Homo-centric colloquialisms have been getting all sorts of press today.
First came CBS News’ Andrew Cohen’s harangue against “homo” throwing conservative, Mort Marks. Now Out wonders who can carelessly toss a “gay”. As you can see, most of the magazine’s readers disapprove of the misuse of the G-word, not the mention “fag”.
There’s no telling, then, how those masses will react to British singer Katy Perry’s new single, “UR So Gay”…
Aside from the deplorable text speak, some may be offended by Perry’s inappropriate utterance. Consider this convo between Perry and Out‘s Jason Lamphier:
JL: You have this song, “Ur So Gay,” which is a kiss-off to your ex-boyfriend. What’s the story there?
KP: It stems from heartbreak, like most good songs. You know those relationships where it takes like nine months to dump someone? It was like that. I was home last winter, and my roommate and I were having dinner. I didn’t have a chorus for the song, but I played her the verse. I said, “I don’t even know what to say. He’s just so gay.” She’s like, “Why don’t you just say that?” I said, “Thank you, that’s what I’m gonna say.” It’s about guys with guy-liner that use flat irons.
JL: Do you think he’s actually gay?
KP: No, he’s not.
JL: So why’s that the first adjective that popped into your mind?
KP: Umm… Well, it’s just a saying. It’s like calling someone a “biiitch.” You’re like, “Hey, biiitch!” It just felt appropriate.
JL: Do you think the song will be offensive to your gay listeners?
KP: I think when everyone hears it, they’ll laugh. It’s very funny and positive and kitsch. It’s what Barbra Streisand would be singing if she were my age, I’d hope. I’m getting good energy from it.
…
JL: Are you concerned about this single being controversial because you’re reinforcing gay stereotypes?KP: No, I think gay people have a wonderful sense of humor.
How about we take this to the next level?
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For the record, Perry claims her usage of the word “gay” comes negative connotation free. Oh, and she hates the phrase “fag hag,” queerly enough…
Becca
This Poll is So Gay!!!
The whole thing does not even pass the “so what” test. I really have no problem with people, primarily kids, saying something is “So Gay.” It’s said in a non-hurtful manner. It’s just a new colloquialism like “Oh My God!” Everyone needs to put on their Big Girl Panties and deal with it.
*steps off her big gay soap box*
hells kitchen guy
You’re so gay
You probably think this song is about you
You’re so gay (you’re so gay!)
you probably think this song is about you
don’t you
don’t you
John Santos
I’m sick and fucking tired of straight people believing they can get a pass because they “think” they aren’t being offensive. That stupid cow knows she’s using it as an insult and she can try to spin it all she wants, but it will not change the fact that by her own admission, it’s meant as an insult. And rags like Out don’t help the situation by giving these people a forum to justify their stupidity. And then people wonder why I only buy and listen to music by LGBTQ artists.
John Santos
Here’s what the dumb cow has to say when she’s not speaking to a gay magazine:
SN: What inspired the lyrics for the song “Ur So Gay?”
KP: When you realize after you’ve been dumped or whoever you were with, you’re like, ‘You’re kind of retarded. You’re stupid. You wanna dump me? I wanna write a song about you.’
http://www.lansinglowdown.com/article/1024
Retarded? Stupid? I guess those are just sayings too. One’s that gay people find humorous.
Kesh
I can’t find an e-mail address for her or any one of importance at Capitol reocords.
I think we need to start a “UR So done” campaign and get all these huge retail outlets to stop making money off this shit.
Can anyone help?
Beccaisgay
Becca’s gay ass comment is so gay!
whywhyzed
I’m so God damn sick of people using “that’s so Gay” for stupid… I don’t want to hear Gay people use it, or straight people use it… and I’m sick of people trying to tell me what I have the right to get pissed off about…
Katy Perry can go fuck herself. Maybe her boyfriend left her cuz she’s a homophobic, and probably racist cow.
John
gay people have a wonderful sense of humor.I agree. Some of my gay friends have it. So nice.
a gay on findbilover.com
thatssogay
Unbunch your panties Santos. Saying “You’re so gay” is like saying “you’re so lame.” same thing, No one is saying that the person is homosexual, just that they suck balls. and not in the way tha gay people suck balls either.
Man up cowboy, learn to take a hit. Quit being such a little pussy.
Nicholas
“You’re so gay” is different than “Oh my God” in that “Oh my God” is an exclamation, not a derogatory phrase. When someone says, “You’re so gay!” it’s putting a negative connotation on being gay. You don’t hear people walking around saying, “You’re so straight!” — people believe that being straight is positive and normal.
By the way thatssogay, not only are you making gay enemies, but also feminist enemies. “Quit being a pussy?” Very mature. I’m sure your mother is proud.
Dom
Hey, Kate!
I only say this with the most politically-correct of intentions:
UR Such A Cunt!
John Santos
This Poll is So Gay!!! The whole thing does not even pass the “so what†test. I really have no problem with people, primarily kids, saying something is “So Gay.†It’s said in a non-hurtful manner. It’s just a new colloquialism like “Oh My God!†Everyone needs to put on their Big Girl Panties and deal with it. *steps off her big gay soap box*
Becca, clearly being a woman and no doubt a faghag and quite possibly alone; I’m sure you believe using gay as an insult is not hurtful. However, you’re no doubt the first to get her tampon in a bunch when when a man uses the word cunt.
You need to deal with the fact that gay people are tired of being America’s doormat and will no longer put up with straight people making us the butt of their homophobic jokes.
Now crawl back to Mollygood and replace your lips firmly on Cord’s ass, before someone drops a house on you.
John Santos
“You’re so gay†is like saying “you’re so lame.†same thing,
So why don’t you same lame if that’s what you really mean, shitrhead? You use gay as an insult and that is your intention, no matter how you try to spin it.
Unbunch your panties Santos. Man up cowboy, learn to take a hit. Quit being such a little pussy.
I find those comments funny coming from an anonymous poster who’s getting their thong so wrapped up, that they’re wearing it backwards; all because I pointed out that a popular singer is using a homophobic phrase in her song.
Now, crawl back to Ms. Perry’s camp and tell her to go fuck herself and her rationalizations of her homophobic comments.
God, no wonder her man left her. She seems like a clinging, needy cow.
Gregg
Not negative? How could anyone possibly make that claim? No one says “you’re so gay” in a positive context.
The colloquial use of the phrase is indeed offensive as there are no positive connotations, and it plays off of supposedly common negative qualities of gay people. Namely – difference, queerness, freakishness, effeminacy, weakness. I am not saying that those are indeed really gay traits. I am saying that straight society wishes to paint us that way so that we are less terrifying to them. The use of “that’s so gay” is just one more way to demean, belittle and dehumanize us.
And to those idiots who are saying we should just “man up” and take it: there is a big difference between being strong enough to deal with discriminatory language, and being a doormat. Saying “man up” here really means “take it lying down” which is not strong or “manly” at all.
Becca
Wow! I opened a can of worms and I’m glad I did because everyones comments were very interesting to read.
First, I AM Gay. Not a FagHag or a straight women as some have said. I don’t find this expression offensive nor do not use it. Offensive language would be things like “F***ing Faggot!” Now that is said with hate and I certainly find that offensive.
I absolutely understand what people are saying about the LGBT Community being America’s doormat. Remember, I’m Gay too. However, we need to focus on what matters. Marriage Equality, Anti-Discrimination and Hate Crimes Laws. That’s where I focus my energy. I’m just not offended by this expression.
Again, great comments everyone and Happy Thanksgiving.
John Santos
See, Becca, that’s a great comment. Why didn’t you write that, instead of your first post? I appreciate your thoughts on this, thank you.
Becca
John Santos,
Why didn’t I write it like that instead? Because i usually only open my mouth to change feet. LOL
Paul
The thing that I don’t get is why people would even use a phrase that is potentially offensive, especially something that is going out to such a wide audience. If you’re using a word that might offend people, you should either use it in a context where you know it’s not offensive (faghags using the word faggot) or use it with the intention to offend. Otherwise you’re just opening up a whole can of worms. If you do it, and you haven’t thought about the possible consequences, then all the justifications you make after the fact won’t help. It’s called taking responsibility, and more people should do it.
UndercoverPants
What about ”cocksucker”? I call assholes cocksuckers because they’re pussy-ass cuntwads and I mean it in a bad way even though when I knob-slobber it’s like finding god. Know what I mean?
Pegleg Pete
“So why don’t you same lame if that’s what you really mean, shitrhead?”
JOHN SANTOS! How DARE you say that? By saying “lame” you’re deeply offending people who are crippled, and they have a lot of problems!
I know people like you – closet nub-lovers. You secretly want amputees to crawl into your bed and rub their stumps all over your naked body. It’s okay! Just come out and I’ll let you fondle my hooks.
Steve Hansen
Over a period of years, I was very confused by the various words that were used to denote people of African descent. We need a word or two in the language that can be used in polite company to reference those people as a group. But, every couple years, the previously accepted word was declared to be impolite, and a new word had to be learned and used. Many times, I had difficulty communicating because I did not know which word was considered acceptable to my immediate audience. That communication difficulty went on for at least 30 years, that I can remember.
We need to have words in the language to reference homosexual persons. At least two are needed so that one can be used in mixed company and by non-gay people, and the other can be used occasionally in jest, or to make a point. “Gay” to be the word that we have settled on for use in polite or mixed company. “Faggot” seems to be the word that is reserved for gay people in gay company when poking fun at each other.
The issue at hand is not whether certain words should be used. It is whether they should be used in derogatory or hurtful ways.
If we declare “gay” to be off limits for use by non-gay people, then another word will have to be selected to reference people who have homosexual orientations. Then, that other word will become suspect, and we are off to the vocabulary races again.
It is better to just let the word be used, and accept that there is a legitimate need to have such a word in the language. When it is occasionally used as a derogatory, the intent of the speaker is the real issue, not the word itself. Rejecting one word and substituting another does not address that real issue.
John Santos
Why didn’t I write it like that instead? Because i usually only open my mouth to change feet. LOL
Becca, that’s a good line. I’m going to have to steal it.
John Santos
By saying “lame†you’re deeply offending people who are crippled
And by writing crippled, you’re being deeply offensive to people who have a disability.
Whether or not Americans like it, many of the LGBTQ community are PC. I don’t know if that’s good, or bad, but it’s never bothered–nor hampered–me. I refer to people as they prefer to be referred to, no skin off my ass. You want “queer”? Fine I’ll call you queer. You like “gay” better? Fine, I will call you gay. I personally like homosexual, there’s no ambiguity about that word. But I don’t like it when straight people throw around words that can be anti-gay slurs and I would think they would respect that. Clearly, many straight people don’t.
And the only thing worse than getting eaten by jaws, is getting fingered by Capt. Hook.
John Santos
If we declare “gay†to be off limits for use by non-gay people, then another word will have to be selected to reference people who have homosexual orientations. Then, that other word will become suspect, and we are off to the vocabulary races again.
Steve, no one has an issue with the word gay. I have an issue when straight people use the word gay as an insult. The debate here is about the phrase, “That’s so gay.” It is a phrase that is used by straight people to mean something, or someone is less–less than a man, less than human, less than equal. It’s a slur.
Truman Capote said, “As we all know, a faggot is a homosexual gentleman who has just left the room.”
My receptionist is bi-racial, (inter-racial is considered an offensive term, so I don’t use it,) and three weeks ago, when her father who is black, (he prefers black to African-American,) was in the office he said something that my receptionist found ludicrous and she said, “Oh nigger please!” Her dad laughed, she laughed and I laughed. Even though I was welcomed into the joke, I would never refer to either of them as nigger, because it is not my word to use and we all understand and accept that.
Last week, The BF came in a started gushing about how Betty declined to come back to work for Daniel, even after Mr. Mead, while on his death bed, asked her to keep an eye on Daniel. I looked at him and said, “What a queer.” He laughed, I laughed and my receptionist laughed. But she would never use that word at me, even in jest, because she knows that it is not her word to use.
It can be complicated sometimes, but if people would just accept that not everyone feels comfortable hearing traditionally anti-whatever slurs from people who are not part of that group and respected their wishes, I think we’d all be better off.
Everyone has the freedom of speech, but no one has the freedom to purposely offend–unless the group listening expect to be offended, like the audience of an Andrew Dice Clay show, or those who listen to Ann Coultre.
I don’t need to buy Ms. Perry’s album, nor do I need to read an interview in OUT, where she defends her use of an anti-gay slur.
Sara
In my humble opinion, the word fag is NEVER ok, especially considering the origin.
Back in the day, faggot actually referred to a pile of sticks or kindling. Harmless. However, at some point those piles of sticks were used to lynch homosexuals by burning them alive. Eventually the word faggot transfered to homosexuals.
Faggot is not a harmless word. It represents the horrible, merciless murder of homosexuals.
kellygrrrl
Can you imagine the uproar if someone sang:
“You’re so retarded”
or
“You’re f’ing Schizo”
or
“Your ADD bugs me”
???????????????????????????????
It’s just really not OK to talk like this. If we want the middle schoolers to learn that, then we need to set an example.
Michael
to John Santos:
Convenient how you have no issues calling people: “stupid”, “cow”, “cunt”, etc…
Your hate filled rants don’t help your argument much.
As for your comment: “I only buy and listen music made by LGBTQ artists – is not only rampant bigotry making you the same as what you hate but I imagine a pretty rotten music collection.
DavidDust
Pegleg Pete is making me SO fucking HOT right now…….gimme some nub Daddy!!!
Tonic
Using GAY when you mean STUPID is NOT okay, just as it wouldn’t be if you used ASIAN, WHITE, BLACK, or any other slur. The claim that one means “stupid” and not “homosexual” is ridiculous…as the origin of the slang is equating gay with BEING stupid/lame/whatev. It’s time we all start having some self-respect and holding ourselves and others to standards that reflect that.
bryan
Has it occurred to her that guys turn gay the minute they sniff her?
Molly
<>
Sorry but this is utter rubbish. The word faggot came from the English public school system where junior boys had to run errands for the older boys including lighting their bedroom fires at night…hence the bundle of sticks.The word was shortened to fag and was used as a verb as well as a noun e.g. “Young Smedley Brown fags for me”.
Because boys will be boys in all male boarding schools the junior boys often had “other tasks” to perform so “faggot” then became a word for a “bottom”. It was not used a slur.
Your urban myth about sticks to make pyres to burn gays is just that …a myth.
Molly
dammit….it missed out the quote…I was referring to the post about the “merciless murder of homosexuals” by burning!
Molly
…As for your comment: “I only buy and listen music made by LGBTQ artists – is not only rampant bigotry making you the same as what you hate but I imagine a pretty rotten music collection….
Now that’s funny!
Al
It seems clear from the interview that she meant no harm by the phrase. I believe she doesn’t hate gay people.
But it shouldn’t be solely about the person’s intent. I think I’d like “gay” to mean a person attracted to members of his own sex. After all, as people already said, no one would accept the phrase, “you’re so Black.” I mean, imagine her shrugging that one off with, “Oh, Black people have a sense of humor!”
My problem with her using the phrase is that she does it in a popular song; many people will hear it. She may help it become the latest irritating catchphrase, if it isn’t already. People who don’t even know gay people exist may be exposed to this new definition, and think that “gay” just means “icky,” “lame,” or “effeminate.”
Nicole Sanchez
The first time I heard on of Katy’s songs was in my car right now. I decided to read the lyrics because they sounded a little silly to me. That’s when I came across one of the titles of her song, UR so Gay. This turned me off right away. I know some people think we are getting a little silly with the PC stuff, but if you listen to anybody use the statement, “You’re so gay.” or “That’s so gay,” you know they are using it in a negative way. It has always bothered me, but I won’t jump down someone’s throats when they say it. I do ask my friends not to use it, and funny enough all of my friends make it a point not to use “gay” in that way. We have run around saying things like “You’re such a pussy.” “You’re so gay.” “Don’t be such a girl.” for ages without thinking what we are really doing. When we say those things it is like saying it’s ok to be prejudice, sexist, and sometimes even racist. It’s time to change this world, and going around saying gay this gay that is not ok. Gay people should not stand for it, and there straight counterparts should not either.
That’s my spin on the situation. Katy is fulling herself or just completely ignorant if she does not believe that she used “gay” in a negative way. When she is speaking to her gay fans she is telling them it’s not negative, and when she’s speaking to her “other” fans she is telling them that her ex was “retarded” (nice) and stupid….which instead of saying these words she said “gay.” Thanks Katy. I will not be aiding in your CD sells one bit. My friends won’t be either. Your lyrics really had no substance to begin with. I’m glad you got out of your religious strong hold (assuming it was so bad in the first place), but you are still spreading around prejudice.
Nicole Sanchez
Excuse my grammar mistakes all….I just got out of my Comm final, and my writing skills went out the door. 😉 I don’t want anybody taking this opp to say, “Forget what Nicole has to say, she can’t even use correct grammar.” 😉
Nicole Sanchez
**Edited**
The first time I heard on of Katy’s songs was in my car right now. I decided to read the lyrics because they sounded a little silly to me. That’s when I came across the title of her song, UR so Gay. This turned me off right away. I know some people think we are getting a little silly with the PC stuff, but if you listen to anybody use the statement, “You’re so gay.†or “That’s so gay,†you know they are using it in a negative way. It has always bothered me, but I won’t jump down someone’s throat when they say it. I do ask my friends not to use it, and funny enough all of my friends make it a point not to use “gay†in that way. We have run around saying things like “You’re such a pussy.†“You’re so gay.†“Don’t be such a girl.†for ages without thinking what we are really doing. When we say those things it is like saying it’s ok to be prejudice, sexist, and sometimes even racist. It’s time to change this world, and going around saying gay this gay that is not ok. Gay people should not stand for it, and their straight counterparts should not either.
That’s my spin on the situation. Katy is fooling herself or just completely ignorant if she does not believe that she used “gay†in a negative way. When she is speaking to her gay fans she is telling them it’s not negative, and when she’s speaking to her “other†fans she is telling them that her ex was “retarded†(nice) and stupid….which instead of saying these words she said “gay.†Thanks Katy. I will not be aiding in your CD sells one bit. My friends won’t be either. Your lyrics really had no substance to begin with. I’m glad you got out of your religious strong hold (assuming it was so bad in the first place), but you are still spreading around prejudice.