April 7, 2011
Bangkok (AFP) - The word "gay" is not a problem. However, the problems lies in the fact that people often improperly use it.
Homosexual people do not mind if you refer to them as gays. They however do mind when people use the word "gay" to mean something is "impaired", "disabled" or "dull" (as cited at http://www.yourdictionary.com).
Gays only refer to homosexuals. In the past, the word "gay" even was used to mean happy. Therefore, people should avoid using the word in a negative sense.
Fag/Faggot
Both fag and faggot are slang terms. These two words are commonly used to mock men who act in a womanly way. The words can be used to refer to gayer men only when it is done in a playful manner.
Lesbian/Lesbo
Referring to a homosexual woman, the word "lesbian means a woman dating another woman. However, the word should not be used in an accusing or insulting tone.
Lesbo is a shortened term for "lesbian", and it should not be used in an uncomplimentary way as well.
Dykes
Lesbian women are often referred to as dykes by their critics. It is a very strong, offensive word due partly to its harsh sound. It is a word of injury, attack and insult.
In the United States, the country's first gay history museum opened in San Francisco's Castro district today and features hundreds of items including Harvey Milk's megaphone, documents, a collection of sex toys and multimedia presentaions.
This gay museum is the second of its kind. World's first gay museum is in Germany (as cited at http://content.usatoday.com).
Displayed items include manuscripts and kitchen table. This is not to mention pink-framed sunglasses belonging to Harvey Milk, the first elected openly gay politician in California.
Dedicated to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders, the museum is considered as one of the great ground zeros of queer liberation.
