a sociology problem?

I've been playing online poker for about seven years, and over that time i've noticed an unusual and somewhat disturbing trend in the table chat. It seems to me that i get accused of being gay (homosexual) unusually often. It's at least three times a week and usually when i'm winning. Don't get me wrong, i have no problem being called gay. I have many gay friends and they are wonderful people. It's just that i fail to see the connection between poker and sexual identity. I've come up with a few theories explaining the reason why so many online poker players are so quick to call one another gay, but i'd like to hear the thoughts of the Bankrolling poker membership on this subject. has anyone else noticed this trend? If so, what is the deal with it? I guess i am just amazed at how quickly "gay jokes" come up when a player is upset, on tilt, or otherwise commenting on play. Also, i think it's hilarious that so many online players think it's an INSULT to call someone "gay". i mean, if i were gay, i wouldn't be offended, and since i'm not, i'm still not offended. It's so often and so pervasive in my own experience that i'm thinking of doing a study and tracking it. In any case, i'm interested to hear your thoughts.

That's horrible. I wish that homosexual calling would stop...

maybe it's the choice of avatar??? not sure

although come to think of it ...last night when someone got beat in a room i was in he called the other guy a "ho mo"-just like that

it was at carbon so i would of prefered to do the loser smiley -love that one lol

I know what you mean by people saying in chat "gay"...cause down here, i hear alot of "that's soooo gay", and it really mean like "that's so lame", but for some reason i don't get is why do they have to put the word "gay" in it...
I'm not against homosexuality, i've been ask a million times to the 3rd power if i was a lesbian. I just look at the person and laugh (cause i know i'm not) and tell them no, but i do have gay and lesbian friends and they're cool as shit, so i'm not against it...

But what they probably really meant was like if they lost the hand they say "gay"..meaning "lame"...(down here that's what it means, slang)

yeah -my kids call me gay all the time and they for sure are talking about LAME LMAO i'm like....yep happyhappy joyjoy lol

id say its just someone whos a donk and been beat or there maybe a good player whos been on a tilt or youve gave them a bad beat. Eitier way id put it down to just being a bad loser and cant take getting beat so reverts to name calling you to hide his own embarrassment of being down so much chips.

GoneGreedy wrote: "gay"..meaning "lame"...(down here that's what it means, slang)

I thought it always seemed to be Americans that said it, but I didn't like to say that until I'd checked a few times.

I did ask one person who said it but he just lol'ed me

Thanks for the insight