More likely gays simply want a place to ***** about being gay, and/or plan gay vacations/group meetings. I couldn't care less and if enough interest is there make the forum. If they then exclude themselves from regular flyertalk activities, well, that'd be just plain dumb, IMHO.

In any case, I'd really reccommend that everyone keep the word fag out of *any* forum. It frequently IS an insult, and like ......, has an inflamatory tone, even when used between people of the same cultural group. You are guaranteed that the possibility for real offense is there, especially if used outside the gay forum, and even between gays. It's not worth the real hurt you may cause to others, just to use a risque word.

We should treat each other as if were guests at someone else home, with a base certain level of respect and courtesy. You wouldn't use such language there, and you really shouldn't use it here.

My .02 centavos.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

I've actually done a whole paper on these ebonics during college and my contention is that when it is self-used in a non-derogatory way, it's almost always a self-empowerment purpose.

Comparison: The "N" word used by black people. African-Americans sometimes use this word to address each other and themselves, but few people who are not black can now be heard saying this word.

Same for the term "F-A-G". I don't prefer the word, personally, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily bad.

------------------
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.

- Leonardo da Vinci

I probably should have done this sooner but have been away.

I don't see how in any way this topic meets the rubric of FT get-togethers, and so I will close it.

If you want to continue the discussion there are more appropriate fora to do it in.

--------
essxjay
FT Community moderator