keenan Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 This is a question for the moderators. In regards to an offensive thread about homosexuality that was just locked, I can't for the life of me understand why the Q word--a completely normal self-identifier in the GLBT-Q community--is banned, but somebody can post the word "fag" like it's no big deal. Can't we update the site to reflect language changes in the community? Link to comment
KG Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 This is a question for the moderators. In regards to an offensive thread about homosexuality that was just locked, I can't for the life of me understand why the Q word--a completely normal self-identifier in the GLBT-Q community--is banned, but somebody can post the word "fag" like it's no big deal. Can't we update the site to reflect language changes in the community? I wondered the same also. Like posting the abbreviated name of Richard will get "color red"...why does the word you refer to get past the filters? Link to comment
SeaBisquit Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 my thread was locked for the language that i used. i didn't mean to offend anyone. Link to comment
jengh Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I was wondering the same. I found it to be rather offensive. I guess the issue's been resolved now though. I can't say my cat's name (D1ckens), but can say that without getting the red asterisks of death? hm. Link to comment
Ellie2006 Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 A very good suggestion, Keenan. I also think that a update is warranted. Link to comment
Lucy__lou Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Agreed. I started a thread on this very topic about a year ago. The mods insist that some people find it offensive still. Even though it's a word used all throughout academia, published in peer reviewed journals and in books... ena is slow to catch on. Of all the reclaimed pejorative words I know the Q word has had the most successful reclamation and integrated into everyday language. But I think many dictionaries still define it as a pejorative, so I guess the mods here just have to play it safe. really dumb tho in my opinion. Link to comment
1WayTicket2Norway Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 But the Q word is such an unpleasant word. i would never refer to my self or any one else as being a q****. Like if i were walking down the street and some random person called me a q**** i would be really offended. but i suppose its just a word... as the saying goes: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but..." Link to comment
glegend Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I constantly get emails about my offensive language. The ones that say if this continues then I will be terminated from ENA. Even when I write words that aren't bad that come up with the red writing I get the email. I also got one for saying I hate cops. Link to comment
BellaDonna Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 The "Q word", while embraced by some, is still considered very offensive by others. It can and has been used in a negative, deragatory fashion in the past, which is why it was added to the list of words that are not allowed. Check out : link removed for a history of the word. Although it has been recently embraced by SOME members of the GLBT community, it started out as a word with negative implications, and for some it still remains just that. Link to comment
1WayTicket2Norway Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 thanks for that belladonna! i really don't like that word Link to comment
BellaDonna Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 but somebody can post the word "fag" like it's no big deal. I think ^ that should be added to the banned words list. Thanks for bringing it up. Link to comment
lady00 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Wow. I had no idea the Q word was considered offensive by some. I have friends in the LGBT community who use it all the time and none of them are offended by it. I guess there are still some people that are though and its wise to be sensitive to their feelings. Link to comment
1WayTicket2Norway Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Wow. I had no idea the Q word was considered offensive by some. I have friends in the LGBT community who use it all the time and none of them are offended by it. I guess there are still some people that are though and its wise to be sensitive to their feelings. its like a lot of african americans have accepted the N word, but to many it's still offensive. personally i would prefer to be called gay as opposed to q****. it's better to be "happy" than "strange". Link to comment
greywolf Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I hate the word homo. I'm offended by it. lol Link to comment
DN Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Generally speaking, this forum is moderated so that people who come here for help are not deterred by offensive words or terms. If, in the opinion of the moderators, sufficient number of people are offended by a word or term then we delete it or add it to the list of proscribed words even though a lot of people to whom the word is applied may not be bothered by it. It's a judgment call and we prefer to err on the side of caution - especially when there are alternate words that offend no one. Link to comment
1WayTicket2Norway Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Generally speaking, this forum is moderated so that people who come here for help are not deterred by offensive words or terms. If, in the opinion of the moderators, sufficient number of people are offended by a word or term then we delete it or add it to the list of proscribed words even though a lot of people to whom the word is applied may not be bothered by it. It's a judgment call and we prefer to err on the side of caution - especially when there are alternate words that offend no one. Amen. i totally agree with that! Link to comment
l9grl Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Q-ueer is not an offensive word! Many of us use the word with pride! Many universities have "Q-ueer studies" programs! Also, the word Q-ueer includes all forms of sexual orientation, regardless of gender, other than heterosexual. (If you are not heterosexual, you are "q-ueer") It is THE most inclusive term the LGBTQ community has! We have the right to use our own language and to empower ourselves by choosing our own labels. Not allowing us to use our own labels is homophobic. Do you see that? Do you understand that? especially when there are alternate words that offend no one. Look, some people are 'offended' by our very presence here! There are plenty of homophobes on this site, and many others. Allow us to use our own labels...not the freaking labels assigned to us by heterosexuals. That is not okay! Link to comment
DN Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 You are using 'us' as if you speak for all homosexuals and, from personal experience, I know that you don't. You are, of course, free to speak for yourself. Link to comment
l9grl Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I suggest that people who think that the word 'q-ueer' is somehow a 'bad word' do some reading on q-ueer theory. There is plenty of info. available online. LGBTQ - guess what the Q stands for? Link to comment
doyathink Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Q-ueer is not an offensive word! Many of us use the word with pride! Many universities have "Q-ueer studies" programs! Also, the word Q-ueer includes all forms of sexual orientation, regardless of gender, other than heterosexual. (If you are not heterosexual, you are "q-ueer") It is THE most inclusive term the LGBTQ community has! We have the right to use our own language and to empower ourselves by choosing our own labels. Not allowing us to use our own labels is homophobic. Do you see that? Do you understand that? Look, some people are 'offended' by our very presence here! There are plenty of homophobes on this site, and many others. Allow us to use our own labels...not the freaking labels assigned to us by heterosexuals. That is not okay! Then by what 'label' would you like to be called? Fag means a bundle of sticks or a cigarette (and MANY more meanings) Gay means happy Q-ueer mean not usual I don't think any of these apply Link to comment
DN Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I suggest that people who think that the word 'q-ueer' is somehow a 'bad word' do some reading on q-ueer theory. There is plenty of info. available online. LGBTQ - guess what the Q stands for?I personally know of four homosexuals who object to the word when applied to them by heterosexuals, they know that it is used pejoratively. They will use it about themselves but consider that a different thing because it isn't used to be offensive. After a show that my theatre group staged one night a number of us went to the pub. One of the couples I referenced above were there and thy happened to be wearing identical coats. Someone made a joke about it and one of the couple responded "I know - I hate it. It's so$%*^# faggy." Had anyone else said that it would have been offensive. When people post on here we neither know nor care if they are homosexual unless they say they are. If they use words some homosexuals find offensive if used by heterosexuals we are not going to inquire their sexual orientation but we will take the action we think is most appropriate. It is not because we are homophobic or have any other sort of prejudice other than trying to ensure that people are not needlessly offended. If you choose to be offended by that action that is unfortunate. But we have received too many complaints when those words are used to ignore them and do nothing. Link to comment
Ellie2006 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 ^ I understand what you're saying. I dont mean to be argumentative BUT since you said that the moderating team prefers to err on the side of caution: there are people who find it insulting when called "homosexual." They find the term even more offensive than the q-word, which is not allowed here on ENA. I guess my question is this: are you then saying that the moderating team, as a group, have decided that "homosexual" is the *only* acceptable term to address the LGBTs? Even at the risk of isolating those who find that particular term unacceptable? What I am trying to say here is NOT to demand that we be allowed to use the q-word. NOR am I trying to say that we should use words that offend people. BUT if one term is banned bc it offends one faction of people, why should another alternative be okay, if it offends another faction of people? Link to comment
1WayTicket2Norway Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 I suggest that people who think that the word 'q-ueer' is somehow a 'bad word' do some reading on q-ueer theory. There is plenty of info. available online. LGBTQ - guess what the Q stands for? i thought the 'q' stood for questioning Anyway, i think it all depends on the person's intent when they drop the q word. i know that a lot of heterosexuals that use the word derogatorily- with purpose to offend. like if they see a boy that acts a bit feminine they will go up to him and call him a q-ueer to his face. that's not right. Its happened to me loads of times. it really hurts. Link to comment
DN Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Well, we can't ban all words that describe homosexuals - that would not be feasible. And 'gay' seems to be a word that is inoffensive to most. Basically, it's a question of judgment at the time - if there are sufficient numbers of people offended by a word then it becomes unacceptable. There are black people who use the 'n' word among themselves but strongly object when it is used by others. There are a few who don't like the word 'black' but we have received no complaints when it is used here. If the word did come to be considered derogatory in general usage and we received complaints we would have to make a decision. It is impossible to make hard and fast rules about this - we have to respond as best we can by general usage and context as far as we can and attempt to uphold and protect the core function of the website. Link to comment
1WayTicket2Norway Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Maybe you could set a poll? ask users what they think? Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.