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[olivermoss]

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This video is not against it's usage, but talks about how a lot of writers don't understand the typical usage of it or why some people find it upsetting. Note: I am in his discord and was part of the conversation he references in the video.

Comments

[muccamukk]

That's a very thoughtful and generous video.

I did get a laugh at his, "I'm not talking about slash or AO3 or any of that." Good choice, sir. Pick your battles.

But it is something I've thought about a lot with slash, especially set in the mid-20th century, not that particular slur (which frankly I'm just never going to use), but the shrapnel v. targetted conversation. I've come to feel that portraying the shrapnel is a lot more interesting for character development, and the targetted homophobia isn't usually good for much past a plot beat? Though I kinda never liked the moustache twirling, slur slinging baddies, anyway, because... not my experience of reality? But I did also grow up really sheltered.

[olivermoss]

It's narratively simple to have the homophobia be That One Guy instead of systemic. That One Guy can be overcome, put in his place, etc. Makes an neat HAE a lot simpler.

I've rarely ever heard the word outside of watching TV shows, etc. I mostly see it on patches and stuff at art pop ups, but I never see those patches on anyone's battle jackets. I don't really have experience with it, but I definitely get that slurs and other things can be very regional.

I think the word works well for establishing the setting, especially in 90s era stuff. I also think most of the time it's very easy to make it clear that's the word that was said without actually putting those 3 or 6 letters in your story. You can have it without making people came across it, and that isn't going to work for every story, but it will for the vast majority

[muccamukk]

If the problem of homophobia was That One Guy, we'd have solved homophobia by now!