The word lesbian stems from the Greek stories about Sappho, a teacher known for her poetry celebrating love between women, who set up a school for young women isle of Lesbos. Now it refers to a woman who is sexually attracted specifically to other women. This word is a positive word and has been used to identify women within the queer community. They were silenced as only men were recognized as homosexuals. This word has helped give them a voice.
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This word used to mean "happy," but its meaning changed when homosexuals used it as code. They were thought of as clinically ill and were thought only to exist as homosexuals. The word "gay" gave them a smaller word that was an adjective not a noun. This allowed those who used it to identify as homosexual in addition to other identities. Some people use it to include bisexual and lesbians. Now that bisexuals and lesbians are gaining a separate voice, it usually refers only to homosexual men.
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Bisexual refers to an individual who is attracted to both men and women. Bisexuals have received a great deal of discrimination both in and out of the queer community.
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A magazine reveals the top ten steps for a woman to find Mr. Right. What happens when that woman is looking for Mrs. Right? Or what if that Mr. Right is also looking for Mr. Right? The picture is slightly different now. Heterosexism is a belief that heterosecuality is better than any other sexuality and can refer to the active promotion of it as the only desirable way of life. This includes the blank assuption that everyone is heterosexual.


Who do you presume is straight? Parents? Friends? Professors?
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Homophobia is the prejudice against people who are gay or are perceived to be gay. This prejudice includes the belief that all homosexuals fit the media portrayed stereotypes. It can also refer to name calling with an intent to hurt someone. In a school setting, even if someone is thought to be gay, it can be enough for bullies to attack. The result is detrimental to the victim, causing them to withdraw and sometimes drop out of school. Some states have made strides in protecting students. In other states, teachers sit in silence while this abuse continues.
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The fear and self-hate of ones own homosexuality or bi-sexuality that occurs for many queer individuals who have learned negative ideas about homosexuality throughout childhood. Once gay and lesbian youth realize they belong to a group of people that is often despised and rejected in our society, many internalize and incorporate the stigmatization of homosexuality. To various degrees they hate themselves.
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Also, "coming out of the closet" or "being out," this term refers to the process in which a person acknowledges, accepts and in many cases appreciates his or her identity. This often involves the sharing of information with others. The proces of coming out to oneself and to others occurs for different people in a variety of places and ways.
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Webster would say it is a bundle of sticks. Why is a bundle of sticks equated with a gay man? In the inquisition of Europe, when witches were being burned, among those sought out for burning were gay people. They were required to gather the very "bundles of sticks" (the real meaning of faggot) with which they would be burnt. When the faggots (sticks) were running out, gay men were thrown onto the fire to keep it from going out for the witches. Faggot came to mean a gay man, to force them into the closet for fear of death. Scary, huh? Think about what you are saying, who you are offending when you say this word, even if in jest to a friend.
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