@spendius,
It all depends on who uses the word "gay" and how it is used in context.
It can most certainly be used in a manner that is insulting and hateful.
I prefer homosexual but i use gay but do not always like the way homophobes use the word gay and the fa---- word either...
But, I really don't care what homophobes think in their pathetically narrow and hypocritical world view.