Don't use 'gay' as an insult or joke, says Michael Gove

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10163420/Dont-use-gay-as-an-insult-or-joke-says-Michael-Gove.html

Don't use 'gay' as an insult or joke, says Michael Gove

Using the word gay as an insult is “outrageous and medieval” and children should not see homosexuality as a legitimate subject for humour, Michael Gove has said.


http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02598/gove_2598913b.jpg
Michael Gove says homophobic attitudes should be "actively challenged"


The Education Secretary claimed that homophobic prejudice had been expressed through “language in playgrounds that wasn’t effectively policed.”

This was the last thing pupils “wrestling with their sexuality” needed, he said.

Such prejudice had also been found in certain interpretations of religion, as well as “thoughtless words” from disc jockeys, he added.

“It’s utterly outrageous and medieval to think that to use the word gay as an insult is somehow acceptable,” he told Stonewall’s Education for All conference in London. “If it’s Chris Moyles or anyone, they should be called out.”

Mr Moyles, the DJ who previously hosted BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast Show, was accused of homophobia in 2006 after describing a phone ring tone as gay.

Mr Gove said: “If you’re growing up wrestling with your sexuality…the last thing you need to feel at school is any sense that the difficulties with which you’re wrestling or the path on which you wish to embark are in any way a legitimate subject for humour, ostracising or prejudice.”

He said he belonged to a generation that felt attitudes towards homosexuality “that still persist in part or many parts of our country” should be actively challenged to make society fairer.

The fact he was a Tory could also make people realise there were now no public figures who would support homophobic attitudes, he suggested.

“It’s a slightly bigger deal if a Conservative says something like that than if politicians from other parties do,” he said.

“That might be more inclined to make some of those people who might have thought there were politicians who had sneaking regard for their position think ‘actually there’s no-one in public life who will defend this position.’”

I'm just so so glad that this government has it's priorities straight.

As for Gove associating with the radical government-funded lobby 'charity' Stonewall, I had thought better of him than that but there you go.

Thoughts?

[AgnesIO]

Shows how out of touch this idiot is - when one calls another "gay" in a school playground, they are rarely implying the sexual term - it has a far broader meaning than this realistically. People in schools call people gay when they are in relationships with the opposite sex..

Whilst I can see how it can cause offence, for **** sake Gove - do something useful. Resign.

[Ardemax]

Gay is used in a derogatory manner in schools, so Gove has a point. Nothing will happen because of this, but he still has a point.

[AgnesIO]

Gay is used in a derogatory manner in schools, so Gove has a point. Nothing will happen because of this, but he still has a point.

Idiot, stupid and ginger are also used frequently - none are exactly positive statements.

[Ardemax]

Idiot, stupid and ginger are also used frequently - none are exactly positive statements.

I'm confused as to how this disproves my point :S

"Gay" was obviously used as an insult when being gay was considered... well an insult. Maybe it's time to wind down on its use?

[AgnesIO]

I'm confused as to how this disproves my point :S

"Gay" was obviously used as an insult when being gay was considered... well an insult. Maybe it's time to wind down on its use?


I was pointing out that whilst Gove may have a point on the "gay" issue, surely he should therefore be referring to ALL derogatory terms, if this is his aim. Rather than simple banging on about the homosexual bore, that we have all been dragged through for many months so the government can have a nice thick smoke screen to make them look busy and effective.

[Ardemax]

I was pointing out that whilst Gove may have a point on the "gay" issue, surely he should therefore be referring to ALL derogatory terms, if this is his aim. Rather than simple banging on about the homosexual bore, that we have all been dragged through for many months so the government can have a nice thick smoke screen to make them look busy and effective.

Sure ok. I mean like obviously there are a lot of people in this country who still have a problem with people being gay so maybe it's for that reason.

I agree, it makes the government look like they're doing something when they're not which has been seen all too often unfortunately :)

[FlyingJesus]

It's not just another "don't be mean to people" thing, it's about not seeing gay as something that's insulting. Gove's useless but I'm not sure why he's being attacked for expressing a harmless view with no attempt to mandate anything

[AgnesIO]

It's not just another "don't be mean to people" thing, it's about not seeing gay as something that's insulting. Gove's useless but I'm not sure why he's being attacked for expressing a harmless view with no attempt to mandate anything

Well I'd prefer it if he started doing his job, rather than "expressing harmless views", but there we go.

[FlyingJesus]

I wouldn't, considering what a mess he makes of it

[AgnesIO]

I wouldn't, considering what a mess he makes of it

I would like to think my parents money is not funding his salary for nothing!

[Aiden]

It can be quite upsetting when you hear people use words like gay, ****** and bender...

In my class on Friday, I pupil shouted to another pupil, "Go away you ******." The teacher said thats not a nice way to say it and then laughed... if the kid said the N word instead of ******, it would of been taken much more srsly...

or we could all start using racist terms? ;)xx

[AgnesIO]

It can be quite upsetting when you hear people use words like gay, ****** and bender...

In my class on Friday, I pupil shouted to another pupil, "Go away you ******." The teacher said thats not a nice way to say it and then laughed... if the kid said the N word instead of ******, it would of been taken much more srsly...

or we could all start using racist terms? ;)xx

Race and sexuality are different, no matter what anyone says.

Definitely not good to laugh off *REMOVED*

Having said that if the student said the N word to someone else and they were white (you didn't specify), I would personally put the child in detention for thinking a white person can be referred to as a ******.

Edited by Dilusionate (Forum Moderator): Please do not avoid the filter, thanks!

[Aiden]

Race and sexuality are different, no matter what anyone says.

Definitely not good to laugh off *REMOVED*
Having said that if the student said the N word to someone else and they were white (you didn't specify), I would personally put the child in detention for thinking a white person can be referred to as a ******.

I know there different but both aren't that nice...

In my school the policies say that both will be taken seriesly (homophobia and racism) but its not. I'm sure its the same at most schools...

I just think that using a word in an offensive way can upset people...

say you was the only gay person out of 100 people in your classes (obvs more then 1 but not many come out) and people use words like gay in a offensive way... it would upset you...

It makes you think that being gay is bad... you could already be down, depressed or really confused... you don't need anything else on top of that lol

[AgnesIO]

I know there different but both aren't that nice...

In my school the policies say that both will be taken seriesly (homophobia and racism) but its not. I'm sure its the same at most schools...

I just think that using a word in an offensive way can upset people...

say you was the only gay person out of 100 people in your classes (obvs more then 1 but not many come out) and people use words like gay in a offensive way... it would upset you...

It makes you think that being gay is bad... you could already be down, depressed or really confused... you don't need anything else on top of that lol

"ginger", "stupid", "fat", "spotty", "******" - all should be treated in the same way, homophobia shouldn't be seen as any better or worse.

[Inseriousity.]

I was pointing out that whilst Gove may have a point on the "gay" issue, surely he should therefore be referring to ALL derogatory terms, if this is his aim. Rather than simple banging on about the homosexual bore, that we have all been dragged through for many months so the government can have a nice thick smoke screen to make them look busy and effective.

I'm sure when the Gingers for Justice conference starts on 24th August 2013 (http://www.wackybuttons.com/designcodes/110/1100843.jpg) then he will say something about that. I'm with FlyingJesus on this one. He's not exactly wrong and it's all just rhetoric with no substance or policy behind it (the recent campaign for Aydan's Law would be one direction he could take, for example). You don't need a smoke screen to look busy and effective when you're running the country! I'd hope to elect people who can multitask and do the big stuff and take care of the little details too!

[Aiden]

"ginger", "stupid", "fat", "spotty", "******" - all should be treated in the same way, homophobia shouldn't be seen as any better or worse.

i dont think racism should be taken more srsly then homophobia so u know
do u c where im coming from?

[AgnesIO]

I'm sure when the Gingers for Justice conference starts on 24th August 2013 (http://www.wackybuttons.com/designcodes/110/1100843.jpg) then he will say something about that. I'm with FlyingJesus on this one. He's not exactly wrong and it's all just rhetoric with no substance or policy behind it (the recent campaign for Aydan's Law would be one direction he could take, for example). You don't need a smoke screen to look busy and effective when you're running the country! I'd hope to elect people who can multitask and do the big stuff and take care of the little details too!

You won't get that with Gove. The current Conservative government is weak, and that is coming from a Conservative voter.

---------- Post added 07-07-2013 at 12:53 AM ----------


i dont think racism should be taken more srsly then homophobia so u know
do u c where im coming from?

No i dnt i tink racism iz lss or =lly sereus. . . . . iz i az gd az tiping az youze

[Aiden]

You won't get that with Gove. The current Conservative government is weak, and that is coming from a Conservative voter.

---------- Post added 07-07-2013 at 12:53 AM ----------



No i dnt i tink racism iz lss or =lly sereus. . . . . iz i az gd az tiping az youze

ikr i udrstnd u

but tbh just stop using the word ;) its not even considered tht bad anymoreeee
LOOK AT ALL THE FAMOUS GAY PEOPLE;) LOL
and all the ppl pretending to be gay to be facebook famous

[AgnesIO]

ikr i udrstnd u

but tbh just stop using the word ;) its not even considered tht bad anymoreeee
LOOK AT ALL THE FAMOUS GAY PEOPLE;) LOL
and all the ppl pretending to be gay to be facebook famous

Don't worry, I was past the stage of using the term "gay" 5/6 years ago. Just saying if someone called me gay the most offensive bit to me is the "technically correct" definition would be wrong, as I am straight lol

[Aiden]

Don't worry, I was past the stage of using the term "gay" 5/6 years ago. Just saying if someone called me gay the most offensive bit to me is the "technically correct" definition would be wrong, as I am straight lol

well if it doesnt bother you then who cares!!!!
YOU'RE GAY AND YOU'RE GAY AND YOU'RE ALL GAY!!!!1
WOWOWO U ******S ;)x

[AgnesIO]

well if it doesnt bother you then who cares!!!!
YOU'RE GAY AND YOU'RE GAY AND YOU'RE ALL GAY!!!!1
WOWOWO U ******S ;)x

Thanks, to be honest being called gay to me wouldn't offend me in the slightest.

It would show the person is unintelligent, lacking a broad vocabulary, and also make me think they were 12 years old.

[Aiden]

Thanks, to be honest being called gay to me wouldn't offend me in the slightest.

It would show the person is unintelligent, lacking a broad vocabulary, and also make me think they were 12 years old.

yea true

who cares about them depressed, confused and suicidal kid who dont know who they are
they just need to grow the **** up

dont u agreee?

[Lewis]

Not everyone classes these words as harmless.

Many people are homophobic, whether its two woman or two men. So the word 'gay' can really hurt people, alongside 'ginger' if you actually ARE ginger. If you're using it as a word that means no harm, make up another word or use another word that doesn't relate to homophobia or being prejudice.

Just because you don't think this way, doesn't mean others don't. Some people are strong, some people are emotional. Anyone can take great offense to these words, especially if they actually are what they're calling you. Especially if you're still young and not an adult.

[Spoltage]

Time for a gay's opinion on the topic (at least I don't think any previous posters are gay??)

Honestly I see where Mr. Grove is coming from however I agree with what Marketing has been saying and that he should perhaps include other forms of discrimination such as racism etc. Children may hear their parents, older siblings, random strangers (since a lot of people don't watch what they say in public and especially around children) and children look up to adults and will think these words are perfectly fine. They may even call each other gay, a ****** etc without even knowing what these words mean, they should be taught at an early ages these words are not acceptable. When i was at primary school I do not recall use calling each other these things, the way times have changed... However in secondary schools people get into the bullying phase where the more popular kids decided to pick on the less popular kids or ones that are different to them, gay/camp, different race etc. I used to get bullied in school but I think this was due to the fact i was a quiet and kinda nerd kid, I cannot remember any time were I was called gay (maybe because I was not openly gay - still am not). Honestly I have had people call me gay as a joke both off and on habbo, it doesn't bother me (really in real it just wants me to turn around and tell them I am in fact gay), however when it is said in an obvious homophobic way this really annoys me, its like "how is my sexual preference affecting you..", for example I was in jungle run and some random guy found out i was gay and simply started spamming "ewww...." "he's gay" etc, this annoys me but i guess that's life and i am going to have to put up with it.

Overall after my rambling on i think he was both right and wrong to say this, it was good he is trying to help LGBT seem like a normal thing (which it is!!!!!) but he should also do this for other people who are being discriminated against. Even if school children were taught these things, who says they arn't going to grow up and become homophobic? Even though homophobic people annoy me and I tend to argue with them i am prepared to face hordes of them during my life once I decide to fully come out.

Thanks for reading till the end :P

Sam

P.S I love ya'll :)

[SlimShadyLp]

If someone calls an average person gay THAT person classes it as a insult..... maybe that because being gay in the back of everyones mind is something to be ashamed of :D

[GommeInc]

It makes sense, but it seems weird for it to of come straight from Government to notice this. Anything can be taken badly as a joke or an insult.

[AgnesIO]

yea true

who cares about them depressed, confused and suicidal kid who dont know who they are
they just need to grow the **** up

dont u agreee?

That is exactly what I said, clearly.


Not everyone classes these words as harmless.

Many people are homophobic, whether its two woman or two men. So the word 'gay' can really hurt people, alongside 'ginger' if you actually ARE ginger. If you're using it as a word that means no harm, make up another word or use another word that doesn't relate to homophobia or being prejudice.

Just because you don't think this way, doesn't mean others don't. Some people are strong, some people are emotional. Anyone can take great offense to these words, especially if they actually are what they're calling you. Especially if you're still young and not an adult.

In fairness, if you keep making up words (for example, gay would often mean pretty much anything negative - like "I am setting you home", student thinks "that's so gay" - they are clearly not saying "that's so homosexual", or "that's so happy" - if one were to use the old definition) then you will simply end up with new words that have negative connotations - creating a wider, more negative language.




Time for a gay's opinion on the topic (at least I don't think any previous posters are gay??)

Honestly I see where Mr. Grove is coming from however I agree with what Marketing has been saying and that he should perhaps include other forms of discrimination such as racism etc. Children may hear their parents, older siblings, random strangers (since a lot of people don't watch what they say in public and especially around children) and children look up to adults and will think these words are perfectly fine. They may even call each other gay, a ****** etc without even knowing what these words mean, they should be taught at an early ages these words are not acceptable. When i was at primary school I do not recall use calling each other these things, the way times have changed... However in secondary schools people get into the bullying phase where the more popular kids decided to pick on the less popular kids or ones that are different to them, gay/camp, different race etc. I used to get bullied in school but I think this was due to the fact i was a quiet and kinda nerd kid, I cannot remember any time were I was called gay (maybe because I was not openly gay - still am not). Honestly I have had people call me gay as a joke both off and on habbo, it doesn't bother me (really in real it just wants me to turn around and tell them I am in fact gay), however when it is said in an obvious homophobic way this really annoys me, its like "how is my sexual preference affecting you..", for example I was in jungle run and some random guy found out i was gay and simply started spamming "ewww...." "he's gay" etc, this annoys me but i guess that's life and i am going to have to put up with it.

Overall after my rambling on i think he was both right and wrong to say this, it was good he is trying to help LGBT seem like a normal thing (which it is!!!!!) but he should also do this for other people who are being discriminated against. Even if school children were taught these things, who says they arn't going to grow up and become homophobic? Even though homophobic people annoy me and I tend to argue with them i am prepared to face hordes of them during my life once I decide to fully come out.

Thanks for reading till the end :P

Sam

P.S I love ya'll :)

I imagine people know what these words technically mean, but when one uses them they wouldn't use them thinking about what it really means. Also, it is Michael Gove, not Grove :L Oh, and you'll find a disproportionate amount of male users on here are gay aha

---

I don't see why a gay person should or would be super offended if someone called them gay.. I have ginger friends who if someone said "HAHA YOU'RE GINGER", they would just say "well.. yeah?", and same if an individual has black skin and they get called black most with a brain cell would just say "ok, thanks for pointing that out :)"

[Yawn]

i say it all the time on habbo but would never say it irl!

[AgnesIO]

i say it all the time on habbo but would never say it irl!

I believe that is known as having a fake online personality in an attempt to fit in.. :L

[Aiden]

Not everyone classes these words as harmless.

Many people are homophobic, whether its two woman or two men. So the word 'gay' can't ;really hurt people, alongside 'ginger' if you actually ARE ginger. If you're using it as a word that means no harm, make up another word or use another word that doesn't relate to homophobia or being prejudice.

Just because you don't think this way, doesn't mean others don't. Some people are strong, some people are emotional. Anyone can take great offense to these words, especially if they actually are what they're calling you. Especially if you're still young and not an adult.

This.
And people would still take offensive if you called them ginger even if they wasnt ;)x


Time for a gay's opinion on the topic (at least I don't think any previous posters are gay??)

Honestly I see where Mr. Grove is coming from however I agree with what Marketing has been saying and that he should perhaps include other forms of discrimination such as racism etc. Children may hear their parents, older siblings, random strangers (since a lot of people don't watch what they say in public and especially around children) and children look up to adults and will think these words are perfectly fine. They may even call each other gay, a ****** etc without even knowing what these words mean, they should be taught at an early ages these words are not acceptable. When i was at primary school I do not recall use calling each other these things, the way times have changed... However in secondary schools people get into the bullying phase where the more popular kids decided to pick on the less popular kids or ones that are different to them, gay/camp, different race etc. I used to get bullied in school but I think this was due to the fact i was a quiet and kinda nerd kid, I cannot remember any time were I was called gay (maybe because I was not openly gay - still am not). Honestly I have had people call me gay as a joke both off and on habbo, it doesn't bother me (really in real it just wants me to turn around and tell them I am in fact gay), however when it is said in an obvious homophobic way this really annoys me, its like "how is my sexual preference affecting you..", for example I was in jungle run and some random guy found out i was gay and simply started spamming "ewww...." "he's gay" etc, this annoys me but i guess that's life and i am going to have to put up with it.

Overall after my rambling on i think he was both right and wrong to say this, it was good he is trying to help LGBT seem like a normal thing (which it is!!!!!) but he should also do this for other people who are being discriminated against. Even if school children were taught these things, who says they arn't going to grow up and become homophobic? Even though homophobic people annoy me and I tend to argue with them i am prepared to face hordes of them during my life once I decide to fully come out.

Thanks for reading till the end :P

Sam

P.S I love ya'll :)
imgay lol


If someone calls an average person gay THAT person classes it as a insult..... maybe that because being gay in the back of everyones mind is something to be ashamed of :D

It's still wrong... ;)
It's like using the N word because its something offensive!


i say it all the time on habbo but would never say it irl!

why would you not say it irl

[Yawn]

cos its rude. i have a large gay following to keep in check on habbo

http://www.abload.de/img/pray25oqbs.gif

[Kardan]

Can't say I thought I'd see the day when I'd agree with Mr. Gove.

Although, that being said, I'm not entirely sure what he's trying to achieve, it's not as if kids will be going "I best not say gay as an insult, because the Education Secretary said so!"

If kids used gay as an insult in my classroom, I'd tell them off.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I agree with Marketing 100%.

It's like with hate crime - it's not any worse than normal crime. Somebody being whacked over the back of the head for being gay is just as bad as somebody being whacked over the head for wearing brown shoes and yellow trousers or for the nice new iPhone they are listening to music on.

The same can be said for insults in the playground. On a more general note though, I would also add that these days schools and teachers seem to struggle (or simply dont want to realise) the large difference between actual bullying and banter... especially when it comes to those with 'special needs' who are treated like glass.