That's So Gay

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

I always have to wonder how callous and miserable someone has to be in their own life, to not care about others.

Yes, however, if one is ok with thier sexuality, why take the statement, not directed at someone who is homosexual, and turn it into a personal insult? Im' not callous or miserable, but I use the term frequently. I mean no harm with it. It's just my opinion that people need to have thicker skin.

[Beachwood Mac]

The meanings off all these words have taken on new meanings over the years. Gay never started out as a word to describe "homosexuals". Try reading a myspace account of a teenager. My 16 year old surfer nephew and all his lily tan friends throw "nigga" around like it was their name.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by sara1998

Yes, however, if one is ok with thier sexuality, why take the statement, not directed at someone who is homosexual, and turn it into a personal insult? Im' not callous or miserable, but I use the term frequently. I mean no harm with it. It's just my opinion that people need to have thicker skin.

"Faggot" hurt me to the core when I was a teenager. My sexual orientation was something I struggled with to the point that I almost killed myself over it.
So, back then, the word hurt. A lot.

Now that I'm older, I know it's just a word and only has power if you let it.
But I remember how that 15 year old felt, and it really does pain me to think that there are other kids somewhere going through what I did. "That's so gay" has a negative connotation and I'm sure that's not lost on the kids going through the difficulties of growing up gay. Same with "that's so retarded."

I'd rather err on the side of caution, I guess.

And I absolutely want to apologize, Maria, if I made it sound like I thought you were being callous or that you must be a miserable person. I adore you. That certainly wasn't directed at you.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

"Faggot" hurt me to the core when I was a teenager. My sexual orientation was something I struggled with to the point that I almost killed myself over it.
So, back then, the word hurt. A lot.

Now that I'm older, I know it's just a word and only has power if you let it.
But I remember how that 15 year old felt, and it really does pain me to think that there are other kids somewhere going through what I did. "That's so gay" has a negative connotation and I'm sure that's not lost on the kids going through the difficulties of growing up gay. Same with "that's so retarded."

I'd rather err on the side of caution, I guess.

And I absolutely want to apologize, Maria, if I made it sound like I thought you were being callous or that you must be a miserable person. I adore you. That certainly wasn't directed at you.

No apology needed, babe. I know exactly what you meant.

I agree that people should be sensitive to other peoples feelings, but those in question should not take someone (like myself) to heart.