This is a key distinction between the two typologies as otters can have smooth faces.īecause the defining feature of gay otters is body hair, it can be difficult to determine classification simply by looking at them. Many do but it is not a required characteristic for this classification.įYI: By definition, all wolves must facial hair. It’s critical to bear in mind that not all otters wear facial hair. Often has butt hair unless removed by shaving.May have noticeable bubble butt features.Most have hair covering the torso to varying degrees.įYI: There are smoothish otters, which commonly is a result of trimming hair through manscaping with a body groomer. Otter Flag GAY OTTER BODY TRAITSĪs highlighted earlier, gay otters are typically hairy with thin to thick athletic builds. Not wanting this group to feel left out, Gay Pop Buzz also created a flag for them in 2015. This despite their large numbers within the gay male community. Wolf BannerĪstonishingly, otters had no flag either. That changed in 2015 when one was created one for them, inspired by the traditional bear flag since wolves are considered offshoots. Until recently, wolves didn’t have a flag. You will usually see a bear paw print on the upper left corner. It has a multi-color scheme made up of browns, tans, blacks, whites and grays. The best known and most easily recognizable is the bear flag. Only a handful of groups within the gay spectrum have a flag. It is for this reason that within the gay-o-sphere, otters represent the largest group of gay men.
In the middle, you have “otters”, which are hairy but not super built but athletic. “Wolves” are often hairy but lean and muscular. Body-wise, “bears” are typically large and hairy. The rationale behind the otter label is fairly simple. It has been theorized that gay otters are an offshoot of gay bears a term that is linked to a 1970 article appearing in the Advocate entitled: Who’s in the Zoo? It was authored by George Mazzei. The exact etiology of this affectionate gay classification name remains unclear. In the early 1990’s, “otter” had become popularized with wide spread use.
The term gay otter appears to have entered the gay lexicon sometime during the early to mid-1980’s. Otters can be of any race or ethnic background GAY OTTERS: WHERE DID LABEL COME FROM? Many then remain in this classification for years or transform into wolves or bears.īody-wise, it’s helpful to think of otters as smaller than bears and cubs. As time goes on, they evolve into otters. They usually start out as some form of a pup and may briefly pass through a gay twink phase. They can be of any racial or ethnic background. Gay otters can be of any age, usually starting from mid-20’s to later adulthood. They can be top or bottom and many identify as versatile. In addition to being hairy, “otters” are often thought of as a “masculine” type. Related: Gay wolves defined with characteristics There can be crossover between the both typologies because they share similar characteristics. Gay otters differ from their gay wolf relatives in that wolves are typically more muscular. Some otters also have hair on the arms, back and butt. Typically, this hair covers various parts of the torso, including the chest and stomach. Gay Otter: A man with think or thickish athletic build that usually has lots of body hair.
And if you already classify yourself as an “otter type” or want to deepen your insight about this type of male, this guide is for you! If you’ve never heard of the term, gay otter, we’re going to define it for you. Gay otters are adorable and often very playful. With hairy features that give off a magnetic vibe, they are hard to ignore. Gay otters represent one of the largest swath of men within the gay classification system.