Michael Davis
Mushrooms have long been associated with folklore and fairy rings, which are linked to the fae, who are generally known to be queer. This association has led to mushrooms becoming a common motif in queer digital spaces and cottagecore aesthetics. Furthermore, mushrooms are the fruiting bodies or reproductive organs of fungi, and while they do not have a sex, there are hundreds of different sexes of fungal spores. This diversity of sexes, combined with the mysterious and aesthetically pleasing nature of fungi, has led some to view mushrooms as symbols of queer identity and non-binary gender expression.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms are part of folklore | Fairy rings, which are a natural phenomenon, are part of folklore that includes the existence of the fae, who are generally known to be queer. |
| Mushrooms are popular in queer digital spaces | Mushrooms are often featured in queer digital spaces such as cottagecore Tumblr and Instagram. |
| Mushrooms are neither animal nor plant | As fungi, mushrooms are their own biological kingdom, and are evolutionarily closer to animals than plants. |
| Mushrooms have no sex | While mushrooms themselves have no sex, there are hundreds of different sexes of fungal spores. |
| Mushrooms are aesthetically pleasing | Mushrooms are aesthetically stunning and come in a variety of shapes and colors. |
| Mushrooms can be mind-bending or poisonous | Some mushrooms have hallucinogenic properties and can cause bad trips and shifts in identity. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are linked to fairies, which are generally queer
Mushrooms have long been linked to folklore and the supernatural in art and literature. They are often associated with magic and the fantastical, from fairy rings to witches and elves. Fairy rings, in particular, are a natural phenomenon consisting of rings or arcs of mushrooms found mainly in forested areas but also in grasslands or rangelands. These rings are the subject of folklore and myth worldwide, especially in Western Europe, where they are alternately considered hazardous or linked to good fortune.
The folklore surrounding fairy rings often involves fairies or "the fae." For example, an early 20th-century Irish tradition claims that fairies enjoy dancing around the hawthorn tree, and fairy rings often centre on one. A resident of Scotland shared a belief that fairies sit on mushrooms and use them as dinner tables, while a Welsh woman asserted that fairies used the mushrooms as parasols and umbrellas. These associations have become linked to specific sites, such as a large fairy ring on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, England.
The Victorian fairy tradition, as it emerged, took on a Romantic sensibility that elevated rustic traditions and provided an escape from industrial modernity into an ancient, enchanting world. Writers and artists of the time explored sensual and erotic themes through the guise of innocence, reimagining the countryside as a land of playful nature spirits, with mushrooms and toadstools popping up everywhere. This intertwining of mushrooms, fairies, and queer energy in folklore and art has contributed to the perception of mushrooms as gay.
Furthermore, the idea that fungi can induce hallucinations also became widespread in Europe during the nineteenth century, coinciding with the burgeoning Victorian fairy lore that connected mushrooms and toadstools with elves, pixies, and transportation to fairyland, a realm of shifting perspectives and elemental spirits. This similarity between the effects of hallucinogenic fungi and the supernatural experiences described in fairy lore suggests a potential hidden tradition of psychedelic knowledge within the Victorian fairy tradition.
Mushrooms: Nature's Proud Producers
You may want to see also
Mushrooms are neither animal nor plant, summing up non-binary identities
Mushrooms, or fungi, are a biological kingdom distinct from plants and animals. They are evolutionarily closer to animals than plants. Fungi are mysterious, aesthetically stunning, and can be delicious, mind-bending, or poisonous. They can take on various forms, from little shelves to gelatinous brackets, big white balls, or the classic cap-and-stem shape.
Mushrooms are neither male nor female, but there are hundreds of different sexes of fungal spores. Fungi can turn into fairy rings, which are a natural phenomenon and belong to many cultures and versions of folklore that include the existence of the fae, who are generally known to be queer. This association with the fae may contribute to the queer digital space's embrace of mushroom imagery.
The queer community has embraced the idea of "gay mushrooms," with various types of mushrooms being associated with different gender identities. For example, the King Trumpet mushroom is seen as trans masc, Turkey Tails as plaid butches, and Schizophyllum commune as genderqueer. The Ballerina Waxcap and the Ink Cap are described as in a pink girl/goth girl relationship, and the Destroying Angel is said to be incredibly beautiful, alluring, and deadly, much like a queer femme.
The Entoloma hochstetteri, a tiny, bright blue mushroom native to New Zealand, is also regarded as a trans masc mushroom. The giant puffball, a large, edible mushroom, is celebrated as a peak gay moment. The queer community's association of mushrooms with various gender identities and their embrace of mushroom imagery and folklore further reinforce the idea that mushrooms, as neither animal nor plant, can symbolize non-binary identities.
Mushrooms: Nature's Non-Binary Wonder
You may want to see also
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, which have many sexes
Mushrooms, the fruiting bodies of fungi, have long been associated with folklore and the fae, which are generally known to be queer. This association has led to mushrooms becoming a symbol of gay culture. The queer digital space often features mushroom-themed photos and art.
While mushrooms themselves do not have a sex, the fungal spores have hundreds of different sexes. For example, Schizophyllum commune has 23,000 sexes. This multitude of sexes in the fungal world contributes to the perception of mushrooms as gay.
The term "gay mushrooms" has also been used to describe specific varieties of mushrooms with distinct characteristics. For instance, the King Trumpet mushroom is referred to as trans masc, while Turkey Tails are described as plaid butches. The Destroying Angel is likened to a queer femme, beautiful and alluring but deadly.
Beyond their association with folklore and their diverse fungal sexes, mushrooms have also been linked to explorations of sexuality through psychedelic experiences. Some individuals have shared their experiences of using mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms," and their impact on sexual identity and exploration. These accounts describe the role of mushrooms in facilitating self-discovery and identity formation, including the acceptance of one's true sexuality.
The perception of mushrooms as gay is thus a multifaceted concept, encompassing their role in folklore, the diversity of fungal sexes, their symbolic presence in queer digital spaces, and their potential to induce psychedelic experiences that lead to sexual epiphanies.
Porcini Mushrooms: Gills or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mushroom art is common in queer digital spaces
Mushrooms have become a symbol of queer identity and digital spaces, with the fungus featuring heavily in queer art. Queer ecology is a field of study that explores the relationship between queerness and the natural world, and mushrooms have become a key motif in this movement.
The reasons for this are varied, but one of the key associations is the link between mushrooms and folklore. Mushrooms are often associated with fairy rings, a natural phenomenon that appears in many cultures and folklore. The fae, or fairies, are generally known to be queer, and so the link between mushrooms and queer identity was born. This association has led to mushrooms becoming a common feature in queer digital spaces, with many queer artists exploring the connection between fungi and queerness in their work.
Mushrooms are also seen as sexually fluid, with the ability to reproduce asexually, sexually, or even mate with themselves. This fluidity is celebrated in queer spaces, with mushrooms representing the breakdown of rigid and destructive ideas surrounding gender and sexuality. Queer people also associate the non-binary nature of fungi, which are neither plants nor animals, with their own non-binary identities.
In addition, the psychedelic properties of some mushrooms have been used by queer people to explore their identities and feel more connected to their partners, friends, and the world around them. This has further solidified the association between mushrooms and queer identity.
Queer artists have embraced the mushroom as a symbol, with the fungus featuring in a wide range of art forms, from sculpture to bandana designs. The mushroom has become a powerful motif in queer art, representing fluidity, non-binary identities, and the breakdown of heteronormative ideas.
Mushroom Safety for Fledglings: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Mushroom trips can cause shifts in sexual identity
The phrase "mushroom trips can cause shifts in sexual identity" may refer to the idea that psychedelic mushrooms can lead to changes in how individuals view or express their gender and sexual attraction. This concept is explored in a study published in The Journal of Sex Research, which surveyed 581 individuals who had used psychedelics. The study found that a majority of participants reported short-term and long-term changes related to sexuality and relationships, including heightened attraction to partners, increased openness, and altered experiences of gender identity.
The study also revealed that younger participants and those with lower household incomes were more likely to report shifts in gender expression and sexual experiences. Additionally, individuals who took larger doses of psychedelics were more likely to experience both short-term and long-term effects. Gender-diverse participants, in particular, reported changes in their gender identity and expression, with many describing greater authenticity, self-acceptance, and openness. Some participants moved beyond traditional gender categories, feeling more fluid or rejecting binary conceptions of gender altogether.
The idea that mushroom trips can cause shifts in sexual identity is also reflected in the concept of "Queer Mycology." Mycologist Roo Vandegrift notes the acceptance and openness to difference within the mycological community, drawing parallels between the queer community and the transformative nature of mushrooms. In addition, the vast number of fungal sexes challenges the idea of binary gender constructs, further underscoring the interconnectedness among living beings.
Furthermore, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies have been praised for helping LGBTQ youth cope with social pressures and anxieties. These therapies can induce a state of mind that fosters greater personal understanding, gender identity exploration, and sexuality affirmation. Queer BIPOC leaders are also reclaiming traditional experiences with mushrooms in safe and supportive spaces, promoting the idea that mushrooms can facilitate a sense of transformation and a rejection of binary norms.
While the study published in The Journal of Sex Research suggests intriguing patterns, it is important to acknowledge its limitations. The survey relied on self-reported data, making it challenging to establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, participants were recruited from psychedelic interest groups, which may have influenced the types of experiences reported. Nonetheless, the study contributes to a growing interest in understanding how psychedelics impact sexuality, gender expression, and intimate relationships.
Salting Mushrooms: The Perfect Timing for Flavor
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are considered gay because they are associated with fairies or "fae", which are generally known to be queer. Mushrooms are also the fruiting bodies or reproductive organs of fungi, which have hundreds of different sexes of spores.
Yes, there are several examples of gay mushrooms in popular culture, including the Destroying Angel, which is described as "incredibly beautiful and alluring and deadly much like a biblically accurate angel and also like queer femmes". The King Trumpet mushroom is considered trans masc, and Turkey Tails are described as "plaid butches".
Yes, there are several online marketplaces, such as Etsy and Redbubble, that offer a variety of gay mushroom merchandise and gifts, including stickers, shirts, and wall hangings.
There is no scientific evidence that mushrooms can change someone's sexual orientation. However, there are anecdotal reports of people experiencing shifts in their sexual identity after consuming mushrooms or having a bad trip.
