I find the word "lifestyle" offencive when used to describe GLBT'S. To me it implies a level of choice as well as a way of living. Such as what car a person drives, what clothes they wear, what restaurants they frequent, how they decorate their home...etc.
I'm a Mom, first and foremost. Being lesbian is just part of the myriad of complexities which make me who I am. It's not the be-all and end-all of my existance. So when I hear the word "lifestyle" refer to GLBT's, I am very offended as if I live differently than anyother woman, Mom, Daughter, Partner or whatever.
2006-08-20 19:46:12 · 23 answers · asked by DEATH 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
For those who may be unaware: GLBT means "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered"
2006-08-20 20:03:48 · update #1
How a person lives: I live as many other mothers live. I work hard to provide a safe and loving home for my child.
I live as many women live, striving to be the best person I can be.
I live as many daughters live: striving to honor my mother for all the lessons she taught me.
I live as any partner of any committed relationship lives: I strive to keep lines of communication open, I love my life partner with all my heart and respect my partner for the similarities and differences we have.
Does that make my way of living necessarily seem "Gay?"
I rather doubt it.
2006-08-20 20:07:34 · update #2
Sure, I totally understand what you're saying. I'm a gay male, and my lifestyle is not so very different from the lifestyle of my straight coworkers or my straight neighbors. You know, I go to work and come home, pay my bills, walk my dogs, scoop their poop, pick up the mail, trade cars every three years or so, go to church on most Sundays, shop in the local stores, try to get away on vacation once a year. We're just not that different.
I prefer men sexually, but I'm single and live alone, so that's really not a huge part of my life, and so I'm very offended when somebody refers to my "gay lifestyle." I think they've watched to much Queer as Folk, The L-Word, or Noah's Ark. And those lifestyles might better be described as a "social young urban nightlife lifestyle," as I suspect that if you mixed up the gender of the lovers on those shows, the lifestyle could be replicated with heterosexual characters.
Me, I'm in bed alone at 10:30, my dogs at my side. Lifestyle.
2006-08-21 01:54:08 · answer #1 · answered by michael941260 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't offend me personally, because I am not retarded and don't personally know anyone that is. With that being said, I never use the word "retarded" to describe anything I don't like. I think it can be a degrading word if it's used in a degrading sense. If you're talking about mental illness, retard is perfectly acceptable. That's the definition of the word after all!
2016-03-26 23:42:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really get offended, per se, I just think the word "lifestyle" is a bad choice of words. to me, it also implies it's a "choice." I am who I am. I never made a conscious decision.
I work full time, pay my bills and taxes on time. I have a committed relationship with a devoted partner that I love more than anything in this world. as you stated, being lesbian is just a small part of who I am.
2006-08-21 07:11:32 · answer #3 · answered by redcatt63 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my Opinion the word "Lifestyle" would not be appropriate to used by people who do not understand what the Community had to endure or goes through due to our differences.
So to label the things we do as a Lifestyle of choice can be so demeaning sometimes. I think it is inappropriate as I do not agree that all of the gay or lesbian community "chose" to be so. I mean its not like I am born straight as an arrow then one day upon puberty I suddenly "decided" to be Gay and sleep with man. So In a way I did not choose this "Lifestyle" as they so casually labelled it.
So until all humanity had advance in their intellect , It would not be wise for Humanity, be it gay or straight to Label anyone or a society into any given terms.
If anyone thinks that they deserve respect then they must learn to respect others in return. My advise is nobody should judge anyone if they do understand it thoroughly in advance for the human mind and emotion is far too complicated for us to decipher based on our own judgement.
2006-08-20 20:17:51 · answer #4 · answered by Arzy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The word itself applies to everyone, though, in my opinion. Everyone has a particular way of living their lives. It's a lifestyle. Homosexuality, for the most part, is relatively accepted within communities. Yes, there are those also within the same communities that would like to see gays/lesbians banned from living where they do (the negatives)...almost as if you are a plague or something & that would piss me off, if I were in your shoes.
Unfortunately, I don't see that word being struck from the dictionary, so are you going to do? Lash out at everyone who uses that word?
Good question though, don't get me wrong. Have noticed you've had some good answers tonight, as well.
2006-08-20 19:57:36 · answer #5 · answered by kath68142 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yeah it does a little, though it's just a dumb thing to say. (Funny ... at least a person with a 'lifestyle' has a life)
Gays (out, visible ones at least) were ghettoized by mainstream culture, then criticized for living like that (blaming their victims), and for creating a fun, smart, creative alternative culture. The haters see that blazing finger of defiance and it burns them.
The hinterland haters just take potshots in the dark. Miserable bigots, they don't like anyone to have fun. They chose a lifestyle of ignorance and pain.
2006-08-20 20:04:51 · answer #6 · answered by Luis 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I find the term offensive whether gay, straight...anything...it encapsulates one's entire being into a series of neat little boxes that someone is trying to fit you into...(for what it's worth, I'm straight, but with a lot of GLBT friends)...I am who I am...I do what I do, I especially think as I think...and I intensely resent when someone tries to fit me into stereotypical little categories...
just_ine, I understand just what you're saying...you obviously care about life, your kids, your partner...you're you...a person...the "Lifestyle" you live is your own...if you're happy with it, and seems you are...that's all that matters...
btw, anyone with an Olivia Bettie Page avatar gets extra cred in my book...peace and good will to you and yours...
2006-08-21 20:55:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally feel that the "gay lifestyle" is a myth. We are just normal people like everyone else just getting through each day
2006-08-21 17:51:15 · answer #8 · answered by JR 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree. When straight people mention the gay "lifestyle" it's always pejorative, and it specifically means that all gay people are wildly promiscuous, and these are the people who disapprove of anyone having sex outside the marriage bed for any reason other than making sexually repressed Christian babies.
2006-08-20 20:40:27 · answer #9 · answered by Will 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Preach On Sister!
2006-08-22 08:00:52 · answer #10 · answered by ~?~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋