gay
Same-sex attracted
Gay originally meant lighthearted, carefree, and happy: a gay melody, gay spirits.
By the mid-20th century, it became the preferred term for homosexual, largely replacing older clinical or pejorative terms.
This sense is now primary.
In late 20th-century slang, particularly among young people, that's so gay meant stupid, lame, or undesirable—usage now widely condemned as homophobic even when speakers claim no anti-gay intent.
The carefree sense survives in historical contexts (the Gay Nineties) but is otherwise obsolete.
Sexual and gender minorities
- lesbianWoman desiring women
- bisexualAttracted to multiple genders
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- same-sexInvolving identical genders
orientation · coming-out · closeted · partner · gaydar · out · outing · homosexuality
Ceremonial public procession
- marchRhythmic group walk
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- rainbow flagStriped LGBTQ emblem
float · visibility · solidarity · community · Stonewall · June · commemoration · demonstration
Cheerful and lively
- jovialCheerful and friendly
- gleefulFull of high-spirited joy
- blitheCheerfully indifferent
- buoyantAble to float
lighthearted · cheerful · carefree · sprightly · festive · mirthful · vivacious · lively
Resistance through fluid
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
- voguingStylized pose-based dancing
- campTemporary outdoor shelter site
- iconPictorial screen symbol
diva · scene · bar · club · cabaret · pageant · kiki · realness
Direct effort for reform
- equalitySame status for all
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
- StonewallRefuse to answer questions
- decriminalizationEnding criminal status
advocacy · protest · movement · marriage equality · discrimination · hate crime · legislation · acceptance
LGBTQ
Sexual and gender minorities
same-sex · orientation · coming-out · closeted · partner · gaydar · out · outing · homosexuality · community
parade
Ceremonial public procession
- marchRhythmic group walk
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- festivalOrganized public celebration
rainbow flag · float · visibility · solidarity · community · Stonewall · June · commemoration · demonstration · drag
merry
Cheerful and lively
buoyant · lighthearted · cheerful · carefree · sprightly · festive · mirthful · vivacious · lively · bright
drag
Resistance through fluid
icon · diva · scene · bar · club · cabaret · pageant · kiki · realness · shade
activism
Direct effort for reform
- equalitySame status for all
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
- StonewallRefuse to answer questions
decriminalization · advocacy · protest · movement · marriage equality · discrimination · hate crime · legislation · acceptance · tolerance
- LGBTQlesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary
- LGBTQ+lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary
- sexualitysexual orientation, sexual behavior, erotica, sexual identity, bisexual
- Pridepride march, pride flag, pride festival, rainbow flag, LGBTQ
- Queer Culturedrag culture, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, ballroom scene
- sexual identitieslesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual
- gay boyMale youth attracted to males
- gay identitySense of being homosexual
- gay barLGBTQ+ drinking venue
- gay marriageMatrimony between same-sex partners
- gay iconFigure revered by LGBTQ community
- gay rightsEqual treatment regardless of orientation