I posted no. Now don't everyone gang up on me... but I see it as a pop culture word. For instance, when someone says "OH MY GOD" and they use God's name in vain. Most people look past that - it's an expression.

Gay didn't always mean homosexual until quite recently in the world. That's another example of pop culture. The times are changing, and so are the words.

Fag used to be a cigarette or a cigar. Now it is a derogatory term for a homosexual male. But in other countries, the word fag is still popularly used as a term for cigarettes. The Polish side of my family has always referred to cigarettes as fags, and still do to this day.

Then you have the "You're so retarded". The "What's up my nigguh?" and so on... They are just words. If they aren't said in order to put down a gay person, then it doesn't really apply to them.

This doesn't mean someone isn't free to take offense to it. Everyone feels differently. I just think people need to learn to somewhat understand that words are just words, and look past it. I have said this term every now and then when something really crazy happens. Even most of my homosexual friends say this. I try not to say it just because I'm watching the way I speak, but I don't think it's a huge deal. less

I honestly don't feel that it's offensive. I think there are ways people can make it offensive. I have gay friends and I use that expression around them all the time and no one knows the difference. It's actually kind of funny because they use it as well. I think people at times can be a little too sensitive about things.

I get irritated if someone calls me out about saying the word "retarded". A lot of people use that expression and honestly I don't use it in an offensive way. I don't make fun of anyone or condone any type of bullying, but like I said earlier, I think people are too sensitive sometimes. Either that or they are only wanting to cause drama. less

I DO, however, personally find the "Think B4 You Speak" campaign to be somewhat offensive. Not their intentions, but their delivery. I know it's aimed at teenagers, but if they want teenagers to abandon ignorant practices and behave like adult citizens of the world, they should talk to teenagers like adults, first. I followed the campaign closely when it first came out and felt that the videos were well-intentioned, but patronizing and simplistic in tone. In my Public Health training, I was taught that this is a textbook example of a poorly-planned advocacy campaign, because it doesn't reach out to those that PERFORM the unwanted behavior, but rather cultivates a community among those that already disapprove of the usage of "that's so gay." It has good results for LGBT/allied communities, fostering feelings of accomplishment, but doesn't really change the undesired behavior among the target audience--those that say that things are "gay." I would be very interested in seeing independent external evaluation results of the campaign.

Also, I strongly suggest people look at Penny Arcade's take on the matter, I think it sums up the hetero-centric, popular (NOT LGBT advocate) response quite well, and it's hilarious.
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