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The term homosexual can be used as a noun or adjective to describe same-sex oriented persons as well as their sexual attractions and behaviors. However, some recommend that the terms homosexual and homosexuality be avoided lest their use cause confusion or arouse controversy. In particular the description of individuals as homosexual may be offensive, partially because of the negative clinical association of the word stemming from its use in describing same-sex attraction as a pathological state before homosexuality was removed from the American Psychiatric Association's list of mental disorders in 1973. The use of the word homosexual in describing individuals and same-sex relationships may also be inaccurate.
Same-sex oriented people seldom apply these terms to themselves, and public officials and agencies often avoid them. For instance, the Safe Schools Coalition of Washington's Glossary for School Employees advises that gay is the "preferred synonym for homosexual," and goes on to advise avoiding the term homosexual as it is "clinical, distancing and archaic":
- Sometimes appropriate in referring to behavior (although same-sex is the preferred adjective). When referring to people, as opposed to behavior, 'homosexual' is considered derogatory and the terms 'gay' and 'lesbian' are preferred. Homosexual places emphasis on sexuality and is to be avoided when describing a person. Gay man or lesbian are the preffered nouns with stress cultural and social matters over sex.
The Guardian Style Guide, Newswatch Diversity Style Guide, American Heritage Dictionary, and the Committee on Lesbian and Gay Concern of the American Psychological Association's Avoiding Heterosexual Bias in Language all agree that "gay" is the preferred term.
Likewise, the use of homosexuality to describe sexual behaviors between people of the same sex may be inaccurate, although it is not perceived as being as offensive as homosexual.
Western people who regard themselves as having a same-gender sexual orientation tend to prefer the terms gay and lesbian. The latter term (noun or adjective) refers specifically to women; the term gay can apply to both men and women - although unqualified usage would more often be referring to men. Other terms include same-gender-loving, and same-sex-oriented.
Which terms are acceptable and which are offensive varies widely with the connotations of the words gay and lesbian are also culturally dependent. For instance, among some sectors of African-American gay sub-culture, same-gender sexual behavior is sometimes viewed as solely for physical pleasure. Men on the down-low (or DL) may engage in regular (although often covert) sex acts with other men while pursuing sexual and romantic relationships with women. These men often regard the term gay as a reference to stereotypically flamboyant and effeminate men of white ancestry, a group with which some feel no affinity. Some experts have suggested that this DL subculture may have come about because of stronger stigmas against same-sex behavior in African-American communities, as well as greater dependence on family networks (who may be prejudice) for support. This DL behaviour may also serve as a cover of secrecy for gay men who would find it difficult to come out. As a result of stigma present in many African-American communities attached to homosexuality many gay men avoid seeking health information regarding AIDS. Gay men of African ancestry in the United States are at the highest risk for contracting HIV with the heterosexual African-American community at the second highest.
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