In this group the aforementioned male inevitably becomes the leader, because he can fight off any challengers.

Now we’re more civilised it can refer to any male that takes charge, like a desisive, almost controlling personality, because in a group that person will most likely emerge as leader, they don’t have to be physically strong (or at least not the strongest in a group).

In other words the alpha male is the one who, when assembled in a group of others completely unorganised with no ranks, will take charge.

"Vice-President Al Gore has been paying Naomi Wolf, the feminist author, thousands of dollars a month to help him figure out how to become the top dog. Ms. Wolf has been telling Mr. Gore that he is a beta male, a subordinate figure, and must learn to become an alpha male, or leader of the pack, before the public can accept him as President…

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/nov1999/nf91102e.htm

Yes Trevor.
There have been many a closeted gay man considered an alpha. Remember Rock Hudson? and although notorious, Adolf Hitler was said to be a closeted bi-sexual, persecutor of gay men and yet considered alpha enough to go become
dictator of Germany. Recall also that most of the Caesar’s were gay or bi. Alpha is definitely not restricted to us heteros.

Edit- Didn’t know that rumor surrounded Lincoln but it’s not surprising. It was said also of many of the "troublesome young men" in the interior cabinet of our parliament in the UK during the WW II years.

Edit- I don’t know what you find so distasteful about the Ceasars. It is normal for emperors to try and expand their empires through means of war. Perhaps you prefer Greg Luganis?

Edit- If you wish to thumb my answer down that’s fine. I’m here to give my honest opinions. I have vowed to try and do it in a more tactful way then when I was trolling however.

Edit- Good sir, you can’t force people to choose who they use as examples. That is a form of censorship. You have to accept the good with the bad. Straight people can’t erase social deviants from the annuls of history and gay people won’t be able to accomplish that either. The Apostle Paul is said by many historians to have been gay. This was supposedly his thorn in the flesh. There is another example of a different type of Alpha. Whether his masculinity and character are seen as positive or negative are debated by the religious and heathen. It simply depends on who you ask.

And any male who feels the need to say he is an Alpha…is not.

Yes a gay man can be an alpha..knew a fire fighter like that…ohh you would have liked him trevor. Us girls sure did cry over him not being interested.

I also dont think alpha’s are just born, but nor can one "learn" to be one…they are created out of experience, and gifted by those around them.
Here on GSW, no I dont think we have any but then IDK if this is something you can pick up online through text.

Be it in the context of a group of males or a mixed gender group, the term always means the same thing.

The Alpha male…derived from the "animal world" is the leader of the pack.
The Alpha male ranks #1 within his circle…all the other men know this about him…he’s like the Godfather, the one with the power…he gets the women, the job, the respect, people fear and respect him.
The Alpha male epitomizes the word "Masculinity", he’s a ladies man, a man’s man…he’s all man.

The Alpha male isn’t as prevalent in America as it is in Old World countries such as Italy, Cuba, Spain etc.
Personally I think Feminism has destroyed alot of the masculinity men once had.
No, the gay man cannot be the Alpha Male amongst straight men.
The only reason Rock Hudson was thought of as an Alpha Male, was do to his Hollywood screen appeal as a ladies man. If he were out of the closet, I challenge that perception would have been changed!

I’m sure you’ll get an idea.

The secret to being an alpha male is not to be the best, but to think you are the best, and act accordingly.