Help with LGBTQ terminology specific to Ireland

syntax1

Hi guys and girls!

I am teaching a class on gender issues and one of the topics is LGBTQ (what I umbrella as queer but I am aware not everyone finds that term tasteful) terminology and I would very much like to get your help with it.

I know all the basics as well as the terms specific to the US because of Wikipedia. What I do need help with is terminology specific to Ireland (and the UK if you know) that relates to sexuality, gender identity and expression, and really anything LGBTQ.

So, if you could post any local terms you are familiar with with any definitions and usage information I would very much appreciate it!

Cheers! Go raibh maith agaibh!

Annasopra

I'm not really aware of any specific terms to Ireland

What are the terms you think you will be covering?

syntax1

All sorts of terms. I will be first approaching the topic from an academic standpoint so I will be discussing terms like hetronormativity, cisgender, transmisogyny, heavy terms like that. We will learn about gay sub-cultures through terms like bears and chubs, investigate the complex use of terms like queer and dyke and end with very specific terms such as chapstick lesbian and girlffag.

Annasopra

I've never heard of chapstick lesbian or transmysogyny or girlffag before

Some terms I've come across in Ireland that I think might be particular to Ireland would be:

Faghag
Fairy
Mary
On the bus


Also sometimes in this forum we ironically use the term QUILTBAGPIPE

Goodshape

Pretty sure I've heard faghag on some American telly shows.

What's Quiltbagpipes again? :-)
Queer, Undecided, Intersex?, Lesbian, Trans*, Bi, Asexual, Gay... and the rest is new to me?

OP, i think that one's used a bit tongue in cheek in reference to the ever increasing acronym LGB..T..Q...etc. I like it, though :-)

Annasopra

Bit of a tongue in cheek alright

Q- queer/questioning
U- undecided
I- intersexed
L- lesbian
T- trans
B- bisexual
A- asexual
G- gay
P- pansexual
I- indeterminate
P- polyamorous
E- everyone

syntax1

Cheers! I hadn't heard of the phrase on the bus before.

I am familiar with the term faghag.

Am I right in thinking that Mary and Sally are nicknames used affectionately amongst gay men?

Annasopra

syntax1 wrote: »

Cheers! I hadn't heard of the phrase on the bus before.

I am familiar with the term faghag.

Am I right in thinking that Mary and Sally are nicknames used affectionately amongst gay men?

Yeah

I got Mary from here - I think it is something a bit more "affectionate" than offensive

http://glyni.org.uk/lgbt-life-i-might-be-lgbt/gay-words/

Also the term "steamer" is I think an abusive term from Cork or Limerick

mango salsa

mango salsa wrote: »

Also the term "steamer" is I think an abusive term from Cork or Limerick

100% yes in Limerick. Dunno about Cork. Also don't know and don't want to know its origins, but it's kind of an older expression you wouldn't hear so often anymore. Not with the younger new generation of bigots anyway, the older bigots will still say it. Also it only applies to men.

toexpress

lets not forget

• brown atter
• hot dog horse
• sweet corn packer
• fudge packer
• back door bandit
• knob shiner
• knob jockey

stephen_n

There are plenty more derogatory terms specific to Ireland but I'm not sure that's what the op is looking for!

toexpress

Friend of Dorothy ... Always liked that one

Morag

Deleted User wrote: »

100% yes in Limerick. Dunno about Cork. Also don't know and don't want to know its origins, but it's kind of an older expression you wouldn't hear so often anymore. Not with the younger new generation of bigots anyway, the older bigots will still say it. Also it only applies to men.

Steamer is used in Dublin as well, refers to men who frequent saunas.

bodice ripper

I have decided, since everyone gets to self-identify supposedly, that I am not Gay, Lesbian, Pansexual, Bisexual or Polyamorus.

I am a Deviant. I demand a letter and a parade.

Annasopra

bodice ripper wrote: »

I have decided, since everyone gets to self-identify supposedly, that I am not Gay, Lesbian, Pansexual, Bisexual or Polyamorus.

I am a Deviant. I demand a letter and a parade.

That's great. Parades of 1 would be sooo much fun

bodice ripper

mango salsa wrote: »

That's great. Parades of 1 would be sooo much fun

you seriously think I am the only Deviant? You probably know multiple Deviants and just don't know. We are just like everyone else, we are just Deviants in the bedroom.

Ambersky

Coming out in the late 70s early 80s just from my own experience there was little or no language for lesbians. Invisibility and lack of a language and culture were part of the problem. I lived with a woman for 5 years in the 70s before I called myself gay because there was no one to compare myself to and without reference and in isolation I did not know if my relationship was just something peculiar to me.
Lesbians and lesbianism was even more invisible than gay maleness and less spoken about.
Gradually as the word lesbian became more familiar I heard the word lezzer used both in a derogatory way and in a kind of fond slagging, mainly in Dublin and mainly from working class women or girls. How long that word was there I dont know.
Other terminology I think gradually came in mainly from America and as far as I know still does.