There are a lot of misconceptions around homosexuality and gay men. During my time here on newsvine, I have seen some very angry and hurtful descriptions of gay people. Among the worst depictions narratives that implied that gays were the same as animals or that they were lustful predators that cared only for sex. Among the more subtle were the stereotypes that characterize homosexuality, the effeminate men or butch lesbian. Most often ignored was the ability for two people of the same sex or gender to actually fall in love or have a meaningful relationship and instead the opposition to same sex marriage characterized gays as more impulsive and more likely to need divorces. This ignores the fact that if you have to work for something you are more likely to appreciate it once you've gained it.

Homosexuality implies a sex act but those that live the reality daily realize that its not only the physical attraction but also the mental attraction that characterize their interactions with members of their own sex. Another misconception is that gay men and women are for some reason always thinking about sex, that they have it on the front of their mind at all times. Psychology however, indicates that orientation has no positive correlation with an increased sex dive.

Gay men and women exist in a spectrum, some of them more effeminate and more masculine depending on the personality. Being gay isn't just a orientation it is also an identity. I for one am what I like to call a heart-breaker, I don't appear to be gay and im discrete about my orientation so women have a tendency to fall for me when all I'm looking for is their friendship. Which leads me to the title of this article, What does being gay mean to you?