modified

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 13 May 2006 12:30

if you really wanted to could you not say that the term "lame" was politicaly incorect for the handicaped?

Hakker · Post by **Hakker** » 13 May 2006 13:23

Maybe only gay people can non-offensively say "gay" or "f@g". Like that episode of south park where it became okay to say shit, then Mr. Garrison went around singing "shitty, shitty, f*g, f*g"

okay that was kinda off topic, but...yeah.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 13 May 2006 17:32

These are the stupid kind of posts I get banned for responding to. As it stands right now I'm the only one who's actually responded to it. I say what you think. Was I the only one who even got passed paragraph one of this?

/begin rant
You can't put a label on a word anymore. It's not even possible. The word, "Gay" has no meaning. It's just vibrations in the air, that are interpreted by your brain, making "sense" out of them.

Yes, vibrations that are symbols for concepts, things, or places that we interpret and make sense of. Just because their is the veil of symbolism over them doesn't mean they don't cause strong emtions in people and convey concepts and ideas that can be offensive, especially in the way that they are said.

Even if the word gay is widely recognized and accepted as meaning something, you still technically means nothing. This whole post means nothing, it's all just electrons moving accross your screen making weird patterns that for some reason make "sense" to our minds when received by our eyes.

It means something because it's a symbol. The word gay is a symbol for a concept or way of being. That means something, because BY NATURE SYMBOLS MEAN SOMETHING. C'mon dude.

However, on a slightly less technical level... Gay is no longer widely used to rag on homosexuals.

Oh wow, we're getting less technical now? Not one part of your post would I describe as technical. Gay is used to rag on homosexuals. It isn't a negative term by nature, it is made negative by the context and way it is said and used.

The word "Fag" is used more for that now days. Gay is simply used to demean (SP?) something that's happening, or something you don't like.

You just said gay wasn't used to rag on homosexuals, and then a sentence later admit that it is used to DEMEAN something, specifically something someone doesn't like. What I also don't understand is how you put such little stock in words, but then go on to talk about the meanings and different usages of slurs towards gay people. Gay isn't offensive, but fag is? What are you talking about? Your post is hard to follow, probably because it isn't backed up by any logic.

Gay is not a word for a homosexual. That's just slang, something that has no meaning. Kinda like how my school counseler told me to turn my shirt inside out because it had a picture of a beaver on a stump and said, "Beavers love wood." I told her that it simply means that beavers in the wild like to chew on wood, and gather wood, to build their homes. And that this slang word is only disgusting to someone who interprets it as disgusting, meaning that that person has a disgusting mind. With that I turned and walked out of her office, because she knew damn well that I was right and she was wrong.

You're the type of kid who is ruining American public schools.

Gay is only offensive to someone that veiws it as offensive. So only someone that has used, or experienced someone else using the word as representation of a homosexual, would think that it's being used as representation for a homosexual.

Which is basically everyone.

I for one have never used the word "gay" as an offensive representation for a homosexual. I have a few gay friends, and I've asked them if they are gay, but I do not use it in a demeaning way.

For someone who supposedly doesn't care at all about homosexuality, why are you straight asking people if they are gay? Clearly it means something to you, because you'd care enough to ask.

My friend Eliot. He's black, and he's really tall. He's gay.

Words words words that are symbols symbols symbols that represent represent represent something. Did you catch that?

That isn't an offensive term. It's only offensive to people that see it as offensive, meaning that you are either unsecure about your sexuality

Thanks for telling me about sexuality, Doc. Besides, no one is debating this. Gay isn't a deragatory term by nature. By nature it's a good term. It is made deragatory by the way it is used and expressed by the person saying it.

However, as said before. The word gay is rarely used to rip on homosexuals any more.

That isn't true, and you admitted it earlier.

I think NASCAR racing is gay. I'm simply saying that it's dumb, boring, takes too long, they get paid too much, doesn't require as much skill as people think it does, and is just an excuse to go out with friends drinking in public with bear drinking hats on...

You should just read the post I made right above yours. Terms like "gay" are easy ways for ignorant people to express themselves efficiently. They use curses and deragotory terms because they aren't intelligent enough to express themselves clearly and say what they mean. If you don't like NASCAR racing, say you think it is boring, or takes too long. Those are personal opinions and you're telling people why you don't like NASCAR racing. Saying NASCAR racing is "gay" is stupid because it doesn't mean anything. NASCAR racing, by nature, can't be gay. It is a sport. Only living things can be homosexual. Your whole post is a contradiction.

/begin rant
Another thing. You don't have to specify that you are stating an opinion for it to be an opinion. You all speak of ignorance through use of words such as gay, when it's ignorance to accept the word for what it really is.

Words are symbols that are easily and quickly accepted for what it means. This isn't tough to understand. Symbols mean something by nature.

My earlier sentence about NASCAR, can be interpreted as fact or opinion. Because I specified neither of them.

Actually you did specificy it as an opinion, because you said, "I think". That isn't relevent to my argument though, just pointing out how illogical your post is.

Do not assume that someone is stating opinion as fact simply because they didn't not flat out say that the fallowing sentence is their opinion. It's not required.

Which is why people use efficient phrases like "I think" to specificy an opinion. It is exactly what you did above, even if you didn't specifically say" This is an opinion".

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 14 May 2006 07:00

NASCAR racing, by nature, can't be gay. It is a sport. Only living things can be homosexual. Your whole post is a contradiction.

I'm contradicting myself? You're one to talk. NASCAR racing, by nature can't be gay. and then, you said, "Only living things can be homosexual."

However you JUST said that the word gay by nature does NOT mean that. It's really funny when your example of how I'm somehow(?) contradicting myself, consists of YOU contradicting YOURSELF.

Actually you did specificy it as an opinion, because you said, "I think". That isn't relevent to my argument though, just pointing out how illogical your post is.

I think cats have four legs. Started with, "I think", and yet it remains fact, and it's still a valid sentence. (Meaning that it technically makes sense and is correct.)

Nuff said.

And no, the word gay is VERY rarely used to rip on homosexuals now days. And YES the word Fag IS used to rip on homosexuals ALOT LOT more than the word gay is. I'm thinking the main reason for that is because you can put alot of emphasis on the "f" sound in the word fag. Kinda like putting emphasis on the "f" sound in the word fuck. So it sounds more cruel or has a stronger message maybe?

Either way, I havent' heard or seen anyone use the word gay as a derogatory term towards homosexuals in a long ass time. I can't remember the last time actually.

You know what makes sense? If it can be said on TV... it should be allowed to be said anywhere.

shit, ass, bitch, gay, etc.

That's my opinion.

Peace,
Fred.

Seath · Post by **Seath** » 14 May 2006 14:13

I'm jumping into this late but:

Switch Kicker wrote: I think cats have four legs. Started with, "I think", and yet it remains fact, and it's still a valid sentence. (Meaning that it technically makes sense and is correct.)

You didn't really argue against Dans point, when you say "I think" you're still stating that in your opinion, cats have four legs. It remains a fact that you think that, and you did state a fact, but according to the words you used, cats having four legs is your opinion.

And no, the word gay is VERY rarely used to rip on homosexuals now days. And YES the word Fag IS used to rip on homosexuals ALOT LOT more than the word gay is. I'm thinking the main reason for that is because you can put alot of emphasis on the "f" sound in the word fag. Kinda like putting emphasis on the "f" sound in the word fuck. So it sounds more cruel or has a stronger message maybe?

I think it has more to do with the fact that the word gay has been used by the homosexual community to define themselves, whereas the word fag is still offensive to alot of the community.

That doesn't defend the use of gay as a slang word for negative things though.

BalinorNZ · Post by **BalinorNZ** » 15 May 2006 21:32

What a gay thread!

Lol i'm just joking, but seriously, I guess i'm still living in the stone age, I still find it really funny when I watch a movie like the Anchorman and chad says "Listen to Burgendy! He sounds like a gay!"

(to anyone who hasn't seen the movie, that will be totally out of context

)

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 15 May 2006 22:15

Why is this debate so hard to understand?

"gay" is typcially used in 2 different ways and there is a third older definition:

1. Something happy etc. - this is the old definition. I don't think anybody has any problem with people using this definition (apart from people censoring Enid Blighton books but that's completely off topic).

2. Somebody homosexual. For example - "At Aus champs a gay guy tried to hit on Gareth". That's not used as an insult - it's saying that he was a homosexual. You could equally say "Nic Bathgate acts like he's gay" - which is to say he acts like he's a homosexual. While there is definitely a big generalisation there (about how people of particular sexualities act), this kind of usage is not what is being disucussed.

3. Something weird or negative. For example "The war on Iraq is gay". This is the usage that people are complaining about and that I personally think people should try to avoid using. The reasons for that are made clear in this topic already but there are basically two reasons.

i. Using "gay" as a negative term is inferring that being gay is a negative thing. The usage of "gay" as a negative term is clearly related to the homosexual definitions of the meaning and there are plenty of non offensive replacement words that could be used instead. So there's no reason to use the word and it offends some people.

ii. A while ago I ran a survey of all the members on modified who wanted to participate and these are some of the answers to the question - is your sexuality respected.

I'm straight, but I still get offended by gay-bashers because I have relatives that are.

NO!

I think so but a homosexual would think otherwise I guess.

I think all the “gay” crap going around is unnecessary, but overall yeah, things are ok.

Well, my sexually as a straight male is respected, but there have been a few comments made that I feel would disrespect my sexuality if I were gay.

No

I'm heterosexual, so yes. There are some homophobes that I find disrespectful. But I think other users and the mods have done a good effort to show them how outdated there mentality is.

Yes, but I don't feel that others' is sometimes.

Mine, yes, but there has (sic) been some homophobic posts that really make me quite upset.

Well I haven't been called a “faggot” yet so sure (FYI I'm not gay )

Yeah. I'm hetero. I'm not discriminated against.

I'm straight, so I guess the answer is yes.

Absolutely, though if I were gay, I wouldn’t appreciate some posters using some slang terms, but I’m glad to see moderators (and posters) speaking out against this kinda trash talk.

I've seen quite a lot of homophobia, but I am not personally offended.

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 16 May 2006 02:54

I just spent 4 hours (its 4am now) writing my complete thoughts on the word gay totaling to around 12 solid paragraphs. Modified decided to log me out. So when I went to preview what I had written, it went to a login. What?!!?

Ooooo, I thought, just hit the back button and copy paste it. To my amazement, it turned my prior posting a message page into another login page. I lost it all! I can never rewrite what I just wrote ever again. You have no idea how much this pisses me off. It's like pulling an all nighter to write a big report that you put so much thought process into, only to turn it in and watch your teacher rip it up infront of you and then ask you who you are and if your even in this class.

I seriously cannot describe how pissed I am at this ... you have no idea

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 16 May 2006 07:43

God damnit... There are two definitions for the word gay that aren't aimed towards homosexuals. So why the hell do you see the need to ban the word? If you're going to ban that word for such stupid reasons you should ban all swear words too.

I just don't get you people... I mean wtf... None of my gay friends get offended by these words used in public. They honestly don't care, becuase you know what. The word gay, doesn't just mean homosexual. Now, the word fag on the other hand. The only definition for that is a pile of sticks. So when someone comes up and calls you a fag, you KNOW it's slang and you know what they're talking about. But saying the war in Iraq is gay has NOTHING , ABOSOLUTELY ZERO, NONE, NOTTA, ZIP, to do with homosexuals. And that's what you're fucking trying to say. I couldn't find ONE post ANYWHERE on here using the word gay, in an offensive way, meant to mean homosexuality. (Did that make sense?) You know why? Because people don't use that word to bash on homosexuals anymore. It's old, and outdated... it just isn't used like that anymore, so get over it.

Screw... I don't give a shit anymore.

This thread, and alot of the fucked up rules of this forum, are gay. (Call me ignorant, I don't care.)

Peace,
Fred.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 16 May 2006 09:05

God damnit... There are two definitions for the word gay that aren't aimed towards homosexuals. So why the hell do you see the need to ban the word? If you're going to ban that word for such stupid reasons you should ban all swear words too.

Their is no reason to ban the word gay, and I don't think it is banned, buddy. All I was trying to say in my post was

A. Your post was rubbish
B. People who use the word gay slurringly ought to be beaten by their fathers.

But yeah, I don't want to see it banned.

max · Post by **max** » 16 May 2006 09:18

Actually "fag" is commonly used in the UK to mean "cigarette". If I recall correctly it's the case with AUS and, I'm guessing, NZ. Just thought I'd chime in with a little off-topicness.

Now get back to debating the use of the word "gay".

james_dean · Post by **james_dean** » 16 May 2006 16:34

Fred, what is your problem? Did you not read Jeremy's post? How about you respect the will of the majority here, is it that much of an issue to not use the word gay like that? It offends people. Period. Stop being such an ass for no reason.

You are ignorant.

Hakker · Post by **Hakker** » 16 May 2006 17:00

Switch Kicker wrote:(Call me ignorant, I don't care.)

Fine. You, my friend, are incredibly ignorant. The fact of the matter is that even though you may not mean it when you say gay, the thought to use it as a derrogatory term came as a referance to homosexuality. Why the hell would someone say a word meaning nothing but happy to describe something bad.

Then again, I would say why use a word meaning homosexual to describe something bad, nut I'm not a homophobe like most people in todays world.

BainbridgeShred · Post by **BainbridgeShred** » 16 May 2006 20:10

He isn't ignorant, he gave his opinion (Though I disagree with it) on the subject and left it at that.

He is right though. The word shouldn't be banned. For all I care he can go around on here calling you all raging fag's and I wouldn't bat an eyelash.

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 16 May 2006 23:43

ok, can we at least stop saying homophobe, that is the gayest word I've ever heard.

professor · Post by **professor** » 17 May 2006 09:36

Not that I care too much, but "gay" is not a slur.

Homosexuals were the first ones to use the word gay to describe themselves. So, if they can change the meaning of the word, then why can't someone use the word in a way they want?

Seath · Post by **Seath** » 17 May 2006 10:16

This post is so tilt.

habitat · Post by **habitat** » 17 May 2006 11:59

professor wrote:Homosexuals were the first ones to use the word gay to describe themselves. So, if they can change the meaning of the word, then why can't someone use the word in a way they want?

Wow, someone thinking with logic in this thread. Who are you to tell me what my own words mean? Words evolve, words have different meanings. Even WITHOUT relating to an old defination, hmmm such as gay meaning happy and gay meaning homosexual, not the same thing. Also as gay meaning homosexual does not relate to gay meaning lame.

Really, if homosexuals get offended by someone saying something is gay (by the third defintion) wouldn't that mean that are admitting homosexuality is wrong? How else is that possible? I don't think homosexuality is wrong at all. Please spare me the whole homophobic spiel

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 17 May 2006 17:45

james_dean wrote:Fred, what is your problem? Did you not read Jeremy's post? How about you respect the will of the majority here, is it that much of an issue to not use the word gay like that? It offends people. Period. Stop being such an ass for no reason.

You are ignorant.

Why the hell should I? That's not how the world works anymore... Democracy is lost... Fuckin democracy turned from majority vote, to if ONE person is offended, it's banned. And that's basically how this is.

Yes, it is. It's not hurting anyone except for people who are interpreting the word in a bad way when it's not spoken in a bad way.

I'm not being an ass for no reason. If I am being an ass, it's for a reason. And I'm not being an ass period. I'm simply stating my beleifs. Whether I stat them in an aggressive manner or not, that doesn't make me an ass. It makes me determined to prove my point, whether I do it through use of logical argument, or mindless ranting. I'm not being an ass.

Peace,
Fred.

Switch Kicker · Post by **Switch Kicker** » 17 May 2006 17:48

I'm not ignorant. people in general are ignorant to see the idiocy in the world today. Too blind to see jsut how worked up we've become over the use of such a stupid fucking word as gay... What the fuck. it doesn't MEAN anything... get the fuck over it.