i always think “how would this sound if i used it with a stranger” bc my friends and i (all very queer) will call each other f@gs but in a “get over here f@g” way like it’s a nickname, but outside of that, if i’m around non friends i refrain or only use it on myself (note:self use is when ik group is queer/allied and are still semi aquantences)
not even hate crime but who haven’t experience much hate/bullying abt it. my hs friend group had a person who grew up in a very accepting liberal family, and our city was pretty progressive as well so our school didn’t have many issues w homophobia (transphobia tho.. diff story) and they threw that shit around like CRAZY and my other friend, who grew up in a very homophobic household, asked them to chill abt their usage and they flipped out about how they were just reclaiming it.