Why is “Gay” Sometimes Synonymous with “Gay Dude”?
This subject is kind of an ongoing process of understanding for me, because terminology is word choice is always incredibly important when talking about identity politics. For example, the GLBT moniker is inclusive, but does it include everyone? I’ve also heard GLBTQ, GLBTI, GLBTT, etc. I’m fine with whatever one, though my sister sometimes worries about the length. In general, my policy is that I respect what folks want to be called, because it’s not a question of politics but rather politeness. If someone tells you they don’t like their name and would prefer to be called something else, it’s pretty rude to just refuse to acknowledge that (unless you’re the person in question’s mother, I guess, but I think you know what I mean). Why would it matter what gender stereotype is typically assigned to that name? It seems to me that it only gets political when folks REFUSE to call people what they wish, because that involves “taking a stand” or some other such nonsense.
In this case, the naming phenomenon I’m talking about, though, is group based rather than personal. Basically, what does it mean to be “gay”? Who gets to call themselves “gay”? In general, I think that most folks in the mainstream would consider gay to be the header for GLBTQI (and any other letters) that is most umbrella like in its inclusiveness. But sometimes, that’s just not true, and gay is code for “gay man.” or “gay person engaging in sexual behavior I don’t like.” (Seems like we very rarely discuss the morality of lesbian sexual positions, eh?) Is this always bad?
Take, for example, the Gay Bloggies. Good concept, right? But on this website, gay does not equal GLBTQI. It equals Gay Dude. The Gay Bloggies is a contest between 12 gay men to determine which is the best blogger. The entries are interesting, and the challenges are a good way to let the bloggers flex their writing talent and tell readers more about themselves. So why call it the “Gay Bloggies”? Or is it really not that big of a deal?
What do you all think? Does the word gay always have to be all-inclusive, or can it sometimes just mean boys who are gay?
Link via After Elton.
GLBT, gay, language, gay men
Leave a Reply