[Conzors]

As a gay man, i personally don't find it offensive - its the same when people say oh thats pants, cos actually pants can be cool haha x

[30stone]

Always use that phrase as do most of my friends..
say it without even thinking..

[Shasown]

I dont use the word myself, well not in that context.

I can understand given its etymology if some people got upset by its use.

[Legend killer]

Me personally find nothing wrong with it i say it all the time and so do a lot of my mates

[BB_Eye]

I've never really used the word in that context since secondary school. Everybody should have left it there to be honest.

[lostalex]

well considering the way people use it, basically to mean it's crap or sh!t, ofcourse it's offensive.

Especially because gay epople are the only minority that do NOT have equal rights in most countries.

How would you feel if you were the only British person in a class in America or wherever, and everyone kept saying "ugh, that's so british!" whenever they were describing something stupid, or crappy, or sh!t. I think you would be offended and it would start to piss you off eventually.

It is derogatory. Gay people are a minority, that do not have equal rights as citizens yet.

The equivalent would be people saying "that's so negro" 80 years ago when blacks didn't have equal rights. I think we'd all agree that saying "that's so negro" to describe something bad would be racist right?

This is no different.

[lostalex]

This poll is interesting though. 72% of the forum are bigots.

[ILoveTRW]

The only people who find it offensive are people who are uncomfortable with their sexuality.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by ILoveTRW

The only people who find it offensive are people who are uncomfortable with their sexuality.

I can assure that you are wrong. I am very comfortable with my sexuality, and i have a BIG problem with it. maybe you should try speaking for yourself.

[Benjamin]

It makes me chuckle when people say it in front of me, and then turn and are apologetic, saying they didn't mean to be rude.

I don't care, it's not like they are being homophobic, I even catch myself saying it now and again.


I myself am gay, and I find it annoying when gays get angry over it. They need to stop being such sensitive soft-weights. And if you want to get technical about the wrod 'gay', it originally ment happy.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

It makes me chuckle when people say it in front of me, and then turn and are apologetic, saying they didn't mean to be rude.

I don't care, it's not like they are being homophobic, I even catch myself saying it now and again.


I myself am gay, and I find it annoying when gays get angry over it. They need to stop being such sensitive soft-weights. And if you want to get technical about the wrod 'gay', it originally ment happy.

have you ever heard the term "uncle tom"?

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by lostalex

have you ever heard the term "uncle tom"?

Yes actually I have heard the term, and that plays no reference to the debate here.

Now if the word in question was '******', then the context of the meaning would be very different. As it so goes, the word is 'Gay' and is not meant in a homophobic manner. As you may notice, words change their meaning throughout history, and this word is a strong example.

Now I don't know much about the culture in the USA regarding homosexuals, but in UK, homosexuality is not anywhere near as frowned upon as it used to be, and generally, most people have no issue with it. Most gay guys I know here (myself included) have no issue with that expression, and why would we? It's not an insult directed towards us...

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

Yes actually I have heard the term, and that plays no reference to the debate here.

Now if the word in question was '******', then the context of the meaning would be very different. As it so goes, the word is 'Gay' and is not meant in a homophobic manner. As you may notice, words change their meaning throughout history, and this word is a strong example.

Now I don't know much about the culture in the USA regarding homosexuals, but in UK, homosexuality is not anywhere near as frowned upon as it used to be, and generally, most people have no issue with it. Most gay guys I know here (myself included) have no issue with that expression, and why would we? It's not an insult directed towards us...

oh okay, so you think when someone says "that's so gay" they arn't referring to homosexuality at all? i think you are giving people the benefit of the doubt. i think you are naive.

it is homophobia imo. it comes from hip-hop culture, and it is specifically associating homosexuality with a negative context.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by lostalex

oh okay, so you think when someone says "that's so gay" they arn't referring to homosexuality at all? i think you are giving people the benefit of the doubt. i think you are naive.

it is homophobia imo. it comes from hip-hop culture, and it is specifically associating homosexuality with a negative context.

Maybe I am naive, but hey-ho, I'd rather be that than a sensitive soul who cries in protest at every single thing in the world...

To me the expression is no worse than saying you are having a blonde moment. It's harmless. So why make a fuss out of it? This world is getting too PC and soft.

Man up! You don't hear the blonde people of the world crying everytime someone uses the forementioned phrase

[lostalex]

Well if we're going to frame this conversation in terms of "glee", i think Kurt would be offended if Finn said "that's gay". Infact here was an episode where Finn did get pissed off and say that exact thing.

Kurt's dad came to his defense, and kicked Finn out of his house because of it. it was a very poigniant episode of Glee.

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by lostalex

Well if we're going to frame this conversation in terms of "glee", i think Kurt would be offended if Finn said "that's gay". Infact here was an episode where Finn did get pissed off and say that exact thing.

Kurt's dad came to his defense, and kicked Finn out of his house because of it. it was a very poigniant episode of Glee.

I don't watch Glee, and I don't really care.

If you want to take the phrase as an insult, then feel free, I have said my side of the debate, I myself have better things to 'freak out' over.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by ukturtle

I don't watch Glee, and I don't really care.

If you want to take the phrase as an insult, then feel free, I have said my side of the debate, I myself have better things to 'freak out' over.

no one's freaking out over it. i've been incredibly reasoned and patient in my response to you.

[M X]

Originally Posted by lostalex

Well if we're going to frame this conversation in terms of "glee", i think Kurt would be offended if Finn said "that's gay". Infact here was an episode where Finn did get pissed off and say that exact thing.

Kurt's dad came to his defense, and kicked Finn out of his house because of it. it was a very poigniant episode of Glee.

Wrong. Finn called Kurt a fa**ot.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by MichaelSpears

Wrong. Finn called Kurt a fa**ot.

he described his decor as "gay" first though. which was what i was referring to.

but anyways, saying something is "gay" is the same as caling something "faggy" it's the same thing in the (small)minds of the homophobes that use that type of language.

[M X]

Originally Posted by lostalex

he described his decor as "gay" first though. which was what i was referring to.

but anyways, saying something is "gay" is the same as caling something "faggy" it's the same thing in the (small)minds of the homophobes that use that type of language.

I agree with you.
I do know that not all people who use the term 'thats so gay' are homophobic, but I do think it's wrong to say it, as it is a homophobic slur.

[M X]

I don't get offended or annoyed by it, but it's sad that people say that. I think it's sad because when somebody describes something NEGATIVE and uses the word 'gay', thats saying being gay is a negative. Even if you don't mean it in that way, it's still using it as a negative thing, where it shouldn't be.

[GypsyGoth]

I think the word "gay" is just evolving to have another meaning. The word has an interesting past http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?...earchmode=none.

Anyway I've never used the phrase but also I don't believe people who use it are purposely being insulting towards gay people.

[Z]

I think it's only offensive in certain contexts, like most insults. If you just said the F word in a general statement, most people wouldn't bat an eyelid, but if you directed it towards someone then it suddenly takes on a more serious, personally insulting form. Similarly somebody referring to something as 'so gay' generally doesn't raise an eyebrow, but if somebody described a person as 'so gay' then it's much more serious. I don't say it at all now, and haven't said it for a long time. It's only offensive if it's intended to be offensive, really.

[Kerry]

Context. Harry Hill used it today on his new show. It wasn't meant as an insult.

People may call me "such a girl". It's only stating fact lol. I'm female

I wish people wouldn't take offense at a sneeze in the wrong direction these days

[cub]

Saying 'gay' in a negative way - however well intentioned - is not good.