Comment

In and around mid 18th century, the term GAY was often used to describe a woman who had lost her reputation. Gay houses meant brothels. So looks like men snatched this rather colorful accreditation from women not too long ago. :)

How has this term transcended from being a term that described a personality (a person of wit, humor, joyous, brilliance, and cheerful personality -Gaiety) to merely being a narrow reference to male homosexuality beginning the early part of the last century has continued to baffle the many. Many take extra pleasure in crediting use of the term Gay in this context to American euphemism for the homosexuals.

as there is a term for gay women, is there a term for gay men?

Don't think so.

Originally, the term "Gay" was used exclusively for women, but over time it also included men. When women went off to being organized under their own exclusive umbrella term (lesbian), no one knows who but someone must have decided that men should just recycle the term "gay" for their own use.

You know, kind of like how Baby Dinosaur in the TV show Dinosaurs did not have a special name for the Dad -so he was called Not the Mama!