New documentary explores the gay voice
HAVE you ever wondered why or if you sound gay? Or why some guys sound “gayer” than others? Or what makes gay men sound different to our heterosexual brothers and sisters?
Documentary filmmaker David Thorpe is in the process of finishing a documentary in the tradition of first-person movies like Supersize Me, where he talks to linguists, historians, voice coaches, speech therapists about the “gay voice”. It’s called Do I Sound Gay?
The documentary includes interviews with LGBTI icons Margaret Cho, Dan Savage and George Takei.
Filmed over a three-year period and in four different countries, the documentary is currently in post-production and seeking funds via Kickstarter to finalise and distribute the the film.
The documentary takes a look at the gay male voice and the social stigma and homophobia that is attached to “sounding gay”.
It includes interviews with gay men who grew up in fear of bullying, deliberately changing their voice to sound less gay, or often seeking professional help to do so.
After watching the above short for the documentary. Do you sound gay? If so, are you ok with that? If not, what lengths have you gone to to sound less gay?
