I argued that straight men’s use of phrases like “that’s so gay” could only be understood by three key factors: first, the intent with which it was said second, the social context (homophobic or otherwise) and third, the effect it had.
Language has evolved and “gay” means something different to younger generations in particular contexts. Importantly, linguistic research supports their claims. For them, gay had two distinct meanings which they were able to distinguish between – when it refers to sexual identity and when it refers, separately, to something being “rubbish”. Given that labelling these students homophobic would be ridiculous, it was vital to consider how they were using this language and the reasons why.Īll of the men in my research insisted that they did not intend to be homophobic when they used the phrase. Yet several of them would also say “that’s so gay” when frustrated. These young men had openly gay friends, supported gay rights and condemned homophobia.
My interest in the phrase “that’s so gay” developed when I researched straight male students at sixth form colleges. How are we to understand a phrase that older people find homophobic, but many younger people do not find offensive and even use themselves? We can only get to an answer by listening to the voices of young people and trying to understand their perspectives. He said: “I think it breaks down barriers between the straight and gay community… I use it a lot.” Similarly, Neil, gay and aged 18, said: “I don’t find it derogatory in any way, probably because I say it as well.” Yet the initial findings from my interviews with 40 gay youth from four universities suggests a more complex picture, with no clear agreement on what the phrase means or its effects.Ĭonsider Joe, a 19-year-old gay student at an elite university. Stonewall argues that the phrase has a harmful effect on young lesbian, gay and bisexual people’s education and well-being. Stonewall’s School Report argued this position, and it will be discussed in their upcoming Education Conference.
In response, public policy director for Equality Florida, Jon Harris Maurer, said that "conversations about us aren't something dangerous that should be banned".Ĭhasten Buttigieg, activist and husband of US Secretary of Transportation and former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, denounced both DeSantis and the state legislature.Ī report focusing on suicide prevention in LGBTQ youth found those who learned about LGBTQ issues or people in classrooms had a 23 per cent less chance of reporting a suicide attempt in the past 12 months.