There was a question on here a little while ago. It's content isn't important but the asker referred to

Question

lesbians as "lesbos". Is that an offensive term? I'm a gay man and it almost sounds offensive to me. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

I consider that to be offensive and derogatory myself. only someone who's insensitive and/or a bigot would use that term. I think it's just as insensitive as someone using the terms f@g or f@ggot. I would think you would find those terms offensive as well?
It can also depend on the context as well as who is using the term. sometimes my gay/lesbian friends joke around with each other and use those terms (but offensive if used by someone who isn't gay/lesbian). it's kind of like when I hear my black friends calling each other the "N" word. but when used by someone who isn't black, the intention is not friendly.

Answer 2

More than the terminology, it's peoples attitudes when they ask the questions.

So when someone says "When are all you lesbos going to admit that you want real men?", I take offense. When someone innocently asks "I think my best friend is a lesbo?" and proceeds to give details that shows she/he doesn't think the predicament is a bad thing, but only knows to refer to lesbians as 'lesbos', then I let it slide. Personally, I think the word sounds a little weird, so I wouldn't use it in a 'personal power reclamation way' like I sometimes do with 'dyke' or 'f*g'.

Again, it all has to do with your intention when you say something. Word to the wise- it's just better to use P.C. terminology until you know how a person will react.

Answer 3

I equate the term "lesbos" to "fa**ot", which depending on who is saying it is an offensive term.

So if my daughter calls me up and asks "hey what are you lesbo's doing for dinner tonight", in reference to my g/f and myself, then I'm going to laugh it off cause she's using the term to tease me. The asker of the question you are referring to got reported for insult to participants, because that's exactly what he meant to do. Because his intention was to insult and therefore cause harm, he does not have the right to use the term even if I might accept it from a friend or loved one when used in jest.

What is interesting is that when I tried to send this answer, Yahoo "starred out" fa**ot but not lesbo.

Answer 4

Whatever the origin of the word, people generally use it to be offensive. To me, it seems offensive in a very immature way- as if someone called me a stupid-head or a doo-doo brain.

Answer 5

I hope the time comes when people are no longer labeled. Yes, that term should be considered as offensive as the labels we have put on people of different races and different nationalities.

In essence it just shows the speakers ignorance. Shall we call them ignoramuses?

Answer 6

It can be offensive, especially if used in a highly negative context

Answer 7

I don't know, I guess if a person said it in a teasing way to me I wouldn't be offended, or if a lesbian said it I wouldn't think anything of it, but if a person said it meanly I would be mad, but hell, if a person even just said 'lesbian' if they said it in a rude way I would be mad. I guess it all just depends on who says it.

Answer 8

Yes, actually it is very offensive considering the context.

Answer 9

yes, that is offensive. i know people who are lesbians and if they saw thay they would probably write personally to that person. its too negative and they probably meant it in a derogatory way

Answer 10

You'd almost think it'd be more positive...with reference to the Greek island....but it's not.