Why do people make the stereotype that men who do theatre are gay?

Question: Why do people make the stereotype that men who do theatre are gay!?

My boyfriend does a lot of theatre and he's in the drama club and he has a great voice and plays in our school's production of musicals but one of the main things I hear when people find out I'm his girlfriend is "oh I thought he was gay" Why do people do that!? And it's not just hs kids either, other ppl make the same assumptions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

i am in theatre also, and some of the guys are gay!. most of them are not, but i do know some that are gay!. i think that in theatre, the people who are gay are more open about it than people in other professions, so people assume that all guys are!. last year, there was a guy that everyone knew was in theatre, and was very open about being gay!. he also made homecoming king, but thats a different story!. people usually make the assumption that they are gay because they are stupid and ignorant and know nothing about the theatre!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because it's a fact that a great many men in theatre (and dance, hairdressing, floral, etc!.) are gay!. That gives the stereotype some truth--the basis for all stereotypes!.

There are, of course, many straight men in those fields as well!. Actually, it's pretty cool that those professions have always been open to men of any sexual orientation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Maryn is absolutely right, but there's something else!. The jealousy factor!. People admire people in the spotlight, be they actors, politicians, athletes, whatever!. Those who would like some of that, but don't get it, then lump as many as they can into negative stereotypes: actors are all gay, athletes are all too stupid to get "real" jobs, politicians are all liars and crooks, etc!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't think there are any more gays in theatre than in other actibities, but some gays in all fields make their sexual orientation widely known and people make uninformed judgements!. But why let it bother you!?Www@QuestionHome@Com