Racism and homophobia - where we are in 2008

[Jah Lush]

As someone who can remember when the word "queer" was used when someone was feeling a little unwell and not as a derogatory term for a homosexual I have to say I am in complete agreement with you on your feelings on the misuse of the word "gay" to mean something is a bit rubbish or "shit" as you put it.

I also think you'll find that the majority of people who have posted on this thread are also in complete agreement with you.

[mockney piers]

I still use queer to mean odd.

In fact queer to mean gay (james' gay, not modern schoolground parlance) is a bit old fashioned now isn't it?

James, I think everyone's pretty much in agreement that gay shouldn't have been coopted for rubbishness, but you're preaching to the converted here, you need to talk to people under 20 of whom you'll find few examples in these here parts.

But again, what can you do, the french tried to legislate for use of language and that got them nowhere, and the moment you tell a child not to do something it becomes de riguer in the playground.

Fads pass, I haven't called anyone a joey or ernie for years!!

[david_carnell]

Is that because you're a spod, Piers?

[lozzyloz]

Anyone here a muppet fan?

[KalamityKel]

oh you're such an animal ;)

[mockney piers]

Well, I never, i just thought it meant generally somewhere between bookish and geek...

spod (spd)

n. Chiefly British Slang

One who spends an inordinate amount of time exchanging remarks in computer chatrooms or participating in discussions in newsgroups or on bulletin boards.

[KalamityKel]

::o

[lozzyloz]

"I woke up this morning feeling quite gay but after eating a large breakfast I soon felt rather queer."

Did I wake up a homosexual and have my sexuality confirmed after breakfast or did I wake feeling euphoric only to come down later on? Or perhaps I awoke feeling a bit rubbish and then decided I was somewhat worthless.

[mockney piers]

I rather liked this Urban Dictionary definition

spod

One who obsessively reads all the definitions of a word in the Urban Dictionary, then decides to send in their own definition.

Only a spod would send a definition to the Urban Dictionary.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

I concur absolutely James.

[James]

It's actually quite reassuring that so many people agree with the thrust of what I'm saying.

I guess part of my initial point was that a comparison with racism is interesting because it shows what can be achieved. Witness the national outcry after some Celebrity Big Brother contestants made horrible racist remarks. My point is that we can and should apply the same 'intolerance towards intolerance' when it comes to homophobia.

[capt_birdseye]

and gingers!

[Tony.London Suburbs]

capt_birdseye Wrote:

and gingers!

Indeed Captain.

Surely even in this "PC gome mad" World which we share a little intolerance to the aforementioned "gingers" is permissable...(td)(tu)

[Moos]

I think red hair is sexy.

[capt_birdseye]

Thanks Moos, the ginger community appreciate your support.

Tony: your card has been marked...

[Tony.London Suburbs]

capt_birdseye Wrote:

Tony: your card has been marked...

Leave it out Cap! I thought I was agreeing with you:-$

Didn't mean to have a pop..:))

[capt_birdseye]

I'll let you off then. B)

[Huguenot]

Ernie?

[KalamityKel]

I think I'm gonna start a blonde campaign... ;)

[SteveT]

You're just picking on me Kel because I'm grey.

[KalamityKel]

Are you really? :p

[Huguenot]

Are there any gay chavs?

[SeanMacGabhann]

I'm dragging this up from a couple of weeks ago because it was pointed out to me last night (I had missed it at the time) AND it was the last post on the thread for 24 hours at the time and received no response. But it is a very good point which had pertinence to the debate - as women are often at the end of extremely violent conduct - because they are women - and plenty of language pertaining to them is at least as insulting as using "gay" to mean "sh1t"

SO rather than subdivide the various groups at the rough end of the treatment, a broad coalition should be mindful of who says what to whom and what the context is. Oh wait - that's called political correctness and is often deemed A Bad Thing

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Huguenot Wrote:

Are there any gay chavs?

More pointedly are they any gay,grey chavs?

[lozzyloz]

Surely if you're a gay chav that makes you a gay gay chav but then the two gays would cancel each other out leaving you just a chav.