Challenging the use of homophobic language in schools: Mumsnet and Stonewall campaign

[RebeccaMumsnet]

"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.

"Just that he is going to discuss with Stonewall whether the current law (which is fine) is being properly policed, and then considering strengthening it if necessary."

Yes, and what has caused him to do this?

David Cameron knows how to push people's buttons. And Middle England think th?tnhqs somehow or other "political correctness" is getting in their way. If you ask how, they have no idea.

DC knows that he wouldn't be challenged on that- because there is a right wing consensus that political correctness is a bad thing. I bet even you, Claig, couldn't tell me exactly how, specifically, it's a bad thing, and give m examples.

Political correctness was what socialists pejoratively called the techniques of communists who tried to enforce a political orthodoxy on the socialists.

"Generally, any policy, behavior, and speech code that the speaker or the writer regards as the imposition of a liberal orthodoxy about people and things, can be described and criticized as “politically correct”"

That is how the term is used by right wing politicians and much of the public at large.

It can mean holding any view that the metroplitan elite believe to be "incorrect", such as that manmade climate change is not real among a myriad of other views deemed "politically incorrect" by a political elite that wants to circumscribe the legitimate area of political debate.

Yes, and what has caused him to do this?

An upcoming election is my guess.

I really don't think you need to worry about draconian anti-homophobia in school laws being drafted. Look at what a hassle it was simply to repeal section 28.

An "ex-politician" once accused Mrs Duffy, a lifelong Labour voter, of being a "bigoted woman".

Why? What did she do? Did she dare to have a politically incorrect thought?

"It can mean holding any view that the metroplitan elite believe to be "incorrect", such as that manmade climate change is not real among a myriad of other views deemed "politically incorrect" by a political elite that wants to circumscribe the legitimate area of political debate."

Well, the metropolitan elite and 97% of the worldwide scientific community! But I don't think it's considered "politically incorrect" to reject man made climate change, is it?

Oh, and the Mrs Duffy thing? Screw up from start to finish. But I don't think she was called a bigot because she dared to say something politically incorrect- IiRC she was called a bigot because she said something bigoted!

What are some of the other myriad views?

'I really don't think you need to worry about draconian anti-homophobia in school laws being drafted. Look at what a hassle it was simply to repeal section 28.'

I agree. I think homophobia and racism are serious problems and people should be punished for them. Nobody should have to suffer abuse.

I think that if the focus becomes phrases such as "That's so gay!" then the rightful objective of stamping out homophobic abuse may be weakened.

It's about what is proportionate and what is homophobic abuse.

Mrs Duffy was called a "bigoted woman". She had a politically incorrect thought. But she was soon apologised to and her hand was shaken and the "ex-politician" lost the election. It was not proportionate to call Mrs Duffy a "bigoted woman".

'Well, the metropolitan elite and 97% of the worldwide scientific community'
They are one and the same

"What are some of the other myriad views?"

That would require a whole new thread of its own and a detailed analysis of the New Labour manifesto among other things.

I do seem to remember once in CAB training a couple of decades ago being told we couldn't refer to black coffee - they seemed serious about this.

I have an MA in Linguistics and studied Conversation Analysis. Language evolves. As the 4 definitions given above indicate, gay is a homophone (=sound alike) with 4 meanings. And context plays its part.

The French have a long history of policing their language. It hasn't worked.

The word 'gay' originally meant light hearted, happy, high spirited etc. if it is to be used properly, that is it's original meaning.

getting sanctimonious about the use of the word disparagingly will have no effect on schoolchildren at all. they despise anti bullying week anyway. My youngest son tells me that bullying has increased massively at his school this week in response to the anti bullying campaign.

What do you think should be done to help gay kids in school, Louise?

"The word 'gay' originally meant light hearted, happy, high spirited etc. if it is to be used properly, that is it's original meaning."

HOUSE!

Support this wholeheartedly, you have to start somewhere.

It gets people thinking about the issue.

My 5 year old knew that men could be married to other men and women to other women so I don't see the issue with the sex ed objection. You just make it age-appropriate like you would with anything.

Stonewall have done an amazing job to bring gay issues into the mainstream, keep up the good work.

And I will say that some of the reactionary views on this thread are very depressing.

at "used properly". --

Adding my wholehearted support to this campaign too. My 5 year old knows that sometimes women fall in love with other women, sometimes men fall in love with other men, that his friends J & S have two mummies. It would never occur to him to find this strange. In fact, now that he's starting to encounter prejudice for the first time (or at least realise what it is) what he finds really weird is that people could be so fundamentally unfair as to think there's something wrong with people who just happen to be different from them.

Thank goodness there are heterosexuals here who know the difference between homophobia and harmlessly evolving language. You know how silly LGBTs can be about this.

Thank goodness there are heterosexuals here who are raising their children to understand that some people are gay, and not to be afraid of difference. Your DS sounds great Lurcio, and very cool!
I hope my DC are similar.

I just don't think you can hold back that tide - but would be happy for another word to express the "lame" concept - hold on a minute, did I just say "lame"? Is that disablist? Well, yes it probably was when it was first used (haven't checked).

I really don't want anyone to be offended by "gay" used in its most recent meaning. Perhaps if gay people started using it to mean lame pathetic that would help to make the distinction clearer within the language?

*as well as using it to mean "gay"= homosexual, I mean. Context is what usually distinguishes homophones, there is also intonation and syntax of course.

Shift happens, this horse has already bolted into the OED.

IMO this campaign will be like banning the Sex Pistols, totally counterproductive.

As a gay woman who's spent 8+ years trying to come to terms with my sexuality I thought I'd add my bit.

I've spent the last 8 years experiencing sneering in the street, derogatory comments from people, sometimes open insults directed at me and my partner. I struggled so much to come to terms with my sexuality, for years I woke up every day wishing I was straight and "normal", I tried dating men and leading a "straight" lifestyle, I experienced suicidal thoughts, clinical depression and other mental health issues because I just couldn't face being gay and all the shit that came with it anymore. I didn't ask to be gay, I come from a middle class, religious family, who aren't best pleased about it themselves. I still wake up some days and wish I could be straight, because believe it or not there are a great many people still out there that make me feel like a second class citizen because of my sexuality. Sometimes it isn't even the direct comments, but the shocked faces and whispers behind my back that hurt the most.

I am a fairly regular poster (NCd) and I would like to say one thing to the vast majority of mumsnetters on this site.

To those of you who teach your children that being gay is acceptable and "no big deal", thank you. From the bottom of my heart I honestly thank you, because you are making sure that when today's children grow up they will feel a little bit less like I do. You are making the world a better place for people like me. When I come on here and I see the comments made on a thread like this I feel that little bit tougher and more able to face tomorrow and any homophobic twats that I come across. Too many people think "I'm not gay so it's not my problem", but those of you who make the stand against homophobia, challenge derogatory comments and educate your children, even without a personal agenda, are truly inspirational.

We still have a long way to go, I look forward to the day I no longer have to worry about people's reaction when they find out I'm gay, but down to a lot of you, hopefully that's the world your kids will live in!

So every time any of you do something, no matter how small it is, to stamp out homophobia and teach acceptance, please remember what a truly wonderful thing you are doing for me and thousands of others .

IMO this campaign will be like banning the Sex Pistols, totally counterproductive

I disagree. I am ancient (well, nearly 45) and remember clearly when nigger, paki, queer, poof, chinky, darkie, spaz etc etc etc were considered absolutely fine and nothing to get your knickers in a twist about. Those who didn't like it were just over-reacting - it was just a bit of fun, and not meant to cause offense. In fact, I remember singing "eeny, meeny, miny, mo, catch a nigger by the toe" in the playground, and it went unchecked by any of the teachers or playground supervisors. The single black child in the small village school probably didn't appreciate it, but hey, what the hell

Fast forward a few years, we all grew up, and this new generation challenged the use of this language. Far from being 'counterproductive', I would say it achieved a hell of a lot. I'm sure that with the same determination we can stamp out the use of gay to mean crap, so rather than hiding behind the Sex Pistols we should be getting behind Stonewall and pushing for this change - just as we did back in the 80s.

Thanks for the encouragement Dixie

There is a big difference between throwing people in prison for using a word and encouraging parents and schools to highlight to children that they are using a deeply hurtful term and it is not pleasant behaviour. I think this campaign is a good idea.