Closeted-gay-men Quote by Bonnie Kaye
““...oh, believe me, I feel that I'm the least homophobic person... ...I hate putting labels on people... ...I came up with a term, I call them 'Limbo Gay,' that's one, and I came up with another term, 'Straight Gay,' and then there's a new one I made up, I call them 'Dry Gay,' and then there's also 'Gay Gay' which is really the same as 'Really Gay'... ...but this doesn't mean I'm being homophobic, and this is something the gay community needs to be educated about... ...and a man who likes penis doesn't have to call himself gay, or bi, or confused, all he has to do is say to the woman, 'Look, I love you, but I'm a penis man, I like penis...' ...these gay men spend their entire lives lying about who they are, and so lying just becomes a way of life to them... ...these gay men are trying to live a life that isn't theirs to live, they don't belong in the straight world, they belong in the gay world... ...that doesn't make me homophobic...””
About This Quote
Labeling identities with contradictory terms can obscure genuine understanding and may perpetuate stigma.
In simple terms: Creating confusing labels doesn’t reduce prejudice.
Focus on respectful, clear language.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- personal interactions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do labels affect self‑perception?
- What language promotes inclusion?
Labels can sometimes help marginalized groups claim space.