I've noticed a lot of people saying stuff like "That's gay" lately. It really bothers me because, as an advocate for gay rights I feel that the term gay is acceptable, but not as a substitute for words like dumb and stupid. It gives the term gay a negative connotation that does not help with the tolerance thing. I hear this term used casually all the time, and it's not fair, it's not right and it makes people sound ignorant.
A girl I used to work with was actually fired for saying "That's gay" to a homosexual co-worker (there were other factors that contributed, but the message is that it is unacceptable).
I realize several people on this sight probably use gay in these circumstances, and I am by no means criticizing you, I'm just drawing attention to the message this gives.
By using gay as a substitute for such terms as stupid, you are comparing and equating being gay and being stupid. It's not fair and it breeds ignorance, hate and intolerance.
I beg those of you who do use gay casually to stop, and for those of you who regularly hear "That's gay" to stop tolerating it. This is a trend that must stop!
"That's gay"
By lennon12 - Posted on October 12th, 2008
I'm not the only one who feels that way! I hate it when my friends use that term, and we've gotten into a few arguments over it. They've stopped using it around me, but I wish I could figure out how that got around anyway. I can't think of anything that would connect gays to being a derogatory term besides prejudice, but I guess that's all it takes.
Well written, good job.
I think that it is so common to hear "thats gay" It has became unoffinsive. I mean if someone takes offense its their fault for being uptight. No one really thinks about gay people when they say thats gay.
Because it doesn't cut you. If you aren't gay and if you aren't being constantly compared to things people loathe, you won't know how it feels.
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I feel exactly what you are saying but i mean look at it like they may say the same thing. My gay friend always talkin about how gay things are and we go back and forth some people should jus be curitious about who they say it around. not everyone is your friend and you need to kno when the time is approprate.
Gay was never part of my lexicon but I remember when I was a child that it was a word my mother used fairly often. And it had nothing to do with homosexuality.
I guess the meanings of words change.