Gay

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

For other uses, see Gay (disambiguation).
Gay originally meant in English happy. In modern usage, the term is often applied interchangeably with homosexual, though there are important differences between the terms. While "homosexual" relates specifically to sexuality, the term "gay" is a political or social marker.
When people say they are gay, they are saying that they are open about their attraction to people of the same gender, not necessarily that they are sexually active with someone of the same gender, or with anyone at all for that matter. A person can be homosexual, but not be gay- terms such as closeted, on the down low, discreet, or bi-curious may apply in this situation. Similarly, a person can be gay, but not be actively homosexual- such is the case for some celibate individuals, such as monks, or for young people who have come out of the closet as gay for political reasons but are not yet ready to form a sexual relationship. Finally, the term "gay" can reasonably be applied to figures such as John Lennon, who were open about their attraction to people of the same gender even if they were entirely heterosexual.
To tie down the word to a specific cultural meaning might be to misrespresent a huge community of individuals who find themselves described by the word "gay". The term "gay", or "lesbian" for women, is preferred by many in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community because it describes the overall "orientation" of the person and does not focus the definition only on sexual or physical terms, though there are possibly genetic and pheromonal precursors to all manifestations of sexuality and gender. The LGBT community represents the emotional, cultural, social and erotic lives of its members; a natural-born community without an innate cultural unity. The LGBT community has been, and still is, a community of struggle.
Aside from their long-term romantic and erotic relationships, gay and lesbian people establish same-sex friendships. They may choose to attend same-sex friendly social gatherings and church services where they feel more welcome. However, the majority of heterosexuals treat members of the LGBT community with kindness. There is a special term that has grown up alongside the term "gay"- the term "gay friendly". Gay friendly is a term for predominantly straight individuals and institutions who support political rights and social dignity for gay people.
The gay and lesbian community represents a social component of the global community that is underrepresented in the area of civil rights. The current struggle of the gay community has been largely brought about by globalization. In the United States, World War II brought together many closeted rural men from around the nation and exposed them to sophisticated attitudes in Europe. Upon returning home after the war, many of these men decided to band together in cities rather than return to their small towns. Fledgling communities would soon become political in the beginning of the gay rights movement. Today, many large cities have gay and lesbian community centers. The Human Rights Campaign advocates for LGBT people on a wide range of issues in the United States. There is an International Lesbian and Gay Association.
In parts of the World today, the LGBT community seeks marriage rights, a further extension of social globalization. Marriage becomes hugely important when lovers are not from the same country. Without marriage, or an equivalent right to immigrate, a couple or occasionally even family can be broken up based solely on the genders of the people involved.
The modern gay and lesbian community has a growing and complicated place in the American media. The community has been targeted by marketers who view LGBT people as an untapped source of discretionary income, but gays and lesbians are still often portrayed negatively in television, films, and other media. When Ellen DeGeneres came out of the closet on her popular sitcom, many sponsors, such as the Wendy's fast food chain, pulled their advertising. Gay people are frequently used as a symptom (or symbol) of social decadence by celebrity reverends and by organizations such as Focus on the Family. Many LGBT organizations exist to represent and defend the gay community. For example, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation works with the media to help portray fair and accurate images of the gay community.