LOL,
All of these terms: racist, sexist, xenophobe, homophobic, misogynist, islamophobia... they are ALL simply ad hominem attacks intended to silence any opposing thought most of the time.
If you have no argument, if you cannot win with logic, being consistent and making an argument either deductive or inductive, you simply throw a word like “racist” out there and everyone knows they need to kneel or even prostrate themselves or else face harsh criticism and consequences.
To be called a “racist” is among the worst thing imaginable especially if it sticks, and it is known that you need to immediately apologize, recant, and pay homage to some new PC priest.
On the other hand... if it’s not a “special emphasis group or protected class” then you can make fun of them all you want, in the most vile way, stereotyping, etc. So for example, Catholic Priests and Russians are fair game, but a gay person or a black, be very careful. BTW, what Hollywood movie portrays Catholic Priests in a positive way? What Hollywood movie (last 30 years) portrays gays in a negative way? What open minded, inclusion, and tolerance really means is open season on these people, but off limits for those people.
The other employee had never met this supervisor. So my guy was describing him. He told her that he was "super gay". Note, this particular individual is gay. He doesn't hide it in the least. He is very effeminate. He talks like a stereotypical gay guy. If you have a conversation with him, he very likely will let you know that he is gay. He can't go three sentences without referring to his husband. He has rainbow stickers on his equipment. He jokes about his homosexuality.
So my guy calls him "super gay". It is an apt description. In this day and age of gay pride and gay acceptance, it is in my opinion, no different than describing someone as bald, or overweight.
The customer raised an issue that is going to lead to a human resource inquiry.
“To be called a “racist” is among the worst thing imaginable”
Not if you do not give a shiite about it.