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gay vs lesbian whats the difference??

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by Kamina, Jun 20, 2013.

  1. Kamina

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    So title say the most of it. I've just never understood the differentiation between the two, I know one means female and one means male but I never understood why another term was invented! Its unnecessary! :bang: :icon_wink
     
  2. Argentwing

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    I agree with you totally. While I have my guesses as to how there was a split (that people like the idea of gay girls more than guys) I don't know for sure. For girls at least, the words are interchangeable.
     
  3. MerBear

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    well, i mean...it all lies with preference i guess.
    I know lesbians who prefer to be called gay instead of lesbian...why? I have no idea but its just what they call themselves. Just like some people like to be called "Queer"
     
  4. Tightrope

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    I don't know the difference in usage either, and have wondered the same thing.

    What I see is that if an actress or famous woman discloses her lesbianism, the linked headline is often abbreviated as "So and so reveals she's gay." The full article then proceeds to use the term lesbian more frequently.
     
  5. Argentwing

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    That's probably the practicality of a three-letter word in a headline over a seven-letter word. Just saying. :slight_smile:
     
  6. ashweewoohoo

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    I don't know why, but I prefer gay over lesbian. When I came out I say I was gay. To me it goes for both, yet lesbian only works for women. I dunno, just a preference of mine..
     
  7. MixedNutz

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    This is a question I was just discussing. Gay is a general term, male or female. Lesbian is a "gay female" why don't us guys get our own word?! :frowning2:
     
  8. john1b1

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    We do! Fabulous!
     
  9. Amerigo

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    why do languages need genders? i'm talking verb endings
     
  10. Tightrope

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    That's sort of what I thought.
     
  11. Krilky

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    To be honest, and maybe I'm the only one who feels like this, but "gay" is just a fun word to say, but "lesbian" sounds weird to me. I think it's just personal phonetic preference, but the word lesbian makes me think of fungus and stuff. If I were a woman, I would want to be called "gay."
    Maybe it's just that I'm kind of insane.
     
  12. Amerigo

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    no not insane, i think that's interesting! to me, gay sounds immature. lesbian however, sounds like thespian, like a spiritual lifestyle choice, some sort of an elitist group.
     
  13. phoenixverde

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    I refer to myself as gay all the time. I like the fact that it can also mean happy. I have been so happy after figuring out that I am a lesbian, it just fits.
     
  14. Boyfriend

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    I think the word lesbian dates back much much further than "gay". And it is just still around.
     
  15. Bowtiesandstuff

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    To me when people say lesbian it sounds like a disease and the word gay is so overused it way less dramatic like when someone says so and so is gay vs so and so is a lesbian. Queer reminds me of quirky which in my opinion sounds the best
     
  16. vrrml

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    i prefer gay because lesbian is a noun, whereas gay is an adjective. if i say i am a lesbian, its like that's the primary thing that you are, but saying i am gay is just describing part of you, although that might be just me.
     
  17. Split Arrows

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    Here are the etymologies of the two words:

    Not sure if this helps a ton, but I just love etymology!!
     
  18. justjade

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    I agree with you. And needless to say, the residents of Lesbos are not happy either.
     
  19. VelvetEYES

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    I use gay when referring to myself. I seldom use lesbian. Lesbian just sounds dirty to me idk. I also don't understand why we have to have diff terms. Whenever I come out to someone I never use lesbian. I always use gay as a descriptive.