The Power of "GayDar"

Most people know that radar is a way of detecting objects in the distance, but in the LGBT community there is a term known as "GayDar" which is similar to radar. Gaydar is considered an intuition that homosexuals can tell if someone else is homosexual as well.

Now there may be some spectacle about this thing called "GayDar". Some may think that people are using stereotypes and assumptions in pin pointing other homosexuals. For others however, they think it's their intuition. From a sociological perspective it seems realistically possible that a thing like "GayDar" is real.

For heterosexuals, they usually don't go around thinking "I think that girl or guy is straight". They may be thinking in there minds "Is that girl or guy single?" but usually they don't think about sexual orientation. For homosexuals however it is sometimes a difficult task to find out if someone they are interested in are either gay or straight. This is where "GayDar" can be helpful.

From a sociological perspective, having "GayDar" is a kind of tool or skill someone can use to tell if someone else is homosexual. Just remember like any other skill a person might have it may not always be %100 perfect. However, it does help to have this skill. This skill of "GayDar" includes intuition but also learning how to read someone else's body language, facial expressions, gestures and other social characters. This skill includes a person to also be very observant, and somewhat focused.

Again people may argue that "GayDar" reinforces stereo types, but to others that believe in this skill it can be helpful in finding a date or new friends. Some heterosexuals can tell if someone else is interested in them. This is also the same for homosexuals and "Gay Dar" is what may help them.

Some people may ask if someone wants to know if someone is gay why not just asking them. Well sexual orientation can be a sensitive topic especially for someone who is not "out" if they are homosexual. Plus when meeting a complete stranger for the first time and asking them if they are gay or lesbian may be a little rude. Most people whether they are straight or gay wouldn't go up to a person they have just met and say "hey are you gay?" or "Hey are you straight?". "GayDar" may be a good method for homosexuals to help them carefully determine if someone is attracted to them.

Stereo types may arise when people use the term "GayDar" in a negative way, but if someone just wants to know if someone else is attracted to them or is homosexual then this method is a non-confrontational way to go about it. Again a person's "GayDar" is based on how well they can read body language, observe, and go by their intuition. A person may usually be right about a person's sexuality, but they also may be wrong. However they want to go about it, this way be less offensive then going up to someone and asking them.