how do you feel about reclaiming slurs?

[Babs]

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, allow me to explain. Reclaiming a slur is someone in a marginalized group (in this case LGBTQA+ folks) using a slur that's ordinarily used as an insult (such as "faggot" or "dyke") and using it in a positive way to take the power from the word. Like, maybe one would say "she's a cute dyke" to describe someone, or "I look pretty dyke-y today". but again, they aren't using the term dyke as an insult, they use it in a positive way to take the power from the word that once helped oppress gay women, and now uses it to give gay women more power.

I'm all for reclaiming slurs but I hate when people who aren't LGBTQA+ use the slurs and use "but gay people say it, why can't I?" as an excuse because if a straight person uses it that's just giving all the negative power back into the word even if you mean it in a positive way, and it makes other straight people who might use it in a negative way think that they should say it. The same goes for white people who use the N-word and stuff like that.
What's your take on this topic?

[dirtyboxer55]

I know some gay people who say faggot but they still use it as an insult but not as in meaning gay

[Cognizant]

It doesn't bother me - I think people who get upset over someone saying a word and *clearly* don't have any malicious intent in it are whiney.

As a non-lgbt related example, I wouldn't get upset if a white dude said to someone "mah nigga what's going on"

[Karkat]

I agree entirely. I tend to use "queer", "gay", and "bitch" a fair amount. "Tranny" as well sometimes. All in positive manner, and pretty much always when describing myself. However I do feel that if someone cisgendered/not a cross dresser, drag queen, or transvestite (that is cisgender) called me tranny, and it wasn't maybe one of my close friends or someone, I'd be a little irked.

[Blood]

People can and will call each other whatever they want. It doesn't bother me. If you feel good reclaiming a slur, go for it. If not, don't.

[CharlieHorse]

the word faggot

if i was a divine universal being of power, i would smite those who used that word more than the word beautiful.

[Gamma Male]

Well, we did it with queer, and black people have more or less done it with "nigga" although I'm pretty sure it's still only black people who are allowed to say it.

Oops.

I don't really care though.

[darkangel91]

I think its stupid and insensitive to use slurs regardless of who you are. That said, what do i know - sometimes i describe sexy clothing worn by gay guys as "fag rags," although im not certain that slang is accurate. Point being, use sparingly.

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

The thing is, I tend to only use a word if it's the proper meaning of said word.
For instance, gay can be used to mean stupid or lame, but I only use it to describe myself (Becuase I can't offend myself) or use the word for it's true meaning. (We'll have a gay old time!)

Also to me, nigg* is the same as nigg**, and I would never let anyone call me that and in turn, would never call anyone else that.

[Dark Blue]

Well, we did it with queer, and black people have more or less done it with "nigga" although I'm pretty sure it's still only black people who are allowed to say it.

Oops.

I don't really care though.

I agree with people above that if no harm is intended behind the word, than who cares? Say what you want. Nigga is pretty ubiquitous in my area, white, hispanic, asian, everyone uses it.

[Forsakenbymyself]

I'm honestly against it.