Gay

Until several decades ago, the word gay meant something like "jolly" or "mirthful", as in the French gai. In contemporary usage, however, that meaning is uncommon nowadays; the term is usually synonymous with "homosexual." When referring to a group of people, the term often means "male homosexual" — if gay women are referred to, the word "lesbian" is often used instead.

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Gay is difficult to define, however, and its connotations are context-dependent.

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Some example uses:

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• Gay is a sexual orientation (attraction, preference, or inclination)
• Gay or homosexual sex involves acts between or among people of the same sex or gender
• Gay is usually chosen instead of homosexual as an identity-label by individuals
• Gay is usually used to describe the "gay community" (as opposed to the "homosexual community") by both insiders and the mainstream media
• When gay is used in other ways, its connotations vary widely depending on the context and speaker.
 
Gay: Usage and terminology ►