I know it's a contentous issue but I don't believe the facts that you all seem to be quite happy quoting. I believe in freedom of choice. I have nothing wrong with other people's decisions and totally respect the way others choose to live their lives, I'm not looking to interfere or owt. I also happen to believe that we're all born the same and it's how we are brought up that causes us to develop a desire to sleep with people of the same sex. I'm not a scientist or anything but how can there be a gay gene when your genes are passed on from your parents? I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think same sex couples were able to conceive. Genetics is a very complicated science and I think it'd be difficult to prove one way or the other. But that's just what I believe. Getting back to the question though, I think using any term which causes offence is wrong however it can be expected that if somebody is using terms which cause offence, they are likely to be ignorant to the fact that they're being offensive and unfortunately, in that instance, it's up to the person that is offended to speak up and enlighten the person to the fact they're causing offence. If the person continues to do it when they know they're causing offence, or if they are doing it out of spite or with venom then that is blatently out of order and you shouldn't use them. In a nut shell, it's about knowing your audience as well as choosing your words.