I may be heterosexual, but I refuse to describe that part of me as being straight.

[Bjorn Against]

When I was growing up and I heard that someone was straight I viewed it to mean that they were free from drugs or that they followed the norms of society and did not commit criminal acts. Today the word straight is still often used in that context, but now that people talk a lot more often about each other's sexual orientations I often hear it used to describe heterosexuals.

Why do we use the same word to describe heterosexuals that we use to describe people who are free from drugs and crime? What does the use of the term straight imply about gays and lesbians?

If gay people are not straight then what are they? Crooked?

Too often we don't realize the power that our language holds. I know many of you probably use the term straight to define heterosexual people on a regular basis without even thinking about the implications that term has.

While not everyone who uses the term straight is homophobic, the use of the word straight to describe a person's sexuality is homophobic in nature. Please think about the words you use, because far too often those who want to hold others back slip their language into our culture and we don't even notice. We go on and repeat their hateful terminology without even thinking about what it means.

I am heterosexual, but I vow to never again refer to myself as being straight. Is there anyone else on here that will take that vow as well?

[dipsydoodle]

1. No

.

[Bjorn Against]

2. What do you mean no?

Are you saying no you will not vow to stop using the word straight to describe heterosexual people?

If that is the case then why do you feel such a word is a required part of our vocabulary? Do you feel it is appropriate to use a word that means the equivalent of being free from crime and free from drugs to describe heterosexual people?

[dipsydoodle]

6. Since you ask

I'm english and the origin of straight, in that context, here is the opposite of bent as Prophet 452 has pointed out below. Not too sure about "recently" - still in use as far as I'm aware.,

Apart from that shouldn't this post be in the DU Lounge ?

[Prophet 451]

10. "recently" is just personal experiance

I've not heard anyone describe being gay as "bent" in years. Might just be the circles I move in, of course *shrug*

[dipsydoodle]

11. It's age related I guess

- as would be "queer as nine bob note". Given that most youngters wouldn't recall ten shilling notes that would be equally lost on them.

The real issue here is attempts to thrust American "political correctness" on us uninivited.x(

[Bjorn Against]

13. I am not thrusting anything on you...

I am saying I REFUSE to use that term myself, why do I need your invitation to stop using homophobic language?

[dipsydoodle]

14. I was perfectly happy

simply answering the main/closing question that you asked - namely "Is there anyone else on here that will take that vow as well ?

I just didn't appreciate there could possibly be anything about the word "no", obviously meaning me personally, that you couldn't quite grasp.

[Bjorn Against]

15. Well when you respond you should expect some requests for clarification

If you say no you will not stop using the term it is perfectly appropriate for me to ask why, your response to me was an invitation for me to respond back. Don't go complaining that I am thrusting this "political correctness" (a term I absolutely hate) on you uninvited because I respond to your post.

[dipsydoodle]

16. If I was mistaken on the PC bit

then I apologise - unreservedly.

[Prophet 451]

3. I think it's because...

...gay people over here (Britain) were commonly described as "bent" until quite recently. The opposite of "bent" is "straight" of course.

[peacebird]

5. LOL! My - but that gives a whole new *twist* to the common insult of "Get bent!"

It's a phrase frequently tossed out in middle school kids here in the south.... (US)

[xchrom]

23. ''get bent'' means fuck yourself.

[peacebird]

4. i like the answer another DUer gave last year - human

not straight, not gay - just human.

We're a lot more alike than the reichtwing would have us believe. That goes for gay, straight, bi, trans, white, black, yellow, beige, brown or purple, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, Jewish, and every other flavor or variation possible. We are all human.

Our diversity is something that I cherish. It means we each bring different perspectives and points of view to every challenge, thus increasing our chances of finding solutions!

[Jed Dilligan]

7. I like using "queer for" to mean "attracted to,"

even when it's "straight." I don't know how I got started. I think it's an Anglicism.

It's all just sex, and if it's good, it's good! ;)

[Mythsaje]

8. Sorry, I'm not straight.

I'm 99.9% hetero, but I'm NOT straight. Even if at some future date I decide to stop occasionally imbibing an unapproved intoxicant, I will still never be "straight."

As we used to say. "Always forward, never straight."

[Raejeanowl]

9. No

It was probably pressed into use in this connotation by homosexuals to denote heterosexuality. Why? Practical purposes-verbal shorthand. Do you think gays really care, or is it your job to advocate for them even if they don't? I can't speak for that community, but I suspect they might have more important issues on their plate.

Do you still talk about "black" moods, "white" knights, "manly" deeds, "impoverished" language, "fat" checks, betting "handicaps," "retarded" growth, etc., despite the possibility that someone from a disenfranchised, underprivileged, or challenged group might be offended, or do you stop and bowdlerize your language at every turn?

Are heterosexuals unhappy because they're not "gay?"

Perhaps you also propose that gays accept being called "heterophobic?"

I think your suggestion is just PC semantic nonsense.

[Bjorn Against]

12. Those terms you describe have different contexts...

The terms "black" and "white" to describe good and evil has been around for centuries, and the reason that terminology came into existence had nothing to do with racism. Impoverished means poor, fat means wide, handicap means limitations, retarded means slowed, those terms can be used to describe things besides humans and they are all being used in their proper contexts in the examples you provide. The only one of those that I would have a problem with is "manly deeds" which I have never even heard anyone say before but it does have a very sexist sound to it.

The word straight has a very different meaning however, and the origins of it's use in this particular context are in homophobia.

I have a degree in Sociology so I think about these things, and I know language is important.

And by the way I HATE the term "PC". That term is so often used to justify racist and homophobic language. I am not worried about who I offend, read some of my other posts and you will see that much of my work would be considered very offensive to many. I do not want to use language which attacks minority groups however, and if you don't like the fact that I refuse to use homophobic language tough.

[Raejeanowl]

18. Who's Worried About Whom?

I wrote several paragraphs and then decided it just wasn't worth it to play semantic games with you.

I have a (also unspecified) degree in questionable-degrees-claimed-to-buttress-shaky-arguments (aka BS) detection, and I smell a young and unread person.

So here's the bottom line:

You made a statement. I think your arguments supporting it are-at best-quixotic, and your arguments specious, but you're certainly entitled to do what you wish, without anyone's approval. Disagreement does not equal homophobia, which is a term tossed around a little too lightly as an epithet. I really don't have high emotions about your decision; I just think it's not of the earth-shaking consequence you ascribe to it, or not for the reasons you present.

However, having PUBLISHED your decision, and asked for support, if you don't like not getting praise, validation and acclaim for what other people might think are grandstanding, empty gestures...tough.

[democratsin08]

17. im the greatest

thats enough for me

[Perry Logan]

19. I always took "straight" to imply that we were simply duller than our gay brothers.

As we tend to be.

[LBJDemocrat]

22. Yeah

I wasn't aware it that it implied that gays were crooked, as the poster claims. I thought it meant "conventional."

[jhrobbins]

26. Well then Perry, you should meet me - about as dull as beige paint

tweren't always the case though - it's just now the idea of having to dance until 5 am makes my teeth hurt

[ieoeja]

20. When it comes to sexuality, I am certainly not straight.

It hangs left.

And it's big. Really, really big. I mean, we're talking its own zip code here. Let me buy you another drink. :evilgrin:


However, anatomy aside I never really thought about it that way. On the other hand, others have said "straight" came about as the opposite of "bent" referencing the catcher's stance in anal intercourse. For whatever reason the pitcher has always been seen as being less gay than the catcher.

So I wonder if you have the origins for these two meanings of straight reversed. Did they perhaps start using straight as a synonym for sober to associate drug use with not being straight, i.e. drug users are gay? I really have no idea, just pure speculation on my part.

I really don't call myself anything. The only people who need to know are the guy whose been buying me drinks all night long hoping to get lucky, or the gal I've been flirting with who has to decide what she wants to do next.

[LBJDemocrat]

21. I won't join you

I'm straight. Whether that's PC or not, I don't really care.

[xchrom]

24. i find it interesting how this conversation devolved along ''pc'' lines.

how is it ''pc'' to use or not use a word like ''straight''?

i understand from previous threads that many here dislike things ''pc'' -- but this one escapes me.

and i didn't read anything in your post that made you sound ''unread'' -- as somebody trying to sound smart said.

[Bjorn Against]

25. Thank you

I was getting very frustrated with some of the responses. It is very difficult to work towards equality when you can't even point out inequality without being attacked simply for pointing it out.