11283, RE: Common & homophobia question Posted by Aftersound, Mon Apr-15-02 02:05 PM
"is a bundle of sticks equated with a gay man?
In the inquisition of Europe, when witches were being burned, among those sought out for burning were gay people. They were required to gather the very "bundles of sticks" (the real meaning of a faggot) with which they would be burnt. When the faggots (sticks) were running out, gay men were thrown on the fire to keep it going for the witches. Faggot came to mean gay man to force them into the closet for fear of death. Scary, huh? Think about what you are saying -- who you are offending when say this word, even if in jest to a friend."
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