Straight as a derogatory term...

Frankly, I'm grateful for the recent thread about the use/misuse of the word "gay" in our sadly current vocabulary. I mean, let's put all our cards on the table. Big time. If gay is just a substitute for weak, effeminate, pussy, lame, retarded, etc. What about the many negative meanings of the word straight:?

Lacking in imagination. Neanderthal. Poorly dressed. Selfish. Bad hygiene. Filthy bachelor pads, not very bright, total sexist pigs., etc.

Now my point is that ALL straight dudes are not like this. So is it cool to say something tacky is soooo straight? Or that a trailer park dude is so totally straight? How about being a mechanic is so greasy and straight? Or dudes that read graphic novels are so stupid and straight? I think not.

Think twice before you speak, people. I guess it all comes down to judging and stereotypes. And if you point a finger at somebody - don't be offended when the finger is ultimately pointed back at you. Just my two cents....

QP

P.S. OMG, that tacky ass straight club is so totally lame! Let's hit a gay club instead! *Donna Summer belting out Hot Stuff*

Honestly, we have more in common than we're willing to fess up to. Gay. Lesbian. Straight. Bi. Trans. We are all people. And we all have hopes and dreams. So let the words mean less to us, and the dreams become our reason for living. Whatever happened to peace? :sunny:

 

I was hoping the bolded words formed some secret message...

 

What happened to it? I dont think it ever existed.. lol On this planet you'd have a better chance of seeing pigs fly, than peace on earth.

 

They do. Look deeper.

QP

 

:smilielol5:...

 

I know what you mean. Big time. But those rare folks come along to inspire us: Thomas Merton, Mother Teresa, etc. Hell, let's even add Janis Joplin to the list! She was beautiful in every way that counts.

QP

 

Doesnt really equate though

The "Thats so gay" thing pertains to gay males, not really lesbians

But Straight refers to both male and female

And you've referenced the stereotypes of straight males only

Which the girls have covered with "Oh, thats so male", and when they say that they arent really talking about gay males.

Not trying to be pedantic, just saying the gals have it covered

 

Ummm, pretty sure Janis was Bi. Or at least she was open to experimenting. Hell, lots of folks were more sexually open during the 1960s. How odd that we've become more conservative. I wonder what caused this very odd backlash?

QP

 

Fundamentalist Christians......And Closetted Politician's......That's What...



Cheers Glen.

 

Right on.

QP

 

Well I'm straight, but if you can make the phrase "That's so straight" catch on, I don't mind using it, as long as I don't have to use it in combination with words such as, but not limited to, "square", "gee", or "golly".

 

all tacky trailer park dude I think not strait... strait??? gay!! hot stuff!!

:biggrin:

 

the prophecy has been uncovered!

ye know too much!

 

I mean in terms of your first post, wanting something to equate to "Thats so Gay". I never saw that phrase as a reference to all gays, just male ones, an the effeminate ones at that. And thus its equal, "Thats so Straight" should maybe just refer to the neanderthal male. The straight female already has enough derogatory terms to deal with - bitch, whore, slut etc

 

In truth, it has caught on. And I have always told my queer (I'm not especially fond of the word gay) friends to stop using the word straight whenever they think something is stupid, unattractive (as in fashion), or violent. My point is that it is not cool to stereotype folks - straight or gay. The world needs to accept that one's sexuality has nothing to do with what they contribute to society (bad or good). There was Jeffrey Dahmer (so gay?). And there was Ted Bundy (so straight?) So since Ted Bundy did much more harm than good while he was on this earth: Does that mean he was so gay?

QP

 

Kurt Cobain had a fascinating face.

 

I've never heard anyone use the word "straight" in any of the connotations you used it.

Slang use of the term gay (in my opinion) is like the current use of the word "******". Black people will call each other ******, but it is very uncouth for white people to use it (understandably). Gay people will refer to something as gay, but some dislike when others (straight people) refer to something as gay. I think that if people are offended by those words they shouldn't use them.

If you're black and don't like the word ******, then don't use it. If you're gay and you don't like people throwing around the word gay, then don't use it.

Unfortunately people do use these words to hurt. As time goes on though both seem to carry with them less meaning, which is good. If a black person gets called a ****** in the year 2100, or a gay person gets called gay or faggot in a callous way, I doubt either will have much impact.

Words only have as much meaning as we give them. I'm sure there are black people out there who couldn't care less when they hear someone use that word, same with homosexuals. The moment people stop caring and personalizing the use of words, they no longer have any strength.

And as for the slang use of the word straight. I highly doubt any straight person would care at all if the word was used in the way described in Queerpoet's post. Why, because straight people have never been oppressed and made to feel ashamed of their orientation, therefore the word has absolutely no negative connotation to it.

 

I agree with you for the most part. Women have been subjected to the most outrageous and offensive slurs on a daily basis. And it still happens. Which is one of the reasons I am puzzled whenever I hear a woman say: That's so totally gay. It's not just men doing this. It's an equal opportunity thang. :2thumbsup:

QP

 

This gay thread is totally straight.

 

Look at the male equivalents though, "Bastard", "fag" (yes, straight men get called fags. I was called one almost daily throughout high-school) "asshole", "dick", etc.


The thing is, men don't usually care when they're called these things. They tend to be (some not all of course) a little more rational about their use. Most don't get overly insulted when called one of those things.

Again, it comes down to the power that we give words. Take away their power and they mean nothing.