Reply #21: Thanks for the useful comparison.

[swimboy]

I have also tried to use a different analogy, probably too subtle for the mind of the original offenders but I ask them to consider the ridiculousness of substituting a different non-political attribute such as, "and not only that, but they're probably adopted!" in the hope that such people would get a clue or at least have to scratch their heads in bewilderment on my account.

They usually either accuse someone who speaks up of being overly sensitive, needing to get a sense of humour or a life, or they pull out and play the hypocrisy card! even though there is no mention of or context for hypocrisy in their original statement.