Heather in Neverland Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I cannot describe how much I hate that phrase. Truly hate it. Unfortunately, because I am a principal I hear it ALL DAY. It seems to be the favorite phrase for kids to describe anything they don't like or don't agree with. Who came up with this ridiculous phrase? I'd like to punch them. I can deal with "That sucks!" better. Or even "WHATever". But if I hear "That's gay!" one more time I might seriously hurt someone. :rant: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 That is absolutely an off-limits phrase in my hubby's school district. That can get them a referral. Of course we are in California. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaT Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Go ahead and smack somebody - you're the principal. Just kidding . . . sort of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancer67 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Yup, and I hear the kids say "How Queer"....ugghhhhhhhhh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajama Mama Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Oooohhh, I hate that one too. My kids' friends use that one alot:glare: But I still hate "Retard!" more though. Yes, I have a mentally challenged child. Yes, it find it insulting to someone with a disability. I will correct a child who says "Retard" at my house--especially with ds10 sitting right there. He may not understand. but. I. do. **sorry for the :rant:** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 :glare: The adults irk me more than the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 But if I hear "That's gay!" one more time I might seriously hurt someone. :rant: Ummm, what does it mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajama Mama Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Ummm, what does it mean? "Gay" means stupid or lame apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 Ummm, what does it mean? Well, the kids seem to find ways to make it mean all sorts of things but basically it is a phrase they use to express their displeasure about something or their dislike for something. For instance, I told them they could not kick the ball when they play "four-square" at recess because kids are getting hurt. The response? "That's gay!" Another instance, in class they were talking about movies they like. One student said they liked High School Musical and another kids said, "That's gay!" I HATE THAT PHRASE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haiku Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 You're the principal ... ban the phrase! ;) Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 :iagree: You be da boss! Sometimes words need to stop being used when the meaning is unclear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trixie Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 You're the principal ... ban the phrase! ;) Tara :iagree: That phrase is no different from any other bigoted epithet, none of which would be considered acceptable language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cammie Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 :iagree: That phrase is no different from any other bigoted epithet, none of which would be considered acceptable language. :iagree::iagree::iagree: Can't you make a policy about no hateful/hurtful/derogatory language? Otherwsie what fun is it to be principal?:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Go ahead and smack somebody - you're the principal. Just kidding . . . sort of. What happened to those big Prinicpal paddles that hang in the office. You could get one and say "Say Gay. You Pay.":D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 this is just NOT.OK. It's up the adults to teach the kids that this is an unacceptable term. Some resources if you're interested: http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=355 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trixie Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 :iagree: You be da boss! Sometimes words need to stop being used when the meaning is unclear. Or when the meaning is abundantly clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 :iagree: That phrase is no different from any other bigoted epithet, none of which would be considered acceptable language. Quashing this is your job lady. Don't shirk! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 What happened to those big Prinicpal paddles that hang in the office. You could get one and say "Say Gay. You Pay.":D That made me laugh out loud for REAL. We have our administration meeting today and it is at the top of my list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plimsoll Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 How about a contest for which class can go the longest without anyone in the class using the phrase? Or a contest for classes that can come up with the best or most comprehensive list of alternatives for expressing their displeasure? For example, in a month's time, every time they would have used the phrase, they write the circumstances that caused them displeasure (or to disagree, or whatever) and come up with alternate wording to express that particular emotion. At the end of the month, each class submits its list for evaluation by a panel of teachers. Individual students could also get awards for writing essays or stories based around the experience that would have triggered the use of the phrase, having the story's characters expressing themselves without using the banned phrase. Just brainstorming.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olan719 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 :iagree: Back when I taught high school a few years ago, I HATED hearing this phrase. The kids just didn't understand how much I couldn't stand it and how offensive it sounds....no matter what side of the fence your opinion falls on. And yes, most of the time it was meant to mean "that's stupid!" I'm so glad that I don't have to listen to it anymore. That phrase will be banned in this house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 What happened to those big Prinicpal paddles that hang in the office. You could get one and say "Say Gay. You Pay.":D That is seriously funny! I'm sitting here snorting with laughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria from IN Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Found a link you may be interested in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRNAGcP-gOA "For example, if I was to think this pepper shaker was stupid, I'd say 'that's so sixteen-year-old boy with a cheesy mustache'..." Gotta love that.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandtinagilbert Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Thinking aloud, I remember saying that waaaay back in the 80's. People were much less p.c. back then. I guess everything old really is new again. I like the paddle plan :) Say gay, you pay:lol::lol::lol: Hope you can sensor such nonsense and put some articulate words to use! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trixie Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 People were much less p.c. back then. I guess everything old really is new again. Dismissing it as a "p.c." issue trivializes the problem, though. This is (and always has been) a pretty straightforward bigotry issue. Even back in the 80's, the expression was derogatory. It's just that that kind of overt bigotry against gays was more acceptably mainstream then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I must be the only one who's never heard that before. In any event, it is totally inappropriate. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 That phrase bothers me, but I have also noticed some of the same kids (white middle class suburban girls) calling each other "Nigg@". I just really can not get over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandtinagilbert Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Dismissing it as a "p.c." issue trivializes the problem, though. This is (and always has been) a pretty straightforward bigotry issue. Even back in the 80's, the expression was derogatory. It's just that that kind of overt bigotry against gays was more acceptably mainstream then. Didn't mean to dismiss the issue. My apologies. In the 80's I was a youngster and wouldn't have meant it as derogatory at all...nobody ever told me it was. And I agree, overt bigotry in general was more acceptable. No offense meant....still like the paddle idea and glad for the meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandtinagilbert Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 That phrase bothers me, but I have also noticed some of the same kids (white middle class suburban girls) calling each other "Nigg@". I just really can not get over it. I think your example is a result of Pop Culture. Strange world we live in. Reminds me of my parents thinking I was crazy for saying "bad" (think Michael Jackson) was "good" and "wicked" was "cool or awesome" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trixie Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 No offense meant.... No worries; none taken. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 (edited) That's not something I would allow if I were ruler of the whole world. I hope my children would know there would be hell to pay if I heard *anything* like that come out of their mouths! It's completely awful & unacceptable! They were not allowed to say that at my oldest son's (Quaker) school without repercussion. They were excellent about putting down this kind of language without punishment. Edited October 14, 2009 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 That particular phrase used to annoy my dh considerably when he was teaching Auslan. The kids would translate it word for word, but unfortunately the slang connotation doesn't translate. It took him ages to get them to see quite how stupid they looked signing "that computer is a homosexual man." Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orangearrow Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I really didn't know kids still said that! :001_huh: Wow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 (edited) . Edited October 14, 2009 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianmum Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 My brother is a teacher in a middle/high school in a small rural town here, and he tells the story of when he wanted a student to move their desk to better interact with another student. The one who was asked said, "That's gay!" and my brother, said, as he picked up the desk and carried it himself, "Gay gay gay, gay gay gay, gay gay gay gay, gay gay gay," like the little rhyme. It diffused the situation and pointed out the ridiculous use of this word! Nancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama2cntrykids Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I too loathe "That's Gay!". I'm so glad that I don't hear it anymore. I used to hear it quite often out of my step daughter, but she's in college now (and no longer using the word, lol). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I cannot describe how much I hate that phrase. Truly hate it. Unfortunately, because I am a principal I hear it ALL DAY. It seems to be the favorite phrase for kids to describe anything they don't like or don't agree with. Who came up with this ridiculous phrase? I'd like to punch them. I can deal with "That sucks!" better. Or even "WHATever". But if I hear "That's gay!" one more time I might seriously hurt someone. :rant: My 15yo dd says it a lot. I have to say that it bothers me much less than "That sucks!" I can't stand that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawna in Texas Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I'm in a difficult position here. I've got an 11yo who likes to use 'queer' quite often. It's her favorite word. She uses it properly. I wish I remembered where she first read it. She was an early reader and it was a classic, but I can't recall. It's going to bother me. I tell her that although she uses it properly, it may offend some people, or encourage others who don't realize that it has another meaning. She thinks that is silly and wants to educate the masses. She likes to combine weird and queer to get queerd. It means something is truly bizarre or a seemingly unsolvable mystery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea Time Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 My brother is a teacher in a middle/high school in a small rural town here, and he tells the story of when he wanted a student to move their desk to better interact with another student. The one who was asked said, "That's gay!" and my brother, said, as he picked up the desk and carried it himself, "Gay gay gay, gay gay gay, gay gay gay gay, gay gay gay," like the little rhyme. It diffused the situation and pointed out the ridiculous use of this word!Nancy. What a smart man! Good for him. Banning words seems likely to be counter productive to me, especially with middle schoolers. Disarm the situation - very smart. Your brother's "song" reminded me of the movie The Producers which has this song in it called "Keep It Gay," where they repeat that phrase over and over. It is a very catchy song so it sticks in your head. It is a kind of shocking musical number that I could not help feeling would surely offend nearly everyone. I found myself in a kind of "offended" loop where I did not know who was offending whom or if anyone was really offended. Disturbing. Can't recommend the show for people who are easily bothered, BTW, but your brother's song totally made me think of this, so now that song is stuck in my head! Ugh! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 I'm in a difficult position here. I've got an 11yo who likes to use 'queer' quite often. It's her favorite word. She uses it properly. I wish I remembered where she first read it. She was an early reader and it was a classic, but I can't recall. It's going to bother me. I tell her that although she uses it properly, it may offend some people, or encourage others who don't realize that it has another meaning. She thinks that is silly and wants to educate the masses. She likes to combine weird and queer to get queerd. It means something is truly bizarre or a seemingly unsolvable mystery. Same here. Having heard quite a few Enid Blyton novels, my kids think queer means strange or unexpected. A lot of traditional children's books also use gay in the older sense. (I usually just read it as happy or cheerful to avoid confusion.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 My son said he has heard boys say many derogatory things lately involving Jewish people. He says he tell them "Don't say that" but it really bothers him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgm Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 It's very common around here...we have a large culture clash going on due to the high immigration and the city people moving to rural areas. "That's gay" is quite often the kid way of drawing a boundary, especially in the locker room, since many other students won't respect ordinary English and apparently come from cultures where one stares at others changing. Other times it's just plain intolerance of others and needs to be nipped in the bud like all bullying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.