If you’re a gay man, or otherwise familiar with this community, you know that the guys here tend to sort themselves and one another into tribes. While some gay men roll their eyes at this, others feel it gives them a deeper sense of identity, beyond their homosexuality. Additionally, by referring to themselves and others by these descriptive terms, gay men can communicate important things about themselves.
One of the more well known tribes in the community is “twink”. In fact, it’s gained such notoriety that one doesn’t have to be a gay male to have heard this word before. Still, you may this word, but do you really know the history, etymology, or impact twink has on the community? Let’s get into it.
What is a Twink?
First off, it’s twink not twinkie. The first is a slender gay male who is younger, and usually conventionally attractive. A twinkie is a creme filled American snack cake. There is no official age range for twinks. A slim gay man can refer to himself as a twink and get away with it as long as he looks the part. Still, this is a young tribe. It’s pretty safe to say that most of its members are between 18 and 25.
Are Twinks All White?
The short answer is no. Although there is a stereotypical depiction of a twink as skinny and blonde, a person can be any race or ethnic origin and identify as a twink. They aren’t necessarily caucasian. The longer answer is more complex. Some races and cultures of gay men are more likely to embrace twink as an identifier, others not so much.
One reason for this is that while being gay has gained more acceptance in some communities, being perceived as an effeminate man has not. Another reason is that the term twink just isn’t considered to be a meaningful identity marker among young men in all communities. It’s important to balance respect for how different groups adopt the term or not while also respecting the right of each person to use whatever gay slang term they feel applies to themselves.
Twink: An Origin Story
What is the etymology of the term twink? Its exact origins aren’t entirely clear. It appears to originate in 1963, at least that’s when the word was first recorded as referring to a young, attractive gay male. It’s possible origin may be a shortening of the term twinkie, but again no reference to the snack cake. Nor is relationship between the word and correction fluid meaningful in any way. According to Oxford Dictionary, the word Twinkie was used in the 1950s to refer to slim, blond, youthful members of queer youth cultures.
What we do know for sure is that like many gay slang terms straight folks often misuse it. For example, not all gay men with skinny bodies are twinks. Additionally, attempts at coopting the word twink to describe straight men who happen to be slender, like actor Timothee Chalametwho has been called a straight twink. None of this is surprising as according to the New York Times, we have entered the age of the twink. It’s no wonder the straights and media have run with the term, predictably coopting yet another aspect of gay culture.
The book Queer Youth Cultures by Susan Driver (SUNY Press) goes into great detail about this as well as other identity markers used by queer men.
What Are The Types of Twinks?
As a group, gay folks love their tribes. So much so that we’ve even created subcategories of twinks. It’s true! While the standard twinks may be known for their attractiveness, youthful appearance and blond, hairless bodies in their late teens to early twenties, there are some subtypes.
Femme Twink
A femme twink is a person who identifies as feminine in some way, but also embodies the characteristics of a twink. This may be a cisgender gay man with the expected lack of body hair and other traits. Someone who is transgender may also identify with this phrase. Is a femboy a twink? They can be, but aren’t necessarily.
Muscle Twink or Twunk
Twunk is a gay slang term that describes a twink who is a bit more jacked than their slimmer counterparts. Despite the extra muscle, they still have the characteristic lack of facial hair and other commonly associated attributes.
Euro-Twink
these are twinks who are commonly found at raves and parties. They stereotypically have poppers in hand and are known for their artsy aesthetic. If you see a twink depicted in the club scene, it’s very likely to be a Euro-twink.
Is The Word Twink a Slur?
It isn’t inherently offensive to describe a boyish looking gay man as a twink, but thoughts on this vary. For example, Troye Sivan claims twink isn’t a word that straight people should be using, and correctly points out that using the word as a substitute for (f slur) is offensive. While not everybody agrees with what he says completely, it’s a good reminder that a slang term like this may have deeper meaning to a marginalized group. It’s important to be very careful when coopting terms that originate in another group.
Additionally, not every man who identifies as LGBTQIA+ wants to be involuntarily sorted into these categories. They may find it objectifying to be categorized solely based on their bodies. Others dislike the fact that twinks are often seen as having more inherent value or appeal compared to men with larger bodies. It’s not unreasonable to be concerned that a group with a history of being reduced to objects might have some concerns about things like body image.
Twinks in Media
Portrayals of twinks in media have evolved. Not long ago, they were typically a low level character, usually meek, and often a stereotype who might effeminately wink at straight characters for comic relief. Today, demands for more balanced portrayals have led to better character development.
Kurt Hummel in Glee
The show Glee has been off air for nearly a decade, but it’s enjoying a bit of a revival. Fans of the show will remember Kurt Hummel as a sweet, vulnerable character who was often the object of bullying. Named after the innocent-looking Hummel figurines, he grows into a formidable character who isn’t afraid to give his bullies a taste of their own medicine.
Troye Sivan
Australian popstar Troye Sivan has seen his career evolve from YouTube to touring with Chari XCX. His music takes a page from a range of influences including Frank Ocean, Michael Jackson, and even eighties pop.
Joe Locke in Heartstopper
Joe Locke portrays Charlie Spring in the Netflix series Heartstopper. His character is quiet and insecure, struggling with anxiety and other issues after enduring week after week of bullying.
Respect For All Identities
Taimi takes pride in creating a safe, online dating space where all LGBTQIA+ folks can connect no matter how they identify. Now matter how you see yourself or whom you seek, you’ll find that you are welcome here.
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