| Revision as of 06:19, 5 April 2002 view source203.109.250.98 (talk) explain "gay" as meaning "female prostitute" in Victorian England (19th cent.)← Previous edit | Revision as of 06:22, 5 April 2002 view source 203.109.250.95 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| The term '''gay''' has come to refer to homosexual ], replacing its former meaning of glad or joyous. 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". | The term '''gay''' has come to refer to homosexual ], replacing its former meaning of glad or joyous. 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". | ||
| The word "gay" is primarily used to refer to male homosexuals, although it is sometimes used to refer to female homosexuals as well. The more common term for a female homosexual is ]. | |||
| Whether ]s should be called "gay" is a matter of debate (see ]). | Whether ]s should be called "gay" is a matter of debate (see ]). | ||
| It has been claimed that "gay" was derived as an acronym for "Good As You", but this appears to be a ] ]. | |||
| See: ], ], ]. | See: ], ], ]. | ||
Revision as of 06:22, 5 April 2002
The term gay has come to refer to homosexual sexual orientation, replacing its former meaning of glad or joyous. 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".
The word "gay" is primarily used to refer to male homosexuals, although it is sometimes used to refer to female homosexuals as well. The more common term for a female homosexual is lesbian.
Whether bisexuals should be called "gay" 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 retronymic urban legend.
See: lesbigay, LGB, political correctness.