I agree with columnist Kaitlyn Andrews-Rice's point that the word "gay" shouldn't be used in a derogatory way ("Improper use of 'gay' can set a bad pattern," Jan. 30 column). However, I feel that Ms. Andrews-Rice greatly underemphasized a major point, which is that the word "gay" has actually been stolen from our language by homosexuality. Years ago "gay" was a perfectly fine word that one could use without any sexual connotation. In fact, at the University of Virginia, the school's fight song includes the phrase "we come from old Virginia, where all is bright and gay." Long ago when the song was written, this was an uplifting message
about the quality of life in Virginia, but now after singing this line of the song students have to yell "NOT GAY!" to clarify.

Why has the word "gay" been redefined to mean "homosexual"? According to the dictionary, "gay" means cheerful, lively, lighthearted, etc. At least it used to. I know lots of heterosexual people, including myself, that are cheerful and lively, but I can't say that they are gay because that word has been stolen from me.

Furthermore, the term "straight" has been redefined in a similarly ridiculous fashion. What does the word "straight" have to do with being heterosexual? "Straight" just means continuing in the same direction without curving. Does this mean that a heterosexual person with scoliosis is not "straight"? I would say so, but according to society I would be wrong. Maybe instead of worrying about whether gay is a bad word or not, we should just call people what they are instead of ruining perfectly good words that mean completely different things.