Bruce is gay
Culture & Curiosities
My son will be turning four soon, and he has been on a superhero kick lately. He loves superheroes of every kind, but it can be a challenge to find superhero material that is age-appropriate for him. Much of what we watch together is older cartoons from the s and s, which are usually gentle enough for a toddler. We also tried some YouTube videos with Lego superheroes, and he became very interested in one that remade the titles to the The Amazing Hulk series using Legos. But, after watching the video, he wanted to know why narrator Ted Cassidy called Bruce Banner “David.”
Dr. David Banner—physician, scientist—searching for a way to tap into the hidden strengths that all humans have. Then an accidental overdose of gamma radiation alters his body chemistry. And now, when David Banner grows angry or outraged, a startling metamorphosis occurs. The creature is driven by rage and pursued by an investigative reporter.
As with so many of my forays into historical research, finding an answer was darker and more disappointing than I would have anticipate
"Bruce" and homosexuality, as perceived by some
dougie_monty1
How did the name “Bruce” get to be associated with the popular stereotypes of gay men?
I’ve known some Bruces in my period who were about as “macho” as any man needs to be; and of course there was the Scottish warrior Robert the Bruce, who, according to legend, watched a persistent spider, in a cave, fail six times at attaching a web to a surface until the seventh time, when it was achieving. The Scotsman, according to the story, succeeded on his subsequent attempt to repel an enemy.
Johnny_L.A2
“Bruce” always reminds me of the University of Walamaloo.
quiltguy
“This is a wattle, the emblem of our land,
You can stick it in a bottle, you can hold it in your hand.”
“The paaa-dree will now start the proceedings with a prayer!”
Already_in_Use4
I’ve never heard the name “Bruce” associated with homosexuality. The only fictional Bruce I can reflect of who’s possibly homosexual is Bruce Wayne.
yosemite5
This is funny, because one of my dearest friends, a gay man, has the last name of
Culture & Curiosities
It predates your examples.
Milton Berle when in his drag persona on early radio or tv would lisp the phrase "Uncle Brucie", which is still a gay slang term for "one of the tribe", verb saying "a ally of Dorothy" for gay fans of Judy Garland's character in the Wizard of Oz. He took his operate and limp-wristed patter from his Burlesque and Vaudeville mentor, Karyl Norman, one of the stars of the "Panzy Craze" in performers. Norman lived and died in my (now) home town, both long before my time.
"Julian and Sandy", the early British comedic duo characters, also used it in the '6o's They snuck in a lot of Polari (Gay Slang) into their act, popularizing a lot of references. But I don't know of any jargon in that language that could have sounded like Bruce. I think it being lisped by Berle could have struck Carson as a funny use of the name, as he was a longtime fan and friend of Berle.
Ernie Kovaks did a similar number on the mention Percy, in his swishy character "Percy Dovetonsils".
I at least
Why is "Bruce" considered a "gay name?"
Merl_Minnozza1
My whole life I’ve heard the name “Bruce” equated with “homosexual,” for reasons that I have absolutely no grasp of. I was reading a joke noun which listed “Cartoon Characters that Might Be Gay,” and under “Batman and Robin” it said “Batman’s real name: Bruce.” How does this make him gay? Sometimes I hear people declare stuff like “I hope you don’t get stuck with some big burly guy named Bruce,” tacitly implying that “Bruce” would be homosexually amorous towards the subject of the taunt. What the hell is all this about? How does “Bruce” equal “gay?”
dnooman2
It’s easily lisped. Lisping is associated with homosexuality. That’s my foremost guess.
xash3
Moved to IMHO.
-xash
General Questions Moderator
Sarah_Woodruff4
Maybe it’s due to the whole Monty Python aspect. Ever seen the sketch about the characters all named Bruce? I didn’t acquire a homosexual vibe from that sketch though, but I must say it’s rare to join any male under 35 here (Australia) who was christened “Bruce.”
don_t_ask5