So, it is probably time to point out this thread has outlived it's purpose (not to suggest it ever served one.) The question has been answered. Those adversely affected by their identifier being thrown around disrespectfully are offended. Meanwhile, some people not directly affected believe it is okay to unnecessarily insult others and lie about their intentions. We have learned nothing here. /thread
It's not insulting unless you allow yourself to be insulted by it. I have gay friends who use the word to describe something they don't like. I'm reminded of this column: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/28/david-mitchell-swearing-television Basically, 2009 is an offensive period in history, grow up and get over it or suffer.
I use it all of the time. I used to use it very infrequently, and say things were retarded more (on a side note, I have a brother with down syndrome, and don't find that offensive), but I saw this commercial on TV where Hilary Duff (or whoever it was. One of those annoying girls that kids love) told me not to say it. Now, I find myself saying it even in situations where it doesn't even fit.
I honestly don't don't give a hoot what words anyone uses. It's been my experience that most people that use words like 'nigger', 'faggot', 'cracker', 'Polock', 'Slope', the list goes on and on, in a hateful way are usually ignorant people and aren't going to have their views changed by me 'correcting' them, be it verbal or otherwise so I just chalk it up to stupidity. I'm Polish and I really don't mind if someone makes a 'Polock' joke around me because honestly I find a lot of them really funny, but I understand that they're all based in ignorance...or it's just one of my friends trying to bust my balls. Either way, we all have differences and folks are always going to have something negative to say about others that are different in some way or another. P.S. - There have been studies done that have proved a good portion of people who claim that they 'hate gays' actually get harder than their more accepting counterparts when they were tasked to watch gay porn... Who'd a thunk!?
As true as that probably is, I don't think it makes a difference whether or not the person using the word actually "hates" gay people. I use it occasionally, but when I say it, homosexuality doesn't enter my mind at all, it's an entirely separate word to me. Though to be honest I still only use it around my friends... even though I think that in this day and age people should be mentally tough enough to shake off potentially offensive words and phrases, it still doesn't make for polite conversation and using it publicly would probably just start a pointless argument.
Sorry, I think I deviated a bit from the original subject of this thread. I meant using the aforementioned words in a hateful way, not just using them as everyday slang. I, myself use most of the words that I mentioned in my previous post on a weekly basis to describe something playfully or to joke about how 'retarded(see! )' people seem when they use them in a hateful way. And yes, I agree that people do need to grow thicker skins in this day and age. If words affect you that much emotionally, then the rest of your life is most likely going to be extremely challenging. Just sayin'.
No, I think there is just the two of us. Most other participants have no stake in the issue and minimize or mislabel real concerns on mass by pretending to have gay friends as a 'get out of acting decent' card.
Sorry you lost me. I made that joke bc I was amazed at some of the posts and trump cards people tried to use as a way to excuse specific actions. If you can't laugh..... I mean what would one expect to get on a game forum? This is not the place to go if you are looking to have an intellectual conversation. No offense intended. Thus, I had to laugh.
As if having gay friends is a requirement for having an opinion on the matter. That's like telling a white person he's not allowed to be offended by derogatory terms for black people.
I expected better from you. This is a forum like any other where there ARE intelligent people and just because it's a "game forum" (Are gamers somehow less intelligent?), doesn't mean anything. There are only two sides to this, people who think using the gay as an insult or put down is completely harmless (they are used to it) and those of us who are offended by it. This won't change so I think this thread should be closed
I think this might be due to the little fact that umm.....you're in a iphone forum filled with little kids.
