| Revision as of 00:39, 26 November 2002 view sourceEd Poor (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers59,217 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 00:43, 26 November 2002 view source Ed Poor (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers59,217 edits how about this on teen usage, Matt?Next edit → | ||
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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 ]. | ||
| Some students of the language report that the word "gay" is also used in a non-sexual context by American youth as a general sense meaning "bad", or "inferior". Some members of the gay community object to this usage, deeming that it necessarily implies a claim about the relative merits of different sexualities. | |||
| Related terms: | Related terms: | ||
Revision as of 00:43, 26 November 2002
Originally meaning "joyous" or "glad," gay has also come to refer to sexual orientations other than heterosexuality.
The word gay has had a sexual meaning since at least the nineteenth century -- in Victorian England, female prostitutes were called be "gay".
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 prefer sexual or romantic relationships with other men. Whether bisexuals are included in either of those meanings is a matter of debate (see bisexuality).
It has been claimed that "gay" was derived as an acronym for "Good As You", but this appears to be a folk etymology.
Some students of the language report that the word "gay" is also used in a non-sexual context by American youth as a general sense meaning "bad", or "inferior". Some members of the gay community object to this usage, deeming that it necessarily implies a claim about the relative merits of different sexualities.
Related terms: Queer, homosexual, lesbian, lesbigay, LGB
See also: gay village, gay rights, gay pride, gay marriage, rainbow flag, political correctness, homophobia, Queer culture, Wikipedians/Queer