gays
LGBTQ community members
Gays is the plural of gay, referring to homosexual people, especially men.
The noun form is common in journalism and advocacy: gays and lesbians, rights for gays.
Some prefer "gay people" or "gay men" to the noun, finding the gays reductive or clinical, though context and tone matter more than the word itself.
Sexual and gender minorities
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- homosexualAttracted to same gender
- lesbianWoman desiring women
- bisexualAttracted to multiple genders
gayborhood · rainbow · coming-out · closeted · allies · drag · ballroom · vogue
Attracted to same gender
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- coming-outPublic declaration of identity
- closetedKeeping part of oneself secret
out · outed · questioning · self-acceptance · label · same-sex · attracted · Kinsey
Same status for all
- marriageFormal union between partners
- adoptionLegal family formation
- anti-discriminationOpposing unfair differential treatment
- protectionGuarding against harm
activism · justice · legalization · decriminalization · employment · housing · military · partnership
Ceremonial public procession
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
liberation · march · festival · glitter · solidarity · Stonewall · dignity · resistance
LGBTQ
Sexual and gender minorities
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- homosexualAttracted to same gender
- lesbianWoman desiring women
bisexual · gayborhood · rainbow · coming-out · closeted · allies · drag · ballroom · vogue · subculture
homosexual
Attracted to same gender
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- coming-outPublic declaration of identity
closeted · out · outed · questioning · self-acceptance · label · same-sex · attracted · Kinsey · spectrum
equality
Same status for all
- marriageFormal union between partners
- adoptionLegal family formation
- anti-discriminationOpposing unfair differential treatment
protection · activism · justice · legalization · decriminalization · employment · housing · military · partnership · recognition
parade
Ceremonial public procession
- rainbowRefracted light arc
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
- visibilityRange of clear sight
empowerment · liberation · march · festival · glitter · solidarity · Stonewall · dignity · resistance · flag
- 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