But what if that view is firmly rooted in the 1970s?

Well some people think the world is flat which was disproved long before the 1970s but if they want to believe it then that's up to them.

I'll never agree with them but if they want to make themselves look stupid in putting forward that opinion then I wouldn't want to stop them.

Until they start making offensive comments of course and to be honest I can't see any of those on this thread.

So far!

Based on the topic.

I think that use of language that could cause offence to the LGBTQ+ community is rife in all areas, not just rugby or sport but in every workplace or social setting.

Not that 99.9% of people actually intend to cause offence. I've witnessed and to be honest said things which could be considered offensive to LGBTQ+ such as when a colleague has worn a pink shirt said 'oh suits you sir' and have said to a friend 'your such a bender' when they have done something funny or stupid. Whilst I have said these things in jest I have no intention of offending someone who is LGBTQ+ but I can see how it could cause offence to someone listening.

Maybe it's my imaturtity, lack of understanding or just I'm a bit insensitive but it is something I personally need to work on as an individual.

It might sound stereotypical but in my extended family we have a bi-sexual, a gay and a post op transgender, they are who they are and their sexual orientation has no impact on me as they are just human beings. I have only ever judged them on your actions and personality as I judge everyone I meet.

Some of the comments on here, which seem to have been deleted and/or shut down have been disgusting, whilst everyone has their own views and opinions you should only ever post online something you would say in public and to the person's face.

I strongly belove that some people need to think about what they say or act as of it was your child/friend/family who were being targeted would you accept it as freedom of speech, I doubt it.

Intolerance and hate only leads to anger and division.

I maybe a straight man but I would break bread with anyone who is a decent human being (in my opinion of course)

Sorry if this comes across a bit preacher esc.

COYQ

I pressed esc but nothing happened?

In terms of the first question on a forum like this it is the moderator(s). Much more difficult to define elsewhere but I was only really talking about here so I'll dodge that one.

In terms of the second question I remember the great Terry Wogan always said there is no shortage of people willing to be offended on behalf of others which is undoubtedly true. Having said that I suppose it's a bit like opinions and if people want to be offended on behalf of others then let them. It doesn't mean that people have to take any notice of them and personally I seldom do.

I think we're pretty aligned on both points.

I don't go out of my way to offend anyone; but in this day and age, some people get offended at the slightest comment, innocent as it may be.

As for the moderators, I think they do a thankless task extremely well.

It’s really not difficult Quinky.  Pretty much everyone accepts that calling people a poof/bender/homo etc. is out of order and has been for some time.  It doesn’t then need other people to try and make it an attack on their civil liberties.  Whether you know why lots of people find something offensive or not, just don’t use the terms - and then educate yourself in a way that doesn’t undermine a minority group.

In some cases an affected group (usually a marginalised one) will have made it very clear they find something offensive, and it's up to the rest of us to respect that.

I'm sure you wouldn't tolerate racist behaviour even if you're not black, for example.

In the instance I quoted from my own experience, an individual complained that the nickname of a gay colleague was offensive as it pertained to him being gay. Unfortunately that gay colleague liked the nickname and asked to be called by it. Quandary?

Had it been the case that people had found out he was gay and gave him an offensive nickname, that would be wrong. But if the tables are turned? He tells people "this is my nickname, go ahead and use it".

It's so easy to simplify matters in theory, and in practice they usually are easy.

Another example: a few years back I recall a fan of one of our opponents coming on the old CAW and complaining that there was racist behaviour at the Stoop. They thought that the chants of "Uuuuugoooo" were actually monkey chants. We thought it was a ridiculous idea, but you see how people get their panties in a bunch?

And lots of people in the LGBT+ community struggled with your example Quinky.  But If you want to find outliers pls do.  I just get the impression you know precisely what the issue is but want to make it into a theoretical discussion for you own ends.  Bit sad that.

What if I'm offended at the suggestion that it's sad? What are my "own ends"?

Genuinely, I despise what society is becoming. The issue for me is that some people get offended by the slightest thing, and make a mountain out of a molehill; that means that when something genuinely offensive is said, there will be a perception of hypersensitivity. One would hope that common sense would prevail. At my age, I don't run around calling people that I don't know a "poof" or a "bender". But if a gay friend has the nickname "Queenie", what right has anyone else got to be offended on his behalf if people use it?

Yes, it is a partly theoretical discussion. Apologies if it offends you that I like to expand upon discussions - I thought that was one of the points of a discussion board.

Its simple really, in this day and age of instant offence, double standards and just general morons & idiots the best way to manage is it the following 5 point step:

1. Don't talk to strangers (they may get offended or feel racially abused)
2. Don't talk to anyone in an open public space including family/friends (they may get offended or feel racially abused or they maybe still privately LGBTQ+ ect)
3. Don't make eye contact with anyone outside of your home or at work (they may get offended or feel racially abused, also avoids the regular 'what are you looking at')
4. Don't stop and help anyone, irrelevant of race, religion, sexual orientation or even if they identifies as a vegetable (broccoli for example) you may be accused of being sexist/racist/discriminatory.
5. Don't leave the house, work from home and order your shopping for home delivery, that way you never have to see another person apart from the delivery person, minimise the risk of offence caused.


Or how about everyone just grows up and gets on with their own life, I you don't agree with another's life choice, sexuality, race, religion, hair colour, pet preference, if it doesn't directly affect you why care. 

Ive started to think that some people get "outraged" if they do not have something to get "outraged" about.