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
Friend of Dorothy Definition by Slang.net
This page explains what the slang term "Friend of Dorothy" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.
We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one, please let us know!
Baseball Slang Quiz: Can you bat 1.000?
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.