10 Signs to Tell If a Girl Is Gay

Celine is a 27-year-old Torontonian femme, writer, and feminist.

Important Note: There is no definitive way to discern someone's sexual orientation from the way they look. If you want to be sure who they're into, ask them!

Important Second Note: Read this article light-heartedly and take it with a huge grain of salt.

Now that we've gotten those two points out of the way, I can say that there are some well-known trends that are fun to make lists about, so here goes!

Gay-Girl Stereotypes That Are No Longer Reliable

Just to update you, here are some gay-girl stereotypes that sadly are no longer reliable:

• Plaid: Everybody and their mother wears plaid these days. Yes, even the oversized, baggy plaids. There is nothing gay about this pattern anymore.
• Beanies: Again, lots and lots of girls wear beanies now—gay, straight, whatever. I know I've been confused by girls wearing beanies who looked queer but turned out to be straight. Whoops.
• Septum piercings: This used to be a queer thing, but lately tonnes of people have their septums pierced (queer or hipster? who knows anymore?!).

Now that you're up to speed, let's go on to the signs that are still relevant.

10 Signs She Might Be Gay

1. Short nails
2. Undercuts
3. The quiff hairstyle
4. Pride paraphernalia
5. Menswear
6. Bow ties
7. Stereotypically gay interests
8. Body modifications
9. Deeper / more sultry speaking voice
10. Prolonged eye contact

1. Short Nails

We all know why this would be an indicator.

Moving on...

2. Undercuts

Now, short hair in itself is not an indicator of queerness (this is actually a really annoying stereotype), but undercuts or shaved parts of the head tend to be pretty popular (for guys and girls, actually) within the queer community.

Then again, she might just be a punk straight girl!

3. The Quiff Hairstyle

This is pretty. Freaking. Gay.

This hairstyle tends to be worn by butchier/more androgynous girls, and if I had a dollar for every time I've seen a butch or assigned female at birth (afab) genderqueer person with this hairstyle, I could buy myself a few pairs of nice shoes.

4. Pride Paraphernalia

This goes without saying, and generally if somebody's wearing a rainbow/lesbian/bi/pan bracelet or pin, they're queer.

This is a pretty sure bet that she's gay, unless she's one of those obnoxious straight allies who think it's cool to smother themselves in pride paraphernalia in a misguided attempt to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community (they mean well, god love 'em, but no. Do not do that).

5. Menswear

Classic dapper butch fashion often includes: vests, cardigans, bow ties or ties, button-downs, slacks, suit jackets, blazers, and dressy leather shoes or boots.

So handsome. So gay.

6. Bow Ties

This is such an iconic queer girl accessory that it needed its own category. Bask in all its dapper glory!

(Note: Femmes wear them, too! Bowties look adorable on all girls, basically.)

7. Stereotypically Gay Interests

This is really more of a joke addition than anything else. Liking these things doesn't automatically mean you're queer, of course, but a lot of gay women do like these things. This is more of a "oh she's gay AND likes these things, what a queer coincidence!" (pun intended).

Likes any of the following:

Artists

• Tegan and Sara (classic)
• K.D. Lang
• One Direction
• Justin Beiber
• Beth Ditto
• Lady Gaga
• Angel Haze
• Mary Lambert

TV Shows

• The L-Word (obviously)
• Ru Paul's Drag Race
• Orange is the New Black (lots of inmate lesbian sex!)

Gay Icons

• Kristen Stewart (yes, I know she's not out. Yet.)
• Ellen Page (is out!)
• Laverne Cox (queen!)
• Cara Delevingne, plus her array of gorgeous girlfriends
• Anna Kendrick
• Samira Wiley
• Ellen Degeneres

8. Body Modifications

Queer people (especially younger ones) tend to be more modified than the average straight person.

So girls with multiple facial piercings, stretched ears, and/or several tattoos is generally a good sign (again, not always, though!).

9. Deeper / More Sultry Speaking Voice

Some queer girls have this way of talking in which they take their voice down a register, at times sounding monotone or dry.

You either know exactly what I'm talking about, or not at all.

Watch this Rachel Maddow interview with Ellen if you're confused.

10. Prolonged Eye Contact

This is one of the most reliable ways to tell if someone is interested in you, regardless of age, gender, sexual or romantic orientation, etc.

If you think a girl is giving you the once-over, she probably is. Even if she's not, a lot of women aren't as wildly homophobic as men are, so if you take a chance and hit on her and she turns out to be straight, she'll likely take it as a compliment (this depends on where you live! Stay safe, please, even if it means staying closeted.).

Comments

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy on November 04, 2019:

I’m pretty gay and my nails are short but I don’t cut them short to support my sexuality. I just may or may not bite my nails.

And it doesn’t help because I can’t make up my mind on my sexuality.

Am I bi or pan!? It’s soo confusing.

Super kitty master on October 04, 2019:

Somone

gv from the south bronx on May 03, 2019:

i like my mails short that the kim k and jennifer lopez style and they are not gay. that not a good analogy.

g.v. south bronx girl

on March 06, 2019:

Well some gay girls wear some beatiful dress and dress shouse but they are gay so i am pretty sure look it doesn't aways tell you anyway yeah

Who the hell am i on February 21, 2019:

I’ve been trying to find out- am I bi or pansexual? ITS FREAKING FRUSTRATING!!!

chloe on September 13, 2018:

okay so ive been looking on many websites to see if i can get help, none are helping. so im trying here. i like this girl and shes said that shes straight, but i get the vibes shes gay or bisexual. the other day she said, "i have something to tell you. im coming out... as straight." but like she hesitated and it seemed like she was about to come out to me. idk if i was just hoping for the best or she actually was about to. other people that know her think she is just in the closet. last night we texted each other and where seeing pics on snapchat(not nudes lol) from 4 to 11. she always tells me stuff she hasnt told anyone. i have a class with her and she always talks to me and is always joking with me about how im gay and stuff. idk if im over seeing things because i like her or if these are real signs lol. please someone help me.

Fake name on August 06, 2018:

I had a crush and I was flirting with her, helping her when ever I could, and always laughing when she laughed. I thought I had gotten over her.. but she’s still in my mind, and still as beautiful as ever.

Laasia on March 26, 2018:

I like a gay girl that pretty.and not crazy

missnomer on September 13, 2017:

All those pictures of females look butch and intimidating, I'm not like that. I like feminine ladies. Why are we all supposed to have half shaven heads, manly dress sense and tough attitudes? It is not always true at all!