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1. robstathem
   Member
   Posted 1 year ago #
   

   Hey Everyone,

   There's been recent talk about the movie "The Dilemma" where one of the actors uses the phrase "That's so gay" in the preview of a movie. Anderson Cooper went on to talk with Ellen about the negativity of the word.

   This phrase has been loosely used many times before. What are your thoughts on this phrase? I've heard this phrase used in public before, and certainly not by me, but it seems to be used to describe a situation that has NOTHING to do with being gay. For instance, if a kid falls down in school, or a peer misses a basketball shot, I've heard kids say "That's so gay." It's use in this situation makes no sense at all.

   I do agree with Cooper and Ellen...young kids need to be educated on the meaning of the word. It's a negative word...but I have a feeling many are using it without any idea of what they are saying.

   **Sidenote: I'm not in any way criticizing the actor in the movie. He's playing a role and the script obviously called for that phrase. However, in recent news, the Movie Production company has removed the phrase.**

   Thanks for reading,
   Rob

2. jtim24
   Member
   Posted 1 year ago #
   

   It's fairly common in my life--mostly among my younger cousins, and if I happen to hear, they are always quick to say, "Oh, sorry--you know what I mean." I know they accept me as a gay man, as well as my partner as part of the family, but I have let them know that by using the word as a put-down, or in a negative manner, only reinforces the stereotype that being gay makes someone less of a person, or less adequate a person... I can only hope as they gain in maturity and wisdom they come to realize the truth of the matter instead of just thinking of it as "just a phrase."

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3. simont
   Member
   Posted 1 year ago #
   

   I too have found my nieces and nephews using 'gay' in a negative context. That was some time ago and this is from both sides of the family. It concerns me that the negative attitude is being main streamed through the media as it has taken so long to get basic rights. However, I don't believe those using the term are aware of the social / political implications of the term and once made aware, will stop using it. This is consistent with other terms or expressions used in the past that are no longer socially or morally acceptable - like racist terms and sexist terms.

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4. misty
   Member
   Posted 1 year ago #
   

   This was also an "issue" when Kevin Smith's film had "gay" as a slur in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. It'll most likely be forgotten in a few weeks and people will keep using it as a slur.

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