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A "bummer" is a slang term for a gay man. I haven't heard that for about 30 years. I wouldn't have linked the two meanings until the controversy was mentioned.

I think the consensus we reached was it was a much older bit of slang and mostly localized to a specific region, although it was tough for us to confirm.

I haven't ever heard it used in that derogatory sense - but I've always been under the impression that that was the etymology. (Also British).

Just as other words, e.g. referring to illegitimate children (I think even medical doctors no longer use it) are used differently to their original meaning. The meaning of most slang/swear words are - ahem - bastardised, if you will.

I'm also from the UK and I've definitely heard it used as a derogatory term towards gay men or to try and put someone down by implying that they're gay.