Think Before You Speak... Don't Say, "That's So Gay"
Comedian Wanda Sykes and actress Hillary Duff helped make these two videos for Think B4 You Speak a campaign aimed at stopping young folks from saying "that's so gay." The 30-second spots use a light touch of humor to strongly convey a serious message. Hopefully, it'll get other people to speak up to others in their community about unconscious prejudice.
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has teamed up with celebs like Hilary Duff and Wanda Sykes to create PSA advertising to help curb bullying or threatening language aimed at LGBT youth. Think Before You Speak is a new campaign that seeks to educate young people about the harmful nature of associating negativity by saying "that's so gay."
Advice, Famous Faces, Videos
10. Oct. 08
8
8
QC Chinese
Reader Comments
Your 2¢, in chronological order — add your comment below.
My friends and I always say, "That's so straight" when something is boring, lifeless, and uninteresting.
Lol, I'd always say "that's so straight" whenever my roommate would say "that's so gay". Just to make a point. It never did quite sink in though and she still says it. She's an idiot though.
LOL PB, I've started to do that as well, I'm really glad they did these comercials.
I totally agree.
I've taken to saying something like, "actually, If that were gay, it would be so much more exciting" or "no way, that is one of the straightest things I've ever seen." whenever someone I know lets slip the "thats so gay" remark.
People tend to understand it is insulting when the feedback comes from a gay person.... its nice to see ads suggesting straight people can be offended too.
are you kidding me? I think we need to get over it. our economy is in a crisis and america as we know it is falling apart. but ya. totally. this is so important. ? please. no one cares, wanda
Whenever someone says "that's so gay", I usually quip back stating with a puzzled look on my face "funny, it doesn't look homosexual to me".
I did it one time when I use to work retail. A male customer was looking at a pair of pants that I got for him, and he said " those pants are gay".
A few seconds after my quip, he became embarrassed and apologized.
yeah, people actually DO care braylan, clearly. are we only allowed as a nation to be concerned with one issue at a time? I'm pretty sure these videos aren't deterring any time/energy from the economic crisis at hand. . .
I agree with the sentiment, and I'm glad someone's speaking out (as I have for years), but I'm afraid "That's So Gay" is an integral part of the vernacular now and we'll just have to wait until some other phrase takes its place (though I'll continue to ask people not to use that phrase, at least, not in MY presence).
Maybe, just maybe, if dozens of celebrities make this type of PSA, and hundreds of thousands of kids see them, the phrase will get worn out and people will stop using it. Otherwise, just keep reminding people it's not cool and let it go.