Terminology for Homosexual...

[R1Geezer]

I am told in another thread that "Gay" is the top insult used by young people. I have innocently been using the term to refer to homosexuals so can someone tell me what is the accepted, non insulting, terminology? Thanks

[Whickerman]

Why reference it at all?

[Whickerman]

Gay is still the acceptable term btw - suppose it's the context you use it in.

[leelapops]

Geezer, it's not the terminology, it's the negative implication. When young people say something is "gay", it's usually annoying, pointless, frustrating or just downright cr*p. Gay is fine, when talking about people's sexual orientation.

[MrBounty]

Maybe he's just insinuating they are happy......

[R1Geezer]

I see, thanks all

whickerman, "why reference it at all" I agree that most of the time it is not necessary, however there are occasions in communication when it is necessary. I just wanted to get it right.

[Whickerman]

lol R1geezer - you're right of course.

For some reason that reminds me of a boxing fight on itv some years back, and the commentators insisted on identifying the fighters by the blue or red shorts they were wearing - studiously and religiously avoiding mentioning that one guy was white, the other black!
Maybe the world's oversensitive?

[andy-hughes]

Whickerman - commentators have always avoided using any physical characteristics to identify boxers - it's simply that ethnic origin is the most obvious.

As a standard rule, it simply avoids getting into issues such as

"The mean looking streak of p**s in the blue corner ..."

or

"The ugly SOB with no teeth in the red corner ..."

it just makes lifef nicec and easy, and shows no bias - which is the actual thinking behind the rule.

[gonzo00]

sausage jockey.....but said in a nice way:)

[Richard1966]

I was told to use the term, "In a same sex relationship", but this doesn't help if the person is single

[Dee Sa]

bats for the other side ? whats wrong with gay ? sounds nicer than homosexual.

[andy-hughes]

I personally love -

Dances at the far end of the ballroom ...