Scary flights. International layovers. Old flight attendants. Gay flight attendants. In that order these four topics often arise whenever someone who doesn’t work for an airline finds out what I do for a living. I have no problem discussing my job. In fact I love sharing interesting stories and helpful travel tips with those who are interested. While sexual orientation has nothing to do with the job, the fact is a majority of male flight attendants are not straight and people want to know why.
I’ve never felt comfortable writing about coworkers whom I see as colleagues and friends, not gays. But because so many people seem truly curious I asked a few flight attendants who are openly gay if they’d be willing to write something about the subject that I could print here. Without hesitation, they agreed to share their thoughts. Unfortunately I never heard back from them after our flight. So I decided to do the next best thing and contact my friend, and coworker, Brian, author of the blog Straight Guy in the Queer Skies, to hear what his thoughts were on why there are so few straight men in our profession. Here’s what he wrote…
The industry is already gay friendly, so it only makes sense that the next generation of flight attendants will be gay as well. Every confused, awkward gay teen going through puberty, desperate to fit in during high school, dreams of being a flight attendant. It’s the promised land! This could be why the job may not seem as appealing to straight men. Some “straights” don’t like working with “gays”, while others might be nervous that the general public will perceive them as gay, so the majority of straight males stay away from the profession. Some guys just aren’t secure enough in their masculinity, or maybe they don’t want to always fight that battle every time someone asks what their profession is.READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Augapfel
Heather Poole 
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lincoln Rose, Airfreddy. Airfreddy said: Why are so many flight attendants gay? A straight point of view…: http://bit.ly/i5WSXx #flyng #aviation […]
In 2011, I find this *almost* disgusting. As a recently retired MALE in another FEMALE profession, we may have needed this conversation 20-30 years ago. We do not need it in 2011. In short, my gender went to work with me every day; I’m obviously male. My sexuality simply stayed at home as it was not, repeat NOT a part of my professional life. Nuff said.
I think they like the job because it puts them in a position of authority, hard to be a bigot to a flight attendant or they might throw you off the plane or have you arrested. I also think it fits the gay lifestyle in the sense that they are staying a new cities, away from home, where they can be whatever they want to be and there are very little consequences. After visiting a few gay dating sites it is apparent that gay men like to travel a lot. I am bi myself so am not completely new to the experience. Travelling and being gay go hand in hand.
I’m glad that I’ve found your hpoole.wordpress.com blog. What a swell blog! I like how determined each of the entries are. They are well balanced – fun and informatory – and the pictures are cool too.
My best conclusion as to why gay men want to be flight attendants is it realtes directly to being a female dominated profession. Gay men usually work well in catering and hospitality workplaces (especially with women) because they can express themselves,be nurturing, and sensitive without being discriminated against.
Can you really see a gay man working in the construction industry without getting at least some harrassment from co workers , even in todays workplace with all of the anti discrimination laws.
I’m a straight male, was a flight attendant for Capitol Airways (long defunct) from ’77-’81, and had the time of my life. I was well aware at the time that the industry attracted many gay men, but didn’t care, I just wanted to travel and I’d long worked with gays in the food service industry. I think flight attending attracts gays because there are so many women in it, and I believe gay men get along better with women than straight men, for the most part, and it’s a job that’s tough on families, and most gay guys don’t have kids, certainly not then. I was very close to a lot of the gay guys then, they were solid friends, good people, and world-class partiers, loved ’em all. And as a straight guy, I looked around at all those women and said “Thank you, god, for the smorgashboard….”
I’m offended by the entire article, right up to the title of Brian’s blog.
The great thing about blogging is everyone can express how they feel.
I’m a straight male AND i WILL WORK DOING THIS SOON. I DO NOT CARE WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THINK OF ME. I HAVE WIFE AND DAUGHTER….IF EVERYBODY WANT TO THINK THAT ONLY WOMEN CAN WORK DOING THIS I LAUGH!!!! BETTER I WILL SEE PRETTY GIRLS EVERYDAY AT WORK AND MAYBE KNOWING THAT I AM THE ONLY STRAIGHT GUY AMONG THE GIRLS…ALL FOR ME!!!!! HEHEHEHEH…JUST A REGULAR MAN ENJOY TRAVELING AROUND WHILE A GOOD AIRLINE SERVICE IS GIVEN…..THEN EVERY OTHER PERSON CAN MIND HIS OWN BUSINESS. CIO!!!!
Honestly, I don’t care if someone is gay or straight, man or woman. As a business traveler who spends an obscene amount of money every year with one airline, I just want someone to appreciate my business, and in return they get someone who will treat them with the utmost respect and kindness because as a multi-million miler, the air crews are my family and the planes are my home away from home. I want my air crew to enjoy having had me on board, because I will have enjoyed the ride with you.
Would a passenger feel comfortable around a flight attendant that is a male to female transsexual , has a male voice, soft features yet looks male , possibly wearing a wig ,wearing a female uniform ,makeup and so forth however is legally female? Keep in mind the flight attendant would treat the passengers with the utmost respect and kindness however would look like somewhat of a drag queen.
We have a few transsexual flight attendants – and pilots, and mechanics…..
Heather , have you forgotten someone? 😀
That is like say saying why are there so many Gay women these days which is very true Unfortunately.