Stereotypes

One thing I have learnt recently is how much we as a society judge people by stereotypes. For example; do all gay guys have to be camp? Do all lesbians have to be butch? Are all blondes thick? Why do straight men have to be men?

As we grow up we are taught these stereotypes and we just go along with it never questioning, is there more to this person? This has become more apparent to me whilst starting my new job. My first day I got asked Do I go for tall girls? And I just replied now I don’t go for short guys. Since then people have just said oh you don’t come across as gay. This is just a classic example of how society assumes all gay guys are over the top, fake tanned and camp guys. Well as a homosexual man I can say I’m not that way. I have friends who are blonde, whom are very intelligent and successful people. I have homosexual female friends who are the most feminine girls I have ever met. I also know some of the ‘butch’ straight guys who cry at soppy movies. Does this make them any less than anyone else?

We are all different. That’s what makes us all unique. We all click with different people. We are all guilty of saying phrases such as ‘You’re such a woman’ when a guy is moaning or having a bitch. Or when a guy expresses how he feels about someone we say ‘That’s so gay’. When a girl has her hair cut we say ‘You trying look like a lesbian’.

What exactly is a gay guy supposed to look like? Same for a lesbian or how is a ‘real’ man supposed to look like?

I guess what I’m really trying to say is, don’t judge people on how they talk, or how they express themselves. Take the time to get to know that person. One thing we have forgotten to do is talk to others. Instead we take one look at them and decide there and then if we think they are worth it.

Is it just me that thinks we need to make a step in the right direction?