All photography in this piece is by Zak Krevitt
Discussions about body odor and deodorant use regularly resurface on Twitter, centering on “B.O. gays”. This label encompasses Hipsters, Radical Faeries, and “Pit Pigs”—all segments within the queer community who have a reputation for embracing their natural body scents, challenging traditional norms. According to posts, people who regularly use deodorant sometimes feel they are holding a conservative viewpoint.
The Debate Itself
People who routinely use deodorant share stories of encountering ‘B.O. gays’ in various settings, from nightclubs to public transit to the bedroom. This sparks debates highlighting the tension between personal preference and societal expectations, framing the discussion within the context of individualism versus collectivism.
While some view personal care strictly as a matter of individual choice and expression, others see it as a collective concern, where personal decisions impact the comfort and social dynamics of the broader community.
Understanding Deodorant Use Among Queer Men
Natural Pursuits conducted a survey on Twitter and Instagram to understand why some queer men choose to use less deodorant or none at all. We looked into cultural, social, and personal reasons for this trend.
Of course, real-life perspectives on deodorant use are more nuanced than Twitter discourse. They reflect a complex interplay between individual identity, cultural norms, and personal health considerations.
Diverse Attitudes Towards Deodorant Use
Comfort with Natural Scent
Most respondents, about 73%, are okay with their natural smell, showing a broad acceptance of body odor among individuals.
Patterns of Deodorant Use
Despite this majority of comfort with natural scents, deodorant usage remains varied:
- Daily Use: 36% of respondents use deodorant daily.
- Several Times Per Week: 28% apply deodorant multiple times a week.
- Less Frequent Use: 36% of participants use deodorant once a week or less. This statistic not only highlights a significant trend toward minimal use but also suggests an evolving perspective on the necessity of deodorant.
Additionally, 62.4% have reduced their deodorant use over time, indicating a trend toward using it less often.
Broader Trends
We don’t have old data to compare, but our results align with a broader consumer shift towards less deodorant use. For instance, a 2021 study by Degree Deodorant found that 68% of participants admitted to intentionally skipping deodorant.
Implications for the Deodorant Debate
As we present our findings regarding The Great Gay Deodorant Debate, we focus on the cultural, social, and personal factors influencing deodorant use.
These factors revealed how individuals make their own choices, what society expects, and how these norms evolve in our community.
Why People Are Wearing Less Deodorant
Cultural Critique and Consumer Skepticism
Many survey participants criticized the cultural and commercial pressures to use deodorant, seeing it as part of a “long shaming marketing history” that profits from insecurities about body odor. This view leads many people to conclude that they should use less deodorant.
Practical and Hygiene-Focused
Responses also showed a practical approach to hygiene. Statements include “I shower frequently, especially after the gym/work. I’m also not very smelly, so deodorant feels pretty unnecessary”.
Lifestyle
Some comments suggested that less frequent deodorant use is part of a broader “natural lifestyle” choice. These comments fall into two camps. The first mentioned appreciating the smell of the natural human body, viewing scent as an integral part of their identity and sexuality.
Others mentioned it in the overall context of reducing the manufactured chemicals they put in their body, noting, “The less frequently I use deodorant, the less I need it,” suggesting that reduced dependency on these products can lead to a decreased natural body odor over time.
Embracing Natural Scent and Authentic Living
To summarize, reducing or eliminating deodorant use reflects a broader movement towards embracing natural body processes and challenging conventional norms. This trend extends beyond merely rejecting the commercialization of personal care products—it’s about reclaiming autonomy over one’s body and contesting societal standards linking cleanliness with odor.
This movement highlights a growing awareness of the influence of unnecessary marketing on our daily lives. It represents a significant shift towards a culture that values self-acceptance and the authenticity of the human body over imposed standards and artificial enhancements.
Comfort and Convention: Advocating for Deodorant Use
Personal Hygiene and Preference
Many appreciate the fresh feeling of deodorant, often cited as boosting self-confidence and comfort throughout the day. Comments like “I personally wear it every day… I enjoy smelling fresh throughout the day” and “Very necessary for odor and sweat control” highlight the value placed on maintaining a clean and pleasant personal aroma. In short, they like wearing it.
Social Responsibility and Professional Expectations
Respondents frequently note the social obligation to use deodorant, especially in professional settings or on public transport, where close proximity makes personal scent a public issue. Statements such as “I have a very strong scent, so if I don’t wear it, I reek” and “It’s tragically necessary for the working world” emphasize the role of deodorant in meeting social and professional responsibilities.
Navigating Societal Norms
There is a notable critique among participants who prefer a natural approach but feel compelled by societal norms to use deodorant. Sentiments like “Much of Western culture has adopted the concept that humans should not emit natural odors” and “If society didn’t make such a big deal, I’d definitely go natural more often” reveal a conflict between personal preferences for naturalness and external societal expectations.
Balancing Personal Preferences with Societal Expectations
Determining when to use deodorant is often a nuanced balance between personal preferences and societal norms. Although many are comfortable with their natural scent, they opt for deodorant to meet social expectations of cleanliness and professionalism. This ongoing use highlights cultural norms that associate cleanliness with pleasant or neutral scents, which is crucial in settings requiring close contact.
By consciously choosing to use deodorant, individuals maintain their self-esteem and comfort and adeptly manage the complex dynamics of social and professional interactions. This pragmatic approach to body care shows that personal preferences are frequently adjusted to meet the expectations of others, illustrating the continuous negotiation between individuality and conformity in daily life.
Common Ground in Deodorant Preferences
Flexible Grooming Habits
Most respondents use deodorant occasionally, reflecting a nuanced and thoughtful approach to grooming that responds to the varying demands of different social situations and personal activities. This flexibility in deodorant application underscores a keen awareness of the diverse expectations in both professional and social environments.
Situational Use
For many within our community, deodorant is not a daily essential but a tool used selectively based on specific circumstances. Responses like “Only use deodorant for work, often use alcohol to reduce odor for certain social settings” and “Just for social situations” demonstrate that individuals strategically apply deodorant primarily when societal norms or professional standards require a certain level of personal grooming. This suggests that while deodorant is a part of their routine, its use is carefully tailored to specific needs.
Health Concerns and Alternatives
Health considerations play a significant role in influencing deodorant usage. In light of growing health consciousness, many respondents choose natural deodorant alternatives or reduce their use to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in traditional products. Phrases like “I use as natural a deodorant as possible” indicate a cautious approach to ingredients, highlighting a shift toward products that better align with a health-conscious lifestyle.
Balancing Health and Social Norms in Deodorant Use
These responses from our community show that deodorant use is influenced by more than just personal hygiene; it is a decision shaped by social expectations, health considerations, and everyday activities.
Whether individuals are reducing usage to embrace natural scents or selecting products for their health benefits, there is a clear trend toward balancing societal norms with personal health priorities. This nuanced understanding of deodorant use reveals a broader movement towards more personalized and health-conscious grooming practices, showcasing a collective shift toward embracing individuality and well-being in daily life.
Navigating Personal Preference and Social Norms in The Great Deodorant Debate
The exploration of deodorant use within the queer community, as highlighted by our survey, underscores a fascinating dichotomy: a comfort with natural body odors coexists with a strategic application of deodorant, influenced by both personal preference and societal expectations. This nuanced landscape reveals much about how queer individuals navigate identity, sexuality, and social mores.
Queer communities have long been at the forefront of challenging and reshaping societal norms, and the ongoing debate around deodorant use is no exception. Our survey illustrates that while 73% of respondents are comfortable with their natural scent, most still choose to use deodorant in professional environments or settings requiring close contact. This practice suggests a pragmatic approach to body odor, where personal comfort often meets the necessity of adhering to social etiquette, particularly in work settings where neutrality in body odor is seen as essential.
Conversely, in queer spaces like clubs, the debate around deodorant use becomes more pronounced, reflecting a cultural space that is more open to challenging social conventions. Here, people feel more open to be their most authentic version of themselves, which for many means skipping deodorant.
“The Great Deodorant Debate” within the queer community is thus not merely about personal hygiene. Still, it is deeply intertwined with broader discussions on autonomy and rejecting imposed beauty standards. It is a reflection of how queer individuals balance their identity and lifestyle choices with the practical realities of societal expectations, navigating a complex web of cultural norms that often dictate how bodies should look and smell.
By participating in and reflecting on this debate, the queer community continues to highlight the importance of personal choice and the reevaluation of what it means to live authentically. It is a testament to the community’s enduring influence on shifting social attitudes and behaviors, advocating for a future where personal preference and respect for individual choices are recognized and valued in all aspects of life, including something as every day as putting on deodorant.
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