Do I Sound Gay?

Journalist David Thorpe embarks on a hilarious and touching journey, confronting his anxiety about "sounding gay” with comprehensively exploring the linguistic, cultural and historical origins of the stereotype of the gay voice. Enlisting acting coaches, linguists, friends, family, total strangers, and celebrities, he quickly learns that many people — both gay and straight — often wish for a different voice. He gains frank and funny perspectives from public figures such as comedian Margaret Cho, actor George Takei, sex-advice columnist Dan Savage, fashion guru Tim Gunn, and writer David Sedaris. Drawing upon movie and television clips, the film traces a cultural history of the gay voice — ranging from closeted icons to a notable string of cartoon villains — which places Thorpe's self-consciousness in a broader context and illuminates the complexity at play in this seemingly personal issue.