BBC says "gay" is OK!

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by MrFun
And blacks don't have the monopoly on the word "******."


So what is your point?

I don't know what his point is, but as I stated earlier in this thread, my gay brother (along with several other gay friends of mine, actually) use the word in an attempt to change its meaning. Meaning only ever changes with use, after all. They aren't offended by it.

He said that you don't have a monopoly on the word, not gays in general. Your opinion, as one gay person, is not universally meaningful.

[Arrian]

There is certainly a distinction there, Funman.

I've personally been guilty of using "gay" the way we're discussing there ("this thread is gay." "this song is gay"). It was not a concious attempt to insult/demean gay people. That doesn't mean it's not insulting, or that I shouldn't avoid doing it. But there is certainly a difference in intent.

-Arrian

[MikeH]

It does stem from the "homosexual = bad" thing but it's now in such everyday use it's trancended that.

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by MrFun
And blacks don't have the monopoly on the word "******."


So what is your point?

Well I am feeling quite gay today, but I certainly couldn't say I am feeling ******

Besides amongst certain elements of the black community, referring to one another by the term ****** is not considered to be remotely offensive, but rather, a term of endearment...

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

teh English are teh gay. They think *** means cigarette.

[Q Classic]

You're right, Mr. Fun. Blacks do not have a monopoly on the n-word.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0274518/

[Asher]

Originally posted by Kalius
Simple thought would show you that it's not meant as obvious slander against homosexuals and simply means lame or not cool.

We need a "whoosh" smilie.

I really don't understand how you can not comprehend that using a term that describes people as an insult meaning "lame or not cool" is insulting to the people it describes.

[Sava]

Personally, I feel that it is absolutely ridiculous that people allow themselves to be offended by a word... any word.

"gay" "******" "spic" "******" (jesus christ, I remember someone got pissed off when I used "******"... )

They are words people.

Do I have to say it? Do I have to treat you like children?

STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES BUT WORDS WILL NEVER HURT ME


But having said that, I have purposely made an effort not to use the word "gay" as much as I would have in the past because I realize it's offensive to some people. I understand that being a homosexual in a society where it is a stigma is difficult. I don't want to cause anyone to be offended. However, I want to help people by having them develop thicker skin. You shouldn't cry like a baby every time you hear the word "gay". Not every one who uses that word is a gay basher. As many have pointed out, language develops in different ways. In 100 years, who knows what meaning the different words we say today will have?



Being offended by a word is just as ignorant as stupid as using a word as a slur to offend someone.

[Asher]

People are offended by the sentiment behind words, not the words themselves.

"gay" itself isn't an insult, it becomes an insult when everyone keeps using it to mean "bad" or "rubbish".

A lot of you people don't really understand what it's like to come to grips with sexual confusion in your teens. The fact that everyone in your environment keeps using "gay" as an insult doesn't help and it actually contributes far more to lots of gay kids' depression than you will know.

[Japher]

I think I'll go to the "Asher" and take a "Sava"

[Arrian]

-Arrian

[Sava]

Originally posted by Asher
People are offended by the sentiment behind words, not the words themselves.

"gay" itself isn't an insult, it becomes an insult when everyone keeps using it to mean "bad" or "rubbish".

A lot of you people don't really understand what it's like to come to grips with sexual confusion in your teens. The fact that everyone in your environment keeps using "gay" as an insult doesn't help and it actually contributes far more to lots of gay kids' depression than you will know.

And that's the problem. People don't stop to think. They hear the word "gay" and immediately reflect upon their own life experience instead of thinking about the context of which the word is used and the intent behind it.

Which... is ignorant and stupid.

You say "gay" is used as an insult. But an insult in a facetious sense... hardly an insult at all, really.

And how stupid is an insult if it's not true? I don't care if someone calls me gay... whether it's my buddy or some asshat on Counter-Strike or Battlefield 2 who means it. What do I care? I'm not a homosexual. And even if I was, how is that supposed to be a bad thing?

It's only an insult if you perceive being gay to be a bad thing.

[Sava]

Originally posted by Japher
I think I'll go to the "Asher" and take a "Sava"

[Asher]

It's only an insult if you perceive being gay to be a bad thing.

Huh...

If "gay" is synonymous with "bad", I think the perception of gay as a bad thing is pretty straight-forward...

[rah]

That movie was so "gay"

Not that there's anything wrong with that.