It's OK to call things "gay"

I can't imagine someone with a decent upbringing using such disparaging and close-minded words out of mere habit.

I don't see why that's a justification. Surely people were outraged at the time when the word was originally changed from gleeful to meaning homosexual. When someone says "haha that's so gay!" it has nothing to do with any sexual connotations. We're not being directly homophobic, we're just using a word in a different context. You can't stop people using the English language in the way they wish, and lets be honest... the word gay to meaning something other than your sexual preferences is well rooted in society now. The word has changed.

That Bristol article is complete BS. 'Hey look I'm gay and I don't mind, so other gays who do mind are just being over the top' is the message he is sending out there. What a plonker.

You obviously don't live in the real world then...


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We're living in a time when being gay is fine

It doesn't matter if you're being "directly homophobic", by using the word you're directly promoting a culture of homophobia by considering gay to be bad or even taboo by way of connotation.

You seem to be implying that the word "gay" has now completely changed and is accepted as meaning bad - in fact, the word is refuted by that meaning of it by many (perhaps most) and is in no way fixed on that meaning.

Your argument gives a blatant disregard to the fact that this usage of the word only promotes homophobia which I feel is somewhat inconsiderate of you. You also seem to be asserting that I'm gay by saying "your sexual preferences" when, in fact, I haven't stated my sexuality.

Only on tsr, huh.

There is a habit of that. Discussion of things that I've never experienced in the real world, not even once. Some people call things gay, and no one cares. Not even the gay people I know.

I really think it's a total nonissue.

It tends to be the scruffy state school students who call everything "gay". Those of us with a little more dignity do not act so immaturely.

It tends to be the scruffy state school students who call everything "gay". Those of us with a little more dignity do not act so immaturely.

It tends to be the scruffy state school students who call everything "gay". Those of us with a little more dignity do not act so immaturely.

This is TSR, as you pointed out, where people debate all manner of things. It's more than just the unintentional misuse of the word, it's to do with something much bigger - a culture of homophobia - and I find this anything but a nonissue.

And those with more still refuse to reduce ourselves to classist attacks when we all know that wealth and class at a young age is predetermined. That person should be educated, not patronised.

I agree with your basic argument but, please, stop being a snob.

I think people need to start paying attention to your well-reasoned responses! I would say using homophobic slang out of sheer habit, as that bigoted poster suggested, is covert homophobia as opposed to the overt homophobia most rational people would condemn. That is probably the reason why they see it as a non-issue.

Thank you! But I don't agree with your apparent judgment on state schools. I went to one and the very mention of "gay" in that way provoked a bad reaction so not all state schools are like that! I do agree with your arguments completely, though.

Discussion of things that I've never experienced in the real world, not even once. Some people call things gay, and no one cares. Not even the gay people I know.

I really think it's a total nonissue.

Sorry but I just think that's a bad attitude. I'm not saying you need to be out there protesting against the negative use of "gay" but, I do think, you should care and be ready to tell someone they're wrong by using it if you're against homophobia.

No, they should be patronised for the intolerant scum that they are. I attended a run-down state school where homophobia was rife, but I didn't become a homophobe.