Last Updated on September 16, 2022
If you’re wondering how to meet gay truckers, you’re not alone. LGBTQ truckers face cultural norms that don’t always allow them to be openly themselves. From being ostracized to performing mating calls, these guys are out there to be themselves. You can help make their day by taking the initiative to introduce yourself and ask them out. Read on to learn how to meet gay truckers and get the conversation started!
LGBTQ truckers face oppressive cultural norms
It is possible to find middle-class wages in the trucking industry if you are queer. However, a career in this industry comes with its own challenges. Although the trucking industry has become more open and accepting, it still faces oppressive cultural norms. For example, in 31 states, LGBTQ employees can be fired for being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. In addition to personnel issues, the trucking industry faces limiting economic opportunities.
A semi-queer book by Kathy Balay documents the experiences of queer truck drivers. Truck driving has long been a haven for misfits and those who don’t follow the rules. The constant motion makes it difficult for oppressive cultural norms to take root. But what exactly is the problem with these norms? How can we prevent them from taking hold? Let’s start by identifying the common cultural norms that affect queer truckers.
Many drivers of big rigs travel thousands of miles a week, from Wyoming to California. They often have to use truck stop facilities because their rigs don’t have showers or bathrooms. Similarly, anti-trans bathroom legislation means that transgender people face a greater risk of harassment in public places. LGBTQ drivers have faced harassment and abuse in restrooms, rest areas, and truck stops. And these harassments don’t just affect truckers.
They face harassment in public restrooms
Transgender individuals report being harassed and denied access to public restrooms. The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) conducted a survey of nearly 3,000 people in 2011 to determine the extent of harassment and violence against transgender individuals. The results showed that nearly 10 percent of the study participants reported encounters with physical or verbal harassment in public restrooms. It’s important to recognize that these incidents can be extremely damaging to the well-being of transgender people.
The trucking industry is notorious for its hyper-masculinity, and LGBTQ individuals report the highest levels of perceived danger. In fact, many truckers who identify as transgender or gay report the greatest level of harassment or violence in public restrooms and truck stop parking lots. They also say they are regularly harassed by grandparents and combative parents. And when they do use public restrooms, the door locks behind them.
The transgender Griffin was frightened to use public restrooms. She often felt uncomfortable and afraid of being harassed in public restrooms. Keith Patron allegedly called her names as she tried to use the women’s restroom. Then she defended herself by suing Patron. The incident sparked outrage, and now Griffin is adamant about ending the harassment. She plans to fight for equal rights for transgender people.
During her two-year long career as a truck driver, she travels over 2,000 miles a week and runs over the road from Wyoming to California. She estimates she’s driven 300,000 miles through 48 states in two years. While a patchwork of non-discrimination laws exists in many communities, it’s important to note that LGBT people are still targeted in public restrooms.
They perform mating calls
The process by which gay truckers perform mating calls is based on a theory that they use a mobile app called gaydar to find other gay truckers and drop subtle hints that non-gay men and women won’t pick up on. Gay truckers are not homophobic, but many of them have been accused of being “homophobic” because of their outfits, such as their NRA swatches and busty mudflap girls. Nevertheless, Anderson says this is an “out-of-the-box” method of “discovering” each other.
One trucker tuned his CB to channel 19 and began to perform a mating call. Another driver, coming closer to a rest area, grabbed his mic and replied with a few clicks. This back-and-forth conversation lasted about a minute. The truckers exchanged numbers, but the one who was more confident in his gay-friendly ways is the winner. Those who were frightened were probably not able to resist the urge to try something different.
About The Author
Tess Mack is a social media expert who has fallen down more times than she can count. But that hasn't stopped her from becoming one of the most well-known Twitter advocates in the world. She's also a web nerd and proud travel maven, and is considered to be one of the foremost experts on hipster-friendly social media. Tess loves sharing interesting facts with her followers, and believes that laughter is the best way to connect with people.