Though queer people are gaining more and more visibility in mainstream media and society, that doesn't mean that the images we're presented with are always accurate or fully representative of who we really are and how we live our lives. And even within our own community, sometimes certain identities are dismissed or even looked upon with disdain.
Take for instance twinks. Defined by the Oxford Dictionaries as "a homosexual or effeminate man, or a young man regarded as an object of homosexual desire," twinks can be portrayed or written off as guileless, only interested in partying or having sex, being effeminate or "power bottoms" or being apolitical and not contributing to the greater good of the queer community.
While some people may identify with one or more of those qualities (and proudly so), that doesn't mean that everyone who calls himself a twink does, and we wanted to offer guys a chance to show exactly what the word means to them on their own terms.
So, we put out a call for photos and thanks to the hashtag #WhatATwinkLooksLike, we're sending a little love to all those men who proudly identify as twinks. If you want to take part, tweet your own photo using #WhatATwinkLooksLike.
Also be sure to check out our other features, #WhatButchLooksLike and #WhatBiLooksLike, #WhatFemmeLooksLike, #WhatTransLooksLike and #WhatABearLooksLike.
@huffpostgay #WhatATwinkLooksLike Me guys :P pic.twitter.com/SO2OosBz6z
— Dewi Clewley (@clewls) September 29, 2014
@huffpostgay #whatatwinklookslike we all aren't blonde club kids #Chicagogayboy pic.twitter.com/iAn4yucc4A
— M@K Kelm (@makattack52) September 30, 2014
#WHATATWINKLOOKSLIKE thank you @huffpostgay for finally addressing this issue ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JFIFYTeqVU
— BAD MIND (@newyorkisburnt) September 30, 2014