Gay - Now a naughty word....

[SurfDemon]

[Note: This is not about Gays, Live and let live I say, this about the silly things we are teaching our kids, without good reason]

According to today's Irish Independent school kids are being taught that they can't use the word Gay, as it is homophobic*.

They say they wanted to correct the obvious bias in the curriculum, and to challenge the use of homophobic language -- such as the pejorative 'gay', bandied about by children throughout the country -- as they would if any other marginal group were implicated.

Mr Walsh and Ms Ward say: "We found that while children clearly understood that the word 'gay' referred to same-sex orientation, they also assumed they could go unchecked for using the term, not least of all because adults appeared reluctant to discuss the matter in depth, for fear of broaching more awkward issues."

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/a-gay-lesson-for-kids-1406223.html

When did this happen. What do we call them instead? Homosexuals are... er, is such a mouthful :ehh:

But in all seriousness, this is going too far. We're not allowed to call them queers, yet we have a TV show here called "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" about 2 queers... er...2 gays... er..sorry , 2 homosexuals.

Some words should be taboo due to negative conotations, I agree that we shouldn't use the N* word when talking about blacks, but I also think they should also be prevented from using it. (How can you have equality when the first thing the law looks at is the colour of the person saying the word..... :ehh: ). But Gay? What's wrong with that. I'm sure if I want to find out about homosexuality I would look up Gay & Lesbian Chat Line.... not The Homosexual chatline....

I know there are a couple of gays on this forum (who may or may not frequent the World Events section), what are your words on the use of the word Gay (and Homophobic for that matter).

*Don't even get me started on the term homophobic.... so Skinheads beat up gays because they are afraid of them.... oh how we have masacred the language (Greek or English take your pick).

[Foxer]

Political correctness sucks.

[CodedFire]

I agree that we shouldn't use the N* word when talking about blacks Its more a really dark brown in fairness. Ah i couldn't care about the whole pc non pc carry on. I will call someone what i feel comfortable with. There are rules. I wouldn't use a derogatory term like nigger or chink but i think the main issue with being pc is the fact that in itself its a form of racism. The fact is it shouldn't matter if your black white gay or Jewish. It shouldn't matter the words you use generally. PC means we should respect each other because were really different. Does nobody else see an issue with that. As i said i think there are certain things that shouldn't be said but consider the following:

A school child is barred from school because she called a girl a nigger. She heard this word on the telly from a popular show. The black girl called here a chubby fatso in retaliation. Now this would have been innocent and forgot about by the kids only a teacher heard it and reported the white girl to the principal who called here parents. Tell me who is the racist.

[Foxer]

Political correctness sucks.

[dilettante]

Kids about a decade ago used to use "gay" to mean... well basically they didn't mean homosexual. In my day (old fart) we'd say gauche instead.

"That's some pretty gauche code there."

[honeybee]

I would like to repeat Foxer's comment: Political Correctness sucks!


What about the meaning of the word "gay" as "happy" ? We learnt this meaning back in school. Does anyone even remember this, or dare use it to mean happiness?

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[penagate]

And 'queer' as merely 'odd'.

[SurfDemon]

What about the meaning of the word "gay" as "happy" ? We learnt this meaning back in school. Does anyone even remember this, or dare use it to mean happiness?

Yes :) You will be glad to know that my father still uses it. He's quite aware of the modern connotation, but refuses to change out of bloody-mindedness.

So people will ask him how he is and he will respond with "I'm pretty gay today, how about you?" :D

[Shaggy Hiker]

Setting aside PC issues, I think the word gay, when used by pre-teen school kids has nothing to do with the adult understanding of the entire issue. Perhaps it has changed, but I remember it as having nothing to do with sexuality, and everything to do with conformity. Things, actions, and people were called gay if they didn't conform to grade school standards. Therefore, the word has a considerably more sinister connotation at that age than it has at older ages. It is a word used as an instrument of suppression of creativity or individuality.

Therefore, whether the word should be suppressed, the purpose certainly should be addressed.

[SurfDemon]

Ah - But who gets to decide if it's being used in a bad way. Will we get kids disciplined for saying that such and such is "Gay". When such and such really is Gay? Isn't that going to be a bit confusing for the kids......?

[Shaggy Hiker]

No, they're smarter than you think. They just aren't very wise.

[honeybee]

Yes :) You will be glad to know that my father still uses it. He's quite aware of the modern connotation, but refuses to change out of bloody-mindedness.

So people will ask him how he is and he will respond with "I'm pretty gay today, how about you?" :D

LOL

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