Homosexual Vs. Gay

[La Lioness Priyanka]

I know some of you are all up in a tizzy, due to this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=221&topic_id=190416&mesg_id=190416

Just know that there is something about the word homosexual (because it sounds like a scientific word, and possibly a pathology rather than just a descriptive), that the right wing has known for a while, is not as nice sounding or feeling as gay.

http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2008/06/30/homosexual-vs-gay-discourse-in-the-culture-wars/

I am not saying people can't say homosexual or that its a pejorative, but there is a reason we tend to say Gay Rights and the right wing says Homosexual Agenda.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. I knew they would start fighting each other sooner or later.

I betting on the gay, but what is the over under?

[DURHAM D]

2. they = those people

nice

:sarcasm:

[dipsydoodle]

3. The original post

was on the subject of the Guardian which is English. The moral may be to ignore our English media.

Another gem from the Guardian : http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/30/faggots-recipe

You see the actual issue is acceptable terminology in each of our countries - it does differ.

[Cirque du So-What]

4. On the other hand, is the term 'heterosexual' acceptable?

It is, after all, the counterpart to the term you find objectionable. If 'heterosexual' is commonly used, then why the attempt to disparage use of 'homosexual?' To me, it's giving power to those who seek to oppress you - not unlike the way RWers attempted to demonize the word 'liberal.' In both cases, I believe that if the word is accurate, describes your personal orientation, and you're proud of who you are, then you are free to take back that word and use it as you see fit.

While on the subject...

Some gays use the 'Q-word' to describe themselves, but I would feel uncomfortable using that word to describe someone's sexual orientation. In light of the countless bigots who have slung that word hatefully, I feel far more comfortable using 'homosexual,' although my 'default' word is still 'gay.' If some are OK with reclaiming that word to describe themselves, I'm certainly in no position to criticize their decision, although I would raise objections if I heard someone use it hatefully. Even if the 'Q-word' becomes acceptable to use in polite company in a descriptive and not a hate-filled way, I don't know that I could say it without worrying about offense.

[polmaven]

5. Personally,

I don't see the difference being between "gay" and "homosexual", but more between "rights" and "agenda". I don't live it everyday, however, so I may see it differently.

[Amimnoch]

6. Pejorative or not is depending on the person saying it.

I threw in my own personal point of view of it in the other thread already. I refuse to give the haters the satisfaction of turning a benign word used to describe me into something bad.

I would say, that other than the fly-by trolls that pass through, nobody here would use that word or any other in an intentionally insulting way. I am homosexual, I am gay, and I'm proud of it.

If I say homosexual, it's said with the courtesy and respect it should be spoken in. When Sarah Palin or a right winger says it, there's no doubt that they mean it as a pejorative.

In the other thread, some people used the "c" word as an example (obscenity referring to the female sexual organ). I would not use that word, and even if i used it in an intentionally non insulting way it would still be wrong. However, Margaret Cho throws it into her routine, and it's okay.. funny even.

I've always said it's not the word, but who uses it, when they use it, who their audience is, and the context it is used in is what should determine if it is offensive or not.

[William769]

7. I agree.

Up until the 70's Homosexuals were all considered abnormal & some to this day still equate Homosexuality to being abnormal.

We define who we are & no one else.

Recommended.

[DirkGently]

8. Context means a lot. "That's so gay" is generally pejorative.

"Womanly" is sometimes used as an insult. As of course is "liberal."

I'm all for supporting people by avoiding painful terminology & embracing the positive, but I'm leery of letting hateful people turn otherwise neutral English words into insults for everyone.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. i dont think homosexual is hurtful. i think one should be wary

that it does sound like a medical/biological diagnosis, which is why, most people dont really use it colloquially. the right wing deliberately uses it, to make it sound weirdly medical

[uriel1972]

10. I've been called 'Gay' and 'Faggot' far too many times

with too much venom to be comfortable with them. YMMV.
If you prefer gay then by all means use it. I don't judge you by it.