Sentence:  ... it is possible for people to be diseased without being prostitutes or <WSD>gay</WSD> women; it is possible for people years ago to have spent a <WSD>gay</WSD> life and to have not got rid of their disease, or they may have become diseased by their husbands or lovers. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Sexually promiscuous (of any gender).