"That's so gay." Um, actually it probably isn't.
It's also something most of us don't want to hear, and it's absolutely something young people shouldn't have to hear in the classroom.
That's why, for Anti-Bullying Week this year, we've teamed up with Stonewall on Gay. Let’s Get Over It, a campaign to provide guidance to schools, parents and young people, and to address the misuse of the word 'gay'.
Mumsnetters talked about the need for the campaign here, and you can get involved in it here.
Do share on Twitter #GetOverIt, Facebook and Google+ - the more people know about the campaign, the more we can challenge unacceptable language and change the culture of our schools. And do feel free to discuss it here too.
Tomorrow, Will Young will be coming into MNHQ for a webchat about the campaign at 12pm - watch active for the webchat thread which will be up later and post your questions to him there.
For more information on Mumsnet Campaigns, check our our Campaigns hub.
Mumsnet campaigns
Challenging the use of homophobic language in schools: Mumsnet and Stonewall campaign
RebeccaMumsnet · 18/11/2013 10:02
elskov - your idea that you want to protect children from knowing about homosexuality when they are young is sustainable, as long as they never meet or know anyone who is gay. In my family, since my cousin is in a civil partnership with a baby, it would be impossible to not introduce them to the concept that some men love men, and some women love women, and they can even bring up babies. My 2 year old knows this since it's blatantly obvious when we see my cousin and her partner! So it's hardly a case of me deciding when it's 'appropriate' to introduce them to the idea.
Your child might in future have a gay teacher, who happens to mention their partner in a way in which it's clear that that teacher is the same gender - the child could even be as young as Reception-aged 
!
There is nothing inappropriate for a young child about the simple concept of two people loving each other. As others have said, you no more have to go into the mechanics of sex than you would if your child met your sister's new boyfriend. I haven't even said (to my 2 or 5 year old) that there's a term (or rather, several terms!) for two people of the same gender loving each other as it just doesn't seem very relevant to them at this point.
Elskovs, the first time your DCs will hear the word gay is more likely to be the insult than as a reference to homosexuality (I know mine did). In the end, I don't think you can hide the fact that some people are homosexuals from them and if you are not the person to tell them about it and you don't allow teachers to tell them, someone in the playground will.
I urge you to do something to overcome your prejudice (reading biographies can be good for this) so that you can speak comfortably to them about this.
Ive read the thread and although I do agree with not using the word gay as an insult, I am still uncomfortable about introducing my children to the idea of homosexuality at such a young age, so Im not sure Id support the idea of Stonewall at their primary.
As a mother I will still love them if they are gay, but to be absolutely honest, I hope that they wont be.
To whoever said my opinion is the most disgusting thing they've ever read in their lives... REALLY?! Ive just this week been told to choke on cock online. You must be rather new to the internet
DS and I had our first "sex talk" last week. It was very sensible. He is six.
I knew a friend's brother was gay when I was about 7 years old and he was 5, (we all did, him included) but at the time none of us actually knew why gay was. Most gay adults will tell you they knew as children.
Well, if you worked in a school MiniMonty, you definitely weren't a teacher, thank fuck 
. It's "nonsense" not NONSENCE. Were you the janitor with the Daily Mail rolled up in the pocket of your overalls?
Your point about children being unsure of their sexuality is moot, really. There will be a few, who know that they are gay in every school. So when another child (as uninformed/unfeeling as you are) says "that's so gay...", the connotation is that gay=crap because the word has been used to describe something negatively. At the tender age of 13, 14, 15, 16... that's going to hurt 
. Does the odd one, even if to you, they are statistically insignificant, not matter?
To Davejones; Teenage girls should practice the piano, not safe sex. WTF? What about the boys? Who's going to sleep with them, if the teenage girls don't? Should the boys maybe practice the flute then?
Glad you found the thread helped you understand Silvery.
This thread has de-railed somewhat, hasn't it?
I respect all those who feel offence, and having read and considered the thread, will challenge if I hear the word "gay" used to mean "pathetic", by asking the user to elaborate what he/she means, and checking as best I can that they do not think homosexuals are pathetic.
Love, peace, 
Dave, I'm sorry you feel that secrecy and shame are natural..
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