Political Crossfire Forums

[Pimpkie_69]

Why do people say "gays AND lesbians" instead of just "gays". The last time I checked, lesbians are gay, so there's no reason to put them in a seperate category from gays. I prefer using the term "homosexuals" for both, but what is the point of putting lesbians in a seperate category from "gays"??

Just a little something I wanna clear up here.

[F'losrix]

Pimpkie_69 wrote: Why do people say "gays AND lesbians" instead of just "gays". The last time I checked, lesbians are gay, so there's no reason to put them in a seperate category from gays. I prefer using the term "homosexuals" for both, but what is the point of putting lesbians in a seperate category from "gays"??

Just a little something I wanna clear up here.

Shifting the role of the word 'gay' from that of adjective to noun in this manner is something of which I am not fond, but linguistic s**t happens. Replacing the noun with its descriptor in this case allows the user to ignore what's actually being described - a human being.

You are correct that 'gay' refers to both men and women having an homosexual orientation.

The point of putting lesbians in their own category is that their 'issues' are not always the same as those faced by gay men.

As for 'homosexual' vs. 'gay', neither does a very good job of describing a person with that orientation. 'Gay' doesn't tell you much of anything, as the origins of its use in this way haven't been firmly established. Nonetheless, it is the term preferred by most 'gay' men if they accept being labeled at all. 'Homosexual' puts the emphasis on the sexual aspect, which is too narrow a focus. Being gay is not just about lust, but also attraction, love and a number of indescribable things that may or may not have equivalents in the interactions that take place between heterosexual men & women. Having a different sexual orientation from the majority can impact one's life in many ways that are sometimes difficult to comprehend without being a part of that minority. Gay people experience their sexuality in a diverse number of ways, just as heterosexual men & women do. It is not the characteristic that defines the entirety of who a gay man or lesbian is. For example, it makes no more sense to refer to someone as a gay lawyer than it does to call them a heterosexual lawyer. While their sexual orientation could have some impact on what type of law they decide to practice, it's probably more likely to have none at all.

I hope that's informative.

[Enoch]

Personally, I use the term 'gay' if I am going to describe my sexuality. I think 'homosexual' sounds too clinical.

However, I agree that adding 'gay' as a descripter is not only misleading, but rather insulting.

I am a college instructor. Not a GAY college instructor.

My sexuality and profession have no effect on one another.

[John Galt]

Gay = happy. All gay people I personally know fit the word.

Lesbians? They don't fit the definition of "gay." More like --- angry.

[F'losrix]

John Galt wrote: Gay = happy. All gay people I personally know fit the word.

Lesbians? They don't fit the definition of "gay." More like --- angry.
If you think gay men aren't angry, you haven't been paying attention. :wink:

The difference is that lesbians probably have more to be angry about - not only do they have to deal with society's negative treatment of non-heterosexuals but there's also the issue of being treated unequal simply based on gender.

If you want really, really, angry try talking to a lesbian of color.

None of which is to say that gay people, women or people of color are just naturally angry. The anger springs from being treated as unworthy of basic respect and equality by a society that is still dominated by rich, white, heterosexual men. Nothing wrong with possessing any of those traits either - it's the abuse of power that's the problem here, not where that power happens to be concentrated.

[ToonArmyIsComing]

UrielsFyre wrote: Personally, I use the term 'gay' if I am going to describe my sexuality. I think 'homosexual' sounds too clinical.

However, I agree that adding 'gay' as a descripter is not only misleading, but rather insulting.

I am a college instructor. Not a GAY college instructor.

My sexuality and profession have no effect on one another.

Exactly, the thing is that some people just look at the sexuality aspect and forget that there is much more to a person than that.

[MetalLives2]

i prefer the term f**s and queers and pole smokers,since we all know that is is an abomination to be gay