Straight girls' motives going to Gay Bars

dchris

What do straight girls mean when they say they are going to a gay bar for a "laugh"?

A girl (who is straight) rang me to meet up for a drink as haven't seen her in ages. I suggested Thursday, and she said she was going to The George for a gay night with all the girls. I said, "what has you going there?," to which she replied that "sure it does be gas in there"

From the way she was talking though, I really got the impression they were more going to "laugh at people" than to have a laugh. As she went into detail of previous antics she experienced which i'd rather not get into..


I began thinking about it more and I am wondering is there a cohort of straight girls (not all straight girls) that go to gay bars in the hope of seeing some sort of freak show or something?

I don't go to gay bars myself much, but just wondered if there was an element of "hen's night Helen's" hitting The George for a "gawk"? Surely people have moved on right? What is their motive?

Maybe I just don't like this girl and anything she says I pick out of it what I want to hear...

(Before people start banging on about their straight mate Nelly who goes to the george with gay John of a Wednesday, this is clearly not what I am talking about. I am also aware that Gay clubs are "Straight Friendly" and there is no problem whether straight, gay or Australian)

padd b1975

The question you asked in your first paragraph has been answered in your last paragraph.

Dr. Baltar

The same reasons that you go to a straight bar with your friends.
For a "laugh".

Also, in general gay bars do tend to be a bit mad/freer than straight bars in my experience. Straight people like a place where they aren't judged too you know.

The only motivation I have seen in any of the straight people I know going to gay bars (whether they be male or female) has simply been to try and have a good time.

The only motication I have seen in any of those people going BACK to those bars (whether they be male or female) has been because they had a good time the last time.

I know of no one personally who went there to enjoy any kind of freak show or to treat anyone there as if they were freaks. If you do know such people perhaps they are not the kind of people one should be calling friend(s)?

stargazer 68

I go because my friend is gay so she likes them. The same way as she comes to 'straight bars' with me!

ongarboy

I think motives is too strong a word. Unless someone is really calculating, I'm sure they are just looking for an alternative and going to have some fun in a place that is a bit different to the usual or repetitive social setting they normally go out in. Don't we all go elsewhere sometimes for a bit of variety in our lives?

I really don't think anyone (unless they were especially immature or perhaps simple) would consciously choose to go to a gay bar so that they can stare, point and have a laugh at others. If they did, it would say a lot more about them than the people they are supposedly laughing at.

Pedant

I guess it's the same reason why straight guys watch lesbian porn.

baby and crumble

I actually think a lot of this has to do with ye entertainment that a lot of gay bars put on. The George has long been the standard bearer in this, in that there are drag shows most nights of the week. A lot of people find them fun and entertaining. Plus theyre usually free. A lot of straight girls also like that they are likely to have a night out having fun where they don't have to fend off men all night, yet perhaps get the boost of a woman chatting them up. Now, I personally have a problem with the straight girls who go to gay bars ad then get disgusted by the women chatting them up, but that's an issue for another thread!

You'll notice that most straight people who suggest going to a gay bar will suggest The George or possibly Panti bar on a night there's a show. Unless they're going out with gay mates you rarely see a gaggle of straight girls in the Front lounge on an average night, because it's just another pub.

Conor30

I think straight girls like the fun atmosphere of gay bars & clubs. For them, gay clubs are less 'intense' and they won't have drunk guys coming onto them. They can go for a 'girly' night out!

dchris

Maybe it was me just reading too much into it. I am not a fan of gay bars because of the hysteria and falseness that goes on. The Front Lounge probably being the exception I have seen in Dublin.

The air kissing and amateur dramatics that go on in the likes of The George and Dragon, is a bit OTT for me. But each to their own.. I would hate to think that straight girls go to The George or Dragon just to see a non-sexually threatening freak show.

I don't for one second think either The George or Dragon is a "freak show" and it us great that individuals can go and express themselves in whatever way they want there. That being said, they should be able to be who ever they want in any venue, but alas, having a nest where you feel most comfortable to express oneself is important.

I guess I am being more protective that sceptical about the whole thing, I would hate to think anyone was going to these venues to laugh at patrons. I guess if they do, jokes on them and they are the "freaks"

EGAR

I used to go to gay bars in the States with my friend if we wanted a night without being constantly hit on. We didn't go *for a laugh*, we went because we could sit there, have a chat and not be bothered by horny guys.

shoegirl

I asked a bunch of straight girls this once, and they gave me a straight answer! They love t come out where they can have som runs among themselves and not be hassled by creepy men. Of course they do tend to assume that there are no creepy men in gay bars! I think the big driver is that there is a perception that they can "be themselves" more so than in a normal bar and a bit more relaxed.

I think it's very healthy and important. Not everybody is 100% secure on their sexuality and many of these girls do step over to the "dark side."