Gaydar: Did it ever even exist? Can it still exist in the modern age? (Poll)

[bigboaster]

Do you still believe in gaydar? Was it ever even a thing? Was it helpful in a bygone era or just harmful stereotypes that hurt us?

Can gaydar even be a thing now that straight men are more accepting of gender neutral activities in this day and age?

Let out your thoughts please.

 

[winesthel945]

Anyone who thinks gaydar is just about picking up on stereotypes doesn't really understand gaydar. It's not about obvious attributes that play into stereotypes. Rather, gaydar is about the subtle clues in language or personal style, or nearly imperceptible aspects of behavior or personality that are invisible to anyone not finely attuned to detecting them.

It takes zero insight to spot obviously stereotypical things; it takes finely tuned gaydar to discern between the meticulously groomed, polite, slightly effeminate but 100% straight man and the slovenly, sports-loving, "frat bro" who is actually gay. If anything, it requires ignoring stereotypes and focusing almost entirely on subtleties and almost imperceptible details.

It's also worth noting that gaydar isn't a party trick -- it evolved as a life-or-death protective measure, from a time when making your sexuality known to the wrong person was very likely to get you killed. That is still the reality in far too much of the world, even today. So the implication that gaydar is not relevant any more could be seen as coming from a place of western privilege. Something worth thinking about.

 

[bigboaster]

Anyone who thinks gaydar is just about picking up on stereotypes doesn't really understand gaydar. It's not about obvious attributes that play into stereotypes. Rather, gaydar is about the subtle clues in language or personal style, or nearly imperceptible aspects of behavior or personality that are invisible to anyone not finely attuned to detecting them.

It takes zero insight to spot obviously stereotypical things; it takes finely tuned gaydar to discern between the meticulously groomed, polite, slightly effeminate but 100% straight man and the slovenly, sports-loving, "frat bro" who is actually gay. If anything, it requires ignoring stereotypes and focusing almost entirely on subtleties and almost imperceptible details.

It's also worth noting that gaydar isn't a party trick -- it evolved as a life-or-death protective measure, from a time when making your sexuality known to the wrong person was very likely to get you killed. That is still the reality in far too much of the world, even today. So the implication that gaydar is not relevant any more could be seen as coming from a place of western privilege. Something worth thinking about.

Appreciate your response. You seem to be coming a place of knowledge and experience. To be clear I won't make my own stance on the issue clear as to not bias anyone but I think you made good logical points and I would like to see someone who doesn't believe in gaydar give their take hopefully as well.