Robert Gowisnock
Kristin Messuri
English 015
17 July 2014
Gay This, Gay That
The word gay has been used for many centuries throughout the English world. Gay has
numerous meanings, but unfortunately in most recent years it has developed a negative
connotation. Our generation has two definitions of the controversial word gay. For one, we
believe that it is someone that is sexually attracted to someone of their own sex. But on the other
hand, we have learned to use this word to refer to something or someone as stupid or
unfortunate. Today, most of the time, we use it in a negative context. People who are gay see this
as a problem. They hear people using it in the wrong way and they may feel offended. This
negative appeal that has been used recently makes those who are actually gay feel that it is
horrible and wrong to have this sexual orientation. But there is nothing wrong with being who
you truly are. Something has to change in how this word is being used. Too many people feel
that they have to keep quiet because of how the word gay is associated with negativity. We, the
public, have to learn that gay means someone’s sexual orientation, and sexual orientation only.
The word gay dates back all the way to twelfth century England where it was first used.
This English word originally comes from the French word gai. It has transitioned greatly over
the years. It was said that back then it meant, “something to the effect of joyful, carefree, full of
mirth, or bright and showy” (Hiskey). Later, around the 17th century is where the meaning took
a turn. It became known to mean, “addicted to pleasures and dissipations” (Hiskey). It wasn’t
between the 1920s and 1930s that the definition changed to what we associate the word gay with
today. It originally referred to, “men who had sex with other men” (Hiskey). Men like this were
usually called homosexuals, but from a push by the homosexual community they thought that the
word gay would be easier and a lot better than the scientific term, homosexual. However that was
not the last time the definition of gay had changed. Around the 1980s, the youth used it to refer
to, “something lame, stupid, or the like” (Hiskey). Nowadays, most people know the definitions
referring to homosexuals and to something that is stupid. I believe that most people have used it
to say something is stupid, lame, or unfortunate. When it was used like this, this term was,
“originally almost exclusively meant as an insulting term, derogatorily referencing homosexuals”
(Hiskey). Sadly, this is how many people see gay to be, and it should not be like that.
I am sure that everyone has heard or even said the phrase, “Oh, that’s so gay”. When one
says this it is no compliment. Many take offense, especially the gay community, when they hear
something like this. I know that people’s first intention is not to hurt anyone, but they most likely
are. Many never think about it before they say it, but one should. In this context, you are saying
that something is stupid, lame, or unfortunate, but you are also saying that gay people are stupid,
lame, or unfortunate. Kind of messed up, right? Yes, of course it is, unless some people have
something against the gay community. In an age where we all have to be politically correct, then
saying this definitely has to go. It could be compared to the word, “retard.” Most people would
say that it is wrong to use the word retard negatively, like saying, “What a retard” or “That’s
retarded.” It’s the same idea. We have accepted that it is wrong to say things like that, so why
don't we accept the use of the word gay to say something is stupid, lame, or unfortunate is wrong
as well? People look very dumb and inconsiderate when they say such a thing. I know that I get
the sense that these people are just foolish and ignorant of other people’s feelings. Usually a
person that says this will say they have nothing against gay people, but they most likely do.
Being gay is not a choice, it is the sexual attraction that some people have to their same
sex. It is not their fault that they are gay. They were born to like men if they are a man and
women if they are a woman. A large number of these people nowadays feel that they have to
hide their sexual orientation because of the way the public uses the word gay. People that are
gay, that hear someone say, “Oh, that’s so gay,” feel that they are not accepted because when
that saying is being used it is meant to be in bad way. This is why “Fear of rejection often plays a
significant role in a person’s deciding who to tell or whether to come out” (Drescher). Thus
making gay people feel that their sexuality is wrong and bad. This is why gay people struggle at
expressing and telling who they truly are. This has also led to many psychological effects. They
even go as far as hiding their true sexual orientation from themselves. It is said that, “Patients
who struggle with coming out often have internalized anti-homosexual attitudes” (Drescher).
This means that they deny that they are actually gay. They feel so threatened that they have to go
this extent to feel a part of society. We always say “be who you want to be,” and for gay people
to hide it is just wrong and unfair.
We need to be more courteous and open to people who identify as gay. We have to learn
to accept them, and know that they are not going to go away. They will always be here, and that
is fine. We can do this by getting rid of using that word, “gay” in the negative context. I know
that the next time I hear someone, like my friend say, “Oh, that’s so gay,” I will make a point to
tell him to knock it off and be considerate to people who are actually gay. Everyone should do
this as well. It only starts with one person, so everyone has to make the concerned effort to erase
the negative meaning of the word gay. Once that is done the gay community would feel a lot
better about themselves and welcomed.
Work Cited
Drescher, Jack, M.D. "The Psychology of Tyne Closeted Individual and Coming Out." Sequel.
N.p., Fall 2007. Web. 21 July 2014.
Friedman, Michael, Ph.D. "The Psychological Impact of LGBT Discrimination." Psychological
Today. N.p., 11 Feb. 2014. Web. 21 July 2014.
Hiskey, Devin. "How 'Gay' Came to Mean 'Homosexual'" Today I Found Out RSS. N.p., n.d.
Web. 17 July 2014.
Palmer, Liz, Regina Sewell, and Eric Hunter. "GLEAM @ MiamiOH." That's so Gay!
N.p., n.d. Web. 17 July 2014.