Ive been informed that refering to someone as a "homosexual" is an insult that cant be tolerated. What word are we to use?
Often it is context. Where you intentionally using the word as an insult? Trying to insult someone by calling them a homosexual is really just the same as calling them a (*)(*)(*) or a Homo. One of the ways I have seen the term used is to find someone who has done something that we find dispicable, who happens to be homosexual, and then using labeling that person as a homosexua 'x'. For instance, if the Sikh Temple killer was gay, to me, starting a thread "Homosexual Army Vet kills 6 Sikh's" would be deliberately inflamatory since the persons sexuality would be irrelevant- to me the question always would be would you call the same person "Heterosexual Army Vet"? But if you call someone a homosexual, when they have identified themselves as a homosexual or gay or any equivelant, generally I wouldn't consider insulting.
Same sex relationship can hardly be considered offensive. But if intent is there, some alternatives are available, such as, pooftah, queer and (*)(*)(*). Edit: I have used a couple of British terms, I see. Well, the owner can always add them to the profanity filter. The third example resembles the slang for a cigarette.
Well, I wouldnt consider it an insult either. Like I said, I was informed that it is. Sounds like your saying that I can use homosexual if I am complimentary to homosexuals but not if I am going to be critical I shouldnt. Is being critical of a homosexual, insulting all homosexuals? Like the 100s of times that Ive used the term "heterosexual", simply to distinguish them from the homosexuals, I use "homosexual" for the exact same reason.
The word 'homosexual' can have negative connotations because of its linkage to an era when people were committed to asylums because of their orientation, and treated with electroshock 'therapy' and other forms of negative reinforcement seeking to 'cure' their attraction to the same sex. So yes, you will offend some people by using it when 'gay' or 'lesbian' would suffice. In point of fact, there are many detractors who refuse to use anything but homosexual because they associate it with its application as a form of mental illness prior to its removal as such from the DSM. They are purposely being insulting in doing so. Of course, context matters. 'Homosexual' has broader applications than 'gay'. For example, a homosexual act (behavior) doesn't tell us anything about a person's orientation/identity (gay). Calling any homosexual act 'gay' is likewise a poor choice, and also done to purposely be insulting in cases of child molestation. In sum, don't be a jerk. If you're being a jerk, then you probably deserve whatever condemnation you receive in return for it.
Re-inform yourself."Homo" simply means "same" - as in "homonym". But if you're in doubt try this. "I understand that Ben is a homosexual." Acceptable "I understand that Ben is a f****ing homosexual". Not acceptable. Easy innit?
Oh and to avoid looking like a complete pratt try this pronunciation: "Homo" has a sort of two mm sound to it "hommo", it doesn't sound like "hoe moe". Saying "hoe moe" makes someone sound like a dckhead.
I used Homosexual to refer to those members of a small group who were homosexual, simply to distinguish them from the other members of the group who are not homosexual. Didnt even attribute the characteristic to an individual.
Wow, so using the correct english pronunciation offends the gays as well. How many more rules do you people have on this?
Who told you that? And I wonder what context and manner the word was used; how was it delivered at the time. One can be offensive using virtually any word, if that is their intent. No one should use the word "homosexual" pejoratively in a conversation.
To some people. Of course supporting the idea of legal Gay marriage makes one a jerk around here in the minds of others. Why don't you give us your exact quote that someone apparently found offensive?
It was in the context of being moderated in a private message so I cant discuss that without being banned.
Not in the minds of any of the moderaters. It was in a private message while being moderated, so I cant discuss it.
Well, I suppose we can merely suggest that you communicate with others in the manner you would like to be communicated with. If we say nasty things (even using nice words), it's still a nasty message.
You start a thread asking a question about whether referring to someone as a 'homosexual' is offensive, and when people give you honest answers, you turn around and insult them. Apparently this is just a flame thread then.
I was. I am not offended when I am referred to as a heterosexual. Gays are just a little bit too sensitive about their own sexuality. ABSURD that they all think the rest of the world has to accomodate their delicate as a flower sensibilities.
Ah isn't it nice that we are part of the dominant culture- so it isn't an insult for us to be called a heterosexual, or white, or a stud- as opposed to being called a (*)(*)(*) or a **** or a ***** or a (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)? All those insensitive minorities- if they would just accept that we use these terms lovingly and with great endearment.
It all depends on the person, and more than likely whether that statement was accurate or not. Depending on the situation, defining a persons entirely as a "homosexual" could in some circumstances be seen as offensive. To give "homosexual" as the sum total of persons personality and collective is very narrow so in that sense I could see it being taken offensively. Personally, I could give hoot less. If a person attempts to reduce me down to one small part of my whole...well they truthfully have no interest in an honest conversation.
No, what I see is you baiting people, trying to offend them, and then portraying yourself as some sort of martyr when the unsurprising and desired happens. I note here that I haven't said I'm offended. I simply explained how someone might find your usage of the word 'homosexual' offensive - BECAUSE YOU ASKED! Clearly you weren't really interested in the answer, only in getting some kind of reaction so you could claim victim status and claim that people are overly sensitive. In other words, acting like a jerk.
Nooooo, Im trying to figure out how not to get banned. Especially since another moderater had instructed me that "homo" is an insult and the proper term is homosexual. It all gets so confusing. Especially when Im regularly called an "idiot" "(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)" etc. Would seem an "insult" is anything that insults anyone. A sliding scale dependant on the individual and the delicacy of their sensibilities. I guess everyone has figured out that I cant easily be insulted, but I havent yet determined the deilicacy of everyones sensibilities. And I'll apologize in advance the next time I slip and dare use the forbidden label of homosexual in reference to anyone here.
