As a card-carrying member of the lesbian community, I can never remember whether I spell it with an "i" or a "y."
We've turned that word around into an empowering descriptor (as many oppressed communities have done with the words that have been used against them) Within our community we use it lovingly and when our "friends" use it it's ok too. But, when someone who hates us uses it then it is bad.
The good thing is that we can talk about it. Personally, I was not at all offended by Jane's letter. I've actually been waiting for that play on words because every time I use it my brain pauses and chooses to insert "floodwall" because I always smile when I use the word dike for floodwall and people think "why is she smiling?" and then they think "what in the heck is so funny?" and "why is she smiling...it's dike with an "i" not a "y" and then I think "is it with an i or a y.............................................
:) Michelle Hoffman West Side
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