Fag stag and
fruit fly are slang terms for a
heterosexual
Heterosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between people of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions ...
man who either enjoys or prefers the company of, or simply has numerous friends who are,
gay
''Gay'' is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'.
While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late ...
or
bisexual
Bisexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior toward both males and females. It may also be defined as the attraction to more than one gender, to people of both the same and different gender, or the attraction t ...
people.
Both terms include derogatory terms for homosexuals (fag and fruit).
The term, which originated in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
in the 1990s,
is the male equivalent of the more common slang term "
fag hag
A ''fag hag'' is, in gay slang, a woman who associates either mostly or exclusively with gay and bisexuality, bisexual men. The phrase originated in gay male culture in the United States and was historically an insult. Some women who associate ...
",
a term which is part of ''hag''-ism: the identification of a person with a group—usually united in terms of
sexuality
Human sexuality is the way people experience and express themselves sexually. This involves biological, psychological, physical, erotic, emotional, social, or spiritual feelings and behaviors. Because it is a broad term, which has varied ...
,
gender identity
Gender identity is the personal sense of one's own gender. Gender identity can correlate with a person's assigned sex or can differ from it. In most individuals, the various biological determinants of sex are congruent and consistent with the in ...
, or shared sex—of which he or she is not a member.
The term can be used as a
pejorative
A pejorative word, phrase, slur, or derogatory term is a word or grammatical form expressing a negative or disrespectful connotation, a low opinion, or a lack of respect toward someone or something. It is also used to express criticism, hosti ...
or as a term of endearment within
LGBTQ
LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, Gay men, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (sexuality and gender), questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, Asexuality, asexual, ...
communities.
Usage
The colloquialism is used, albeit rarely, primarily within the
LGBTQ
LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, Gay men, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (sexuality and gender), questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, Asexuality, asexual, ...
communities.
[ ]
Mainstream shows, such as ''
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
''Queer Eye'' is an American reality television series that premiered on the Bravo (American TV network), Bravo network in July 2003, initially broadcast as ''Queer Eye for the Straight Guy''. The series was created by executive producers David ...
'', ''
Queer as Folk
''Queer as Folk'' may refer to:
* Queer as Folk (British TV series), ''Queer as Folk'' (British TV series), 1999–2000
* Queer as Folk (American TV series), ''Queer as Folk'' (American TV series), a 2000–2005 American and Canadian version of th ...
'', ''
Will & Grace
''Will & Grace'' is an American television sitcom created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. Set in New York City, the show focuses on the friendship between best friends Will Truman (Eric McCormack), a Gay men, gay lawyer, and Grace Adler (Debra ...
'' and others, often explore the mainstreaming of friendships where differing sexualities play a complement rather than impediment to friendships and social situations.
In addition,
homophobia
Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who identify or are perceived as being lesbian, Gay men, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or ant ...
has become less prevalent, and efforts to confront violence and hostility towards sexual and gender minorities, such as
gay–straight alliance
A gay–straight alliance, gender–sexuality alliance (GSA) or queer–straight alliance (QSA) is a student-led or community-based organization, found in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. These are primarily in the Uni ...
, has helped lift some of the stigma attached to having
LGBTQ
LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, Gay men, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (sexuality and gender), questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, Asexuality, asexual, ...
people as close friends.
A 2002 episode of the
MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
series
''Undressed'' was titled "Fag Stag" and centered on a
gay wedding
Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same legal sex. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 38 countries, with a total population of 1.5 billion people (20% o ...
.
When
Radar
Radar is a system that uses radio waves to determine the distance ('' ranging''), direction ( azimuth and elevation angles), and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It is a radiodetermination method used to detect and track ...
magazine debuted, its founder and editor-in-chief, Maer Roshan, called competitor ''
Details'' editor-in-chief Dan Peres a "professional fag stag",
stating, "Let's get one thing straight, Peres is not gay. But his magazine sure seems to be."
In regards to heterosexual males, the term fag stag is not to be confused with the term
gay icon
A gay icon is a public figure who is regarded as a cultural icon by members of the LGBTQ community. Such figures usually have a devoted LGBTQ fanbase and act as allies to the LGBTQ community, often through their work, or they have been "openly app ...
. The term
gay icon
A gay icon is a public figure who is regarded as a cultural icon by members of the LGBTQ community. Such figures usually have a devoted LGBTQ fanbase and act as allies to the LGBTQ community, often through their work, or they have been "openly app ...
is used for a celebrity (gay or straight) who is highly regarded by the gay community. While one can be both a fag stag and a gay icon concurrently, the terms are not synonymous.
See also
*
Fag hag
A ''fag hag'' is, in gay slang, a woman who associates either mostly or exclusively with gay and bisexuality, bisexual men. The phrase originated in gay male culture in the United States and was historically an insult. Some women who associate ...
*
Straight ally
A straight ally, heterosexual ally, cisgender ally, or cis ally (often simply called an ally) is a heterosexual and cisgender person who supports equal civil rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ social movements. Individuals may meet this designat ...
Footnotes
References
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fag Stag
LGBTQ slang
Slang terms for men
1990s neologisms