Does gay as a derogatory term offend you?

[gnihton]

When people call something gay, they use it to mean that thing is bad. But why is that thing bad? Because of the implicit connections.

Bad = Gay = Homosexuality = Homosexuality is wrong



But don't just take my word for it, here's some evidence. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/study-phrase-thats-so-gay-causes-lasting-harm/

I suppose that's right, actually. However, you'll have to concede that while the newer definition was born of ignorance, very few people still use it with the same mindset as those that started it.

It's subtly reinforcing society's bullshit opinions on gay people.

Here's where I think you're wrong, I believe that as the word's being used, it's falling from being related to homosexuality (as my last sentence probably gave away). Although I can't be sure, as I don't know what goes on in the average scumbag's head. All I know is that on the rare occasion I use or hear/read the word, I don't have homosexuality in mind at all.

 

[MidnightSt]

Actually, since I learned the original meaning of the word "gay" (i'm not native english speaker), it always strikes me as pretty funny when someone uses it as a derogatory word.

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

I must confess of all the terms that people find offensive, I do use 'gay'. I halfheartedly justify it in text by spelling it 'geigh'

See, that is WORSE, because you've acknowledged that saying gay is WRONG, but refuse to change your speaking habits.

At any rate, no. I think it's perfectly acceptable under the logic that "this (x) blows" but a girl who blows is sure to find me friendly.

 

[zehydra]

Yeah I take offense to it. I'm not gay but I find it offensive, because it uses a type of person as a derogatory term and turns the word "gay" into something to be disliked.

For those of you asking why I should care, I too am not a popular individual in society, and if it's not them, it'd be me next anyway.

You shouldn't use personal characteristics as insults.

 

[zehydra]

If that SP episode is true (and I'm pretty sure it isn't), it doesn't matter. What matters is that right now, "gay" means homosexual. And that isn't some snobbish only-English-majors-know-this, everyone knows that one of the meanings of gay is homosexual. It's in the damn acronym after all, LGBT

I'd like to point out that that was an aside, my actual point didn't hinge on that at all.

Ah, right, forgot about your actual point. Why shouldn't I be offended? It's making a direct connection between gay people and bad things.

It isn't, you're making that connection in your own mind, the people using the word for the second meaning are not. In fact, using it to mean bad will probably result in it ceasing to be used for homosexual, not that I'm encouraging it.

When people call something gay, they use it to mean that thing is bad. But why is that thing bad? Because of the implicit connections.

Bad = Gay = Homosexuality = Homosexuality is wrong

It's subtly reinforcing society's bullshit opinions on gay people.

But don't just take my word for it, here's some evidence. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/study-phrase-thats-so-gay-causes-lasting-harm/

I also totally agree with this position. Any time you're saying "something's gay" you're implying that if that thing which you are referring to were homosexual, that'd be a bad thing.

And the word hasn't been separated from its use as homosexual. I have heard replacements for using "gay" as "stupid", like "homosexual", "queer", though often in a more joking manner.

Above all, it creates a very strong sense of disrespect for homosexuality.

And I have no respect for people who disrespect homosexuality.

 

[Lucem712]

I must confess of all the terms that people find offensive, I do use 'gay'. I halfheartedly justify it in text by spelling it 'geigh'

See, that is WORSE, because you've acknowledged that saying gay is WRONG, but refuse to change your speaking habits.

At any rate, no. I think it's perfectly acceptable under the logic that "this (x) blows" but a girl who blows is sure to find me friendly.

We all have bad habits, and I did say I was working on it.

 

[Ziame]

No.

Words aren't offensive, context is. Words are only offensive if you allow them to be. In fact, if you're offended by words regardless of context, the problem is probably you.

jesus christ. you are my hero. i love you. that post will stay with me forever as words of wisdom.
basically
/thread.

 

[KB13]

I just think it shows how many people are either lazy or uneducated that they cannot even use a word right. The word "gay" originally meant and act of joy... "The girl danced gaily." It was in the early 1900s that the word started being used to describe homosexuality. Before that in the late 1600s is was used to describe those without moral constraints, but it still did not mean a homosexual, people used it to describe a straight man or woman prostitute or a brothel. So, honestly, I just laugh.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

Never offended me, really. Can't see why it should.

 

[Dangit2019]

Short answer: No. Long answer: Nope.

Longer answer: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Ryotknife]

well, Gay has been hijacked from its original meaning, so i see no problem with people hijacking it for their own reasons.

 

[Ryotknife]

If that SP episode is true (and I'm pretty sure it isn't), it doesn't matter. What matters is that right now, "gay" means homosexual. And that isn't some snobbish only-English-majors-know-this, everyone knows that one of the meanings of gay is homosexual. It's in the damn acronym after all, LGBT

I'd like to point out that that was an aside, my actual point didn't hinge on that at all.

Ah, right, forgot about your actual point. Why shouldn't I be offended? It's making a direct connection between gay people and bad things.

It isn't, you're making that connection in your own mind, the people using the word for the second meaning are not. In fact, using it to mean bad will probably result in it ceasing to be used for homosexual, not that I'm encouraging it.

When people call something gay, they use it to mean that thing is bad. But why is that thing bad? Because of the implicit connections.

Bad = Gay = Homosexuality = Homosexuality is wrong

It's subtly reinforcing society's bullshit opinions on gay people.

But don't just take my word for it, here's some evidence. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/08/28/study-phrase-thats-so-gay-causes-lasting-harm/

by that train of logic, when someone says "dont be a dick" they are saying that you shouldnt be a man....

 

[V da Mighty Taco]

I see it as a sign of insecurity and immaturity and I find it annoying at best. My usual reaction to someone saying it is to roll my eyes and avoid ever talking to them.

Bisexual here btw

Crap! Ninja'd...

Basically what he said, but replace the Bisexual with Hetero- / Antisexual (don't ask). I'm a very wierd person, you're average gay isn't. If someone has a problem with gays; it's usually because they're either different, was raised to resent gays and never questioned it, pretends to be a hardcore Christian while ignoring how Jesus preached love before everything else, or some combination of the three. No matter which reason it is, I'd be a complete nightmare to them.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Using the term 'gay' as something synonymous with sub-par, stupid, or low quality offends me. The word itself has no power, its all about intention and when you associate homosexuality with bad qualities, then its offensive.

 

[CMDDarkblade]

by that train of logic, when someone says "dont be a dick" they are saying that you shouldnt be a man....

I'm pretty sure what people mean when they say "don't be a dick" is "don't go waving around all tall and erect while thrusting yourself into other people's business" because that is generally what a dick does.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

If people call me gay? Don't give a shit.

If I hear someone use gay as an insult? Still don't give a shit.

It used to be slang for "stupid", now it's like a generalization - stereotyped voice, nonmanly interests, wearing X clothing, wanting to put scrotum in your bearded mouth/play "hide my fingers" with another girl.

 

[pipsiscool]

I don't know, I'm gay and i couldn't care less about people using it as an insult. If someone calls me gay I just tell them they are right and move on. It's just kind of annoying, really...

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

Nope, it doesn't offend me. It's tossed around so persistently that its kind of lost any hurtful meaning to me.

 

[chozo_hybrid]

The only way I find it offensive, is if someone uses "gay" or "******" as ignorant hate speech, or with malice if you will.

One of my flat mates is gay, and growing up somewhere where he got beat upon for being himself and ridiculed, it's something I do not throw around lightly. He's been a flat mate for almost two years now and he's awesome to have around. So if it means no longer using the word so flippantly, then I don't mind.

 

[Sprinal]

It annoys me. Always did.

Using gay as an insult when you have many friends that are gay is really just insulting to them. And considering that they are some of the nicest people in the world in my opinion it's just not fair.

using "fag" on the other hand. In the /b/ context. That is a different story as everyone is a fag there.

But I am not offended just really aggravated by it in the general world.