The flute is a delicate, high-pitched, and agile instrument. Often, these are considered feminine qualities. That's my explanation for why some people might scoff at male flautists. However, I think these stereotypes are outrageous. If you're a male flautist, good for you! Don't listen to people who ridicule you. They're probably ignorant and insecure. Personally, I find any kind of musical talent very impressive.

Because guys are supposed to be out playing sports with other guys rather than sitting in a room blowing trying to blow into a long round phallic shaped instrument. I would suggest at a minimum if you can't play sports that you at least move up to a more "manly" instrument and stay away from the woodwind section. By the way, what is a flautist?

Is it considered "gay", when a female plays a mans guitar? Don't think so. If you've got the talent......go for it!

nahh i dont think so

I don't know why but don't worry about it. Do what you want, be who you want to be. You know if you are straight or gay. I'm guy and a ballroom dancer and I'd certainly like to know how doing the tango with a beautiful woman is gay but some say it is.

The flute is more of a "girly" instruments, but I don't see a handbook saying guys can't play certain instruments.

Is it? I thought it was the attraction to men. Silly me!

Well, I think that most people would agree that flutes aren't a very "manly" instrument. Most boys choose instruments that are loud and obnoxious such as: trumpets, trombones, baritones, tubas. lol lots of brass instruments. I play the trumpet myself(partly because it only had 3 buttons to press, but that is beside the point haha) I personally wouldn't say that a guy flautist is gay. I love music and if you have the talent for something, Go for it! Maybe we need more guys to play the flute, then in the far future a question might be asked on answerbag: "why is it considered 'manly' when a boy plays the flute?"

Tell Ian Anderson that! It's only considered gay by pig-headed redneck dipsticks. Anything you do, or wear is as manly as you make it. Have you ever seen Ian Anderson play the flute? Not gay at all.

if it is that's dumb

I band teacher was a retired marine..total BAMF...he had played the flute for over 20 years..very good

"Gay" means a male who finds other boys attractive. I don't understand why people say Gay as in the meaning of stupid. Flutes are very nice instruments and just because you play it doesn't mean you like boys. People who say that are very "Gay"

I don't think it is, actually one of the hottest guys I know plays the flute. I think it's a very female dominated instrument (my mum is a flute teacher and only has about 6 boys in total... and the rest (5 days worth)are girls. This can make it seam 'girly' but.. all i can see is that at flute choirs + orchestras etc .. there's millions of girls for 1 guy. (is that really a bad thing for a guy??)

It's the same old falic ghost haunting men. A long, tubular shaped object put in your mouth? do I need to say more? It's stupid but we men sometimes are. go here and see many great male flute players (not gay at all) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flautist

It is not. It might be by someone who is homophobic or likes to stereotype gays. That's like asking if a woman/girl who likes baseball or basketball or who plays it is a lesbian. Ridiculous.

It doesn't

Because a penis is sometimes called a 'skin flute'. But seriously, the dude in Jethro Tull played the flute and in a heavy metal band no less. He rocked down the house. I say that if a guy wants to play the flue and someone doesn't like it, just crack 'em on the head with the flute.

I'm gay and I can't play the flute. In highschool I played the Tuba - cuz I was good at blowing hehe

Depends how hard he blows.

It's not. You do not have to hunt and eat meat and potatoes to be a man.

Most people will refer to this act in this term because they are small minded biggots. Using the term "gay" to describe something as bad is immature and pathetic. Therefore it is not "gay" for a boy to play the flute. UK

Because the flute is usually a happy sounding instrument and happy is also gay.

it depends on which 'flute' you are talking about, or is that just me? ( here comes some more down rating)

.double post.

Because PEOPLE would prefer him playing in dirt or playing with guns. If he were to play a musical instrument, it should have been something masculine like a guitar or drums.

You should buy all the Jethro Tull albums from the 60s and make these people listen to Ian Anderson play the flute for rock music. Awesome.

It's a way for people that are still in the closet to protect themselves from being exposed.

The flute is effeminate and phallic. Is it gay to play the flute? Of course not, but the perception of it being 'gay' to play is the result of society pushing homosexuals to the fringe, often forcing them to hide their lifestyle completely. It effectively forces them to identify other homosexuals through nuanced behavior or at safe places. Any hint of a loss of pure testeronated masculinity from a straight man will make people question their sexuality. I think the relaxing of societies rules against gays in modern history has also relaxed rules for straight men. It's the advent of metrosexuality and perfume commercials for men, etc. Even cosmetic companies are targetting men, specifically, since they've maxed out the womans market - brands like Axe, etc.

It's a well known fact that when you're a boy between the ages of eight and sixteen, everything is gay. Gay shoes, gay bag, gay haircut. "You went shopping with your mum, that's so gay" "You got an A in your exam, that's so gay." "That film was really gay" Or infamously "You kissed a girl, that's so gay." I don't believ "gay" in this contaxt has a great deal to do with homosexuality...

the word" GAY" is another term for having fun , a good time , ect ect. the corrrect term for this would be homosexual.

I've never heard that but here's a guy who plays flute and I don't think you would call what he does gay. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59ZX5qdIEB0

I've never heard of it but It's bullshit. Are you a brainless hick if you play a banjo? What are you when you play clarinet? Are you a democrat if you own donkeys?

It kinda sounds like whistling (I think), and when you whilstle you are usually in a good mood. Personally I whistle along with music that I listen to, mainly Starwars soundtracks and the Shadow of the colossus soundtrack. The shadow of the colossus score has serious power. I got it online from Japan! As for your question, you need to use the word that will convey your meaning best. Being vague won't get you anywhere! Seriously though, find this soundtrack online I paid 14 dollars shipping INCLUDED and usually CD's are 16 dollars PLUS shipping! It had Japanese written on it but you don't need to read it.

It's considered "gay" when a boy plays the flute, because it's dainty and makes a soft sound. In my school band, there are about 15 flutists (pronounced floutest for those of you who don't know) and out of that 15, only 2 are male. You know what, one of them is THE BEST flutist I've ever heard, and he's definatley (sorry if I spelled that wrong)straight. He also plays the piccolo, which is just like a smaller flute. I hate how, just because the flute is smaller and makes a softer sound it's considered feminine. The flute is the only instrument that's stereotyped like this and sometimes the clarinets, but not as much). If a girl plays the trumpet or trombone, they're not considered gay. (I know a female trumpeter that's not, and she's one of the better players.) But if a boy picks up the flute (and sometimes clarinet) he's "gay". Just like "Dumb Blondes", THIS IS ALL SO STUPID!!!

"Gender stereotypes continue to persist at all levels regarding male and female participation in music. Indeed, stereotypes are evident at the elementary and middle school levels when children choose a musical instrument for study in beginning band or orchestra. Research has shown sex-stereotyping of instruments to exist, often unconsciously, in both males and females. Usually, trombones, drums, tubas are viewed as being overtly masculine instruments while the flute, clarinet, and oboe are viewed as being overtly feminine instruments. These masculine and feminine characteristics that are placed on these instruments are often transferred to the individual who plays them. These stereotypes are created from a variety of sources, including popular media, parents, teachers, and other children. However, stereotypes can effectively be reduced by the manner of presentation of instruments to the students for the first time. For example, at a meeting of students and parents who are interested in beginning band, a female may demonstrate the trombone or tuba while a male may demonstrate the clarinet or oboe. This act alone does a great deal to break down sex-stereotypes of instruments and those who play them." "Suggestions for Professional Practice: Every year, band directors around the country recruit new students to populate the beginning band classes using a variety of methods and materials. It would be a worthwhile goal for band directors, for the health of their instrumental music programs as well as to promote gender equity for their students, to promote instruments as "gender-neutrally" as they can. The most effective way to do this, perhaps, is during the introduction phase of the recruiting efforts. Understanding that students identify with members of their own sex (Bruce & Kemp, 1993), a band director might have a female demonstrate the trombone and a male demonstrate the flute or oboe so that the students considering beginning band will see that, indeed, males do play flute and females do play trombone. In any event, care should always be taken in the introduction of instruments to students (Porter & Abeles, 1979) since the attitudes of children can be changed depending on the method that the instruments are first presented and demonstrated (Byo, 1991; Tarnowski, 1993). Educators in today's pluralistic society need to be aware and have a tolerance and understanding for their students' gender, ability, race and cultural differences in order to be successful in the classroom (Standley, 2000). This holds true for band director who is training the next generation of wind and percussion musicians." Source and further information: http://www-usr.rider.edu/~vrme/articles4/walker/index.htm Further information: - "Flute, A love/hate relationship?": http://www.abrsm.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=956&st=75

Because the playing the flute is considered by many to be a feminine pastime.