To challenge casual homophobia on the dreaded fb?

[chundercatsarego]

A friend just posted: 'Just stalled my car in town.....gay!!!!:

Err...what? Is that OK? I think not.

Language is fluid but when it dips in to having derogatory connotations it's worth standing up to making a change. Just like the awful 'spaz' 'retard' insults that were thown about so easily in the past.

Your nonchalance makes me think you don't quite understand just how offensive it is to some. Fair enough you're not 'bothered' but can't you see that it 'bothers' others?

Lame as a suggested equivalent is rather disabling too. Maybe just 'shit'?

Yes, I can see that it bothers others. My point is that you can't give a new meaning to a word and then be upset when someone else gives it yet another meaning.

In the same lexicon, the word "straight" is used as shorthand for hetrosexual. This doesn't seem to cause anyone (I know) any issues whatsoever. The opposite of straight of course is "bent" I'm old enough to remember that term being used as shorthand for homosexual. I assume (and I may be wrong) that 'bent' was used because it describes something that is abnormal/defective.

I'm really not sure this matters much. I think that the recent adoption/adaption of the word by the Facebook generation will be shortlived in any event. We can but hope that that the good lord sees fit to smite anyone who feels compelled to update Faceache with such an inane comment.

Not really the point but does anyone know why we started referring to homosexual people as gay? And why we also have the word lesbian when there are no gender identifying words for heterosexual people?

I've never thought about straight as being the alternative to bent malice But you're right, I often talk about friends as straight or gay but would never ever refer to someone as bent. I may stop saying straight now!

Hmmm, maybe we should just go for homosexual and heterosexual after all?! But then you get 'homo' which is also quite offensive sounding.

Is this friend an adult?

'I think that the recent adoption/adaption of the word by the Facebook generation will be shortlived in any event.'

Yes Malice, hopefully. This is because the use of the word is being challenged. Because the majority of our society finds it offensive.

Sadly it's not a recent adoption of the word (gay meaning stupid, etc) people were doing it when I was at school 25 or so years ago

Empire My point is that "gay" had a meaning prior to being adopted as shorthand for homosexual. "Irish" didn't.

I don't want it to sound as if I'm sticking up for those who wish to be homophobic towards others. Also, you have to accept that, for some, the new definition of marriage is offensive. That's the point I was making upthread.

Chareth I was at school 25 years ago and "Joey" was the phrase de jour.

'I don't want it to sound as if I'm sticking up for those who wish to be homophobic towards others.'

I appreciate that but unfortunately, to me at least, that is exactly what you sound like.

This comment is the main cause for that impression; 'you can't give a new meaning to a word and then be upset when someone else gives it yet another meaning.' As you seem to be unwilling to recognise the difference in this case is that the meaning is derogatory and consequently offensive.

I recognise it, but don't think it's that big an issue. I've already said that for some it will be, but I won't get offended on behalf of someone else - not unless I feel it really warrants it. It's great if the majority of society finds it offensive. Who knows, one day, the majority of society might find Facebook offensive.

I've thought about it alot (just recently) and perhaps when youngsters use the word "gay" they actaully mean "camp" - i.e. something that's silly, effected, naff.

Malice, as someone who works with children I can tell you exactly how they mean it: they mean it in the immediate in anger or in jest or in taunt. To them it seems to have two main meanings; stupid or uncool. At times the insult is meant in its original form.

If you were gay yourself as an adult and you have overheard a 5 year old tease another by saying "You're so gay!" and then heard the panicked, indignant "No I'm not!" in response then you might understand why its an issue Malice. Because, let me tell you, it definitely stings a bit to hear that.

You're right when you say it's not a 'big' issue. But to many its big enough.

I'll have to bow to your greater knowledge. I'll accept your point. To be honest though, it isn't me you've got to convince. I think it's a shame that "gay" is the best our yoof can come up with.

oOu've been quite selective there, as immediately after the bit you quote me on, I recignise that for some people it will be.

Thanks for the link. I'm not usually a fan of Wiki entries, but this one seems plausible enough I suppose. It's infomative in that respect. The only problem is that it sort of undermines your argument. The word Gay started as a slur and has now come full circle some could argue that it's always been a slur.