A group of lesbians unhappy with their title have launched a world-wide movement to change the name of their sexuality to "gayelle" due to a "persistent distaste for the word lesbian" which they argue has now become derogatory. They argue "the word lesbian is antiquated; it is not representative of modern times, and or, of persons with modern views. Lesbian does not sound cheerful and fun, nor does it mean merry, like the word gay does; rather, it sounds more like loner, loser, and less. Gay females deserve more, not less".
Gayelle, denoting anyone gay and female, is made up of the words "gay" and "elle" meaning "she" in French. "The invention of “gayelle†is with the idea and hope that it will have a worldwide appeal, and ultimately, supersede the word lesbian; a suitable replacement is necessary for positive language and the healthy self-esteem of the gay-female-population," the website states. Theyalso argue that gay does not aptly reflect their sexuality as it has become associated specifically with homosexual men.
If you support the gayelle movement, then you may choose to shop gayelle: perhaps a tee for yourself or your dog? or a teddy for your special someone?
The New Lesbian
Gayelle
Trend Themes
1. Name Change Movement - The movement to replace the term 'lesbian' with 'gayelle' presents an opportunity for businesses to create new products and services that cater to this community's desire for a more positive label.
2. Positive Language Adoption - Businesses can explore strategies to adopt more positive language in their marketing and branding efforts, aligning with the values and goals of the gayelle movement.
3. Gender-inclusive Terminology - The push for gender-inclusive language and terminology opens up opportunities for companies in various industries to rebrand their products and services to be more inclusive, appealing to a wider range of customers.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The demand for gayelle-branded apparel and accessories presents an opportunity for fashion companies to create stylish, inclusive options for the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Media and Entertainment - The adoption of the term 'gayelle' may lead to new storytelling opportunities in media and entertainment, allowing for more diverse and inclusive representation of gay females.
3. Language and Communication - Companies specializing in language services and tools can explore developing resources to support the use and adoption of positive and inclusive terminology like 'gayelle' and promote its usage.