Date: Sun, 3 Mar 1996 07:45:30 -0500

From: "M. Lynne Murphy" 104LYN[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MUSE.ARTS.WITS.AC.ZA

Subject: gay



re: the recent query about _gay_ meaning 'male homosexual'



i just read a newsletter for a gay and lesbian organization that

repeatedly used the phrase "lesbians and gay women" in an article

about a women's health retreat. now, i know that there's some

difference in identity with the two terms, but i'd never seen the

terms so blatantly contrasted, i assume in an effort for inclusive

language. (it was a south african newsletter, so i wonder if this

usage has anything to do w/ the rather hard-and-fast butch/femme role-

taking here--the "lesbians" being the butches and the "gay women" the

femmes.)



antipodally,

lynne m.



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