The top Urban Dictionary entry, submitted by user Yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye, for “gaypanic” gives several definitions:ġ) When you feel panic around someone of the same sex because you are attracted to themĢ) you forgot your flannel or to cuff your jeansĤ) you have to see your homophobic/racist/Karen like relatives for thanksgiving and/or for another holiday and have to hide your gaynessĥ) someone figures out your sexuality when it wasn’t intentional This could occur when someone is experiencing intense emotions around a queer crush, LGBTQ+ culture, attractive celebrities, or other queer subjects. Online, queer people use “gay panic” to refer to their own feelings of panic related to their sexuality. However, the term “gay panic” has taken on an entirely new meaning in internet culture slang. The term “LGBTQ+ panic defense,” also known as “gay panic defense” refers to a legal strategy for defendants accused of enacting violence and committing hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people.
