Bears, otters, cubs, twunks, jocks, hunks, daddies, twinks – admittedly, it’s not always easy to memorize all the terms used in the gay scene. But you don’t have to! If you like a guy, it doesn’t really matter what category he falls into. In the end, all that matters is that he’s right for you. But if you still want to stay up to date, we’ll explain what kind of man is referred to as a twink. Maybe you’re one yourself and don’t even know it yet?
Slim, young, and hairless – that’s what twinks are
Is your lover slim, young, and has hardly any body hair? My friend, you’ve landed yourself a twink! At least, that’s how they’re categorized in the gay scene. (Source: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/twink) Ultimately, though, this is just a stereotype, because you can hardly tell someone’s sexual orientation based on their appearance. However, typical apps such as Grindr rely precisely on these categorizations, and many bears or daddies specifically search for twinks for sexual pleasure!
Characteristics – risk of stigmatization?
Many gay men expect twinks to be the submissive partner during sex and to prefer dominant types such as bears as partners. But be careful, it’s easy to jump to conclusions here. There are definitely young, slim, and hairless guys who prefer the same type of lover. So you can’t assume that a twink has certain sexual preferences based on his appearance alone.
It’s quite possible that the handsome, slim guy at the bar actually dreams of fisting you with a dildo and isn’t submissive at all!
#Twink and #Daddy—a dream couple, or not?
It’s difficult to judge people based on their appearance and to assume certain preferences based solely on their looks. However, men who categorize themselves as #twinks often prefer sexual activities with dominant, older guys like daddies or bears.
Whether a guy belongs to the twink category or not depends on his own desires. Unasked stereotyping is not a good idea and can even hurt people. If, on the other hand, you feel like a twink yourself, specifying this type can actually help you find the right partner. For example, some men are specifically looking for twinks to live out their preferences and really let loose in bed.
Twink lover – what he’s into
A typical twink lover is a man who has sexual or romantic feelings for young, slim men who fit the twink mold. So-called “twink requests” are common on Grindr, which is why many young people explicitly declare themselves as twinks.
These lovers’ type is usually based on an age range between 18 and 25, although older men with a youthful appearance may also fall into this category. On Grindr, twink requests not only include sexual offers, but often also something in return. Guys from all other tribes like to offer twinks pocket money or material rewards in exchange for an erotic weekend.
Do we really need categories like #twink and the like?
It’s not always easy for gay men to find a suitable lover. You can’t tell by looking at the guy at the checkout that he’s into men like you are. So it makes perfect sense to use identifying characteristics in the scene and when dating.
Tribes such as #Twink are particularly popular on Grindr as a way of better assessing oneself and others. However, it is entirely up to you whether you want to be categorized in this way. Are you into older guys, are you submissive, are you looking for a little pocket money and do you fit the visual profile of a twink? Then there is nothing wrong with mentioning this attitude on your profile.
But it can also work the other way around: maybe you’re exactly that slim, pretty, young gay guy who fits into the twink category. Instead of looking for a bear, you’re totally into twinks! With a little “No Twinks” in your profile, you’ll help ensure that your inbox isn’t flooded with sexy messages and that everyone knows what they’re (not) getting with you.
And where does the term come from? Who invented it?
To this day, there is only speculation about the origin of many terms. Twinks are said to have been officially invented in the US in the 1960s. At that time, it was not officially permitted to live as a homosexual, so a language was developed that could also be used in public.
There is speculation as to whether it is actually derived from “Twinkie cake.” This cake is filled with a sweet cream and has little nutritional value. Consequently, twinks were considered sugar-sweet but with little “added value.” Is this story about the origin of the term true? No one can confirm this with 100% certainty. However, we know exactly how twinks are defined today.
Our tip for you: Before you categorize and classify people, do a reality check. Not every slim, cute guy is automatically a twink. But if he wants to be, categorization can be very useful when dating.