Could this be the end of "That's So Gay"?

[SzczerbiakManiac]

The Ad Council, the folks who brought us such memorable expressions as "A mind is a terrible thing to waste", "Friends don’t let friends drive drunk", and "Only you can prevent forest fires" has just rolled out a new campaign. This one hopes to put an end to the expression "That's so gay" when used to describe something that's bad or undesirable.

While I know many LoTters use this invective, including some of The Gay ones, I despise its use I applaud the Ad Council for their efforts. I don't know how effective it will be, but it's sure nice to see some folks taking a stand against it.

http://thinkb4youspeak.com/ has copies of their TV spots. Do you think the "kids" will respond well to Hillary Duff, Wanda Sykes, and the woman in the third spot whose face I didn't recognize?

[Gemini Cricket]

I applaud the fact that they see it as a problem.
I do, too.
Good for them.
:)

[BarTopDancer]

It bothers me. As does "That's so retarded".

[JWBear]

It bothers me. As does "That's so retarded".

... Just as long as I can still referr to "Short Bus Moments"... ;)

[Strangler Lewis]

I agree with the impulse, but I think the expression should be reclassified for use in describing such things as putting a small pick-up body on oversized tires, tattoos and mixed martial arts.

[Kevy Baby]

I agree with the impulse, but I think the expression should be reclassified for use in describing such things as putting a small pick-up body on oversized tires, tattoos and mixed martial arts.People actually put a small pick-up body on tattoos? That is very weird!

[Gemini Cricket]

I'm going to write the Ad Council and GLSEN a letter and thank them. I would print it out on my perfumed stationery but that's so gay.

[Chernabog]

I'm going to write the Ad Council and GLSEN a letter and thank them. I would print it out on my perfumed stationery but that's so gay.

Haha yah, I pretty much use the phrase "that's so gay" to describe something GAY, like going to a Cher concert, celebrating Bette Davis' birthday, or being a Disney geek ;)

[Kevy Baby]

...or being a Disney geek ;)Am I gay?

[Gemini Cricket]

Am I gay?
That depends on if you mean "gay" as in "lame" or "gay" as in "homosexual". Because you're not a homosexual.
:D

[Kevy Baby]

Is everybody gay? Is this a Twilight Zone? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119360/)

[Pirate Bill]

I predict a backfire. People who didn't use it previously will start using it just to spite the commercials and the PC movement.

[Gemini Cricket]

I predict a backfire. People who didn't use it previously will start using it just to spite the commercials and the PC movement.
Possibly. But I also think that people who use it and don't know/realize it's offensive will think twice.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

For the record, I have no problem using "that's so gay" to describe something that is actually gay. E.g., the aforementioned Cher concert, quoting Bette Davis, fawning over a basketball player, or dressing like this:
http://www.kinseysicks.com/scrapbook/graphics/christine_ebersole.jpg (http://www.kinseysicks.com/scrapbook/graphics/christine_ebersole.jpg)

I personally find saying "that's so gay" to mean something lame, stupid, or undesirable quite offensive. That said, I am well aware the Constitution does not guarantee us the right to not be offended, so I generally let it go unless it's someone I know and/or feel comfortable sharing my feelings with.

[flippyshark]

There's plenty of us non-gay Disney geeks out here in O'town. Trouble is, we aren't very successful at getting dates.

When I hear someone use "that's gay" or "that's retarded," my assumptions about their intelligence go waaaaay down! It's a perfect way to signify personal ignorance. I enjoyed the ads.

[innerSpaceman]

I hate the P.C. urge to get rid of That's So Gay.


Ya know what? I'm gay, and I say it all the time. And yes, I mean lame, when I say it. But "lame" won't do. Because I specfically mean the kind of lame that all sissified and prissy, overly sensitive and, sorry, no better word for it than "gay."


Funny how a word can have many meanings, because when I talk about people being gay, I mean that they are homosexual and nothing more.

Amazing how the English language can accommodate that kind of thing, yet it can.


And I try and respect my gay friends who hate the phrase by not saying it (so much) around them. But I feel an especial license to use the term to my heart's desire. And I can say "fag," too ... and even mean a cigarette depending on the context.



I can't see the ad campaign succeeding, and I think a slight backlash is more likely than not.



Yep, that means the ad campaign is gay.

[Gemini Cricket]

I don't consider it to be P.C. to not say it. I consider it common sense and common decency.

I find the phrase disrespectful.

While we're at it, I don't consider people who are considered "sissies" or act in a "prissy" manner to be less than anyone else. I find those two terms to have misogynistic undertones that equate being/acting like a woman is something to be ashamed of.

[CoasterMatt]

I only use the phrase to describe the homophobic bastards at work who think they can harrass my gay coworkers.

[MouseWife]

I don't consider it to be P.C. to not say it. I consider it common sense and common decency.

I find the phrase disrespectful.

While we're at it, I don't consider people who are considered "sissies" or act in a "prissy" manner to be less than anyone else. I find those two terms to have misogynistic undertones that equate being/acting like a woman is something to be ashamed of.

Well, I haven't read the whole thread but I agree with that, I hate those terms and really try to get the kids to not say certain things. But, that applies to any stupid new phrase. I told them, if you say it for fun, it will become a habit and then when you don't want to say it, you won't be able to stop.

AND I hate the term sissie. I remember years ago, when my son was about 7 and my niece was probably 5, we were out and about and my son is a good kid, not a knucklehead, didn't run around, wasn't rambunctous {gotta love a good kid!} and she wanted to do something and he didn't and she called him a sissy. I was not happy, her mom scolded her but she still snickered. My son was offended. Young as he was. I think she learned the term from 'Powerpuff Girls'.

Prissy, eh, I never connected that, guess I just haven't heard everything {in that context, now when I hear it I will think twice about who is saying it and why:mad: }.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Hmm, can't say I agree with "sissy" or "prissy" being demeaning to women. The concept is that you're a man acting like a woman. Is it an insult to men to say a woman is being "manly"? You're not saying being manly is a bad thing in itself.

Of course all the above stuff isn't good because it's judgemental etc, but I find them minor offenses, depending on context. If you're calling someone a sissy because they're making a big deal out of having to clean a toilet, then yeah, they're being a sissy. :p If you're calling them a sissy because they like art, then yeah, lame.

[Gemini Cricket]

Is it an insult to men to say a woman is being "manly"? You're not saying being manly is a bad thing in itself.
What about if someone says a woman is "butch" or a "bull dyke"? I think that's kinda mean.

But there's a double-standard involved. It's okay for women to be like men, it's not okay for a man to be like a woman.

There's a Madonna song about it.
;)
Girls can wear jeans
And cut their hair short
Wear shirts and boots
cause its ok to be a boy
But for a boy to look like a girl is degrading
cause you think that being a girl is degrading
But secretly youd love to know what its like
Wouldnt you
What it feels like for a girl

[innerSpaceman]

Get over it.

[Gemini Cricket]

Get over it.
No, I don't think I will. It's a concern to me.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm trying to think if there has ever been a similarly popular phrase that was in reasonable interpretation an insult to blacks, or to jews or whatever.

I can't come up with one. So I guess the gay one is unique. But I can't help making the very imperfect analogy that blacks finally diffused the horror of the infamous "N" word when they started cheerfully referring to each other that way.

I know the better analogy is when gays happily call each other "Fag" or "Queer" and I think that has done wonders to take the sting out of those insults.

I undertand "That's so gay" is not the same at all, and yet I still think the best way to take the often unintended sting out of it is to just shrug it off or, as I do, say it just as constantly and breezily as straight kids do.


That's just my opinion. I try not to say it around my homosexual friends who are bothered by it. I haven't always been successful in that, and I apologize.


But I DO think it's only worse if we make a big deal about it, and becomes harmless to the extent we just accept it as a phrase that, in all honesty, does not mean "That's not a good thing because it's just like when men suck each other's dicks."

[Gemini Cricket]

Sorry. Not taking the bait. You can argue with yourself. But do indeed restrain yourself from using it around me.

[innerSpaceman]

Brad, that's not bait. That's how I feel about it.


I understand how you feel about it, and I respect that. I try not to say it around you, and I don't always succeed.


Of course, it will soon be much easier. :(

[lizziebith]

I have found out several times today that "I must spread more mojo around" before giving it to Gemini Cricket again. :(

[Strangler Lewis]

While we're at it, I don't consider people who are considered "sissies" or act in a "prissy" manner to be less than anyone else. I find those two terms to have misogynistic undertones that equate being/acting like a woman is something to be ashamed of.

Hence my earlier point questioning drag.

[3894]

But there's a double-standard involved. It's okay for women to be like men, it's not okay for a man to be like a woman.


It's okay by this middleaged married Midwestern mom, for whatever that's worth. As Carol Ann says to Vida Boheme in "To Wong Foo", "I know that I am very fortunate to have a lady friend who just happens to have an Adam's apple."

[innerSpaceman]

Though it varies widely by degree, I don't think it's ever been ok for a woman to act like a man. Sure, kids get away with a pretty much a pass for being a "tomboy," but manly women are assumed to be lesbians just as surely as effeminite men are assumed to be gay.

And yes, it's also different by a wide degree that lesbians are ok with men, while queers are threatening to them. Men are idiots, generally speaking. But the fact remains that men can never fear being a lesbian, and are too often fearful of their own homosexual urges.



I maintain, however, it's only a difference by degree. People acting outside of their own gender norms has traditionally faced scorn whether they are male or female.



Yeah, the phrase, "That's so gay" is expressing a negative value judgment on effeninentism. Probably one that the person saying it doesn't even really feel about actual people ... but it's a value that's been out there in society, thankfully fading, but not quite gone.


Before anyone gets their secretly worn frilly panties in a bunch, why don't you check all the stock phrases you use for any anachronistic value judgments embedded in the English language. There might be more of them than you think.



Think of all the offense possible with the innocently-intended "Happy Jew Coon." ;)