LGBT Stereotypes

are conventional, formulaic generalizations, opinions, or images about persons based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Stereotypes may be learned through personal experience or indirect means; parents, teachers, peers or the mass media, though lack of first hand experience tends to lead to more reliance on stereotypes.

[2] Negative stereotyping is often a result of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. Positive stereotypes, or 'countertypes,' also exist but may be no less harmful, as they are still oversimplified views of the group being stereotyped.

"The Flaming Queen is a characterization that melds flamboyancy and effeminacy, making it almost the stock gay male character in Hollywood."

Skinny Jeans and Guyliner are common stereotypes of male homosexuality.
In addition to being called effeminate, gay men are also identified with a lisp and/or a female-like tone and lilt.

mainstream shows such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The "Queer Eye" countertype has been criticized for its use of stereotypes to create a false impression of groundbreaking progress while simply reinforcing old, patronizing identity scripts and convenient generalizations with questionable validity.

A prevalent stereotype about gay men is that they are promiscuous and are either unwilling or unable to have enduring or long-term relationships. However, several surveys of gay men in the United States have shown that between 40 percent and 60 percent are involved in a steady relationship. Research also suggests that a slightly higher proportion of lesbians than gay men may be in steady relationships.
A 2007 study reported that two large population surveys found "the majority of gay men had similar numbers of unprotected sexual partners annually as straight men and women."

Stereotypes of Lesbianism:

Lesbians are most often seen falling into three types: butch/stud, femme or lipstick lesbians. They are also stereotyped as being interested in traditionally masculine occupations, such as construction, the military, law enforcement, basketball or softball, or truck driving. Feminists are often portrayed as lesbians due to their perceived misandry, and as a result lesbians are often stereotyped as "man-haters" or radical feminists.

Stereotypes of bisexuality:

Bisexuals are commonly stereotyped as promiscuous and deceitful, or bisexuality may be seen as a temporary condition when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. They may be seen as being gays who are either in denial or lying about their sexual orientation. Conversely, some claim that everyone is bisexual, thus dismissing bisexuality, heterosexuality and homosexuality as distinct sexual orientations.

Stereotypes of transgender:

Transgender is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of people with more specific identities: transsexual people, cross-dressers, drag queens, drag kings, masculine women, and feminine men. In a broad sense, the term "transgender" includes all people who fall outside of gender stereotypes. The beliefs that transgendered people are all prostitutes and caricatures of men and women are common misconceptions.

Transsexual women are often said to be tall and transsexual men short. While many MTFs and FTMs conform to this stereotype, it is by no means universal.

Transvestites are often assumed to be homosexual. However, most transvestites are heterosexual. Transvestism tends to have a fetishistic component whereas cross-dressing does not, although many people use the words interchangeably.