Flaming

Flaming describes a gay man whose homosexuality reads as conspicuous, usually because of flamboyant, campy, or effeminate mannerisms, style, or self-expression. The word draws on the older sense of "flame" as extravagantly showy, and slang dictionaries trace its use to the mid-20th century. Historically it was often thrown as an insult tied to gender-nonconformity, and it can still sting when used that way. Inside queer culture, though, many people wear it with pride, treating a flaming presentation as joyful and unapologetic rather than something to tone down. Whether it lands as a slur or a celebration depends heavily on who is saying it and in what spirit.