Which Ear is the Gay Ear? What Does It Mean?

For years now, many people have been pondering the question, ‘Which ear is the gay ear?’ The belief that a specific ear might reveal someone’s sexual orientation has remained true. But is there any scientific evidence backing up this notion? Read through this page carefully to find out the actual truth

We will take a close look at this claim, give you the history, and let you know if truly there is a particular ear for gays.

Brief History of the Gay Ear

People have been havkomoda botnik trenton bourguet ikea vyssa detsky matrac new nike air max adidas womens golf shoes uk sprchove mydlo na akne wianek z faszyny Poland adidas tennis hu pharrell williams naketano singen florida state jersey ensemble suspension et applique amazon vorhänge verkaufen nike dynamic fit shoes como espantar perros Mexico id armbanding body piercings to show their position or caste since ancient times. Facial piercings and other jewelry were frequent adornments.

Ear piercing has gained popularity in waves over the decades. Egyptian mummies had their ears pierced. In the 1500s, it was typical to see a wealthy man dripping with jewelry, and wearing a single pearl earring hanging from one ear was trendy.

In the United States, ear piercings fell out of vogue in the 1920s. Facial piercings, gay or not, were uncommon from the 1920s until the 1950s.

Clip-on earrings were popular among both men and women. However, in the 1970s, an increasing number of people had their ears pierced. Rock musicians popularized the appearance, and more people received many piercings.

At some time, gay men began to use piercings to indicate to other guys that they were homosexual. Which side of the homosexual earring was it?

If you were a heterosexual man and wanted to pierce an ear, you had to do it in the left ear since the right ear was the gay ear.

Which Ear is Gay Ear?

Traditionally, a right-side piercing is identified as the gay ear. It is part of the LGBT “culture and code” used to secretly identify oneself in the community.

The left side is widely accepted as heterosexual or straight, while dual piercings indicate homosexuality or other varied expressions of sexuality.

Even with changing times and advancements, many people still associate piercing a part of a person’s body with sexual connotations.

For one to better appreciate the idea of piercings and what they stand for, we must take a look at the America of the ’70s and ’80s.

The Culture of Gay Ring Practice

During this time, it was not cool to be identified as LGBTQIA publicly. Within this period, there was no real social or legal cover for individuals who fell under the gay ear category.

A lot of people lived in fear for their families, jobs, properties, and even their own lives. It isn’t uncommon to find people being physically attacked the moment they are discovered to be gay.

The need for some sort of secrecy led to innovations regarding their lifestyles.

Usually, people who belong to this category will come together in secret bars and local parks in the dark hours of the night. They often use subtle means to let people know they are gay.

Really quick, the gay ear phrase spread like wildfire through America at a time when piercing was just beginning to gain ground.

Piercing of the body was for a long time not what was generally accepted by all, it was mostly seen on rock stars.

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How to Clean Pierced Ears

Usually, the greatest concern after the piercing is carried out deals with what happens immediately after it is done.

This is the most important aspect of the after-care process. A piercing will be difficult to be infected if it has enough time to properly heal.

Even at that, piercing is a-holes in your body, which means, it can develop fungal and bacterial growths therefore you need to keep them clean always.

How to Keep Your Piercing Open

One challenge with leaving piercings for periods without an earring is that they can heal pretty quickly.

Piercings under a year old are expected to be filled at all times. If they are left open, they would close up quickly.

There are several products you can use to keep your piercings open. You may, however, make use of items such as a broken comb or a fishing line.

However, ensure that whatever it is you are using is properly sterilized.

What to Consider Before Piercing Your Ear

The first thing you consider is where to place your piercing. Do some research on piercing studios,
and be sure it is certified by the Association of Professional Piercers.

1. Earlobe

Here is the go-to ear-piercing spot at the bottom of your ear. Earlobe piercing is easy to clean and take care of It heals much faster than other ear piercings as well.

2. Helix

The helix is the curvy tissue at the very top of the ear. This falls into second place after the lobe piercing in popularity.

It heals a little more slowly than a lobe piercing but is still easy to keep clean.

3. Tragus

Right above your earlobe. The harder section of your ear is on the edge of your face and right in front of your ear canal.

The tragus is not as common as the lobe or helix for piercing. It is a little more difficult to take care of. There is some anecdotal evidence that a tragus piercing may have benefits for anxiety and migraines.

Tips for Cleaning an Ear Piercing

1. Clean your piercing when you do other regular hygiene habits.  Wipe it when you brush your teeth or take a shower to give yourself a gentle reminder every day.

2. Wash your hands. Wash with warm water and gentle soap before you touch your piercing to avoid introducing bacteria to the area.

3. You need to Clean with a clean cotton pad or swab, dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use this around the pierced area a few times a day to remove any bacteria.

4. Dab (don’t wipe) the piercing. Dry with a clean towel or tissue so you don’t damage the tissue while it’s healing.

5. Apply a small layer of petroleum jelly. Using this around the pierced area will reduce scabs and protect from bacteria.

6. Clean the pierced area whenever you take the piercing out. This includes when you put it back in, too.

Bacteria can quickly get on jewelry when you expose it to the air or set it on a surface like a counter or a table.

7. Avoid cleaning your piercing in the bathroom. This is especially true of public ones. Even the cleanest home bathrooms usually have high concentrations of bacteria.

8. Try not to lie in the pierced area for a long time. Sleeping or lying down on your piercing can trap moisture or bacteria in the area, increasing your risk of infection.

9. Don’t get any hair or body products in the piercing area.

Be careful when you use shampoo, soap, gel, pomade, hairspray, or other products that can get near the piercing and irritate the tissue.

10. Watch out for any abnormal or discolored discharge. See your piercer or doctor right away if you notice any unusual discharge as it might be a sign of an infection.

Conclusion

The “gay ear” is just a myth. There’s no scientific evidence to support the idea that one ear is linked to sexual orientation, and perpetuating this harmful stereotype does more harm than good.

Rather than trying to pigeonhole people based on their appearance, we should focus on treating everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of who they are or how they look.

The next time you hear someone talk about the “gay ear,” remember that it’s nothing more than an urban legend.

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