when the *** did the word "gay" become an insult?

Question

as saying : "thats so gay" or "stop being gay" wtf!!! i mean i'm not gay and not homophobe... but really wtf!!!

Answer 1

My kids starting saying it about 5 years ago on a regular basis. They were raised in a very tolerance friendly atmosphere, but the use of it is so pervasive they shut their minds to thinking that it's not right, even though they have gay friends and gay family members. It's strange, it offends me and I've told them this but they wave my protests away. We had a big party a few weekends ago and I was present when my oldest son used the term in an insult while one of his gay friends was at the table. I noticed the color rise in his face when he heard it, but he didn't say anything and I mentioned it to my son later. He was shocked that his friend might have been offended and went to talk to him about it. My son hasn't said anything about their conversation, but last week my youngest used it in casual conversation and the oldest one smacked him in the back of the head. Now they are both trying to cut it out of their speech.

P.S. At one time he had told me that his generation (he's 21) is so much more accepting of homosexuality that they laugh at my generation's turmoil over gay marriage. Yet they use the word as an insult - seems contradictory to me.

Answer 2

Unfortunately to some people whatever term becomes the norm for non-heterosexuals, it will ultimately be used as an insult by some people.

I don't think though that a lot of the young people I hear using it are necessarily using it in an anti-gay sense, it just seems to have become the latest trendy word to mean un-cool. I've even heard some gay people use it which is kind of weird, although I've also heard a gay person telling someone off for using it. Interestingly, the gay who was offended was older, the ones who used it generally were younger.

Answer 3

I'd stay it started about fifteen years ago, in the UK at least.

I think it's very offensive and the fact that it has continued for this long is incredibly disheartening. It has received endorsement from the media as well, allowing children to think it's okay to use the word as an insult, most notably BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles said, "I don't want that one [regarding a mobile phone ringtone], it's gay."

The BBC received complaints but maintained that the word is now used to be synonymous with 'rubbish' among the kids of today and Mr Moyles was using it in this capacity, not stopping to think that perhaps the reason the word gay is used to mean rubbish is because people think that being gay is wrong and the BBC are happily endorsing and reinforcing this.

Answer 4

Just because you aren`t homophobic, doesn`t mean other people are not. I think alot of people may just pick it up from their parents, as the previous generation would probably be a little less accepting of gay or lesbian people. Take my father. He is a total homophobe, not tolerant at all. My brother kinda takes after him in that respect even though I totally disagree with him. I know one thing, when I have children, I`m going to do my best to teach them not to label other people. Maybe one day we will get rid of all the hostility and judgement in this world. Peace.

Answer 5

Tonight I'm Loving You- Enrique Iglesias Give Me Everything Tonight- Pitbull FT. NeYo Hollywood Tonight- Michael Jackson

Answer 6

Hmm that question is just gay.
Your right I can see where that would make you mad. LOL
I don't stress about what others say or do any more. I am too old and life too short. You will be a lot happier if you learn to be like a duck and let it roll off your back.

Answer 7

actually you should have asked when did gay stop meaning happy
it used to
for example the flint stone theme [well have a gay old time didn't mean they were all turning to homosexuality
i am not anti gay but why did they choose that word to describe themselves????

Answer 8

Easy one.. In the 90's when politcal correctness was out of control. The gay scene was looked at as hip and normal, and anyone who even remotely talked out against it or its agenda was a homopbobe and bigot.

Answer 9

Don't be so serious. The word gay means happy. I am straight but I don't stress or worry about homosexuals!

Answer 10

it was always an insult as far back as I can remember- when i was in first grade- YOU'RE GAY! That was in the early eighties- and at that time i recall that the term "gay-lord" was quite popular...