Homohysteria

Homohysteria is the fear of being thought homosexual because of behavior typically considered gender atypical. It can exist in cultures where it is understood that people are and can be homosexual, even if closeted, and where homosexuality is perceived as less desirable than heterosexuality, a combination that leads men to fear others will think they are gay if they do not fit male gender stereotypes. Not fitting gender stereotypes has historically been associated with gay men, with the trials of Oscar Wilde furthering this belief in Britain and elsewhere after his conviction for gross indecency reinforced public stereotypes about gay men; because of these misconceptions, many stereotypically masculine-acting gay men were historically exempt from public suspicion about their sexuality.