No, the term “gaysian” isn’t new. You don’t have to take our word for it, but you might not want to Google it from your work computer.
Wednesday, though, might have marked the first time the word was uttered from the stage at a party’s national convention. Rep. Mark Takano of California introduced himself as a proud gaysian in Philadelphia, which led more than a few reporters to prick up their ears.
.@RepMarkTakano tells #DemsinPhilly he supports @HillaryClinton "as a proud Gaysian" https://t.co/mJYW1jxVBi https://t.co/qQatEhCqaj
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 27, 2016
.@RepMarkTakano just called himself a "proud gaysian" at the DNC. First time that word was ever used at a convention? #DemConvention
— Emily C. Singer (@CahnEmily) July 27, 2016
Does Mark Takano get credit for bringing Gaysian to the mainstream lexicon, or has it been out there? #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/7sEGNBXsKK
— Sempervive. (@Sempervive) July 27, 2016
It’s not really mainstream (yet), but now we’re wondering if it’s supposed to capitalized or not. Is it safe for non-gay, non-Asians to use, or would that be considered offensive? The Associated Press Style Manual is no help at all here.
Rep. Mark Takano: "As a proud GaySian, I support Hillary Clinton…"
— John McCormack (@McCormackJohn) July 27, 2016
No, that doesn’t look right. We’ll stick with lowercase.
#Gaysian is a very clever word that I bet we'll hear more often. https://t.co/gkeNrFCXYT
— Brendan M. Kenny (@KennyBrendan) July 27, 2016
Recommended
Rep Mark Takano just introduced himself as the first openly gay person of color in Congress and as "a proud Gaysian." #DemsInPhilly Love it.
— Brian Ellison (@Ptsbrian) July 27, 2016
.@RepMarkTakano just referred to himself as a "gaysian." That was a great moment.
— Ali Rogin (@AliRogin) July 27, 2016
A great moment in history, no doubt. Watch your step at the DNC, people — you might slip in the unicorn tears shed by die-hard Bernie Sanders supporters and cut yourself on all of the glass ceilings that have been shattered this week.
In case you thought Dems and Repubs were the same: @RepMarkTakano, 1st gay POC US rep, just referred to himself as #gaysian #DemsInPhilly
— Rachel Eve Stein? (@RachelEveStein) July 27, 2016
It’s pretty clear that Democrats and Republicans aren’t the same; they might share bathrooms, but they still insist on holding their own conventions. Plus, Republicans don’t seem as concerned about publicizing their diversity, like the time Valerie Jarrett excitedly tweeted that she’d added the very first openly transgender White House liaison to her team. Where did we put those “Good for You!” stickers?
Rep. Mark Takano just called himself a "proud Gaysian" and didn't get nearly enough applause
— Emma Dumain (@Emma_Dumain) July 27, 2016
No wonder Democrats are so excited to nominate longtime LGBT champion Hillary Clinton, after watching President Obama casually pass up his opportunity to nominate “a black lesbian from Skokie” to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court.
Related:
Tolerance! Journos mock gay Republican Paypal co-founder Peter Thiel’s appearance at #RNCinCLE
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