Glossary

Sides and Methods

(These are super-abbreviated definitions for quick reference or for a reminder. Please see the Sides and Methods pages for more detail/discussion of these terms.

Side A: Homosexual sex is morally ok.

Side B: Homosexual sex is not morally ok.

Side C: Unsure about or uncomfortable with declaring oneself as sideA or sideB

Method D: Opposed to respectful dialogue and relationships across the divide

Method E: In favor of respectful dialogue and relationships across the divide

Talking about Sexuality

sga, sgb, sgi, sgf, sgr: same-gender [sexual] attraction, same gender [sexual] behavior, same-gender [sexual] identity, same-gender [sexual] fantasy, same-gender [sexual] relationships.

oga, ogb, ogi, ogf, ogr: same as above, only "opposite-gender" instead of "same-gender".

These terms (well, at least the first four), were created by a sideA researcher trying to give credit to the various aspects that make up human sexuality. Some find the distinctions unnatural

Ex-gay: Used differently by different folks. May refer to a shift in sexual orientation. May refer to a shift in sexual identity.

Gay: Used differently by different folks. May refer to simply being predominantly attracted to the same sex. May refer to an identity that one takes on, a lens through which one views oneself and one's life.

Talking about Religion

PRR: "Political Religious Right"

Christian: Generally includes all who identify themselves as such. Squabbling about who gets to use the label is rather unproductive.

cC: conservative Christian. Usually refers to evangelicals, fundamentalists, conservative/traditional Catholics, and conservative/traditional Orthodox Christians. The conservatism is a theological conservatism, not a political one. A cC can have as liberal politics as anyone else.

eC: evangelical Christian. A subset of cC.

fC: fundamentalist Christian. A subset of eC

lC: liberal Christian. This term covers an even broader field than "cC" does. A statement of one lC perspective can be found here.

Pagan: We use this word to refer to followers of any one of a number of Earth-based spiritual paths, including Wicca, Vodoun, etc. It should be capitalized. It is not suitable for use as a general label for any and all things non-Christian.

General Guidelines for Cross-Divide Talking

1. Try to call people what they want to be called. How we address each other is not the appropriate place to try to make a point about issues.
2. Do not use quotes around a term, e.g., "ex-gay", or "gay", or "Christian" to imply cynicism/skepticism about the use of a term. Along the same lines, avoid the use of phrases like "so-called".
3. Try to understand how people are using their words rather than berating them for not using them in precisely the same manner as you do. It is a fact that the different sides of the divide use the same words differently.

Phrases to Avoid

"The lifestyle": Fails to acknowledge the diversity in how gay people live their lives.

"Hate the sin, love the sinner": No doubt an accurate statement of what eC's believe they are commanded to do, but the phrase has become something of a mere excuse for a rather diffuse hatred. Many who have used it in the past have been clear about their hatred, but not so clear about their love.