Why do people mention "gay" and then say "not that there's anything wrong with that"?

Question

Isn't that cowardly or cowering? As if they're afraid of being labeled "homophobic"...Maybe I answered my own question.

Answer 1

Because they're afraid of losing their jobs. Mentioning someone elses homosexuality, if not done in a positive, aggreeable, affirming way is politically incorrect. In addition, homophobic is a misnomer. There are two types of people labeled as homophobes: those who genuinley believe it to be morally or biologically wrong, a perversion, but don't hate gays themselves; and those who think that gays should be killed. The former should be allowed their opinion just like everyone else, but their not AFRAID of homo's. The latter should be locked in a room with the Pink Pistols, and whoever comes out survives. But even the violent idiots don't fear gays, they hate them.

Answer 2

I think in a way you did answer your own question. People want to say what they want, but still get away with it without being labeled as something. They really feel that it is wrong or uncomfortable, but when they add that to it, then it is okay to say it. It is like people who use the N word in refering to a black person and then quickly adds the same type of phrase to where they say they don't have a problem with "them." Well, then why say it.

If you are going to say the way you feel about something, then stand up and take ownership of it. If you feel homosexuality is wrong, then say it without trying to cover your own butt. Why even talk about someone else's sexuality if you don't have a problem with it??? I can hear someone say, "Yea, John down the street is a nice guy, did you know he's gay, not that there is anything wrong with that..." Well, what is the point; you just tried to tear down the compliment of being a nice guy by putting an underhanded insult against them while trying to look good for yourself. I have less respect for a person who does that over a lifestyle that a person has, whether it is homosexual or whatever.

Answer 3

All jokes aside, a Seinfeld episode made that saying popular! They probably have just seen the show or they use the term and possibly genuinely don't mean for the term to be offensive. It could be either.

Answer 4

I say 'gay' because that's what homosexuals who are male say. If I am speaking with someone 'uninformed' I add 'not that there's anything wrong with that' because I do not believe there IS 'anything wrong' with being 'gay' or 'lesbian' and I've done RESEARCH to prove that 'it doesn't matter what type of animal (including fish) it is, the percentages of 'gay actions' are the same' so I 'KNOW' what I'm saying ... but then even though I am a 'straight female' that I am also 'extremely homophilic' ... which 'just means' that I have many GAY and LESBIAN friends, as well as having many 'straight' friends.

Answer 5

Hehe reminds me of that Seinfeld episode...hilarious stuff.

Basically it is just to be politically correct. This society is just so sensitive to anything and everything that if we state our true feelings someone or other is going to get their feelings hurt. So most people try to be politically correct by stating stuff for the general good of the people even if they need to lie.

Answer 6

i hate that word! "homophobic" the people who know that homosexuality is wrong shouldnt be labled. i dont go around hating gay people all because i know for a fact that what they are is wrong and is full of evil. anyways to answer ur question, i guess its because of what u said. afraid of being called "homphobic"

Answer 7

I don't really know, except that was the topic for an entire episode of Seinfeld.

Answer 8

Ah Julia, Julia, to paraphrase another famous quote, "Bigoted is as bigoted does."

You certainly have answered your own characteristic.

Answer 9

I don't know I would have to here a person say it that way. Never have.

Answer 10

it's a quote from the Seinfeld show.