Changes

::RobS, I was addressing a statement that said "The term was invented to impugn and slander opponents of homosexuality." I don't know whose statement that was. I provided a citation that supports some things that some people have said. But please look clearly at what it does and does not support.

::RobS, I was addressing a statement that said "The term was invented to impugn and slander opponents of homosexuality." I don't know whose statement that was. I provided a citation that supports some things that some people have said. But please look clearly at what it does and does not support.

:::The statement has been made that the term "homophobia" is used as a tool by gay-rights advocates to further their cause. Well, I think Herek can be fairly described as a gay-rights advocate and indeed, here is a gay-rights advocate saying "His term became an important tool for gay and lesbian activists, advocates, and their allies." OK.

::The statement has been made that the term "homophobia" is used as a tool by gay-rights advocates to further their cause. Well, I think Herek can be fairly described as a gay-rights advocate and indeed, here is a gay-rights advocate saying "His term became an important tool for gay and lesbian activists, advocates, and their allies." OK.

:::It does ''not'' say that it was '''invented for that purpose.''' Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but the passage I quote from Herek does '''not''' say that.

::It does ''not'' say that it was '''invented for that purpose.''' Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but the passage I quote from Herek does '''not''' say that.

:::And it says that it was a tool "'''for''' gay and lesbian activists, advocates, and their allies." It does '''not''' say that was a tool for "impugning and slandering" opponents. Slander, in particular, is a pretty strong word with a reasonably specific meaning.

::And it says that it was a tool "'''for''' gay and lesbian activists, advocates, and their allies." It does '''not''' say that was a tool for "impugning and slandering" opponents. Slander, in particular, is a pretty strong word with a reasonably specific meaning.

:::Please be clear about the distinction between these statements. They are not the same.

::Please be clear about the distinction between these statements. They are ''not the same.''

::::*"It has been a useful propaganda tool which gay-right activists have used to advance their cause."

:::*"It has been a useful propaganda tool which gay-right activists have used to advance their cause."

::::*"It has been widely used by gay-rights activists to impugn their opponents."

:::*"It has been widely used by gay-rights activists to impugn their opponents."

::::*"It was invented to impugn opponents of homosexuality."

:::*"It was invented to impugn opponents of homosexuality."

::::*"It was invented to impugn and slander opponents of homosexuality."

:::*"It was invented to impugn and slander opponents of homosexuality."

:::::[[User:Dpbsmith|Dpbsmith]] 05:39, 7 May 2007 (EDT)

::::[[User:Dpbsmith|Dpbsmith]] 05:39, 7 May 2007 (EDT)

==Proposed compromise==

==Proposed compromise==