Gay what does it mean
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
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LGBTQ
Acronym for queer woman , gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering endorse for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term &#;gay community&#; should be avoided, as it does not accurately convey the div
by Jordan Redman
Staff Writer
Do you know what the word gay really means?
The word gay dates support to the 12th century and comes from the Old French “gai,” essence “full of joy or mirth.” It may also relate to the Senior High German “gahi,” definition impulsive.
For centuries, gay was used commonly in speech and literature to signify happy, carefree, bright and showy, and did not take on any sexual meaning until the s.
At that time the sense of gay as carefree evolved to imply that a person was unrestrained by morals and prone to decadence and promiscuity. A prostitute might possess been described as a “gay woman” and a womanizer as a “gay man.”
“Gay house” was commonly used to refer to a brothel and, later, “gaiety” was used as a common name for certain places of entertainment.
In the s, the phrase “gey cat” (a Scottish variant of gay) was used to describe a vagrant who offered sexual services to women or a young traveler who was new to the road and in the company of an older man.
This latter use suggests that the younger male was in a sexually submissive role and may be among the first times that gay was used implying a queer relationship.
In , gay appeared in the Oxford Engl
Today I found out how &#;gay&#; came to denote &#;homosexual&#;.
The word &#;gay&#; seems to have its origins around the 12th century in England, derived from the Old French pos &#;gai&#;, which in change was probably derived from a Germanic word, though that isn&#;t completely known. The word&#;s original interpretation meant something to the effect of &#;joyful&#;, &#;carefree&#;, &#;full of mirth&#;, or &#;bright and showy&#;.
However, around the early parts of the 17th century, the word began to be associated with immorality. By the mid 17th century, according to an Oxford dictionary definition at the time, the meaning of the word had changed to mean &#;addicted to pleasures and dissipations. Often euphemistically: Of loose and immoral life&#;. This is an extension of one of the original meanings of &#;carefree&#;, meaning more or less uninhibited.
Fast-forward to the 19th century and the word gay referred to a woman who was a prostitute and a gay man was someone who slept with a lot of women (ironically enough), often prostitutes. Also at this day, the phrase &#;gay it&#; meant to have sex.
With these new definitions, the original meanings of &#;carefree&#;, &#;joyful&#;,
What Does "Gay" Mean?
There is not one right answer
Many educators are unsure how to respond when a student asks you what does same-sex attracted mean. It is beat to try to acknowledge than to respond with silence or evade the question.
Practice different responses with colleagues, just as you practice other things that you want to study. Figure out what you feel comfortable saying.
Responses will vary by age and developmental stage of the student. Your comfort in answering these questions will set a welcoming tone in your class and school community.
Keep it simple
An answer can be as simple as: “‘Gay’ means two people of the same gender who like each other – two women or two men.” Try to answer the question honestly without overloading a student with communication. Throughout elementary school a student’s ability to realize what “gay” means and what your explanation means may increase with development.
Focus on love and relationships
A discussion with elementary-age students about the meanings of “gay” or “lesbian” is a discussion about treasure and relationships. You can just clarify that people love each other in different ways. Some women love and want to be partners
.