Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!auvm!MITVMA!POSTMASTER From: POSTMASTER@MITVMA (Undetermined origin c/o Postmaster) Newsgroups: bit.listserv.gaynet Subject: 'Homosexual' Message-ID: <9002071752.AA18993@ATHENA.MIT.EDU> Date: 7 Feb 90 16:59:00 GMT Sender: Gaynet Distribution List Reply-To: "86730 LAWRENCE.BITNET" Lines: 16 Approved: NETNEWS@AUVM Gateway X-Vms-To: IN%"gaynet@ATHENA.MIT.EDU" Comments: E: Mail origin cannot be determined. Comments: E: Original tag was -> FROM: "Love thine enemies and confuse the hell out of them."@ATHENA.MIT.EDU X-To: gaynet@ATHENA.MIT.EDU Hi all. I have a really simple question, but it's bugging me. I got flamed on another list for using the term "homosexual" to refer to gay men and lesbians in general, being told that the word was "oppressive." Now, I've been out for two years now and involved in lgb issues since then but I've *never* heard anyone object to the word "homosexual" except in that it sounds clinical (which, admittedly it does). Does anyone else object to this word? I'd also like to know WHY anyone does, if so, because the fellow complaining to me has not provided any sort of real explanation of it. Anyone out there able to help? Thanks in advance... --Bill