Ann Coulter Does Not Belong in Any Schoolyard

By now it has been widely reported that Ann Coulter recently remarked that Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is a "faggot". Coulter's mention of Edwards with a derogatory slur was part of a speech she gave at the largest conservative political convention of the year.

Last night, Coulter went on Fox News Channel to claim the following:

"'Faggot isn't offensive to gays; it has nothing to do with gays," Coulter said on "Hannity and Colmes" Monday night. "It's a schoolyard taunt meaning 'wuss,' and unless you're telling me that John Edwards is gay, it was not applied to a gay person."

Anyone who has recently walked through the average junior high knows that Coulter's clarification of her comment is completely off the mark. And she should know better!

The term "faggot" is highly offensive to gay people and it has everything to do with gay people. It is meant to be a slur that is specifically intended for gay people. Here is the definition from the American Heritage Dictionary:

n. Offensive Slang
Used as a disparaging term for a homosexual man.

The problem is that it is a schoolyard taunt and will continue to hurt our youth as long as high-profile people like Coulter make it seem acceptable. The term "faggot" is just as inflammatory to gay people as the N-word is to black people. Coulter is dishonest to state otherwise, and if she is as intelligent as she claims to be she should know better.

Yes, Coulter is right that "faggot" means wuss. But it also means so much more. It is a hurtful word that often hits its targets (gay Americans) right where it is intended to; squarely in the gut and deep in the heart.

Coulter should apologize immediately and help make sure this word is not a schoolyard taunt any longer.