ABSTRACT

Researchers have limited knowledge about speech and language characteristics of gay

males and how they differ from those of their heterosexual counterparts. Even less is

known about speech and language characteristics of lesbians. Although some research

has attempted to correlate commonly held stereotypes with sexual orientation of

women (Moonwomon, 1986), no research has ever determined that listeners are

accurate in identifying the sexual orientation of a female speaker. Before researchers

examine what speech/language cues are distinct to lesbians as compared to

heterosexual females; it needs to be established that listeners can auditorily distinguish

lesbian speakers from straight (female) speakers with reasonable accuracy.

This study involved 80 listeners (male and female; gay/lesbian and straight)

identifying the sexual orientation of 40 pre-recorded speakers (ten gay males, ten

straight males, ten lesbians, ten straight females). Each speaker subject was recorded

(and presented) twice, once while interacting with a straight conversational partner

(CP) and once while interacting with a gay CP. Conversational partners remained

gender specific; male speakers only interacted with male CPs while females only

interacted with female CPs.

The purpose of the study was to determine: (1) if listeners are accurate in identifying a

speaker’s self-identified sexual orientation; (2) presence of a gaydar phenomenon;

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specifically, are gay/lesbian listeners more accurate in identifying gay/lesbian speakers

than are straight listeners; and (3) if listeners are accurate in identifying the sexual

orientation of a speaker regardless of any code/register/style switching that may occur

as a function of the sexual orientation of the experimenter.

Results of the study indicated that listeners were 70.7% accurate in identifying the

sexual orientation of a speaker. Overall, gay/lesbian listeners were not better than

straight listeners at accurately identifying the sexual orientation of a speaker

(regardless of gender). Listener’s ability in identifying the sexual orientation of male

speakers was not significantly better than their ability to accurately identify the sexual

orientation of female speakers. Gay/lesbians were more accurate in identifying sexual

orientation of women (particularly in identifying lesbians). There was also a

significant difference in accuracy as a function of the sexual orientation of the CP.

Specifically, listeners were more accurate in identifying the sexual orientation of gay

males, straight males, and straight females when they were interacting with a gay CP.

Results of this study support previous research findings (Guadio, 1994) that gay males

can be accurately identified at better than chance levels. Accurate identification of

lesbian speakers is dependent on the sexual orientation of the listeners. While straight

listeners may not be able to distinguish lesbian speakers from straight speakers with

reasonable accuracy, gay/lesbian listeners can.

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