When ‘Homosexual’ Became ‘Gay’

Whenever I’m working on a novel that is set in the past it’s always difficult to find a word for gay people. I don’t like the word homosexual, and the word gay had nothing to do with same sex love or relationships prior to the 1970s. It’s not easy. Mostly, I avoid it and try to show rather than tell.

With that said, I’m linking to an article now that talks about gay history, ONE Magazine, and when the word gay actually became common usage for gay people. The focus is actually on a letter written by the editor of ONE magazine, Jim Kepner. This was way before my time so it’s all interesting to me.

In 1969 the Christopher Street resistance marked the liberation of America’s 20-year-old Homophile Movement from heterosexual authority, and put forward the name Gay as a banner for the “new consciousness” – which of course was not entirely new.

It’s a very fascinating piece you can read, here.  They even mention some history of the word homosexual. The term ‘heterosexual authority’ is interesting, too. We’re still dealing with that, and sometimes in the most unlikely places…like the film industry and book publishing to name just two, where heterosexual authority is still quite common and gay people are always under their control. And yet they’ll still tell you they are ‘allies.’ 

Voters Split On Having A Gay President

I’m still shocked that we actually have an openly gay man running for President, and he’s being taken seriously this time. If nothing else, Pete Buttgieg is making history at this very moment and we have made progress. However, this article questions whether or not the entire country is ready for an openly gay President. 

According to a POLITICO/Morning Consult poll of registered voters, 50 percent of respondents said they were either definitely or probably ready to have a commander in chief who is openly gay, compared with 37 percent who said they were either definitely or probably not ready.

What’s really interesting to me is that we may have already had a gay President…or two…and no one even knew that. 

Here’s a link to the full article. 

 

 A Starr Is Born

Amazon Link 

Kendle’s Fire

by 

Ryan Field 

  Altered Parts

by Ryan Field

Amazon Link

When ‘Homosexual’ Became ‘Gay’

Whenever I’m working on a novel that is set in the past it’s always difficult to find a word for gay people. I don’t like the word homosexual, and the word gay had nothing to do with same sex love or relationships prior to the 1970s. It’s not easy. Mostly, I avoid it and try to show rather than tell.

With that said, I’m linking to an article now that talks about gay history, ONE Magazine, and when the word gay actually became common usage for gay people. The focus is actually on a letter written by the editor of ONE magazine, Jim Kepner. This was way before my time so it’s all interesting to me.

In 1969 the Christopher Street resistance marked the liberation of America’s 20-year-old Homophile Movement from heterosexual authority, and put forward the name Gay as a banner for the “new consciousness” – which of course was not entirely new.

It’s a very fascinating piece you can read, here.  They even mention some history of the word homosexual. The term ‘heterosexual authority’ is interesting, too. We’re still dealing with that, and sometimes in the most unlikely places…like the film industry and book publishing to name just two, where heterosexual authority is still quite common and gay people are always under their control. And yet they’ll still tell you they are ‘allies.’ 

Voters Split On Having A Gay President

I’m still shocked that we actually have an openly gay man running for President, and he’s being taken seriously this time. If nothing else, Pete Buttgieg is making history at this very moment and we have made progress. However, this article questions whether or not the entire country is ready for an openly gay President. 

According to a POLITICO/Morning Consult poll of registered voters, 50 percent of respondents said they were either definitely or probably ready to have a commander in chief who is openly gay, compared with 37 percent who said they were either definitely or probably not ready.

What’s really interesting to me is that we may have already had a gay President…or two…and no one even knew that. 

Here’s a link to the full article. 

 

 A Starr Is Born

Amazon Link 

Kendle’s Fire

by 

Ryan Field 

  Altered Parts

by Ryan Field

Amazon Link