THEGAYUK

Tag: Big Gay Glossary

Welcome to the Big Gay Glossary. Everything you ever wanted to know about being LGBTQ+. Find out the latest slang, gay terms and queer words and what they mean.

  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | PrEP

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | PrEP

    What is PrEP?

    Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, it is a drug treatment protocol using a prescription medicine called Truvada and has been shown in a recent trial to be highly effective in preventing HIV in gay and bisexual men, when taken daily and used in combination with other infection prevention measures.

    In the UK PrEP is available for those at risk of contracting HIV. Each of the devolved nations has a different policy on commissioning. In England, PrEP has been trialled to investigate its effectiveness in bringing new HIV infections to zero. The initial trial onboarded 10,000 volunteers, it was later increased to 20,000 patients, the trial was called IMPACT. In Scotland, it is available to anyone who is in the at-risk group. 

    Truvada contains two medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine) and is already routinely used in combination with other medicines to treat existing HIV infection.

    The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Truvada’s use by people at very high risk of HIV infection. Despite trials of Truvada in a number of cities, the NHS is not currently planning to make PrEP available on prescription in the UK, leading to anger and frustration among campaigners.

    Truvada is available from a small number of private clinics in the UK and is expensive. People should only ever take medicines prescribed by a UK-registered GP and dispensed by a UK-registered pharmacy.

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Queer

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Queer

    What does queer mean?

    What does queer mean?

    Queer is a term which up until recently was a derogatory and aggressive term used to describe mainly homosexual men in the 19th century by heterosexual people. Many still find the term triggering and deeply offensive. The dictionary definition of the word means strange or odd.

    However, some people in the LGBT+ community have reclaimed the term and ascribe the word to describe their own identity. Some people and organisation have even started to use the word as an umbrella term for the entire LGBT+ community.

    Care should be taken by those not in the LGBT+ community in using the word. A recent poll undertaken by THEGAYUK, found that the majority of people did not find the word appropriate as an umbrella term.

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Undetectable

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Undetectable

    What does Undetectable mean?

    What does Undetectable mean?

    Undetectable is a term used in the HIV community and describes whether HIV is detectable in someone’s bloodstream. People who are “undetectable” cannot pass on HIV to sexual partners. Undectable happens when someone’s viral load or the amount of the virus in the bloodstream is so low it becomes undetectable. It doesn’t mean, however, that HIV is not present.

    An undetectable load can be achieved when a person diagnosed with HIV is following medical advice from their doctors and managing their illness properly – mainly through the use of medication. It can take up to six months for someone’s viral load to become undetectable.

     

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Deadnaming

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Deadnaming

    What is Deadnaming?

    Deadnaming is when a person refers to someone by a previous name, it could be done with malice or by accident. It mostly affects transgender people who have changed their name during their transition.

    For instance, if a trans woman’s birth name was Martin, but she changed it to Sarah during her transition, calling her Martin or referring to her as Martin would be deadnaming her.

    It is very similar to misgendering but focuses more on someone’s name rather than gender pronouns.

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Heteronormative

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Heteronormative

    What does heteronormative mean?

    Heteronormative, or heteronormativity is a word used a lot in connection with the LGBT experience. It refers to what is normally (normative) expected from society – which is, by and large, made up of mostly heterosexuals (hetero).

    So when you blast those two words together you get one that describes the normal, average way of doing things. Basically the stuff of Hollywood movies: boy meets girl, they fall in love, make children and the cycle continues.

    It is also defined as the view that promotes a heterosexual lifestyle as the normal or preferred sexual orientation and that others are wrong or deviant.

    It’s the idea that men and women fall into two very neat and distinct genders and sexuality roles.

    It is seen, largely, as deeply marginalising by the LGBTI community.

    It was coined or at least popularised by Michael Warner in 1991.

    Heteronormative behaviour could include:

    • Getting married (to someone of the opposite sex) in a Church, with bridesmaids, Father of bride and best man speeches…
    • Him climbing up the corporate ladder while she stays at home having kids.
    • Following gender expectations like: He wears trousers, she wears dresses (frilly ones with a lace hem).
    • He earns more, she makes super desserts using Angel Delight.
    • Asking why on earth the gays need a god damned pride and why can’t straights have a pride.
    • Watching a Hollywood movie knowing that the guy saves the day, gets the girl and live happily ever after.
    • Having 2.4 children.
    • That men don’t do nappies.
    • Picket fences and all that…

    As you can see, from my not so exhaustive list that basically being heteronormative is like living in the 50s. Fantastic for brand new cookers, fridges, the dawn of the jet age and brand new inventions, not so good for living your life how you’d like to – straight or gay, male or female.

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Intersex

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Intersex

    What does intersex mean?

    What does intersex mean?

    Intersex stands for a sex variance between the binary of male and female, or Cisgender.

    Generally speaking, Cisgender people are those whose gender identity or expression conforms with their biological sex or birth sex.

    The Oxford Dictionary of English once determined the word Intersex to mean:

    the abnormal condition of being intermediate between male and female; hermaphroditism.

    • [ count noun ] an intersex individual; a hermaphrodite.

    This was updated to:

    Relating to or denoting a person or animal that has both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics: an intersex child | she identifies as intersex. The condition of having both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics: people born with intersex.• [count noun] a person or animal having both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics: she is different to the other teenagers in one crucial way—she is an intersex.

    Old usage and out of date terminology.

    Hermaphrodite is generally considered a taboo word and shouldn’t be ascribed to someone unless they label themselves as such.

    Intersex and the trans community

    Trans Media Watch describes Intersex as an individual in whom genetic, hormonal and physical features that may be thought typical of both male and female co-exist.

    “individual in whom genetic, hormonal and physical features that may be thought typical of both male and female co-exist.

    “They may be thought of as being male with female features, female with male features, or may have no clearly defined sexual features.”

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Power Bottom

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Power Bottom

    What does power bottom mean?

    What does power bottom mean?

    Power Bottoms are those who dominate in sex but are those who enjoy receiving anal sex – or someone who can power through and take the *D* for a long time.

    Those who like being both a top and the bottom are usually referred to as “vers” which means versatile.  The terms tops, bottoms and vers have been around for a long time, but have become increasingly popular since the dawn of internet dating and apps.

    Guys who like to bottom are usually great at keeping things clean and hygienic down there. Want to know more? You can read our tips on what to eat if you’re planning to bottom tonight or how to prep yourself like a porn star!

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Bottom

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Bottom

    What does bottom mean?

    What or who is a Bottom in terms of gay sex?

    Well, it could mean a variety of things to a variety of people, but generally, the “bottom” is the guy who is the receptive partner in anal sex. Although it could be a label for someone who is more sub within sex.

    So the guy who’s underneath (or on top if you’re doing the cowboy) is known as the “bottom”. The giver is known as the “Top”. Not everybody likes the terms “top” or “bottom” for some being a bottom is seen as less than, more subservient or more effeminate, but some, like Big Brother US star Ragan Fox have empowered the word and meaning by calling themselves, “power bottoms”.

    More recently, when Nurse Jackie star, Haaz Sleiman came out as gay he totally owned the bottom thing saying, “Not only am I a bottom, but I’m also a total bottom, which means I like it up you-know-where.”

    Otherwise, you could go with giver and givee, catcher and pitcher or just their names… (no labels!)

    Apparently, there’s quite a bit of stigma attached to being a bottom. A survey found sixty per cent of readers thought that there was or weren’t sure if there was a stigma attached to bottoming or being the receiving partner during penetrative sex. Only 40 per cent said no there wasn’t a stigma.

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Gloryhole

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Gloryhole

    What does Gloryhole mean

    A gloryhole is a slang term mostly used in the gay cruising world. A glory hole, simply put, is a hole in a wall, door or partition, usually in a public toilet, where a man could put his penis through in order to be relieved by whoever was the other side. Gloryholes are usually to be found in men’s public toilets and comes from the days of cottaging, which is a term coined to describe anonymous sex between men in public toilets.

    Most glory holes are rush made in the partitions between toilet stalls, most likely made with pen knives or another handy tool.

    Both men, the giver and receiver of oral sex would be hidden from view from each other which adds anonymity to both parties, especially if one or neither are out as gay or bisexual.

    A glory hole can also be used for anal penetration too.

    The anonymity of glory holes to some, adds eroticism to the situation, but it does have its drawbacks especially when it comes to sexual health and personal safety. The use of condoms is advised to stop STIs such as herpes, HIV and Gonorrhea but not always acted upon.

    The use of glory holes is not illegal in the UK if the glory hole is in a private residence or a gay sauna/bathhouse. Sex in public toilets is illegal. You can find out more about the legal situation of cottaging in this article.

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Pansexual

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | Pansexual

    What does pansexual mean?

    What does pansexual mean?

     

    Pansexuality is described and identified as a: romantic, sexual and emotional attraction to people of any sex or gender identity.

    The Oxford English Dictionary describes pansexuality as:

    “not limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity.”

    Pansexual people may describe themselves as gender-blind, meaning that a person’s gender identity isn’t or might not be a deciding factor in their attraction, and some may consider a person’s gender to be irrelevant and may reject the gender binary that exists in society.

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  • BIG GAY GLOSSARY | White Glove Bottom

    BIG GAY GLOSSARY | White Glove Bottom

    What does White Glove Bottom mean?

    What does White Glove Bottom mean?

    A white glove bottom is a guy who won’t bottom (be penetrated by another guy) unless he’s completely sure he’s completely clean if you get our drift. So basically he’s the type who will most probably douche or use an enema before penetration to ensure there’s no mess… ever.

    Not every man who bottoms is a “white glove bottom” – if you know your body and have a good diet it isn’t always necessary to be excessive with your cleaning.

    But if you’re worried about mess, use a condom. These things happen and it’s not the end of the world.

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