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Cynthetiq · 06-24-2009, 09:48 AM

YouTube - That's So Gay - Wanda Sykes

Quote:

Think before you speak. Don't say "That's So Gay."
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens experience homophobic remarks and harassment throughout the school day, creating an atmosphere where they feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe. Homophobic remarks such as “that’s so gay” are the most commonly heard; these slurs are often unintentional and a common part of teens’ vernacular. Most do not recognize the consequences, but the casual use of this language often carries over into more overt harassment.

This campaign aims to raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBT bias and behavior in America’s schools. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce and prevent the use of homophobic language in an effort to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens. The campaign also aims to reach adults, including school personnel and parents; their support of this message is crucial to the success of efforts to change behavior.

I've been walking past the "Cheerleader who can't say smart stuff" billboard at least once a day for the past few weeks. I keep forgetting to photograph it and post it up here. After a thread devolved into a discussion about the parlance of "gay" I figured it would be a good opportunity to put together something about this. They have more videos on their website another with Hillary Duff.

I'm not really sure what to make of it, I've heard kids since I was one say it, I hear kids say it now. I don't hear kids say the same kind of slur for any others. I hear "that's ghetto." Or hear "ghetto" used in a similar fashion.

In ball busting mode with friends, there's nothing sacred to our slurs and slights we impact upon each other getting almost as vile as the worst version of Aristocrats one has ever heard, but that's in a very specific context of time, place, and participants.

I've spent plenty of time with the GLBT community members, and there are some that find it acceptable to use this kind of language, and there are others who find it unacceptable. I find this no different than those that are within any community and take or don't take umbrage to slurs.

Personally, I don't take umbrage to slurs, never have and never will even though I'm not white, have been teased and mocked as a kid for not being white, confused with being Chinese or Japanese. My parents taught me to not take offense to those kinds of statements.

So for those that don't care, they aren't going to make a big deal about it. They aren't going to put together a group of individuals to collect monies and make a campaign countering this as well, they simply don't care.

Those that do, in my opinion will pass on the offense. They will teach those that probably wouldn't have cared to begin with, to care, to be offended.