So with that being said, does this also mean that gay people are happy? I know this is not true.
When did this become acceptable to refer to a "gay old time" or to a homosexual as being "gay"?
2007-03-04 16:06:38 · 12 answers · asked by penbuddy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
For those wondering about this question, it's a genuine question that i have. A certain cynical individual on here sounded quite threatened by my asking this... I'm honestly just looking for answers. Thanks to those who have taken me seriously!
2007-03-05 02:41:45 · update #1
Well it historically refers to happy or carefree. And gay was a name given to homosexuals because they did not care about the social implications their sexuality had. So they were carefree in other words. Which is why they are called gay it has nothing to do with them being happy or sad. Now it is starting to be misassociated with the word queer which was a slur used for them being weird. And people are using the term gay to say something is weird instead of carefree or happy. Gay people are just like you and being gay is a natural thing. You can see homosexuality in other animals also. Why not just call them human beings?
2007-03-04 16:13:12 · answer #1 · answered by Beaverscanttalk 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gay has meant homosexual since at least the Middle ages when it referred to "camp" "Gayly dressed" (silk ribbons, bright colours etc.) courtiers who were often homosexual. By Victorian times it could mean anyone that "proper" society considered sexually deviant - including prostitutes (in fact turning gay meant turning to prostitution usually) no matter what the sexual orientation. I think the modern usage is probably closer to the Middle English version in that earlier in the 20thC homosexuals were stereotyped as being very flamboyant and outgoing.....
2007-03-04 17:44:25 · answer #2 · answered by Tirant 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's a really good question . As time goes by words meaning evolve sometimes to mean the opposite of their original meaning .Now the word gay is switching to mean bad or stupid . Perhaps it is headed in the right direction now .
2007-03-04 16:12:50 · answer #3 · answered by westhighland 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do we park our cars in the 'drive way'? Shouldn't it be called a 'park way'? Why do we walk on a 'foot path' and not on a 'walk path'?
Honestly, who cares?
Gershwin wrote songs about being 'bright and gay'. He was a homosexual. Maybe a homosexual who wrote songs in the 1930's about being 'gay' was the cause of the word gay coming into usage as meaning 'homosexual'.
2007-03-04 16:10:20 · answer #4 · answered by Just Ask Ashley 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It came from the stereotype that gays don't care about monogamy or being responsible and are just flashy and out there, as that was an old definition of gay.
2007-03-04 16:49:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure someone will research this question for you...but that won't be me. I will say that I've always thought that it's a bit of an offensive term... but a lot of terms for homosexuals are offensive. That's unfortunate.
2007-03-04 16:13:09 · answer #6 · answered by Em 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
some gay people are happy
2007-03-04 16:09:36 · answer #7 · answered by AfWuEcSkOyMoEu 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because In Most Situations They Aren't MARRIED YET!!!
2007-03-04 16:11:23 · answer #8 · answered by Dave A 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
words change meaning
2007-03-04 16:35:39 · answer #9 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the proper term is "homosexual".
2007-03-04 16:15:11 · answer #10 · answered by patriot07 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋