Top 10 ways to respond to “That’s So Gay!”
Compiled from responses gathered from participants of Keshet’s National Training Institutes
- Don’t ignore it.
- Take the individual aside and have a one on one conversation.
- Illustrate why it is offensive (e.g. “Would you ever say “that’s so Jewish,” or “that’s so black”?)
- Find out what they believe the word “gay” means.
- Emphasize what the word “gay” actually means.
- Illustrate the consequences their words could have on others (e.g. “What if someone, maybe one of your friends, is gay and heard you say that?”)
- Use it as an educational moment: ask the individuals what they are trying to express and provide them with alternative language.
- Explain why you are offended; when appropriate add a face to the issue (e.g. “My best friend is gay”).
- Make it clear that that language is not acceptable.
- Be preemptive and talk about LGBTQ inclusion so that people know it’s inappropriate to say “that’s so gay.”