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Words carry different meanings in different societies.
On the one hand, some people who are lesbian might want to control what a word means when it relates to them, but popular culture will also play a determining part.
All I can say is you may take "dyke" as meaning simply a lesbian, I would take it to mean certain type of woman who has short hair, does not have a feminine appearance, etc etc.
Which I suppose is what the original question was about - whether terminology is offensive or not.
I remember at uni they had a whole club for people who were "LBGT" (which stands for lesbians, bisexuals, gay and transvestites), and they even used to buy in a special newspaper which was aimed at the "LBGT" people. It wasnt like a dating thing or a singles club, it was just... well I dont really know. A club that was supposed to represent the special interests of practicising or latent homosexuals.
I think all of this sort of thing (like gay pride parades and so on) is just divisive and actually plays up to the stereotypes that prejudiced people have. I would guess I have known personally maybe 10 people who were gay (including my mother) and all of them were just ordinary people really. The whole issue at the basis of this terminology discussion is people either being defined or defining themselves by what gender of person they like to have sex with - and I think that is totally wrong.
Apparently there is actually also offensive termonology that people immersed in practising homosexual culture use for heterosexuals - they use the term "breeder"
I have to say if someone said so to me I would be more baffled than offended.
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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