Is saying 'a gay' or 'gays' pejorative?

I'd perhaps think of saying "gays" as pejorative, there always seems to be an underlying resentment when that term is used. As for "a gay", no I don't think of that as pejorative, but it does denote to me a lack of intelligence as its grammatically incorrect. "He's a gay" just hits the ear wrong, just like saying "he's a straight" does, that just annoys me because its improper use of the English language.

I dont care about the use of the word gay itself, just as long as its used as though youre talking about a characteristic rather than a part of a certain group, "hes gay", "theyre gay", and not "hes a gay", "theyre gays" Xx

I dislike the overuse of 'gay' in any context, because unconsciously or consciously the use is derogatory. Why because it separates by empathising sexuality and makes a person think of difference or separation on the grounds of being 'a gay' or 'gay' i.e. being the member of a group distinct from anyone else either positively or negatively.

Strictly speaking, it objectifies the person, regards him or her as their orientation, not as a person who happens to be gay. It's like a nurse referring to "the appendectomy in Room 212." But in informal speech, I think it's PC overkill to have to keep inserting "person." As George Carlin said, there are no bad words, just bad intentions. Context and intent should count more than "correctness."

I think of gay as an adjective, not a noun. When I hear someone say 'the gays' or 'a gay' it grates on me.

It's fine. It's more of a problem when I hear people saying.. "That's so gay!" I really dislike that!

Gays use it themselves, and even worse terms. Check out the M4M (male for male) personal ads on your favorite free ad website.

No it is not.