Would you speak up to challenge someone you knew who used the "f------" word publicly to refer to gay men?

Question

I have a theory that homophobia is the last acceptable form of social bigotry given the derogatory slurs used to describe gay men as well as the hate crimes and violent gay bashings that plague our society. In particular I'd like to hear from self-proclaimed straight people who have or have not chosen to challenge others on this issue -- and why or why not.

Answer 1

I am straight and have never had feelings (other than friendship) for another woman.

I have friends, men and women, who are gay and there has never been a time that I have ever judged them. The way I look at it is - "what people do in private behind closed doors is their business and nobody elses".

If anyone, my friends and family included, were to be rude and use such terms in my presence, I would tear shreds off them and hope that others would support me.

I believe that homosexuality is not an accident of birth, but another part of human sexuality. In other words I am taking a quantum leap by saying that creation made us all and I include
gay people in this equation.

How do you think a gay person must feel with this constant barrage they get all the time from those uneducated judgments, religious fanatics, gangs of young men who have nothing better to do with their time but bash, hate and can only use the four lettered words to get their message across.

BIGOTRY it is - they should visit a gay bar, nightclub and see what interesting, educated people they are.

Now wait for the bigots to start answering and say that its in the Bible - so what - who gave them the right to judge.

Answer 2

Depends on the context and who said it (does the person refer to his own kind in a derogatory manner as well).

Homophobia is not the last form of social bigotry. Sexism and racism are still very much alive. Most lesbians will give you an example of sexism before homophobia when asked for a time when she was discriminated against. Most gay men of color will give you an example of racism before homophobia.

Would be nice if guys who heard other guys saying something sexist would speak up.

Would be nice if white people who heard other white people saying something racist would speak up.

And some do. And the comments are decreasing over time.

Answer 3

I would definitely say something if someone used the f-word around me. I'm straight, female, all in favor of gay rights. I think that sort of bigotry is ridiculous, and I honestly don't think I'd encounter someone who would use the word. Most of the people I associate with are much more tolerant. If it was some random guy in a coffee shop sort of thing, I'd give him an earful.

Answer 4

HAHAHAHA, i'm getting what it fairly is you are attempting to declare. distinctive persons are probably going to be offended with the aid of this, yet i'm getting it. unhappy element is, this is completed now. I actual have a gay kinfolk member, she calls each physique *******. And, to us, this is humorous as a results of fact she's gay. sturdy thank you to show that out nevertheless, I actual have a white perfect pal and her and that i've got been in simple terms conversing approximately how black human beings use the "N" word all of the time. i will admit, even i'm accountable of it. We never did decide why, nevertheless. yet yeah additionally, me and my perfect buddies we are the two lesbians, we call one yet another dykes all of the time. And this is all in sturdy exciting. i think this isn't any longer a lot the word that motives anger, this is in simple terms how this is used.

Answer 5

I don't have a problem with gay people as long as they understand and respect that I'm not. I would not challenge someone who said that, just like I wouldn't challenge people who call women broads or toots or any other slurs unless it was personally addressed to me. I fight my own battles and would expect others to do the same.

Answer 6

You know the sad part to this question (in my opinion) is that we are more concerned with hurting some body's feelings now days and offending them that we are taking a lot of words or telling people what not to say to others or what not to do. When in fact isn't that why so many died a long time ago to give us the freedom of speech? So if I wanted to refer to somebody as a F----- then shouldn't that be my God given right? Not that I do because I really don't care what other people do as long as they aint trying to do it with me because I am strictly dickly if you know what I mean. Anyways I think that people should be able to say what they want to say and do what they want to do as long as it is legal because that is why the United States is called free because that is what we are supposed to be. You know it is really sad that now we are taking the bible and prayer out of school but we are promoting same sex marriage and anything else that used to not be considered. Our country has really changed in the past few years. I find it very sad. But anyways back to the question. I think that people should not try intentionally to hurt another person's feelings. To each his or her own.

Answer 7

I know a lot of *******, pansys, queens, fruits and queers. The one word they are all confused and upset by is Gay. They may be offended by how people say the other words but even when they use the word gay to describe themselves they use it like a Jew would use the term Semite.

Answer 8

going around telling people to stop saying something sounds like censorship. what are you supposed to challenge? that the person who said "that" has a poor choice of words? well they might or might not. that sounds like fertile breeding grounds for an argument, not an understanding. I dont speak up to dead ends.
people like what they like as much as they hate what they hate. choosing a slur and bashing are two different things. one is physical, one is verbal. are those the same thing now?
hope that helps

Answer 9

I personally would want to speak up about it. I don't think the use of such words is necessary or okay. I have some homosexual friends, and if somebody were to refer to them in a demeaning way I would be none too happy about it! I think it's dumb that there are people who actually worry that sticking up for homosexuals may make people think that they themselves are a homosexual. So?

Answer 10

I have challenged many people on the "f" word.
Many are surprised to know that a the word was term used to described wood to be used for burning.
If you call someone the "f" word, you are basically telling them that they deserve to be burned alive.