When people say they are gay, they are saying that they are open about their attraction to people of the same gender, not necessarily that they are sexually active with someone of the same gender, or with anyone at all for that matter. A person can be homosexual, but not be gay- terms such as closeted, on the down low, discreet, or bi-curious may apply in this situation. Similarly, a person can be gay, but not be actively homosexual- such is the case for some celibate individuals, such as monks, or for young people who have come out of the closet as gay for political reasons but are not yet ready to form a sexual relationship. Finally, the term "gay" can reasonably be applied to figures such as John Lennon, who were open about their attraction to people of the same gender even if they were entirely heterosexual.