"that's so gay!" - offensive, no?

[paintballrulzs]

can some one please delete this thread, so pointless and leading to arguements. Why is this such a big deal, Homosexuals dont get affended when you call them gay, they know there gay. They call there selves gay. They only get affended when you call them "***et".

That is the question this thread proposes. Many people that are gay get offended when you call something you dont like "gay." Most people are aware that for the most part the homosexual community doesn't mind being called gay and often refer to themselves as being gay. The problem is that when you call something or someone you dont like "gay." Basically if you saw something you didnt like and said "wow thats so straight." Many people find it offensive that the term gay is used in such a negative manner.

[Gr0dy]

That is the question this thread proposes. Many people that are gay get offended when you call something you dont like "gay." Most people are aware that for the most part the homosexual community doesn't mind being called gay and often refer to themselves as being gay. The problem is that when you call something or someone you dont like "gay." Basically if you saw something you didnt like and said "wow thats so straight." Many people find it offensive that the term gay is used in such a negative manner.

i agree with u in some way, but most people know that when your refering to something besides a gay person, that you mean it sucks or lame. ex. "This car is so gay"

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

i agree with u in some way, but most people know that when your refering to something besides a gay person, that you mean it sucks or lame. ex. "This car is so gay"

I'll ask this again but why did gay begin to be used in this context?

[BeaverEater]

I just it just caught on, as do all "fad" words.

[Gr0dy]

I'll ask this again but why did gay begin to be used in this context?

you got me there , i cannot answer that.

[red robot]

i agree with u in some way, but most people know that when your refering to something besides a gay person, that you mean it sucks or lame. ex. "This car is so gay"

Exactly. The definition of "gay" is not 'something that sucks. something that is lame.' Why do people use it as a synoym with "suck" or "lame?"

[nippinout]

Someone used it, and thus began a ripple effect across America. The same way the word, bogus, entered mainstream American use mid to late 80's

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

Someone used it, and thus began a ripple effect across America. The same way the word, bogus, entered mainstream American use mid to late 80's

So it was just acoincidence that gay is being used for something that is lame, or sucks. And there was no reasoning behind the choice of the word.

I didn't ask how it came into thsi context, I asked WHY.

[nippinout]

I didn't ask how it came into thsi context, I asked WHY.

Who cares?

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

Who cares?

It is the entire reason for this thread.

Is gay deragatory, or just some other slang word?

[nippinout]

It is the entire reason for this thread.

Is gay deragatory, or just some other slang word?

It's just another slang word. People are too uptight and hung up on being PC.

[MayAMonkeyBeYourPinata]

It's just another slang word. People are too uptight and hung up on being PC.

And I see it as a word rooted in prejudice.

[paintballrulzs]

Honestly there are so many words that we use that could be offensive to someone. The words "indians" and "blacks" are politcally incorrect. We are supposed to say "native americans" and "african americans" but do we? and do they really care? One of my best friends is black and i say black because I have never met one black person who is offended by that. Its just like saying I am white. Im not offended at all. I dont care if you call me caucasion or white. Too much crap is considered PC. I use the word gay all the time and i wont change it either. I dont care if there is a gay guy standing right in front of me. I have no qualms about using it in the context I do.

[MarkM]

Someone used it, and thus began a ripple effect across America. The same way the word, bogus, entered mainstream American use mid to late 80's

You really are not understanding very well about the subject are you? Your reason for use is basically "because others use it" at least try and understand the why. Since you appear fond of double meaning words/terms...what about AGG.....first meant as A Gay Guy....use now = cool??? so you can't have it both ways.

To Gr0dy as long as the thread stays civil the thread remains...you don't have to take part nor read it.

[red robot]

Honestly there are so many words that we use that could be offensive to someone. The words "indians" and "blacks" are politcally incorrect. We are supposed to say "native americans" and "african americans" but do we? and do they really care? One of my best friends is black and i say black because I have never met one black person who is offended by that. Its just like saying I am white. Im not offended at all. I dont care if you call me caucasion or white. Too much crap is considered PC. I use the word gay all the time and i wont change it either. I dont care if there is a gay guy standing right in front of me. I have no qualms about using it in the context I do.

Aye, calling black people black is fine. Black people are, by definition of the word, black. White people are white. There is no intent of offense when I refer to my friends being black. However, if you called them, let's say red, it would make no sense. It makes no sense because they are not, by definition of the word, red. If you call a broken computer gay you are using the afforementioned nonsense.

I do recognize the problems with political correctness today, and my take on it is this: if the word used to describe the person or persons is correct by definition, then it should be acceptable to use.