| Revision as of 07:36, 6 August 2002 view sourceEd Poor (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers59,217 edits original meaning still in use; "also" means...← Previous edit | Revision as of 07:38, 6 August 2002 view source Ed Poor (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers59,217 edits moving down "queer" link (not to demean it: put it back if you wish)Next edit → | ||
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| Originally meaning "joyous" or "glad," <b>gay</b> has also come to refer to ]s other than ] |
Originally meaning "joyous" or "glad," <b>gay</b> has also come to refer to ]s other than ]. The term can be used inclusively or exclusively. The inclusive meaning refers to both men and women who prefer sexual or romantic relationships with their own sex (see ]). The exclusive meaning refers only to men who love men. Whether ]s are included in either of those meanings is a matter of debate (see ]). | ||
| Some people don't like this change of meaning, but the word gay has had a sexual meaning since at least the nineteenth century -- in Victorian England, female prostitutes were considered to be "gay". | Some people don't like this change of meaning, but the word gay has had a sexual meaning since at least the nineteenth century -- in Victorian England, female prostitutes were considered to be "gay". | ||
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| It has been claimed that "gay" was derived as an acronym for "Good As You", but this appears to be a ]. | It has been claimed that "gay" was derived as an acronym for "Good As You", but this appears to be a ]. | ||
| See also ], ], ], ], ], ]. | See also: ], ], ], ], ], ], ]. | ||
Revision as of 07:38, 6 August 2002
Originally meaning "joyous" or "glad," gay has also come to refer to sexual orientations other than heterosexuality. The term can be used inclusively or exclusively. The inclusive meaning refers to both men and women who prefer sexual or romantic relationships with their own sex (see homosexuality). The exclusive meaning refers only to men who love men. Whether bisexuals are included in either of those meanings is a matter of debate (see bisexuality).
Some people don't like this change of meaning, but the word gay has had a sexual meaning since at least the nineteenth century -- in Victorian England, female prostitutes were considered to be "gay".
It has been claimed that "gay" was derived as an acronym for "Good As You", but this appears to be a folk etymology.
See also: queer, homosexual, lesbian, lesbigay, LGB, political correctness, gay village.