Thanks, Azizi,
Though I'd sorta guessed at the meaning of the term "flaming", I was not familiar with it.

The word "queer" seems to have fallen into the same catagory as the "N" word. If used by someone who is gay, it doesn't seem quite as offensive as if used by a heterosexual. I still cringe at the "N" word however, even when used by black rap artists or comedians like Richard Prior.