"I didn't know you were gay"

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

I've known a lot more lesbian nurses than gay male nurses, but you don't hear much about that. I bet women in construction hear comments about being lesbians, probably from the same people who think of male nurses as gay. And there are probably more gay male construction workers than lesbian construction workers. From simple minds come simple thoughts! I bet if a simpleton is seriously ill they won't care if their nurse or doctor is homosexual.

I grew up in a military town and it was presumed the females were all lesbian. Horrible myth to perpetuate. Made it hard on the single females.

ChrisA · May 24, 2004

You know, the nurse that took care of my son in the ER was a man and he was wonderful!! It never even occured to me that he might be gay. Anyone know where that stinking myth came from anyways?

Well, you know, taking care of people? I mean, that's women's work, right? Like teaching or working in day care? And if you're a guy who wants to do that, then you must be gay, right?:wink2:

Kabin · May 24, 2004

I recalling one classroom I was attending where a female student proudly wore a t shirt for all to see, "FBI: Female Body Inspector."

Megsd, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

My grandma was a psych nurse and an army nurse (alongside her stepmother) for years and years, and one of my dad's first jobs was an orderly or something in his mom's psych unit. When he went to college he majored in nursing (in the late 60's!) and was the only male in his class. Though he never told me quite why, he ended up changing his major about 4 times and wound up as an engineer, but I still admire him for going for nursing to start with especially since we're much more open nowadays to breaking down stereotypes of male vs. female jobs.

Meghan

RN-BamaStudent · May 25, 2004

A guy in my class told his dad that he was going to be a nurse, and his dad immediately asked him if he were gay! :uhoh3: More and more men are going into the nursing profession, and hopefully that will change the narrow minded thinking!

janleb · May 25, 2004

I have been a heterosexual female nurse for three yrs now. My husband is a nurse. I think people don't have a clue all that nursing involves. Not just holding someones hand, being compassionate but also some very critical thinking is involved. I think people think of nurses as a motherly figure. So therefore femine, so any man who dares enter the world of nursing is compassionate, feminine, and therefore gay hmmmmmmmmm. My husband has been an RN for 12 yrs. In that time I have a whole shoebox of letters from families thanking him for the care he has given their loveones. So if my hubby is gay he has been fooling me for many years. So if you hear any more of such comments just consider the source. Because they don't have a clue. Janice

mariedoreen · May 25, 2004

LOL, you go girl!

Tell them "Yes, you have to be gay, and I'm going to do my best to pull it off so I'll get a job". :chuckle

manna, BSN, RN · May 26, 2004

Isn't that what us women often say we want, a sensitive man? :chuckle

Michelleroth1 · Jun 3, 2004

Male Nurse = Gay This sadly kept me from nursing for many years Now Im a lowly CNA and studing for my M.A. But now if someone thinks Im gay so be it Im in good company There are alot of wonderful male nurses gay and straight who cares

Farkinott, RN · Jun 3, 2004

I take turns being charge on my unit w/ a male RN. We have discussed the "male nurse=gay" thing, and he has never been accused pf being gay. It would come as a big shock to his wife and all his kids if he were!
I have another guy RN friend. He has a good comeback for when pts/acquantances/etc say to him "You're a male nurse?"
He replies "Well, I'm a nurse, but I don't deliver the mail."
He gets a kick out the confused looks he gets using that line.
I enjoy working with male RNs, and glad that men now feel comfortable pursuing nursing as a career.

My usual reply to "so you're a male nurse then....." is " Am I wearing a f**king dress?!"

Shuts 'em up every time!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jun 3, 2004

My usual reply to "so you're a male nurse then....." is " Am I wearing a f**king dress?!" Shuts 'em up every time!

This seems an unduly harsh reaction to what is probably an innocent question.

Perhaps you have some unaddressed issues with being a male in a predominantly female profession?

Perhaps, considering you are dealing with patients, you might come up with a creative response that soothes your feelings without assaulting the feelings of others.

(Where has "caring" gone?)

Cherish · Jun 3, 2004

Originally Posted by Benton
I've known a lot more lesbian nurses than gay male nurses, but you don't hear much about that. I bet women in construction hear comments about being lesbians, probably from the same people who think of male nurses as gay. And there are probably more gay male construction workers than lesbian construction workers. From simple minds come simple thoughts! I bet if a simpleton is seriously ill they won't care if their nurse or doctor is homosexual.

I grew up in a military town and it was presumed the females were all lesbian. Horrible myth to perpetuate. Made it hard on the single females.

I know exactly what you mean. I was a female mechanic in the army. Everyone thought I was gay, once I told them I was a female mechanic. Even some females in my company, since I was the only female mechanic. The guys never thought this only females, I guess there were afraid, LOL. I am not gay, and VERY straight. I picked being a mechanic for 3 reasons. 1. Army offered me $50K for college and a $10K dollar cash bonus, 2. I LOVE males so being in a basically ALL male field (its only 5% female) had its advantages, plus most of my friends are males 3. I can't stand gossip (one thing I might not like about nursing) which usually happens around females who work together. As you see these stereotypes are just that sterotypes, they do not make it real, in fact most of the 'lesbians' were in the mostly female jobs, like administration, finance. Just like there are gay police, firemen, soldiers, and construction workers. Sexual preference has nothing to do with someones capabilities of performing their job very well.