From yesterday's Ask Metafilter: "Why are gay people so flamboyant? Maybe I'm just ignorant, but it's definitely a trend that rises beyond my scope of comprehension. I just spent the weekend as a volunteer medic for the SF Pride events, and it's a phenomenon that only really struck me when seen in its mass sprawl. It's something distinctively relegated to the gay community, in my experiences. I guess I'm just curious as to why gay culture seems to be defined and celebrated by flamboyance, extravagance, and eccentricity. In short, why do gay people act the way they do? Is it hormonal, adaptive-reactive, socially-constructed, etc.?"
Go read the responses, there are some thoughtful and thought-provoking answers.