[lily.]

Simples.

If you find it offensive, pick Yes.

If you don't, pick No.

[pinkmichk]

nope doesnt offend me

[30stone]

Thats so happy?

Course not

[dpbb3]

nooooooooooo mannn. yerrrr gayyy

[MrGaryy]

yes I find it offensive. I'm not a prude, I think its very reasonable for gays to find it offensive. Sorry for bringing up the same old arguemtn again but 'thats so jewish' or 'thats so black' would automatically be deemed offensive so why not gay?

[lily.]

I clicked 'no', because I'm not homophobic, and I never thought of the phrase as being offensive.

Some of the posts in the other thread tell me otherwise though..

[lily.]

Originally posted by MrGaryy
yes I find it offensive. I'm not a prude, I think its very reasonable for gays to find it offensive. Sorry for bringing up the same old arguemtn again but 'thats so jewish' or 'thats so black' would automatically be deemed offensive so why not gay?

You don't have to apologise. You are making a valid point, and stating your honest opinion.

[Twilight]

Hope noone i know finds it Offensive because i say it all the time

[lily.]

Originally posted by Twilight
Hope noone i know finds it Offensive because i say it all the time

Maybe they do, but don't want to speak up. I'm starting to wonder that now, as I see people on here speaking up about how offensive they find it.

[MarkWaldorf]

As I said before, I tend to judge it on the context.

I don't have a problem with people saying it casually, because it doesn't offend me. It's just when people use it to offend that I hate.

[Wildcat!]

I think its offensive, therefore, I never say it.
But the funny thing is, most people that I hear saying it, are gay!

[lily.]

That's how I thought everyone viewed it Mark... but now I'm thinking that people are offended by it even when it's not used directly against someone.

[TheMac]

Originally posted by Twilight
Hope noone i know finds it Offensive because i say it all the time

That's the big problem. Everyone finds it acceptable to call something gay as like a bad thing. I used to say it a lot, but I kinda realised that it's just sorta not immature, but like erm, ignorant. Whether people around me are gay or not, I don't really think it is a good word to use unless you are referring to someone's sexuality. And not in an insulting way either.

[JOSHUAH!]

I say it a lot and when I say it I don't actually relate to it like I'm being offensive to gay people..its just a word I say really. I know that sounds pretty harsh 'cause some people do find it offensive and I actually try to not say it to people who I know are gay etc

[MrGaryy]

I think a lot of gay people are afraid to say they are offended by it for fear they will come across up tight or absorbed by they're own issues.

[Tom4784]

I think the phrase has taken on another meaning really. I think most people that say it don't mean to be deregatory towards gay people it's just taken on another meaning as well as the previous two meanings. I think labels like Rascist and homophobe are thrown about too easily these days. Most people don't say it with malice.

I don't say it personally but I don't get offended by people who use it casually as they aren't refering to sexuality. If they said it in a way like 'That makes you look gay' or accused the person of being gay negatively then that's wrong.

[Twilight]

I find it funny thought because most people that i know that say it are gay lol and when i say it i don't mean it like being gay's a bad thing.

[lily.]

Originally posted by MrGaryy
I think a lot of gay people are afraid to say they are offended by it for fear they will come across up tight or absorbed by they're own issues.

I'm starting to think you're right..

[Wildcat!]

LIke I said before, I dont think its right to say it, but its hard to call it offensive, when most gay people use the expression themselves. So unless it appears to offend in general, I dont think most gay people find it ofensive.

[MrGaryy]

Originally posted by Dezzy
I think the phrase has taken on another meaning really. I think most people that say it don't mean to be deregatory towards gay people it's just taken on another meaning as well as the previous two meanings. I think labels like Rascist and homophobe are thrown about too easily these days. Most people don't say it with malice.

I don't say it personally but I don't get offended by people who use it casually as they aren't refering to sexuality. If they said it in a way like 'That makes you look gay' or accused the person of being gay negatively then that's wrong.

see this is like what I was saying in the other thread. I think that sooooo many people tell themselves they don't mean it in a bad way because they don't want to be seen as predjudice people but subconsciously they actually do. Thats not to say they're bad people, for most cases its been bred ino them by society and parents, they can't help it.
Thats not directed at anyone in particular.

[CiaraD]

I say it alot but I have never thought negativly of gay people when I have said it as I have no problem with gays. I have never though of it being offensive.

I do see how gay people could find it offensive though. Don't think I'll say it as much now!

[Spike]

No because its just a saying, not a dig at gay people or anything
Me and my friends say it because its become natural, it will soon die out

[lily.]

Originally posted by CiaraD
I say it alot but I have never thought negativly of gay people when I have said it as I have no problem with gays. I have never though of it being offensive.

I do see how gay people could find it offensive though. Don't think I'll say it as much now!

Me either.

[Shaun]

Nah, I call things "gay" to mean stupid or annoying sometimes.

[letmein]

It is extremely offensive, and bigoted.

How would you feel if I said that you "Jewed me out of a dollar"?

Same exact thing.

Equating "gay" with "stupid", is just unacceptable.

This is the same exact crap people did to blacks 40 years ago.

Treat people with dignity!