overly offended.

Interestingly in one of my transgender support groups there is a person that self identifies as a hermaphrodite, while the politically correct term is "intersex" which kind of shocked me. It was weird because I wanted to use the politically correct term to refer to their identity, while at the same time I want to respect the identity they chose to refer to themselves as.

For the most part its all context though. Like if you referred to transsexual pornography as shemale porn, I wouldn't care because that's the actual industry name for the genre. However if you called a person a shemale I would say that's offensive.

For the most part I just get offended if someone uses the word to harm someone.

 

I'm hard to offend. Not that certain words don't sting I just don't waste time confronting people

 

I might be a little oversensitive on this one. I really don't like the use of the term "gay" as a synonym for "stupid" or "dumb." It draws a connection between the two that really annoys me. It is also frustrating when people call someone a fag. I love how faggot originally meant bundle of sticks and swag originally was a sort of half wreath made out of sticks.

 

Surprisingly "dyke" and "faggot" don't really get me too pissed. Probably because those words originally meant a wall to regulate water levels and a twig. People just aren't create enough these days. And slang like "slut", "whore", "bitch" are entirely comical.

 

'Tranny'. I used to think of it as a friendly in-group word, like 'queen', but nowadays it makes my toes curl.

 

I've never quite gotten over the word "fag/faggot;" I know it's just the context but I still cringe when I hear it, even when gay people are saying it in hopes of "reclaiming the word."



Ironically, however, I actually love the word "queer" and would openly use it for self-identification - despite knowing many people of a generation or two above mine find it cringe-worthy in the same way I find the word "fag." So maybe I should cool it with "queer"? :/ (stupid cognitive dissonance)

 

Apparently the reason that gay people are called after a bundle of sticks is because they used to bet burned at the stake, so that is pretty horrifying. I hate the word just for that.

 

For me, it's never the words that offend me as much as the context said words are used in. Plain and simple.
Yes, there are times I will get so annoyed and pissed, even hurt, but its always because someone is using those words the wrong way, using them as insults when they're not.

 

I didn't actually know that, but that is pretty horrifying. I just think it is ironic that a derisive term's original meaning is almost the same as that of a complimentary one.

 

The R word

 

"Faggot/Fag". If someone says it I wont pounce on them in an animalistic state but it seems to chip off a bit every time its used.

 

I don't get offended very easily. But at the same time I'm quick to give someone hell for flippantly using "that's so gay" because though it may not hurt me, I'm well aware that many of my gay friends don't like it.

I'm more prone to getting offended by someone insulting me based on my religion than my gender identity.

 

For some reason... the word "fag" as opposed to "faggot" has always bothered me...

 

As many others have said, it's less about the word and more about the context. If somebody lets a "that's so gay" or "faggot" slip, I'm not going to immediately jump down their throats. However, if it becomes a regular thing (I know a few guys that say 'fag' in almost every sentence), then I'll bring it up.

If I do have a problem with something that's said, I generally will take the tact of trying to make the speaker aware, instead of berating them. These are all college kids (mostly guys), so most of what they say comes from a place of ignorance or trying to seem cool, as opposed to malice. Typically, when I hear it that one last time that pushes me over the edge, I'll say something like "Dude, can you chill out with that? Not ok." And I've never had anybody react badly, they always understand and try to rectify their behavior, at least when they're around me.

 

In my lesbian choir we sing a song called "I Like Being A Dyke."

I love that song...


I dislike "faggot" because it basically equates people with kindling. I find that appalling.

 

I'm not offended by most words as such but there are certainly contexts in which they are used that I sometimes find offensive. I self identify as "queer" but hearing my brother-in-law say "Hey, look at those two queers!" about a couple of guys walking down the street in pants that he deemed too tight to be appropriate for a straight man made me want to bop him upside his head. He is not yet aware that his wife's little sister is a queer too.

There are also words that I am not offended by when used by members of that group but that I would not presume to use personally. One of my close friends is a trans man who occasionally refers to himself as a "tranny" and even has a shirt that says it on the front. I still don't call him that even though he'd be fine with it. It just doesn't feel right.

 

I guess I'm some sort of fluke, I'm not bothered buy anyone word usage. I am bother by straight up hate speeches, but that's different.

The words "gay" and "fag" receive a alternate 'definition' when being used in certain circumstances. EG, when someone says that's so gay I do not believe one is really referring to gay people. Think about it this way; the word gay means carefree, happy, sweet (and other things) and when someone says "that's so gay." It's normally said in a sarcastic manner. Meaning 'that sucks, that's lame, etc.

Gay: Used to refer to feelings of being "carefree", "happy", or "bright and showy". Etc.
Sarcasm: Marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt.

It all depends on words leading up to it. Just use context clues.


^Just my thoughts. I apologize for the wall of text

 

I actually like the word dyke, I don't know why. I'd rather call myself a dyke than a lesbian.

I don't really like it when people use the word fag or faggot though.