This clip was distributed by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the Ad Council, and ThinkB4YouSpeak.com. In it, two girls are at a register talking about how one of the girls is unable to go out that night. The other responds with, “Ugh, that’s so gay.” At this point, a customer walks up and retorts, “Ugh, that is so Emma and Julia,” and proceeds to tell them that everyone uses that phrase to describe something that is dumb or stupid. The commercial ends by saying, “Imagine if who you are were used as an insult. When you say ‘That’s so gay,’ do you realize what you say? Knock it off.”

discussion

Consider the phrase “That’s so gay.” Is this something you hear people say? Have you said it yourself? What does it mean and why is it used in these contexts?

Why do you think people are opposed to using the phrase “That’s so gay” as an insult? Who would be offended by it and why?

What is the purpose of this commercial? Who is the intended audience? Is it effective in communicating its message?