Because This is Important to Me:
First, let me apologize to my friends in ohgacktyoudidnt for using one of your fun posts as my platform for this. I apologize if I made anyone uncomfortable, but I really think this is a serious issue. I think that I have been branded as something I'm not because I stood up for this.
Six Teens Have Killed Themselves in the Past Three Weeks (link)
Why? Because they felt isolated and alone in the constant barrage of guilt and hate against gays. I know that we all like to have fun and make jokes, but the simple fact of the matter is that silence does not always mean acquiescence. Unfortunately, the meanings of the words we use branch out quite drastically from their original intention.
"The English word "gay" was originally non-prejudicial, and could be applied to stylish objects as well as to people; it is, for instance, used to refer to various accoutrements of the Canterbury pilgrims by Geoffrey Chaucer, e.g. the Knight's Yeoman was said to have a "gay dagerre." The word is also a close relative of the Middle French and Provençal words gaya and gai, meaning, roughly, "joyful." Occitanian poets defined their poetic craft as lo gai saber, or the "joyful knowledge," and the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche borrowed this phrase for his book, Das Fröliche Wissenschaft (1882), often translated as "The Gay Science."
Such a broadly poetic, and largely positive use of the word has faded from use in the centuries since, with its entry into political and cultural debates, whether pro- or anti-gay. This change in the word is reflected in such compound usages as gay-friendly or gay-bashing, as well as with blends such as gaydar (a homophonic pun on radar, referring to the susposed ability of gay men to detect other, possibly closeted, gay men's sexual orientation). In the early twenty-first century, the word "gay" has entered youth parlance as a synonym for "silly" or "ridiculous," a usage that some speakers insist is non-prejudicial, despite its past history of negative connotations. " HERE
So remember; The only representation we have of ourselves on the internet is our words. Lets do our best to avoid words that can cause harm to one-another because, believe it or not, there are human beings behind these usernames. And when we accidentally use words that cause harm, let's be gracious enough to recognize that, and admit our mistakes. We can still enjoy ourselves and have fun, and who knows what we may learn by opening up dialogues without pointing fingers.
Also, if you ever find yourself losing hope and feeling alone, try to remember that you aren't alone. There are many people who have been where you've been and have felt the pain you feel. I promise. It really does get better. Don't take that final step, and please get in contact with someone before you make that decision.
You can find plenty of people to talk to no matter where you live if you just click HERE Everything is confidential.
Six Teens Have Killed Themselves in the Past Three Weeks (link)
Why? Because they felt isolated and alone in the constant barrage of guilt and hate against gays. I know that we all like to have fun and make jokes, but the simple fact of the matter is that silence does not always mean acquiescence. Unfortunately, the meanings of the words we use branch out quite drastically from their original intention.
"The English word "gay" was originally non-prejudicial, and could be applied to stylish objects as well as to people; it is, for instance, used to refer to various accoutrements of the Canterbury pilgrims by Geoffrey Chaucer, e.g. the Knight's Yeoman was said to have a "gay dagerre." The word is also a close relative of the Middle French and Provençal words gaya and gai, meaning, roughly, "joyful." Occitanian poets defined their poetic craft as lo gai saber, or the "joyful knowledge," and the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche borrowed this phrase for his book, Das Fröliche Wissenschaft (1882), often translated as "The Gay Science."
Such a broadly poetic, and largely positive use of the word has faded from use in the centuries since, with its entry into political and cultural debates, whether pro- or anti-gay. This change in the word is reflected in such compound usages as gay-friendly or gay-bashing, as well as with blends such as gaydar (a homophonic pun on radar, referring to the susposed ability of gay men to detect other, possibly closeted, gay men's sexual orientation). In the early twenty-first century, the word "gay" has entered youth parlance as a synonym for "silly" or "ridiculous," a usage that some speakers insist is non-prejudicial, despite its past history of negative connotations. " HERE
So remember; The only representation we have of ourselves on the internet is our words. Lets do our best to avoid words that can cause harm to one-another because, believe it or not, there are human beings behind these usernames. And when we accidentally use words that cause harm, let's be gracious enough to recognize that, and admit our mistakes. We can still enjoy ourselves and have fun, and who knows what we may learn by opening up dialogues without pointing fingers.
Also, if you ever find yourself losing hope and feeling alone, try to remember that you aren't alone. There are many people who have been where you've been and have felt the pain you feel. I promise. It really does get better. Don't take that final step, and please get in contact with someone before you make that decision.
You can find plenty of people to talk to no matter where you live if you just click HERE Everything is confidential.