After several months of research, a recent study was finally released that officially stated what many had assumed for years: at any given point in time, roughly 80% of queers have identical haircuts. Though it is not known what the exact root of this phenomena is, many anthropologists have hypothesized that it may be an evolutionary trick developed to aid queers in spotting each other in a crowd.
Several researchers have also hypothesized that similiar haircuts are simply an advanced form of queer merging (future post). For those new to studying queer culture, merging is the queer term for the common practice of queer couples becoming more and more visually similar the longer they remain coupled. Many anthropologist’s have wondered, “If two queer people in close proximity over time begin to physically appear the same, why not entire cultures of queers?”
Since the turn of the century, numerous queer haircuts have come in and out of popularity. From roughly 2000-2003, the faux-hawk was quite popular (fig. A). It was eventually phased out by queers when it was adopted by heterosexual male clubbers and American Idol contestants. The next style largely adopted by queers appeared from 2004-2007 in the form of the fashion mullet (fig. B), which only recently fell out of style, as a result of Christian Siriano’s appearance on the TV show Project Runway, which was when the style officially “jumped the shark” . The newest (and tamest) development in queer hairstyles emerged in late 2007, and is called the side sweep (fig. C). Little is known of it’s origins so far.
When examining these styles along a timeline of their popularity, a trend seems to emerge. Queer haircuts expand and become more severe, until they eventually (and quite literally) collapse on themselves. Fashion mullets are simply extreme versions of faux-hawks. And what is a side sweep but simply a flattenned and deflated fashion mullet? Anthropologists studying these trends have predicted that the next evolutionary step will most likely be something “puffy” (fig. D), and is expected to arrive by summer 2009.
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damn, i have the side sweep. i’m so typical.
I don’t have any of those hairstyles ..
i wish i had but i just cant :S i like to be spoted in a crowd
I actually think that in addition to becoming more severe and collapsing (which is a great theory) it is also a matter of the haircuts natural evolution of grow-out and the ways in which this shapes the kitchen-hairstylists/friends that queers frequent for their styling. Since many are getting their hair cut in the same five kitchens of the same five people who are not actually trained stylists, the stylists visionary capabilities may be limited to the next stage of grow-out evolution. Also, I just wanna say that haircuts have to shift when every het hipster in Dolores Park shows up on a Saturday with homo-cuts. Queer femme or straight girl with good bangs? Hard to tell=time to move on to the next big thing.
Good blog..
I’ve noticed the same trend in regards to fashion (clothing style). Wondering do you share the same thoughts?
That is very true!!! We queers definitely have a similar style of creativity, free thought/will, and fearlessness! Like any other “class” of people we tend to look alike and attract our own types! Unfortunately I don’t see many other people with my top heavy 80s cut, av ant garde makeup, or funky 80s style. Very unfortunate! It sadly seems that most of the people these days seem to only dress as to what’s ‘in’ instead of practicing creativity and personal expression! I never knew that what I preferred to wear was even considered “80s”! haha People certainly are an interesting species to study! One person on their own is complex enough!