fag/faggot (man)

these terms are extremely derogatory when used by people who are not gay, but may be acceptable when used positively among gay men. By reclaiming the words for themselves, gay men defuse the words' hostility and power over them. GLADD says they should not be used except in a direct quote that reveals the bias of the person quoted. So that such words are not given credibility in the media, it is preferred that reporters say, "The person used a derogatory word for a gay man." See also insider/outsider rule, shortened forms of words.