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Re: Gay?
Well, Amanda, you seem to have started out okay, but I guess your anger derailed your thoughts. Are you angry at their designations, or at the people themselves because they call themselves gay? I know . . . the entire subject is confusing for a lot of folks. Politically correct language has a way of doing that to people. That's why I posted this blog the way I did.
posted by
JimmyA
on March 14, 2012 at 7:52 AM
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Gay?
Good writing. I was angry, not because they are gay, but. when they decided to call themselves gay. I always thought that was so stupid. And for lesbians, I never knew what they though they were, watta-bees? How can you be a lesbian and , never mind, I just lost my whole train of thought. Sorry
posted by
Amanda6
on March 13, 2012 at 3:05 PM
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Re:
Well, TAPS, that always seems to be a part of the problem, as it usually is in the world of politically correct language. The more they try to simplify things, the more complex they usually get! I still say gay is gay, and should basically cover everybody when referred to as a group. Thanks for the response.
posted by
JimmyA
on March 13, 2012 at 7:16 AM
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Re:
You're quite welcome. And thank you for the endorsement. It's always nice to construct a thought-provoking, somewhat opinionated blog, and have people agree with you! 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 13, 2012 at 7:11 AM
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It begins to get really confusing when one starts labeling the masculine lesbians, the feminine gay men, transgendered people and bisexuals. So we end up with LGBT communities supposedly to make it easier. But it just gets more confusing.
posted by
TAPS.
on March 12, 2012 at 7:28 PM
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I agree whole-heartedly with EVERYTHING you've said here, Jimmy. Thank you for visiting me today. Be blessed.
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on March 12, 2012 at 2:04 PM
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Re:
You mean, gay doesn't apply to females? That's the first time I've ever heard of that! Doesn't "lesbian" mean "gay female?" Hmmm . . . confusing! 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 12, 2012 at 1:30 PM
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and as far as I know gay doesnt mean female, lesbian does
posted by
Lanetay
on March 12, 2012 at 9:37 AM
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Re: Jimmy
Believe me, Nautikos, I understand the distinction, and why at times the terms may be separated ( gay would refer to a man, lesbian would refer to a woman ) But when the reference is obviously directed at the group as a whole, I still think it's unnecessary, and somewhat redundant, to say gay AND lesbian. As far as the involvement of militant feminists concerning this topic, well, that's a whole other sphere of discussion better left untouched at this moment in time! 
posted by
JimmyA
on March 12, 2012 at 7:35 AM
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Re: i have no idea....but i am sick of some of the political correctness to
Thanks, Kabu. I'm really sick of political correctness too ( I could write either several blogs on the topic, or one huge one, but I won't . . . at least not yet ). I wouldn't want to deliberately hurt anyone's feelings either, but in this particular case, there's really nothing derogatory about either title. I'm just trying to pin-point the discrepancy.
posted by
JimmyA
on March 12, 2012 at 7:28 AM
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Re:
See, FSI? I'm not the only one! I'm sure there's a distinct reason, but I still say gay should be inclusive, and left alone, when referring to a group.
posted by
JimmyA
on March 12, 2012 at 7:25 AM
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Re:
I knew someone would ultimately point that out, Sam, as a differentiation between the sexes. But still, as a group, I think gay should cover everyone! And I hope your "gay" brother is a non-lesbian! That would be really confusing!
posted by
JimmyA
on March 12, 2012 at 7:24 AM
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Jimmy
Good question! I think it came about partly because the politicization of homosexuality, the kind of in-your-face belligerent trend was driven by men, who more or less enforced the use of the word 'gay' in the public sphere. (Style directives given to journalist by editors, etc.) And 'gay' has had sexual connotations for a long time, although not necessarily homosexual. (In the 19th century, a 'gay girl' was a prostitute.)
Anyway, most people thought of men when they spoke of the 'gay' life style, for example; the ladies, who came a bit later out of the closet, found that 'gay' had pretty well been usurped by the guys. So, in a bit of me-too-ism, they reached back to antiquity, to the poetess Sappho who spent most of her life on the island of Lesbos, and who was probably 'lesbian'. And there's of course quite a bit of militant feminism involved as well...
posted by
Nautikos
on March 11, 2012 at 6:23 PM
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i have no idea....but i am sick of some of the political correctness too.
I wouldn't deliberately be hurtful to anyone; but anything, any label can be made to sound derogative or cruel if one tries.
posted by
Kabu
on March 11, 2012 at 2:35 PM
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I'm not sure why it is that way either. Shelly's guess makes sense to me.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on March 11, 2012 at 11:22 AM
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I think it differeniates between the sexes, but I really don't know for certain! Perhaps one day I shall ask my 'gay' brother, non-lesbian, what's up with the terminology! LOL! sam 
posted by
sam444
on March 11, 2012 at 11:08 AM
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