Comments on: This is the one that is ghey.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:18:54 +0000

I seem to remember us having an identical conversation about this a few months back. Perhaps we should get rid of the slang and go back to the roots? So, instead of gay, lame, dumb, stupid, retarded, tool…we should use homosexual, handicapped, mute, unintelligent, mentally impaired, man. Then, we can get into even more semantics and consider those who prefer to be handi-capable vs. handicapped and those who prefer intelligence-impaired vs. unintelligent.
“Dude Mike, you’re such a mentally impaired, mute, gluteus maximus” has a much better ring to it than “Dude Mike, you’re such a retarded dumbass”
Me personally, when I’m trying not to use extreme epithets, I take the “South Park Stance” and use ANY word, regardless of origin, because I can make anything sound bad with the right inflection.
But, ultimately, I prefer good, old-fashioned French (hey! another group to be affronted!) because a good string of F-bombs has never really offended anyone….

By: Freelance Guru

Freelance Guru — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:58:03 +0000

It’s a tough one though isn’t. Because if they’re hanging around gay people then don’t mean it to be offensive. I generally find it funny, although I can understand why it is offensive…My boyfriend and I just laugh about it.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:08:06 +0000

In a way, Publius is right. Even the use of the word “lame” can be seen as offensive. However, there are less reactions to that than there are to the use of the word “gay” as a synonym for “stupid” or “lame.”No, you’re not being too touch. I, too, hate it when people use that term so nonchalantly and I’ve yelled at friends so much about it that they know better to use the word in that context in front of me (yes, they do that even though I’m 95% straight).We’re not all perfect; hell, I’ve been saying “retarded” for a long time, but as I mentioned earlier, it depends on who you’ll offend. It’s much easier to offend people who support or who are gay than there are who support or who are “lame” or “retarded.” But as with what happened to Jonah, if someone asks you to stop, then it would be respectful and courteous to do.Next time, you can even make it a light joke. A friend of mine mentions this on his Xanga. It’s a good read: http://www.xanga.com/Rebel_In_Slacks/648895796/item.html

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:27:00 +0000

I’ve quarelled with this one too and I’ll probably forever be on the fence about it. There is the distinction of definitions, and the simple fact that it’s just a word which has no more power then you lend it. But I can’t say I don’t feel a little twinge inside everytime I hear it used that way.

By: Jonah

Jonah — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:22:20 +0000

I used the word lame until a person with a limp told me it bothered her. Now I try to say exactly what I mean- the person was being foolish, rash, speaking without knowledge of the topic, repeating platitutes, whatever.

By: mBrown

mBrown — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:32:42 +0000

especially sad since gay used to be synonymous with happy and bright and colorful and excited…and that’s not lame at all. Unless you think happiness and bright lively colors are lame. Then you’re lame. sigh. people.

By: Publius

Publius — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:05:15 +0000

To answer your rhetorical, you are indeed both gay and lame. And your use of the term “lame” - have you ever thought using it in the figurative sense might offend those who are literally lame? Hmmm…. Pointing it out might help her realize how much she’s saying it and try to break the bad habit. But it’s still offensive.

By: Angelika

Angelika — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:53:31 +0000

No, you’re not being too touchy.IMO, if you can substitute the word “Black” or “Mexican” & people from that group would be offended, then it’s offensive.