*Atheist five!*TiloXofXTanto said:
And to make this post relevant, I shall link one of George Takei's highly amusing gay rights videos!
Aw, hell, I'll throw in this one, too:
That's Gay.
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And to make this post relevant, I shall link one of George Takei's highly amusing gay rights videos!
Aw, hell, I'll throw in this one, too:
I've never really gotten into the habit of it, which is odd given the area of Scotland I was brought up in. I do however intentionally use it from time to time to time just to confuse people as it's so out of character with my usual manner of speaking. As for actually saying "That's gay." I've never had a problem with it. It does seem to be dieing out though.
That's a completely different context to saying "That's gay" so not a valid comparison. If you go up to somebody, or more specifically a black man, and say "You're a ******" you are activley trying to offend that person. If something bad happens and you say, in regards to the situation, "That's gay" then you are simply stating your opinion of the situation through a word that has multiple meanings. If you take offence from somebody using a different meaning of a word that could be used offensivley, then you are activley trying to victimise yourself.arragonder said:
I am a victim of using it sometimes, usually I say, "god dammit" or "Thats retarded"
Despite this I am not homophobic
Despite this I am not homophobic
Language evolves. Only what, 60 years ago, Vera Lynn was singing "I'll be seeing you in every lovely summer's day. In everything that's light and gay." Even well before that the word gay was used almost exclusivley to indicate happiness. How often do you hear somebody use the word gay, in a non pretentious manner, with that meaning? Black is quite ambiguous, so I'll address the "That's really chinese!". I see that differently. Saying Chinese is a direct link to that group of people, there is no ambiguity in the word and it has, at least to my knowledge, always had the same meaning.U235 Is The Bomb said:
However, while the intent of the phrase "That's really chinese!" may be bad, if it was used regularly and adopted in a mainstream way, in much the say way "That's gay." has been, the word would take on it's own meaning. The origins of the phrase may have been negative. But it would have adopted it's own meaning to the point where people use it and activley acknowledge that it could be interpreted as offensive, but know that the intent they use it with isn't. I couldn't see this, or anything similar, being widely adopted like "That's gay." however due to the far less ambiguous background of the word.
In response to your second paragraph. No. I'm don't, on any level, assume that homosexuality is a negative thing. I've also made a post earlier expresisng my personal stance on the use of the word.
It irks me that there are people who assume that those who do regularly use the phrase "That's gay" are sub conciously homophobic to some level. There, unfortunatley, will be people who use the phrase who are homophobic to some extent, but the vast majority (I hope) do acknowldge the intent and the evolution of the word and it's meaning. so that you could only really get offended by it if you make yourself the victim.SuperNova221 said:
It also irks me that you needed to make the second and third paragraph at all. A simple "Saying "That's gay!" means that you, on some level, assume that being gay is negative." Would have been sufficient without all of the trying too hard to not be offensive fluff. It seemed rather condescending. Although I really shouldn't have a right to complain about that, given how hypocritical I am on the matter.
I'll also apologise if I've badly explained anything here, English is my native language but I'm not good at coordinating long posts to effectivley convey what I'm trying to say.
I don't think people are going to stop using "gay" as a negative term, even if it's in no way actually trying to insult homosexuals. I think it would be much easier to change the word's meaning entirely, and use something else to classify homosexuals.
I mean, let's ignore the context of words like "******" and "gay", and instead look at the words in a purely objective way. "FAG-got" is a very intense word all on its own, without any real meaning behind it. It's simply satisfying to use as an insult. Now let's try to use something else instead of "gay".
That's so wrong.
That's so messed up.
That's so weird.
"Gay" without its actual context is also much more verbally satisfying to say. It depends on how words sound rather than what they really mean. I personally use "shit" without literally meaning feces all the time.
I mean, let's ignore the context of words like "******" and "gay", and instead look at the words in a purely objective way. "FAG-got" is a very intense word all on its own, without any real meaning behind it. It's simply satisfying to use as an insult. Now let's try to use something else instead of "gay".
That's so wrong.
That's so messed up.
That's so weird.
"Gay" without its actual context is also much more verbally satisfying to say. It depends on how words sound rather than what they really mean. I personally use "shit" without literally meaning feces all the time.
I'm sure youre not but what you have to understand is that those words only perpetuate a society were a group of people is looked down upon for being a certain way. I get those phrases are just a force of habit and you dont mean for them to be used against people, but intent doesnt really matter when it comes to language. If youre using someones sexual orientation as an insult for anything then youre only hurting people and making yourself look ignorant. I know Im just a random guy on the internet who probably isnt gonna change your mannerisms, but please understand that even if you dont mean for something you say to be offensive but others keep looking at it as offensive, you should probably just stop saying it. You say youre not homophobic, but until you stop saying "fag" and "gay" in derogatory contexts youre a hypocrite. And Hypocrisy my friend is the worst thing anyone could be. In a world where people say one thing and do another no one can be trusted. Help build a better world by forcing change upon yourself. Take my advice or leave it but what I'm saying is true
I'm sure youre not but what you have to understand is that those words only perpetuate a society were a group of people is looked down upon for being a certain way. I get those phrases are just a force of habit and you dont mean for them to be used against people, but intent doesnt really matter when it comes to language. If youre using someones sexual orientation as an insult for anything then youre only hurting people and making yourself look ignorant. I know Im just a random guy on the internet who probably isnt gonna change your mannerisms, but please understand that even if you dont mean for something you say to be offensive but others keep looking at it as offensive, you should probably just stop saying it. You say youre not homophobic, but until you stop saying "fag" and "gay" in derogatory contexts youre a hypocrite. And Hypocrisy my friend is the worst thing anyone could be. In a world where people say one thing and do another no one can be trusted. Help build a better world by forcing change upon yourself. Take my advice or leave it but what I'm saying is true
I see where your coming from but I try not to let it bother me to much mostly because it's like saying something is retarded. You don't actually mean it is mentally disabled or anything the term takes on a different meaning unrelated to the original if I were to call something gay in frustration I wouldn't be referring to homosexuals if I were I wouldn't say gay I would say ahh that's so homosexual I dunno it's weird
It's a verbal crutch, up there with "like" and "you know". It's for people have trouble articulating themselves, and a sign of poor communication skills. If people want to sound or read (as the case may be) like mouth breathers, let them.
So, you know, like, don't use it, and stuff for that reason or something.
So, you know, like, don't use it, and stuff for that reason or something.
"Ah balls" is one i've started using more to stop saying "thats gay" (a gay friend ranted at me about how it offends them and it got me thinking)
I also use the ever sarcastic "Faaaaaantastic" and "Terrific." hope it helps with your ways of expressing a disgruntled life
I also use the ever sarcastic "Faaaaaantastic" and "Terrific." hope it helps with your ways of expressing a disgruntled life
Its hard for me to accept that kind of reasoning. The term "Cracker" doesn't offend me and its used negatively. I think its just something that everyone needs to let roll off their shoulders because all this bickering over someones personal vocabulary is ridiculous.zeldagirl said:
That said, I try to avoid the term "gay" or other potentially sensitive words around people that might be offended by it. No promises, but I don't owe anything to a bunch of strangers with my language anyway.
To my main point though, saying that a term I use is a blanket term used for hate and any other use of the term is pretty ignorant. Language is nothing if not constantly evolving. Its someone else presuming what is in my heart and mind by the terms I use.
eh, ive already commented on a similar thread. if its good enough for my lgbt friends, its good enough for me.
though it did remind me of that funny/annoying commercial, and how it featured a black "comedian" who has used the n-word before.
though it did remind me of that funny/annoying commercial, and how it featured a black "comedian" who has used the n-word before.