The following is a list of sexual slurs that are, or have been, used to refer to members of a given sexual minority, gender, sex, or sexual orientation in a derogatory or pejorative manner. Each term is listed, followed by its definition, usage, and origin. Not all terms on the list are considered equally offensive.
Many of these terms are used more widely than would be imagined based on their "definition"; for example, gay may be used as a term of disparagement to refer to any person or thing the speaker thinks is stupid. The key here is that the person using the slur intends to harm the person so labeled by associating them with a sexual minority. The motivation for using a sexual slur is often sexism and/or bias against a sexual orientation).
As seen above with the term gay, words which at one point had predominantly positive connotations and came from the minority groups themselves are often eventually used against them as slurs. It is also not uncommon for members of minority groups to appropriate an originally disparaging term and use it for themselves, as an act of self-assertion. However, they may be extremely offended if it is used by members of the majority group. The word nigger is an example. Queer, on the other hand, has been re-claimed by many members of sexual minorities and is the term by which these individuals would prefer to be called, as long as it is in a respectful manner.
Some of the slurs used against women are also used against men, but with the addition of the qualifier male. So slut becomes male slut, and whore becomes male whore. These uses are problematic because they imply that being a woman is a normal characteristic of a slut or a whore, and thus when a man is a slut or whore it must be specified. Similarly, by common usage being a man is the implicit state of a prick and a female prick requires the specifier. See the article Non-sexist language for a discussion of related issues.
University of New England researcher David Plummer argues that the following anti-gay terms that often connotate effeminate behaviour are also used when young boys betray "peer group solidarity" or fail to, "measure up to 'hegemonic' boys' standards rather than necessarily being 'feminine'." Thus, he argues, "homophobia has its early roots in boyhood 'otherness'—specifically in being different from the collectively authorized expectations of male peers." [1] (PDF file)
A bit lavender - (US) a man suspected of being gay
Abomination - (US) the Old Testament term for homosexuals and homosexuality, considered highly pejorative
AC/DC - (North America) bisexual; not named after the band but used in the "goes both ways" sense (much like the French "marcher à voile et au vapeur", to go by sail and by steam)
African Queen - (UK) blackgaymale, Named after a well-known film.
anal astronaut - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
anal commander - (Australia) gay male, refers to anal sex
anal maniac - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex, possibly a reference to the Animaniacs
Another Infected Dick Sucker (aids) - (North America) highly pejorative term for HIV positive gay men
Antiman - (Anglophone Caribean) black term for homosexuals
armpit braider - (North America) militant feminist
ass bandit - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
ass goblin (gobblin') - (North America) gay male
ass jockey - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
ass monkey - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
ass pirate - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
ass rammer - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
ass spelunker - (North America) gay male
ass viking - (North America) gay male
asshole bender - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
Astro-Glider - (North America) gay male, refers to a lubricant used in anal sex
Auntie - (UK Commonwealth & US) old flamboyant queen (based on Auntie Mame - despite her being an actual woman)
avaleuse - (Francophone countries/territories) a female cocksucker
avaleur - (Francophone countries/territories) a male cocksucker
B
bachelor boy - (UK Commonwealth) see "confirmed bachelor"
back door bandit - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
ballbuster - (North America) domineering female
banty boy / bantam - (UK) an emasculated male, or a homosexual
bastard - (UK Commonwealth & US) person born out of wedlock or "illegitimately"; jerk, or the male equivalent of bitch despite its common use to describe women
battle axe - (North America) a very masculine, domineering woman.
bimbo - (North America) a dim-witted promiscuous female
bird - (UK Commonwealth) a sexually objectified female
Biscuit Eater - (US) see "salad tosser", the term "Son of a Biscuit Eater" also used
bitch - (North America) female dog; overly aggressive and spiteful female; woman who does not conform to society's behavioral, sexual, and clothing norms; a person (usually male) who receives anal sex (originated as prison slang); a man who is dominated in a relationship by another
Bog Queen - (UK) a gay male that seeks sex in public toilets - for example George Michael
bone smuggler - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
booty bandit - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
butch - (North America) masculine female; or female who has the traditional "masculine" role in a lesbian relationship
buttered both sides - (UK) bisexual (adjective)
butthole explorer - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
butthole surfer - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
butt bandit - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
butt banger - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
butt buddies - (North America) gay male sexual partners, refers to anal sex
butt fucker - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
butt pirate - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
butty - (North America) gay male sexual partner, refers to anal sex
C
cake boy - (U.S.) a gay man
cake eater - (North America) gay male, refers to analingus
carpet muncher - (North America) lesbian, refers to oral sex
castrato - (UK & US) a castrated or otherwise emasculated young male
catcher - (North America) receiver of anal intercourse - usually gay
catamite - (UK & US) male that receives anal intercourse - used as a slur since at least early 19th-century
Charlie Sierra - (US Military) a cocksucker - derived from radio alphabet for CS (term usually used figuratively like "brown-noser", but sometimes used literally as a term for homosexuals)
Chester - (North America) person suspected of being a molester - from the cartoon character from Hustler Magazine
chick - (North America) a sexually objectified female
chicken (homosexual) - (North America & UK) a (postpubescent) young man (usually one found attractive by gay men at least a few years older)
chickenhawk (homosexual) - (North America & UK) a gay man who has a sexual preference for postpubescent young men (mid-teens to early-20s, generally)
chick with dick - (North America) a preoperative transsexual male
chilito - (Southwest US & Mexico) Spanish for small cock, sometimes directed at asians - literally "small chile pepper" (chile pepper being euphemism for penis)
Chimp-Pansy - (US) effeminate young black male
chocolate starfish invader - North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
chowder chugger - (North America) gay male, refers to oral sex
chulo - (Southwest US & Mexico) Spanish for pretty or effeminate young male, see "queer bait"
chupapene - (Southwest US & Mexico) Spanish for cocksucker
circle jerker - (North America) a male that participates in the juvenile practice of a "circle jerk" where several males compete to see who can ejaculate first into a cup or onto a piece of bread - the "loser" (last to ejaculate) must drink the cup or eat the biscuit
closet case - (North America) a closeted homosexual, one who keeps their sexuality secret
crewcut - (North America) a masculine female, or female wearing a crewcut hairstyle
cumguzzler - (North America) one who performs oral sex on a man and subsequently swallows the ejaculate (cum).
cunning linguist - (North America) lesbian, a humorous malaprop for cunnilingus
cunt - (North America & UK) literally vulva - very strong term of abuse, disliked person (in North America mainly restricted to females) sometimes euphemized to "C word"
cupcake - (North America) a gay or effeminate male - see "fairy cake"
D
daddy's girl - (North America) a masculine female who is controlled by her father or has a good relationship with him
dickhead - (North America) penis head, insensitive male
dike - (North America) a common misspelling of "Dyke"
dirt track rider - (Australia) gay male, refers to anal sex
dolly - prostitute, usually young and/or inexperienced (term used as early as 18th-century, perhaps earlier)
double adapter - (Australia) a bisexual
doughnut puncher - (North America) gay male
Down Low - (US) see "on the down low"
dyke - (North America) lesbian, many possible origins: may come from "dyked out" or getting dressed up; possibly from hermaphrodite → maphrodite → maphrodike or from Boudicca, a female Celtic queen of the Iceni tribe
E
Egg Roll Dick - (North America) an Asian Male, because the stereotypical uncircumcised asian penis looks like a small egg roll
Esther, Aunt - (US) hatchet faced old battleaxe (from character portrayed by LaWanda Page on Sanford & Son)
eunuch - (UK & US) a castrated or otherwise emasculated male
F
fag - (North America) gay male, derived from the term "Fag Boy" for servant boys in British boarding schools. Etymology in this case refers to "fagged" as tired from their servitude. No longer widely used in Britain. Also a British term for cigarette. See also "faggot."
fagela - (Jews) term for gay male. This word is not derived from Hebrew or Yiddish, it was just an adaptation of the term "fag."
fag hag - (North America) a heterosexual woman who prefers the company of male homosexuals
fag trap - (North America) a heterosexual person who acts in a manner to attract homosexuals; see "queer bait"
fagnostic - (North America) a gay person in denial about their sexuality. Contrived from the words fag and agnostic.
fairy - (North America) effeminate and/or gay male
fairy cake - (U.K. Commonwealth) literal translation is cupcake also an effeminate and/or gay male
family - (North America) homosexual community
fanny - (US) buttocks or (UK) vagina, or insensitive male
felcher - (North America) a gay male that laps or sucks semen from the anus after anal intercourse
feminazi - (US) a radical militant feminist, popularized by Rush Limbaugh
feminista - (US) similar to feminazi, pronounced like Sandinista
femme - (North America) female who has the traditional "feminine" role in a lesbian relationship; a woman or man with a more or less traditionally feminine, effeminate, or non-masculine gender presentation
fish - (North America) a woman, or sex with a woman (dated gay slang) - possibly also derived from the feminist quote "a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle"
fish/fresh fish - (North America) gay prison slang for new prisoners (possible new sexual partners)
fish face - (North America) a lesbian
fish and finger pie - (UK Commonwealth & US) a lesbian (from a Beatles song)
fish monger - (UK) a pimp
flamer - (North America) effeminate, flamboyant gay male
flame thrower - (North America) extremely flamboyant gay male; can also refer to a bouncer at a gay bar
FNC - (US) spoken abbreviation of "effin c" / "fuckin' cunt", a severe term of derision towards females
Frenchman - (North America) gay male, origins unknown
fresh meat - (North America) gay prison slang for new prisoners (possible new sexual partners)
friend of Dorothy - (North America) gay male, most likely originates with a stereotypical gay affinity for Judy Garland
fruit - (North America) effeminate and/or gay male
fuck-buddy / f buddy - (North America) someone having sexual relations with another of or not of the same sex while not holding a romantic relationship or tie to the person; in some instances, one is having a "true" relationship while keeping a "fuck-buddy" on the side usually in secret (having an affair).
fudge packer - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex; originated as prison slang
funny - (North America & UK) an outdated euphemism for "homosexual"
G
galboy - (North America) gay male who has the "feminine" role in a relationship
Game / on the game - (UK) a prostitute
Gameboy / Game Boy - (UK) a young gay male prostitute, possibly below age of consent (16)
Gaandu - (India) - Kiss-Ass, Coward, slimy, cunning, most frequently used in India.
gawwad - (UK/US Military) literally a pimp, but more often a term for a homosexual (historically, Arabs employ/employed homosexuals or eunuchs to mind their consorts), frequently mispronounced "Gaywad" (from exposure to Arabic language)
gay - (North America) male homosexual; weak, stupid, or bad, this usage implies that gay people or being gay is weak, stupid, or generally bad; however, gay is also the preferred synonym for homosexual or other terms when used respectfully.
Gay is also often used by very young children (as on a playground) to describe any sort of sexual act by their peers, from kissing on up, even if performed by two children of opposite sex. "Did you see Billy kissing Suzie?" "Yeah; that's so gay." This usage seems to become less common at approximately the age at which children discover the common meaning; until then, it's merely a mindless epithet.
Gay American - (US) coined in 2004 by the disgraced governor of New Jersey
Gaydar - (North America) the ability to non-verbally recognize homosexuals
Gay or Just English? - (US) the perceived sexual ambiguity of English males
Gay Wad - (Southern US) an effeminate or homosexual male (no etymological link to gawwad)
ginger pubes - (UK & Eire) (literally red public hair) term for a redhead/rousse
girl - effeminate male, as in "don't be a girl"; or a gay male who has the "feminine" role in a relationship
girlie-man - (North America) a weak or effeminate male, first popularized by Hans & Franz on Saturday Night Live. Used in 2004 by Schwarzenegger in his gubernatorial campaign to describe his opponents as "economic girlie-men."
Gomer Pyle - (USMC) term for a gay male in the Marine Corps
goo gobbler - (North America) gay male
goober gobbler - (US) gay male
goumada - (US, Italian-American) (often pronounced as "goo-ma") a mistress or kept woman, the implication being someone with whom you would regularly engage in sexual acts that were too dirty to do with your wife. Also comare. Originated as Mafia slang.
gump - (US prisons) gay male
H
Hag - (UK Commonwealth & US) ugly female, old female, or old & ugly female
Hag-fag - (North America) a male homosexual who prefers the company of heterosexuals, especially females, to that of gay men
Hag, fag - (North America) Fag hag - the devoted female friend of a male homosexual (example Grace from "Will & Grace")
Hagfish - (North America) a particularly vile form of "hag"
half rice, half chips - (UK) bisexual
harlot - (UK Commonwealth & US) prostitute (no longer in wide usage)
Heblew - (US) juvenile term for a jewish homosexual
Hermaphrodite - (UK Commonwealth & US) a word that is very disliked by intersexuals and the intersexual community. Also considered offensive when applied to transsexuals.
het' / het's - (North America) contemptuous term for heterosexuals - contraction of hetero
hetero - (UK Commonwealth & US) refers to a "straight" person; that is, a male who is attracted to females or vice versa.
himbo - (North America) a dim-witted promiscuous male
ho' - (North America) abbreviation of whore: sex worker; promiscuous woman; woman who does not conform to societies behavioural, sexual, and clothing norms
hom - (Francophone countries & territories) gay male (short for "homo")
homme - (Francophone countries & territories) a masculine or lesbian female
homophobe - (US) literally one who fears homosexuals, however usually used as a slur against persons/parties who don't advocate gay marriage, or gays in the military, etc.
homosexual - (UK Commonwealth & US) most often gay male, sometimes lesbian; invented in 1869. The Safe Schools Coalition of Washington's Glossary for school employees states: "Homosexual: Avoid this term; it is clinical, distancing and archaic. Sometimes appropriate in referring to behavior (although same-sex is the preferred adj.). When referring to people, as opposed to behavior, homosexual is considered derogatory and the terms gay and lesbian are preferred, at least in the Northwest."
Hoover - (UK) someone who enjoys performing fellatio - from the British term for vacuum cleaner
huwarr - (NYC & locality, esp. Brooklyn) a whore, pronunciation possibly a survival of "hoer" from the Dutch period (many Dutch derived pronunciations survive in NYC, especially Brooklyn)
Humbert / Humbert Humbert - (UK & US) a man who is specifically attracted to pubescent girls - from the principle character in Lolita
Humphries, Mr. - (UK) an extremely flamboyant mincing gay man. After the character from the British sitcom "Are You Being Served?"
Hustler - (North America) Gay male prostitute
hussy - (UK Commonwealth & US) a sexually promiscuous female
Hyacinth - (UK) an extremely domineering and emasculating wife/woman. After the main character of the British Sitcom "Keeping Up Appearances."
I
illegitimate - (UK Commonwealth & US) birth out of wedlock
intersexual - (UK Commonwealth & US) a person born with genitalia and/or secondary sexual characteristics of indeterminate sex, or which combine features of both sexes. This term is considered offensive when applied to transexuals.
King of Poppers - (US) a male that uses "poppers" (amyl nitrate) to relax the sphincters of his partners
knob gobbler - (North America) gay male, refers to fellatio
knob jockey - (UK) gay male, refers to anal sex
Kosher Ghost - (Northeast US) a Hassidic or Orthodox Jew - based on the belief that highly observant Jews have sexual intercourse through a hole in a sheet
Kosher Klansman - (Northeast US) a Hassidic or Orthodox Jew - see Kosher Ghost
K-Y Kommando - (North America) gay male, refers to a lubricant used in anal sex
L
Ladies - (US) term used by sports coaches and sergeants to imply that their male athletes or male troops are behaving like women, not being masculine, or not giving 100%
Ladyboy - (UK & Thailand) a preoperative transsexual male
light in the loafers - (US) effeminate and/or gay male
limp wrist - (UK & North America) effeminate gay male
Limp-wrist-long-nails - (UK & North America) a grossly effeminate male, usually homosexual and the catcher, often lacking in physical strength and horse sense
Lipstick lesbian - (North America) a lesbian who does not have the appearance of the stereotypical butch lesbian. Rather, Lipstick Lesbians are labelled as such because their appearance typically is one that heterosexual males would find attractive.
Lost Boys - (North America) victims/prospective victims of a male pedophile
lot lizard - (North America) truck stop prostitute that services truckers in their truck cabs
love that dare not speak its name - (UK) Victorian Era term for homosexuality and homosexuals
lucky charms - (US) an Irish homosexual, coined by Eddie Murphy in the early 1980s
Lucky Pierre - (North America) a gay male that enjoys simultaneously penetrating and being penetrated in threesomes
M
macho like Morrissey - (UK & Eire) publicly maintaining neutral sexuality or heterosexuality, but suspected of homosexuality, refers to Morrissey; see also "fagnostic"
mama's boy - (North America) effeminate male who is controlled by his mother or has a good relationship with her
mamhoon - (UK/US Military) a homosexual male, frequently mispronounced "manhoon" (from exposure to Arabic language)
man - (North America) masculine female; or lesbian female who has the "masculine" role in a lesbian relationship. Also a masculine homosexual who takes the male role(as pitcher) in a homosexual sex act
manflora - (Northern Mexico, Southwestern U.S.) a lesbian
Oklahomo - (US) gay cowboy (esp. if actually from Oklahoma or North Texas)
old lady - wife; (North America) a gay male (prison slang)
on the down low - (US) a closeted homosexual who carries on a superficially heterosexual life, often with a wife and children, but actively practices homosexuality in secret; particularly in the African-American community.
pansy - (US) an effeminate male; used as a synonym for gay
pantywaist - (US) three meanings depending on context: wimp/sissy/weak male, effeminate straight male, or gay male
Peanut Butter Lover - (US) someone that enjoys anal intercourse - usually gay
pederast - (UK Commonwealth) male who has relationships with a pubescentboy; slur when used to describe same sex relationships or sexual acts that are not pederasty
pussy whipped - (US) a person in a relationship with a woman in which the woman is dominant
puta - (Spain, Latin America, North America) term for prostitute or other woman of easy virtue
putilla - (Spain) young woman of easy virtue
Q
queefer - (North America) a woman that "queefs" with her vagina, the "queefing" (making a fart sound with trapped air) may be voluntary or involuntary
queen - (UK Commonwealth & US) effeminate or cross-dressing gay male
queer - (US) strange or unusual; a member of any sexual minority; gay; lesbian; a less than masculine male homosexual who takes the female role (i.e. the catcher) in a homosexual sex act. bisexual or transgender
queer eye - (US) the perceived flair for style, interior decoration, and fashion possessed by gay men
queer bait - (US) a heterosexual male mistaken for a homosexual, or an effeminate hetero-male
R
Rectal Wrangler - (North America) gay male (early 21st century)
Rectum Raider - (North America) gay male
Richard - (US) see dick / (UK) bullied emasculated husband of a domineering woman - see Hyacinth
Screamer - (North America) an extremely flamboyant male homosexual
seme - (Japan) dominant gay male in intercourse, refers to anal sex - usage has spread to some parts of US
semen swallower / sucker - (North America) self explanatory
Senór Eater - (US) juvenile term for a hispanic homosexual
sharmuta - (US/UK Military) bitch or whore (from exposure to Arabic language)
she-male - (UK Commonwealth & US) a preoperative transsexual man, see "chick with dick"
shirt lifter - (North America, UK) gay male
shit shoveler - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
shit stabber - (North America) gay male, refers to anal sex
shrew - (UK Commonwealth & US) wife given to nagging
silicone sister - (North America) woman with large breast implants - from pop tune "Blinded By The Light" performed by Bruce Springsteen and also by Manfred Mann
sissy - (North America) effeminate and/or gay male
sissy boy - (North America) variant of sissy
sister - (UK Commonwealth & US) gay male (prison slang)
skank - (North America) promiscuous, usually unattractive, most often female
skin flautist - (North America) male that plays the "skin flute", fellatist
skippy poofter - (AUS) gay male immigrant, uncommon insult in Australia, skippy is Australian slang for kangaroo and a slur used towards immigrants
slag - (UK) promiscuous female, usually unattractive (British equivalent of skank)
Mr. Slave - (North America) a gay male sadomasochistic playmate, usually submissive - as noted in the TV show South Park
slick leg/legged - (North America) a male that receives simulated intercourse by means of lubricant between his thighs (no actual penetration), the recipient may be willing or coerced (prison slang)
slut - (UK Commonwealth & US) promiscuous woman, woman who does not conform to societies behavioural, sexual, and clothing norms
tacos & hot dogs - (US) bisexual female, from an Anne Heche sketch on Saturday Night Live
tall drink of cock sucker - (US) attractive woman, refers to oral sex. Derived from the phrase "tall drink of water" with a similar, non-sexual meaning.
tallywhacker toker - (North America) gay male, refers to fellatio
t-bird - (North America) masculine female, see tomboy
three-legged woman - (North America) a male homosexual; an effeminate homosexual who takes the female role in a homosexual act
Thriller - (North America) a high profile, stylish and/or wealthy paedophile
tibo - (Phillipines) a masculine female, variation of tomboy
Tinkerbell - (North America) a gay male - also the name of a famous fairy from Peter Pan
Tinky Winky - (UK Commonwealth & US) an effeminate or gay male, after the reputedly purple gay moppet from the children's TV program Teletubbies - note the similarity of the name to "twinkie"
Todger Dodger - (Scotland) a lesbian, because she "dodges" (avoids) the "todger" (penis)
tosser - (UK Commonwealth) a male who masturbates frequently - see "wanker"
tourist - (UK) a heterosexual who visits gay bars to "watch the natives" and "experience the culture" without integrating themselves into it (unlike a Dyke Tyke ); a bisexual, typically in a heterosexual relationship, who frequents gay bars for the purpose of procuring one-off gay sex (both terms are used almost exclusively by the gay community)
tradesman - (UK) a gay male, because by custom a "tradesman" comes in the back door
tramp - (North America) promiscuous woman, woman who does not conform to society's behavioral, sexual, and clothing norms
Turk - (UK Commonwealth & US) gay male, refers to practice of sodomy thought by some to be common among Turkish men - as suggested by the film Midnight Express
twink / twinkie - (North America) pretty young gay male, barely of legal age, slight of build, and usually hairless (possibly derived from the pastry "twinkie" because a twink is also a cream filled treat)
Twinkletoes - (North America) a gay man that loves to dance
Twisted Sister - (North America) a very unattractive or manly transvestite or transexual, from the Dee Snider character from the 80's rock band of the same name
U
uke - (Japan) a gay male who takes during intercourse (originally just a Japanese term, now marginally used in US)
underwear model - (North America) euphemism for gay male (apologies to Markie Mark)
uphill gardener - (UK) gay male, refers to anal sex
V
vag' - (North America) a term of objectification for a female, contraction of vagina pronounced "vaj"
vagitarian - (US) lesbian
vamp - (early 20th century US & UK) a seductive malevolent woman (derived from "vampire", for example Theda Bara in the film The Vamp
vicio aleman - (early 20th century Spain and Latin America) - homosexuality, literally "the German vice" , no longer in common use
W - Z
wanker - (UK Commonwealth) a male who masturbates frequently; general term of abuse, only considered marginally vulgar
weak sister - (North America) effeminate male
Weapons of Ass Destruction - (North America) gay males, especially well hung ones
whore - (UK Commonwealth & US) literally sex worker; promiscuous woman; woman who does not conform to society's behavioural, sexual, and clothing norms
