Hetero-friendly: Definition, Origin, and Usage of the Term
Definition : The expression 'hetero-friendly' refers to a gay venue or event that is open and welcoming to heterosexuals.
- Keywords
- gay-friendly, heterosexuals, hetero-curious, bisexuals, openness, acceptance, gay community
- Topics
- Glossary of Sexual Orientations
- Updated
What does the expression “Hetero-friendly” mean?
The expression ‘hetero-friendly’ refers to a gay venue or event that is open and welcoming to heterosexuals.
What is the origin of the term “Hetero-friendly”?
Originally, it mainly concerned gay clubs and bars that wanted to attract a wider clientele. The idea was to say: ‘you are welcome, even if you are not gay’.
How is the term “Hetero-friendly” used today?
Over time, the expression has been adopted on dating sites to indicate that a gay man is open to encounters with hetero-curious or bisexual individuals. It’s a way to reassure the other person, to tell them they won’t be judged.
It can also be a way of saying that one is not taking a communitarian approach, that one is open to others. However, the term is still rarely used to describe people. We would more easily speak of an ‘open-minded’ or ‘easy-going’ guy.