
Twink is a common term in the LGBTQ+ lexicon, and it’s most commonly used to describe cisgender gay men who fit a particular stereotype: slim, aged between their late teens and mid twenties, with little to no body hair, and, historically at least, probably white and conforming to European beauty standards. But our understanding of LGBTQ+ identities has evolved over the years—the definition of a twink from 70 years ago is largely considered too narrow today. Throughout this article we’ll explore the origins of the word, what a twink is, where the term comes from, and why tribes can unite—and divide—the queer community.
Navigating your identity as a queer person can be a difficult path to tread, especially when descriptive terms for LGBTQ+ people have historically been weaponized by others and used as slurs. But it’s important to ask why terminology and naming are so important in the LGBTQ+ community. As queer writers Stephanie Schroeder and Theresa Theophano say in their article, “Although the majority often treats us as though we are monolithic, marginalized communities are genuinely diverse. We each have different opinions and experiences. We need to find strength and identity in our own ways and on our own terms.”
What does a twink look like?
Twinks are often associated with specific physical traits, like those described above: a lean body, youthful features, possessing minimal or no body or facial hair. This aesthetic has lent itself to a certain twink-inspired fashion, too—there are TikTok videos on how to dress like a twink that collectively rack up millions of views. LGBTQ+ entertainment site Queerty refers to Timothée Chalamet and Troye Sivan’s “fashion twink-off” in a round-up of twink-coded celebrity looks that includes mesh, crop tops, and tight sweaters paired with cargo pants and flashes of chest.
The traditional definition of a twink has been called out online by several queer people as being too narrow, and having overtones of fatphobia and racial prejudice. In 2018, blogger Ishmael Bishop wrote a critique of an article in the New York Times T Magazine entitled “Welcome to the Age of the Twink”, noting that all the examples of twinks given in the article were white, and that praising a slim body type can feel like body shaming to gay men who don’t look like that.
Nowadays, it’s largely accepted in queer circles that a twink doesn’t have to be white, cisgender, or conform to a specific body type—there is a desire to move away from the narrow criteria of the original definition. However, the label is also seen by some as problematic. Critics argue that it can be used as a slur, reinforcing harmful stereotypes or leading to the commodification of queer identities. These concerns are explored in Queerty, which discusses how the term can carry negative connotations, and in Vice, which examines the phenomenon of "twink handlers," where people are treated as marketable products, further complicating the way the term is used and understood within the community.
Where does the term twink come from?
Where did the term twink come from? And is the label a derogatory or a neutral descriptor? The Oxford English Dictionary says the earliest recorded use of twink is from the 1950s. The exact origins aren’t known, with some sources saying it comes from “twank”, an old British slang term meaning a gay male sex worker. Others speculate it’s derived from “Twinkie”—an American sponge cake bar filled with cream, but this is purely anecdotal. By the 1990s, twink was firmly embedded in the queer lexicon and made its way into popular culture around this time too. It was used in the British drama Queer as Folk—often lauded as a trailblazer for bringing LGBTQ+ stories to the mainstream—to describe the character Justin.
But that doesn’t mean the word twink can’t be problematic. It can be perceived as exclusionary to people who don’t fit the stereotypical criteria of being young and slim. Some people feel that positioning the classic twink look as desirable could set unrealistic body standards. Discussions in queer subreddits highlight another issue, such as people being referred to as twinks when they don’t identify as such, and finding it infantilizing.
Twink culture and representation today
Compared to the Queer as Folk days in the late 1990s and 2000s, twinks enjoy much wider representation today. We’ve already mentioned Troye Sivan,and the Australian singer has always embraced his twink identity, with lyrics that allude to the joy of queer sex.
Timothée Chalamet was christened “the straight prince of twinks” after he appeared in Call Me By Your Name. He enthusiastically accepted the title, and demonstrated his allyship by donating money to LGBTQ+ charities. Yet many queer people aren’t comfortable with calling straight men twinks. An article in Out magazine last year pointed out that straight people using the word “twists” its history, and the traditional definition—while it’s evolved to become more inclusive—always referred to a gay man.
In addition to Sivan, Stranger Things’s Noah Schapp and Heartstopper’s Joe Locke are often described as twinks. Lil Nas X, who has undoubtedly pushed boundaries in terms of representation for queer+ men, inspired a Reddit thread entitled “Is Lil Nas X a twink or a twunk?” (The latter term is a portmanteau of twink and hunk—an example of how the term has evolved and become more inclusive of different body types.)
Sivan, Lil Nas X, and other famous queer+ people don’t just normalize queer experiences; their openness is vital to young queer people. A recent study in the Social Science and Humanities Journal noted that visible queer celebrities were vital in helping young people feel more comfortable about their own identities, and fostering awareness of LGBTQ+ rights. Children and young people seeing themselves reflected in popular culture is important in developing self-esteem and a sense of identity, according to Action for Children.
What is the equivalent of a twink for women?
While the word twink is typically associated with young gay men, conversations have emerged around gender-specific terms for people who share characteristics with twinks but identify as women. Several forum posts ask if there’s a version of the word for women, but the consensus is unclear.
Some lesbians might have twink-like qualities in that they’re youthful-looking and androgynous (although in their case, they’d likely have characteristics that are stereotypically masculine, while twinks are perceived as feminine). Terms like "soft butch," "femme," or "tomboy" are sometimes used to describe people who fit this description, but these are distinct descriptors used in lesbian spaces and aren’t a direct opposite to twink.
Common misconceptions and stereotypes
We have to mention Troye Sivan again here. In his song “Bloom,” he sang about the joys of bottoming—before revealing he isn’t actually a bottom himself. Twink tops everywhere rejoiced: “I feel so seen,” wrote one on a forum. Incorrect assumptions about twinks being submissive because of their youthfulness and slight build can lead to others assuming they’re bottoms when they’re not—something Sivan felt he had to clear up.
Twinks often have stereotypically feminine attributes in terms of appearance, but this can lead to unfair judgments about their character. As one writer notes: “The idea of a man that’s more feminine than masculine is still the source of jokes and assumptions.” Some people might assume a twink takes on a submissive role in relationships, or lives up to a simplified stereotype of a “gay best friend” from a movie.
The idea of inherently masculine and feminine characteristics is reductive at best and sexist at worst, but queer tribes aren’t immune to it. It’s important to remember that being a twink doesn’t suggest anything about a person’s character, gender identity, or relationship choices.
Can someone be a twink and identify differently in other aspects?
The modern usage of “twink” encompasses trans, non-binary, and gender fluid individuals who identify as twinks and fit the visual description.
Not everyone who fits the description wants to identify as a twink—and that’s their choice. But as well as cisgender gay men, some trans men feel it’s the best descriptor for them, and derivative terms have emerged that fit their experience. A hypertwink, for example, is described as someone who might identify as transfeminine or transmasculine in addition to being a twink, while a femboy [include link to guide when it is live] is a male-identifying person who actively wants to look feminine.
Twink can be a unifying term for some queer people and give them a sense of belonging to a particular tribe. But it can also lead to incorrect, and even prejudiced, assumptions about someone. While it’s not a slur, it can definitely be misunderstood or used in a way that the recipient might not appreciate. Understanding the history and connotations of words in the LGBTQ+ lexicon is incredibly important in order to understand the queer experience and why labels can be helpful for those figuring out their identity.
Twink has moved far beyond its origins as a descriptor for a slim, pretty, white gay man. Modern twinks can be trans, non-binary, or cis; race certainly isn’t a factor, and a twink appearance is just that: it’s not a personality trait or an indicator of someone’s character. Nor does it mean they’re a bottom.
Keep learning more key LGBTQ+ terms in our glossary.
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