Wanda Sykes Fights Teen Usage of 'That's So Gay'

[romantico]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 9:32pm

I just LOVE Wanda!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrJrw5ZZfRU

[Popular]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 9:45pm

Wow, it's like Wanda has been spying on some of the 7th and 8th grade boys I work with at my school. There are several kids in the class who have gay parents and it's STILL like talking to a wall when you call them on using that phrase. Maybe Wanda can knock some sense into them, goodness knows I've tried!
Updated On: 10/8/08 at 09:45 PM

[Q]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 9:50pm

"Knock it off."

Thanks, Wanda!

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 11:25pm

THAT'S RIGHT, GURLFRIEND!
Thank you!

I've been preaching this for years, even back when it was first "cool"

I remember in high-school, after hearing it used, I'd turn around and retort:

"Oh, yeah, totally, I know right? That sweater soooo has a man-crush on that sweater across the room! Baby doll, go find yourself a thesaurus."

SPREAD THE LOVE OR SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

[NGD2225]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 11:38pm

I would be fine with "That's so gay" if people actually used it in the right context.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 11:54pm

My usual response is:
Really, is it homosexual?

That usually stops it.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 10/8/08 at 11:58pm

^ That's what my math teacher says. She goes "Really, I didn't know it had a dating preference".

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 12:05am

I was shocked that when I was in 8th grade (about 9 years ago; before it was WIDELY used), we were reading "The Outsiders" and the teacher called the group that was known as the Socs, well she pronounced it like "socks", but then a student said "it's pronounced soshes", and she said "yeah, but that sounds a little gay. a little bit strange to say soshes." one of my classmates said "A word can be homosexual?". That teacher never used "gay" in that context again.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 12:10am

:::I've been preaching this for years, even back when it was first "cool":::

What year was that, Eug?

[winston89]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 2:48am

Whenever my friends use that word I always turn to them and say "yes because its clear that that thing loves it up the ass." Or it's wrong to call that thing gay. If it were two men kissing then it would be okay to say it. But, not in general.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 3:31am

Whenever my friends use that word I always turn to them and say "yes because its clear that that thing loves it up the ass."

...seriously?

[winston89]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 5:31am

I will admit that I used that after a night of us having a few drinks and not being in the best mindset.

[soapguy17]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 6:25am

I heart Wanda so much. Im pretty ashamed to admit that I've used a variation of Winston's response for the last few months. . . completely sober ever time I've used.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 9:51am

I don't see anything wrong with the response, sober or not.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 10:12am

I actually hear it used a lot less amongst the middle schoolers I teach now than I did back when I was school.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 10:51am

I love the message, but it's sort of ironic that she also stars on the show that seems to have forgotten that gay marriages are not recognized on a federal level.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 11:27am

Nice of her, but I get the feeling it will fall on the deaf ears of a generation of males all races who call each other "nigga" with such casual frequency.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 11:36am

This is part of an entire campaign from GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. There are two other commercials, as well as other resources.
Think Before You Speak

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 11:39am

This is not a new phenomenon. I certainly remember this being a problem in the early 80s.

Good on Wanda and Hillary Duff for taking this on...and the Ad Council and GLSEN!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/business/media/08adco.html?em

[EugLoven]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 1:37pm

Same story, different link (with Duff video)
http://www.advocate.com/exclusive_detail_ektid63274.asp

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 1:41pm

"Oh, yeah, totally, I know right? That sweater soooo has a man-crush on that sweater across the room! Baby doll, go find yourself a thesaurus."


...but, calling somebody 'baby doll' is ok?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 1:45pm

I prefer "toots."

[romantico]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 2:00pm

I think the ads are too nice. The Hillary Duff one was just way too tame, but I like the message. Bill Maher addressed this phrase on his show not too long ago and went off on a rant. Now he should do one of these ads. I would like to see Chris Rock do one of these videos as well.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 2:01pm

"That’s so girl wearing a skirt as a top."

That makes me laugh.

[lildogs]

Posted: 10/9/08 at 3:27pm

"generation of males all races who call each other 'nigga'"

The girls do it too--and it's REALLY starting to bother me--regardless of who says it.