Difference between revisions of "Gay"
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'''Gay''' is now the most general informal term for "homosexual". It began to be used in this sense from around the 1920s. In the 19th century, "gay ladies" had meant prostitutes. | '''Gay''' is now the most general informal term for "homosexual". It began to be used in this sense from around the 1920s. In the 19th century, "gay ladies" had meant prostitutes. | ||
| − | In the 1970s "gay" was generally applied to both sexes, but is now more commonly used to refer specifically to men, hence the more general phrase "gay and [[lesbian]]" came into use, subsequently overtaken by [[LGBT]] and its variants. | + | In the 1970s "gay" was generally applied to both sexes, but it is now more commonly used to refer specifically to men, hence the more general phrase "gay and [[lesbian]]" came into use, subsequently overtaken by [[LGBT]] and its variants. |
It is no longer thought correct to use "gay" as a noun, hence "He's gay" is preferred to "He's a gay", and "gay people" to "gays". | It is no longer thought correct to use "gay" as a noun, hence "He's gay" is preferred to "He's a gay", and "gay people" to "gays". | ||
Revision as of 14:31, 13 June 2013
Gay is now the most general informal term for "homosexual". It began to be used in this sense from around the 1920s. In the 19th century, "gay ladies" had meant prostitutes.
In the 1970s "gay" was generally applied to both sexes, but it is now more commonly used to refer specifically to men, hence the more general phrase "gay and lesbian" came into use, subsequently overtaken by LGBT and its variants.
It is no longer thought correct to use "gay" as a noun, hence "He's gay" is preferred to "He's a gay", and "gay people" to "gays".
Sometimes, particularly among school children, "gay" is used as a generic term expressing disapproval, with no specific reference to homosexuality.
