What does a gay horse eat?

The joke “What does a gay horse eat? Hay” plays on the stereotype and expectation surrounding the word “gay.” When the question is posed, it sets up an expectation for the listener that the answer will somehow relate to or make a comment about the horse’s sexuality. However, the punchline “Hay” is a straightforward answer that applies to all horses, regardless of any anthropomorphic attributes like sexuality. The humor arises from the subversion of the listener’s expectation. The word “hay” also sounds like the casual greeting “hey,” which can be playfully associated with a stereotypical flamboyant greeting, adding another layer to the joke.