Troll andtrolling areslang terms used almost exclusively amonggay men to characterize gay,bisexual andquestioning orbi-curious men whocruise or "wander about looking"[1] forsex or potential sex partners or experiences "in a notably wanton manner and with lessened standards of what one will accept in a partner."[2] The term can be used positively or negatively depending on the speaker, usage and intent and can describe the person or the activity. Although often referring to "an unattractive older gay man"[3] and although troll as a slur "is primarily a visual, not a behavioral" judgment,[4] the phrases can be used for anyone who istrolling, regardless of the putative troll's age or perceived attractiveness.
As a verb, "to troll" is not necessarily pejorative, with "trolling for sex" merely a synonym ofcruising.
The same is not true of "troll" as a noun describing a person, usually an elderly or unattractive gay male (a "troll") aggressively seeking younger partners ("twinks" or "chickens"). This usage carries all of the negative connotations associated with "dirty old man" outside the gay community; editorialists in thegay press also occasionally cite this usage as evidence that a gay community which values youth and physical attraction is marginalising its elderly.[5][6]
Troll asgay slang is amongst thelexicon of thecantPolari used in the gay subculture in Britain which has become more mainstream with transcontinental travel andonline communication. There is still debate about how Polari originated but its origins can be traced back to at least the 19th century.
The termtroll may have become equated with cruising because a troll is a "creature ofScandinavian folklore depicted as adevilishimp who lives in dark places and 'patrols' in an endless search."[2] "The wordtrolla in Swedish means ‘to charm or bewitch’."[7]
The linguistPaul Baker says, "As a Polari word,troll can mean ‘to walk effeminately’, or ‘to walk, seeking sex’."[7]Trolling can be used almost interchangeably withcruising.[8]
The word "troll" has remained unfamiliar even to many gay men in Britain, who have never heard, used, or needed to use the term. Regular customers in the samegay bar might have different takes on the usage – one simply referring to cruising, another referring to a negative version of a troll as a someone who "will have your skin crawling in seconds with his lascivious looks and raunchy repartee,"[9] another meaning older gays who prefer to troll for younger men.[10][11]
Variations ontroll exist. Paul Baker asserts thattrolley-dolly may be "derived perhaps from a combination of lalies and troll. A trolley-dolly (contemporary gay slang) is a gay flight attendant".[12]
"Trolling" is also a term used for generations among fishermen in boats, to describe the way they let a line with a hook and bait on the "fishing line" follow along behind the boat moving slowly, hoping that this slow baiting of the fish will result in a catch. In Gay sub-cultural slang usage would often be coded to seem as though the speaker was talking about "fishing behavior'" but the "gay slang" usage decodes the message to mean "cruising for sex" and luring the potential contacts [catch]. The homosexual "cruising" could be called "trolling" to mean moving along slowly and letting potential contacts ["catches"] have opportunity to "take the bait" i.e. connect for sex. It does also carry the implicit meaning of being a behavior done by older less desirable men seeking sex in public places, but younger people may use the term either to describe serious sexual hunting, or to make light of it, and by using the term "trolling" to put a humorous light on what is considered to be a somewhat socially questionable behavior.[13]
Depending on the culture the men are in, the setting, time of day (or evening), how comfortable they are about their sexuality and their intentions will all affect the trolling experience. Some men are stillcoming out or even avirgin tosame-sex experiences; some societies punish gays with prison, public humiliation and even death. So having the appearance of just walking through the area or using a restroom comes in handy until those there forsexual fulfillment can let their guard down as it becomes obvious everyone is there with like-minded goals. For regular areas or “troll haunts” that are frequented by a recurring group of trolls there is a general rule that "as in most gay male settings, the young, the muscular, and the unfamiliar are more sought."[14]
A troll's intention will also influence actions and outcomes ranging fromcasual sex in a more private area toexhibitionism likemasturbating togroup sex, fulfilling asexual fantasy or even thevoyeuristic thrill of watching someone else havepublic sex. Some are looking to: performfellatio either directly or through aglory hole, receive it, or switch roles; perform or receiveanal sex; participate ingroup sex or aBDSM experience even includinggang bangs; or simply to watch others perform sex acts.[15]
A regular public bathroom at a college, public library, shopping mall, train station or even a public park could be a higher risk trolling venue while more private venues like nightclubs, bars,[16] offices and even churches add to the sexual excitement for some escalating the experience with more taboo environments. For some potentially getting caught is almost better than the sex itself.
Public sex is often illegal, but enforcement varies from lax and rarely enforced to the aggressive pursuit ofentrapment, even at disproportionate financial expense to the police force.[17] Victims of other crimes, such asmugging orassault/gay bashing, during cruising also see varying support from police in different regions, from supportive to dismissive and insulting.[18][19] Cases of police brutality against gay men found cruising cause further distrust of law enforcement in the gay community, although it is used on the Internet often.[17]
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