Offensive slang - "that's gay"

[peepeep]

Yes - me too! It's all to do with context of course , and as a merely descriptive term it's not so bad. As a general insult or pejorative I find it really irritating....

 

[bestboycock]

freedom of speech

 

[jeansGuyOZ]

freedom of speech

this is used so often as a copout. Freedom of speech, sure, I don't think anyone is suggesting that you should be fined or gaoled for a thoughtless insult. But we should also be able to say that certain things, when said, may cause hurt, whether or not that was the intention, so please don't say them and people will be happier.

Would you call your grandmother a cunt, to her face? Well I don't know, maybe you would, but most of us would not. That's not because it's against the law, simply because it's not respectful.

With freedom comes responsibility.

 

[gb2000ie]

freedom of speech

Freedom of speech works both ways. People have the freedom to use this offensive language, BUT, we have the freedom to condemn them for it too! Freedom of speech is NOT freedom from criticism.

B.

 

[hawtsean]

freedom of speech

A misapplied term. Freedom of speech is in the constitution of many countries and it clearly implies the freedom to speak out against the government in power, without retribution. There is NO such thing as the freedom to insult others publically without taking hits and critcism and possible retribution for so doing. So, that supposed recourse to "freedom of speech" is not really a valid argument since no no one is protected and neither is their speech. Lawsuits have been upheld on the basis of someone insulting someone else in public (in writing or on broadcast media), so it ain't free, dude.

 

[Bartimeaus]

My friends used to use it quite a bit till I started using "Thats Straight"
Eventually htey caught on to what i was doing and stopped using it. They didnt even realise it was annoying me until I said something, and that stopped them uusing it all together.

 

[XMan101]

My friends used to use it quite a bit till I started using "Thats Straight"
Eventually htey caught on to what i was doing and stopped using it. They didnt even realise it was annoying me until I said something, and that stopped them uusing it all together.

) I'm going to do that

 

[777]

My friends used to use it quite a bit till I started using "Thats Straight"
Eventually htey caught on to what i was doing and stopped using it. They didnt even realise it was annoying me until I said something, and that stopped them uusing it all together.

I wish there was something similar I could say when someone uses words that degrade femininity, but the "opposite" words are all compliments.

 

[bigsal]

Some stereotypes are hard to erase. Some use them unconsciously and in ignorance. Others use them to hurt. I think it will take time ... maybe.