This is an excellent example of what I pointed out previously ... different uses of the same word in different contexts, where one may be considered derogatory and another quite the opposite.  Homo, as in homosexual, appears to derive from the Greek translation meaning one in the same.  However, the genus and species of humans is Homo sapien, and homo refers to a genus with several species that are closely related to humans, including Homo neandrathal.  It derives from the Latin meaning mankind.  When a person calls someone a homo, as in homosexual, they often mean it as deragatory.  But I'm pretty sure no one would take offense to being called human.  In the dance community, gypsy is not meant to be offensive, but quite the opposite is viewed as a positive term.  Education of other meanings is useful, and goes both ways. It would be equally useful to educate the woman who brought this up that in our community it had a different meaning that generally means to travel.  

Janet