Is it okay to call something "gay"?

Question

As in "thats a gay shirt" or "your gay"(not the literal term) I was raised with two wonderful gay uncles and i find my self saying it alot (not meaning to be offensive) and they dont seemed that bothered by it. they just say "if a (oh lets just say shirt) shirt is "gay" is would be a lot prettier!" But is the term offensive? Or is it okay? Is is kinda liek black people can say the N word and white people cant? one of those type things? (although i think no one one should be saying the N word) But "Gay" isnt near as offensive as the N word...i dont know...serious answers please

I was not being racist or zeroing anyone out, it was just an example . Im talking about society as a whole. This isnt a soap box!

Im not gay bashing either, like i said i was raised by two gay men.

Like saying Cool..How many of you say cool? Do you say it because its cold?or because you just hear it all the freakin time?

and its not like i constantly think of things to call gay, i honestly try not to say it, but we all slip.

They are actually my uncles, my mom went through alot of hard times and they took me in for quite a while. But im(and my lil bro) as close to their children as they will ever get.(which i am proud to be considered) We are all really laid back and liberal, all very open minded. and no i dont make a point to hang out with such people...its everywhere...TV..Radio...EVERYWHERE!!!!

Answer 1

I do agree that the term has become common place ... I see and hear it all the time ... in blogs they sometimes type it as "that is so ghey", in a sense they have changed the spelling of the word and its meaning ... as a hetro, 2 of my closest friends are gay ... and I do my best to respect thier feelings, and I am keenly aware of the discrimination they face each day, but we also from time to time joke about things by using such terms ... I guess it is kind of like black people calling each other the N word ... it aceptable for them to do it, but not others ... I would never use the word in a room with strangers that didnt understand how I really felt ... but I hear it all the time at work (no less) ... and I share the sentiment that it only make the person saying it look bad ... and it shows a lack of education and language skills

Answer 2

I'm offended considering the etymology of the word.

Gay was originally a label for agnostics who were "care free" about their sin. They didn't care that they were sinning and ignored those who said they were sinning. It later became more homosexually exclusive.

Now the term gay is being used to describe something with poor favor, dislike stupidity. For example "that car is gay" meaning that it is of poor quality, lame or it sucks Though many say that it has nothing to do with homosexuals and that they aren't intending to offend homosexuals it does. This word is a descriptor of homosexuality that is embraced because most of us truly don't care what the bible says and don't care that we are "sinners." We do as a matter a fact take it as offensive when the word is used in this new and offensive way and considering the origins. The fact that a word doesn't change in this way without reasoning such as the animosity towards gays, it is valid to complain about the new usage.

Answer 3

Don't let them lead you wrong, no matter how common a word may become, it does not lessen the hate behind it. "gay" = Bad. Therefore if I tell someone I am gay, they are going to automatically think that way, even if they don't WANT to. Because it's been conditioned.

And for the record, it does not matter if the person saying "this is so gay" is him or herself gay, it's STILL offensive.

Also a lot of people are just tired of trying to fight it's use, so they just accept that it's going to be used as slang no matter how we feel about it. Lethargy is a killer for ANY people.

Gay is NOT slang for bad. It's slang for a group of people/community of people attracted to thier same sex. Period. No matter how many times people claim otherwise, that will never change. Associating it with "Bad" is an insult to every sinlge person in that community.

Answer 4

Is it ok? that's up to whomever you say it to but for myself it simply shows a lack of intelligent and class. Only trash uses the word in that manner, much like the N word is used. I simply dismiss such trash as being unworthy of even being in the same room with me let alone on the same planet. Say what you will, but remember, attitudes like that usually follow you around and inevitably hit you right back in the face.

Answer 5

It bothers me. I don't call anything (or anyone) gay unless I think they really are homosexual, or gay-esque. For example today, I took a career aptitude test, and one of the professions that it said was makeup artist, so I thought to myself, well, that's a little gay (because I'm a boy, and makeup artists is not a career that straight males usually hold)

Answer 6

I personally take offense to this when it is used as an insult. Of course, a person's intention always has to be considered - so if you don't mean to hurt, it's forgiveable. But, perhaps replace the word with something made-up that has no potential for hurting others... like... "that shirt is so squirry."

Answer 7

I think some people (such as yourself) can't really help using it. It can be offensive but on the whole, I don't think it's that big a deal.

Answer 8

There are other words you could use to describe something other than "Gay". Use your imagination. Pretty, attractive , pleasant, bright. Not the word gay as many men may find that offensive. Think before you open your mouth.

Answer 9

You can apply the term "gay" to something only if it is homosexual and you have verified this by having sex with it. Hopefully this would only apply to people.

Otherwise it is a bigoted pejorative statement that mainly shows ignorance. it is very hurtful and offensive.

EDIT - you were raised by two gay men, and you let this kind of hate speech go on in your presence?
Shame on you. I bet your fathers don't know about this.

Answer 10

I describe things as gay all the time. I have gay friends who don't seem to be offended. I don't think gay is a homophobic or hateful term, simply a description.