sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer) (08/16/84)
Ann Landers seems to be on a roll these days, what with the recent controversy
about Judaism and orthodox observance, and now comes the word on gay men and
earrings. I thought you'd enjoy gasping as much as I did:
From the Boston Globe, August 15:
"When a man is straight, whether the earring is in the left ear or the right
ear, it has no special significance. With gay males, however, I am told there
is a specific meaning. An earring worn in the left ear signifies the wish to
be the dominant party in a relationship. When the earring is worn in the right
ear, the male is making it known he prefers to play the submissive role. I am
told that this code is said to be understood by homosexuals all over the
world."
--
/Steve Dyer
{decvax,linus,ima}!bbncca!sdyer
sdyer@bbncca.ARPArrizzo@bbncca.ARPA (Ron Rizzo) (08/17/84)
Madison Avenue On Earrings ========================== National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" interviewed the ad man who dreamed up "Mr. Clean" (personifying the much-loved detergent) since today (8/16/84) was the 25th anniversary of the "tall bald man in white T-shirt, clamdiggers, who sports a gold earring in one ear". The interviewer asked about the earring, noting that IN SOME QUARTERS it was believed to indicate (ahem!) sexual orientation. To which the ad man replied , "Oh no. Mr. Clean? Why, Mr. Clean, he was such a REGULAR GUY..." Well, pressed the interviewer, what if such a creature with all these (erh) attributes were proposed for a client's ads in 1984? "Oh, " an- swered the ad man, "the concept would be researched to death..."
dmmartindale@watcgl.UUCP (Dave Martindale) (08/17/84)
Her explanation does sound a bit strange. But I'll have to admit that I don't know what the truth of the matter is. Could someone who does know explain whether there is a nearly-universal meaning to the ear chosen and, if so, what it is?
schwab@iuvax.UUCP (08/18/84)
I wear an earring in my left ear because I am left-handed. It's easier to put it on and off that ear. My lover is right-handed and wears one on his right ear. This probably comes as close to a universal meaning as anything. David Schwab Indiana University ...ihnp4!inuxc!iuvax!schwab