The Word About Gay And Where It Originated

Though same-sex relationships have been a prominent aspect of many cultures almost since the beginning of time, there has historically been a significant taboo surrounding the phenomenon in the Western world. "From the Fourteenth Century on, Western Europe was gripped by a rabid and obsessive negative preoccupation with homosexuality as the most horrible of sins" (Boswell 262). The majority of people did not understand or accept the idea, and consequentially did not have an appropriate way of talking about it. Over the years, as various cultures identified and even implemented practices currently associated with homosexuality, there arose a need for common terminology. Until the eighteenth century, it was referred to through the practices

The article dives into the 'gay gene’; a gene where individuals had hoped that would be the answer to peoples orientation. While scientists have found some new information regarding chromosomes and genetics, there still is no simple answer that reassures anyone that there is a single 'gay gene ' that defines their orientation.

Few people today know the true meaning of the word gay. Even fewer use it in its original context. To be gay was once a common and positive expression. When describing one’s mood, it meant that they were feeling lively and carefree. Gay could even be used to describe something that was “brightly colored” or “showy” (Merriam Webster, “Gay”). No one thought twice about it when people said they were “feeling gay” or “the sunset was gay.” However, this word is rarely used in that context in today’s society. Instead, it has taken on a completely different meaning and connotation. While gay had become something of a euphemism for prostitutes and their clients throughout the 19th century, it was ever changing. This change was gradual and began in the 1920s and 1930s. By this time, a “gay man” was no longer just a man that was promiscuous with women, but also one who was

In “The Myth of Homosexuality” by Christine Downing, there is the discussion of homosexuality and its meaning over the years. Downing begins the article by stating how a myth has classified women-on-women and men-on-men relationships to fall under the same term of homosexuality, but there is much deeper understanding to it than that. The classification under one word has caused a lot of shaping concerning how they are viewed or how they view themselves. In order to look past the surface of what defines the myth, Downing states that we must start with the culture’s myth and it’s origin.

“You’re gay,” a term now used so freely to not only insult peers but to take a stab at the homosexual community. But was this homosexual stigma always prevalent in history? Over two thousand years ago, the ancient Roman state ruled most of the known world. During those five hundred years, emperors rose to power and fell, a republic formed and was destroyed but what perhaps is one the most important aspects of Roman society is free love.

Queer Evolution describes how queer transformed from a hateful word to a mainstream word. Although she specifically uses the history of the word queer, the same ideas can be said for many other words. Irvine explains “in the 1920s and ‘30s the word queer became synonymous with “pansy”, “sissy”, and even “pervert”. That is not the case anymore in

Same sex relations have fluctuated throughout history between being something frowned upon or even forbidden to something that is socially acceptable. The term homosexuality was created in the late 19th century by a German psychologist, Karoly Maria Benkert (Plato). Although it has yet to be accurately identified when exactly the first signs of homosexuality appeared in history it the can be dated as far back as to the 24th-25th century B.C.E. (Northeastern). Homosexuality is not something new or unheard of by any means. In 529 we begin seeing the first punishments of homosexuals (Borngay). Roman emperor Justinian ordered “persons who engaged in homosexual sex to be executed, although those who were repent could be spared,” (Borngay). Following

Although during the early modern period the term “homosexuality” may not have existed, the persecution of homosexuals was a vicious practice which was sweeping across society in Early Modern Europe. Without a name, homosexuality and homosexual identities were heavily diluted down to simple definitions which would set the standard for how homosexual identities developed and how homosexual individuals were treated for many years to come. This essay will discuss the criminalization of sodomy and the demonization of homosexual individuals in Early Modern European society. It will also argue that these brutal practices and

The Oxford Dictionary defines the word “gay” as 1. Homosexual and 2. Foolish, stupid, or unimpressive (“Gay”). The LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and more) community faces harassment and oppression on a daily basis. One of the biggest struggles is discrimination-- such as the word “gay” being defined as “stupid”.

Homosexuality has been considered taboo since around 300 A.D. (Henderson, Long, 2016). Homosexual is a greek word; in which means the same and sexus means sex. For many years, people were executed for their homosexuality; having sex with the same sex.

some time during elementary school i first heard the word “gay.” i had no idea what it meant but people said i would figure it out someday.

​Etymologically, the word homosexual is a hybrid of Greek and Latin words, thus connoting acts of sexual behavior between members of the same sex. The word ‘homosexual’ is controversial in itself as it refers to only one’s sexual behavior as opposed to the romantic feelings and thus, people attribute the term ‘gay’ and ‘lesbian’ as appropriate. Homophilia, also means the love and sensibilities between the same sex people.

Even before the term homosexuality was defined in the dictionary as sexual relations between people with the same gender. Psychologists, scientifics, philosophers, and religious leaders were arguing and investigating the origins of sexual orientation. Although some argue that people born gay, others have the opinion that gay people are influenced by the environment. Indeed, it is likely that today the society knows more about homosexuality, but from the earliest years BC the history shows relationships among people with different sexual traits. Meanwhile, homosexuals struggle for equality, people should stop their prejudgments and treat them as equal.

There are numerous accounts of homosexuality throughout history. In ancient Greece, many authors wrote about homosexual

While the concept of homosexuality did not exist in the United States, changes were happening in Europe with the issue. Right around the 1870's affectionate relationships between males acquired a label.