Using the word "Gay" as a negative adjective.

[The Vindicat3d]

Yeah the majority of your rights are taken away as a child anyway, once you enter school jurisdiction even more are peeled off your now naked body that was once covered in nice warm rights.

 

[baggss]

To be blunt, it's a word. Get over it. Lots of words are used as a derogatory that are not, by definition, derogatory. This is what the real world is like. If you are going to let some pinhead using a simple word get you all bent out of shape you are in for a rough time.

 

[macinjosh]

Sorry.

To be blunt, it's a word. Get over it. Lots of words are used as a derogatory that are not, by definition, derogatory. This is what the real world is like. If you are going to let some pinhead using a simple word get you all bent out of shape you are in for a rough time.

Im not upset just about a word and I'm not going to get bent out of shape over it. I'm upset with the way people discriminate against people and have no respect for other people in my school. I'm just figuring out my life, my life decisions, and point of views on big topics in our lives. I'm definitely not going to use this as an excuse, but you have to understand that I go to a private school and everyone has the same basic POV's and opinions on a lot of things. Its just hard the cope with them, heck its just hard to cope with people in general. And yes, I have learned a lesson from this thread and thank everyone for their input. I'm sorry for this stupid thread, I just needed to vent from the people at my school. Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

 

[baggss]

This was neither a stupid nor wasted thread if you learned something from it.

 

[Leukeh]

Personally, I think there are three definitions of the word "gay". We speak English, words with multiple meanings are a commonplace.

1. The original meaning - carefree.
2. Homosexual
3. Crap, lame, bad. When I say "gay" as a negative adjective, I mean these words. Absolutely nothing to do with homosexuality.

Very subjective topic though. I'll continue using the word because it, for me, doesn't have any connotations to homosexuality.

 

[schweb]

For the record, using it at Mac-Forums in the context of #3 above will get you in trouble here. Just wanted to make that clear. It falls right under rule #1 at Mac-forums:

Community: At Mac-Forums.com, we strive to provide a safe, comfortable atmosphere for members of any age, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Do not engage in personal bickering or flaming; remember to treat all posters how you would want to be treated. Lewd or offensive posts, signatures, or avatars are not permitted.

Also, just to throw in my two cents, people who use gay to mean stupid are no better in my book than those who run around using the "n" word to describe black people or those who hate Jewish people, etc. etc. It just demonstrates you're a bigot.

Using gay to mean derogatory is an innately homophobic and hate-mongering thing to do whether you purposely are doing it or it's just innate.

How many of you who think it's ok to call something "gay" also would thing it's ok to use the "n" word or to call Chinese people "chinks"? Just curious, because it's really not that different.

 

[baggss]

Using the phrase "That car looks Gay" in quite a bit different than using the N word in reference to a person. To be honest, if a black person calls me the N word it is considered a compliment (I am white btw) and a sign of friendship (I have a co-worker/friend who does this). It's all in the context of the word. I will also add that my wife's boss is gay and calls lots of things "gay"as a derogatory. I know any number of Jewish people who have no problem with being referred to as "Jew".

I think we, as a society, have become to worried about words and their potential meaning.

 

[schweb]

Using the phrase "That car looks Gay" in quite a bit different than using the N word in reference to a person.

Ok so let's try it this way,

How about "that car looks...

- african
- n-word
- black
- etc..."

Would it be appropriate to use any of those in that context meaning negatively?

You view calling a black person the n-word as being derogatory, but using gay as a negative adjective is doing pretty much the same thing to another group of people.

 

[Dysfunction]

How many of you who think it's ok to call something "gay" also would thing it's ok to use the "n" word or to call Chinese people "chinks"? Just curious, because it's really not that different.

I think it's OK to say pretty much anything. It's also OK to be offended or insulted by it, just like it's OK to not be. It is just a word after all, and it'll only have power until we get over it.

 

[baggss]

I never said I viewed the use of the N word in relation to a black person as derogatory. It all depends on the context in which it is used. As I stated above, it can be used as a positive term depending on how it is used and who uses it. I can refer to my friend as "My N-Word" (and he does to me) with no fear of him becoming upset or being offended. It is a term of friendship between us. And lets be honest, if the car IS Black, then referring to it as black is not an issue.

Depending on the car in question, using any of those adjectives you listed above might be appropriate and I have heard people use them to describe things like cars in the past.

You may view this differently, and that is fine.

I think it's OK to say pretty much anything. It's also OK to be offended or insulted by it, just like it's OK to not be. It is just a word after all, and it'll only have power until we get over it.

Well said!

 

[schweb]

You are correct, you can say anything you wish. However your words and choice thereof define you as a person.

If you choose to speak in a way that is completely ignorant, than that is the person you portray to the world.

Like it or not words have power, they always have. You can pretend they don't to make yourself feel better for using derogatory language, but it doesn't change the fact words always have and always will affect people.

 

[baggss]

You are correct, you can say anything you wish. However your words and choice thereof define you as a person.

If you choose to speak in a way that is completely ignorant, than that is the person you portray to the world.

A true statement. However, don't assume that I walk around using racial slurs or derogatory racial or other comments (with the exception of the word "Gay") simply because I defend the context of certain words and how they may be used.

 

[schweb]

A true statement. However, don't assume that I walk around using racial slurs or derogatory racial or other comments (with the exception of the word "Gay") simply because I defend the context of certain words and how they may be used.

No, I know you well enough to know you don't do that.

My comment is more general, not necessarily aimed at one particular person.

 

[Dysfunction]

You are correct, you can say anything you wish. However your words and choice thereof define you as a person.

If you choose to speak in a way that is completely ignorant, than that is the person you portray to the world.

Like it or not words have power, they always have. You can pretend they don't to make yourself feel better for using derogatory language, but it doesn't change the fact words always have and always will affect people.

This is completely true. However, I find even the notion that speech should be restricted to be repugnant. A taboo on a word bears no change on it's intent after all. Words will always have power, but it is we that grant it that power, as there is no intrinsic 'power' to any of those words. This changes over time. What we as a society finds insulting has changed drastically even in the last 30 years. Really, even in the last decade. In the long run there are plenty of words we use daily that once were completely shocking, then there are words that once had far less meaning than they do now.

My point is this, there are times I INTEND to offend. There are times people NEED to be offended. Challenge of ones beliefs is often needed, else we sit in a bog of stagnation. Additionally it is us who assigns these words any meaning. Ignore it and it's just a jumble of useless letters. Perhaps idealist, but in the long run it's been proven to be truth.

 

[schweb]

My point is this, there are times I INTEND to offend. There are times people NEED to be offended.

As long as you don't do it here, feel free to do so everywhere else.

 

[Dysfunction]

As long as you don't do it here, feel free to do so everywhere else.

See, now that comes across more as a threat.


I'm already well aware of your terms of service, and I'm aware that there is no such thing as 'free speech' on a bulletin board since it's the hosts sandbox


Besides, computers is one thing people rarely need to be offended over

 

[Tanner31593]

WOAH, you're warning at the bottom of your post is....faded?
CraZY.

Anyway,
WHen people say "THAT'S SO GAY!" it makes me think that they view gay as a bad thing, to ALL the meanings.

 

[baggss]

WHen people say "THAT'S SO GAY!" it makes me think that they view gay as a bad thing, to ALL the meanings.

Many people feel that it is. You may disagree and that's ok.

 

[WakeCarver]

A good friend of mine is gay and says stuff is gay all the time. It doesn't offend him at all. I think people read to much into stuff sometimes. Or they let their own personal opinions and prejudices turn one persons innocent comment into something else in their own mind.

 

[technologist]

A good friend of mine is gay and says stuff is gay all the time. It doesn't offend him at all. I think people read to much into stuff sometimes. Or they let their own personal opinions and prejudices turn one persons innocent comment into something else in their own mind.

I know some black people who use the "n-word" all the time. What's your point again?