I heard a term being used today that just irks me. (Is that even technically a word? Irks? Sounds more like a sound to me, but whatever. Like when a car stops suddenly, locking up the brakes..."iiiiiiiiirrrrrrrkkk!" You know what I mean?)
But, I digress. As I was saying, I heard some teenagers use a term that only teenagers can get away with (mainly because teenagers are known for saying stupid things, no offense. But adults should know better than saying this, though I know plenty that do. And what gives with that?) Anyway, the teenage girls were in line in front of me at the post office (where I was in line to send yet another query out. What else would I be doing in a post office, but peddling my book? It seems like that's all I do. Not that I'm complaining. Well, I guess I am, but that's another post for another time.) and one of the teenagers said something, to which the other laughed, and said, "Oh Savannah! That's so gay!"
Ok. Hold the phone. Have I missed something? Are we not in the year 2010? The post Will & Grace/Doogie Howser is out of the closet/Adam Lambert/Ricky Martin/Glee era?? Have we not been fighting unfair rulings like prop 8 for basic equal rights for the past few years? Do we not live in a world where openly homosexual people are working in government and schools, and proving that they are every bit as educated, well spoken, and compassionate as heterosexual people?
Is it possible, that in this day and age, that people are so inconsiderate and bigoted that they still use a term like "gay" to describe something stupid? Like....really? The term gay, when used like that, is not equal to, but painfully close to being as damaging as the N-word, and we all know what word that is, and sure as sh** shouldn't be using it.
It took everything in my power to keep from pointing out how inarticulate they sounded. But I've learned as of late that nobody wants me to be their own personal morality monitor. But I was offended. Really offended. And irritated. How is it that in this day and age kids are learning to speak that way? Sadly, the answer is: Through inarticulate, bigoted, idiot parents.
Hey man, I get it. Really, I do. I grew up in a town of 500 people, where there were only two african american kids, and not a gay to be seen. In fact, I didn't even realize what gay really was until I was 15 or 16 years old, and there was a homosexual story line on One Life to Live! (Side note: Teenaged Ryan Phillipe played Billy the gay teen...so yummy. Just sayin'.) It was at that time that my (liberal) parents sat me down and explained that gay was another term for homosexual and that some people loved other people of their same sex. They said that it isn't bad or wrong and that only God himself can judge a person, so I'd better keep my thoughts to myself. They also told me that it is not my place to judge or make fun of them, unless I expect to be judged and made fun of for loving whomever I loved (who, at the time was Joey MacIntyre, but that's a story for another time...)
But I digress...the point is: I get it. People are stupid. And scared by something they don't completely understand. But using derogatory terms like "gay" to describe something stupid or dumb is just plain out dated. We live in a world where people exist together despite their sexual preference, race, religion, etc etc etc....why not go out of your way to learn a few more adjectives to describe something, rather than depending on politically incorrect terms to express yourself? Then, instead of coming across as an uneducated moron, you'll actually express yourself effectively? What a thought.
My kids have a homosexual relative. This relative is incredibly well educated, smart, kind, thoughtful, self sufficient, and in all honesty, is someone that I would leave my children with at at any time, without a second thought. He is truly one of my favorite relatives. Also, in my series, This Ominous Secret, there are two characters, Betsy and Kim, who are a gay couple. I have had a handful of friends who were homosexual, and for all I know, someday I will be the parent of a homosexual adult. (It's too early to tell now...my kids are too young.) Equal rights is a subject I take very seriously. Very seriously.
And I, for one, don't intend to ever offend my loved ones by using terms that are dripping with stupidity. Stupid teenagers...
Ok. Rant over.
Brooke Moss.
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