That's "Gay"

First of all, this post is for yesterday. I had put this together for Monday, February 13th, but then Blogger had some technical issues last night and I didn't get back online before bedtime. So here's a little opinion piece for you all:

When someone says something you don't agree with and you stand by and let them say it, you are accepting it as valid. Now, there is a time and place for people to have conflicting opinions, and it's called reality. But then there is that fine line that is frequently crossed between someone expressing themselves and someone being derogatory. I want to speak out against the use of the word "gay" as a synonym for stupid, boring, or inadequate.

According to Dictionary.com - "gay" means: homosexual; of, indicating, or supporting homosexual  interests or issues; having or showing a merry, lively mood; bright or showy.

Mirriam-Webster defines "gay" as: happily excited; keenly alive and exuberant; brilliant in color; homosexual.

Even Urban Dictionary states that "gay" means: jovial or happy, good-spirited; a homosexual male or female.

 I didn't find any definition that said "gay" means stupid.

So why do people use "gay" as an adjective in a derogatory way? Where did this originate? Well, this writer did some research. Also on Urban Dictionary, "gay" has an alternative definition of: often used to describe something stupid or unfortunate. originating from homophobia. quite preferable among many teenage males in order to buff up their "masculinity".

Does that mean that everyone who uses "gay" to mean "stupid" is actually a homophobic person? I certainly hope not! And I suspect that although most people do not intend to use "gay" in such a way, they are aware that calling something "gay" is unkind. Do you say that things are "gay?" Why don't you say that something is "pizza?" That could actually mean stupid, but you would never know. Apparently, the seventh graders in my area are currently deeming all things cool as "blue." Yes, you read that right. I think this is a "blue" blog. 

If you don't say "that's gay," do you allow other people to say it? Because if you do, you're allowing it to continue, and that's just as bad as saying it yourself. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in and speak out against something. Life isn't about taking the easy route. It's about doing what's right, even when it isn't popular. And by stopping one person from saying it, maybe that person will stop saying it around the teenagers in their life, and we can stop the use of "gay" as a negative connotation all together.

I don't know about you, but I think that would be pretty "blue."

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