Gaydar

Gaydar (a portmanteau of gay and radar) is a colloquialism referring to the intuitive ability of a person to assess others' sexual orientations as gay, bisexual or heterosexual. Gaydar relies almost exclusively on non-verbal clues and LGBT stereotypes. These include (but are not limited to) the sensitivity to social behaviors and mannerisms; for instance, acknowledging flamboyant body language, the tone of voice used by a person when speaking, overtly rejecting traditional gender roles, a person's occupation, and grooming habits.

The detection of sexual orientation by outward appearance or behavior is frequently challenged by situations in which masculine gay men who do not act in a stereotypically "gay" fashion, or with metrosexual men (regardless of sexuality) who exhibit a lifestyle, spending habits, and concern for personal appearance stereotypical of fashionable urban gay men.

Scientific research

A number of scientific studies have been conducted to test whether gaydar is real or just a popular myth. Perhaps the earliest study asked people to judge sexual orientation from video clips, with results concluding that it was a myth. A later and more rigorous study published in a prestigious psychology journal showed that people could accurately judge sexual orientation. This study asked people to indicate their sexual orientation using the Kinsey scale and then had others view very brief silent clips of the people talking using thin-slicing. The viewers rated their sexual orientations on the same scale and the researchers found a significant correlation between where the people said they were on the scale and where they were perceived to be on the scale. Sexual orientation was therefore perceived accurately just from nonverbal behaviors. Later studies have repeated this finding and have even shown that home videos of children can be used to accurately judge their sexual orientation later in life.

Gaydar (disambiguation)

Gaydar is the supposed ability to identify gay people.

Gaydar may also refer to:

See also

Gaydar (film)

Gaydar is a 2002 short comedy film directed by Larry LaFond, written by LaFond and by Terry Ray and Larry Lafond. The film stars Terry Ray, Bryan Dattilo (from Days of Our Lives), Jennifer Echols, and Jim J. Bullock, and also features Charles Nelson Reilly in his last movie appearance.

Plot

Randy (Terry Ray) has a crush on a fellow office worker, Jack (Bryan Dattilo). Randy’s friend from the next booth over, Frankalina (Jennifer Echols) also has a big crush on Jack, but does not know whether he’s gay or straight. Randy comes across a "GAYDAR gun" at a yard sale put on by former partner of Maurice (Jim J. Bullock) which might just put an end to this mystery.

Cast

Reception

The film has "appeared in over 120 film festivals around the world and won numerous awards."

Awards and nominations