Which ear is the gay ear for females

However, today this notion is widely considered irrelevant and outdated.

Which Ear Is the Gay Ear? 

You might recall hearing that if a man wore an earring on the right ear, that meant he was gay. As a result, it's usually used in alloy form with stronger metals. Twisting the piercing a couple of times daily will also discourage the piercing from closing.

Going Forward

If you've considered going for a gay earring (or really, any ear piercing at all), we hope that you now have the information you need to choose the right jewelry and piercing type.

It wasn't until the 1970s, amidst the rise of hippie culture, the feminist movement, and the sexual revolution, that ear piercings started to gain mainstream acceptance. The distinction between those who wore it for its original coded meaning and those who wore it merely as an adornment became impossible to discern for outsiders.

The Rise of Visibility and the Obsolescence of Secrecy

Coinciding with this cultural shift was the steady, albeit often challenging, progress in LGBTQ+ rights and visibility.

However, this phrase has largely been forgotten, and reflects a time when societal attitudes toward homosexuality were more negative and discriminatory. 

Gay signaling dates as far back as the 19th century, when poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde wore a green carnation on his lapel as a silent queer symbol. Over time, it became a kind of open secret that more and more non-gay people were becoming aware of.

It's important to note that the "gay earring" was only ever considered to be a signal for gay men.

At the same time, the left ear is straight.

As time went on, earrings as a whole became more popular, and even some straight men opted to pierce their right ear. But when you've just gotten a piercing, there are some important steps to take to make sure it heals nicely and doesn't get infected.

First, make sure that you wash your hands before touching the piercing, as this will help cut down on the number of bacteria it's exposed to.

The decision of which ear to pierce is based on personal aesthetic, not identity.

Where did the gay ear myth originate?

The practice originated in the mid-to-late 20th century as a discreet signal within the gay community. Are They Useful?

What Is a Tennis Bracelet? Look for jewelry with a higher proportion of gold (higher karat value), as these earrings will be less likely to irritate your skin.

Silver - Silver is a great choice of fine metal for earrings.

First, choose a reputable piercer. And as ear piercings on both men and women are becoming more mainstream, more men than ever are opting to get their ears pierced.

A Brief History of the Gay Ear

Now you know a little bit about the gay ear. The ‘rule,’ therefore, inadvertently enforced a form of social policing, dictating perceived sexuality based on a mere fashion choice and often leading to misjudgments and prejudice.

While this simple binary became deeply embedded in popular culture, its origins are far more complex and trace back to an entirely different system of covert communication.

While the simple dictum of "right is gay, left is straight" might offer a quick answer to the origins of gay ear piercings, the true history reveals a far richer and more intricate tapestry of communication woven by the queer community during an era of necessity.

From Pocket to Piercing: Unearthing the Queer Codes of a Hidden Era

The 1970s and 1980s represented a pivotal yet precarious period for the LGBTQ+ community.

Some have a traditional ring-like look. When Michael Jordan wore an earring in his right ear, millions of fans saw it not as a signal of gay identity, but as a cool accessory worn by a sports hero. The expression "left is right and right is wrong," where "wrong" indicated being gay, also became popular at the time. The widespread phenomenon effectively separated the piercing from any specific sexual orientation in the public consciousness.

Dilution of Meaning: From Coded Signal to Casual Accessory

With pop culture’s full endorsement, the original, clandestine meaning of the right-ear piercing became rapidly diluted.

Furthermore, online apps have made it significantly easier for LGBTQ+ individuals to not only date, but also form non-romantic relationships. 

Today’s internet discourse reflects a more inclusive and nuanced perspective on which ear is the gay ear:

Robbie (Normal) on X (Twitter) captures a contemporary view by asserting, “either ear is the gay ear if you're gay.” It’s significant because it emphasizes how ear piercings related to sexual orientation are outdated and irrelevant–a sign that societal norms are shifting away from traditional views. 

Tony McGurk on Quora similarly explains, “I have my left ear pierced as 40 years ago when I got it done in my mid 20’s Left meant Straight & Right meant Gay.

Nowadays I don’t think anyone cares. Make sure to follow your piercer's aftercare instructions. But you might wonder how a right-ear piercing came to be a kind of code.

The truth is that gay men weren't the first men to start wearing earrings. His refined selection proves that understated accessories can make a significant impact.

BILLY PORTER: STATEMENT EAR CUFF

Billy Porter is renowned for his dramatic and attention-grabbing earrings, such as flashy statement ear cuffs and oversized designs.