In gay slang, means to publicly "call out" or insult someone on their actual flaws (flaws that would normally be taboo to bring up in polite conversation). Equivalent to the term "
roast/roasting someone".
Originated in
gay black culture, made popular and used by drag queens and
gay male bar/club culture. The term "reading" stems from the idea that these called-out flaws are so apparent, they can be perceived/"read" off the person in question as easily as reading a piece of text off a book.
A
perfect example of the internal division and active-attempts-break-one-another-down that exists within the already disenfranchised
gay male/LBGT community.
#
1: "Read" as noun
Person
1: You know going out and drinking every
night is so horrible for your body...
Person 2: This is coming from someone who smokes cigarettes daily and eats microwaveable ramen noodles?
Bystander: Ooh, that was a read!
#2: "Read"/"Reading" as a verb
Person
1: Ugh, I can't believe how much weight I've gained lately!
Person 2: Maybe you should stop eating boxed macaroni n'
cheese for every meal and get some exercise.
Person
1: Damn! Why you always got to read me?
Person 2: Sorry reading you is just too easy.