homosexual

this term (from "homo," same, not "homo," man) refers to women and men with same-sex emotional, romantic, and sexual orientations, but most people see it as outdated, sexually objectifying, limiting, and offensive. Tim Campbell, founder and publisher of the now defunct GLC Voice, said, "The word homosexual defines a person by sexual behavior whereas gayness does not necessarily include sexual behavior." Writer Gore Vidal stated categorically that "homosexual" and "heterosexual" are adjectives that describe acts but never people. Use instead lesbian, gay man. The Association of American University Presses' Guidelines for Bias-Free Writing says "homosexual is preferable in pre-World War II contexts and in references to some traditional or non-Western cultures, where gay would seem anachronistic or discordant." The Associated Press, The New York Times, and The Washington Post restrict usage of the term "homosexual." Avoid using "homosexual" as a style variant simply to avoid repeated use of the word "gay." See also gay man, lesbian (n., adj.), same-sex (adj.).