Do homosexuals get offended when heteros call non-sexual stuff "gay"?

[LostInAnomie]

For instance, if some really crappy music comes on the radio someone may say "Man that shit is gay! Turn it off!".

Is that offensive?

[6000eliot]

1. In a word, "yes."

I don't know why my identity ought to be used as a touchstone for what is horrible.

[terrya]

14. I second that.

It's an insult. If something is bad, then "bad" is a perfectly good way to describe it.

[last_texas_dem]

2. I'm straight and it pisses me off

For one thing, because it makes absolutely no sense if you think about it. I mean, how can music be "gay"? Maybe if it's by a gay artist, but the music itself still has no sexual orientation.

What's stupid is it's something that a fair number of non-homophobic (or at least not actively homophobic) people do thoughtlessly, because they grow up hearing it. And it's only going to get worse, especially with today's more and more "anti-PC" climate. I don't remember hearing until junior high school, but kids now are learning it in Elementary school, and unless they are taught to think of the implications of language like that it's going to become an ingrained part of the vocabulary of millions.

[enigmatic]

3. yes

I'm straight, and I absolutely despise that shit. It's taking the word and demeaning a group of people through a "if it's gay, it's bad" kind of way.

[Borgnine]

4. I'm straight and it irritates me.

Probably even more so because, like it was mentioned above, it makes no sense and is one of the laziest insults. Show some originality, people!

[Atlas Mugged]

5. Absolutely yes

Whoever started that knew exactly what they were doing, too. It's bizarre to hear little kids saying it.

[Love Bug]

6. I am a straight woman who hates that "gay" is used as an insult

Just as I hate it when boys are told "You throw like a girl." Same thing.

[Cerridwen]

7. Yep. I'm hetero - it bothers me. Why is gay equated with bad?

I also try to stay away from straight as an identifier. As a friend once said, "Cerridwen, if you're hetero and you call yourself straight, does that mean that since I'm gay/Lesbian, I'm crooked?"

[tjwmason]

8. Personally speaking - not particularly

It takes rather a lot to offend me though - I'd guess that most do find the indentification of 'bad' and 'gay' to be offensive.

[Hugin]

9. Turns out I'm older than quite a few people here on DU.

I'm straight, but, I can remember my Grandmother frequently
using the word "gay".

She was born in the 1880's and whenever she said "gay" it was
always as a positive adjective.

So, "That's gay music you're listening to." Means something
entirely different to me.

But, I rarely use the word myself. It, like so many words in our
modern hateful society, has had it's meaning distorted.

[billyskank]

10. I love the way

lots of straight people chip and say it offends them. The thread title asked do homosexuals get offended!

[Kingshakabobo]

11. This homosexual will take the support any way I can get it. n/t

[sundog]

12. yes... irritates the crap outta me

[Deja Q]

13. I'm gay and I think it's a riot.

Usually very funny, but occasionally it crosses the line.

Words and their meanings change over time.

[Cannikin]

15. Yes.