What is your take on the term "straight" to describe heterosexuality?

[Beware the Beast Man]

I have to admit, I'm not too fond of the term, because it brings up the connotation that homosexuality is somehow "crooked," wrong or abnormal. I still use it from time to time for convenience's sake, though. I know it's only a word, and it's the use of the word that determines its intention, but I am just curious how others felt.
What's your take?

[China_cat]

1. I feel the same as you do

and try not to use the term at all.

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. I feel sorta awkward when I use it

for exactly the reasons you outlined.

In the last couple years, I've been using "het" more often, though.

[NMMNG]

3. It doesn't really bother me

I actually avoided using "homosexual" for some time as it originated as the DSM diagnosis when being gay was considered a mental disorder. However I got over that and now use it again. I won't use "fag" though, as it is too often used as a derisive term by the reich-wing.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. For me "straight" used to mean

not stoned...as in..."Hey! Maintain and act straight...the cops are here!"

[Beware the Beast Man]

5. Exactly, I use straight as a term for sober.

Conversely, "fruitcake" is a pet term I use for someone who is off their rocker, not homosexual. Is that right? Probably not. :)

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. IMO too much time is wasted in being

current in politically-correctspeak

[Beware the Beast Man]

10. I definitely agree.

It's more of a personal preference thing. :thumbsup:

[tjwmason]

6. I use it.

As do most other gays I know.

I know its origin, but I have to say that it's never bothered me - but then I've even been know to use the old phrase "bent as a nine-bob note" to describe gays (including myself).

I tend to treat offence as residing in the person expressing, rather than the term used.

[Heidi]

8. Ya know what's weird?

I can't remember the last time I described someone's sexuality, including my own. Now that I think about it, I see this just as you do, BtBM. :thumbsup:

[Omphaloskepsis]

9. I use it..

I don't refer to my gay friends as "crooked." I usually say gay. It works for my friends and me.

They refer to them-self as gay..