Word of the Gay: "Monosexism"

"Monosexism" is the belief that Homosexuality or Heterosexuality are superior or more valid than a Bisexual orientation. People who are "Monosexist" dismiss Bisexuality as confusion, hedonism, sinful, and/or people who are closeted about their Hetero or Homosexual orientation.

Word of the Gay: "Gay"

You can't have "Word of the Gay" without the word "Gay" hehe. So why not? "Gay" is an adjective that refers to homosexuality. The word has been used as an umbrella term for the LGBT community, sometimes to describe both same-sex oriented men and women, and as of more recent just refers to homosexual men.

The word "Gay" has also been used disparagingly to refer to people or objects as stupid or lame.

Word of the Gay: "Hijra"

In India a "Hijra" is regarded as a member of the third sex, not male or female. Hijra are usually trans-women or intersex individuals. Today they face discrimination in light of western influence on attitudes in the region, however, traditionally gender variant people were accepted and regarded as special in the society.

Word of the Gay: "Hermaphrodite"

The word "Hermaphrodite" is mythological and it describes someone who is both fully male and female. This is a biological impossibility. The correct term for someone who has a combination of both male and female parts is Intersex. The term "Hermaphrodite" and "Pseudo-Hermaphrodite" are offensive and stigmatizing terms. Some IS activists seek to reclaim the word as a source of empowerment much like Queer and Dyke have been reclaimed, however, reclaiming of the word has not been driven by much success thus far.

Word of the Gay: "Ex-Gay"

The "Ex-Gay" movement are people who claim to have once been LGBT and have converted their sexual orientation to straight or their gender identity to match their biological sex. Most so called "Ex-Gays" are driven by religious values that disparage homosexuality/transsexuality and regard it as sin. The "Ex-Gay" movement uses reparative therapy to try and "fix" LGBT people but it is a complete sham. The American Psychological Association and American Medical Association dismiss the notion that sexuality and gender identity can be changed and regard the practice as unscientific and dangerous to the mental well being of people.

Word of the Gay: "Dyke"

"Dyke" has traditionally been an offensive term for Lesbians who are noticeably more masculine. The term can still be used in a pejorative fashion but has also been reclaimed by Lesbian activists who view the word in a positive light. The term has become a description for independent, assertive, and tough Lesbian identified females.

Word of the Gay: "RLE - Real Life Experience"

RLE is short for "Real Life Experience" and is also sometimes called "RLT- Real Life Test". It is the process whereby a transgender person lives in their preferred gender role for a period of time to show they can function and are happy within that role. This process has historically been a requirement by the medical establishment before any hormone treatment can be administered or an individual can go through sex re-assignment surgery.

Word of the Gay: "Fag Stag"

"Fag Stag" - A heterosexual male who enjoys the company of or has many gay/bi male friends. It is the male equivalent of the term fag hag, and although still rarely used it is becoming more popular as homosexuality is becoming more widely accepted.

Word of the Gay: "Pomosexual"

"Pomosexual" stands for post modern and is used for people who do not fall into the traditional labels given for sexual orientation or gender identity, they are more undefined or fluid in nature.

Word of the Gay: "Platonic Love"

"Platonic Love" Refers to non-sexual affectionate relationships between individuals. It can be described as a romantic friendship or partnership. Many Asexuals or celibate/questioning individuals choose "Platonic Love" relationships.

Word of the Gay: "LUG"

"LUG" stands for Lesbian Until Graduation, the term is used to describe women who are of high school or college age and are experimenting with their sexuality or self-identify as lesbian or bisexual while they are in school. These women later go onto live and self-identify as heterosexuals.

The Bisexual community looks at this term as a form of Biphobia and that these women were never really lesbian to begin with, nor straight after school ended, but merely Bisexual and sexually fluid regardless of how they choose to self-identify.

Word of the Gay: "Gay Shame"

A counter culture movement within the LGBT community that is a radical alternative to the mainstream commercialized and assimilation seeking gay community. "Gay Shame" was created and named in opposition to its counterpart Gay Pride.

Word of the Gay: "Bent"

"Bent" - A term used within the U.K. as a slang for homosexuals. It also means predisposition, abnormal or unorthodox behavior. Of late the term has been reclaimed and many groups and publications proudly use the term "Bent" as a source of gay pride.

Word of the Gay: "Purple Rhino"

Use of the Purple Rhino dates back to the 1970's as a symbol for Gay power. The symbol never picked up steam but was chosen because the Rhino is usually a docile and often misunderstood creature but can put up a good fight if attacked. It was analogous to the fact that Gays and Lesbians are peaceful and loving but will fight back if bashed.

Word of the Gay: "Questioning"

This term within the context of the Queer community refers to people who are questioning their sexual orientation, gender identity or both. They may be experimenting with their feelings and attractions to see what identity would best describe them. The letter "Q" is sometimes added to the acronym LGBT.

Word of the Gay: "Faggot"

"Faggot" - A pejorative word describing homosexual men or those who embrace feminine or stereotypical gay male behavior patterns. The origin of the term is controversial but "faggot" has traditionally meant a bundle of sticks and thus in reference to gay men would insinuate the action of burning a gay man at the stake.

The word "faggot" or "fag" has been used predominantly in North America but has spread internationally as a slang word to describe gay men.

In recent years a minority of Queer activists have sought to reclaim the word and wear the label proudly.

Most LGBT people still find the word deeply offensive and it is widely used to disparage people regardless of their orientation and has been included in much of the bullying and violence that occurs in society today.

Word of the Gay: "Lesbophobia"

"Lesbophobia" can be described as negative sentiments harbored towards an individual lesbian or a group of queer identified womyn. It is an irrational fear or hatred of womyn who are physically and/or emotionally drawn to other womyn. The term is used to describe a fear of same-sex attraction among womyn, as well as the fear by some men of these womyn for not loving men. "Lesbophobia" can range from the stereotype that all female athletes are lesbian, to the notion that all are angry and hate men, to a subordination of "L" issues within the the broader LGBT rights movement.

"Lesbophobia" unlike its similar counterpart homophobia has a focus on issues affecting lesbian identified womyn not only on the basis of societies stigma based on sexual orientation but also on the sexism that pervades our culture.

Word of the Gay: "Queer Nationalism"

"Queer Nationalism" - The movement/dream for a homeland for LGBTQ people. Australian activists declared the Cato Islands the "Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea" in 2004. Organizations such as the Gay and Lesbian Commonwealth Kingdom, Unified Gay Tribe, and Gay Homeland Foundation embrace the idea of a Queer nation state. The premise is that Queers have a right to a safe and national homeland to embrace their identities freely and grow their culture. They also want recognition by the United Nations and a country where LGBTQ people have all the rights that are not afforded to them in other countries around the world.

*Photo courtesy of proggie off of creative commons

Word of the Gay: "Genderqueer"

Individuals who self-identify as genderqueer may consider themselves to be both male and female, androgynous, being neither male or female, or falling completely outside of the gender binary spectrum.

Word of the Gay: "Pink Dollar"

"Pink Dollar" - Used to refer to the purchasing power of the LGBT community. Within the past decade many marketers have realized the wealth and loyalty of the Queer consumer.