"I'm a subscriber and an active reader of Automobile Magazine. I will continue to subscribe to the magazine and encourage other car enthusiasts to do the same, but I think the derogatory use of gay is unacceptable. The January 2009 magazine has the following for the letter of the month:

Seeing the stock values of GM and Ford plummet can only leave me speculating why both companies have waited so long to bring over their economical and, dare I say, good-looking European models. Can seemingly continuous "employee discount deals" really keep a car company from falling into the depths of bankruptcy? Are the majority of American car buyers waiting until 2010 to accept the fact that small, economical, versatile cars from Europe with good driving dynamics aren't "gay"? Now seems like the logical time to make a comeback against companies like Honda and Volkswagen in the American small-car market. I won't even both to ask about diesel, since most people are afraid to use "weird pump" at U.S. gas stations (unless by accident).
Sean Black
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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I don't know if anyone else is offended by the use of "gay" in this, but I'm tired of gay being used in a derogatory way. I wrote a letter to automobile magazine letting them know that this bothers me and that I think it is inappropriate. If you feel the same, I encourage you to send them an email at letter@automobilemag.com

I do agree with some of what Sean Black had to say, but the use of gay, I think is offensive.

Have a Great Day!
Greg"

"different things bother different people. It depends on the context, who's saying it and to whom. It's like white people using the N word with a black friend. It's not cool! Unless you are black and have been a victim of racisim you can't use the n word. Not allowed.

My wife is really bothered when people say That's gay, when our straight friends and family say it in a negative way. We ask them not to use it, unless they are using it to me something Totaly HIP or fabulous. A positive adj. or adv. To transform the word into cool.

Working in schools the kids favorite put down is Fag, or Homo. The teachers don't try to stop it and it really needs to go. So I'd agree, if you see it in use, please tell the person or magazine that you feel offended, because it is a word that has been used as a slur against us and it is still hurtful to some.

Thanks."

"its sad to think that most people who use the phrase dont actually realize they are saying it. for so many people it is an unconscious choice of words. i have been trying for the last year and a half to rid vocabulary of the word "gay" in synonym for stupid. i have also started pointing it out to my friends...which is how i realized that most people don't realize they are even saying it. it has become such a staple in their vocab that they dont even realize how ignorant it makes them sound. so now i try when they say "thats so gay" i simply say "stupid. you mean stupid. not gay". at first it took a lot of people back but now they are starting to see where i am coming from and are making the effort to not say it. sure they are going to slip up at first but the more they are aware of how often they say it, the more they are starting to stop and think of a different word to replace "gay".

we just need to be persistent in getting people to find other words to describe what they are saying...and not just "thats so gay""

"Whenever anyone uses the word "gay" in the derogative, call them a tool. Only tools use "gay" when they really mean lame. Gay is not lame. Gay is hella cool. Try using gay in the positive. When you see something really nice, try saying - "that is so tight... that's gay tight." "