Gay is an adjective meaning "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy"; however in modern usage, gay is a word usually used, as either a noun or adjective, to refer to homosexuals; persons sexually oriented toward members of their own gender.

"Gay", when used as an adjective, sometimes describes traits associated with both homosexual men and women, their culture, or perceived lifestyle. The term lesbian, on the other hand, is used exclusively in a gender-specific way to describe homosexual women.

Etymology

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NPR Topics: Politics & Society

Independent Groups Step Up On-Air Ads
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:21:00 -0400
Independent groups have yet to unveil an ad as damaging as the Swift Boat Veterans spot that hurt Sen. John Kerry's presidential bid in 2004. But as the summer goes on, more groups are producing radio and TV spots targeting the presidential race and key Senate battles.
Remembering Nelson Mandela's Pivotal Moment
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:00:00 -0400
When he stood up in a South African courtroom during his treason trial in 1964, Nelson Mandela declared that he was "prepared to die" for his cause. As Mandela turns 90, a documentary studies the pivotal moment when he became a worldwide symbol of the struggle for freedom and democracy.
Obama Takes Biggest Lead Yet, But What Does It Mean?
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0400
Both Obama and McCain made appearances this week in front of the NAACP and the Council of La Raza. Why are some attendees saying that while the Democratic candidate was the audience favorite, the Republican candidate connected better with delegates?

The Talk of the Town

Shape-shifter
Paul Goldberger Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Architects don’t usually hold elaborate press conferences to announce their new designs. But David Fisher is not a typical architect, and not only because he goes by the honorific “Dr.” Fisher, who was born in Tel Aviv fifty-nine years ago, is based in Florence, and believes that he has . . .
Isn’t It Romantic?
Rebecca Mead Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The plot of “The Romantics,” a new novel by Galt Niederhoffer, unfolds during the weekend wedding of Lila Hayes, a blond, beautiful, witty, and wealthy Yale graduate, and her former classmate Tom McDevon, a handsome, charming, social-climbing cipher. The book’s heroine--the clever, ill-at-ease, Brooklyn-dwelling Laura . . .
H-bloo On A-rod
Ben McGrath Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Shortly before his regular teatime, one day last week, the Yale literature professor Harold Bloom found an occasion to consider the plight of his beloved Yankees, as they approached the All Star break in third place, and of their star third baseman, Alex Rodriguez. “The poor fellow, you know he’s . . .

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