Is 'gay' one of the "bannable in any context" words now?

Based on this report, I don't understand why Daelia was banned. Especially considering that the context of the usage is not mentioned. If it is the case that this word is now unconditionally unacceptable, it would be nice if this was added to the ToS as the usage of the word itself in a neutral context is not "homophobic". If this is clearly stated in the ToS though, obviously there is no margin for misunderstanding.

 

It's in the TL; DR version of the rules
"Don't use racial or homophobic slurs in all chat or smegas."

 

So how should we call people that are attracted to the same sex?
How in the world is it "homofobic" to call someone gay.

Are gay people even offended when someone calls them "gay" ?? i mean, they are Gay right?
There are "gaybars" , people say they have a gayfriend geez we even have a GAY PRIDE and thats perfectly fine.
I think its different with "HOMOPHOBIC SLUR" but the word gay just seems so.... normal to describe a gay person.

*Edit, i do have gayfriends so i know a bit how they think about it

**Edit Gay doesnt even get censored in the forum, as u can see the word Flag - L does get censored

***Edit I wonder how many people reporting these type of slurs are actually offended by it or are just reporting for the sake of reporting

 

The person in the report that Doritos referenced used the word in a context that carried a negative connotation to it saying "dats gay" implying that for something to be gay is for it to be inferior. Yes, there are people that take major offense to this and is why it is not allowed whatsoever.

 

Personally I think people just report other to get them banned. There's no way someone gets offended by half of the reports, if not 75% of the reports I see here.

 

You'd be surprised. (hint: tumblr)

 

In that screenshot you weren't referring to a person as gay, but to something else (I don't know what, seeing as it wasn't really specified). That could be considered homophobic slur.

Also, the ToS state that homophobic SLUR is not allowed. Referring to a person as gay is not slur. I doubt you'd get banned for saying things like 'yeah I have a friend called Mike, he's gay'.

TL,DR: It depends completely on how, where and when the word is used. It basically comes down to the opinion of the GMs.

 

Eeehm its not me in the screenshot but i get ur point.

ok i get ur point about context.

So if people say something is really "girlish" in a demeaning way, implying its somehow inferior to be a woman, will that person get banned for Sexism? Nope they wont, why is that? Because yes, there are people offended by sexism.

 

If it is demeaning and sexist and they made a report, depending on the severity of the comment they could be subject to a ban since it's technically against the rules.

 

Saying something is "girlish" is describing something. it's not necessarily sexism just because something suits one gender more than another- obviously, for example, Pink is a "girlish" color. If it was used in a way to be sexist, then yes I could see it being an issue. But in itself, it's not used like that.

Slurs are words that are insults or used to be insulting. By saying something is gay (or saying someone is gay and not referring to their sexual orientation), it's demeaning. Some people do get offended by it. Using gay to mean anything other than someone's sexual orientation (or the original meaning of "Cheerful" ) is considered to be using it as a slur- which is why it's against the rules.

 

Sorry, I just browsed over the names quickly, and seeing as your forum name is similar to the one in the screenshot I assumed it was you. My bad.

 

It pretty much comes down to the personal opinion of the responding GM.

 

Gay means both homosexual/lesbian and happy. I don't think the definition of homophobia is by saying "that is so gay", - it is more of a newer generation's line. If used to insult or whatever that's rude would be something completely different.

 

Think about this for once: what if society was all backwards in an alternate universe, the majority of people are gay but the minority are heterosexual and just like in our universe where gays have been oppressed where now in this universe straight people have had the same history of harassment and oppression. So what if being gay was more normal and common? The reason why I am asking this is because people often get offended for being called gay but you rarely hear someone being offended for being called straight even though logically it should go both ways.

I think it has to do with which sexual orientation that has been the oppressed minority for centuries and since this happen to be the homosexual orientated people in the world we live in. "Gay" was considered bad and wrong from many ways thus giving the word another hateful meaning than what it literally stands for. Now doesn't matter if you are heterosexual, homoesexual, bisexual or if you don't have any sexual orientation at all meaning your not drawn to any sexes people should be able to love whoever they want in my opinion.

So I guess it's up to a GMs personal opinion on the situation and in what way it was told. If for example it was negatively put by perhaps in any of these ways: aggressive/harrasing or oppressive. Or in a unharmful way and not a condescending way.

 

Holy jesus, it's not that complicated... If people would read the goddamn T&C.

The words defamatory and ethnically (or otherwise) objectionable are key here. The word gay in itself isn't ethnically or otherwise objectionable on its own. The context is what makes it so by giving it a defamatory (told you this word was key) meaning. Everything that has been said to compare is deemed unnecessary with just this: No matter what, if what has been said by a person is meant in a defamatory (look, again!) or objectionable way, then yes, it's banworthy. This discussion is more about why people don't read the T&C... You're supposed to do so! Look at this!



Now some personal stuff about it... I don't see why people are so quickly offended by it, especially if they're not being referred to as gay in a defamatory (oh, again!) way, but mostly just something that happened or an object. I myself am gay (kind of, somewhere in the middle if you know what I mean) and never really get offended by it, unless it's explicitly pointed at me in a defamatory (omg again this is crazy) manner. I actually use the word myself somewhat frequently. I only ever got truly offended by someone for being bisexual (or homosexual, whatever, same stuff) once in my 10 months here, because he explicitly pointed it at me in a defamatory (this word is very important!!1!1!) way... We're all (supposed to be) 13+ years old here, let's act like it, guys.

 

I don't think you have to tell someone that calling someone gay in an disparaging or offensive manner is against the ToS, that should be obvious to everyone. It's common sense after all.

 

if you would of read the whole screenshot instead of running to your friends defense, you would see that they were having a completely unacceptable conversation in FM. If they want to talk like that they can go into private chat or w/e not have that kind of conversation out in the open in one of the busiest places on the server someone is bound to be offended. The way they used the word "gay" had a negative connotation to it, Which is not permitted.

 

I was pointing out that this discussion is superfluous if people were to do what they are supposed to do by reading the T&C, and that there's a distinct difference to be made (which is clarified in the T&C, which you all should read for God's sake).

 

No no no! I wasn't referring to you when I posted that, I it was meant for everyone in general. I do agree with you on both points.

 

Oh, my bad, sorry. o-o