35 French Gay Slang Words You Need to Know
Freshen up your French vocabulary with our list of colorful French gay slang. Learn gay and lesbian words to add variety to your vocabulary!
No matter where you go, gay lingo will always be colorful, witty, unabashed, and quite delightful. French gay slang is no different.
French gay-speak includes English borrowings as well as French expressions, and as with its heterosexual counterpart, it is best to know a thing or two about it, whatever your sexuality. Usage varies by region and community; some entries below are specialized or historical.
If you are curious about gay slang and how to say gay, lesbian, or homosexual in French, we compiled a list for you!
A word of caution, though: this article is not for everyone as it contains some sexual terminology that may be offensive to some.
So, if you are sensitive to this sort of thing, please stop now. If not, then check out the list of slang words grouped into two: gay guy lingo, and lesbian slang.
French slang for Gay men
| French gay slang | In English | What it means |
| Actif | top | In gay sexual terminology, the partner who takes the penetrative role. |
| Passif | Bottom | In gay sexual terminology, the partner who takes the receptive role in penetration. |
| Un Ours / Un bear | A bear | A term for a hairy gay guy, often bigger and sometimes older. |
| Câlinodrome | “Hugport / Hugdrome” (made-up word) | A space based on a concept by the association “Les Flamands Roses”, where LGBT participants can engage in affectionate (hugs = câlins) but non-sexual activity |
| Chaser (or Chasseur) | A bear chaser | This is basically a gay guy who prefers and pursues “bears”. |
| Comtesse | Countess | A gay man, usually middle-aged or older, who is elegant, mannered or showy and often financially well-off. |
| Ourson | Bear cub | A big, hairy, but younger gay guy |
| Copine | girlfriend | The female counterpart of “copain” which means buddy or friend. Usually used when talking to another gay person in specific places. |
| Crevette / Minet | Twink | A younger, thinner, non-hairy gay guy. |
| Daddy | Daddy | A mature gay guy; financial stability is not required (compare “sugar daddy”). |
| Dinde | Turkey | An effeminate gay who keeps abreast with fashion. Basically a gay metrosexual. |
| Discret | Discreet | A reserved and secretive gay guy who manages his sexual liaisons privately. |
| Eddy | A homophobic person with violent tendencies. | |
| FAP (or Fag Hag) | Fag Hag | A female who prefers gay friends |
| Folle (or Follasse) | Queen | An effeminate gay man |
| Giton | A young gay man financially supported by an older man. | |
| Grande dame | A somewhat aloof gay adult who flamboyantly parades around in bars and generally ignores the other guests | |
| Grande folle | A gay male with highly exaggerated feminine appearance. | |
| Loutre | Otter | A hairy (but thin) gay man. |
| Roux | Ginger | A gay guy with red hair. |
| Sportif | Jock | A sporty gay guy with an athletic build. |
| Ours Polaire | Polar bear | An old, hairy gay guy with greying or white hair |
| Sub. | Submissive | A gay man who enjoys a consensually submissive role; this is not necessarily the same as being a bottom. |
| Triaudes | A place where gay people meet up. | |
| Vanilla | Non-kinky sexual activity. | |
| YAG (Gay spelled backwards) | A term used in some French LGBT glossaries for gay men who distance themselves from the gay scene or community identity. |
French slang for Lesbians
Lesbians have their own set of slang lingo too. We’ve listed some examples below.
| French lesbian slang | In English | What it means |
| Balasko | A derogatory term for a masculine lesbian (named after the character played by actress Josiane Balasko in the film Gazon maudit or “French Twist”). | |
| Butch | Butch | A lesbian with a masculine appearance, style or manner; the term is also used as a self-description. |
| Bolès | Lesbian | A derogatory term for a lesbian, formed by reversing the syllables of “lesbo” (verlan). |
| Camionneuse | Truck driver | A derogatory term for a masculine-looking lesbian, roughly “bull-dyke”. |
| Étoile d’or | “A gold star” | A lesbian who has never tried sex with a man. |
| Fem | Feminine | A lesbian who does not try to reject her feminine side and still acts or dresses the part. |
| Futch/bem | Futch | A lesbian who combines feminine and masculine traits in her appearance or style; a blend of “fem/femme” and “butch”. |
| La sexualité Bambi | “The Bambi sexuality” | Physical interaction revolving mostly on touching, kissing and fondling |
| Lesbienne Lipstick « rouge à lèvres » | Lipstick lesbian | A lesbian with a very feminine and stylish appearance. |
Conclusion
French gay slang, like its counterparts in English and other languages, can be pretty funny but also offensive. You can also use it to talk with the LGBTQ+ community and to talk about being gay in French. Use with caution! Remember to be always respectful and kind.
For more related readings, check out the following:
What is it like to be gay in France? (Podcast #40)
French slang for dining and drinking
French slang to describe people and places on a night out
