Faggot, homosexual, sinner, asshole, confused and stupid. Many of the words listed refer to the negative connotations that religions and many homophobes have attached to the word “gay.” Often today "gay" is used as the Oxford Dictionary states "referring to or used by homosexuals", which in short is a term for calling men or women homosexual. “Gay” was originally defined as “Full of or disposed to joy and cheerfulness: carefree, exuberantly cheerful, cheerful, and sporty,” which dates back as far as the 12th century where in short it described someone or something that is joyful and cheerful. What was once used to describe something with a positive outlook has now been negated and has drastically changed the original meaning of the word “gay”. Already in the 12th century the term “gay” was used to describe something that is joyful, cheerful. , bright and/or showy. “What a gay day it is,” Phil said to his friend Bob, would be an example of the term being used with its original intent. In this context “gay” refers to the joyous day, so you could say that Phil was having a joyous and fantastic day. The Oxford Dictionary uses the example "A gay profusion of purple and pink sweet peas" to describe purple and sweet peas as bright. Another example using the word "gay" "So, uh, is the uniform black and dark or colorful and gay?" “Gay” is used as both bright and colorful and the person asking is determining whether their outfit is dark or bright with colors. From the 12th to the mid-20th century, “gay” retained its original positive meaning. The meaning of the word gay did not change until about the 1930s, when homosexuals began to identify themselves as gay men or women. Over time, coming into the 20th century around 1930-1960, the term "gay" was used to define... ...middle paper......ed.Gay is a term that must not be seen as offensive but it must go back to being something positive. If I were to be called gay today I wouldn't overreact like most younger generations would because I see gay as a way to express myself. The real challenge would be to change the meaning of the term gay when it has such a negative connotation. As long as religion exists, gay will always be associated with words like sinner, faggot, bitch, stupid because religions don't accept homosexuals. And in a world where the majority of people look to religion for answers, it will discriminate against gays because they go against the religious norm that only a man and a woman can be together. The word gay has come a long way, so why let religion or other homophobes change the meaning of what gay is, we should see gay for its original meaning and new definition.