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I generally don't get involved in these conversations that much, but I felt a need to respond to this comment:
| quote: | Originally posted by Swamper
It's more nature than anything - else why would so many gay guys have similar tendancies/mannerisms?
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I appreciate the stand, Swamper, but I think this a weak point.
Look at any social group, for the sake of ease, think of what your group of friends was like in HS. Everyone had their own mannerisms, pronunciation style, and so on; but did you ever notice that certain phrases, certain ways of saying things, pronunciation in general, dress, etc. would 'catch on'?
It's human nature to adopt things that we associate with positive events/people, or even things that we're regularly exposed to.
Thus, you have the gay community (a concept I'm not big on personally, but some feel the need... :shrug: ) where gay people hang out together all the time doing 'gay' things, and voila, you have a 'gay' set of mannerisms and way of speaking.
I could also add that I think it's a form of 'advertisement'. Think about it, as a gay person how else are you going to identify a potential mate from a distance? Unlike the convenient straight world where you can usually assume someone you're interested in is the same sexual pref the gay person has to assume the opposite.
Thus, another reason for a stereotypical behaviour to catch on.
The main issue in this thread is one that gives me a headache even considering. I identify myself as gay, but I also believe that everyone has a basic sexual response system that's capable of responding to people of either gender.
Girls of interest have been few and far between for me, but they've definitely been there. I still identify myself as gay just because it's much easier than giving the lengthy 'You'd be the lucky 1 in 100 person' to interested females, but sexuality is a complicated thing.
I think nature and nurture play almost equal factors in determining how you end up. Nature gives a base starting point, but life can swing that base really far in either direction depending on the environment you live in, the experiences you have as a child, and so on down the line.
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