What is more politically correct: homosexual or gay?

Question

I can see either being more politically correct. People may say homosexual because "gay" these days is used in a derogatory manner, such as a insult among teenagers. Gay may be more politically correct because the term homosexual held a negative connotation in the 50's and 60's and was associated with "mentally ill" and "pedophilia". So which, would you say is more appropriate in the modern world?

Answer 1

Homosexual and gay are both really correct

Where the line is drawn is words like: ******, Queer (the line is a bit grey with queer).

I personally don't mind if people call me gay it sounds better than what some people say like I identify as homosexual it just sounds a bit much like a shoice but both are okay

Answer 2

"Homosexual" is perfectly OK as is "gay". The derogatory use of "gay" is to be deplored and I correct it if I hear it. "Gay" was well established in the theatre as a word for homosexuals from the late 19th century and when the gay rights movement began in the 1960s, "gay" became more widely used as it had none of the baggage associated with other words for homosexuals.



Feel free to use either word, both are acceptable.

Answer 3

Gay is polite

Answer 4

Gay is more appropriate. Homosexual is often used by religions in an attempt to shame and undermine the LGBT community. Incidentally, did you ever stop to find out where the term "Gay" came to be used in a derogatory manner? Do you really ever hear it used that way anymore? Using the term "gay" as a derogatory was part of a right-wing religious think tank idea to undo the gains in acceptance the LGBT community has been achieving. They put it out in the youth media, in order to make the term "gay" as someone undesirable to be. It was a passive-aggressive way to attack the LGBT community at a time when gays were being used to draw out the GOP voters via state legislation banning gay marriages. It always amazed me that society at large never caught on that the twisted new definition of "gay" came out nationwide at the same time....it didn't gradually move around the nation. Such things have been done in the past, but they were usually not deliberate, and often did not mean anything derogatory. Often they were simply the result of phrases coined by youth themselves....such as the word "groovy." Whereas the word "****" was evolved as a derogatory by soldiers fighting against North Koreans. Where it originated as a simple phrase by children attempting to communicate with American soldiers. Homosexual was never associated with pedophilia by the medical community. The right-wing religions still attempt that association in order to bring shame to the LGBT community. The numbers of pedophile arrests, child abusers, (even the sex offender registry) and etc. all bear out the fact that heterosexuals are far more likely to commit those offenses. Yes, Homosexuals were once considered mentally ill. But, like so many tall-tales, that too has been proven to be a falsehood. Most of us simply prefer to be called Gay, simply because the right-wingers still want to fan the flames of hate with the word Homosexual. "Gay" is also easier for our parents and family members to hear, because social and religious negativity associated with the word "homosexual" has been a part of them for so much of their lives. "Gay" is also acceptable for Lesbians, especially in mixed company with heterosexuals. While they actually prefer to be called Lesbians and men to be called Gays, women do understand that it can be awkward for heterosexuals to know what to say, and be polite. If they want to be called Lesbians in the company they are in, they will correct you. But, most of the women I know, prefer "Gay" in mixed company, and Lesbian when most of the room is homosexual. The one word you can never use: "Fa***t" That word has been used as slang to stigmatize, bully, shame and demean our people for years. I predict that in the next couple of decades it will carry the same social stigma as the "N" word. And rightly so. Thanks for asking. I know it was a lot more information than you wanted, but there is a lot of reasoning behind being politically correct.

Answer 5

Most people prefer the word gay

Answer 6

It depends on the conversation.