Real Housewives of New Jersey' Discuss 'That's so gay' Comment

During last night's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" reunion show part 1 (viewable here), the wives discussed the use of the term 'that's so gay' by one of the husbands in an earlier episode.

We want to first commend Danielle and host Andy Cohen for pointing out what 83.1% of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth told us in the 2007 National School Climate Survey of more than 6,000 LGBT youth: 'That's so gay' is offensive.

The 83.1% of LGBT students said the term caused them to be bothered or distressed to some degree. Oh, and by the way, 99% of LGBT students had heard the term in school.

As the Housewives themselves pointed out: it's everywhere. But that doesn't make it OK to say.

GLSEN has partnered with the Ad Council to educate teens, many of whom use it without even realizing what they are saying (that gay=something bad), about just how offensive the term is. The campaign is called Think B4 You Speak and features TV PSAs with Hilary Duff and Wanda Sykes. The spots can be viewed at http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/.

You may have seen them airing around the country (or referenced by Dane Cook in his stand-up routine).

So what's wrong with the term? Well, aside from the fact it's demeaning, such language is pervasive and fosters a hostile climate for LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT. Nearly 9 out of 10 LGBT students said they'd been harassed at school in the past school year, and 60.8% said they feel unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation.

To borrow from one of the TV spots:

Imagine if who you are were used as an insult. When you say "that's so gay" do you realize what you say? Knock it off!

Check out Andy Cohen's blog about the show.