[Discussion] why is when men wear makeup they are called gay

[UCE]

this thread just keeps on going

 

[WithDemonsToLeanOn]

You're asking the wrong site. A lot of the people here are sexist, homophobic, and those "manly" types. You're gonna get bullshit and probably sexist answers from most.

As for me, it's still strange to see when I do see a guy wearing makeup, but only because it's uncommon. Personally I don't care or see an issue with it. As long as they're happy and not harming anyone (and they're not) then there's no problem with it at all.

 

[Sakura Bunny]

guys that wear eyeliner are sexy <3

 

[shelke]

Well there was an underlying reason I asked the question. If you look back into the history of cosmetics it actually dates back roughly 6,000 years (i.e. it isn't a recent manifestation of the media hype).

In the Middle Ages the highest class of European society were pale resulting in European men and mostly women attempting to lighten their skin directly, or using white powder on their skin to look more aristocratic. Pale faces were a trend during the European Middle Ages. 16th century women would bleed themselves to achieve pale skin, spanish prostitutes wore pink makeup to contract pale skin, 13th century Italian women wore red lipstick to show that they were upperclass and a variety of products were used, including white lead paint which also may have contained arsenic, which also poisoned women and killed many.

The point of all this is that whilst it doesn't entirely hold true the significant majority of the time makeup is typically associated with female use - hence why its considered feminine. The example I gave here was of European culture but the trend holds true for most others as well. The association of make-up to femininity occurred well and truly before the advent of 'current media stereotypes'.

In Japanese societies, men used to wear make up as well. In some African tribes, it's still a common custom even today. Point is, the make up then wasn't used as a mask. These days, it has virtually become one. I mean, it's almost to recognize women in most of the cases when they take it off. I don't olden cultures were this far off.

 

[IcedFox]

Mingle ? Really ?

Thats not the point, im not talking about socializing here, nor am I speaking of contact with the other ***.

We have to keep the two genders separate in characteristics. This situation may look like a way to keep the other gender interesting for evolutionary purposes, but I cant see the need to break the old habit of having them categorized in different sections.

But why, why for f-ings sake would you need to keep the genders separated with material items such as make-up? The DNA difference, and bodily difference is more then enough.

I've had a period where I wore black nail polish and black eyeliner...I grew over it, because I wanted to go on my own way in life.

 

[Prime Rib]

make up is for chicks enough said.

Men even gay men should not be wearing make up cause not only is it girly but its unatural, its like putting lip stick on a donkey

 

[IcedFox]

make up is for chicks enough said.

Men even gay men should not be wearing make up cause not only is it girly but its unatural, its like putting lip stick on a donkey

No offence mate, but make-up is unnatural in general.

 

[Souji]

Because culture shifts and gender stereotypes, combined with societal forces.

As a guy I see no need to wear makeup on a daily basis, and I've done pretty well so far...

 

[Ψ Veritas Ψ]

Agreed .

 

[Mattek2008]

I'm not exactly sure why, and i don't care. Wouldn't bother me if a guy was wearing makeup, i don't care -.-

 

[soulless uchiha]

Why does this dumb thread still exist?

 

[flints]

someone is really bored

 

[TheMaTrix]

Society says not to cause we are a bunch of idiots.
Someone started this and has spread around.

 

[Hunty]

I like makeup, makeup is fun! Especially dresses and heels.

 

[Maid]

I wouldn't call it gay but it is feminine. But i personally see it as a big turn-off.

 

[Naruto.]

Because men usually are portrayed as not giving a shit about their appearance.
If a man has blemishes, pimples, he should cover it up with small band-aids rather than makeup.

It's in female nature, to be a lil insecure about their appearance and what not.
Men who wear makeup, are indeed feminine, because it makes them look like women.
Unless, a man is homosexual, I don't see why he needs to act feminine. However, again, most homosexual men are more manlier than an average man. Yes, a very slight amount of femininity, like being caring and sensitive is great, but if a man dresses and looks feminine, then he will be called 'gay' by the society. And when society calls him 'gay', it means 'feminine', not homosexual. This is often a topic of confusion, as young teenage girls constantly defend the 'gay' remarks on Justin Bieber and One Direction. Tbh, society doesn't mind homos(eg: Neil Patrick Harris). He's homosexual, and I've rarely seen him being a victim to homosexual slurs. However, if you notice, One Direction members often get called 'gay' because they look feminine and write girly songs.
TL;DR: Makeup is feminine.

 

[Mamoru]

Any feminine trait/action applied to a male will always be perceived as gay. But really though, who cares? Men don't really need makeup anyway

 

[Luther]

If i see a man dressed with lipsticks,painted nails and eye lashes and other customary effects on him i would be compelled to report him to the police on suspect that he is a practicing homosexual. As homosexuality is very much frowned upon in my country.

 

[Ldude]

It's too bad the question wasn't well received. It's probably because the majority of the members who responded are either sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or all of the above. I agree with you completely: makeup is gender-neutral. Not only are some of the answers on this thread bigoted, but they don't make any sense.

1. Makeup is not inherently feminine. It's an item. Female biology is feminine. Even if it were, feminine males are not necessarily gay, so the connection from makeup to gay makes no sense.

2. To the people saying the act is gay, but it doesn't make the makeup-wearing male gay: that answer is so abstract. What does it mean for an "act" to be gay, especially when the act has nothing to do with sexuality?

3. It isn't good enough for someone to say men wearing makeup is wrong on a de facto basis. Why is it wrong? Some of you answered that it is wrong because makeup is feminine and there needs to be a distinction between the sexes. If referring to #1 and realizing makeup isn't feminine doesn't answer your question, try this:

Why does there need to be a greater distinction between the sexes? What does it say about you that you want to remove your entire gender as far away from the other as possible. Biology determines ***. That's all. Besides, what purpose does this separation provide besides perpetuating inequality and hate and stereotypes. As someone else mentioned, you wouldn't make racist stereotypes, so why the hell is it okay to make sexist stereotypes?

I'm curious about people who made this claim though. What about gender fluidity? Some people don't identify as a binary gender. What do you think about those people (at the risk of getting more sexist, homophobic, transphobic responses)?

4. ..Okay, but let's look at what makeup really is. Why do people believe it's feminine? One use of makeup is for acting. Many of you absolved wearing makeup for this purpose, because actors need to look good. If makeup makes people look better, why shouldn't everyone have the freedom to make themselves look better? No, forget about attracting a mate. Say, someone wants to look better for themselves. The same way a man (as an example for you sexists) wants to work out. He doesn't care about chicks. He's doing it to feel better about himself and feel good. Makeup is the same way. It makes *some* people feel better.

And I'm really glad so many of you think makeup makes people look cheap. Fantastic. I wear full face makeup everyday. Eyeliner. Lipstick. Foundation. Eyeshadow. Mascara. Settling powder. Concealer. The whole deal. If you in real life said that makeup is for cheap hoes, you would just look like an *******. Because you are one.

Thanks for the thought-provoking thread, OP. Peace.

 

[UchihaNagashi]

What the **** did I just read.​