use of the word gay

[princealbertofb]

OK, ok, I'll take pity on you
Here's a rough translation:
I'm a boy who loves boys, but I don't like boys who don't like boys who love boys.


makes for a complicated message but basically it means I don't like homophobes or homophobia.... they scare me.

[marshlander]

I wouldn't have had Belle-mère down as a Blur fan ...

[devon.guy]

I dont find it offensive at all.
Oh thats so gay.... why is that so offensive?
Mind you, I cant see how the word faggot has turned into a derogitory term, after all, a faggot is a delicious meatball!!!

I think people are too quick to be offended by silly little things, such as words used, not to offend gay people, but to describe a situation.

I mean, do you really think a guy who has a crap day, and calls it gay, really thinks "my day is just like a homosexual"

The way, and meanings, of words, change year by year.

I mean sick now means good for christ sake!!!

[marshlander]

Words do change their meanings. When I was young, gay meant something else again. I doubt, though, that the etymology of the present use of "gay" lies in its root meaning of happy/jolly or even as a post-ironic opposite.

It may be just a word, but words are powerful. How many times has history shown us that the creation of any enemy begins by comandeering language? I think it extremely unlikely that your idea of meatballs sees the origin the derogatory term, "faggot'. It seems more likely to be a reference to burning at the stake!

Maybe turning the other cheek is the way to break the cycle of abuse and response, but I would personally want to add a little social pressure to get people to think about the feelings of others and be more careful about the words we use.

[joseph]

if peple say gay it is bad a bout gay peple i it hurt your feelings. like me.

[Lilmy87]

Originally Posted by marshlander

It may be just a word, but words are powerful. How many times has history shown us that the creation of any enemy begins by comandeering language? I think it extremely unlikely that your idea of meatballs sees the origin the derogatory term, "faggot'. It seems more likely to be a reference to burning at the stake!

Maybe turning the other cheek is the way to break the cycle of abuse and response, but I would personally want to add a little social pressure to get people to think about the feelings of others and be more careful about the words we use.

Marshlander, have you got the most recent issue of the Big Issue? There is an interesting article about homophobia amongst children and young people, with a particular focus on the failure of schools to challenge it. I though of it as I read this discussion. Clearly Chris Crocker's assertion that he would like to kill people who teach little children to use gay as an insult is a ridiculous, but perhaps the views behind this are not so unreasonable; in the article, the mother of a young man who was tragically murdered in a homophobic attack states that:

"I walk down my road and sometimes hear three or four year olds saying the words 'gaylord' and 'faggot'. It mortifies me. All I can think is, 'that's my beautiful son you're talking about' "

I suppose it show that those who have heard these terms used with malice, hostility and hate, not just in jest or teasing, are far less likely to dismiss it as playground fun, or part of normal teen parlance.

I don't mean to sound melodramatic, but is anyone familiar with the 7/8 (depending which source you use) steps to genocide? It seems to support your argument Marshlander; the first step is dividing people into 'us and them'; using symbols, terms and labels to seperate outgroup. Th latter stages are victimisation, hate campaigns, and of course murder. I am not saying everyone who calls some shoes or a band gay would wish to kill a gay person, but I think it is important to remember the power and consequences that such use of language can have.

I hope I didn't sound too preachy, I am the straight one here after all! lol

[princealbertofb]

You're right Hannah... it doesn't matter whether you're gay or straight to be aware of such things. I hear the kids in school use the derogatory equivalents of 'gay' in France and each time I shudder because it just means that things are still tough for anyone who is gay in school... I've not heard, thank goodness, of anyone getting mugged or beaten for being gay but it's still a common put-down in classrooms these days. Not nice!

[joseph]

i wish i can help a bout if peple hurted and fite ggay peple.

[peterinmalaga]

Hate to disillusion you, Devonguy. A faggot is a bit of wood you use to get a fire going. So when they were burning witches in the good old days, they used to put a few faggots on the fire too! When people are talking it is not the words they use that matter, it is the speaker's intention. If a friend calls me a faggot (which has never happened), I would be much less offended than if a stranger did it. As someone pointed out words do change their meaning, however. Bonnie Prince Charlie was so called by the Scots because he was gay: In those days “bonnie” meant gay in Scotland at least.

[marshlander]

Originally Posted by Lilmy87

Marshlander, have you got the most recent issue of the Big Issue? ...

Bought one in town today, but I haven't found the article you mention.

Originally Posted by Lilmy87

I suppose it show that those who have heard these terms used with malice, hostility and hate, not just in jest or teasing, are far less likely to dismiss it as playground fun, or part of normal teen parlance ...

Good point.

Originally Posted by Lilmy87

I hope I didn't sound too preachy, I am the straight one here after all! lol

You, Lilmy? No, it's always a pleasure reading what you have to say.

[marshlander]

I hate it when old threads are resurrected ...

But I did just see this

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Seems relevant.

[joshyboi]

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And here is the other one that goes wif it