Men's Group

I don't know I can explain it fully, but I will try to apply what I know. I think some gay men "act" certain ways because those are the images we grew up with, and still see in many media applications. It is almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy, or rite of passage. The gays who have an "obvious" stage sometimes see themselves as being the "real" gays, and any gay (this is mainly men, but does apply to lesbians), who doesn't fit into a stereotype is a sell-out, closet case, or assimilationist.

As roles for gays and lesbians change, we are seeing much less of the over-exaggerated mannerisms and the like. Of course, you do have to take into consideration, some people are just more 'masculine/feminine' than others, and there can also be other issues. Using myself as an example, I talk with my hands quite a bit and am very demonstrative, well, so is the majority of my family (men and women). I also walk with a "switch", but that has everything to do with poor ankle formation, so I compensate by walking on the insteps of my feet. I also have a higher voice than most men, can't help that at all.

Does that help?

And yes, you can ask me non-PC questions; I know you aren't using this situation to attack me or belittle homophobia.