Okay this is odd because I see this happen with a lot more than gay people. In fact I know plenty of gays who don't give a shit. I know straight guys who have longer names that they prefer longer and for good reason. I don't know if you are getting the terms prissy and grownup confused or not but I'm not going to dwell on that. I'm not here to pick a fight, just simply voice an opinion. I personally do not like my name shortened because it A. doesn't sound right, B. doesn't feel right and C. Is my name. What gives someone else the right to call someone out of their name? If someone tells you their name and what they prefer to be called then it should be a done deal. I am to assume that we are all grownups here.
A previous poster stated that a shortened or nick name not their full first name may have negative connotations. I think in the gay community for someone to sit there and bash other gays for being a more expressive form of gay is wrong. Those who are prissy and/or effeminate are always easy targets,. It's bad enough that they are attacked outside of the community but to be attached within is pretty crass. With the popularization of the hyper masculinity movement happening to gays and straight they have been getting some extra shit thrown down on them. The point being that shorten nick names could have been used to emasculate them in their past which makes them uncomfortable hearing it. I personally don't want to be called something that isn't my name.
My name is my name for a reason and I see no need to alter it just so that other people can feel better. If someone is too lazy to say my whole first name then I clearly don't need to be talking to them. I do love the curt icy extended to me when I meet new people. "Do you prefer to be called something else?" or "Do you have a nickname?" I however tell them no but thank them for the consideration. In short, I'm not gay and I don't like my name shortened. I can get as laid back and as informal as the rest, my name or preference thereof does not constitute an accurate personality assessment. I do not recall ever signing a contract that gives anyone carte blanche over what they call me. We should be called what we want to be called; nothing else.