Gay men

Gay men are male homosexuals. Throughout history, different terms have been used to describe them, such as inverts and uranians.

Today, many gay men still face significant discrimination in large parts of the world, especially in parts of Asia and Africa. However, progress has been made, and 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 term gay is widely used by LGBTQ groups and style guides to describe people who are exclusively attracted to others of the same sex. The word lesbian refers to women who are attracted to other women, while gay men specifically 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 viewed relationships between men differently throughout history. In some ancient societies, relationships between men were accepted and even celebrated, while in others they were strictly forbidden. For example, in ancient Greece, relationships between older and younger men were part of education and mentorship, though they had rules and limits.

Many famous leaders and thinkers in history are believed to have had relationships with other men, though it's important to remember that ideas about love and relationships were different back then. As societies changed, especially with the spread of religions like Christianity, rules against relationships between men became more common. Today, ideas continue to evolve, and many places are working toward fairness and acceptance for everyone, 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 certain homosexual acts illegal. This law was changed in 1935 to make many more actions punishable, affecting many gay men. Between 1933 and 1945, around 100,000 men were arrested for being homosexual, and many 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 had a major impact on 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 and it was even called Gay Related Immunodeficiency. Over time, scientists discovered the cause of the illness, a virus called HIV. Many gay men suffered and died during this time, and activists worked hard to get more help and support from governments and companies. The crisis eventually became a worldwide problem, affecting many people globally.

Legal status of gay men in modern society

In many parts of the world, gay men face serious legal challenges and discrimination. In Africa, for example, 34 out of 54 countries have laws against male homosexuality. Some countries, like Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia, and Somaliland, have the death penalty for gay men. South Africa stands out as a positive exception, being the only African country to guarantee equal rights for LGBTQ+ people in its constitution.

In the Caribbean, several countries still have laws criminalizing 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 severe human rights abuses, including kidnapping and torture. In Southwest Asia and North Africa, many countries have strict laws against homosexuality, with some imposing the death penalty. 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

Since the early 20th century, many influential fashion designers have been gay men. Cristóbal Balenciaga started the Balenciaga brand and remained private about his sexuality. Christian Dior was another major designer of the 20th century. Yves Saint Laurent was openly gay, as was Gianni Versace, who publicly came out in 1995. In more recent times, designers such as Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen have also gained prominence in the fashion world.

Art

Gay men have been key figures in art, writing, and dance. In the United States, James Baldwin wrote about homosexuality openly in his work. Other important artists include Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Alvin Ailey. Today, many influential artists continue to explore themes of identity and experience in their work.

Film and media art

Main article: New Queer Cinema

In the United States, Andy Warhol created underground films with queer themes. Directors like Rosa von Praunheim and Rainer Werner Fassbinder also made important contributions to queer cinema. Films such as Brokeback Mountain have reached wide audiences and helped bring queer stories to the mainstream.

Drag

Main article: Drag queen

Drag queens are an important part of gay culture. They perform in gay bars, nightclubs, and at events like gay pride parades. Drag shows often include lip-syncing, dancing, and live singing. The history of drag balls in the United States dates back to the 19th century, and these events have been important gatherings for the gay community. Shows like RuPaul's Drag Race have introduced drag to a wider audience.

Camp

Main article: Camp (style)

Camp is a style often linked with gay men. It involves exaggeration and irony in aesthetics. While some gay men have moved away from the term, it continues to be used in drag performances and gay pride events. The term has also been adopted by mainstream culture in various ways.

Representation in media

See also: Media portrayal of LGBT people

In many forms of popular entertainment, gay men are often shown in stereotypical ways, such as being very flashy or funny. They are rarely the main characters in big movies, and when they appear, they are often supporting characters or even shown as villains. However, 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 groups still see gay men in a negative way.

Historically, 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 sickness or a crime. 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 stereotypes. The AIDS crisis in the 1980s affected how gay men were shown in the media, with some stories focusing only on white gay men and ignoring others. It wasn’t until the 1990s that more positive and diverse images of gay men started to appear, though many 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, with some areas seeing much higher rates than others. In places with diverse populations, certain groups may face even greater risks.

Gay men often experience mental health issues due to minority stress, which comes from facing rejection, discrimination, and isolation because of their identity. These challenges can lead to anxiety and depression. Even in countries with legal protections, gay men still face societal stigma that affects their mental health.

Young gay men and LGBTQ youth often struggle with homelessness. In the United States, many are forced to leave home due to family rejection. This unstable housing can lead to other dangers, including an increased risk of victimization.

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 subcultures, including Twinks, Bears, Otters, Queens, Jocks, Gaymers, and others. These subcultures have become a global influence on gay culture around the world. In places like India, where gay culture is just beginning to develop, some gay men are creating their own unique culture while also taking in ideas from global gay culture.

Gay young people face many challenges, including bullying and lack of family support. However, having supportive parents can greatly improve their well-being. Schools that include diverse curriculums and support groups can help reduce bullying and support gay students.

In many countries, gay men can become fathers through adoption, surrogacy, or from previous relationships. Despite growing visibility, gay fathers and their families often face discrimination and stigma. Research shows that children of gay fathers are just as well-adjusted as children of heterosexual parents.

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 well-adjusted and happy with their lives.

See also: Trans men and Transgender sexuality

Gay men with disabilities often feel uncomfortable due to society’s focus on perfect physical appearance. They may also struggle to find accurate information about safe-sex practices. Recent media, like TV shows and popular figures, has helped bring more visibility to queer men with disabilities.

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

Education

In the United States, gay men often feel less safe at school compared to straight men. However, they are more likely to earn postgraduate degrees and usually have higher grades in high school than their straight and bisexual peers.