Absolutely, I agree with your point.
As a side point, being called a faggot is a term of endearment around here. The way I visualize it is something like this: we humans wear many layers of armour. Our clothing is not clothing at all but a costume that signifies our individuality as well as membership to a group and even status within the group. Our hair is a signaling device of our sexual viability, etc. At the psychological level we have many many layers of psychological armour, including rules and procedures that help us interact with the world.
What being called a faggot around here actually means is that we see you as the pure you without all of that armour. We choose to see past it and toss away all those layers of armour and attach new armour on your.
If you flinch, you are not strong enough yet and we need you to be strong. If you don't even notice, you have graduated and are ready to take on some of the difficult tasks that our people need you to do.
That is actually what is going there in terms of the mechanics. It is a kind of measure of respect of the true you.
But, it isn't necessary all the time and it take training to get people to a point where they can extract strength from that process.
That's an interesting way to look at it. I have always just dismissed it as rude and went about my day. I have let it get to me a couple times though, I always regret being pulled into a mud slinging fest. Thankfully I usually have the restraint to just move along.
I spend too much time thinking about this stuff, I was there with you a while ago as well. These days, there isn't anything that anyone can say to rattle me at all. Not even a little bit.
That's the way to be!! I'm working on it, almost there, I'd say 90 percent of the time.
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