesn't mean all black people talk in gangsta-speak, but rather it's just a certain way of speaking that's more popular with one demographic than others.

 

[Dexiro]

I always figured it was something to do with hormones because it's usually feminine guys that have the lisp. I've noticed the less feminine the less of a lisp they have.

Or it could be that feminine gays gravitate towards having female friends which could affect their accent slightly, the same way someone adopts an accent from living in a certain culture at a young age.

 

[Izkata]

I don't quite get what everyone is blasting the OP for...

Nor do I. I'm gay, and I know the "gay lisp" exists. I don't have it myself, but about half the gay men I've met do have it. A couple of them can get rid of it if they want to, though they naturally speak with it.

 

[eggy32]

How long until the OP realises that straight people also have different voices?