I always thought "no homo" was a rather homophobic phrase.. It suggests that gay thoughts/feelings/actions are negative. We would all do well to not use it.
I thought that was quite calm. And I'm wondering... are you just looking for what I say, now? What, I'm not allowed to take a stand about transphobia and homophobia?
Still don't get it, I see. Do I really have to spoonfeed to you why it's a bad idea to try to control language?
And btw, I'm not "just looking for what you say", so don't flatter yourself.
I didn't say anything about controlling language. I'm just saying certain language can hurt people. Using phrases like that one alienates an entire group of people. I just think it would be best if we stopped. It's no different from using a racist comment.
*sigh*
So you think that it's best if we stop using words you find offensive. Yep, that's totally different from trying to control language...
So, read 1984 yet, or is that on some sort of too-offensive-do-not-read list? The reason I suggested that in the other post was that in the book, language control is used to control thought.
I will at some point. Lots of other books to get through, first.
My point is, we're not going to get anywhere with gaining acceptance for gay/lesbian/bi and transgender people if people think there's nothing wrong with talking that way. If they speak that way, they think that way. If tranny is an insult, then there's something wrong with being transgender. If gay means something bad, then what does that say about gay people? I know. Freedom of speech and all that. But that's not an excuse to hurt somebody else. I'm not saying make a law. I'm just saying people should think about who they're hurting when they say such things. People have killed themselves over words alone. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words cause wounds that never heal. Anti gay and anti trans sentiment won't go away until we clean up the way we talk about people.
Words only have power over you if you allow it. Besides, most people tend to realize when others speak and think hatefully, and either ignore them or steer clear of them altogether.
On the other hand, some people, myself included, use words you'd probably ban in a joking or purely descriptive way. If those words were to suddenly disappear from our vocabulary, our ability to communicate certain non-hateful ideas and thoughts would suffer, or we'd simply have to use another word for it, and be back at square one.
People just need to realize that 'NO HOMO' 'Faggot' 'so gay' hurt people. Don't you understand that we understand we are gay and we don't want to hear how Justin Beiber is such a FAGGOT or how if you say NO HOMO you won't have to worry about being homosexual, as if being homosexual is a disease. I am not asking much, just take a second and think about how your comments affect others. Would you be proud of yourself if a disabled person heard you say retarded? How do you think we feel? These words HURT!
No homo.
And btw, I'm not "just looking for what you say", so don't flatter yourself.
So you think that it's best if we stop using words you find offensive. Yep, that's totally different from trying to control language...
So, read 1984 yet, or is that on some sort of too-offensive-do-not-read list? The reason I suggested that in the other post was that in the book, language control is used to control thought.
My point is, we're not going to get anywhere with gaining acceptance for gay/lesbian/bi and transgender people if people think there's nothing wrong with talking that way. If they speak that way, they think that way. If tranny is an insult, then there's something wrong with being transgender. If gay means something bad, then what does that say about gay people? I know. Freedom of speech and all that. But that's not an excuse to hurt somebody else. I'm not saying make a law. I'm just saying people should think about who they're hurting when they say such things. People have killed themselves over words alone. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words cause wounds that never heal. Anti gay and anti trans sentiment won't go away until we clean up the way we talk about people.
On the other hand, some people, myself included, use words you'd probably ban in a joking or purely descriptive way. If those words were to suddenly disappear from our vocabulary, our ability to communicate certain non-hateful ideas and thoughts would suffer, or we'd simply have to use another word for it, and be back at square one.