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Revision as of 13:34, 18 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.
Related terms: Queer, homosexual, lesbian, lesbigay, LGB
See also: gay village, gay rights, political correctness, homophobia, Queer culture