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The term "homosexual" is considered outdated, bordering on inflammatory, except when used as an adjective to describe behavior in a clinical or scientific way. Style guides recommend avoiding it as a noun altogether.

The proper term is "gay" or "lesbian," and some people prefer the broader term "queer."


Other euphemisms for "gay" tend to fall on the side of insult, rather than politeness, but here is a short list of neutral or positive euphemisms for gay:


  • family
  • Two-spirit
  • Backgammon player (extinct term, late 18th century Britain)
  • Bear (refers to masculine, hairy, and/or stocky men)
  • Friend of Dorothy
  • Gaysian (referring to a gay Asian)
  • Twink (a young or young-looking gay man, with little body hair and a slender build)
  • Ginger beer (Cockney rhyming slang for queer)
  • confirmed bachelor (nearly extinct, particularly due to the fact that gay men can marry in most English-speaking countries
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Q: What are euphemisms for homosexual?
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