gay

“Gay” usually refers to men who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to men. In some contexts, non-binary people with a masculine or male-identified experience also use the term for themselves. The word is widely used and can be neutral, affirming, or, depending on context, insulting.

In English, “gay” is also used more broadly for homosexual people and sometimes by lesbian women as well. Because usage and self-identification vary, the term should be used respectfully and in the sense intended by the person concerned. For many people, “gay” is an identity label that expresses belonging and lived experience.