Should people use the word "gay" in a pejorative manner?

[diygeek]

They are not insulted by being called gay. They are insulted when people use that term to refer to derogatory situations.

ok, fair enough... so what does gay mean to you?

And no generally gays do not think it is wrong to be gay unless it has been pressed into them.

ok, how do you know what gay people think?

Gay is fine. Fag not.

why is that?

Gay is used in public broadcasting all the time to refer to a gay man, not as a general prejoritive.

I’ve never heard the word gay being OK in public broadcasting... where is the evidence?

[Angry Citizen]

I'm not. Who said we are?

[Maryjane]

Some people in this thread need to go back and read the OP for they are truly failing to stay on topic. Let's not make this debate personal. Discuss opinions, not other members. Some posts have been removed.

Should people use the word "gay" in a pejorative manner?

I am not talking about people claiming that homosexuality is wrong, against nature etc. What I refer to is the habit amongst people using phrases such as "That's gay." to express contempt for something, or jokingly use homophobic phrases to insult someone (eg "You faggot," "Go suck a dick") who is usually a straight male.

I'm sure people will have a strong opinion on this. The truth is that a lot of our insults are derived from sexual terminology, and this is an extension of that. Despite the fact that many of the people here are literally wankers I doubt most object to the word being used an insult. I am and I certainly don't . My contention is that often the phrases are not indicative of homphobia, although the use of gay slurs against straight males does suggest a connection between one's masculinity and their sexual orientation.

On the flipside if we instead used another group of people as the basis for our insults I'm not sure how I'd feel about it. For example if we said "That's so female" if we missed our bus, or "You nigger" as an insult against white people (which, now that I think of it, isn't that farfetched). Obviously straight men often banter their friends by calling them "pussies" or girlish in some way, and I think the reason that works as an insult is that it calls into question one's masculinity, just as the homosexual slurs do.

Is this wrong? Should we stop doing it? Is it defensable? Look forward to hearing your views.

[Maryjane]

Officially? So the OP will be moot if the definition changes in Websters?

According to Cracked.com...

8 Racist Words You Use Every Day | Cracked.com

[BlackSheep]

ok, fair enough... so what does gay mean to you?

A male homosexual or a general term for all homosexuals.

ok, how do you know what gay people think?

By talking with them and reading things written by them. I have a number of gay friends.

why is that?

Gay is a term that is generally accepted ad not inherently derogatory. Fag it is a term that is derogatory.

I’ve never heard the word gay being OK in public broadcasting... where is the evidence?

Jerry: I'm not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

"Seinfeld" (1990) - Memorable quotes

MICHELE NORRIS, Host:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Michele Norris.

ROBERT SIEGEL, Host:

And I'm Robert Siegel.

A new law in California will require public schools in that state to teach gay and lesbian history. Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law last week, making California the first state to adopt such a measure. Updated textbooks won't hit classrooms for a few more years, but the policy goes into effect in January. State Senator Mark Leno is the author of the bill.

Calif. Public Schools To Teach Gay History : NPR

The last link has the recording of it is you want to listen

They are not that hard to find.

[gharik]

English speakers should use and create words as they see fit. "Gay" as an insult doesn't necessary have any implication on "gay" as a sexual orientation doesn't necessary have any implication on "gay" as an adjective meaning "happy or joyful". You don't get to dictate the common meaning of words; that's not how language works.

[diygeek]

A male homosexual or a general term for all homosexuals.

right... now does it make sense to you that a male should love another male? If yes why if not why not?

By talking with them and reading things written by them. I have a number of gay friends.

ouch! How does your wife or GF feel about this?

Gay is a term that is generally accepted ad not inherently derogatory. Fag it is a term that is derogatory.

so if I say that you are gay, yo won't take it as an insult?... you are gay dude!

Jerry: I'm not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

there is a difference between saying “i am not gay” and “you are gay”... get it? IOW, bad example, try again.

A new law in California will require public schools in that state to teach gay and lesbian history. Governor Jerry Brown signed the bill into law last week, making California the first state to adopt such a measure. Updated textbooks won't hit classrooms for a few more years, but the policy goes into effect in January. State Senator Mark Leno is the author of the bill.

well that makes it more easy for a lot of people to see who is gay or not... instead of trying to guess.

I will never allow my son to hang around with gay kids I will tell you that 100%... you are a “man” who believes in scientific studies right? Well, scientifically, people learn unconsciously from others? So, whether you like it or not, you have learned a thing or two from your gay friends lol... IOW, you learned gay tendencies.

don't believe me, lets do a scientific study?

[Angry Citizen]

I will never allow my son to hang around with gay kids I will tell you that 100%

He probably already has without either you or him knowing it. Again, it comes back to the whole 'human' thing, though it would seem some are more human than others...

[diygeek]

You don't get to dictate the common meaning of words

stop pretending that the word gay means "happy" (watch the king kong movie at the beginning... "a bundle of money, don't make me feel gay".... i am sure he did not mean that makes him feel like a fag) like back in the days... also, back in the days, why did the word gay mean happy? IOW, gay now and back in the day is not the same word.

[diygeek]

He probably already has without either you or him knowing it. Again, it comes back to the whole 'human' thing, though it would seem some are more human than others...

lol... you are confused... if i tell my kid who is a fag, he will most likely go against who i say is a fag... well, unless your kid does not respect you. humm... what do you mean by this...

some are more human than others

[The Decider]

if i tell my kid who is a fag, he will most likely go against who i say is a fag... well, unless your kid does not respect you.

So, you can tell with certainty someone's sexual orientation? Your son has met scores of homosexuals in his brief life and he will meet scores more. Homophobes are easier to spot.

[diygeek]

So, you can tell with certainty someone's sexual orientation?

yes... is not my fault if a lesbian is trying to be a guy... i will label her as a guy and expect for her to be treated like one, same for a male... so yes i can... how can you tell if you are a female or not besides the genitals?