Think Before You Speak Campaign Launches

by Michael Jones · 2008-10-08 19:13:00 UTC
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GLSEN Think Before you SpeakThink B4 U Speak. Kind of looks like a rushed text message. But it's the latest campaign from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the Ad Council. We all know the three-letter and four-letter and six-letter words that are used to degrade and demoralize LGBT people. As the GLSEN points out:

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens experience homophobic remarks and harassment throughout the school day, creating an atmosphere where they feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe. Homophobic remarks such as “that’s so gay” are the most commonly heard; these slurs are often unintentional and a common part of teens’ vernacular. Most do not recognize the consequences, but the casual use of this language often carries over into more overt harassment.

Ninety percent of all LGBT students reported being harassed last year. With numbers like those, it's know wonder that LGBT students face a higher risk of depression, anxiety and suicide. The Trevor Project, the nation's only LGBT suicide hotline, reported having 1,200 phone calls alone last year from LGBT and questioning youth. Statistics like that make campaigns like this all the more important.

The best thing about this campaign is that it doesn't paint people who use anti-gay language as inherently evil. Rather, it points out what may be obvious, but is often forgotten: "A lot of anti-LGBT language is said carelessly, and isn’t intended as negative or hurtful." So moral of the story? Don't be afraid to tell someone that it's not OK to say that's so gay.

For some great user-generated content, that I unfortunately can't get to embed right now, go here.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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