I Mustache You a Question: Are Staches Gay?
November is also known as Movember, the month when mustaches start making a noticeable appearance everywhere. In recent years, it seems like the mustache has made a stylish comeback, becoming a prominent feature in the world of facial hair. However, there’s a long-standing stereotype that mustaches are inherently gay, a notion that has persisted over time. But where did this stereotype originate, and why does it continue to be associated with queerness?
The History of the Mustache
The mustache has a rich and varied history, dating back thousands of years. Evidence of early shaving practices dates to the Neolithic period (10,000 BC to 2200 BC), with stone razors used for grooming. The American Research Center in Egypt notes that one of the earliest depictions of a mustache appears in ancient Egypt around 2500 BC, with Prince Rahotep's statue showing a prominent mustache. Though mustaches were likely popular during Egypt's Old Kingdom, they are often not visible on statues due to the way they were painted.
In medieval Europe, knights wore armor designed to accommodate their mustaches, reflecting status and identity. According to a 2014 BBC article, by the 14th century, the mustache had become a symbolic feature, as seen in a tomb effigy of England’s Prince Edward of Wales. During the 17th century, the decline of beards, influenced by Tsar Peter the Great’s beard tax, helped usher in the mustache as a fashionable choice, especially among soldiers who used facial hair to distinguish themselves.
According to The Gentleman’s Journal, the 18th century saw more elaborate mustache styles, often sculpted to accompany sideburns, while the 19th century saw them become part of broader facial hair trends. However, by the late 1800s, mustaches fell out of favor due to health concerns, particularly the belief that beards harbored germs. World War I further cemented the trend toward clean-shaven faces, as gas masks did not fit over facial hair.
The mustache made a comeback in the early 20th century, popularized by figures like Hercule Poirot and Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable and Errol Flynn. However, during the Great Depression, mustaches were considered unprofessional, and in 1932, advice was given to shave them off for better job prospects. World War II briefly ended the popularity of the toothbrush mustache due to its association with Adolf Hitler, but fighter pilots brought back handlebar mustaches as symbols of bravery.
In the 1960s and 70s, mustaches surged in popularity again, thanks to stars like Burt Reynolds and Tom Selleck. By the end of the century, mustaches had faded from mainstream fashion. However, the launch of Movember in 2003 revived the trend, with a focus on raising awareness for men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health, as well as addressing the alarming rates of male suicide.
Why Are Mustaches Gay?
A search for “are mustaches gay?” brings up surprising results, with many referencing iconic figures like Freddie Mercury. However, the connection between mustaches and queerness is rooted in cultural shifts, evolving gender dynamics, and changing views on masculinity.
Over time, the mustache has symbolized various meanings, from traditional masculinity to rebellion. In the 1960s and 70s, it became associated with sexual liberation and nonconformity, standing in contrast to mainstream norms. It was also linked to subcultures like swingers and adult film stars, symbolizing sexual freedom and defiance. These cultural and political associations contributed to the mustache’s place within LGBTQ+ culture.
Key queer elements of mustaches include:
- Sexual Liberation & Nonconformity: According to The Cut, in the 1960s and 70s, mustaches became a visual expression of rebellion, serving as a marker of individuality within both mainstream and queer identities, especially in contrast to rigid military masculinity.
- Rebellion Against Military Masculinity: The mustache emerged as a symbol of defiance against military grooming standards. As armies phased out facial hair, sporting a mustache was a break from traditional masculine ideals and a rejection of conformity.
- Association with Sexual Deviancy: The mustache became linked to subcultures like swingers and adult film stars, reinforcing its association with sexual freedom and queer culture as a rejection of societal norms.
- Political Connotations: El País notes that in countries like Spain, the mustache symbolized right-wing military figures, while in France and the U.S., it was tied to countercultural, liberal values. This political duality added to its rebellious nature, making it resonate with queer communities challenging authority.
- Symbol of Masculinity & Rebellion: Ultimately, the mustache embodies masculinity, defiance, and sexual freedom, making it a powerful symbol in LGBTQ+ expression.
The Mustache’s Exaggeration of Hyper-Masculinity
The mustache not only signified individualism and defiance but also became associated with a working-class aesthetic that gay men adopted, making it central to queer identity. One expression of this was the “Castro Clone” style, popularized in San Francisco’s Castro District in the late 1970s. This style, marked by flannel shirts, bomber jackets, jeans, boots, and facial hair, drew inspiration from blue-collar masculinity.
This aesthetic became iconic within the LGBTQ+ community, almost resembling a uniform for certain gay subcultures. The Castro Clones embraced an exaggerated, rugged masculinity that celebrated blue-collar ideals. As Arnie Kantrowitz notes in The New York Times, this look symbolized both resistance and identity, marking a break from gendered expectations of the time.
In the 1970s, when masculinity was often exaggerated, the mustache became a key element in this hyper-masculine aesthetic. For gay men, it was more than a fashion choice; it was a tool of resistance against societal and gender norms, further solidifying the mustache’s role as both a symbol of masculinity and queerness.
The Mustache, Gay Liberation, and the AIDS Crisis
The mustache’s resurgence in the 1960s and 70s coincided with the rise of the gay liberation movement following the Stonewall Riots of 1969. While mustaches weren’t inherently tied to any sexual orientation, they became closely associated with gay men as symbols of rebellion and sexual freedom, particularly in the context of the Castro Clone subculture.
However, the growing visibility of the LGBTQ+ community also led to backlash. Many straight men, fearing the association with queerness, began to shave off their facial hair. The mustache, once a symbol of rebellion, became increasingly seen as a marker of gay identity, which prompted discomfort among those threatened by the queer community.
The mustache’s prominence waned during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, as the gay community faced stigma and vilification due to the disease’s widespread association with LGBTQ+ people. Many gay men, particularly within the Castro Clone community, began shaving their facial and body hair in an effort to appear healthier, as youth and vitality became associated with survival. By the 1990s, the clean-shaven look, along with goatees influenced by boy band culture, became more common, and the mustache temporarily faded from prominence as part of a broader cultural shift in response to the AIDS epidemic.
The Mustache's Resurgence and Its Evolving Symbolism
The return of the mustache in the early 2000s was marked by a new cultural context, particularly within the hipster movement, which embraced it with a touch of irony. This resurgence was not only about nostalgia or aesthetics but also part of a broader shift in how masculinity was being perceived and performed. The mustache became an emblem of a playful, nonchalant approach to masculinity, one that was less concerned with rigid traditional norms and more about personal expression.
Dr. Allan Peterkin, a cultural historian, suggests that the younger generation of men in the early 2000s, influenced by the metrosexual boom, began to experiment with masculinity in a way that allowed for more freedom in how they presented themselves. These men were no longer burdened by the fear of being discriminated against for sporting facial hair, and they weren’t concerned with the sexual implications historically associated with mustaches. Instead, the mustache became an accessory for crafting a particular look, blending elements of machismo with irony and self-awareness.
The resurgence of the mustache also coincided with a period in which masculinity was being redefined. Experts in facial hair suggest that the mustache reappears during times when masculinity feels under threat or in flux. This is particularly relevant in today’s context, where ideas of gender and masculinity are being challenged and expanded. The mustache, once a symbol of traditional masculinity, is now part of a broader conversation about self-expression and identity. It no longer has to adhere to the narrow definitions of masculinity that once dictated its style.
In essence, today's mustache exists in a space where it can be both a nod to past notions of manliness and a tool for redefining contemporary masculinity. As modern masculinity continues to evolve, the mustache’s role as a symbol has shifted, allowing it to exist as a simple, unburdened form of personal expression.
Embracing the Mustache Today: A Nod to the Past, Joy in the Present
The history of the mustache is rich and complex, stretching back to ancient Egypt and evolving through various cultural associations with masculinity, rebellion, and nonconformity. Today, the mustache has been reappropriated by younger generations, particularly hipsters, with a touch of irony and a sense of freedom from past societal judgments.
It's no longer a symbol laden with rigid expectations or sexual labels; instead, it’s embraced as a personal style choice. Many wear it simply because it suits their look, without concern for any cultural associations it once held. This shift allows the mustache to serve as a playful nod to its past while being just a part of one's appearance in the present.
Whether it’s a bold statement of masculinity, a hint of flirtiness, or a little bit of queer energy from bygone eras, the mustache is now a celebration of individuality and self-expression. If you rock a stache and love it, don’t hesitate to celebrate it. After all, in today’s world, it’s about the joy it brings to your style and the confidence it helps you express.
And remember: every day is all we have, so you've got to make your own happiness.
For more information on this topic, listen to Episode 81. Are Mustaches Gay?
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