Gay - then and now

Linguistically speaking, at least, Mr David Ellul (The Sunday Times, June 26) is decades behind the times. I may be out by an edition at most but, as far as I can make out, the last time the Concise Oxford Dictionary defined gay as 'dissolute' was in...

Linguistically speaking, at least, Mr David Ellul (The Sunday Times, June 26) is decades behind the times. I may be out by an edition at most but, as far as I can make out, the last time the Concise Oxford Dictionary defined gay as 'dissolute' was in the fifth edition, which first came out in 1964. In the first edition (1998) of the New Oxford Dictionary of English, gay is defined merely as "a homosexual, especially a man".

Both professionally and privately, I have had the privilege of counting several homosexuals among my colleagues, friends and relations. I have found no more dissolute behaviour, and a great deal more genuine love, among them than among heterosexuals.

I am heterosexual myself. That was my choice and I would not dream of imposing it on others.

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