A Question of Context

[Louis VI the Fat]

Personally I find the word as offensive as a racial slur.

It's a hateful word which is used hatefully by homophobes against people who are homosexual and against other people whom they accuse of homosexuality in order to emasculate them. In this second context it is indirectly rather than directly hateful and homophobic.

In the context that Louis used it the word wasn't directly hateful but the use of it in a joke perpetuates its force as a term of hate.

These are good points.

Personally, I don't feel strongly either way. To always avoid possibly problematic words (Frog, Pom, Yank), or to allow some leeway. Both have good arguments for and against.
If people take offense, then fine, they take offense and we avoid the use of them. No point causing in needless discomfort.

[phonicsmonkey]

To always avoid possibly problematic words (Frog, Pom, Yank), or to allow some leeway. Both have good arguments for and against.
If people take offense, then fine, they take offense and we avoid the use of them. No point causing in needless discomfort.

Exactly - we aren't always going to know a priori whether something we say is offensive. There are always grey areas and differences of opinion and we should not be afraid to express ourselves naturally because that is the life blood of a discussion forum. The important thing is to be responsive to feedback and learn from our interactions with those from different cultures.

For example, while travelling in South East Asia a left-handed travelling companion of mine was made aware that he should not use his left hand for picking up food. Why? Because in that culture the left hand is used for cleaning ones private parts after using the toilet.

He could have obstinately stuck to his guns and said "well I'm left handed and I'm not from this culture so I'm not going to change (and by the way I don't use my hand for that)" but instead he was responsive to feedback and respectful of the culture he was interacting with and had a much better travel experience (I'm sure!) as a result.

[Beskar]

According to the poll, only Cute Wolf and Warman agree with your frequent and unrestricted use of the word.