What is the difference between Gays and Homosexuals?

[European blood]

I learned something very interesting in my Human Sexual Behavior class today that I wanted to share with you all.

We had a special guest come in. It was a psychologist that teaches at a college, I think. Yeah, he came in to talk to us about sexual orientation. Obviously, I payed attention and took copious notes. Like, duh. =P But anyway, back to what I learned.

Did you know being a homosexual and being gay are two different things? That's some crazy shit, right?

Well, according to the doctor, you could be a homosexual without being gay and many of his patients have expressed this as well. Like. It's separate...

Yeah, mindboggling.

Doing a little research, here's what I found:

Homosexuality refers to romantic or sexual attraction or behavior among members of the same sex, situationally or as an enduring disposition.

In modern English, gay has come to be used as an adjective, and occasionally as a noun, that refers to the people, practices, and culture associated with homosexuality.

So, I guess homosexuality is more like... That "attraction". Homosexuality actually refers to sexual orientation. Whereas gay is more of a social term. Kinda like a way of describing and generalizing homosexuals... I think. lol

Interesting shit, huh?

Who woulda thought.

You learn something new every day!

http://rainbowcafe89.blogspot.com/2009/09/difference-between-gays-and-homosexuals.html


So i guess these are gays.

http://radio.studio92.com/malelemento/files/2010/06/gay.jpg


And these are homosexuals.

http://0.tqn.com/d/gaylife/1/7/z/_/georgetakeibradaltman002.jpg

[research_centre]

It's all the same to me. I call a spade a spade.

PS I find it very disturbing when I look at faggery to me they always have a glared over look to them, like they are possessed or in a fucking cult.

[Leliana]

Gays are male and homosexuals are of either gender?!?

[Piparskeggr]

My wife and I have a couple of friends from college who have been together almost as long as she and I...they are very adamant that they are homosexual, not gay.

For them the distinction is that their sexuality is just one facet of their lives together, not the be-all and end-all of their existence.

[Quorra]

It's all the same to me. I call a spade a spade.

PS I find it very disturbing when I look at faggery to me they always have a glared over look to them, like they are possessed or in a fucking cult.

Lol. I know that glazed look! Crazy gay eyed, I call it.

[Kazimiera]

Homosexual would describe people who are attracted to members of their own sex. Male to male. Female to female.

I would think that gay is more suited to the "screaming queens" and really effeminate males. The "male" in the relationship is not always effeminate and can not always be spotted. I think this sort of man would prefer to be called homosexual because he's not a prancing powder puff.

[Fortis in Arduis]

Lol. I know that glazed look! Crazy gay eyed, I call it.

I think that 'gay' comes from homosexuals' being a tiny sexual minority and therefore needing to make a louder display in order to attract attention from other homosexuals.

Before gay liberation, gay culture in the UK was secretive and esoteric, even having it's own slang language, Polari:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polari#section_5

It must have been interesting in those times, with all those wonderful secret venues and code words. In London, a regular fixture on the scene was the beautiful and (secretly lesbian) soul singer, Dusty Springfield.