Gay men

Gay men are male homosexuals. In the past, different words were used to describe them, such as inverts and uranians.

Today, many gay men still face discrimination in large parts of the world, especially in parts of Asia and Africa. But things are getting better. Some gay men have achieved great success. For example, Apple CEO Tim Cook and leaders like Edgars Rinkēvičs, President of Latvia since 2023, and Scott Bessent, the United States Secretary of the Treasury since 2025, are openly gay.

The word gay is used by LGBTQ groups and style guides to describe people who are only attracted to others of the same sex. The word lesbian means women who are attracted to other women, while gay men means men attracted to other men.

Male homosexuality in world history

Main articles: LGBTQ history, Timeline of LGBT history, and History of male homosexuality

Different cultures have had different ideas about relationships between men. In some ancient times, these relationships were accepted and even celebrated. In other places, they were not allowed.

For example, in ancient Greece, relationships between older and younger men were part of learning and teaching, but there were rules.

Many famous leaders and thinkers long ago are thought to have had relationships with other men. But we must remember that ideas about love and relationships were different then. As societies changed, especially with new religions like Christianity, rules against relationships between men became more common. Today, ideas are still changing, and many places are working to treat everyone fairly, no matter who they love.

Gay men in modern Western history

The word gay started being used to describe homosexual men in the early 1900s. One of the first films to use the word in this way was Bringing Up Baby, released in 1938. The word gay began to be used by homosexual men to describe themselves in 1950.

Gay men in the Holocaust

Main article: Persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany

Gay men were among the groups targeted during the Holocaust. In 1871, Germany passed a law called Paragraph 175, which made some homosexual acts illegal. This law was changed in 1935 to make more actions punishable, affecting many gay men. Between 1933 and 1945, many men were arrested for being homosexual, and some were sent to prison or to Nazi concentration camps.

AIDS crisis in the United States

See also: HIV/AIDS in the United States

The HIV/AIDS crisis began in the early 1980s and affected many gay men. In 1981, health officials noticed a rare illness affecting gay men in the United States. At first, people thought the illness only affected gay men. Over time, scientists discovered the cause of the illness, a virus called HIV. Many gay men suffered during this time, and activists worked hard to get help and support. The crisis became a worldwide problem, affecting many people.

Legal status of gay men in modern society

In many parts of the world, gay men face legal challenges and unfair treatment. In Africa, some countries have laws against male homosexuality. South Africa is an exception, as it guarantees equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in its constitution.

In the Caribbean, several countries have laws that criminalize same-sex relationships between men. In some places, like Jamaica, there have been reports of violence against gay men. In Eastern Europe, especially in Chechnya, gay men have faced serious human rights abuses. In Southwest Asia and North Africa, many countries have strict laws against homosexuality. Overall, while some regions are working toward equality, many gay men still face significant legal and social challenges.

Art and culture

See also: LGBT culture

High fashion

Many famous fashion designers have been gay men. Cristóbal Balenciaga started the Balenciaga brand. Christian Dior was another well-known designer. Yves Saint Laurent was openly gay, as was Gianni Versace. Designers like Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen are also famous.

Art

Gay men have been important in art, writing, and dance. In the United States, James Baldwin wrote about their experiences. Other famous artists include Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Alvin Ailey. Many artists today explore ideas about identity in their work.

Film and media art

Main article: New Queer Cinema

In the United States, Andy Warhol made films with queer themes. Directors like Rosa von Praunheim and Rainer Werner Fassbinder also helped create queer cinema. Movies such as Brokeback Mountain have reached many people and shared queer stories.

Drag

Main article: Drag queen

Drag queens are a big part of gay culture. They perform in gay bars, nightclubs, and at events like gay pride parades. Drag shows include lip-syncing, dancing, and singing. Drag balls have been important meetings for the gay community since the 19th century. Shows like RuPaul's Drag Race have shown drag to more people.

Camp

Main article: Camp (style)

Camp is a style often linked with gay men. It uses exaggeration and irony in how things look. Some gay men use this style in drag shows and gay pride events. The idea of camp has also been used in mainstream culture in many ways.

Representation in media

See also: Media portrayal of LGBT people

In many TV shows and movies, gay men are sometimes shown in ways that don't feel true to life. They might be shown as very flashy or funny. They are not often the main characters in big movies. When they appear, they are usually supporting characters or even shown as villains. But since the 1990s, TV shows like Queer as Folk, Queer Eye, and Modern Family have helped people see gay men as normal members of society. Even so, some people still have negative ideas about gay men.

In the past, movies and news programs often showed gay men in negative ways. Some films used ideas about gay men to make characters seem more evil. News reports sometimes treated being gay like a problem. Over time, TV shows began to show gay men more positively, like in That Certain Summer, which showed a gay man raising a family without negative ideas. Many stories still focused mainly on white, masculine characters.

Health

Gay men in the United States are often healthier in terms of weight compared to others. However, they face some unique health challenges.

Gay men can face risks of physical and sexual abuse, especially if they show gender nonconforming behaviors. They may also avoid seeking mental health help due to stigma.

Globally, gay men and other men who have sex with men have a higher risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This risk varies by region.

Gay men often experience mental health issues due to minority stress, which comes from facing rejection and discrimination because of their identity. These challenges can lead to anxiety and depression.

Young gay men and LGBTQ youth often struggle with homelessness. In the United States, many are forced to leave home due to family rejection.

Community and identity

Main article: Sexuality and gender identity-based cultures

See also: Ball culture, Bear (gay culture), Drag queens, Gaymer, Twink (gay slang), and Down-low (sexual slang)

In North America and Europe, gay men have many different groups, including Twinks, Bears, Otters, Queens, Jocks, [Gaymers](/wiki/Gaymer, and others. These groups have influenced gay culture worldwide. In places like India, where gay culture is new, some gay men are creating their own traditions while also learning from global gay culture.

Gay young people sometimes face challenges, including bullying and not having family support. But when parents are supportive, it helps them feel better. Schools that teach about different kinds of families and have support groups can help reduce bullying and support gay students.

In many countries, gay men can become fathers through adoption, having a child with a partner in the past, or using a surrogate. Even though gay families are becoming more visible, they often face unfair treatment. Studies show that children of gay fathers grow up just as healthy and happy as children of parents who are not gay.

Older gay men are a group that isn’t studied very often. In some places, like Mexico, older gay men can feel lonely, especially if they don’t have children or family support. In the United States, many older gay men are happy and well-adjusted.

See also: Trans men and Transgender sexuality

Gay men with disabilities sometimes feel uncomfortable because society often focuses on perfect looks. They may also have trouble finding clear information about safe-sex practices. Recent TV shows and popular figures have helped bring more attention to queer men with disabilities.

See also: Same-sex adoption and Same-sex parenting

Education

In the United States, gay men sometimes feel less safe at school than straight men. But they often do well in school. Many gay men earn postgraduate degrees and usually get good grades in high school.