Based on the trailers I’ve seen, I’m guessing Ron Howard’s comedy The Dilemma won’t shatter any box-office records when it hits theaters in January. And yet The Dilemma is already one of the most memorable films of 2011. And all because it offended Anderson Cooper, who last week, during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, criticized the film’s trailer for a line in which Vince Vaughn insults electric cars by calling them “gay.” Maybe it was the authority of Anderson Cooper, or maybe it was the timing of the controversy — during the same week that horrible, real-life cases of anti-gay bullying and torture were making headlines — but Universal quickly took notice. The studio pulled the trailer from circulation and said it wasn’t meant to cause anyone “discomfort.”
And that’s the problem: Using “gay” as an insult (as in “That’s so gay”) doesn’t cause us nearly enough discomfort. We’re desensitized to anti-gay humor, because it’s everywhere, especially in films targeted at young men. Some justify it by pointing out that “gay” has two different meanings: On the one hand, it’s a non-pejorative term meaning homosexual. On the other, it’s simply an insult meaning silly or ridiculous. This distinction is, of course, total bulls–t. “That’s so gay” is undeniably rooted in the notion that to equate something with gay people diminishes it.
In the wake of the Dilemma flap, I’ve seen lots of blog comments all over the web from people saying that we should all lighten up, that calling something “gay” is harmless and funny. Obviously Universal and Ron Howard and Vince Vaughn and screenwriter Allan Loeb thought so too. In fact, I’m sure they’re horrified to be accused of bigotry. Filmmakers have every right to use the word “gay” however they want. But at least now, more of them are aware that using it as an insult is, in fact, an ugly, bigoted put-down, no matter how funny they think it is. And we have The Dilemma to thank for that.
Read more:
Universal deletes “gay” scene from The Dilemma trailer
Universal release new Dilemma trailer
ugh, just stop crying
Vaughn ended his career with “Couples Therapy.”
Couples Retreat.
That movie was just plain awful, I still like Vaughn a bit though.
‘Fred Claus’ is absolutely insulted to be left out of this conversation.
expect Couples Retreat made a nice chunk of money and brought back Vince Vaughn Career
The most offensive thing about this movie is that Ron Howard is slumming with Vince Vaughn. Surely, an Oscar-winning director has something better to do.
He said: electric cars are gay, not homosexual gay, my parents are chaperoning the dance gay. He said those exact words. Did you even watch the trailer before posting this article? There is nothing insulting about what he said.
Vince said: electric cars are g-, not homosexual g-, my parents are chaperoning the dance g-. There is nothing insulting about how he said it. Get over it! (and I had to not write the word because the losers deleted my comment before)
You call that a “career”? Really?
That movie was gay
The movie trailer clearly shows that it is not meant in the insulting way. Did you even watch the trailer? No…you just need something to write about.
Yeah, I saw thew trailer. It’s difficult to believe that it isn’t completely obvious to everyone that the so-called joke was degrading to gays – because it is.
hahhahhahhah!!! Entertainment Timeline of 2010-Vince Vaughn was ACTUALLY edited. LOL!!! Watch out Adam Sandler, you’re next!!!!!!!!!
Then why did they pick the word? If this bugs GLAAD so much….then I say make up a word. The word means excessive in degree, very lively and over the top quirky. When people use the word they are basically saying: that is over the top and too excessively bubbly. Same thing as saying: this shirt looks too geeky. Is geeky an offensive word? No! There you go! Make up a word that doesn’t mean anything if this continues to be a problem.
Electric cars are……things that spread diseases way more easily than the normal rate. Like my version better? Stay clean folks.
There is a reason people are offended by someone calling them “gay”. It is because being gay is sick and wrong.
I guess with your name you are not trying to hide the fact that you are a bigot. FYI being a bigot is sick and wrong.
Using that “f” word in your name and being a closed-minded discriminatory bigot is sick and wrong. I feel so sorry for you carrying that hate around with you everyday.
If someone called me straight, I would not be offended.
How come the EW filter let that idiot’s name through? It filters a ton of harmless things and it leaves this in?
As an flamboyantly out and self-deprecating gay man, I’m sick and tired to point of sassy by these annoying GLAAD / other LGBT campaigns that essentially make us wee homos seem like defenseless victims. I understand the righteous intent to stand for our rights and all that mumbo-jumbo, but the reality is that it’s gay-exploitation pop culture like Will & Grace and now Glee that lovingly and “offensively” stereotypes we gays, but ALSO opens the eyes of the homophobic middle Americans, etc. to our REAL existence that actually accomplishes progress. Anyone with an iota of street smarts knows that you only incense the “bully” by running to the parents instead of defending yourself.
And for the record, The Dilemma’s real offense is casting the lovely Jennifer Connolly and Winona Ryder as these two monster slobs’ girlfriends. Can you us better reason to root for infidelity?
Winona Ryder is lovely???????????????????????
THAT is offensive to lovely women.
I’ll be going to see this one then. Cooper is such a tool.
So would it be all right for someone to say “That’s so black” as an insult?
Better yet, “That’s so Goose.”
Everyone who is different than me should be bullied, made fun of, belittled, insulted, deseminated against,and chastrated until they kill themselves!!!
Since everyone is ‘different’ in one way or another, I find this troll rather amusing.
If you truly new what Christianity was-then you would see that God is not mean like that.
i think GOD is making ajoke. maybe.
You mean anyone who knows how to spell?
LOL Margot – burn.
Since you just said that you don’t care if it offends anyone, isn’t that simply labeling *yourself* a bigot?
No, you can’t use the word “gay” in a funny manner, or in a negative manner, or in a degrading manner without seeming like a bigot.
Well, we are in the next generation of words one group can say, but the rest of us can’t. Ten years ago it was the n word, now it is the g word. If we really want to stop the misuse of these words NO ONE should use them. Gay people using the word gar and black people using the N word just keeps them alive.
Having said that, I am wondering what the next word will be. French? Terrorist? Canadian?
You can use the word, just not to mean that something is bad or undesirable.
OH goose please your statement is so Hispanic!
You know, I know people are saying it’s so Hispanic and it’s so Black to make the point that saying that’s so gay is not offensive but I actually think they’re making the opposite point. That’s so Black sounds really offensive.
That’s not the point. The point is that, just like race, sexuality is an innate characteristic. Since you wouldn’t say “That’s so Black” to mean stupid, you shouldn’t say “That’s so gay.”
Wondering… I think they’re trying to make the point that it IS offensive… and they are making the point rather well.
A lot of you guys are missing the whole point of this article. The whole idea that someone would use the word gay to describe something negatively is offensive.
words evolve. When I was a kid gay meant happy. then in evolved to include homosexuals, then it evolved to include lame. All words evolve. Look at how “sick” now means something is cool instead that something is wrong. there are dozens of other examples. Words will never stop evolving no matter how much the PC police want to tell people what to say.
Cool, so if we evolve the word “Millian” (assuming that’s your name) to mean something bad or stupid, that would be cool with you, since words evolve? I like it.
It always kills me how so many people are quick to take offense — to someone else’s offense. Did anybody ever think of taking all the “lighten up!” “shut up!” “who cares what you think?” comments and directing them back at themselves? Nope. As long as it’s a slur directed AT SOMEONE ELSE, it’s just a joke. The minute anybody suggests that the joke is an ugly, stale one, and that they shouldn’t laugh, whoa, here comes the righteous outrage! Either follow your own advice and LIGHTEN UP, backlash jerks, or listen and have a real conversation.
Again I ask, why is sensitivity supposed to be just situation specific? Either be sensitive to all groups, including homosexuals, women, obese, Muslim, christian, etc., or none at all. But women are called b*iches and worse in movies and fat jokes are just as hurtful as gay jokes to that demographic. Maybe women and fat people need to be louder to get society to reconsider the words they use and their power.
Yeah, man. I’m so gay that fraze ‘that’s so gay’ was recognized as an insult to a community. I’m also gay that I can still use word ‘gay’ in its original meaning (gay meaning happy, cheerful). So, even though I’m not gay, I sympathize with that group of people, and will be the gayest man ever when they no longer have to fear for their feelings being hurt, their pride being denigrated and their affections shut down.
So much for free speech
I think the timing might have been a part of it considering last week was the first time we have acknowledged bullying in this country.
If we’re going to cut back on flippantly using “gay” as a dig, can we also throw “retarded” in there too?
Gays are the only ones getting bullied, but of course everything has to be about them.
Kids are commiting suicide because they are gay and you are belittling this, why?
Or you really have no idea what is going on in the world.
Kids who aren’t gay are being bullied and committing suicide or do you have really no idea what is going on in the world?
Ever hear of Jessica Logan
What is your point, Jackass? Other than continually harping on with your anti-gay bigotry. Yes, there are non-gay kids that are bullied and commit suicide. And yes, there are organizations that fight so-called cyberbullying like what Jessica Logan faced. This particular issue and this particular organization just happens to be about gay kids. Doesn’t negate the others.
You’re an idiot.
Where is my anti-gay bigotry? It’s funny when you so called moral crusaders come into an EW thread thinking you are some kind of progressive thinkers. It also makes me laugh when you have to name call to get your point across, kind of hypocritical don’t you think? Means my opinion actually bothers you enough you resort to that.
Wahhh, I’m going to commit suicide because Drewatco and nodnard called me names. They are cyber- bullying me.
Moral crusaders? Please. I’m not posting these comments for some holier-than-though do-gooder reason. I’m doing so because I’m sick of bigoted neanderthals like you, and I’m not going to take it anymore. If this was offline, I assure you I wouldn’t have any problem calling you names to your face and punching you in the throat. Is that hypocritical enough for you?
good job nodnarb, now we see you like punching people in the throat but in the pathetic and meaningless way i.e. comment board tuff talk – dial it down and you might be able to get a point across
Same bigoted comments, different day, eh Rusty?
Oh Rusty your attitude is so Hispanic!
Uh, well, this article is about using the term gay negatively, so, I’d guess, in this case, it is about them.
Uh, saying you’re bigoted based on bigoted statements that you’re making isn’t name-calling, Rusty. It’s stating a fact you seem to be painfully unaware of.
Yes, please!
(BTW, I was responding to Elizabeth’s request that we also retire the insult “retarded.”)
Characters in movies can be bigoted and stupid, which can be the whole point of having someone use a slur. The mistake was putting the line in the trailer because the character’s personality was not established for the audience.
that’s gay, retard! (free speech ever hear of it!)
Hey saint of 69th st., Fred Phelps agrees with your stance on free speech.
Agreed Elizabeth. Let’s throw both those insults out the window please!
I thought both those terms were long-retired. Get with the times people.
They’re supposed to be retired. But old habits die hard, and kids like to say things that are “shocking” so they get into the habit…and some find it hard to break later when they realize exactly what they’re saying. How many kids have done that “retard” gesture (make a face, thump awkwardly bent hand against chest) when somebody says or does something stupid? In scientific terms: a bazillion.
PosterChild: adults still use these and think they’re clever.
I can understand kids saying these things because they might not understand. However, if you’re an adult – in theory – you should have common sense and be mature enough and not use those terms to insult someone.
I’m with Elizabeth on this. Anytime a term is used to refer as something as bad or “less than” and it can be identified with a group of people it is NOT okay. Can you imagine it being okay to describe something negative by saying “that is so white,” “that is so black,” “that is so Asian,” “that is so Mexican,” etc. etc. People are so quick to say we need to “lighten up” when they aren’t the ones being used as a synonym for something bad or inferior…….
First time bullying has been acknowledged, what? Bullying has always been around. I have been bullied and dealt with it. People are so thin skinned nowadays its ridiculous. Its time to remember the popular kids rhyme of sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me. So in the time honored tradition of anti-bullying techniques you have 2 choices. Iqnore the bully or confront and beat the crap out of him/her. Time to man or woman up and either stick up for yourself or ignore them, because guess what as long as their are people there will be name calling and insults.
Perhaps if people didn’t bully this wouldn’t be necessary. It’s like you’re legitimizing it . . . we’re never gonna make it as a species if we don’t learn to agree to disagree. Sadly, most gay bashing is done by people who are gay and can’t face it. Don’t you think greater acceptance of gays would help these confused “gays” to perhaps find a better outlet for their self hate.
I don’t think anyone deserves to be hit, beaten or bullied for any reason.
Wouldn’t it make sense to address the bully’s while they are young, so they may perhaps see the error of their ways before they turn into hate mongering adults.
Lenscrafter, I fully agree with you. The world would be a great and peaceful place without bullies. But the sad fact is there will always be bullies as long as mankind exists in large numbers. Teddy R said it best “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Meaning a person who does not go looking for fight but is ready for a fight rarely needs to fight. We will never be able to rid the world of all bullies, but if you are ready to deal with them you will live a happy life.
Have you been bullied in the modern day and age when children are surrounded by a million and five different social networking devices? Have you had your cell phone ring off the hook with voicemails, text messages and the like from friends and strangers harassing you? Have you had your email flooded with harassment? It isn’t a matter of being thick-skinned and the fact that you would even imply as much means that you have never been in the position a lot of today’s kids have been. Get with the times. Bullying today is 1000 times more heinous than it was even as recent as 10 years ago.
Also, in response to what you said above to Lens, that’s the entire reason why bullying is being brought to the forefront. Parents, children, teachers, schools – they DON’T have the resources they need to learn how to cope with bullying. That’s why it’s so important to talk about it and instead of belittling the people who suffer not knowing what to even do, the way you have in your statements thus far which… is a little ironic because in a sense you’re bullying the people who are hurt by bullying by implying they’re somehow less important merely for being affected in the first place – instead of belittling people for it and trying to diminish the gravity of the subject, there needs to be discussion on what we can do as a society, on the whole, to resolve this issue and better equip our children to both cope with bullying and learn how not to engage in it themselves.
I would like to know what kind of parents these bullied kids have? Parents need to teach their kids to stand up for themselves or no amount of celebrity PSA’s or gonna make a bit of difference.
Blame the victims. Nice.
Or parents like you that teach kids that it’s ok to bully others for being different. That teach kids that “gay” is an insult word.
Parents need to teach their kids that hate speech and bullying and harassment aren’t acceptable. What kind of parents let their kids get away with that sort of behavior???
Some kids CAN’T stand up for themselves. Is it ok if they’re bullied?
Yeah, just like rape and abuse victims should know better than to put themselves in a situation to be raped or abused in the first place. Your logic is soooo on point.
The whole article went right over your head goose. Maybe that’s why you use that nickname, because your a silly goose.
But… It’s a throwaway line from a crappy-looking rom-com. It may be offensive (personally, I think it’s just bit lazy and behind-the-times) but the trailer getting pulled is not some great victory for gay acceptance.
@Jared, the trailer getting pulled may not signify much (especially as I know several people who’ve seen it since it was supposedly “pulled”), but if we get a national discussion started which convinces people that it’s not okay to use “gay” as an insult, then actual progress will have been made.
How about homosexuals stop using gay. That wasn’t it’s original intent.
Agreed.
By that logic, Rusty, you wouldn’t have a first or last name… genius.
Actually gay’s original meaning meant cheery, bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer.
THANK YOU!!!! I always hate it when people use “gay” as an insult, not because of homosexual humor but because THAT IS NOT WHAT IT MEANS!!!!!
The writer of the article probably confused the term “gay” with the term “queer”. You can’t expect EW.com writers to recall all of their college learning when they have to pander to the ignorant masses on a daily basis.
So Vaughn’s character was saying electric cars promote a feeling of cheer?
Would you feel the same if he said “that’s so negro”?
Yeah, because the meaning of words NEVER changes. And a single word can’t possibly have more than one definition.
In all seriousness, I think it’s safe to assume that in common parlance, “gay” can be used to describe something that is bright and cheery and it can ALSO be used to describe someone who is homosexual. And when people use “gay” as a derogative term, it’s clear that they are referencing the latter definition.
Oh, and Steve, “gay” and “queer” don’t actually mean the same thing. From one of my favorite websites: “Queer is an umbrella term, it really implies “not straight” more than it implies what exactly someone’s sexuality might be. It’s also a political term and many people use it as such, to imply a particular set of political beliefs alongside their orientation.
Queer does not resonate with all communities and is not embraced by all LGBTQ people. It has a derogatory history and has been reclaimed, but not by everyone.”
the studio was afraid that the box office receipts might take a beating if they didn’t change the trailer. thats why they did it. no other reason. why is it so wrong to call something “gay”? people use the word “butch” often. why isn’t anyone protesting that? all of this is just too silly
@timelord, it isn’t silly that so many gay teenagers are harassed, humiliated, terrified, assaulted, or commit suicide. And though you may honestly think that a culture which casually equates the term “gay” with everything bad has nothing to do with that, many of us believe otherwise.
Just think: what if a racial designation were casually and constantly used as an insult? Even by adults, by movies and TV, by people who should know better? Do you really think this would have no effect?
Look up the word gay and tell me what it says.
Hey Rusty, Look up the word “ignorant” and tell me whose picture you see.
Wow, Juneau, a hypocrite much?
I’m offended by the phrase “beaten like a red headed step child” Come on Anderson Cooper, if you are so righteous don’t just pick and choose who to defend.
Which movie trailer was that phrase used in?
So things are only offensive if they are used in movie trailers? You need more of a social life.
Not at all. But had another bullying phrase been used in a mainstream movie trailer, it would have generated just as much controversy. But the point is that other hateful phrases aren’t used in movie trailers because “That’s so gay” is the only one that seems to be acceptable.
Some words have to meaning. To pigeon hole the word gay to homosexuals is being nearsighted, when actually the word gay refering to homosexuals isn’t even the word’s original meaning.
Some words have two meanings…
Figured I should correct myself before the grammar police arrived.
it’s disingenuous of anyone to suggest the jokey phrase “that’s gay” or Vaughn’s response to electric cars (“Gay.”) isn’t clearly drawing on the idea of a macho guy thinking electric cars have less power and therefore aren’t for macho guys but are for GAY guys since they’re so unmacho – again drawing on the nationally accepted stereotype – so enough with the semantic crap
@Rusty: we get that your point is that “gay” didn’t always mean homosexual…but that doesn’t change anything about what it clearly means now. look, “terrific” used to mean large, but now it means great. i would suggest you look for another, more relevant talking point.
yes, because red heads (and step kids) have experienced years and years of discrimination and denial of civil rights. Read a history book before displaying such bewildering ignorance.
I still think that is a funny line
I think you took one too many sensitivity classes.
It was unfortunate how the trailer was cut, but before you criticize Howard and Vaughn too much, perhaps you should do a Web search and read what the ENTIRE line of dialogue was. You’re still free to feel the same way, of course, but it might be a little more fair to those guys, who weren’t the ones snipping up the dialogue for the trailer.
This article is gay.
agreed
Darn it, Rusty, you beat me to it :p I am all for tolerance, including the tolerance of humor. The same way that “white people can’t dance”, “electric cars are gay”. Well, I never said it had to be funny humor :p Chill out people. Really.
and retarded…
and trolling the comments section is gay
how dare you Alex – it is SUPERgay
Dear Jess,
So sorry you don’t accept the fact that the word “gay” has different meanings in different contexts. You have no sense of historical balance to what you write. “Gay” was a word long before the homosexual community adopted it, and it will be a word after the homosexual community gravitates to some other word to identify itself. The Webster’s I just checked lists four definitions of the word ahead of “homosexual.” Maybe you should check out the SOUTH PARK episode regarding the term “gay” for additional clarification.
Yeah, because normal people refer others to South Park episodes as the epitome of their education…
The word “gay” has has a double meaning centuries. As early as the early 17th Century is was a euphemism for living a “dissipated or immoral” life. Later it evolved into “gay blade” or “gay cat,” a male prostitute. Like taking back the pink triangle, the Nazi symbol for homosexuals, taking back hurtful words like “gay” and “queer” can be healing and empowering. But when used carelessly or with intent to hurt by bigots and homophobes, it can be very damaging, especially to youth who have not yet developed a strong sense of self. It also gives permission to others that using those words just to be mean is OK. Maybe within the context of the film and character, the term makes sense, but it’s good that the trailer has been altered. Too many kids would hear Vaughn using that expression and think it’s OK to say.
wait let me get this right? One word is uttered and this site posts an article praising censoring this movie but when movies like “last airbender” is made in which it blatantly used ‘yellowface’ you barely mention it. That’s really GAY! Apparently being pc only suits this website when they feel like it.
You have no idea what censorship is.
umm yes I do. Apparently you’re from the school of thought in which you think censoring is an act only by the government. But what really is important is the effect whether by the government or by a private group or company. I don’t care if its only been removed from the trailer and not the movie itself. Besides the you completely missed the point of my comment. It’s not about censoring dipsh*t. It’s about what EW finds offensive. Apparently you don’t know what an argument is.
Then neither do the people that complain about the MPAA.
Oh please. It’s not a “school of thought.” That’s what censorship is. A corporation choosing to alter its product based on feedback from a segment of its customer base is not even remotely close to censorship.
But keep proving that bigotry and stupidity go hand in hand.
For Example. The Bill of Rights gives you the right to religious freedom. This means the government cannot pass laws restriction your religious expression. Now a private company can also be sued if they only hired people of a certain religion or race. So we’ve blurred the line between government and the private sector but when we “censor” things, people want to argue it’s not the government doing it so its ok. You can’t have it both ways.
That’s some Glenn Beckian logic you got going on there. Did you have to get out a chalkboard to come up with that crap? No one “censored” anything. The company chose to make a change on its own volition.
Glen Beckian logic? BWAH HA. That’s funny. I’m arguing against censorship which is a liberal thing to argue and you are arguing for a corporation to alter it’s own “product” but yet you call me a “Glen Beckian.” Wow dude. I guess I don’t need to say anything more. This last comment just proved you missed the entire point of my argument and apparently you need to take a political science class.
You really don’t need to say anything more! Your stupidity is on full display. Once again for the people in the cheap seats, you are not “arguing against censorship” as there was no censorship involved in this situation whatsoever.
Mr. Brandon Backwards, you are clearly not paying any attention to what he’s saying. What in the hell does censorship have to do wit him pointing out that it wasn’t pointed out on here that “Yellowface” is in the Last Airbender & no one threw a fit? I also am tired of the fact that in this article, it’s called total bs that the word “gay” has another meaning. It does. Maybe at this day & age it’s meaning seems to be totally about gays & lesbians, but it has another meaning. & frankly, the people making & writing this movie have free speech. They can say whatever they want practically, that’s what our Bill of Rights state, regardless of it offending people.
It would be too cruel to respond to you, Ashley.
@Brandon “Censorship is the suppression of speech or other communication which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient to the general body of people as determined by a government, media outlet, or other controlling body.” i.e. exactly what this is, regardless of who gave what “feedback”
…and regardless of whether you or I agree with it or not
…and having said that, I don’t think pulling the trailer is as bad as acctually changing the product. THAT’s censorship. This is just advertising.
Universal Pictures changed their own product, they didn’t “suppress” anyone’s speech.
That’s still a “controlling body” changing the artist’s product… IF they changed the actual film. Right now they’ve just changed their advertising.
You have to understand the seperation between the creative element and the business element. To say the company is making the change itself and therefore could not be censoring is innacurate. Changing the creative product (written and filmmed by others)IS indeed cencsorship… if you want to be all dramatic about it. It’s otherwise known as everyday business
Hardly. Films released by the major studios are not artist’s visions. They are commercial products developed by the studio who have commissioned writers, directors, actors, etc to produce the product. It is not censorship; it’s a business/marketing decision.
it’s not censorship because they willingly removed the ad themselves; this kind of pr management is about business in hollywood, and as the article says a lot of the folks involved are probably deeply bothered by the inferrence that they’re not sensitive to issues of homophobia or the way even slight jokes like this one can play their tiny part in fostering it…
So, will all of those commenters who cry “censorship” whenever the MPAA slaps a harsh rating on a film also cry censorship over this? I’m guessing the answer is no.
Nobody said anything when “The Hangover” used the phrase “paging Dr. faggot”. Oh…but you liked that movie.
Be consistent.
Agreed, I have never seen any uproar over this scene. That word makes me wince.
I could be wrong, but I think the whole uproar in this article is about that it was in the trailer? Right? I’m sure if “paging dr..” was in the trailer it would be a similar thing. I know Anderson Cooper however has waged war on the use of the word entirely.
True, Rob. Outrage can be very selective. Dropping the F bomb isn’t particularly sensitive but no one complained about it. I take it ‘The Dilemma’ is a crap film and therefore a viable target.
The point is when you use the word gay when you mean bad/sucks/unfortunate, its offensive to an entire group of people. Yes, people have been saying gay in that way for years but it doesn’t mean its right.Its the same with “retarded.” If you substitute white,black,asian,etc for the word gay in “that’s so gay,” would you not be offended? In light of all the gay bullying and suicide stories lately it would be terrible if Universal didn’t cut it out. I’m not saying its revolutionary but its a start.
Gay people aren’t the only ones getting bullied. Retarded has always meant to describe a mentally handicapped person, whereas gay has not always been used to describe homosexuals, it was turned into that.
Yes, bullying is unacceptable in all instances (so you might want to check yourself). But, in fact, ‘gay’ was an appellation of the straight and religious for ‘immoral’ people, first appearing around 1650. As with the N-word, it’s always been derogative. In contrast, mentally/ physically /socially / developmentally retarded is acceptable scientific terminology. People might used ‘retarded’ in a derogatory way at times, but the terminology is not derogatory.
Your right Nicole – but one thing -using “that’s so gay” as a slur has gone on for years – BUT ONLY the last 10 years or so…I think one positive thing is when you hear someone say “thats so gay” then you should say back – “it really is awesome/great/fantastic or whatever and TURN the meaing of “that’s so gay” into a positive. I do it whenever I hear someone say it and it really makes them think. When someone tries to explain that they meant it as “stupid/bad/sucks” then you get to see in their eyes what they just realized they are doing….I think it works….
So, let’s turn “that’s so gay” into a positive!
I like this.
I agree. I think most people who use that phrase don’t really understand what they’re saying and don’t really mean to be offensive. That’s just a commonly used phrase, though I haven’t heard it much since middle school.
I agree and while you’re at it let’s do the same with the saying “You throw like a girl”
lol oh please don’t do that, it’s such a bad idea; sometimes even us SUPER gays use the phrase “that’s so gay” and usually when something combines fuschia with glitter but uknowhatimean, i’d hate to have people start thinking it means “stupid/bad/sucks” when I’m trying to use it as “gay”