The Nurturer of the People:
I Meant Queer in the Nice Way

I had something happen to me today that has actually been happening to me a lot more often lately. I was walking out of my office, getting ready to leave for the day, when I turned to one of my co-workers and said Later, Queer. I thought nothing of this because I say it all the time, but my co-worker looked at me like I was the biggest ass in the world. Not that this is anything new.

It soon dawned on me, as I was exiting the building, that I got the look because this particular co-worker was not one of my queer friends. Wait, before I continue, Id better clarify this last statement.
If you've read my bio, you'd know that I work for a morning radio show. Many years ago, it became funny to greet each other as queer. So it was not uncommon to be walking down the hall and hear Hey, Queer, want to go to lunch? or to have any of your questions answered with the standard line, whatever, queer. This caught on like wild fire and has become a regular part of our vocabulary to the point that the word has lost all meaning. That is, until you use it around someone who isn't accustomed to being addressed in such a manor.

Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated event. I've noticed that as I grow older and acquire more spheres of friends, that my vocabulary, inside jokes and greetings are becoming more and more diverse. For example, when I yell to my good college buddy Little JJ that I hope he gets hit by a bus as he walks out the door, he knows to take it as a joke (though it really isn't). But I do the same thing to my female friends as they leave the bars drunk, and they don't talk to me for a week. What's a guy to do?

Does this really all come down to me and my inability to keep these groups separate? Or is this actually a sign that people have become far too touchy and non-accepting of my feelings and personal beliefs. I should be able to call anyone I choose a queer, and have it be known that its actually a term of endearment. I should also be able to call myself "Marty the One Man Party" in any group setting without facing jeers and mocking from the people around me. Is this too much to ask?

Maybe I should just go on strike. Maybe take the day off work. It worked for the Illegal Mexicans the other day, why not for us idiots who cant keep their friends straight?

Wait a minute, how did this turn political? Just goes to show, you cant call anyone a queer without it turning into a federal case... I hope.