The Gay Ear Myth
It soon became clear that the "gay ear" was no longer a reliable way to tell if a man was gay or not. The "gay earring" fad lasted until the s. But wearing an earring on the right ear is still a popular choice. And as ear piercings on both men and women are becoming more mainstream, more men than ever are opting to get their ears pierced. Last Updated: May 25, Fact Checked. Previously working as a nurse for over 10 years, Natalie then trained for 4 years as a piercing apprentice. Remember late 80s earring stigma for guys?
While ear piercings for all genders have been a common accessory throughout history, in the s, a single pierced ear came to symbolize something specifically queer—and allegedly randy. Free Shipping for U. Earrings have evolved into powerful symbols of style and self-expression, allowing individuals to convey their personality through jewelry choices and piercing placement. 
History and Hypocrisy
Remember late 80s earring stigma for guys? In the late 80s I was a newly minted teen and there was a “rule” that if a guy wore an earring in only his right ear it meant he was gay, but if he wore one only in his left ear it meant he was straight. Though I never wore earrings in either ear, I still assumed this to be the gospel truth. According to a surprisingly persistent stereotype , the answer was always the right ear piercing on a man. But is there any truth to this long-standing cultural shorthand?
Point 89
Even today, one of the most unshakeable cultural signifiers has been the "mono" piercing - more precisely, and befuddling, on which ear it's placed and what it says about your sexuality. Understanding what each side means can help you express yourself confidently or simply satisfy your curiosity. Earrings have been worn for thousands of years across many cultures.
How Earrings for Men Were Influenced by the Culture of the 80s
The "gay ear" myth is an outdated stereotype that a piercing in a specific ear indicates a person’s sexual orientation. For men, this myth historically claimed a piercing in the right ear meant they were gay, while the left ear was for straight men. T hese days, seldom does a piercing trend stick around for longer than a few weeks before a neologism replaces the one before it, permeating the halls of TikTok or Instagram and causing all of us to second-guess what was once considered mainstream - only to then swap a coveted wardrobe staple for the latest passing fad. Still, certain exceptions prevail. 
Which Ear is the Gay Ear for Earrings
Which ear is the gay ear, left or right earring? Read more for the truth behind the complicated history of the gay ear concept. Find men's jewelry trends here!. .
What Does a Right Ear Piercing Mean for Men & Women?
Different ears have had different meanings in various places. For example, in some cultures, a piercing in the left ear meant a man was single. Over time, these meanings changed. In the 20th century, wearing earrings on one ear became a way to show personal style or identity. The idea of a “gay ear” started in the s in the West. . How did the "gay ear" myth come to be?
What does a right ear piercing mean? Starting in the s, gay men used a right ear piercing to signal that they were gay. Being openly gay was uncommon, and this was a way to discreetly communicate in the LGBTQ+ community. Today, a right ear piercing does not hold any specific meaning. [1]. .