Fear of being labeled a homosexual was much more common than fear of actually being one. Boys didn't want others to believe they were homosexual and worked hard to make sure that their behavior fit an imagined norm. Such insults were hurled at boys for any perceived weakness. Many boys told us that the most common verbal assault among their male peers was to equate the boy with femininity. Like if we were drinking and they were afraid to drink.
Kids make up nicknames like gay and faggot.
A 7th grade boy told us that if a boy didn't talk about having sex with girls, then his peers assumed he was a homosexual. If he's not interested in girls, they might call him gay. When we're talking about girls there is this one kid who is silent, and we wonder why he is not talking about having sex with girls. Boys who didn't excel in athletics became targets. A 9th grader told us, If someone isn't good at sports, they'll call him a faggot.