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Origin of Everything: History of the Word “Gay”

6 minutes 3 seconds

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

The video 'Origin of Everything: History of the Word “Gay�' explores the etymology and societal evolution of the word 'gay.' Initially denoting a sense of happiness and brightness, its connotation shifted over centuries to signify same-sex relationships and sexual identity. The video elucidates how 'gay' transitioned from associations with hedonism in the 16th century to indicating brothels in the 18th century and eventually became a term embraced by the LGBTQ community for self-identification and advocacy for social justice. Discussing historical contexts, it highlights the role activists played in the 1960s to transform 'gay' into a term of pride and resistance against discriminatory laws. By the late 20th century, common usage supplanted medicalized terms like 'homosexual,' enhancing its role in the gay rights and civil rights movements. Through exploring historical linguistics and cultural shifts, the video underscores the influential power of language in advancing social change.

Media Details

Runtime: 6 minutes 3 seconds

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