I don't think you're going to understand what I'm getting at, I'm not great at putting things into words. I've used "gay" in the past to mean something bad/sad/funny, of course I know it's origin & how it's came to be used. Me and many other people who use it to describe something bad/sad/funny, we do so without being homophobic or hateful to gays because we simply don't attach those negative connotations and views that you are trying to attach to it's usage, we just use it to simply describe something bad/sad/funny or "gay"!, you are effectively demonizing the word in this usage by telling everyone it's homophobic and hateful, that's just my opinion of course.
Joined: Oct 31, 2010 Posts: 30474 Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:12 pm Post subject:
delic wrote:
you are effectively demonizing the word in this usage by telling everyone it's homophobic and hateful
Well when it's used in this way, what else could it be? And it's not me doing the demonising - it's the person who substitutes it for the more 'unvarnished' original.
I mean, what's so difficult with calling something that's crap, 'crap'?
If someone really wants to use another word and not infer the same negative usage onto the replacement word - then why not something like "that's pants" instead?
Use of 'retarded' can also pretty hateful, and that word can be tracked back to a factual, plain ol' unemotional definition too.
Is calling something inferior 'retarded' acceptable? I don't think so, really. It conveys the same hateful connotation onto 'retarded' as the usage of 'gay' in the same context.
If a word is used out of its general context in place of one meaning 'inferior', then that word comes to mean 'inferior' too.
The context demands it. _________________ Giraffe: a ruminant with a view.
Actually, people say "that's gay" because of their homophobia. Equating something inferior in quality or whatever is in reference to how homosexuals were treated in the past, and still some today.
This won't make any sense to non-Europeans but.. I do disagree in some cases, I would say that Eurovision for example is gay.
And I love it for it!!!
Yes, I mean literally gay and not inferior. As in, I've yet to see a straight commentator when it's on in my country, it seems to cause quite a bit of partying in the LGBT scene here and everyone (straight or gay) who enjoys a good party hopes to get invited to one of the many gay parties that are held during it. Heck, even I've gone to some and I'm hardly the most social person - and they were pretty fun! Sometimes something is just very very gay, and that's not just OK, it can be frigging awesome! Me and some friends have also been to a few food places that we would describe as gay (not LGBT places, no rainbow flag anywhere in the windows, just normal places with all gay servers it seems). Which in this instance means better music, actual service from waiters, getting food that wasn't cold and just a general all around nice vibe. I dunno where you guys are getting this negative gay thing from, must be some English language thing cuz people I know use it for things we love that involve gay people we love!*
Joined: Jan 03, 2011 Age: 19 Posts: 2721 Location: Washington, USA
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:59 am Post subject:
Well KBerg, Americans in general are much less accepting than Europeans, although it is slowly getting better. I'm an American, but I watched Eurovision last year, and will this year too. Lena so did not deserve to win, there were many better songs.
Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 5 Location: London, UK
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 4:11 am Post subject:
dunbots wrote:
Cornflake wrote:
delic wrote:
dunbots wrote:
Actually, people say "that's gay" because of their homophobia. Equating something inferior in quality or whatever is in reference to how homosexuals were treated in the past, and still some today.
I disagree, how could you possibly know what everyones views are when they say that.
You don't need to know their views.
It's enough to know that in common vernacular, gay=homosexual, and when someone says "that's gay" they're saying "that's crap/defective/lame/useless/poor".
Therefore, 'gay' becomes a substitute word for crap/defective/lame/useless/poor.
You said it best.
*applauds* I was going to post this but you saved me the bother!
Joined: Oct 24, 2007 Posts: 5 Location: London, UK
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 4:13 am Post subject: Re: is it wrong of me to use the word........
tk5800 wrote:
fag
now we all know fag is used as a derogatory term, but all of my LGBT friends use it to describe homophobic people, so when someone calls me "ewww, your gay" am i allowed to say "fag" back
of course, there is always "this aggression will not stand man, you fascist!"
If you're not LGBT yourself, you probably shouldn't. It's too loaded a word, lots of people find it offensive and it's very easy to misjudge whether it's OK to use it or not. Best not to! If you want to insult someone, there's plenty of other words available that don't have homophobic connotations!
Joined: Oct 31, 2010 Posts: 30474 Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:23 am Post subject:
KBerg wrote:
I would say that Eurovision for example is gay.
And I love it for it!!!
Yes, I mean literally gay and not inferior.
I think 'outrageously camp' might fit better...
Eurovision is something I make a point of avoiding. <shudders> Awful, toe-curling stuff. _________________ Giraffe: a ruminant with a view.
Joined: Oct 31, 2010 Posts: 30474 Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:03 pm Post subject:
Zen wrote:
To be honest, I find the interchangeability of "gay" and "camp" to be a bit offensive as well.
Yes. "Camp" is much more subtle and entirely separate from "gay".
Dictionary.com has a good definition:
Quote:
Noun: 1. something that provides sophisticated, knowing amusement, as by virtue of its being artlessly mannered or stylized, self-consciously artificial and extravagant, or teasingly ingenuous and sentimental. 2. a person who adopts a teasing, theatrical manner, especially for the amusement of others.
Verb: (used without object) 3. Also, camp it up. to speak or behave in a coquettishly playful or extravagantly theatrical manner.
_________________ Giraffe: a ruminant with a view.
I know that a lot of people who say 'That's gay' are not being intentionally homophobic. But it DOES hurt people, and make the environment unfriendly and threatening for most LGBTQ folks. So I don't use it, and I shut people down when I hear them using it.
I know that a lot of people who say 'That's gay' are not being intentionally homophobic. But it DOES hurt people, and make the environment unfriendly and threatening for most LGBTQ folks. So I don't use it, and I shut people down when I hear them using it.
Joined: Oct 17, 2009 Age: 45 Posts: 5754 Location: Vancouver, BC
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:09 pm Post subject:
Rule #1: Know your audience.
Rule #2: See Rule #1.
I have been known to use intemperate language from time to time. For example, in anger I have been know to refer to someone who has behaved in a way that I find inappropriate by a colloquial translation of fellator. But I have never done so in company in which such language would be held to be improper, nor among people who are not entirely clear about my personal views. _________________ --James
CockneyRebel Mick Avory, Sensitive brown-eyed Sweet Pea
Joined: Jul 18, 2004 Age: 38 Posts: 87202 Location: In a quiet and peaceful garden, where gentle Mick Avory-like Sweet Peas grow.
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 10:30 am Post subject:
I don't like the idea of people calling each other fags or faggots. On the other hand, I find it almost funny when somebody describes something as being Gay, without having a full understanding of what that word means. "Justin Beiber's new video is so Homosexual."
Joined: Feb 05, 2010 Posts: 13500 Location: My house
Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 5:33 pm Post subject:
I hate that word because my ex used it and that is what he called homosexuals. I have two uncles who are gay and would never call them faggots. He hated them and was so bigoted towards them. But yet he wouldn't dislike you if you were gay just as long as you didn't act on it or paraded it around like having on your door "I am gay and proud of it" or going to those gay festivals. Really, why did he make it his business and an issue for him? He saw it as shoving it in his face was why even though they never went up to him and started talking about their private lives they do with their partners. My uncles don't do that either.
I'm so glad I am not with him, not something I want my kid to learn.
Lena so did not deserve to win, there were many better songs. 
