It was a phrase I used to use without really thinking about it (when I was at school, not a place replete with homosexual awareness, I'm sad to say). What snapped me out of it was when I used the phrase and a friend of mine made a comment about me being a repressed heterosexual, entirely in a joking manner. It would be fair to say that this was the moment I realised he was gay, and felt utterly tiny and ignorant. I think he thought it was funny.
It pulled me up sharp since I'd never really though of it as being offensive. It's one of those things that kids can pick up from their surroundings without really considering the meaning. I don't think that once they begin using it that you can easily disabuse them of doing so without them realising what they are actually saying. This can be hard to get across to them depending on their age and background unless you're able to talk them through what it means and why people would be upset or offended by its misuse.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2005-03-20 11:30 pm (UTC)It pulled me up sharp since I'd never really though of it as being offensive. It's one of those things that kids can pick up from their surroundings without really considering the meaning. I don't think that once they begin using it that you can easily disabuse them of doing so without them realising what they are actually saying. This can be hard to get across to them depending on their age and background unless you're able to talk them through what it means and why people would be upset or offended by its misuse.
As to how to get them to stop wi
no subject
Date: 2005-03-20 11:31 pm (UTC):rolleyes: at livejournal
And the distinction between "friends" lists and "watched journals".
Re: :rolleyes: at livejournal
Date: 2005-03-21 12:20 am (UTC)