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My use of the Word GAY

Original post by cluelessbride

Seems to have offended Marymoon.

If it offended others, I apologize.

We don't live in Kansas, where, frankly, I would NOT use the word gay as I thought I could here, since in Kansas people might think I was referring to homosexuals.

IMO, gay is not a derogatory word. There are lots of other words that are derogatory that I would not use - ever.

To me, 'That is so gay' evokes childhood -- and a time when I certainly was not thinking of homosexuals when I used it. The phrase meant something lame, and corny, not 'homosexual'.
marymoon Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY


Posted by Kate07

Just wanted to shed some light on this and how gay people might interpret the use...


'About a year ago I was in Target shopping for hair gel and cat litter, two of that store’s specialties, when I heard a 30-something man next to me in the toiletry aisle turn to his girlfriend and loudly proclaim, “That’s so-o-o gay!” referring to some product on the shelf. Now, it could have been argued that this man wasn’t really a man at all, merely an arrested adolescent who would never know maturity. But the fact is, he was an adult, even if he lacked the capacity to act like one.

It hurt to hear him use that phrase. Even though I wasn’t sure he meant it to be antigay, he might as well have said, “Look at that faggot over there. He’d probably like this stupid thing!” I wanted to turn to him and ask, “Do you realize what you’re saying? I mean, look around you. There are gay people everywhere. We’re all over this store. We live in your neighborhood. One of us may have jump-started your car last week or given you directions when you were lost. Please tell me you don’t mean to imply that that thing on the shelf is ‘gay’ because ‘gay’ is ‘bad.’”

But I didn’t say those things. I quietly winced at the pang in my chest, turned my cart around, and moved on to the pharmaceuticals section as a soft female voice asked for register assistance over the loudspeaker. I didn’t say anything to Jason at the Vermont lodge either. But I wish I had before he turns into that grown-up caricature of himself I encountered at Target.

I realize it is up to me to let people know that what they are doing hurts to imply that “gay” is bad, or even less than normal, is unacceptable.

It’s who I am. And I am happy about it. My life as a gay man is just as important and fulfilling as any life, and it deserves to be treated as such, even in casual social settings. It takes courage to be the one who changes minds by pointing out why certain behaviors are wrong. This is what the many teachers and educators who are speaking out against bullying and denigrating remarks made toward GLBT youths have—courage. And it takes courage to be the one who hangs his or her feelings out there so that others can understand who they are and hopefully respect them for it.

I plan to join the ranks of those who possess that kind of courage the next time I hear the phrase “That’s so gay.”'




That's EXACTLY what I'm saying
RedHead Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY


Posted by lolita4life


Posted by oct.2004bride


Posted by lolita4life

Portia de Rossi was gay!?


i know i was shocked actually
I saw it on some wendy williams special!!!
she is a rude person


oh i didnt see that.. i only saw a few mags with her and Ellen.. is she gay or bi?


well she has a girlfriend right now and i did hear about the ellen thing so i am thiking gay...

i always though she was beautiful!
marymoon Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY


Posted by cluelessbride


Looks like a lecture to me




Just read the sotry another poster posted and try to understand. i'm not trying to lecture, I'm just trying to point something out. it makes me want to vomit whn i har 'fag' or 'that's so gay' it really does. I have't been lecturing you for all these pages, even if that was what you think is a lecture, i've just been voicing my opinion.
luvsbob4603 Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY

I agree with you i have friends who are gay and i work with them and they are really nice people and if anyone said anything that was disrepectful towards them i would be upset. i under your point of view marymoon you are making and your right.

swags1016 Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY

Can I ask a question without getting my headbashed in?

Why is this thread still going around?? Clueless apologized and explained what she meant and feels bad because she meant no harm. Jennifer (marymoon) spoke her mind and stated her opinions. Some agree with one some agree with the other and that's that. So why are we still debating it? I would think considering how sore this subject could be that people would just like to let the thread die and move onto making snow angels and snowmen.

cluelessbride Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY


Posted by marymoon


Posted by cluelessbride


Looks like a lecture to me




Just read the sotry another poster posted and try to understand. i'm not trying to lecture, I'm just trying to point something out. it makes me want to vomit whn i har 'fag' or 'that's so gay' it really does. I have't been lecturing you for all these pages, even if that was what you think is a lecture, i've just been voicing my opinion.



Mary, I GET IT, ok? You WERE lecturing me, call it 'voicing your opinion' but it was directed toward me - you said 'You did this and that...' in reference to my game. I have LEARNED A LESSON! OK?????

You are really so totally annoying.
luvsbob4603 Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY

i dont know but it seems like its still going on.

Crismicka Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY

Not trying to get on anyone's bad side...but people are too sensitive. What about when you look Phat? Should heavy people get offended?
I teach in a school and we use the term Native American when teaching about 'indians' Then one day we had an assembly with Native Americans who told us they prefer the term Indian.
I believe you have to be sensitive to people as individuals and not worry so much.
I've heard people use the expression..'That looks retarted!' I don't connect it to the mentally disabled. It's just a slang term that stuck. If it didn't, nobody would even know what people were talking about.

june262004 Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY





But Fag means Ciggarette.






























JOKING.... Come on girls look outside lets end this.
February05 Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY


Posted by Crismicka

Not trying to get on anyone's bad side...but people are too sensitive. What about when you look Phat? Should heavy people get offended?
I teach in a school and we use the term Native American when teaching about 'indians' Then one day we had an assembly with Native Americans who told us they prefer the term Indian.
I believe you have to be sensitive to people as individuals and not worry so much.
I've heard people use the expression..'That looks retarted!' I don't connect it to the mentally disabled. It's just a slang term that stuck. If it didn't, nobody would even know what people were talking about.




i agree
marymoon Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY

I'm really sorry if you think no one's allowed to voice an opinion that happens to disagree with your own and have an ongoing discussion about it (as I ahve having with jenn, jess and others) without being 'so totally annoying.' I'm sorry if you felt it was an ongoing lecture. I didn't mean it to be, i thought we had a good discussion going, but I guess I should have learned during election season that that's impossible with some people

holly231 Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY




People were past this discussion 5 hours ago...let it go already...clueless started the thread to tell you she was sorry you were offended.

LET IT DIE ALREADY.
marymoon Posted:

Re: My use of the Word GAY

I was just trying to point out that by the time cluless posted saying she was tired of being lectured, it wasn;t even ABOT her anymore, just a discussion of the topic. And it was NEVER about you, so thanks.

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