Gay Glossary

[A*O]

I am informed that 'dyke' is non-PC. Since I don't move in gay circles I don't know if this is true, and even if it were I try not to get sucked into the PC minefield if I can help it.

Are there any words or terms that are offensive to gays? (apart from the obvious ones). Is it like the N-word that only blacks can use and get away with? Are there 'gay' words that only gays can use without causing offence? Gay and straight people use 'poof' in Australia without too many raised (beautifully plucked and shaped) eyebrows but it probably varies from country to country.

Is there a 'gay glossary' ? In the UK when homosexuality was illegal the gay community used to speak a funny slang among themselves - can't remember the name - which I think has pretty much died out now.

[DisruptiveHair]

Originally Posted by A*O

I am informed that 'dyke' is non-PC. Since I don't move in gay circles I don't know if this is true, and even if it were I try not to get sucked into the PC minefield if I can help it.

Are there any words or terms that are offensive to gays? (apart from the obvious ones). Is it like the N-word that only blacks can use and get away with? Are there 'gay' words that only gays can use without causing offence? Gay and straight people use 'poof' in Australia without too many raised (beautifully plucked and shaped) eyebrows but it probably varies from country to country.

Is there a 'gay glossary' ? In the UK when homosexuality was illegal the gay community used to speak a funny slang among themselves - can't remember the name - which I think has pretty much died out now.

It's called 'polari.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polari

[aabbcc]

I personally don't mind dyke. I tend to fall into that 'grey' area between femme and butch - um, is she or isn't she? - and I use dyke to describe myself.

Of course, I can't speak for others, but I don't find it offensive at all.

[haggard]

I know all the gay people around here that I've heard talking call each other "fags" but of course if you call a gay guy a fag without being gay yourself, they get pretty pissed.

I've never understood that...if you want people to stop using a word, stop using it yourself!

[SVZ]

well...you wouldn't call 50 cent the N word would you?

[dexter7]

Originally Posted by haggard

I know all the gay people around here that I've heard talking call each other "fags" but of course if you call a gay guy a fag without being gay yourself, they get pretty pissed.

I've never understood that...if you want people to stop using a word, stop using it yourself!

i agree.

Originally Posted by haggard

I know all the gay people around here that I've heard talking call each other "fags" but of course if you call a gay guy a fag without being gay yourself, they get pretty pissed.

I've never understood that...if you want people to stop using a word, stop using it yourself!

Reappropriation of pejorative names by the disenfranchised is supposed to be an act of empowerment.

[dexter7]

^^^i know that, but i think it just encourages more division between races, sexualities, etc.

[SVZ]

well it's better than say....creating a seperate school for blacks and gays to go to so they can be 'safe'

being gay...well at least in my experience...is about the same feeling you get when you're disgusting ugly, that's the best way i can describe it

[Mr. Authority]

When I told my family that I was bisexual everyone goes "Oh you're just going through a phase, you don't know what you want, blah blah blah". An a couple of my gay guy friends I have say that I'm just saying I'm bisexual "to pretend I like women".

Based on my expreinces, being bi is kind of looked at diffrently in the gay community as "acting straight but playing gay" sorta thing, and it's annoying when you have to explain that it's just as natural as being a straight or gay person.

[dexter7]

Originally Posted by SVZ

well it's better than say....creating a seperate school for blacks and gays to go to so they can be 'safe'

being gay...well at least in my experience...is about the same feeling you get when you're disgusting ugly.

that's horrible svz. i hope as you get older the feeling fades. i don't use either of the offensive words, i just feel that they promote hostility.

[Grimmlok]

Well well yer not allowed to use dyke or fag unless you are one, or are just joking around with gay friends. Using it otherwise is offensive

secondly, gay is just the same as being straight. Don't give a fuck what people think, if they want to be morons look at them with pity like you would someone who never bothered to learn how to read.

Originally Posted by Grimmlok

Well well yer not allowed to use dyke or fag unless you are one, or are just joking around with gay friends. Using it otherwise is offensive

secondly, gay is just the same as being straight. Don't give a fuck what people think, if they want to be morons look at them with pity like you would someone who never bothered to learn how to read.

You can use it when you are not joking around with gay friends too. I can say to a gay male "Do you know Shiela? She's the dyke we always see at Starbucks."

[SVZ]

her name's not sheila, it's sheena wolf hunteress

[dexter7]

someone needs to write a modern day ettiquette book!