Hi, Could somebody explain "drama queen" and prevalence in male gay culture? You see the stereotyped charactureres in media but what is the truth? Tom
I think the term is in reference to the stereotypical charactures reflecting someone who is extroverted, flamboyant and fussy. Some people like to play into the stereotype.
To me a drama queen is someone who at heart delights in endless drama in their life--often as a way to get attention. It's sort of the opposite of being jaded. Every date they go on is either a complete unmitigated disaster or a Nicolas Sparks novel, every meal is either orgasmic or sent them to the hospital for food poisoning, they have no acquaintances only people that they just love and people they hate with every ounce of their being. Their lives are presented--and I think in a lot of instances genuinely perceived as an endless roller coaster ride of stellar ups and crushing downs. I remember in my twenties if you would have given me the option of an interesting life and a happy life I would have taken interesting hands down. I think that was somewhat of a drama queen move on my part--one that I now think was kind of ridiculous, although it did make for some great stories, which was the point in the end. As to its prevalence in gay male culture I'd say it's about the same as its prevalence in the straight community--I think it's more prevalent among young people in general as I often think it comes from a lack of the perspective that comes with life experience. As far as media representation it seems to me that in the media the term is almost exclusively used in reference to straight people--although of course the use of the term queen is an oblique reference to gay people.
Someone who relentlessly stirs up personal drama in other people's lives to mask the hollow, shameful shell that is their own life.
