98 comments recovered from the Pushshift database.
LeaveAMsgAfterBeepHerded by đs · July 9, 2020, 9:50 a.m. · 1 reply
When it was being flung by pastors on TV my whole childhood and they said homosexual like it was a curse, with the same ferver as sodomite yeah, it was offensive. But that didnât make it into the dictionary at that time.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 10:53 a.m.
Exactly
grimsquid · July 9, 2020, 9:57 a.m. · 2 replies
I believe this is due to how the word is often used, as in referring to someone as homosexual/homosexuality in general in a derogatory manner, not because homosexuality is offensive in and of itself.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 9:59 a.m. · 1 reply
That seems pretty unlikely to me since people would use other slurs if it was being used in a derogatory manner. Plus, I do not see this as being any new occurrence and don't think it would just suddenly be reflected in the dictionary now.
grimsquid · July 9, 2020, 10:04 a.m. · 4 replies
The adjective homosexual has been decreasing in use in published, edited text since the late 20th century, and is now sometimes considered offensive. The term has largely been replaced by gay, which can describe sexual or romantic attraction or activity between men or between women; by lesbian, which applies only to the latter; or by inclusive abbreviations such as LGBT ("lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender").
The adjective homosexual has been decreasing in use in published, edited text since the late 20th century, and is now sometimes considered offensive
Yeah, but thats what i belive OP and most people are getting at/understand here.
Now homosexual is offensive, because the queer community doest like it, since is a clear defined term. They rather want to use Gay, since that has been used as an "umbrella term" these days and not everyone who calls themselves Gay is actually Gay(homosexual).
And it is laughable that it is considered offensive now after all these centuries we had to face adversities for it.
grimsquid · July 9, 2020, 10:34 a.m.
If that is actually why it was updated then yeah, I agree, it is unfortunate. But I have heard "homosexual" used offensively plenty of times, so I was hoping that it was referring to. Noting the date of the update, though, you are probably correct :(
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 1:08 p.m. · 1 reply
Was the 'offensive" label added recently? If so could you please link or copy?
NeroAD_ · July 9, 2020, 1:32 p.m. · 1 reply
I dont know, you would have to ask OP about that.
I assume it was, since as far as i remember it hasnt been there before. I have to say i do not check the definition of homosexual on there all the time, so im going of memory here.
So the question still stays, why is it offencive now, when it wasnt before.
Hmmm, hadn't thought about it that way; still, homosexual is more a scientific term just like heterosexual and bisexual.
Also, homosexual is an umbrella term for gay men and lesbian women - that is, people who have an attraction/relation with members of the same sex. How is it offensive in that respect?
I think it's the "queer" activists that might find it offensive because it implies an attraction based on sex and not simply gender. Well, that's unfortunate, because sex based attraction is a reality.
grimsquid · July 9, 2020, 11:21 a.m.
I do agree with you. The word itself is not literally offensive but sometimes it is used in the same way as a slur (usually by the religious) because it is far more... socially acceptable, I guess, to say "homosexual" than f- or d-. It can be a way to dehumanize, like instead of saying gay people they're now just homosexuals.
griffxx · July 9, 2020, 12:31 p.m.
25 years ago an Ad Hoc committee of White Trans women and White Queer women decided perceived Her men who Transitioned could call themselves Lesbians. Since that time they made Lesbian an umbrella term with 12+ variants of Lesbians, half of whom are Male. With the Female cohort are some form of Bisexuals that still fuck MEN.
This what we call Lesbian Erasure.
I make sure when I'm talking the Lesbian Community I'm in, with the true definition of Lesbian I use the following:
Biological Female women who are Same-Sex attracted Homosexuals.
I make it very clear that we are the known inheritors of the Lesbian Archives.
This is what has been now; especially since the Trans tribal drumbeats are ushering a new demand: to redefine Sexual Orientations through the lens of Genders.
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 12:43 p.m.
Thank you.
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 12:42 p.m. · 1 reply
It is. The explanation is just a bit further down on the webpage.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 12:52 p.m. · 1 reply
Their "explanation" isn't much of an explanation
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 1:01 p.m.
How so?
xsabrix · July 9, 2020, 10:55 a.m. · 1 reply
ARE YOU ACTUALLY KIDDING ME
How is the term "homosexual" offensive? Why aren't more homosexual people outraged about this??
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 10:56 a.m. · 2 replies
Because it's woke. It's homophobia but "woke"
xsabrix · July 9, 2020, 11:05 a.m. · 1 reply
It's ridiculous. How did we go from pearl-clutching christian extremists being offended over homosexuality to "woke" "liberal" queer activists being offended over homosexuality?
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 11:09 a.m.
A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet (probably not the exact quote but you get it)
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 12:41 p.m.
I debunked this yesterday, please see my comment and check the whole webpage.
xvmeadar · July 9, 2020, 11 a.m.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
If someone says Iâm a homosexual, how is that offensive? Itâs like them saying âgee, youâre tallâ, or âyou have green eyesâ, or whatever. It is what I am.
justsara77 · July 9, 2020, 11:10 a.m.
The root of the word says it ALL!!! Even in chemistry you use words such as, âhomogenousâ to describe being alike, or of the same. Same with the word, âheterogenousâ to describe a difference.
This is SIMPLE stuff here and HOMOsexuality is not offensive and if it offends some so much, then stop looking for us HOMOâs and stay away. I am very OK with being ignored.
Doglovincatlady · July 9, 2020, 11:26 a.m.
Uhhhh so what is MW's "inoffensive" definition to homosexuality, then? this is bananas.
twenty_s0mething · July 9, 2020, 11:34 a.m. · 2 replies
itâs considered offensive because the term is derived from a DSM disorder. as in homosexuality = mental disorder.
Itâs far more appropriate for a non-gay person to use the term gay as opposed to homosexual.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 11:41 a.m. · 1 reply
I don't think it originated from dsm disorder since it's very much just a biological word and not a diagnosis. Also it isn't related to that anymore.
Even so, clinical diagnoses aren't offensive. If so, words like "depression" would be offensive.
twenty_s0mething · July 9, 2020, 12:02 p.m. · 2 replies
so your sources are âi dont thinkâ? nice.
thatâs your opinion not a factual statement that clinical diagnosis isnât offensive when there is a social stigma against mental illnesses. it could definitely be perceived as offensive to say same-sex attraction is a mental disorder which is why it was removed from the DSM.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 12:09 p.m.
Yes over 47 years ago homosexuality was deemed to not be a mental illness, so now is clearly the time to recognize that homosexuality might be seen as offensive bc it once was a mental illness... Ya bullet proof argument.
No need to be an asshole here fam. There are nicer ways to say "prove it" on something that everyone here is clearly speculating on since Webster's has not given any explanation yet
StrictlyDykely · July 9, 2020, 1:03 p.m.
Iâve been an out âhomosexualâ for 24 years and prefer homosexual to the most popular offensive-to-some term âQueerâ
I have never met another homosexual who is offended by the word âhomosexual,â only the idea that homosexuality was considered a mental illness at some point, but very few people in North America would think that now.
Homosexual is actually much more descriptive than any of the other terms. I think it only offends trans people these days, and not all of them either.
floraris · July 9, 2020, 1:08 p.m. · 1 reply
No, it is more appropriate to use the term homosexual, as hetero use the term heterosexuals. Since that's what we are, same sex attracted people, that's our nature. I love the word lesbian, but the more accurate term is homosexual as this represents our biological orientation. And since literal males are using the term lesbians and trying to change definition, using homosexual is the best way to specify our nature: people whose natural inclination is to be exclusely same sex attracted.
spirette · July 9, 2020, 5:23 p.m. · 1 reply
« Homosexual » was invented to pathologize same-sex attraction.
The term has medical connotations and I hate it personally.
I cringe every time straight people in my country call gays and lesbians « homosexuals »
Itâs THE word used to talk about us.
You will never hear the word « lesbian » on tv/radio. Speaks volumes.
And lol at you using a false equivalence.
Heterosexuality has never been pathologized.
Like, come on, I really have to explain that?
floraris · July 9, 2020, 5:28 p.m.
Oh please, this isn't a logic argument. Homosexuality just means same sex attraction, like heterosexuality means opposite sex, and bisexuality means two sex attraction. The fact that homosexuality was one in the past considered bad, doesn't make it a bad word. It's literally what we are, it's our natural orientation. Like heteros are hetero, and bisexuals are bisexuals.
PinkPrincessPeachy · July 9, 2020, 12:11 p.m.
Hey um it's really offensive to be homosexual what's your opinion on trans people maybe you're one of the good ones . /s
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 12:38 p.m. · 1 reply
This is the explanation:
"The adjective homosexual has been decreasing in use in published, edited text since the late 20th century, and is now sometimes considered offensive. The term has largely been replaced by gay, which can describe sexual or romantic attraction or activity between men or between women; by lesbian, which applies only to the latter; or by inclusive abbreviations such as LGBT ("lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender")."
If you check the definition of "gay" it is also marked as 'sometimes disparaging or offensive'
It looks like they are saying that the word homosexual is usually replaced with gay or lesbian in common language. I don't think they are trying to replace sex with gender in the definition. At least not yet.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 12:49 p.m. · 1 reply
I don't think this really gives much of an explanation though. It just says that homosexuality isn't used often and is sometimes offensive. Then in a separate sentence/thought talks about how gay is now used as slang for it.
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 12:59 p.m. · 2 replies
I read the dictionary all the time. It is very common for certain words to be labeled "sometimes offensive". If the actual definition of homosexual had been changed they would have left the current definition up and added a new definition (e.g. one that replaces sex with gender). That way if you look up a word you can see current uses as well as historical uses. I read a lot and historical definitions come in handy.
It specifically says that the word homosexual has been falling out of favor (and replaced with gay/lesbian) since the 20th century i.e. before the current trans madness.
I am personally very worried that these kinds of changes will happen in the near future, but it has not happened yet.
Edited to add: What do you think the explanation is?
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 1:25 p.m. · 1 reply
I read your explanation that is copied from their website. And it does not give a reason, but rather restates that it is sometimes offensive.
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 1:26 p.m.
What I mean is, why do you think they added "offensive" to the definition?
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 4:13 p.m.
They already changed the lesbian definition to cater to gender instead of sex, so... your âifâ is wrong, it already happened.
revengeoftheroosters · July 9, 2020, 12:52 p.m. · 3 replies
Iâm pretty sure theyâre referring to when Christians go âone of those homosexualsâ in a derogatory fashion.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 12:57 p.m. · 2 replies
Why does it just now get added to the definition then?
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 1:04 p.m. · 1 reply
Do you know it was added recently?
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 1:06 p.m. · 2 replies
I don't check everyday, but it definitely was not there the last time I looked.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 1:07 p.m.
Also they said "now" giving the sense that it wasn't offensive before...
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 1:11 p.m. · 1 reply
So there is no formal way to know when it was changed.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 1:22 p.m. · 1 reply
Unless you know of an archive of some sort. I do think the context clues are very obvious here. And even if this is not a current change (while I am still fairly certain it is) your point isn't really proven
Homophobia in America has only recently become considered inappropriate. But I do think the TRAs had an influence as well. They probably mass reported it.
WildwoodFlowerPower · July 9, 2020, 2:27 p.m.
Yeah, that's how I see it as well, especially when they pronounce it as "hoe-mah-seck-shull." But this might be an American thing.
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 4:07 p.m.
Okay but the word âgayâ is also considered âdisparaging and offensiveâ... what word should we use?
dykelyfe666 · July 9, 2020, 12:55 p.m. · 3 replies
It's labeled offensive for the same reason men throwing around the word "females" to describe women is offensive. Most people are not so embroiled in the queer theory/gender identity debate to need to use the word homosexual because they understand what the words lesbian and gay mean.
If someone called me their "homosexual" friend/colleague/etc that would def be weird to me and would make me think they were either just clueless or were homophobic.
the_queen_maker · July 9, 2020, 1:04 p.m.
If someone called me their "homosexual" friend/colleague/etc that would def be weird to me and would make me think they were either just clueless or were homophobic.
True đ€Ł
hashtaglovewins · July 9, 2020, 2:50 p.m.
Yeah let's not overreact here. Even basic descriptors of our sexuality are used pejoratively all the time.
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 4:06 p.m. · 1 reply
Okay but did you look at the definition for gay? Thatâs also considered âdisparaging and offensiveâ. Itâs not just the term homosexual.
dykelyfe666 · July 9, 2020, 4:29 p.m. · 1 reply
For the same reasons though. I remember those campaigns in the early aughts trying to get kids and teens to stop saying "that's so gay" as an insult.
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 5:06 p.m. · 1 reply
So.. again... what words do we use then if you personally find these words so offensive (you literally have dyke in your username so)
Also, yeah in the early days... why suddenly on July first this year is it offensive? Why now? I HIGHLY doubt itâs those reasons. Are you just trying to make excuses? Because they donât even describe it in the way you describe, so you yourself are making assumptions.
dykelyfe666 · July 9, 2020, 5:41 p.m. · 1 reply
I never said I was offended. I am saying homosexual, lesbian, and gay can be used in a way meant to offend people but that doesn't mean they are always used that way.
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 5:43 p.m.
And my point is, why would you think thatâs the reason itâs now labeled offensive when it doesnât say that why? Can you think of other descriptive words that have been used against people in a derogatory way, that are now listed as offensive? I know a few every day words people throw at each other in the same way, but I donât see them suddenly getting deemed offensive. And without explanation.
Also, who exactly is it offending? Straight people who are afraid of being seen as gay? Being gay and getting called a homosexual in a derogatory way... I canât say Iâd get offended because itâs literally true lmao
beereadit · July 9, 2020, 1:59 p.m. · 1 reply
You know before this madness started I remember being envious of the new generation growing up in a better word than I did (gay marriage just passed and people seemed more respectful)... But here we are... Homosexuality is now offensive!
Turns out generation Y got the best deal after all.
thc64 · July 9, 2020, 2:39 p.m.
I've been thinking the same for a few years now.
SxdCloudCariBeanQueen · July 9, 2020, 2:48 p.m. · 2 replies
Not gonna lie this makes me want to kill myself
watermelonkiwi · July 9, 2020, 3:18 p.m.
Hang in there. hugs
Rhapsodys-BabeGold Star · July 9, 2020, 4:14 p.m.
Iâm here for you, though girl. Hold on
watermelonkiwi · July 9, 2020, 2:57 p.m.
HOLY SHIT.
dmoose57 · July 9, 2020, 3:08 p.m. · 1 reply
Hahahahah bet it doesnât say that under the definition of transgender
Hahaha I bet it doesnât say this under the definition of transgender. I am somewhat offended
catsuneko · July 9, 2020, 3:25 p.m. · 2 replies
If you guys think this is bad look up the definition of the word "lesbian". A lot of online dictionaries have been changing the definition to make it intentionally more vague I shit you not. Even Google is doing it! The definition on Google used to be "homosexual female" but I noticed they've changed it recently.
Irvinol · July 9, 2020, 4:19 p.m. · 1 reply
Well now it's 'homosexual woman', so I'm not sure if that's the change you're referencing or if there's something else.
catsuneko · July 9, 2020, 4:38 p.m. · 1 reply
I could've sworn the definition was different (no mention of the word "homosexual") not too long ago, like when it was still June, and I assumed that was Google's way of "celebrating Pride" and being ~inclusive~. I swear at one point it was something vague like "a woman attracted to other women" that had no mention of sex or homosexuality, unless I'm conflating Google's definition with a definition I saw somewhere else. Plenty of other dictionaries online have made their definitions vague, presumably to be woke and not upset males.
Irvinol · July 9, 2020, 4:44 p.m.
I haven't looked up the definition of 'lesbian' much in the past, but I've always presumed the default definition was homosexual woman.
Sad to see other dictionaries loose their grounding in reality.
GaiaMoore · July 10, 2020, 12:44 a.m.
Merriam Webster is just embarrassing itself now.
They can't even spell correctly. Apparently "gay" means a sexual or "romatic" attraction to same sex.
Really? A famous dictionary resource can't bother with spell check?
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 4:08 p.m.
Itâs annoying that people think this is an overreaction just because the term homosexual in itself is offensive, but they changed the definition for âgayâ too! Itâs also âdisparaging and offensiveâ so what word should we use exactly if theyâre all offensive??? Is it really an overreaction or are people under reacting?
watermelongrapes · July 9, 2020, 4:39 p.m. · 1 reply
I remember a while ago that there was a sexist definition associated with a technical female term, someone brought attention to it and the dictionary actually changed it. I wonder if we could do that here. Email and message merriments Webster dictionary and alert the lgbt press.
I realize that the reason they added this is probably because of trans, but we donât have to say that when objecting to the definition. I think most people will not be pleased that the dictionary definition of homosexual is now considered offensive. Iâm not sure theyâll put the TRA connection to it.
gayfool23 · July 9, 2020, 5:18 p.m.
I just sent them an email!
Pixilight · July 9, 2020, 4:52 p.m.
(âŻÂ°âĄÂ°)âŻïž” â»ââ»
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 5:29 p.m. · 1 reply
I just gotta add something else because something just isnât sitting right with me with how people are responding to this.
Fact: the definition was updated July 1st, 2020.
Yes, âhomosexualâ and âgayâ have been used in derogatory, offensive ways. Thereâs no doubting that. But these words are also descriptive words. They literally describe men and womenâs attraction to the same sex.
The words âvaginaâ and âgirlâ are used by men to dehumanize, âemasculateâ, and âoffendâ other men all the time. These are also descriptive words, with real meaning, that just describe reality. Do these have the same ânow sometimes offensiveâ under their definitions? Letâs be honest, the word vagina might, but not because itâs been used in a derogatory way...
MY POINT: it doesnât exactly say why itâs now sometimes considered offensive. You can assume, we can assume. But what I know is these are somehow the only words that are saying this now.
lilRexRocco · July 9, 2020, 6:27 p.m. · 1 reply
Hi, Iâm on mobile and was wondering where you can see when the definition was updated?
debilitare · July 9, 2020, 7:26 p.m.
Scroll down to where it says âlast updatedâ, you have to scroll a bit
LezAura · July 9, 2020, 6:59 p.m.
I absolutely adore when homophobic people call gay people "snowflakes", but they are offended by our existence, and they go and do shit like this.
personalautonomy · July 9, 2020, 8:43 p.m.
How is this real? It saddens me too much. Unfortunately it's an easy to point to example that should show the average person the insanity, right?
ZombieSazzaBisexual · July 9, 2020, 9:19 p.m. · 1 reply
How the actual fuck is homosexuality âoffensiveâ, is it because itâs defined as same-sex, is that whatâs offensive?!
SkreebonkTheBeehonk · July 10, 2020, 8:31 a.m.
Because it excludes trans people and God forbid we go 8 seconds without including them because most are men and display male aggression. Me: Ahh a spider bit me so I killed him! TRA: How do you know the spider was a HE? What if xe had gender issues? Me: I mean sure but that's not the point of my story so why are we discussing this?
FlanJamSpamgirls only · July 10, 2020, 6:57 a.m.
NOW its offensive? Hasn't it always been offensive to homophobes? But seriously, the fact that homosexuality is considered offensive now is a big red flag.
When it was being flung by pastors on TV my whole childhood and they said homosexual like it was a curse, with the same ferver as sodomite yeah, it was offensive. But that didnât make it into the dictionary at that time.
Exactly
I believe this is due to how the word is often used, as in referring to someone as homosexual/homosexuality in general in a derogatory manner, not because homosexuality is offensive in and of itself.
That seems pretty unlikely to me since people would use other slurs if it was being used in a derogatory manner. Plus, I do not see this as being any new occurrence and don't think it would just suddenly be reflected in the dictionary now.
Usage of Homosexual
Yeah, but thats what i belive OP and most people are getting at/understand here.
Now homosexual is offensive, because the queer community doest like it, since is a clear defined term. They rather want to use Gay, since that has been used as an "umbrella term" these days and not everyone who calls themselves Gay is actually Gay(homosexual).
And it is laughable that it is considered offensive now after all these centuries we had to face adversities for it.
If that is actually why it was updated then yeah, I agree, it is unfortunate. But I have heard "homosexual" used offensively plenty of times, so I was hoping that it was referring to. Noting the date of the update, though, you are probably correct :(
Was the 'offensive" label added recently? If so could you please link or copy?
I dont know, you would have to ask OP about that.
I assume it was, since as far as i remember it hasnt been there before. I have to say i do not check the definition of homosexual on there all the time, so im going of memory here.
So the question still stays, why is it offencive now, when it wasnt before.
Hmmm, hadn't thought about it that way; still, homosexual is more a scientific term just like heterosexual and bisexual.
Also, homosexual is an umbrella term for gay men and lesbian women - that is, people who have an attraction/relation with members of the same sex. How is it offensive in that respect?
I think it's the "queer" activists that might find it offensive because it implies an attraction based on sex and not simply gender. Well, that's unfortunate, because sex based attraction is a reality.
I do agree with you. The word itself is not literally offensive but sometimes it is used in the same way as a slur (usually by the religious) because it is far more... socially acceptable, I guess, to say "homosexual" than f- or d-. It can be a way to dehumanize, like instead of saying gay people they're now just homosexuals.
25 years ago an Ad Hoc committee of White Trans women and White Queer women decided perceived Her men who Transitioned could call themselves Lesbians. Since that time they made Lesbian an umbrella term with 12+ variants of Lesbians, half of whom are Male. With the Female cohort are some form of Bisexuals that still fuck MEN.
This what we call Lesbian Erasure.
I make sure when I'm talking the Lesbian Community I'm in, with the true definition of Lesbian I use the following:
Biological Female women who are Same-Sex attracted Homosexuals.
I make it very clear that we are the known inheritors of the Lesbian Archives.
This is what has been now; especially since the Trans tribal drumbeats are ushering a new demand: to redefine Sexual Orientations through the lens of Genders.
Thank you.
It is. The explanation is just a bit further down on the webpage.
Their "explanation" isn't much of an explanation
How so?
ARE YOU ACTUALLY KIDDING ME
How is the term "homosexual" offensive? Why aren't more homosexual people outraged about this??
Because it's woke. It's homophobia but "woke"
It's ridiculous. How did we go from pearl-clutching christian extremists being offended over homosexuality to "woke" "liberal" queer activists being offended over homosexuality?
A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet (probably not the exact quote but you get it)
I debunked this yesterday, please see my comment and check the whole webpage.
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
If someone says Iâm a homosexual, how is that offensive? Itâs like them saying âgee, youâre tallâ, or âyou have green eyesâ, or whatever. It is what I am.
The root of the word says it ALL!!! Even in chemistry you use words such as, âhomogenousâ to describe being alike, or of the same. Same with the word, âheterogenousâ to describe a difference.
This is SIMPLE stuff here and HOMOsexuality is not offensive and if it offends some so much, then stop looking for us HOMOâs and stay away. I am very OK with being ignored.
Uhhhh so what is MW's "inoffensive" definition to homosexuality, then? this is bananas.
itâs considered offensive because the term is derived from a DSM disorder. as in homosexuality = mental disorder.
Itâs far more appropriate for a non-gay person to use the term gay as opposed to homosexual.
I don't think it originated from dsm disorder since it's very much just a biological word and not a diagnosis. Also it isn't related to that anymore.
Even so, clinical diagnoses aren't offensive. If so, words like "depression" would be offensive.
so your sources are âi dont thinkâ? nice.
thatâs your opinion not a factual statement that clinical diagnosis isnât offensive when there is a social stigma against mental illnesses. it could definitely be perceived as offensive to say same-sex attraction is a mental disorder which is why it was removed from the DSM.
Yes over 47 years ago homosexuality was deemed to not be a mental illness, so now is clearly the time to recognize that homosexuality might be seen as offensive bc it once was a mental illness... Ya bullet proof argument.
No need to be an asshole here fam. There are nicer ways to say "prove it" on something that everyone here is clearly speculating on since Webster's has not given any explanation yet
Iâve been an out âhomosexualâ for 24 years and prefer homosexual to the most popular offensive-to-some term âQueerâ
I have never met another homosexual who is offended by the word âhomosexual,â only the idea that homosexuality was considered a mental illness at some point, but very few people in North America would think that now.
Homosexual is actually much more descriptive than any of the other terms. I think it only offends trans people these days, and not all of them either.
« Homosexual » was invented to pathologize same-sex attraction.
The term has medical connotations and I hate it personally.
I cringe every time straight people in my country call gays and lesbians « homosexuals »
Itâs THE word used to talk about us.
You will never hear the word « lesbian » on tv/radio. Speaks volumes.
And lol at you using a false equivalence.
Heterosexuality has never been pathologized.
Like, come on, I really have to explain that?
Oh please, this isn't a logic argument. Homosexuality just means same sex attraction, like heterosexuality means opposite sex, and bisexuality means two sex attraction. The fact that homosexuality was one in the past considered bad, doesn't make it a bad word. It's literally what we are, it's our natural orientation. Like heteros are hetero, and bisexuals are bisexuals.
Hey um it's really offensive to be homosexual what's your opinion on trans people maybe you're one of the good ones . /s
This is the explanation:
"The adjective homosexual has been decreasing in use in published, edited text since the late 20th century, and is now sometimes considered offensive. The term has largely been replaced by gay, which can describe sexual or romantic attraction or activity between men or between women; by lesbian, which applies only to the latter; or by inclusive abbreviations such as LGBT ("lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender")."
If you check the definition of "gay" it is also marked as 'sometimes disparaging or offensive'
It looks like they are saying that the word homosexual is usually replaced with gay or lesbian in common language. I don't think they are trying to replace sex with gender in the definition. At least not yet.
I don't think this really gives much of an explanation though. It just says that homosexuality isn't used often and is sometimes offensive. Then in a separate sentence/thought talks about how gay is now used as slang for it.
I read the dictionary all the time. It is very common for certain words to be labeled "sometimes offensive". If the actual definition of homosexual had been changed they would have left the current definition up and added a new definition (e.g. one that replaces sex with gender). That way if you look up a word you can see current uses as well as historical uses. I read a lot and historical definitions come in handy.
It specifically says that the word homosexual has been falling out of favor (and replaced with gay/lesbian) since the 20th century i.e. before the current trans madness.
I am personally very worried that these kinds of changes will happen in the near future, but it has not happened yet.
Edited to add: What do you think the explanation is?
I read your explanation that is copied from their website. And it does not give a reason, but rather restates that it is sometimes offensive.
What I mean is, why do you think they added "offensive" to the definition?
They already changed the lesbian definition to cater to gender instead of sex, so... your âifâ is wrong, it already happened.
Iâm pretty sure theyâre referring to when Christians go âone of those homosexualsâ in a derogatory fashion.
Why does it just now get added to the definition then?
Do you know it was added recently?
I don't check everyday, but it definitely was not there the last time I looked.
Also they said "now" giving the sense that it wasn't offensive before...
So there is no formal way to know when it was changed.
Unless you know of an archive of some sort. I do think the context clues are very obvious here. And even if this is not a current change (while I am still fairly certain it is) your point isn't really proven
Homophobia in America has only recently become considered inappropriate. But I do think the TRAs had an influence as well. They probably mass reported it.
Yeah, that's how I see it as well, especially when they pronounce it as "hoe-mah-seck-shull." But this might be an American thing.
Okay but the word âgayâ is also considered âdisparaging and offensiveâ... what word should we use?
It's labeled offensive for the same reason men throwing around the word "females" to describe women is offensive. Most people are not so embroiled in the queer theory/gender identity debate to need to use the word homosexual because they understand what the words lesbian and gay mean.
If someone called me their "homosexual" friend/colleague/etc that would def be weird to me and would make me think they were either just clueless or were homophobic.
True đ€Ł
Yeah let's not overreact here. Even basic descriptors of our sexuality are used pejoratively all the time.
Okay but did you look at the definition for gay? Thatâs also considered âdisparaging and offensiveâ. Itâs not just the term homosexual.
For the same reasons though. I remember those campaigns in the early aughts trying to get kids and teens to stop saying "that's so gay" as an insult.
So.. again... what words do we use then if you personally find these words so offensive (you literally have dyke in your username so)
Also, yeah in the early days... why suddenly on July first this year is it offensive? Why now? I HIGHLY doubt itâs those reasons. Are you just trying to make excuses? Because they donât even describe it in the way you describe, so you yourself are making assumptions.
I never said I was offended. I am saying homosexual, lesbian, and gay can be used in a way meant to offend people but that doesn't mean they are always used that way.
And my point is, why would you think thatâs the reason itâs now labeled offensive when it doesnât say that why? Can you think of other descriptive words that have been used against people in a derogatory way, that are now listed as offensive? I know a few every day words people throw at each other in the same way, but I donât see them suddenly getting deemed offensive. And without explanation.
Also, who exactly is it offending? Straight people who are afraid of being seen as gay? Being gay and getting called a homosexual in a derogatory way... I canât say Iâd get offended because itâs literally true lmao
You know before this madness started I remember being envious of the new generation growing up in a better word than I did (gay marriage just passed and people seemed more respectful)... But here we are... Homosexuality is now offensive!
Turns out generation Y got the best deal after all.
I've been thinking the same for a few years now.
Not gonna lie this makes me want to kill myself
Hang in there. hugs
Iâm here for you, though girl. Hold on
HOLY SHIT.
Hahahahah bet it doesnât say that under the definition of transgender
Can confirm. It doesn't.
definition of transgender
I am offended!
Hahaha I bet it doesnât say this under the definition of transgender. I am somewhat offended
If you guys think this is bad look up the definition of the word "lesbian". A lot of online dictionaries have been changing the definition to make it intentionally more vague I shit you not. Even Google is doing it! The definition on Google used to be "homosexual female" but I noticed they've changed it recently.
Well now it's 'homosexual woman', so I'm not sure if that's the change you're referencing or if there's something else.
I could've sworn the definition was different (no mention of the word "homosexual") not too long ago, like when it was still June, and I assumed that was Google's way of "celebrating Pride" and being ~inclusive~. I swear at one point it was something vague like "a woman attracted to other women" that had no mention of sex or homosexuality, unless I'm conflating Google's definition with a definition I saw somewhere else. Plenty of other dictionaries online have made their definitions vague, presumably to be woke and not upset males.
I haven't looked up the definition of 'lesbian' much in the past, but I've always presumed the default definition was homosexual woman.
Sad to see other dictionaries loose their grounding in reality.
Merriam Webster is just embarrassing itself now.
They can't even spell correctly. Apparently "gay" means a sexual or "romatic" attraction to same sex.
Really? A famous dictionary resource can't bother with spell check?
Itâs annoying that people think this is an overreaction just because the term homosexual in itself is offensive, but they changed the definition for âgayâ too! Itâs also âdisparaging and offensiveâ so what word should we use exactly if theyâre all offensive??? Is it really an overreaction or are people under reacting?
I remember a while ago that there was a sexist definition associated with a technical female term, someone brought attention to it and the dictionary actually changed it. I wonder if we could do that here. Email and message merriments Webster dictionary and alert the lgbt press.
I realize that the reason they added this is probably because of trans, but we donât have to say that when objecting to the definition. I think most people will not be pleased that the dictionary definition of homosexual is now considered offensive. Iâm not sure theyâll put the TRA connection to it.
I just sent them an email!
(âŻÂ°âĄÂ°)âŻïž” â»ââ»
I just gotta add something else because something just isnât sitting right with me with how people are responding to this.
Fact: the definition was updated July 1st, 2020.
Yes, âhomosexualâ and âgayâ have been used in derogatory, offensive ways. Thereâs no doubting that. But these words are also descriptive words. They literally describe men and womenâs attraction to the same sex.
The words âvaginaâ and âgirlâ are used by men to dehumanize, âemasculateâ, and âoffendâ other men all the time. These are also descriptive words, with real meaning, that just describe reality. Do these have the same ânow sometimes offensiveâ under their definitions? Letâs be honest, the word vagina might, but not because itâs been used in a derogatory way...
MY POINT: it doesnât exactly say why itâs now sometimes considered offensive. You can assume, we can assume. But what I know is these are somehow the only words that are saying this now.
Hi, Iâm on mobile and was wondering where you can see when the definition was updated?
Scroll down to where it says âlast updatedâ, you have to scroll a bit
I absolutely adore when homophobic people call gay people "snowflakes", but they are offended by our existence, and they go and do shit like this.
How is this real? It saddens me too much. Unfortunately it's an easy to point to example that should show the average person the insanity, right?
How the actual fuck is homosexuality âoffensiveâ, is it because itâs defined as same-sex, is that whatâs offensive?!
Because it excludes trans people and God forbid we go 8 seconds without including them because most are men and display male aggression. Me: Ahh a spider bit me so I killed him! TRA: How do you know the spider was a HE? What if xe had gender issues? Me: I mean sure but that's not the point of my story so why are we discussing this?
NOW its offensive? Hasn't it always been offensive to homophobes? But seriously, the fact that homosexuality is considered offensive now is a big red flag.