ICantBelieveItGoesBoom said:
Well given that you stated you've lived in Canada all your life, I'm going to assume that you haven't really experienced British teenage culture and I really can confirm, it is part of the culture. Basically everyone says it so to say that it's part of my "immature gaming communities" is just plain wrong.
Actually, I briefly dated a girl in highschool who went to London on a student exchange program,and my last boyfriend was from London, in the year and a half I dated him, I learned quite a bit about British culture and "The queen's English" Enough to know the homophobic term of choice over there seems to be "poof"
And in all honestly, the only English kids I've seen online that used the word "gay" in this context, we're obviously heavily influence by American culture (Albeit American culture from a few years back)
Also, I agree, language is fluid. That's exactly why a word can take on a completely different meaning. Just like "gay" has to mean 'lame' in the CULTURE (yes, it is) that I'm a part of.
Heh, "lame" is ablest by the way.
Just because you perceive it as a culture (It may be a sub-culture at best) doesn't make it so, nor would it even make it right, or just, which is the issue here.
Also, the fact that your friend changed the way he spoke for you is completely different thing to what I'm talking about as you presumably had to tell him that you were offended whilst I have never offended a gay person by saying gay in that way, the people who called me out on it were always the kind of overly concious white, middle-class people that feel they can speak for a whole minority. If there was a gay guy that really was offended by me saying it of course I'd stop saying it in front of him.
He still had to change the language he used, no? That was the point of bringing up that story.
Also, the reason a lot of queer people don't speak up, is because of all the flak, the beatings, the ridicule, and the murders towards them. The vocal minority are those with thick enough skins, and a strong enough sense of justice to stand up and speak out. Time and time again (for presumably obvious reasons) Homophobes/bigots seem to like to directly attack these people) Such as you did there...
Also, instead of stopping the offensive language when it offends someone, why not just remove it from your vernacular BEFORE it does? Doesn't that make more sense? It would also stop offending those who don't/won't/can't speak up. I know they're out there, I get several PMs every time I make a post like this, with people thanking me for standing up for the community.
Finally, that thread sounds interesting, could you send me a link? I really don't see how a bisexual could be homphobic.
I'll PM you it once/if I get around to it (I didn't post in it so I can't find it through my post history)
But yes, of course they can be homophobic, the same way homosexual people can be intolerant of bisexual people (Which can be seen in threads like this http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.322265-Annoying-stereotypes-about-my-sexuality?page=1)
Heck, I've even had the displeasure of meeting transphobic transsexuals. It's sad, and it happens...