# Why is "Bruce" considered a "gay name?"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bruce-considered-a-gay-name/296169>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [March 25, 2005, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bruce-considered-a-gay-name/296169 "2005-03-25T06:40:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 4

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2016, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bruce-considered-a-gay-name/296169/61 "2016-07-10T10:56:07Z")

</div>

> [@Acsenray](#):
>
> The Monty Python sketch is based on the stereotype that Australians address everyone as “Bruce” and “Sheila.”

So I guess that means all Australian men are gay. In addition to being criminals.

> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#):
>
> - has a hanky in a back pocket

Especially red in the right. 😉

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\
**Post date:** [July 10, 2016, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bruce-considered-a-gay-name/296169/62 "2016-07-10T13:32:28Z")

</div>

> [@panache45](#):
>
> So I guess that means all Australian men are gay. In addition to being criminal

I salute you, Sir. I think you’ve cracked it

(I should point out that I’m English).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bruce-considered-a-gay-name/296169/63 "2016-07-12T22:41:09Z")

</div>

> [@Shagnasty](#):
>
> This might be one of the most misguided or ignorant answers I will ever give but I always assumed that the name ‘Bruce’ is associated with gay men because it sounds overly masculine. That is, he is definitely a "top’ and not a ‘bottom’. It conjures up mental images of a burly gay guy, a Harley rider, with a killer 70’s mustache decked out in black leather. I never associated the name Bruce with a wispy, delicate type of gay man or even a nondescript one. He is definitely a ‘Bear’ in gay nomenclature. If I am mistaken, I am just as confused about the reasons for the association as anyone.

I don’t know if this is correct or not, but I could definitely see Bruce seeming hyper masculine because of its vowel. The /u/ vowel is hard to do higher pitched. You have to modify it. Hence why “boos” from a crowd are always a lower sound.

The consonant cluster /br/ is also pretty harsh, especially if you want the /b/ to be cleanly heard. You have to let air build up behind it.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-bruce-considered-a-gay-name/296169.md?page=3)