Afriend of mine asked me this question the other day and I honestly don't know. She has an aunt by the name Gay and it really bothers her. Serious replies only please.
2006-11-02 04:57:00 · 4 answers · asked by Reenie: Mom of Marine 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Good question I was just wondering the same thing a couple days ago. I guess the word really has evolved over a long period of time. There is not easy answer to that question but the person above referencing Wikipedia is probably the best source. I've simplified it here:
The use of the term gay, as it relates to homosexuality, arises from an extension of the sexualised connotation of "carefree and uninhibited", implying a willingness to disregard conventional or respectable sexual mores. Such usage is documented as early as the 1920s. It was initially more commonly used to imply heterosexually unconstrained lifestyles, as for example in the once-common phrase "gay Lothario",[2] or in the title of the book and film The Gay Falcon (1941), which concerns a womanizing detective whose first name is "Gay". Well into the mid 20th century a middle-aged bachelor could be described as "gay" without prejudice.
2006-11-02 05:17:14 · answer #1 · answered by Des Demona 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gay and Gayline did used to be common Irish names, and I'm certain it's unrelated to current use of the word. I'm pretty sure the story I heard was from wikipedia, so I won't rehash it here as someone else already linked it, but...the name thing is not a huge deal.
2006-11-02 18:10:11 · answer #2 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually I am loathe to recommend wikipedia, but they have a pretty good section on it.
2006-11-02 13:01:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know
2006-11-02 13:03:35 · answer #4 · answered by duckie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋