List of gay slurs

The juvenile playground, a scene of verbal skirmishes waged with projectiles faster than dodgeballs, can be quite harsh. While some kids outgrow this aggressive name-calling, others seem to carry it into adulthood. Unfortunately, the use of such verbal abuse as adults frequently exacerbates societal problems. A recent study, led by Nathan Grant Smith, an associate professor of counseling psychology and department head of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences at the University of Houston College of Education, examines the use of anti-gay slurs specifically by heterosexual men against other heterosexual men.

'Our investigation reveals that the deployment of anti-gay slurs may serve as a defensive mechanism for heterosexual men to bolster their perceived status,' stated Smith, whose research findings appeared in Current Psychology. "When challenged in their perceived masculinity, they may react by disparaging other men with insults."

Smith, along with his colleague Tyler Brown from McGill University, undertook a study to assess whether the perceived status of heterosexual men is a determinant in the use of anti-gay slurs. One hundred thirty-nine heterosexual male college students were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received feedback suggesting their gender roles aligned with the average male range; the other, that their gender roles aligned more closely with the average female range.

'Participants were then presented with scenarios depicting heterosexual men exhibiting behaviors contrary to traditional masculinity, such as emotional expression, lack of physical strength, or perceived sexual inadequacy. We then assessed their inclination to use anti-gay slurs against the depicted individuals,' Smith explained. 'Intriguingly, those whose status was challenged, by being placed in the 'average female range,' were significantly more prone to report that they would employ anti-gay slurs against the individuals portrayed in these scenarios.'

A deeper analysis of the results indicates that straight men may be targets of anti-gay slurs, not directly due to their sexual orientation, but because of perceived violations of conventional masculine social norms and dynamics.

'The use of anti-gay slurs can be a reactive strategy, employed by men to safeguard their perceived standing when threatened,' Smith concluded. 'These insights underscore a cultural challenge and provide guidance on promoting healthy expressions of masculinity, ones that prioritize positive social interactions instead of antagonism. We hope this research inspires men to develop a pro-social, empowering masculinity that benefits both gay and straight men.'