Do you find the word dyke offensive?

[Sillyman]

I never personally have, but it' recently come to my attention some people seem to take offense at being called dyke or saying they look like a dyke. Have I been mistaken all these years or am I dealing with overly sensitive people?

I respect their wishes either way, I'm just looking for comment.

 

[april-wine]

I suppose it depends the context, but nope it doesn't bother me....

 

[MzChrista]

It's one of those take the power of the word for yourself things. I call myself a dyke all the time.

 

[Never]

I use the word on Lit sometimes but I've never said it. Obviously, if I'm walking down the street and someone yells it at me, it's not meant to be nice. Unless I have reason to believe otherwise, I'll assume that the person using the word is showing a rather ugly attitude. If a straight person I consider a friend uses it, I'd question their judgment. If a person identified as gay used it, it probably wouldn't bother me.

 

[Pookie]

It all depends on the intent behind the words used. Words themselves don't bother me though. However, I know some people are offended by certain words no matter how they are used by someone else. Most of that comes from the connotations they have associated with them over time.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

as with all things, context

 

[Angel]

Context Context Context!

I don't think I could ever call someone a Dyke, even in joking with someone who doesn't mind or likes it. Probably because I've always, always, always heard it used in a deragatory manner, so maybe if that changed my opinion would.

I'm perfectly comfortable using dyke as a verb though, but I blame my lesbian friends for that

 

[ExistentialLuv]

I cut my long hair off to right below my ears (kind of like Dharma's on Dharma and greg). When my brother saw it he called me a bull dike bitch. I just laughed and told him he was jealous he could not where his hair like mine. Said if you did someone might refer to you as a flame. He got more offended than me (he is straight you see). I then corrected him and told him I am more of a lipstick lesbian if truth be known bro.

 

[SilkVelvet]

I went through a stage of thinking that ineptitude on the part of male sexual partners meant I was a lesbian, (especially because my First Love was a woman). Before I discovered that actually there are men out there who can push the right buttons, I lurved the word dyke. It made me feel powerful and a sexual outlaw, swaggering around in my boots I am not really happy with the label bisexual, though I am. Feels a bit namby pamby in comparison to dyke.

 

[pollyjean]

The word dyke does not offend me.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Said it before

and i will say it again..

I myself personally do not use most of the words considered ok by those of us involved in same sex relationships...for the same reason i don't use the word *nigger*, it just was not how i was raised. Do i mind hearing it from others who use the word to refer to themselves? No, tis their right to say whatever they want. However, that does not mean i will use it or allow others to call me that. Just my 2 cents worth..

kisses
pet

 

[Netzach]

Depends where it's coming from.

Passing car full of guys.

Uh, yes.

My girlie fuckfriends?

Why, no.

 

[ExistentialLuv]

The word dyke does not offend me.

That's only because you are dating a Doo-Rag dyke
Love Ya

 

[Dick Cheyney]

I was going to use it if I ran for President (Don't Be a Dyke, Vote 4 Dick!), but I went the easy way out and got the kid elected. It's so much easier pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

 

[Etoile]

I don't find it offensive at all. I refer to myself as a "submissive dyke slutgrrl" and participate in a site called Dykewrite. It has the potential to be offensive because it's been used negatively in the past (and still is).

 

[Sillyman]

I like it as a word since I find it decriptive. A lesbian is just a woman who sleeps with other women. Dyke has a certain expression of power and a female machismo that I like. I never mean to make anyone feel bad with it.