Do you take the term "homosexual" as an insult?

I dont see why they would since its the proper term maybe it was the context of the sentence.

 

I see it as a proper term to describe one who is attracted to the same sex, other than gay/lesbian/etc. But homosexual can sound like an insult (just like how words like bitch, bloody, are actual words but can also be insults).

 

Woah wait how is bloody used as an insult just curious haha.

 

More like an adjective, but still an insult.

 

I don't take it as an insult. For me it's just inaccurate statement and I'd correct them accordingly.

Happy days

 

Well im not sure its the insult like if someone said you are a bloody bitch or something id see the bitch part to be the insult not bloody or maybe im just not comprehending what you mean lol.

 

Homosexual is a proper word but it carries clinical connotations. While a researcher may ask when was the last time you had "intercourse," asking your partner if s/he wants to have"intercourse" will not fly (most of the time). Synonyms aren't identical in the "social baggage" they carry and "homosexual" seems to have some.

Also, the fact that many anti-gay organizations fail to use the word "gay" as if using it were to give ground to "homosexual activists,"is proof that words can be used to overtly and covertly carry a message. For some, using the word "gay" would defile a word that was "good." In such cases, I'd be offended at the use of the word "homosexual" not for the word itself, but because of what the absence of the use of alternatives meant.

 

I always think the label "lesbian" sounds dirty, especially when people say it in that tone that makes it sound like some sort of unfortunate illness. I'd rather someone just say I was gay if I'm honest.

 

If someone calls me a (especially as a noun instead of an adjective) homosexual in a social context, then yes I am offended. The word gay is far more natural and saying homosexual outside of a clinical/academic environment is usually an indication of homophobia. As AlamoCity mentioned, the clinical and anti-gay connotations make the word feel cold and hostile, carrying a social baggage that "gay" doesn't.

 

No, it doesn't bother me any more than a straight person being referred to as hetreosexual. I would find it odd if someone referred to my sexual orientation that way in an informal conversation but other than that nope.

 

Homosexual, no, although it sounds a bit too clinical and outdated to be used in casual conversation. Homo, yes, especially if it's used as a slur, which it usually is, by ignorant straight people.

 

No; too many syllables, and I get the impression it as more of a scientific term than a term used to coin a type of religious sin.

 

Being called bisexual is like being called English

 

It doesn't offend me at all, after all, it's what I am. It's a bit formal for general conversation now (rather like Bachelor or Spinster to describe a single man or woman) but not in the least offensive. I can think of terms for gay that really are offensive, but not homosexual. I sometimes use homosexual in the written form.

 

In the UK it is apparently pretty bad.

 

"Bloody" is indeed a bad word in the UK. I remember saying "bloody" it in front of my parents when I was a kid and getting a good slap for it. If you preface another insulting word with bloody, you're almost doubling the offence value here.

 

It's what I am, so no, I don't think it's offensive.

 

I'll take it as an insult if someone throws it at me as an insult. It BAD insult maybe, certainly a poor choice of words if they want me to feel bad about myself, but yeah I'd take it as one...

"Ha Holly you utter twat! You're such a freak. You bloody homosexual!"

Sure, it's a damn stupid thing to say but they mean it in a bad way. If someone just turned around and said "Holly, you're homosexual right?" I wouldn't though.

 

As some have already mentioned, the word homosexual has medical origin. It was the word used by psychiatrists to describe a condition. That's why I'm not terribly fond of the word, but in general, I wouldn't take it as an insult. Not unless someone explicitly used it that way.