Gay ear piercing

Learn about the origin and evolution of the "gay ear" stereotype, and how it's changed over time. Find out how to choose and care for your ear piercing, and explore different types of earrings for men. Gay men also used the placement of earrings and jewelry to drop hints about their sexuality and attract fellow queer men from the crowd. Read this post to understand the context and meaning behind gay ear piercing and how you may style your own this Earrings generally gained popularity throughout time, and eventually, men also got their ear piercings.

Robbie (Normal) on X (Twitter) captures a contemporary view by asserting, “either ear is the gay ear if you're gay.” It’s significant because it emphasizes how ear piercings related to sexual orientation are outdated and irrelevant–a sign that societal norms are shifting away from traditional views. How did having piercings in the right ear become associated with homosexuality? There were some hippies wearing them but that was more of a protest of social norms than anything else. I remember hearing about the one earring means homosexual thing in the late 70s so it dates back at least until then.

Our gay ancestors came up with coded signals to tell others that you’re safe, supportive, or maybe even DTF, depending on the context. A notable example is the “gay ear.” The suggestion is that if a man had a specific ear pierced, it would indicate his sexual orientation. We accepted it as gospel and never questioned its validity. But as I grew up, it seemed like everyone I met, no matter their place of origin, knew and understood the earring code, as arbitrary as it seems. Historically speaking, the truth is more complex.

Historically, the right ear was identified in cruising culture as the "gay ear piercing" side, but does it hold the same relevance and meaning in ?. When the pandemic sent me off campus, I returned to my childhood bedroom full of existential questions about my identity. Nine months later when I came back to campus, I had seven piercings. While home, I considered how I performed for others and how I truly wanted to present.

In the s, some men pierced their left ear to signal they were straight. During the s, the right ear was known as the “gay ear” because members of the LGBTQ+ community used it to indicate their sexual preferences. It was a discreet way to come out as gay and talk to other members of the community. .