Lesbian, gay and bisexual terminology:
meanings and origins of various terms

During discussions of sexual orientation -- and in particular of homosexuality -- a person may switch between these two meanings. This causes much confusion and misunderstanding; sometimes this is done intentionally. We recommend that the terms homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual never be used in isolation, but always be identified as referring to either feeling or practices.

Another source of confusion in discussions and writing happens when the speaker or author switches among homosexuality in general, homosexuality among women, and homosexuality among men. For example, one might cite high sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates among homosexual men, and imply that this is typical of all homosexuals. The fact that STD rates among lesbians is lower than among heterosexuals may be ignored.

"Fag" was originally used to refer to something that nobody wanted, like the frayed end of a rope. Later it was used to describe menial work that nobody was willing to perform. Still later it was adopted in the British public school system. Students in the upper class would torment students in the junior grades. To be a "fag" meant that you were under the control of a senior student. Occasionally this meant that you would be forced to be the passive partner during anal intercourse. Finally, the term became associated with the act itself.

"Gay" was first used to refer to a male homosexual in the 1933 play "Young & Evil." Cary Grant used it in the 1938 movie "Bringing up Baby" to refer to a transvestite. Gershn Legman & G.V. Henry mentioned the term in their book Sexual Variations (1941). In recent years, it has been used to refer to lesbians as well as homosexual males. ₁