The thing is if you continue to use gay as a derogatory term, people are going to think you do not like gays. Not everyone knows what you're thinking. Hell, I don't even do the joke thing and use the word gay ironically unless I'm only around people who will understand that it is a joke. That way my words have no unintended consequences. I guess what I'm trying to say is that your words do have an impact on others whether you know it or not. I get where you're coming from though.