Fearful of admitting sexuality

Ames

I think that the problem with using words like that is that there's variation in the gay community about whether or not they're offensive.

It's like in the disabled community. I regularly use words like cripple, loony etc when referring to myself or my actions - like 'where's my crip stick', or 'there's no crip parking left'. But if I'm with a disabled person who finds them offensive, then I don't use them. Same on here, I don't use them at all because I don't want to offend someone.

It's all about context, and the people around which terms are being used. If no-one has a problem with it then fine, but if anyone does have a problem then it's polite not to. A bit like swearing really.

charlea

just read your post my son came out when he was 14 he is now almost 18
as a parent i am sad that his life may be a bit more difficult on occassions but thats about it

i have encouraged him to be open with his friends and his teachers at his school all know so do the rest of our family ie aunts uncles grandparents and his work collegues where he works part time

ive always encouraged him to be open with us although i respect his privacy and that if he wants to bring boyfriends home its not a problem as far as we are concerned he often tell his stepdad more than me


the only thing that im !!!!ed of at is that i thought that him being gay would mean that i have someone to go shopping with and that he would be tider and a bit cleaner in his room no chance he still runs a mile at the thought of shopping with me and he is still a typical teenage slob

adouglasmhor

red_devil wrote: »

why dont you hear the word homosexual used very much?

I remember when straight meant the shortest difference between 2 points - Why do people use it instead of heterosexual? Plus homosexual is obviously a foreign word? why not use a good English word instead.

elvis86

robpw2 wrote: »

i cannot believe someone used the n word in this thread and no-one complained

I know, this place is usually full of people looking to get offended by something..:cool:

Thankfully on this occasion none of the morons took the bait, as it was clear that the poster meant no offence from the context it was used in.

adouglasmhor

robpw2 wrote: »

i cannot believe someone used the n word in this thread and no-one complained

I did and I didn't Rob. I used it in a context (to say I find it offensive whoever uses it) and I used a different spelling so search engines for the likes of storm frönt supporters won't find it.

red_devil

adouglasmhor wrote: »

I remember when straight meant the shortest difference between 2 points - Why do people use it instead of heterosexual? Plus homosexual is obviously a foreign word? why not use a good English word instead.

but why take a word like gay which meant something nice and use it to describe somebodys sexuality?

I see your point about straight btw.

adouglasmhor

red_devil wrote: »

but why take a word like gay which meant something nice and use it to describe somebodys sexuality?

I see your point about straight btw.

Maybe gay people find it nice being homosexual (ask some of them)? I would rather it was used than bent, queer, etc. They are a bit pejorative. Plus there is a "backronym" from it "good as you" from a time when there was a lot more anti gay feeling in society and some homosexuals started to stand up for themselves openly. There is also the nasty one "got aids yet" (I remember Ian Beale using that one on Eastenders years ago).