thewerebuffalo said:
I openly support gay-marriage and try to purge myself of any negative thoughts when I see a same-sex couple.
I say "try" because most people, believe it or not, have a societal response to gay couples, just as people do in regards to black male teenagers. If you think that in no way are you racist or homophobic you are wrong. regardless of what you say, there still exists that passing thought of fear. That is because there is an undercurrent of racism and homophobia that runs under the surface of our society ( In the US). The important thing is to notice such a reaction and try to throw it away. When I was 13 or something, I was afraid that gay men would be interested in me and that they would try and "Turn me gay". It was wrong of me to think that, but the same shit goes on all around the country. I overcame it and you (collective) should too. as to gay and racist jokes, I agree that if said with no personal animosity then jokes can be fine. Granted I am a caucasian male who had never (to my knowledge) been discriminated against so I may be talking out of my ass.
also additional discussion point. would you consider the derogative "Gay" as in "thats so gay" to negatively reinforce the culture? or is it divided in the sense the being gay no longer comes to mind when speaking it?
I
do know where you're coming from here. I regularly catch myself out with thoughts that are clearly racist in nature.
Having said that, realising you have thoughts like that is the first step to actually making sure you don't let yourself treat others badly because of it.
As for the word gay itself, I can't comment since I have managed to get caught up in it's original meaning to the extent that it's hard to consider it an insult.
(being gay, in the original sense meant being
happy - If you've ever seen the flintstones you'll know the opening song ends with the phrase "We'll have a gay old time")
... Wait. I'm getting sidetracked again. XD - Uh, I personally don't think of gay culture at all with regard to the phrase "That's so gay."
So, to me that phrase is kind of divorced of any relationship with Gays as such.