Is gay losing it's meaning..?

Question

It seems that to call something 'gay' is now beginning to mean that it's a bit rubbish.
If this continues (and all languages evolve, so I've no reason to think it won't), then to call youself a gay person may mean to some in the near future that you are describing yourself as someone who is not very good at something, rather than preferring those of the same sex.
Any suggestions for what a potential replacement word should be?

Answer 1

Relax, if you don't just use 1 word to explain yourself, people will understand you.

You're right, languages evolve and the English language has always been great at that, unlike some, like the French, where they are more closed and confined. You express yourself well in your question, so I'm sure that you'll have no problems getting yourself across.

Would you want to communicate with people who really misunderstood you so badly, anyway?

Good luck! Rob

Answer 2

The word 'gay' has changed meanings so many times throughout history. I already do not favor it at all. It was used to imply a lack of inhibitions morally back in the early 17th century. Which then, some uptight so called scholar, said HEY...people who sleep with members of their same sex have no morals...they are sexually uninhibited....so lets call them GAY. So the only positive meaning of the word was HAPPY.

I love the word lesbian. I identify as a lesbian. It rolls off the tongue beautifully and lacks negative connotation.

Answer 3

It doesn't really matter because people who have turned gay into a deragatory remark and use it to describe anything they don't like will just do the same with whatever the new word is.

Answer 4

I tend to use 'Queer' as it covers gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered. The way to deal with the changing meaning of 'gay' is to reclaim it in the way that previously derogatory terms such as 'queer' and 'dyke' have been reclaimed.