I think the use of "homosexual" varies quite a bit by language and culture. I speak French pretty well, for example, and have a wide circle of French-speaking friends. My friends from France almost always default to "homosexual" rather than "gay," because they see homosexual as more respectful. But my French-speaking friends in Quebec are just the opposite. They use "gay" because it their culture, it feels more respectful. (Both words are considered proper French words, btw, in French dictionaries.)

There's no right or wrong about word choice. All my French-speaking friends are choosing words that feel respectful and appropriate to them in their cultures. Languages constantly change and evolve, with contextual meaning changing perhaps the most rapidly of all.

"Negro "had mostly positive connotation in the U.S until recently. That has changed. And that's OK. That's what words do. I'm glad you're pointing out the important fact that words don't change the same way from culture to culture and language to language.