Use of the word "gay"

[GasX]

Apparently, you can't use the word gay to describe people or things that are, frankly, gay. Can anyone suggest alternative language for me? I would be glad to come over to the political correct camp if someone can give me some words with the same meaning.

Let me try to clarify what I mean by the word gay through some examples.

If a guy takes an insult at something trivial - that is gay.
If a guy talks about how much he likes clothes shopping - that is gay
If a guy claims he has "lots" of female friends (not acquaintences) - that is gay
If a guy spends more than $30 on a haircut - that is gay.
etc...

Okay - I realize that I am treading on some thin ice here, but hear me out. When I see a guy exhibiting female tendencies, I consider him to be gay (my definition). He may be straight as an arrow, but those tendencies annoy me in a male. I know I am an insensitive bastard, but I am okay with that. I have met many homosexual men who do not act this way and have gotten along with them very well. I am NOT homophobic. I am GAYophobic. I hate prissy men. However, if I call someone gay, there is always someone around who sees that as innappropriate language.

What is a guy to do?



<<Donning Flame Suit>>

 

[mztykal]

When you get banned...that will be...FUNNY!

Now as for your ethnic comments made in the other thread, that was G _ _!

 

[killface]

When I first started working around homosexuals, I tried to substitute the word "lame" for the word "gay". The one dude used to bitch at me when I said "gay" but he was a total a$$hole. Another guy who was more down to earth told me that no homosexual is really offended by that word and even used it himself.

 

[pulse8]

<< What is a guy to do? >>



Fvck the people who say it's inappropriate.

That might make you gay, however.

pulse8,

That comment teeters on the edge of acceptability. After I stop LMAO, I might ban you.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[notfred]

Oh, be nice!

Gotta go, I have an appointment at the salon.

 

[GasX]

killface - you might be on to something there...

 

[spaceman]

things i think are gay
the xbox controller
max steel for the dreamcast
late fees at movie rental places
parking tickets.
im sure there is more.

 

[killface]

Homosexuals grew up in the same environment and using the same words we did. My brother is gay and he's smart enought to realize that's just how people talk. He doesn't get offended by it. He even says it himself. It's a handy adjective to use in a pinch

 

[vi edit]

You can substitute "queer".

As in, "That's queer".

Perfectly acceptable.

 

[GasX]

I thought queer was even more derogatory...

 

[Hossenfeffer]

I'll try a couple alternatives that you could substitute in on occasion:

That (is) ...

Lame
Pathetic
a shame
a low, down, dirty, shame
takes the cake
just makes me say "oh, jeepers"
foppish
feminine
really gets my panties in a bunch
guy might want to check and see if he's gay



Using gay as such a dismissive, derogatory term tends to attach some of the same feeling toward being "gay" (homosexual). No, not everyone is bothered by it. One problem is that it's a short, one syllable word. It's easy to say and amounts to little more than a grunt.

 

[vi edit]

<< I thought queer was even more derogatory... >>



Only because people make it that way.
-------------------------------
By definition:

queer (kw&icirc;r)
adj. queer·er, queer·est
Deviating from the expected or normal; strange: a queer situation.
Odd or unconventional, as in behavior; eccentric. See Synonyms at strange.
Of a questionable nature or character; suspicious.
Slang. Fake; counterfeit.
Feeling slightly ill; queasy.
Offensive Slang. Homosexual.
Usage Problem. Of or relating to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, or transgendered people.
---------------------------------

It's not the word's fault that people made it derogatory.

 

[AmazonRasta]

<< << I thought queer was even more derogatory... >>


Only because people make it that way. >>



It's the same way for the word gay.

 

[gopunk]

i'm not about to alter my speech patterns just because some people find it offensive. they know i don't mean it in such a way as to put down homosexuals in general, so they can learn to live with it. it's not hate speech, therefore protected.

 

[loup garou]

<<

<< What is a guy to do? >>



Fvck the people who say it's inappropriate.

That might make you gay, however.

pulse8,

That comment teeters on the edge of acceptability. After I stop LMAO, I might ban you.

AnandTech Moderator >>



ROFL!!!!

 

[guyver01]

<<

<< What is a guy to do? >>



Fvck the people who say it's inappropriate.

That might make you gay, however.

pulse8,

That comment teeters on the edge of acceptability. After I stop LMAO, I might ban you.

AnandTech Moderator >>



ROFLMAO!!! thanks mods! i got a new sig quote

 

[b0mbrman]

I think heretofore, we should use the word "gerbil" in times when you'd normally use the word "gay"

Why gerbil? I think we all know the answer to that one...

 

[vi edit]

<< It's the same way for the word gay. >>



Sort of, but not not quite the same IMHO. Gay is an accepted terminology for the homosexual lifestyle. Calling something "gay" in reference to homosexuality is worse than calling something queer, which is simply differring from the norm.

In mwildings, situations, many of the the things that he points out are different from the norm, eccentric, and odd for a vast majority of men, thus the acceptable usage of the word "queer".

 

[b0mbrman]

Trust me, I use gerbil in real life and it works just fine (Berkeley's not so forgiving about statements that might be perceived as un-PC...as you might have heard)

 

[Elledan]

I prefer the archaic meaning of the word 'gay'. Much more friendly .

 

[swayinOtis]

if you can't stand up for yourself when some PC buttmunch gives you some sh1t then you sir are the gay one!

 

[busmaster11]

I use that word all the time for all sorts of things, not just gay things... I think its similiar to the way people use the word fvck except is not as rude. Or like the way people use the word "crap" or like the way the Smurfs use the word "smurf".