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The subject of this article is controversial and content may be in dispute. When updating the article, be bold, but not reckless. Feel free to try to improve the article, but don't take it personally if your changes are reversed; instead, use the talk page to discuss them. Content must be written from a neutral point of view. Include citations when adding content and consider tagging or removing unsourced information.

Many people use the word gay as an umbrella term for gay men and lesbians, or just the queer community in general, but I don't see any mention of it here. seeing we have a separate page for just gay men, could we add a mention of this in the page? (or if it is mentioned, have it mentioned earlier, like in the first or second paragraph?) it seems notable enough to mention. Wikimanisbackuwu (talk) 15:45, 28 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

oh w8 NVM I see it now my bad Wikimanisbackuwu (talk) 15:46, 28 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

still comparing it to an umbrella term wouldn't hurt Wikimanisbackuwu (talk) 15:47, 28 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

We're going to be needing some reliable sources, though... - OpalYosutebito (talk) 16:27, 28 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Add the following below the opening paragraph.🏳️‍🌈

"Forcing a gay person to be straight is considered discriminatory and violates their rights to express their sexual orientation freely." Source citizens advice uk 86.168.24.130 (talk) 09:04, 21 April 2025 (UTC)[reply]

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Change from

"Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'.[1]

While scant usage...

To

Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'.[1]

Forcing a gay person to be straight is considered discriminatory and violates their rights to express their sexual orientation freely.

While scant usage ...

The UK equalities act 2010 can be cited. 86.168.24.130 (talk) 09:13, 21 April 2025 (UTC)[reply]

 Not done: seems out of place for the lead for this article which is pretty narrow in scope. See Homosexuality which is much broader and has a section on Sexual orientation change efforts Cannolis (talk) 12:04, 21 April 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Gay as an insult is often seen as an insult to or by homosexuals. According to some slang dictionaries, the use of the word gay to mean stupid is probably the antonym of the older senses such as happy and attractive, as they suggested that wicked is good. Because of this reason, I think the offensiveness of this insult has been increased overtime. In Canada the use of this pejorative is often legally restricted. Its use has also been harshly criticised by homosexuals.

Like the word lame, many people do not know why people use a medical term as a slang term. The term is often taken to be offensive to or by people who do have a disability. Some style guide advise people not to use this word to mean foolish. MarcoToa1 (talk) 03:48, 22 June 2025 (UTC)[reply]

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Capitalize the first letter of the word "lesbian" in the first hatnote. 2800:A4:1AF2:3C00:DFA:220C:339D:92FF (talk) 22:10, 21 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]

 Done Nubzor [T][C] 22:22, 21 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Though if reverted that is more than okay. Per Wikipedia:Hatnote#Format and naming conventions it likely should remain lowercase. Nubzor [T][C] 22:30, 21 September 2025 (UTC)[reply]