I’m thinking of getting a gay ring.
I’ve never worn a ring — not a class ring, not a wedding ring, not a Kryptonite ring to ward off Superman. (I’m not sure why I’d want to do that anyway. I like Superman.) But in the last few weeks I’ve met several gay men who have rings. The ring is usually silver colored. Sometimes it’s a flat band that wraps around a thumb or finger, sometimes it’s two rings intertwined on one finger, sometimes it’s something else. I’ve seen rings on gay guys before, but for some reason I’ve been noticing them a lot more lately. They look pretty, and slightly artsy, and rebellious. But in a safe way.
Now, I pride myself on being a generally masculine guy. Okay, sure, I don’t really like sports, and I’m into music and theater and writing, and I’m sensitive and emotionally perceptive, and I have several ringer tees and a long-sleeve baseball tee in my dresser, and I like to have sex with men —
Aw, crap. I may as well just complete the picture and get a frickin’ ring.
Being somewhat neurotic, though, I’ve been wondering if people would accuse me of trying to look like every other gay man out there, or tell me that a ring is just not me and that I’m trying to be something I’m not, or tell me it’s not manly enough. I’ve also been wondering if a silver-colored gay ring would go with being a white-collar professional.
Also if it would be annoying to have a little piece of metal wrapped around my finger all the time.
Still, I think I want to go ring-shopping. Unfortunately, I don’t know where to buy one.
Anyone know where I can buy one? Please leave comments here or e-mail me.
If you want a ring, go out and get one. Public opinion be damned!
I can’t stand to have anything on my body like that. I can’t wear rings, necklaces, and can barely tolerate wearing a watch.
I once did a play which required me to wear a wedding band. I made sure my parents got a good look since they wouldn’t be seeing that particular sight again. :)
I used to wear rings all the time, and then I thought they were getting a little boring (and honestly out of style). I thought gay men who were still wearing them looked like checkout girls at K-Mart. These same gay men usually had over-processed hair and still said “fierce” and thought they were edgy when really they were cliche. However, I think rings are becoming interesting again.
I think a thumb ring looks like you are trying too hard unless you are just naturally a thumb ring person. (I suspect you are not, since you don’t have one at this point, and you probably would already have one if you were).
Start with an inexpensive ring, in case you don’t like it. Go to St. Mark’s place, Soho. Take a friend with you. Pay enough so that your finger doesn’t turn green.
As far as it being a gay thing…what isn’t, when we get right down to it?
the jewelery district maybe?
:-D
gay rings are best had from street vendors:
1) they’re cheap
2) they’re of a decent quality (ie: noone’s the wiser)
3) there’s more selection than you can shake a stick at
4) sometimes you can bargain
i’m not a street vendor (heavens no!!) but i could go on…
I started wearing a simple ring when my partner bought me one last September.
Does it go with being a white collar professional? Absolutely.
Is it annoying? Not really. It starts off feeling a bit odd, and you feel self conscious. But now, I feel awkward when I’m not wearing my ring.
Don’t you usually have to put out a few times before he gives you a ring?
Oh… wait a minute… never mind… :-)
Ya know, I’m confused. I always thought that it was something some gay guys wore when they were trendy, but they seemed to be going out of style… but now I wonder to what extent they were intended to be an additional gay signal (not that anyone’s gaydar would EVER go off in malfunction…) Maybe they should be. They could be like those Irish rings that are worn rightside up/down depending on your relationship status… oh god. I’ll stop now before this becomes any more reminscient of the Hanky Code.