Gay guy voice

Why do some same-sex attracted men “sound” gay? After three years of research, linguistics professors Henry Rogers and Ron Smyth may be on the verge of answering that interrogate. After identifying phonetic characteristics that look to make a man’s voice sound gay, their foremost hunch is that some gay men may subconsciously adopt certain female speech patterns. They crave to know how men acquire this manner of speaking, and why – especially when world so often stigmatizes those with gay-sounding voices.

Rogers and Smyth are also exploring the stereotypes that gay men sound effeminate and are recognized by the way they say. They asked people to listen to recordings of 25 men, 17 of them gay. In 62 per cent of the cases the listeners identified the sexual orientation of the speakers correctly. Perhaps fewer than half of gay men sound gay, says Rogers.

The straightest-sounding voice in the study was in fact a gay man, and the sixth gayest-sounding voice was a straight man.

What it means to 'sound gay'

But is there any reality to this stereotype? Do gay men actually sound different than direct men? And if so, why?

These are the questions in a new documentary, "Do I Sound Gay?" It's a fascinating and nuanced film, in which the filmmaker, David Thorpe, uses his feelings about his voice to look at attitudes toward homosexuality. It raises a complicated discussion about gay pride, lingering homophobia, disguised misogyny, and the extent to which we all alter the image that we present to the world.

As the film begins, Thorpe is disturbed because he realizes he doesn't like his voice any more. He's just gone through a break-up and is feeling unconfident and low. "Who could respect, much less fall in love with, an old braying ninny like me?" he asks.

With these feelings of self-loathing, Thorpe sets on a journey to view if he can become more comfortable with his voice again (and presumably, with himself). He enrolls in voice coaching that promises to give him a "powerful and authentic" voice.

Thorpe explores in other ways the meaning behind his voice and his discomfort with it.

Why Do Gay Men Sound Like ~That~?

An exploration of the gay accent and how it became popularized

( @jvn / Instagram )

As most people are accustomed to trust, gay men own a very “gay” sound when they speak. They might speak in higher pitches and a more melodious groove to their speech. But is the gay accent even real? And if it is, why does it even exist?

In an endeavor to increase my understanding of this world and how it works, I reached out to Joseph Radice, a linguistics Ph.D. scholar whose research involves LGBTQ allyship.

*Disclaimer

For one, this phenomenon is referred to as “gay speak” to avoid unnecessary stereotyping. According to Radice, linguists often deviate away from the popular assumption that gay men sound more effeminate because not everyone falls into these “boxes.” So, it would be a mistake to endeavor and enforce these tropes on people. Following up on that, Radice also told me about that while this information can be particularly interesting to learn about, when in the incorrect hands, can be used against the community to discriminate.

What is "gay speak"?

One of the most valuable lessons I learned in this

When Your Voice Outs You

Over the years, I realised I have had a lot of talents.

I can roll my tongue, impersonate a pigeon (my top tut is phenomenal), travel a kite without assist, and most importantly, rest my way through a resume even while asleep. It’s a lot for one person.

But faking a baritone is clearly not one of them.

I knew my voice was “soft” (read: too girly for the masses and the misinformed) when I was eight. And unlike algebra or the recorder, booming like a blue whale wasn’t taught in kindergarten. To avoid years of ridicule, I chose the only solution that seemed safe.

Silence.

I stopped yelling across playgrounds. Answered questions only when I had to. Played shy so I wouldn’t have to express. It’s amazing what you can pass off when you say you’re an introvert.

But the cracks showed. My voice would squeak out, high and pointed, and with it came sniggers and snide remarks.

“Why do you sound so nasal?”

I’d respond with something vague and medical, enough to shut them up until I changed schools—and bullies.

Eventually, I adapted. I modulated my voice to fit the room. Gruff North Indian tones for male colleagues. Breathier Bombay lilt with female acquaintances. Onl