[Scienceisgood]

Hey guys;

I was just thinking, but, you know some people say they have a built in "Gaydar" allowing them to identify a person's sexual orientation. Do you believe this to be true or just people's perception that a homosexual individual fits into a distinct catagory such as stereortypical looks/acts?

So, in short;

Does a "Gaydar" exist?

[BefuddledPenguin]

No, everyone reacts in absolute shock when I tell them I'm bi. I can't detect it in others either.

[No Man]

No. People only believe it because a lot of homosexual people conform to the stereotype of being camp, so people believe someone is gay if they're camp.

Stephen Fry is a good example of someone who thankfully doesn't conform to the stereotype.

[LeaX]

Nope. People just see a feminine guy or a masculine girl and identify them as gay, they're just going along with the stereotypes.

[cognito_08]

I'm gonna have to disagree.

I'm gay and I often can tell when guys are bi/gay even they're not "camp". I know this is not scientific at all but I can just "feel it" but I can't explain why I feel it

[Blind Ferret]

I think people can SOMETIMES tell, even if they're not overly flamboyant. I've went to a gay club before and had a girl approach me because "She didn't think I was Gay". But as for a Gaydar, no. I think you can have a suspicion based on first impression and how they act, but as we know that's not always right. Imagine if you for the first time ever laid eyes on Prince...

[Wilfred Little]

(Original post by cognito_08)
I'm gonna have to disagree.

I'm gay and I often can tell when guys are bi/gay even they're not "camp". I know this is not scientific at all but I can just "feel it" but I can't explain why I feel it

If the guy has no problem with it that might be why you can tell. Just be careful you don't get yourself in trouble.

[ct2k7]

People are shocked when I tell them that I'm bi.

Heck, the only way I can tell if a guy is gay or bi is if he's flamboyantly acting it.

[Nepene]

Gay people have a common culture. As such, if you know their culture you can spot them. They also often have some common characteristics. No dar is perfect, but you can have a good idea.

Some people will also be unusual and will be invisible to any gaydar.

[Peace and Love]

Its real i can always tell, people are normally surprised that i know they are because they keep it a secret.

BUT i cant tell if someone is Bi, weird huh?

[Mr. Andie McPhee]

It just so happens that a lot of gay guys are quite effeminate and so it's easy enough to tell in loads of cases.

And I think it's true as well that gay people themselves are going to be tuned into this more than straight people and notice more subtle qualities that might indicate that someone is gay. Mainly because they'll naturally be more interested in sexual orientation.

So in a sense 'gaydar' does exist, but it's hardly a built in radar system or anything. It's just that there are signs.