Having just spent 5 months in a Diversity class for graduate school, I know that those phrases should not be used. I'm having to learn NOT to say them because I am totally guilty. Especially, "that's so retarded". But in defense of the "that's so gay" thing. When *I* say it, I am truly not referring to a homosexual. I'm saying "gay" like "silly". Obviously as a therapist, I need to remove those phrases from my vocabulary.
(But can I never EVER tell my husband he's a retard?)
I did also recently learn that calling someone a faggot is the new adolescent put down lately. Even if the kid isn't gay. That's really sad. Since I'm not gay (or retarded), it's probably not up to me to dictate whether or not the phrases should hurt someone else's feelings. That being said, I know how hard it is to be accused of being racist, homophobic, and so on, when you're not.
