Gay
Hear this word Gay
Also known as: Homosexual
Image description: Gay couples
Skip Ahead:
What Is It?
Gay is a sexual orientation. People who identify as gay are attracted to people of the same gender.
Women who are attracted to other women may also use or identify with the word lesbian.
In LGBTQIA+, the G stands for gay.
An Example
Sarah is a woman who is attracted to other women. Sarah uses the word gay to describe her sexual orientation. Sometimes Sarah uses the word lesbian to describe her sexual orientation. Her friend Molly is also a woman who is attracted to women. Molly only uses the word lesbian to describe her sexual orientation. Geoff is a man who is attracted to men, and he uses the word gay to describe his sexual orientation.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- A person can only label their own sexual orientation. They cannot label another person’s sexual orientation.
- Sexual orientation is based on the gender(s) of the people a person is attracted to. It is not based on sexual behavior (who they have sex with) or how they express their gender (like with clothes, hairstyles, jewelry, or style of speech).
- A person’s sexual orientation may stay the same throughout their life or it may change. Either way is natural and common.
- We get to decide which word or words best describe our sexual orientation. Other people cannot determine and should not make assumptions about our sexual orientation.
- Some gay people may choose to have children and to create a family. This might be done by having biological children, adoption, fostering children, or taking care of other relatives such as nieces and nephews.
- Many people choose to “come out,” which means to share with people in their lives that they are gay or lesbian. But if someone does not yet feel comfortable to share that they are gay or simply does not want to communicate, this that is okay too.
Think about
Hover or tap the cards below to reveal suggestions or ideas!
What did you learn about the word gay?
To learn more about sexual orientation, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or visit other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like our online game, Our Stories, Our Journeys: A Sexual Health Game!
What questions do you have?
Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust. You may also find answers to your questions by using websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub.