Celebrating the most important festivity of the year, we've cooked up a special Pride Post for you, decoding the secretive language of the gay community.
"Hey gorgeous," "Lift it up, sis!", "I just can't with this day anymore," "What about her?", "You're a lesbian." These are just some of the phrases commonly used among members of the proud Hebrew-speaking community. Often, folks who aren't acquainted with gays (and we're not sure how that's possible, right?), wonder why homosexuals choose to address each other in a feminine manner even though they're men.
So, let's start at the end: it's simply fun! There's something liberating about casting aside gender norms and allowing yourself to choose the language you want to use. Plus, and trust us on this one, the moment a gay couple walks into a restaurant or café and tells the waitress, "We would like to order," using a feminine form instead of masculine, it instantly elicits a smile.
Beyond that, minority groups often develop a secret or internal language; for instance, Jews in Europe began speaking Yiddish among themselves, Spanish and Turkish Jews chatted in Ladino, and gays tend to use the feminine vernacular when addressing each other.
But let's be clear here: there's no obligation. It's a matter of choice and there's a lot of humor in using feminine language. It's also important to be mindful not to hurt someone's feelings, so what we suggest is, if you're wondering how to address a gay guy you know and love, simply ask. How does he prefer to be addressed? Believe us, that's the best choice, rather than everyone walking around with name tags stating their preferred body pronouns, American style.
On this optimistic note, we wish you a fantastic, fabulous, and most of all, fun-filled Pride Day! Enjoy!