I find it hard relating the insults like 'gay' and 'faggot' to homosexual people.
I have to admit growing up in the playground the word 'gay' was a standard put down amongst us kids. But it was just another word amongst an range of other silly words, idiot, moron, twat, wanker etc etc.
Growing up and realising the implication of using that word in an insult I've made an active effort to stop using it. But still, hearing it doesn't make me think 'oh that person is implicating that other person is a homosexual and hence not as good as us'. I think of it as just another word to put someone down with no real meaning.
It sucks but sometimes we have to look at who is using that word in what context, and not just at the words. Jonah Hill is not some closet homophobe using his power to degrade their rights. He was in a heavily agitated situation and resorted to an instinctual vocabulary of insults.
The fact he has to apologise and explain himself is ridiculous and a kick in the face to all the hard work and good he's already done for their cause. It's as if we are constantly suspicious of everyone and constantly looking for a reason to doubt them.
