Friend Of Dorothy
LGBTQ person
Example
Do you know if there is going to be any friends of Dorothy at the party tonight?

An LGBTQ friend of Dorothy sign
Related Slang
LGBT | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender |
LGBTQ | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer |
LGBTQA | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Asexual |
Gaydar | Ability to detect homosexuality |
Kween | Queen |
Boi | Boy |
Kiki | Gathering of friends |
And I oop | I'm so embarassed |
Spill the tea | Share the gossip |
Sip tea | Mind your business |
Tea | Truth |
Alphabet mafia | LGBTQIA+ people |
A friend of Dorothy is a person who identifies as LGBTQ. It was coined in the mid-1900s as a way to discreetly refer to a "queer" person, most often a gay man.
Due to the persecution of members of the queer community in the United States and other countries during the 20th century, the term became a codename among LGBTQ members. Individuals would use it to identify other members, as well as schedule meet-ups that the greater heterosexual majority would not detect.
The origin of the term is not clear. Some argue that "Dorothy" refers to Dorothy Parker, who was a prominent New York poet and writer who was friends with many gay men in the 1920s and 1930s.
Others believe that "Dorothy" comes from the main character in The Wizard of Oz, who befriends outcasts, which is a feeling many LGBTQ members relate to. Also, Judy Garland, who played "Dorothy," was revered as an icon in the gay community.
While the saying is not as common today, you may still hear it among LGBTQ members. Or you may see it shortened as the "FOD" acronym.