GayGamer.net has a lot to answer for

[Nom Pretentieux]

This whole thing is Fox News-worthy...

I mean... Are you guys serious? Really? Over the word gay? You realise this is insane right?

 

[Chewster]

'Gay' has done the same over the last decade; it refers to a homosexual, and is a blanket term to denote displeasure with a given event or entity.

Yeah, that is kind of why GayGamer.net had a problem with its use...

 

[rockyoumonkeys]

This whole thing is Fox News-worthy...

I mean... Are you guys serious? Really? Over the word gay? You realise this is insane right?

The more dismissive you are, the more serious we have to be. I started this conversation thinking it wasn't a big deal. But the more people defended their right to use slurs carelessly, the more annoyed I got, and that's how things like this escalate.

 

[Nom Pretentieux]

This whole thing is Fox News-worthy...

I mean... Are you guys serious? Really? Over the word gay? You realise this is insane right?

The more dismissive you are, the more serious we have to be. I started this conversation thinking it wasn't a big deal. But the more people defended their right to use slurs carelessly, the more annoyed I got, and that's how things like this escalate.

No, it escalates because you're taking it beyond the point. The guy apologised, so in any sense it's done. I dismiss it because the word gay is never a big deal until someone decides that in THIS particular case it's serious. You can't only be offended and react to something as a slur when you WANT to. and if it is a SLUR, why in the freaking world do gay people refer to themselves as gay people?

And also, I find it offensive that you keep referring to me with terminology of the sorts of "you people", clearly dismissing heterosexual people's opinion on the matter as a whole. Do you know whether I'm gay, straight or bi? You have no idea, but I really feel no need to tell you either.

Also, sorry but should this maybe be moved to another forum? =\

 

[rockyoumonkeys]

I dismiss it because the word gay is never a big deal until someone decides that in THIS particular case it's serious.

This is an example of the problem. You don't care until someone says something to you. That's not the same as saying it's "no big deal". The point, again, is that your idea of what's offensive isn't the same as others', and your idea isn't "the right one".

Also, when I say things like "you people", I'm not referring to sexuality at all. I'm referring to people who insist on using slurs casually. That's a pretty easily definable group, of which you are part.

 

[Nom Pretentieux]

I dismiss it because the word gay is never a big deal until someone decides that in THIS particular case it's serious.

This is an example of the problem. You don't care until someone says something to you. That's not the same as saying it's "no big deal". The point, again, is that your idea of what's offensive isn't the same as others', and your idea isn't "the right one".

Also, in point of fact, when I say things like "you people", I'm not referring to sexuality at all. I'm referring to people who insist on using slurs casually. That's a pretty easily definable group, of which you are part.

Okay? I have not once in this thread "insisted on using slurs casually". Listen, I'm having trouble continuing this as a regular conversation unless you stop doing little else than throwing accusations around at everyone outside yourself.

And it doesn't offend me if someone calls me gay. Even if it's in a negative sense. So why, then, should I react to that unless someone told me it was worthy of a reaction? I can't see why I'm "the problem here".

 

[high_castle]

This whole thing is Fox News-worthy...

I mean... Are you guys serious? Really? Over the word gay? You realise this is insane right?

The more dismissive you are, the more serious we have to be. I started this conversation thinking it wasn't a big deal. But the more people defended their right to use slurs carelessly, the more annoyed I got, and that's how things like this escalate.

No, it escalates because you're taking it beyond the point. The guy apologised, so in any sense it's done. I dismiss it because the word gay is never a big deal until someone decides that in THIS particular case it's serious. You can't only be offended and react to something as a slur when you WANT to. and if it is a SLUR, why in the freaking world do gay people refer to themselves as gay people?

And also, I find it offensive that you keep referring to me with terminology of the sorts of "you people", clearly dismissing heterosexual people's opinion on the matter as a whole. Do you know whether I'm gay, straight or bi? You have no idea, but I really feel no need to tell you either.

Also, sorry but should this maybe be moved to another forum? =\

Whether "gay" is offensive or not is dependent upon the context in which it's used. When it's used to describe sexual orientation, it's not really offensive. But when it's used to denote something seen as stupid or otherwise negative, it becomes offensive. Because now you're equating a group of people with being stupid, pointless, annoying, etc.

The comment was offensive. Period. A slur is a slur. If the original comment had used the n-word instead of "gay," we wouldn't even be having this conversation. Of course it would have been seen as offensive and inappropriate. But the sad fact of the matter is that homosexual communities still have a long way to go in gaining widespread acceptance. It's getting there, but there are miles to go yet. And the use of "gay" as a derogatory term isn't helping matters. It suggests that being gay is a negative thing.

 

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

while i can agree to that, i dont think it should be used outright publicly or in anything else other than poor form, i think its made its distinct mark on that it doesn't mean JUST "homosexual" people anymore, hell it meant happy, once upon a time.

Yes, but I would differentiate that the motive of using the term has changed. A 'gay person' can mean either a happy, contented individual, or a homosexual. But neither are an insult or poor quality that should be frowned upon.

But if people use it to refer to something intangible, or as an insult ... what the hell are they referencing? It's a homophobic insult born of homophobia. I don't care if the usage has changed, it was born to be purposefully vilifying.

It's poor form ...

As an adult you shouldn't expect to use poor form so publicly without being judged as a moron at the very least or as a homophobe at your worst.

I mean there is so much more colourful terminology that is both socially accepted, and targets nobody, that we could use ... but 'gay' gets to be one of the top ten I hear?

How the hell did that happen? It's pure immaturity, and to use it (as an adult at the very least) should be met with incredulity and derision. It's a derogative term (or atleast when used in the fashion it is) that should be frowned upon. There is no reason why it's usage as an insult shouldn't be met by condemnation. If anything it should be maintained and considered as no different than a racial or religious slur ...

For example the infamous "Don't be a Jew" when asking someone if you could borrow a tenner to buy lunch. It was a popular saying when I was a kid, but as you grow up you quickly realize that it has no place in adult society.

Would you say that "Don't be a Jew" or just the insinuation that "Jew" meant a greedy person who won't share would be 'acceptable'? Even if the person who addressed the other person when looking to borrow money knew that he wasn't a Jew? No of course not ... it's vilification of Jews ... why exactly is the derogative use of 'gay' not seen in the same light?

true, and i can agree and support that, anytime i catch my brothers or relatives using the word i ask them to not use it in that manner, and i see your point about the targetting...good talk, i guess im more swayed now to understand the arguement behind this issue.

 

[Whichi]

Be a deviant; Get offended when people treat you differently; Stay classy.

sounds like Something Advice Dog would say....

also, if you consider all the anal ravaging male homosexuals perform, you think they wouldn't get so butthurt, amirite?

OT: But in all seriousness, this is nothing more than "politicly correct squawking" that does nothing more than try to bring some free publicity to their own website. No different when those peope at "gay.com", or whatever that webiste was, trying to sue the NFL for not having their commercial approved simply because they didn't want to shell out the extra $10 mil that Doritos, budweiser, E*trade, and all those other big name companies did to have their epicly superior commercials posted during the halftime spot.

Gay is just a word, everybody. Only when you empower the negative context of the word by trying to shun the word because it is used offensively, you promote the use of the word in a hateful manner. Just like every other racial slur used to describe Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Arabs, etc...

 

[ThePlasmatizer]

Suggestion: Let it go. Did any of your penises complain when Bobby Kotick was called a dick?

If it could speak it probably would complain lol.

 

[Nom Pretentieux]

Suggestion: Let it go. Did any of your penises complain when Bobby Kotick was called a dick?

If it could speak it probably would complain lol.

By the way, speaking of being offended by slurs. Someone up here used the term "Don't be a dick" towards people on one side of this debate in general. Didn't he basically call all of the people on that side of the equation dicks? shouldn't they be offended by that?

 

[ThePlasmatizer]

Suggestion: Let it go. Did any of your penises complain when Bobby Kotick was called a dick?

If it could speak it probably would complain lol.

By the way, speaking of being offended by slurs. Someone up here used the term "Don't be a dick" towards people on one side of this debate in general. Didn't he basically call all of the people on that side of the equation dicks? shouldn't they be offended by that?

That's a different issue altogether we are discussing prejudice and discrimination, and people who are looking to be offended.

Calling someone a dick is an insult but its only offensive depending on the reaction of the individual on the receiving end of it. Also I'm pretty sure it's against the rules of the Escapist to flame other users so if you have an issue with that member you are able to report them.

 

[Something Amyss]

Well, Master Chief...him and that that convent soldier from H2.
I'm just sayin', bo-chika-wow-wow.

LOL.

honestly, I think the whole shooter genre is very homoerotic, so I don't even really agree with what the guy was saying when he complained. There is something very, very gay about the protagonists of a lot of these shooters, and I don't mean it as a slur. Granted, it's a very specific style, the hypermasculine, "I wish I could quit you" kind, but still.

Salem and Rios are a pretty good example, too. I suspect Alice was their beard.

 

[FuzzyRaccoon]

Everybody's too damn sensitive these days. We all need to take a chill pill and have relaxing day by the pool.

GOD YES. What the hell is with people and getting all butthurt about everything? It's just a word, I don't care if someone makes a mexican joke, or a joke about any of my preferences. People should just calm down and not take everything so seriously.
:/

 

[FuzzyRaccoon]

What a drama queen. Gay people crying and getting offended at something so trivial makes me not like gay people.

So one gay guy getting over a guy describing something he doesn't like with a word that defines them makes you hate all gay people?

You have a problem.

You have a problem with reading comprehension [http://www.hookedonphonics.com/].

"a word that defines them"

Hey, wasn't there an article around here saying something to the tune of not using a word like gamer to define ourselves? Isn't this the same sort of thing? I know this is a little off from what your getting at, but being gay is simply one aspect of a person, it DOESN'T define them.

 

[Serenegoose]

So let me get this straight. (hurr hurr)

Gay people are angry that the name of their sexual orientation has been hijacked by a bunch of homophobic teenagers to be synonymous with 'shit', contemporary culture has more or less decided that the fourteen year olds were onto something and started using it the same way, and you guys are bewildered by precisely why they're angry about it?

Do you need a fucking diagram or something?

 

[Wereduck]

People using "gay" as a synonym for bad, broken, unwanted, useless can go to hell. I hope the first pizza-faced little basement dwelling puke who coined it fucking rots. Mkay?

This

As a straight white male I'm routinely irritated by mindless political correctness and double standards applied towards the majority group but THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS. 'Gay' as a general derogatory term is derived from it's meaning regarding homosexuals - i.e. it's homosexual ergo it's bad. Does anyone seriously imagine it's derived from 'gay' meaning joyful?

I'm not saying anyone who uses the word in that context is a homophobe but we all appreciate that it can be understood that way so if you choose to use it you're taking your chances and had best be prepared to apologize when someone takes offense. If you're too petty to apologize then think before you open your mouth.

This is having double standards ,being routinely irritated about political correctness ,yet taking offense at someone using the word gay to describe something lame.
I just pointed out how the lighthearted and joyful people (the original gays) must have felt when their word was taken hostage by manlovers.
This reminds me of that southpark episode about that group of bikers..
same thing..

For the record; I wasn't offended by the "gay space marine" comment. I thought the GSM image was an entertaining kick in the 'nads to the over-the-top diesel butchness of many space marine characters (not saying its use wasn't in poor taste, I just wasn't offended). My point is that the use of the word "gay" interchangeably with bad/lame/stupid IS objectionable and one shouldn't be surprised if people take exception - certainly one shouldn't be indignant about it.

Sorry to say I'm not familiar with the South Park episode.

EDIT - Just noticed the interpretation below: it's funny taken that way too and less offensive than mine. Awesome!

 

[ThePlasmatizer]

So let me get this straight. (hurr hurr)

Gay people are angry that the name of their sexual orientation has been hijacked by a bunch of homophobic teenagers to be synonymous with 'shit', contemporary culture has more or less decided that the fourteen year olds were onto something and started using it the same way, and you guys are bewildered by precisely why they're angry about it?

Do you need a fucking diagram or something?

I never use the word gay as a slur. I think the people that use it never matured past the playground stage, and I believe use of the word as a negative should not be tolerated in an adult environment such as a workplace.

It's unfortunate but with the current state of things children using it as a negative won't change overnight.

However this Grace Denby issue is entirely different. I see nothing wrong with joking that these hardened space marines are so buddy buddy with each other they could be gay, we know they aren't gay but it's humorous because you can kind of see what he's getting at. Just because it's a joke and it features the word gay in it doesn't mean it's automatically offensive, if that was the case then Will & Grace would have been axed after the first episode.

 

[Serenegoose]

So let me get this straight. (hurr hurr)

Gay people are angry that the name of their sexual orientation has been hijacked by a bunch of homophobic teenagers to be synonymous with 'shit', contemporary culture has more or less decided that the fourteen year olds were onto something and started using it the same way, and you guys are bewildered by precisely why they're angry about it?

Do you need a fucking diagram or something?

I never use the word gay as a slur. I think the people that use it never matured past the playground stage, and I believe use of the word as a negative should not be tolerated in an adult environment such as a workplace.

It's unfortunate but with the current state of things children using it as a negative won't change overnight.

However this Grace Denby issue is entirely different. I see nothing wrong with joking that these hardened space marines are so buddy buddy with each other they could be gay, we know they aren't gay but it's humorous because you can kind of see what he's getting at. Just because it's a joke and it features the word gay in it doesn't mean it's automatically offensive, if that was the case then Will & Grace would have been axed after the first episode.

I was primarily responding to the people in this thread who don't seem to understand why gay people might be miffed at their orientation being used as a slur. The article itself is a lot more 'shades of grey' to me. I can easily see how gay people could be irritated by being the target of an easy joke, a reliance on people connecting them with their sterotype of being overly macho fistbumping musclebro's. That said, nobody bats an eyelid when it's humourously pointed out that Frodo and Sam are obviously hot for each other, so perhaps to them the humour was lost in the telling rather than the joke - or perhaps the joke was simply misunderstood.