The Nonverbal Communication of Sexual Orientation

Chapter 3 covers the nonverbal cues (appearance and behaviors) associated with people’s non-clinical sexual orientations. Part 1 deals with terms/labels and methodological caveats, and also provides descriptions of the major sexual orientations. Part 2 addresses—and hopefully answers—legitimate concerns that have been raised about investigating and reporting nonverbal markers of various sexual orientations (i.e., gaydar research). Coverage of general nonverbal cues to men’s and women’s sexual orientation follows part 2 (part 3). In keeping with the modern lens approach of this book, nonverbal cues linked to asexuality, ambiphilia, and androphilia and gynephilia in men and women are discussed in part 4.