Dictionary
someone who practices homosexuality having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex bright and pleasant promoting a feeling of cheer "a cheery hello" "a gay sunny room" "a sunny smile" full of or showing high-spirited merriment "when hearts were young and gay" "a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company"- Wordsworth "the jolly crowd at the reunion" "jolly old Saint Nick" "a jovial old gentleman" "have a merry Christmas" "peals of merry laughter" "a mirthful laugh" given to social pleasures often including dissipation "led a gay Bohemian life" "a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies" brightly colored and showy "girls decked out in brave new dresses" "brave banners flying" "`braw' is a Scottish word" "a dress a bit too gay for her years" "birds with gay plumage" offering fun and gaiety "a festive (or festal) occasion" "gay and exciting night life" "a merry evening" homosexual or arousing homosexual desires
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Wikipedia
otheruses wiktionarypar gay ''Gay'' is a word with several meanings in present society. It is most commonly used as a term to describe a man with a homosexual sexual orientation. It can also be used to describe a homosexual woman, although ''lesbian'' is a more popular term.
Etymology - Sometimes, histories of word origins are less than useful for communicating modern meanings of socioculturally potent words. Furthermore, the usage of any word changes dramatically as the culture in which it is embedded changes.''Gay'' was a term that once meant "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy" and was very common in speech and literature. In more recent times, the word ''gay'' cannot be used in this former context without the expectation that one will assume a double entendre, or that the person using the term is out of touch with contemporary society. Many people have attempted to retain the original meaning of the word, but with limited success.
Etymology of the modern usage - The use of the term ''gay'', as it relates to homosexuality, is documented as early as the 1920s. A quote from Gertrude Stein's ''Miss Furr & Mrs. Skeene'' (1922) is possibly the first traceable use of the word, though it is not altogether clear whether she uses the word to mean lesbianism or happiness:They were ...gay, they learned little things that are things in being gay, ... they were quite regularly gay.''The 1929 musical ''Bitter Sweet'' by Noel Coward has the first uncontested use of the word: in the song "Green Carnation", four overdressed, 1890s Dandydandies sing:Pretty boys, witty boys, You may sneer''At our disintegration.''Haughty boys, naughty boys,''Dear, dear, dear!''Swooning with affectation...''And as we are the reason''For the "Nineties" being gay,''We all wear a green carnation.''Coward uses the "gay nineties" as a double entendre. The song title alludes to the gay playwright Oscar Wilde, who famously wore a green carnation himself.Bringing Up Baby (1938) was the first film to use the word ''gay'' in reference to homosexuality.''Gay'' was originally used purely as an adjective ("he is a gay man" or "he is gay"). ''Gay'' can be also used as a plural collective-like noun: "Gays are opposed to that policy;" although this usage may be deprecated by some, it is common google.com particularly in the names of various organizations such as PFLAG: (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere). It is rarely used as a singular noun "he is a gay" and sounds unusual in this context, such as in its use by the Little Britain comedy character Daffyd Thomas (a gay man who believes himself "the only gay in the village" despite abundant evidence to the contrary).In the 1960s, ''gay'' became the term predominantly preferred by homosexual men to describe themselves. ''Gay'' was the preferred term since homosexual was the name used by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to denote men affected by the "mental illness" of same-sex attraction. The illness of homosexuality was removed from the DSM in 1973, but the clinical connotation of the word was already embedded in society.By 1963, the word was known well enough by the straight community to be used by Albert Ellis in his book ''The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Man-Hunting''.
Folk etymologies - It has been claimed that "gay" was derived as an acronym for "Good As You", but this is a backronym (based on a fake etymology).Another folk etymology accrues to Gay Street, a small street in the West Village of New York City — a nexus of homosexual culture. The term also seems, from documentary evidence, to have existed in New York as a code word in the 1940s, where the question, "Are you gay?" would denote more than it might have seemed to outsiders.
Commonly accepted usage - ''Overview article: Terminology of homosexuality'' ''Gay'' is used as an adjective to describe sexual orientation (attraction, preference, or inclination) and is usually chosen instead of homosexual as an identity-label. ''Gay sex'' involves acts between or among people of the same sex or gender. ''Gay'' is usually used to describe the "gay community" by both insiders and the mainstream media. ''Gay'' can be used as a derogatory comment towards a person or object. ''Gay'' is sometimes used to describe an object of particular flamboyance. Other connotations can vary widely based upon speaker and situation.
Sexual orientation - Many people consider ''gay'' and ''homosexualityhomosexual'' to be synonyms. Other people, however, consider ''gay'' to be a matter of self-identification and ''homosexual'' to refer to sexual activity ). By using these definitions, a person could be gay but not homosexual, or homosexual but not gay. See sex for a discussion of the complexities surrounding the concepts of sex and gender. Sexual orientation, behavior, and self-identification are not necessarily aligned in a clear-cut fashion for a given individual. If a person has had same-sex sexual encounters but does not self-identify as gay, terms such as closeted, on the down low, discreet, or bi-curious may apply. Similarly, a person may identify as gay even in absence of sexual activity. This is the case for some celibate individuals, such as monks and priests, or for young people who have come out of the closet as gay for political or emotional reasons but are not yet ready to form a sexual relationship. This may also apply to bisexuals, who may consider themselves to be gay due to their same-sex attractions even if they are in a Monogamymonogamous relationship with a member of the opposite sex. This too involves certain complexities, however, as some people consider ''gay'' and ''bisexual'' mutually exclude one another, though this is of great debate between the respective parties.However, some same-sex oriented persons actually prefer the term ''homosexual'' to ''gay'', seeing the former as describing a sexual orientation and the latter as describing a cultural or socio-political group with which they do not identify.
Self-identification - Self-identification of one's sexual orientation is becoming far more commonplace in areas of more social acceptance, but many are either reluctant to self-identify publicly or even privately to themselves. The process is fairly complex, and many groups related to gay people cite inadvertent heterosexism as a leading problem for those that would otherwise self-identify.
Selecting the appropriate term - Some people reject the term ''homosexual'' as an identity-label because they find it too clinical-sounding. They believe it is too focused on physical acts rather than romance or attraction, or too reminiscent of the era when homosexuality was considered a mental illness. Conversely, some people find the term ''gay'' to be offensive or reject it as an identity-label because they perceive the cultural connotations to be undesirable or because of the negative connotations of the slang usage of the word (almost all of which are negative).According to the Safe Schools Coalition of Washington's ''Glossary for School Employees'': :"Homosexual: Avoid this term; it is clinical, distancing and archaic. Sometimes appropriate in referring to behavior (although same-sex is the preferred adj.). When referring to people, as opposed to behavior, homosexual is considered derogatory and the terms "gay and lesbian are preferred, at least in the Northwest of - the United States."Sometimes the term ''gay'' is used to describe both same-sex male and same-sex female relations. More rarely, it is used as a shorthand for terms ''queer'' or ''gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.''. The term also sometimes includes transgendered, transsexual, and intersexual. Some trans and intersexed individuals find their inclusion in this larger grouping to be offensive. It is very commonly used to refer specifically to gay ''men''; the precise meaning may need to be made clear from context. The term ''lesbian'', however, is exclusively female.
Gay community - The emotional, cultural, social and erotic lives of gay people are represented by the gay community. Although there is wide ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural variation within the community, social cohesion exists for several reasons. For example, many LGBT people have been through similar experiences. The community also serves as a refuge from homophobia, though this role is decreasing in many parts of the world as society becomes more comfortable with LGBT people.
Descriptor - The term ''gay'' can also be used as an adjective to describe things related to gay people or things which are part of gay culture. For example, while a gay bar is not itself homosexual, using ''gay'' as an adjective to describe the bar indicates that the bar is either gay-oriented, caters primarily to gay men, or is otherwise part of gay culture.Using it to describe an object, such as an item of clothing, suggests that it is particularly flamboyant, often on the verge of being gaudy and garish. This stems from the notion that such items appeal to gay people (usually to gay men).Using the term ''gay'' as an adjective where the meaning is akin to "related to gay people, culture, or homosexuality in general" is a widely accepted use of the word. By contrast, using ''gay'' in the pejorative sense, to describe something solely as negative, can cause offense.
Pejorative usage - When used with a derisive attitude (e.g. "that film was so gay"), the term ''gay'' is purely pejorative and can be deeply offensive. The derogatory implication is that the object (or person) in question is inferior, worthless, effeminate, or stupid.
Origin - This usage has its origins in the 1980s, when homosexuality was widely known about but still taboo. Today, the usage is common among young people, who may or may not link the term to homosexuality, much as some people may not intentionally link the term ''jew down'' (to talk down in price) to Jewish people, or "I was gypped" (I was cheated) to GypsyGypsies. The pejorative ''gay'' has often been used interchangeably with words like ''faggot (slang)faggot'' and ''queer'', which can have similar connotations and were, until recently, unmistakably pejorative.
Alternate spellings - Other spellings, such as "ghey" and "ghei", are sometimes found on the Internet and are used in an attempt to either insult without reference to homosexuality or to bypass chat room censors.
See also - BisexualityCivil rightsComing outDyke (lesbian)DykeEx-gayGay rightsHomosexualityLesbianList of LGBT-related organizationsList of gay-related topicsList of gay, lesbian or bisexual peopleQueerSexual orientationSelf-hating gay
External links - wikiquote usrainbowpages.com - Scientific Gay Scientific Eye for the Queer Guy androphile.org - Androphile.org The World History of Male Love gayrightswatch.com - Gay Rights !WatchCategory:LGBTCategory:Sex ual? orientation and !identityCategory:SlangCategory :LGBT? !termsast:Gaide:Gayet:Geies:Gay eo:Gejofr:Gay? !(homosexualité)it:Gayja:ゲ゠¤pl:Gejpt:Gayru:Гейsv:Gayzh :Gay
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Websites
SGBN Southern Gay Broadcasting Network
Southern Gay Broadcasting Network. Your Information Source for the LGBT Community in Georgia
http://www.mysgbn.com/
Free Dating Site and Free Swinging Site
This web site hopes to allow couples to explore new experiences and to enhance their relationship.
http://www.sexgamesforcouples.com/
Porn-TopList: Free Quality Porn Sites
Wanna some free porn pics and movies? Check out our quality list of free sites and get porn of any kind.
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Radio Rosa Rauschen
Local German Gay-Radio-Station
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The Amsterdam Stetsons
Amsterdam's first Country & Western dance club for gays and lesbians
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Benjamin Nicholas on the Web
Personal website of worldwide escort/companion, Benjamin Nicholas (San Antonio, TX)
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Gay Friendly Classifieds: Lodgings, Holidays, Job, Flat Swapping...
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HAYDEN'S DIARY: A personal account of HIV/AIDS
Each week Hayden Horner explores - with courage and feeling - his experiences as a young HIV-positive South African, in the hope that his frankness will encourage others to speak openly about the virus. I've been told that I don't look like someone who may eventually die of an AIDS-related illness. I'm still trying to figure out the meaning of that, writes Hayden.
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The Branksome
Bournemouth's most popular gay bar.
http://www.thebranksome.com/
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Official Website for Mama Diva Tic Tac Queen Vicky Vogue
An easy to navigate fun-filled website all about Buffalo New York's drag queen extraorinare Miss Vicky Vogue. Stop in for a cup of joe and dish with Vicky!
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MADONNA COLLECTION
Czech website dedicated to the work of Goddess Madonna
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Schwung - Schwule Bewegung Karlsruhe e. V.
Schwung is a gay association located at Karlsruhe in Germany. We provide services like a telephone helpline, a coming out group and several leisure activities for gays in Karlsruhe.
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Rubbermask
The Special Latexmask, Rubbermask & Breath - Play Manufaktur out Berlin Germany .
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FullRubber
Gay rubber fetish sites
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Les Garecons
modern and friendly Cafebar in the mainstation of Freiburg. Open mo.-fr. 6.30-1 h sa.-so. 9.00-1.00 h Chilloutlounge sa.+so. 4.00-1.00 h nice terrace in summer several events (ballroomdancing, tango argentino, gayparties) gayfriendly
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Official web site of David Vector, techno/electronica/rock solo artist. Latest news, mp3 clips, blog, and more.
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Ahoi Club - erfreulich schwule Party
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http://www.ahoi-club.de/
Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association
Committed to improving the quality of life for GLBT persons in Alexandria, Virginia. The AGLCA organizes social activities for GLBT persons and allies, engages in education and public service, and promotes political awareness.
http://www.aglca.org/
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Dr. Holt provides one-on-one consultations (in-person and over the phone) for individuals interested in transforming their lives. Specialties include relationships, PTSD, abuse, trauma, self-esteem, grief, loss, GLBT, anger, anxiety, depression, spiritual shifts. Techniques include EMDR, NLP, TFT, hypnosis, short-term goal-setting.
http://www.drjenniferholt.com/
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Sito web di Danilo, ragazzo gay di Milano
http://www.danilo74.it/
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A Traveller’s Paradise for online travel bookings. Cruises, hotels, flights, car rentals, vacations, adventure travel, insurance, cheap tickets.
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The Kingdom of God
Christian & American Heritage Resource. Challenging both secular wisdom and Christian doctrines. What is the Kingdom of God? Will our descendents know virtue?
http://www.earstohear.net/
BAGA
Find info on everything gay in San Francisco Bay Area
http://www.bayareagayadventures.com/
DIBURNIUM
DIBURNIUM is the store of Toy-Versand in the City of Munich, Germany. We offer you a rich abundance of erotics and fetish wear, tools & toys with fair prices
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Rubbermask
The Special Latexmask, Rubbermask & Breath - Play Manufaktur out Berlin Germany .
http://www.latexus.com
Vacation rentals in Berlin
Bed and breakfast and vacation rental apartments at the city centre of Berlin west.
http://www.bnbinb.net
KhushDC.org
KhushDC is a social, support and political group that provides a safe and supportive environment, promotes awareness and acceptance, and fosters positive cultural and sexual identity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) and additional gender or sexual minority South Asians in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
http://www.KhushDC.org/
Absolute Paradise Gay B&B
Gay, clothing-optional B&B on the Big Island of Hawaii. Five minute walk to naturist black sand beach. Close to Volcanoes National Park (come see an acive volcano), hiking, snorkeling, lush tropical botanical gardens, waterfalls, and more. Huge sundeck, pool, and hot-tub. All rooms have ocean views.
http://www.absoluteparadise.tv/
LiterNet
Electronic magazine for literature, humanitarian studies and education
http://www.liternet.bg/
Erotouchdc
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Soon to be fully ensuite, friendly very clean guesthouse/hotel. 80 % of our guests return again and again
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Crossroads Youth Ministry
Fun, Relevant and Powerful Youth Ministry headed up by the very talented Pastor Heath Lorkin.
http://www.crossroadsyouth.cc/
Sue Merchant - Indie Singer-Songwriter
Official website of Sue Merchant, offers her biography, news, photos, and free music. Listen to songs & purchase Sue's new CD, Songs from the Edge.
http://www.suemerchant.net
Absolute Paradise Gay B&B
Gay, clothing-optional B&B on Big Island of Hawaii. Pool, hot-tub, huge sundeck and all rooms have ocean views. Five minute walk to black sand beach.
http://gayhawaii.tv
gayWAP Hungarian Gay WAP Site
Gay-programs, partner-search,3gp smart movie, videos, gayanimations, private-pics-Users Photoalbum! , mobil-chat, (information about Budapest airport, railway, buses and metro) !!!via Handy!!! (WAP)
http://www.gaywap.hu/
www.movinqueer.de
movin’ queer berlin Travel service for the city Coming to Berlin as a tourist or on business ? movin´queer berlin will organize almost anything for straight and lesbian women, and gay visitors, whether you´re looking for pleasure, culture, nature, fun or even have individual special interests movin’ queer berlin makes reservations for hotel rooms, theatre and concert tickets works out your individual leisure and culture programme enables an enjoyable stay in all price categories speaks English, Spanish and Italian works out special events informs about the fastest and cheapest means of travel and transport provides you with info and advice about the gay and lesbian scene works together with lesbian, gay and gay-friendly event-organizers, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés The movin’ queer berlin team is available for your questions throughout your entire stay in Berlin.
http://www.movinqueer.de/
Männerschwarm Buchladen und Verlag
Angebot und Informationen des schwulen Buchladens Männerschwarm und des Webshops gay-books.de. Außerdem Neuerscheinungen und lieferbare Titel des MännerschwarmSkript Verlags.
http://www.maennerschwarm.de/
Gay and Lesbian Political Action & Support Groups
Based in New Jersey, working for Liberty and Justice for All.
http://www.gaypasg.org/
Latexvideos
The Special Latex Rubber Video and DVD .
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Liberty Apartment & Garden Suites
FORT LAUDERDALE: Intimate All Suites Hotel. Beautifully furnished, fully equipped studio, one & two bedroom apartments. Seasonal vacations & relocations. Near Airport, Port Everglades & gay Dania & Haulover beaches. Minutes to gay nightlife, central to Fort Lauderdale & Hollywood shopping, dining & entertainment. Full kitchens, heated pool, parking, laundry. Includes movie cable TV/VCR, CD stereo, voice mail telephone/internet access. Your Home Away From Home. Pets Always Welcome
http://www.libertysuites.com/
Official Website For Recording Artist Ari Gold
Check here for latest info on Global Popster Ari Gold. Tour dates added weekly.
http://www.arigold.com/
Le Gai Moulin
Restaurant le Gai Moulin
http://www.le-gai-moulin.com/
Annuaire Luxure pour tous
Annuaire de sites réservés strictement aux adultes - Pour les internautes et les webmasters du X
http://www.luxurepourtous.com/
15 Minutes...
Popular blog of escort Benjamin Nicholas. Eye Candy, Industry Gossip and more...
http://www.15MinutesMore.com
Schlampenfest
Die Disco für das bessere Geschlecht!
http://www.schlampenfest.de/
Abc des sites pour adultes
Sélection des meilleurs sites pour adultes, pour choisir, pour le plaisir
http://www.avecplaisir.biz/
SAGA North Ski & Snowboard Club
For gay/lesbian skiers and riders in the San Francisco Bay area. Organizes trips, parties during the ski season and outdoor activities during the summer.
http://www.saganorth.com/
Fancinega.com
Concurso de Cine Comprimido GayLésbico
http://www.fancinegay.com/
De Wilde Wereld Wageningen
Woon-, werk en cultuur pand De Wilde Wereld in Wageningen.
http://www.dewildewereld.nl/
Bisexual Playground
Bisexual Personals for dating bisexual couples and singles, bi-curious, gay, lesbian or straights seeking same sex experiences, multiple partners, or alternative lifestyles.
http://www.bisexualplayground.com/
Gay.com
A global portal for people who are, or have interest in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community, international personal ads and chat.
http://www.gay.com/
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Civil rights group, includes information from the NGLTF Policy Institute (a progressive think tank).
http://www.ngltf.org/
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of individuals and events in all media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
http://www.glaad.org/
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Organization for students, parents, and teachers that tries to affect positive change in schools. Offers information on what you can do in your state.
http://www.glsen.org/
Gay Wired
Features entertainment, daily news, opinion, travel packages and bookings, national calendar listings of pride events, circuit parties, theater and charity events, and shopping store. Includes an uncensored interactive area via instant messaging, personals, chat, classifieds, web based e-mail, forums and photo profiles.
http://www.gaywired.com/
Gay Financial Network
Free daily news, weekly features, online trading, insurance, banking, and how-to advice.
http://www.gfn.com/
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