Is the term "gays" politically or gramatically correct?

Or is it "more proper" to say gay people?






Discuss

When I discuss gay topics with my brother I tend to say gay people, if I'm messing about I say 'the gays'.

He's never corrected me on either so i'm curious to know now to lol!

I think that "homosexual" is correct for straight people, but I've heard them (gays) call each other fags before... ...mostly men I guess.

Maybe it's sorts like black people calling each other niggas n what not. straight people can't call gay people fags, but gay people can....

I dunno... does any of that make sense?

I prefer calling them The Gays. It registers my disgust of their sinful activities better whilst not sounding to overtly obviously homophobic.

See Also: The Jews, The Blacks, The English, The Huns.

That makes total sense... I would prefer the term "gay people" because "homosexual" kind of seems like they are observing us as scientific creatures or non-human. I often refer to myself as a Dyke when Im being funny...And I call my gay best friend a Poof.

But I tend to avoid saying fag or faggot...

These things always depend entirely on the context.

I think it's aterm they more gave themselves.

In the Oxford Dictionary,it say's this of Gay

1.a.full of or disposed to or indicating mirth:light-hearted,carefree,sportive:airy,offhand.

2.(euphem)dissolute,immoral:homosexual,frequented by homosexuals.

3. showy,brilliant brightly coloured:finely dressed or decorated with.

4. Hence gai'ly adv-ness n.

5. n.(sl) homosexual.

Now as I say?,that's the Oxford Dictionary so don't blame me for it,because over the years there are many words in the English language that have been changed to something different,hence the reference to Homosexuals.

And just for the record,I'm not homophobic one bit,live and let live is what I say.

it doesnt really matter as long as they dont say "you are a gay " rather than you are gay. it would be the same as saying you are a straight which doesnt really make sence

I see it like this. I, myself, don't use the term 'gays' but when I hear it said that way I hear it as a put-down. Especially if it's not 'the gays' but ' those gays' - when generalizing all gay people.

The word "Gay" was originally adopted by homosexuals as an acronym for Good As You. It quite simply means that homosexuals are entitled to, and are deserving of, fair and equal treatment.... to be treated the same as heteros.

I suppose "Agay" meaning As Good As You, would have been more grammatically correct, but it wouldn't have been so catchy.

Speaking for myself, I long ago grew a thick enough skin to deflect any phrase, word or term that could be thrown at me as a perjorative. In fact, like Small Butterflies, I'm quite cool about calling myself a dyke. I can sit comfortably with Bean Flicker, Rug Muncher, Lezza.... you name it, I don't mind. In fact, my personal favourite is Vadgetarian. I quite like that one..!!

By using these words myself I disempower them. They can't hurt me.

I don't use the word "Straights" to describe heterosexuals as any sort of insult. Usually I will use "Heteros", but sometimes, "Straights" will slip off the tongue, or onto the screen. No offence intended.


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I guess i never cared who other people decided to sleep with. I'm straight. Never thought I had to parade it around like a badge of honor. I think that if people adopt and live a certain lifestyle, it's their choice, and no one else has the right to say whether they are wrong or right. After all, we all have things about us that others frown upon. It's human nature. The problem is people want so badly to be "right" that anything that doesn't agree with their little ideal world is viewed as "wrong" or "sinful". Why call anyone anything other than their name? It's all labeling to me. Black, white, straight, gay..who cares. We still all have to live on the same rock, and to do so in a semi-peaceful way is to put aside our differences and just enjoy our own life without complicating it with worrying what other people do with their life. Don't people have enough problems of their own without stepping out and making more for themselves by involving themselves in things that have no real bearing on them?