Do you think it's okay to still use the word "gay" for fun ?

Just a curiosity question for opinions and thought.

Growing up in NYC i've rarely seen the word "gay" being used to be prejudice against homosexuality it was always used to describe a awkward or crappy situation or just to poke fun at a "non-manly" thing to do for a man. Just another random word to use like sh*t and fk.

But now it feels like there's a hunt for homophobes, though most people generally don't really care there's a lot of touchy people what's worse the touchy people aren't even homosexuals or bisexuals just liberals with nothing better to do.

wait, are you asking to use the word "gay" to mean fun or to describe a crappy situation?

definition 3 or 5?

I sometimes use it as a substitute for the word happy.

definitely 5

The word gets called out when used in the pejorative because it's a hurtful and stupid thing to say. The way kids use the word even if it's just the pejorative has dramatic effects on the ability of gay people to be open about who they are, and the use has a social impact in how people perceive homosexuals. And one doesn't need to be gay to take offense to someone acting like a dipshit, lots of people have gay friends or family members, and even those that don't can still find such behavior abhorrent. There is no hunt for homophobes, I'm calling you out as one and a homophone apologist, and I didn't have to go looking for you, you came here yourself. And really, "liberals with nothing better to do"? Dude, you came to GameSpot, everybody here has something better to do.

Hmmm... In a public place with a diverse group of people? Probably not a very good idea as it is bound to offend someone. In privacy with your buddies? Sure, go nuts! It's all relative to whom you're with. "Gay", "retarded", "n-word"? Anything's fair game when you're hanging out with with all your jerky little pals!

It depends, does it tickle when you say gay?

I think it's fine if not meant to be offensive but some say it really wanting to insult or bash somebody and imo that is rude.

To describe something as gay, as a synonym for something that the speaker is deriding is offensive. (in my opinion)

It's kind of weird how homosexuals utilized the word "gay" to put homosexuality in a more positive context and it kind of backfired.

But it's just the word itself it's kinda weird.. it's like someone would say "hey i'm gay!" and it's like now and days you have to confirm by asking are you saying you're a "homosexual?" because the word itself kinda has been losing more and more meaning as time passes buy. I believed it started by meaning happy.

It means you should probably purchase a thesaurus at your nearest book store, because that level of vocabulary says a lot about a person.

Gay has gone out of fashion for me along time ago anyway. I prefer queer and the infamous f word should the need calls for it.

I haven't used the word like that since I was a kid.

only describing really gay actions/situations

Yes, i'm pretty sure i'm allowed to any fucking thing I want. Consequences or not, people are allowed to do what they please. It's the problem of other's to get offended, or upset. Not saying I go around calling everyone gay, but if I want to say something is "gay" or "retarded", I can. Too man limitations on the people of the world today. That's why this world is completely fucked.

I'm on the fence. It's just a word, but when people say "That's so gay", what does that mean? Wrong? Weird? Crazy? Why use the word gay as a replacement for that? Just say the real word.

It's pretty immature.

Doesn't gay mean happy?

@LJS9502_basic: Yes, thats what it meant before modern slang took it over.

You can use it however or whenever you want. If someone gets offended then they need to grow some balls and after they've done that you can proceed to kick them in said balls until they man up. We live in a culture of prepubescent girls who get offended at the slightest statement. I say screw those people and their precious feelings.

You can't even say retarded anymore... might offend one. Hell, there are people that get pissed when one says "moist". Keep your mouth shut and they won't have to kill your spirit.

I hope so. I'd be running out of insulting terms to say. I can only call someone a Jew so many times in one day.

For fun...no. Never found it fun. It is just a word. I am guessing you are asking if I still use it like "that is gay". Yes I still use it and couldn't care less if it offends somebody. I am not the politically correct type.

That's another one I use and couldn't care less how much it offends somebody.

I do out of habit. Trying to stop using it to refer to something as lame or stupid, because I have nothing but support and respect for the LGBT community and that isn't what the word means by any definition.


I still will use retarded when using it correctly as per its' meaning (to be hindered or slow in their awareness or understanding). People with mental or learning disabilities are not retards or retarded, they're mentally handicapped. An average person who puts their hand in a running blender is retarded because obviously the average person with no diagnosed mental handicaps should be aware that doing that is a dumb idea.

Though I do feel that words are just words, and meanings can change heavily over time. The intent behind the word means a lot more than the word itself.

I use it sometimes when venting frustration, though I do keep it to myself.

I think it's fine when used in that sense, as it's a lot like using 'god dammit'. There's absolutely no meaning behind it.

When you're around other people though, it obviously depends on who you're with. Like if it's with a group of friends who don't take swearing seriously, no one's gonna give a toss...

It's okay imo but I prefer the F word when joking with buddies.

Sure, why not? As long as there aren't any over sensitive twats around you'll be fine and people will understand.

hell yeah. I love gay ***gots.

yes

Yes. But if you have a sister as a lesbian you have to watch out what you say..

Yeah, and I think its okay to say queer and ****** too. These words had meanings before homosexuals stole them. we're just taking them back.

I'll use it to describe something that is homosexual. Even if what I'm describing isn't a person, but a show or type of music - I'm comfortable using that word. Doesn't necessarily mean homosexual = bad, just means it doesn't appeal to me...

Hmmmm...so you have a right to say whatever you want but other people don't have a right to be offended by it, brilliant logic there. That's actually closer to thought control than any "PC" maxim as you're trying to dictate what people should be allowed to feel whereas people who ask that words like "gay" not be used disparagingly are only trying to influence what is said in public. Besides, it's not like anyone is forcing you to do anything. Social judgments are an inherent part of human society. When you do something that affects somebody else adversely then people are going to have an adverse reaction to you, get used to it.

this

I stopped doing that after high school. Although I'll still use "retarded", but my mom doesn't like that, but whatever. Political correctness be damned.

I would tell the homophobe hunters that they are homosexual, and the meaning of gay depends on the context it is used.

I hardly use the word gay to describe situation, seems like a word for kids to say. I do like saying the word ******.

I don't care if someone gets offended by it I will still say it because words take on different meaning in the way they are used. Frankly if someone gets butthurt about it, I wouldn't want to talk to that person anyway. People get their feelings hurt too much nowdays. I will also say retarded, and I have a retarded aunt.

Words take on different meanings, but when a word that people identify as becomes used in a derogatory sense (and let's not forget that it's used in that sense specifically because homosexuals were vilified) then it has an adverse effect on those people. It really breaks people down emotionally to hear part of their own identity being used as a put-down, whether that person is intentionally trying to insult homosexuals or not. You can call it PC or thought control or whatever you want, but in the end what it really amounts to is being courteous to other people and respectful of their feelings. If that's too much of an inconvenience for you then, like I said before, get used to people calling you out and treating you differently because of it. You have every right to act like an immature child who doesn't ever stop to consider how they might be affecting others, you don't have a right to other people's approval of that behavior.

Actually, yes it is too much of an inconvenience for me and the ones being immature are people who get affected.

It depends on who I'm around.

@edinsftw:

If they get butthurt over it, all the better. It's their own fault for being so damn sensitive.

What, people should apologize for having feelings? Grow up, drop the macho douchebag act, and accept that words actually do affect people. You're living in a society, get used to being judged based on what you say.

What? I don't see anywhere in his post where he said anything about they should apologize.