Are We More Than Animals In A Gay Zoo?
If animal designations thrill and excite you, embrace your inner animal and bark, oink, or growl at every cute guy around.
HEY BRENT,
I don’t understand why guys in our community have a need to use terms like “bear” and “otter” to describe themselves or the guys they like. It seems so pointless and makes me feel like I’m trapped in a zoo. In addition to feeling like I don’t embody any of these predetermined types, I think it causes more separation than unity in the gay community. Why do gay guys waste so much time on these animal names and creating separate groups?
Brent Heinze, Senior Columnist
I do find it amusing that our gay culture has moved into the animal world to find kinship, but I’m not sure that we’re much more different than any other group of people when it relates to forming sub-groups within a larger community. We’ve created some type of queer Noah’s Ark with bears, pigs, otters, puppies, wolves, and other assorted creatures. Some of these animal- associated types are based on how we look, while others are based on activities we enjoy.
In our lives, it’s normal to look for individuals and groups that make us feel welcomed and appreciated. We break off into clusters of people based on a variety of shared characteristics and interests including sexuality, religion, interests, and body types. It’s also normal to hang out with people who we consider attractive in various ways. These types of tribal divisions have been around since the dawn of humans on Earth and have evolved in the gay community to include designations like these.
Some feel drawn to particular groups of people or commonly identified types. Many of us experience a strong desire to be accepted by other people and to be included in group activities. Inclusion in a group may feed our ego and quell the aspiration to feel we’re valued by others. We should still be cautious about using these designations to discriminate against others or attempt to hurt their feelings. Sometimes, associations with these identities are used to exclude others from activities or may be perceived as stigmatizing to the individual or group — depending on what characteristics are being discussed.
One of the largest potential concerns with breaking into separate groups is the adoption of group expectations and what constitutes acceptable behaviors. In the animal world, this kind of “pack mentality” is crucial to survival, but in our world, it can be both beneficial and concerning. The group may attempt to dictate how we act in public or determine what’s acceptable to wear. These sub-groups can parallel a clique of mean girls quite easily if not kept in check. Sometimes, being an individual without the safety net of a clique can be a more challenging process, but it can also provide more confidence that you don’t need that group to feel good about yourself.
Don’t feel that you ever have to adopt any particular image or set of expectations. If these designations thrill and excite you, though, embrace your animal image and bark, oink, or growl at every cute guy around. If none of the previously mentioned options fit your physical or personality characteristics, feel free to create your own! A hyperactive, smooth guy could be a described as a salamander, or a furry sci-fi geek could be a Wookie, Ewok, or Tribble. Although we’re more than simply animals in a big gay zoo, it can be a fun place to visit sometimes and check out the exhibits.
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