LOST LANGUAGE OF PRIDE:
12 Terms You May Have Forgotten
- Atilla Tiriyaki
- Average Reading Time: 12 minutes
- Community
- articles, atillat, guides
Today, there are many words, terms, and phrases used to describe groups or individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community, both positive and negative, that provide an immediate understanding and serve as a point of reference across communities and societies worldwide. Words that are commonly used today may, like words of the past, be forgotten or come to mean something entirely different to future generations. Discover 12 terms that once held a significant meaning in history, explore what each term meant and the historical context each word held for the community.
DISCLAIMER
All published articles are intended for an audience aged 18 years and over and have been written by members of the general public. Many will likely not be journalists nor be affiliated with any professional bodies associated with members of the media. The articles will likely be based on the authors' own opinions, views, and experiences...more
Many of the terms and phrases we use throughout our lives are handed down or inherited from past generations, as well as developed and communicated by our family, friends, and broader society. With each new generation creating its own vocabulary, adopting, adapting, and even replacing unique terms and their meanings. All understanding that our words have real power and that a single phrase or term, once said, can immediately bring with it a type of collective clarity or understanding with all those around us.
A term or phrase, whether positive or negative, that is widely used today, and which forms part of our daily conversations, like so many terms from the past, could one day also become forgotten or have its meaning change to represent something completely new. For the LGBTQIA+ community, there have been many terms and phrases used to describe their lifestyles, behaviours and appearance. Many of these terms associated with the community were initially designed to insult, degrade, and ultimately highlight and label differences. Though these terms have a long, complicated history, the community has taken ownership of their meanings and intent, turning the very words used to insult into ones that now empower.
In addition to those LGBTQIA+ words and phrases that are being repurposed, many more are slowly being lost to time, forgotten to history, the world, but also within the community itself. Many terms that were once important to many, words that, in some instances, helped a community connect, communicate, and even helped some individuals blend into society as a whole, while still accepting who they are. In contrast, some of the terms, especially those that were derogatory or insulting, have been lost due to changes in society, improved visibility and acceptance, or simply replaced with those that better reflect our current understanding.
Let us explore 12 important associated LGBTQIA+ terms and phrases, how and when they were used, and what they represent in LGBTQIA+ history.
A term or phrase, whether positive or negative, that is widely used today, and which forms part of our daily conversations, like so many terms from the past, could one day also become forgotten or have its meaning change to represent something completely new. For the LGBTQIA+ community, there have been many terms and phrases used to describe their lifestyles, behaviours and appearance. Many of these terms associated with the community were initially designed to insult, degrade, and ultimately highlight and label differences. Though these terms have a long, complicated history, the community has taken ownership of their meanings and intent, turning the very words used to insult into ones that now empower.
In addition to those LGBTQIA+ words and phrases that are being repurposed, many more are slowly being lost to time, forgotten to history, the world, but also within the community itself. Many terms that were once important to many, words that, in some instances, helped a community connect, communicate, and even helped some individuals blend into society as a whole, while still accepting who they are. In contrast, some of the terms, especially those that were derogatory or insulting, have been lost due to changes in society, improved visibility and acceptance, or simply replaced with those that better reflect our current understanding.
Let us explore 12 important associated LGBTQIA+ terms and phrases, how and when they were used, and what they represent in LGBTQIA+ history.
Europe and parts of Asia | 20th century
A cant is a form of speech based on slang, where specialised jargon and terms are used to provide discrete and private conversations between individuals and groups. The Polari was a slang or secret cant used by gay people in the United Kingdom, during the period prior to the decriminalisation of same sex relations prior to the 1960s, enabling gay men to communicate with other gay men discreetly. Similar forms of slang existed in different parts of the world, such as Swardspeak in the Philippines, Bahasa Binan in Indonesia, Lubunca in Turkiye, and Kaliardá in Greece. Some of these cants, words and phrases are still used in many cultures and societies today.
Caribbean | 20th century
The two terms are slang used by Black and Latin individuals historically located in the Caribbean. Zami is a term used to describe a homosexual or lesbian woman in the former West Indies, an island subregion within North America. The term became better known when the LGBTQIA+ writer, professor, philosopher, poet, and civil rights activist Audre Lorde named her book “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name”. Mati is predominately used in the South American country, Suriname and the Dutch Caribbean islands, and is used to describe a woman who maintains a sexual relationship with other women, seen more as a behaviour rather than an identity. The term is rooted in the Afro-Surinamese culture of the Maroons, who are descendants of formerly enslaved Africans.
Africa | 16th, 17th and 20th century
Today, the East African Swahili term Wajumba is used to mean delegates, representatives, or messengers; however, historically, it was used to describe people in same-sex relationships or in specific gender roles. The term was widely used across East Africa, particularly in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The term Chibados (or quimbandas) was used by the cultures of the Kingdom of Ndongo in the 16th and 17th centuries, which now form part of modern-day Angola. The term is used to describe third-gender people, those who were born male but lived as women. The Chibados were usually spiritual arbiters in political and military decision-making, as well as performing burials.
Oceania | 18th century
The Hawaiian word Māhū was a term used in the late 18th century to describe individuals who embodied both masculine and feminine qualities. The Māhū held specific social and cultural roles in traditional Hawaiian society, often serving as kāhuna (priests or healers), cultural custodians, teachers, or advisors. Takatāpui is a Māori term that originally meant close companion or intimate partner and is now being reclaimed by New Zealand’s Māori community to represent individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, with a particular emphasis on Māori cultural identity.
Ancient Greece and Judea | c.1200–639 BCE
The term Androgynos originated in Ancient Greek and was referenced in Roman Latin scriptures from the same period. The term was used to describe an individual who possessed both male and female physical characteristics or someone who exhibited a combination of male and female traits. It was often used historically in medical, biological, and debates about what we now refer to as intersex individuals or those who have gender duality. The term Tutum was referenced in an ancient Jewish text from the Rabbinic period, and its literal translation in Hebrew is “hidden.” The term was used to describe an individual whose sexual or gender identity was ambiguous or unclear, often interpreted as someone with an unknown sexual orientation or anatomy.
Eastern Asia (Japan) | 300 BC and 17th Century
The term Yayoi had two meanings: the first, a period in Japanese history; the second, a term in ancient Japan for gender roles. Though not specifically LGBTQIA+, there are many cultural and mythological contexts in which the term is applied, such as being used to describe those Japanese deities who exhibited gender-fluid or non-binary characteristics. For example, certain kami (gods or spirits) are considered beyond human gender distinctions. In contrast, the term Nanshoku, which was used in the Edo period, was used to reference an individual in a same-sex relationship, typically gay men. The term can be translated as male love or male colour and is associated with practices of male intimacy that were often socially accepted or even institutionalised in certain situations.
Eastern Asia (China) | 1 BC – 9 AD
The term Cut sleeve (断袖) dates back to the Han period and is a story about Emperor Ai and his same-sex partner, Dong Xian. The story told in literature and in art is that the emperor was so devoted to his partner that he cut off the sleeve of his clothes to avoid disturbing his sleeping partner, showing his deep affection, with the term later becoming a euphemism for male same-sex love. The term and story not only emphasise devotion and the emotional bond between lovers, but also highlight the cultural acceptance and recognition of male romantic relationships in ancient Chinese society. The next term, Love of the Shared Peach (余桃) is based on a story from the Han dynasty involving a duke and his male lover. The story goes that the duke’s lover shared a piece of his peach with him, symbolising intimacy, sharing, and affection. Sometimes, the story emphasises the lover offering half a peach, symbolising equality and mutual love.
Asia | 14th century
The term Xanith, though not tied to a specific period, has existed for centuries, predating Islam in Arab societies, especially in Oman. The term Xanith relates to individuals assigned male at birth who live and dress as female, often being considered a third gender or a gender category that embodies a blend of male and female traits. Xaniths were generally accepted within their communities, occupying a recognised social niche, often working as dancers, entertainers, or assistants in social and ceremonial contexts. The next term, Bissu, comes from the Bugis people of South Sulawesi in Indonesia. The term describes a traditional gender role that combines elements of male and female, which is considered sacred and spiritual, and is often associated with spiritual leadership and ritual authority. Though both terms have been around for centuries, some of the earliest recorded instances date back to the 14th century.
North Africa | 2500-5 BCE.
The term Sekhet has two specific meanings. First, it relates to the ancient Egyptian goddess associated with war, healing, and fierce femininity. The second, found in Middle Kingdom pottery shards, listed three human genders: male, female, and sekhet. The term is believed to be used in relation to individuals of non-confirming gender or sexual identities, and is sometimes used to refer to eunuchs. The Siwa Oasis is less a term, more a unique culture. A culture dating back to the 5th century BC, a society living in an isolated Egyptian oasis in the western desert near the Libyan border. With the Siwa community, male homosexuality and same-sex marriage were historically accepted. As late as 1900, reports detailed men paying for a young male partner and celebrating same-sex marriages, with older men keeping male harems.
Ancient Europe | 800-8 BC
In ancient Roman and Greek societies, there was a societal practice known as pedestry. The practice today is rightfully seen as predatory and highlights a power imbalance; however, historically, it was seen as an educational practice and reflected a relationship often between a mentor (an older man known as the erastes) and a mentee (often pre-pubescent, known as eromenos or pais). The relationships were focused on mentorship; however, at times, they were romantic or sexual. Taken from the Latin word catamitus, popular during the Renaissance period, a catamite is used to describe a same-sex relationship between a boy, who is kept for sexual activity and an older man. Also used to describe this type of relationship is Ganymede. Ganymede, a figure from Greek mythology often depicted as a beautiful young boy. The God Zeus abducted Ganymede to serve as the cupbearer of the gods on Mount Olympus. Zeus’s abduction of Ganymede is often interpreted as an allegory of a romantic or sexual relationship between a god and a mortal boy. The myth was used to highlight the Greek accepted norm of pederastic relationships, especially in contexts where youth and beauty were highly valued.
Europe | | 800-8 BC
In Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece, views on same-sex relationships were very different from today’s societal norms. Same-sex relationships were generally socially acceptable; however, they were viewed less as love or commitment but more as status, gender roles and cultural norms. Often, a person of high status should maintain and be seen as more masculine, active, and dominant in the relationship, known as ludus or dominus, while the partner, the person of a lower status, often a younger person, is referred to as exoletus, the passive male in a sexual relationship. Ultimately, it was generally accepted for Roman men to engage in sexual activity with male youths or slaves, provided the active male maintained his social and political status. Similarly, in Ancient Greece, it is known as Kinaidoi, more a pejorative term for adult men who took the passive, or receptive, role in sex, often, seen as shameful, as it was a deviation from the expected masculine social role.
The Americas | 1500 BC & 13th century
The term Muxe refers to an accepted third-gender role within Zapotec culture in Oaxaca, Mexico. The term refers to individuals who are assigned male at birth but adopt roles, behaviours, or identities that are traditionally considered female or are somewhere outside the conventional norms. The muxes were recognised, valued, and respected for their unique social and cultural contributions; many were able to marry and work in various professions and were often seen as a blend of gender roles. The Quariwarmi were androgynous shamans found in the Inca Empire in Peru. The term translates to “men-women,” where shamans would wear clothing of both masculine and feminine styles to represent a third space between dualistic forces, such as the male and female, and the living and the dead. These shamans performed rituals, sometimes involving same-sex erotic practices, in honour of the dual-gendered jaguar deity, Chuqui Chinchay.
Words are powerful; they shape our thoughts, influence our emotions, and can often change the way we see the world. Many of these terms and phrases, and their respective meanings, go beyond their literal definitions and are capable of inspiring, comforting, or, in some cases, even causing harm, degrading, and insulting others. Because of their impact, that is why it is always important to consider our choice of words and to understand what they actually mean and represent when communication with others.
Many of the terms and phrases we have explored often reflected social behaviour, identity, or the norms of their time, and those that were frequently linked to or associated with the LGBTQIA+ community. From being revered to an accepted part of society, the key is that many of the terms reflect that not only did LGBTQIA+ individuals exist throughout history, but they were often part of the fabric of society, albeit on the fringe in many cases, but most importantly, were not actively persecuted or targeted.
Though many of the practices and societal norms have changed over time, with some even rightly condemned in modern society due to their exploitative aspects and power imbalance, most often do reflect how sex, love and relationships were frequently seen as separate, as well as being naturally occurring and not a conscious choice, unlike today where some modern groups and political movements are known to cite the contrary. For those out there that create the narrative that identifying as LGBTQIA+ is a modern phenomenon or that the community has always been persecuted, only needs to look at history and how some of the greatest civilisations in human history, many of which created the foundations of modern society, not only acknowledged human diversity and identity, but also created conditions and situations in which it could thrive amongst those same societies.
Stay safe, and until the next time.
Many of the terms and phrases we have explored often reflected social behaviour, identity, or the norms of their time, and those that were frequently linked to or associated with the LGBTQIA+ community. From being revered to an accepted part of society, the key is that many of the terms reflect that not only did LGBTQIA+ individuals exist throughout history, but they were often part of the fabric of society, albeit on the fringe in many cases, but most importantly, were not actively persecuted or targeted.
Though many of the practices and societal norms have changed over time, with some even rightly condemned in modern society due to their exploitative aspects and power imbalance, most often do reflect how sex, love and relationships were frequently seen as separate, as well as being naturally occurring and not a conscious choice, unlike today where some modern groups and political movements are known to cite the contrary. For those out there that create the narrative that identifying as LGBTQIA+ is a modern phenomenon or that the community has always been persecuted, only needs to look at history and how some of the greatest civilisations in human history, many of which created the foundations of modern society, not only acknowledged human diversity and identity, but also created conditions and situations in which it could thrive amongst those same societies.
Stay safe, and until the next time.
Acceptance and coming to terms with a part of what makes you can be challenging for many people. The Gayther pride in series is about celebrating all things relating to sexualities, gender identities and special groups. Showcasing the exceptional people, interesting facts and ways to connect with those unique communities
Learn more about the exceptional LGBTQIA+ community, discover the community’s history, the ongoing movement for equality, the size of the community and how much it contributes to the world economy, frequently asked questions and much more.
Learn more about how individual countries and regions around the world treat members of the LGBTQIA+ community. From the status and laws of same-sex marriages to gender identity recognition, this easy-to-use equality index provides a score and breakdown for every country worldwide.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: All published articles have been written by members of the general public. Many will likely not be journalists nor be affiliated with any professional bodies associated with members of the media. The articles will likely be based on the authors’ own opinions, views, and experiences. Gayther does not endorse or accept any responsibility or liability regarding any materials within the news and media pages. This page may contain external links to third party websites; Gayther provides these links for your convenience and does not endorse, warrant or recommend any particular products or services. By clicking on any external links, you will leave Gayther and be taken to the third-party website, which you do so at your own risk and by accessing the site, you will be required to comply with the external third party’s terms and conditions of use and privacy policies
Discover all of the topical articles written by people from across the community and friends, all sharing their stories, opinions and experiences
