When a Voice Triggers Bias |
The ‘gay’ voice is a stereotype.
People assume heterosexuality unless vocal cues suggest otherwise.
Sounding ‘gay’ is linked to both expectations and experiences of stigma.
Sounding ‘gay’ can influence hiring decisions.
Can the way someone sounds influence how they are treated? Emmy-nominated actor Cooper Koch, known for the TV Series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, recently shared a striking experience. In an interview, he revealed that he struggled to get acting roles. When talking about this with his teacher, she told him the reason: he ‘sounded gay’ (Tabberer, 2024). Cooper openly identifies as gay, yet it was his voice, rather than his talent, that was seen as a barrier. He is unlikely to be the only one.
In the UK, discrimination based on perception is unlawful under the Equality Act (2010). This means that treating someone unfairly because they are perceived as gay is legally prohibited. Still, experiences like Cooper’s suggest that subtle forms of bias persist. As we approach the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (May 17), it is worth reflecting on how these judgments emerge and why they matter.
The ‘Gay Voice’ as a Stereotype
The idea of a ‘gay voice’ is a stereotype. People often hold expectations about how a gay man, and to a lesser extent a lesbian woman, 'should' sound. But research clearly shows that there is variation in how people speak (Kachel et al., 2017) and that there is no single way a gay person sounds. So, how do these perceptions form? Individuals tend to assume everyone is straight, unless something suggests otherwise (Lick & Johnson, 2016; Fasoli et al., 2023). That ‘something’ is often linked to gendered cues. For example, a man perceived as having a more ‘feminine’ voice is more likely to be perceived as gay. These judgments are not necessarily accurate. What people often........