Larry Bauer's letter of Oct. 15, in which he bemoans the changes in meaning of the word "gay," reveals his ignorance of the nature of language and of the homosexual life-style. Changes in language, particularly word meanings, occur only when there is a need for change. Homosexuals in the United States needed a word to identify themselves which would not carry the feelings of hate, fear and ignorance which other commonly used terms such as "faggot" carry.

The word "gay" has been adopted by the homosexual community to serve this purpose, and has been in use in the subculture since World War II. Only recently, however, has the term come into popular use in the nongay society.

Rather than being a euphemism for a life-style which is "miserable and pathetic," as Mr. Bauer suggests, the term "gay" describes. the ability of a person to love and desire the love of a person of the same sex. When homosexuals learn to rise above the self-hate and pity which our sexually re-

pressive society drills into them and instead embrace their capability to love, then their lives can indeed become "happy, lighthearted, cheerful, and lively.”

PETER A. BARROSSE 4114 Spokane Ave., Cleveland