So I came out nearly a year ago now. Out of the friends that didn't become a bunch of jerks over it the ones I still hang out with keep on referring to my gayness. When they introduce me to their other friends its always "This is Ewan, he is gay" or I am now known as "the gay one". I don't get it, why do I have to be labelled by my sexuality, you never hear someone say "Hi my name is xxx I am straight" do you. If people want to know my sexuality they can either ask me or notice my rainbow necklace, wristbands and bracelet .
Perhaps a conversation with your friends before you are introduced will help that situation; they may be trying to help you without realizing that it is making you uncomfortable. Just ask them why you are still friends, remind them that you are friends for reasons other than your orientation. That should suffice for them to get it.
Of course people don't introduce each other as "straight", because being straight isn't interesting for the vast majority of social circles! Being gay however is usually something more exotic than most people see in their daily lives. Given the state our society is in, being gay may also constitute a certain type of "treatment" to avoid appearing offensive or something. That said, while I can understand it might be annoying, if you're wearing a bunch of rainbow swag anyways I don't think it's a big deal. They'd have to be pretty dense to not figure out you're gay at first glance anyways. For me personally, I'd almost rather have someone else mention it rather than being asked (because again, asking other people if they're gay isn't socially acceptable). If you are uncomfortable with it, just ask your friends to knock it off. It's likely that they're well-intentioned or really not thinking about how it affects you when they say it, but if they're accepting of you I'm sure they'll understand if you asked them to stop.
I guess, I wear the rainbow stuff because I am sick of hiding it, My therapist suggested I try it and to be honest she has been right. Its more there is far more to me than my sexuality thats all.
I had the same problem, my friend told her brother I was Gay & every time I saw him he kept making a remark about me being Gay, he was only joking with me, but it pissed me off, I told my friend how it made me feel & she had a word with him, he doesn't do it anymore
I understand your irritation. People tend to say that about other employees, other students, other neighbors, and other acquaintances - "There was such and such a person who lived down the street, and he was gay (or she was a lesbian)." Had they been straight, it would have been their occupation, their senior citizen status, or what country they came from that defined them. I don't think current TV programming is helping this. From what little I watch, you hear this quite often on a sitcom or drama that is supposed to be more liberal.
Honestly, sometimes I think people think they are funny and that its a joke when it actually offends people. Try not to worry too much, just tell them it bothers you and that they should stop and if they are your friends they should stop.
This was an issue I face when wanting to come out. Everybody thinks its their place to call somebody out. People enjoy getting a reaction out of others. When I came out to my dad I figured he would tell everybody which he has however he asks me ahead of time if im ok with him telling each person. I don't care who knows as long as I know they know. It is frustrating being mentioned as the gay one there's more to me than being gay.
I have a friend who tried to call me her "gay" once when I met some of her friends after she went to College. I simply acted ignorant and made a scene, and she hasn't done it since.
I think you should talk to them if it bothers, but don't just assume the worst. They may think they're doing you a favor (you won't have to ever come out to that person). They might also think it makes them look good to have a gay friend, or it's a conversation starter, or who knows. Just ask them to stop.