Internet provider Telecom had some explaining to do after wagging a virtual finger at Gay Hamilton. The New Zealand native received an email warning her against using her first name. Because, you know, “gay” counts as an inappropriate word. From Telecom:
[Your email] was identified by our content filtering processes as containing language that may be considered inappropriate for business-like communication.
The content which caused this to happen was … ‘gay’ eight times, at two points each, for an expression score of 16 points.
Yikes, that’s dangerously close to technological death row.
Telecom has since apologized to Hamilton for the confusion. While they would not disclose a full list of their naughty words, they did admit that “gay” and “homosexual” “could be deemed as inappropriate for use at work.” Good thing we don’t use Telecom, huh?
Broadband provider bans Gay [Pink News UK]
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Randy
I suppose it depends upon the use of the two words. For example, I believe the word gay is used by many as a derogatory comment. “That politician is so gay.†“Homework is just plain gay.†“Getting a parking ticket is gay.†So, I could see how a company could consider frequent use of these words as a red flag, and I would support them if this is the case. Certainly, they made a mistake with good ol’ Gay Hamilton, but they apologized for that. However, I believe there is more substance to their policy then you give them credit for.
Micah
Did you know that the word “gay” is used as a derogatory comment because people associate the word negatively with “gay people”? Don’t let ’em get away with it. Think about what you’re saying, peeps.
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