Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: AP bans use of words “husband,” “wife” for legally-wed gay couples [View all]LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)31. Those terms are turned into slurs
often when referring to gay couples. I have homophobic family members that mock gays with those terms. "Oh look, he's there with his husband" *eyeroll*. I've never seen it used in a negative way toward straight couples.
They can still be called husband and wife, the AP is just saying they want to make sure the terms are cool with the couples before using it. That's the practice I use in real life when referring to gay couples. I use "spouse" for gay couples.
I'm not entirely dismissing your concern, but I can see a reason for the AP's policy.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
41 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
what double standard? The AP uses whatever terms the COUPLE USED. I know & lived with gay couples
KittyWampus
Feb 2013
#5
I'm sure there are straight people who don't like the terms applied to them either.
Lex
Feb 2013
#29
The could just use "spouse" for every married person, irrespective of sex or sexual orientation n/t
markpkessinger
Feb 2013
#17