gay power: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Political / Historical / Activist
Quick answer
What does “gay power” mean?
A political and social slogan advocating for the rights, visibility, and empowerment of gay people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political and social slogan advocating for the rights, visibility, and empowerment of gay people.
The concept of collective political and social strength within the LGBTQ+ community, historically associated with the post-Stonewall liberation movements of the late 1960s and 1970s.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar, as the term originates from the US gay liberation movement. It may be slightly more recognised in American historical contexts.
Connotations
Identical historical and political connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in current usage in both regions, primarily found in historical or academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “gay power” in a Sentence
[Slogan/Chant/Concept] of gay powerThe gay power [movement/era]To [chant/assert] gay powerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gay power” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gay power slogans were painted on banners.
- It was a defining gay power moment.
American English
- The gay power movement gained momentum after Stonewall.
- She wrote a thesis on gay power rhetoric.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or gender studies contexts to describe a specific movement.
Everyday
Rare in general conversation; may be used by activists or in discussions of LGBTQ+ history.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gay power”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gay power”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gay power”
- Using it to refer to an individual's personal charisma or influence ('He has a lot of gay power').
- Using it in present-day contexts without historical awareness.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a historical term from the early LGBTQ+ liberation movement. Modern equivalents include 'LGBTQ+ power' or 'pride'.
Almost never. It is a collective, political term referring to group empowerment and social movement strength.
'Gay power' emphasises political force and demanding rights, while 'gay pride' focuses on positive identity, self-affirmation, and celebration. 'Pride' evolved from and partially absorbed the 'power' concept.
No, it is not offensive, but it may sound dated or overly narrow (focusing only on 'gay' rather than the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum) to some modern listeners.
A political and social slogan advocating for the rights, visibility, and empowerment of gay people.
Gay power is usually political / historical / activist in register.
Gay power: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡeɪ ˈpaʊə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡeɪ ˈpaʊər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(Slogan, not a true idiom) 'Gay power!'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the raised fist symbol and the chant 'Gay Power!' at the first Pride marches.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL MOVEMENT IS PHYSICAL FORCE/POWER.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'gay power' MOST appropriately used today?