The word "f****t" is often used in a context not referring specifically to gays. I say it all the time, as a general insult, rather than anything directed towards gays.
Yes, in that case you're insulting someone who isn't gay by using a slur describing him as gay or in negative terms associated with gays (weak, feminine, whatever.) It's a slur against gays, using it against a straight person doesn't negate that.
How old are you, again? I didn't think much of the Willow Palin "scandal"...
I don't think of it in that way. Most people who use it in such a context don't think of it in that way either.
Really? Then when you call someone a f****t, what do you mean by it?
I just like the sound of it -- better than other possible personal insults. As I said in another thread, how words sound to me matters a lot.
However, if I know someone is gay or is offended by it, I won't say it around them. Most of the time I use it when my mother is teaching me to drive. I'll refer to other drivers as "f****ts," and sometimes as another word used traditionally to refer to a minority group.
I certainly wouldn't use either in public, out of fear of being beaten up by some retard.
Also, what The Doctor said.
Also pbrower2a, why should she keep her daughter "in line" from saying what she wants on her Facebook?
But that is literally taking a label used for a group in society and associating negative connotations with it. Who cares if you "don't mean it", what makes a statement insulting is the fact that others are offended by it. Even if a person who would be insulted is not near to hear such an insult it propagates the use of insensitive language in society and specifically among those who should probably need a lesson on compassion/sensitivity (for example when you say that usually you don't have to worry about offending someone who is gay because they aren't likely to be around). Though honestly my bigger beef is simply not being able to understand why people feel the need to use language that puts other groups down; I don't feel like there would be a reduction in quality of life simply because you stop using the word 'f****t' in negative terms.
Then again we all are different and come from different backgrounds and I may be overreacting.
