Originally Posted by docman:
“I don't ever excuse the use of the F word. But when Gay men use the turn between each other, as with other such words within communities, it is emphatically NOT the same as when someone outside that community uses it against one of them.”
I disagree completely. For me, the context behind the use of the word (or other slurs, be they homophobic, racist or whatever else) will always matter most. If a word is said in jest between two friends, it's said in jest. If it's said maliciously, your race, gender, sexuality etc is irrelevant, it's still malicious.