Thats so gay

1
Thats so gay!
Faye Harding from Kew HS. has given the SEA
Network permission to display this presentation
on the Celebrating Diversity website.
2
That maths test was so gay!

• Who has heard that phrase at school this year?
• What is really meant by this phrase?
• Why do some people use the word gay instead of
  what they really mean?
• For example That was so boring/ stupid/
  unfair/ such a waste of time!

3
What does the word gay mean?

• The dictionary defines the word gay as
  light-hearted, cheerful or brightly coloured.
• It also refers to people whose sexual and
  emotional feelings are towards people of the same
  sex as themselves.
• Instead of using the word gay, we can also use
  the term same sex attracted (SSA).
• SSA refers to people who are
• Gay
• Lesbian
• Bisexual
• Queer

4
What if

• You were SSA and you constantly heard the word
  gay being used to express negative feelings or
  opinions?
• Your name was used instead of the word gay
  Thats so Adam or Thats so Sarah?
• How would you feel in either of those situations?

5
Why is this important?

• Research has shown that about 10 of secondary
  school students identify as same sex attracted
  (SSA).
• That means about 100 students at Kew High School.
• Think what it means for those students to be
  constantly hearing the phrase thats so gay.
• Many more people are affected by this as well
  including teachers, family members and friends.

6
From now on

• Remember that using the phrase thats so gay is
  really unfair to SSA students, their friends and
  families.
• Being unfair to people on the basis of their
  sexuality (homophobia) is the same as being
  unfair to people on the basis of their cultural
  background (racism) or gender (sexism).
• So lets stop offending others and improve our
  expression by saying what we really mean!

7
What else can you do?

• Challenge homophobic language whenever you hear
  it .
• Don't tolerate homophobic jokes or comments.
• Don't assume everyone is heterosexual.
• Be open-minded and accept the diversity of sexual
  orientation in our community.

8
Responding to Homophobia this section is a bit
long- for staff only

• N name the problem
• A refer to the agreement ie our ground
  rules/policies say no put downs
• C give consequences If you use a put-down
  again you will have to follow disciplinary
  procedures

9
Responding to Homophobia directed to peoplethis
section is a bit long- for staff only

• 1. Im not sitting next to her shes so gay.
• I dont want to hear you putting people down
• A persons sexual orientation is none of your
  business.
• Go away and do some research for me about the
  word gay
• This is regarded as harassment - go and read
  the policy on bullying, harassment and
  homophobia
• 2. Hes a poofta. (A student explaining why
  they were aggressive towards another student.)
• What has their sexuality got to do with the
  situation?
• How do you know the person is gay? (Be aware of
  personal attacks)
• This is regarded as harassment - go and read
  the policy on bullying, harassment and
  homophobia
• 3. We hate Ms Sing shes such a big lezzo.
• What do you mean by that?

10
Responding to comments aimed at an object this
section is a bit long- for staff only

• 1. Im not sitting at that desk - its gay.
• What do you mean its gay? questioning the
  response.
• How can you tell if its happy or sad by looking
  at it have you been talking to it?
• I didnt know a desk could have a sexual
  orientation.
• Is it a boy desk that likes other boy desks or a
  girl desk that likes girl desks?
• We accept both gay and heterosexual desks in
  this classroom
• All desks are celibate here (in a catholic or
  religious school)
• Youre using a term to discriminate against
  people
• 2. This movie is so gay.
• Does it have a gay or lesbian theme?
• Whats a better word to explain what you mean?
• So are you saying you like it or you dont like
  it?
• What do you mean by gay in an emotional
  sense?

11
Responding to comments aimed at an object this
section is a bit long- for staff only

• 3. Were not getting in that car Fords are
  gay.
• Are all Fords gay? Falcons, Utes? Fords come
  in all shapes and sizes.
• If you were a Ford how would you feel?
• So you would prefer a Volvo?
• How can you tell?
• So youd prefer to walk? Look what youre
  missing out on.
• I really dont like it when you talk like that.
• How would you feel if everything I didnt like I
  called het?
• Its got a steering wheel so it swings both
  ways.

12
NEW Safe School Policy _at_ Kew High

• Next year we will be launching the NEW Kew High
  Safe School Policy
• This policy outlines
• explicitly that homophobia and all forms of
  discrimination is unacceptable
• the consequences of discrimination and the
  disciplinary process
• FAYE PLEASE ADD MORE HERE?????

13
Creating SSAY Friendly Environments for staff
only

• Assume at least 10 of people are SSA
• Respond to homophobic abuse in the same way youd
  respond to racism or sexism
• Display posters and brochures in pastoral care
  and welfare areas
• Buy books and videos for the school library
• Make every classroom a SEXISM, RACISM,
  HOMOPHOBIAFREE ZONE
• Include different family structures in any
  discussions on family and community
• Organise a whole school review of your
  anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies
• Ensure that school computers allow internet
  access to sites discussing SSA issues
• Be openly supportive towards, and a resource for,
  SSA young people in your school.
• Advertise the local SSAY social support group
• Display rainbow stickers around the school.

14
Handouts for staff only

• Responding to Homophobia (4 pages)
• Creating SSAY Friendly Environments
• How to support a SSA young person
• Strategies for supporting SSAY
• GQ gender questioning booklet
• Kew High Safe Schools Policy
• Other resources
• Safe schools are effective schools booklet
• Celebrating Diversity CD-rom