L.A. SPEAK

On their own terms--a selection of local lesbian and gay lingo: amazon: n. a tall, physically strong lesbian, or any lesbian who has never slept with a man. baster babies: n. reproduction by artificial insemination, sometimes achieved with the use of a turkey baster. “They had their first kid with Steve’s help, but their other two kids are baster babies. “ Boys’ Town: n. West Hollywood. breeder: n. derogatory term that targets heterosexuals’ socially sanctioned reproductive habits. “I’m tired of all these breeders on the U.S. Supreme Court. They have no style.” fae: adj. radical faerie; describes gay men who practice such primitive rituals as nude full moon gatherings, body painting and drumming. “Jonathan’s turned fae; he’s wearing tie-dyed sarongs and twigs in his hair.” GAB: Gays Against Brunch. A fictitious West Hollywood group that shuns Sunday brunches, a staple in the gay community. “Alan joined GAB after one too many seafood-spinach omelets.” gayby boom n. the marked increase of parenting by lesbians and gays. HTs: Homosexual Tendencies. Stereotypical in nature, HTs include an avid interest in Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, interior decorating, hairdressing and the opera. “He has too many HTs not to be gay.” lipstick lesbian: n. a lesbian who bucks stereotypes by embracing feminine habits like wearing makeup. swish alps: n. a term dating from the 1940s referring to the Hollywood Hills. PWA: Person With AIDS. tic tic boom: n. attractive man who has an appearance of emotional health, but is really a walking time bomb. “I knew Geoffrey was a tic tic boom when he got hysterical after I came to dinner wearing an earring.” patagonias: n. men who wear a New England, old monied style of dress, typified by the Patagonia clothing catalogue. Are vaguely dissatisfied with everything. vanilla: n. someone who prefers traditional sex. “I pulled out the leather last night, but Reggie turned out to be a real vanilla. “