The notion of sexuality being linked in a negative way is notorious and omnipresent in our society. It's easy to hear someone say 'that's so gay' when in public, even for the most unequivocal things. What many use as a phrase (established often in school) has persisted to older generations with little regard given for those who can be harmed in the process when uttering the words so nonchalantly. It is about time that it was tackled head on by everyone, not just pro-LGB organisations that have battled on for years. Yes the inclusivity of LGB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) people has progressed a lot over the last century, especially recently in law, but how LGB people are treated in public needs to improve.
When you switch the words such as 'gay', 'lesbian' and 'bisexual' with 'straight/heterosexual' it is clear how stupid they sound as a phrase:
'No hetero - but that's a nice jumper'
'That's so straight!'
'Dude those shoes make you look straight.'
'Ah it's ok, straight is just a phase he's going through.'
'Straaaaaiiiiiiight!'
'That sounds a little straight...'
'Stop being straight man!'
'Yeah she does look a bit heterosexual.'
'Well, it would be straight not to!'
'Don't be straight man, just do it!
'What a straight boy!'
'Are you sure you're straight?'
'Have you always been heterosexual?'
'When did you know you're straight?'
'But you don't look straight.'
'You straight people are just greedy.'
'How do you know you're straight if you've never been with a guy?'
'You're straight? Such a waste of a man/woman!'
'I'm just worried people will think I'm straight too.'
'So how does straight sex even work?'
'Is straight sex even actually sex?'
Using a person's sexuality in a negative way has become a very common habit, certainly in younger people. Nearly all would say they didn't mean it as a bad thing, were pro-LGB rights and don't think it is that offensive. But to many it can be, especially if they are questioning their sexuality or overhear it being said in public. Since when did being gay, lesbian or bisexual necessarily mean a bad thing anyway? Why not be a LGB ally and act upon this injustice?
Not everyone in the LGB community is a victim or needs help but there are plenty that are subject to this bullying. Intense bullying and social out casting can be attributed as big contributing factors to the state of a person's mental health, with studies showing that lesbian, gay and bisexual people show higher levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings than heterosexual men and women. This really is a sad statistic and completely unnecessary.
Please do think about the pain and hurt that it can cause next time you hear or say it. To many it is just a bad habit, and habits are hard to break; but even just trying to not say it as often and calling other people up on it can be a very positive move that will start to make society progress to a better state of inclusiveness for all.