zlacker

People don't say "the gays" or "gays" or "a gay" anymore, they use it as an adjective before a noun, and it is the same concept.

I am not sure there is any etymology to follow here, aside from the common theme of being recognized as people.

Regarding consensus, you can try blackpeopletwitter reddit on a throwaway. you can look at comment threads and see the reactions and facepalms when people use the adjective as a plural noun.

People definitely say it, but not people considered aware.