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And I suppose people began using the term "gay" in a derogatory sense, connotating uselessness and/or stupidity, as an extension of the first definition, "excessively happy"?No. People began using the word "gay" in a negative sense when "gay" became an adjective describing homosexual behavior. It's quicker and easier than saying "That's so homosexual" and comes with a built-in ambiguity to justify its continued usage. Maybe that kid didn't realize he was poking fun at homosexuals - the discrimination becomes subconscious - but any homosexuals who heard him knew exactly what was going on.That said, a suspension is a bit heavy-handed; recognition of what I've outlined and a relative slap on the wrist (purely metaphorically speaking, of course) probably would have sufficed - and actually taught him the appropriate lesson, rather than just punishing him without really explaining why he was being punished.
And I suppose people began using the term "gay" in a derogatory sense, connotating uselessness and/or stupidity, as an extension of the first definition, "excessively happy"?
No. People began using the word "gay" in a negative sense when "gay" became an adjective describing homosexual behavior. It's quicker and easier than saying "That's so homosexual" and comes with a built-in ambiguity to justify its continued usage. Maybe that kid didn't realize he was poking fun at homosexuals - the discrimination becomes subconscious - but any homosexuals who heard him knew exactly what was going on.
That said, a suspension is a bit heavy-handed; recognition of what I've outlined and a relative slap on the wrist (purely metaphorically speaking, of course) probably would have sufficed - and actually taught him the appropriate lesson, rather than just punishing him without really explaining why he was being punished.
