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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mk,

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 :)

imgay lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by subo

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

why would you not say it irl

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

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

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.

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.