I think he's trying to explain my position, which I appreciate, and I'm pretty sure he's not trying to be a "whatever word you want inserted there".
If it helps (it probably won't) I've never heard the use of the word "gays" as the collective noun for either a group of gay people or the gay community as a whole.
For example, here's a small piece of text I've copied from the ADL website from their page on anti-semitism:
In the half-century since World War II, public anti-Semitism has become much less frequent in the Western world. While stereotypes about Jews remain common, Jews face little physical danger. The hatred of Jewishness and the conspiracy beliefs of past eras are for the most part shared only by tiny numbers of those on the fringes of society (although as the World Trade Center and Oklahoma bombings showed, even a handful of extremists can carry out acts of great violence).
If I replace the words anti-Semitism with Homophobia and Jews with Gays, it doesn't sit so comfortably with me.
In the half-century since World War II, public Homophobia has become much less frequent in the Western world. While stereotypes about Gays remain common, Gays face little physical danger. The hatred of homsexuality and the conspiracy beliefs of past eras are for the most part shared only by tiny numbers of those on the fringes of society (although as the World Trade Center and Oklahoma bombings showed, even a handful of extremists can carry out acts of great violence).
I'm surprised you can't see the difference (between gay and gays) but if you can't, so be it.
The world we live in now I spose that we protest to much against a disgusting pussy grabbing mysoginisticPOTUS and forget he and the Administration supports a corrupt Israel goverment .
At the same time we let in a known Jew hater and no one bats an eye as if both are the same thing .
Especially when you consider the amount of media attention that was (correctly) given to the rulers of Brunei regarding their decision to stone gay people.
I have heard gays/blacks/Jews used harmlessly by people of and not of these backgrounds; and have also heard them used disparagingly. It really is all in the intent, as I see it (obviously we can see the probable intent of "You (X) bastard" or "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs").
EDIT ... the term that does always get to me, that some still view as harmless, is coloured/coloureds - it just evokes those labels from those horrid eras of segregation/apartheid/Jim Crow
Steady on Tiger,it's all about context.You got a lot of flak here the other day from an angry avian. A lot of people stepped up to the plate to defend you but no-one said leave the Jew or Jews alone.
aarrrgggghhh pedantic mode ....... pejorative data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
If ever I saw a thread that should take a 24hr rest its this one as the OP will either leave or get banned if it continues , calm heads as a good ( highly emotional ) topic that many were not aware of .
It appears Robel has just shown why people who are gay may be offended if someone else labels them as, “Gays”.Either that or I’m just being a **** for repeating something another poster also said data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Are you deliberately being unhelpful data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
I'm basically a chilled out entertainer, and generally assume someone's intent is good, unless they have form or eventually prove otherwise. Usually maintains harmony. Usually data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7.