Why You Shouldn't Call Someone a Homosexual

Perhaps you've heard something like this, "My neighbor is a homosexual." Or, "There is a group of homosexuals."

This type of language is not helpful.

When you call someone a homosexual, you are zeroing in on their sexuality and amplifying that aspect of their personhood over everything else about them. Calling someone a homosexual puts their sexuality on the forefront of who they are as a person.

It comes across as if you've said to yourself, "What is the best way for me to describe this person? I'll start with their sexual life! Every time I talk about this person, I will begin by describing their sexuality."

Ask yourself this question: would you be comfortable if people insisted on introducing you as a heterosexual? Would you appreciate people highlighting your sexuality every time they mentioned you?

Aside from the reductive nature of describing a person based solely on their sexuality, the term homosexual also has a history of derogatory usage.

There is linkage to the derogatory usage of the term "homo." Also, the term homosexual has been used by numerous opponents to LGBTQ equality, including politicians, commentators, and religious leaders (i.e. the homosexual agenda). For many LGBTQ people, the term homosexual holds negative connotations based on the tone and usage of the word in the past. 

Not to mention the fact that, until 1973, homosexuality was described as a psychological disorder in the DSM. 

If you are referring to someone as a homosexual, ask yourself: is it necessary for me to highlight this aspect of the person's identity? If so, perhaps it is best to refer to them as an LGBT person, as applicable to that specific person.

Perhaps there are ways to use the term homosexuality in clinical, descriptive, or non-offensive ways in a general sense, but whenever you are talking about people, remember that tone matters. Resist the impulse to define a person by their sexuality. And don't lose sight of the living, breathing people you are talking to and about.