What to do if somone calls you gay

Compiled from responses gathered from participants of Keshet’s National Training Institutes Have you ever heard someone use the expression, “That’s so gay!” to convey something negative? When someone ask me the most obvious "Are you gay?" I reply. Y6 He laughed and said 'Yes, I do, don't I.

Personally, if it were my DD I would be inclined to advise her to say something along the lines of 'and your problem with that is? DD training as a Youth Worker and was gobsmacked that people say things like this wwhen they've grown-up, she was outraged by the discussion about 'paki'on the course ehe's attending.

My eldest ds was like that in year 7 it does eventually fall into place but you spend a long while waiting. Proud of child emoticon I overheard one of DD1's friends being told 'you look really gay' in the playground last year. There's nothing worse than getting no reaction for the perpetrator.

I suppose the dilemma being that being gay isn't a wrong thing but you also want to stand up for yourself.. I try to explain but it's not easy is it? If you admit that you are, you risk losing friends, and it could lead to some more mean hearted attacks either verbally, or physically.

It seems to work so far, and for what it's worth, being called gay seems to be the "in" insult of the moment. Please create an account or log in to access all these features. Hope you get it sorted This is no help I know but ds2 is in year 8 I just asked him what to do Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

Just asked ds if people would be in trouble at school for saying 'you're gay' he says yes teacher would ask child to repeat it to check what was said then send child to isolation or give a detention. I said to ignore them and that the name callers are foolish boys lacking in imagination and also that being gay is not something to be ashamed of etc etc - also aware that gay can mean lots of other things these days Sounds strange, but we've explained that if she gets upset at any comments the other child will carry on.

I think teachers are clamping down on its usage. It sounds naive but it never ceases to amaze me how awful some kids can be and if your DS is sensitive it can make life hell. Unfortunately the word 'gay' is used a lot of the time, it's just not worth him getting upset by it I know it's wrong etc, etc, but it is so common place between pupils of that age, and many don't realise it can be construed as hurtful, they really don't.

These things happen all the time in school I know, throw away comments probably forgotten by the person who says them, but ds is a bit sensitive to everything at the moment - I think he thought the boy he was talking to would then not like him - argh! If someone does call you gay and you are, this is indeed a tricky situation.

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum. Hide shortcut buttons. I would suggest he completely ignores anyone who says it to him. Actually I've just noticed that your DS is in yr 7, not age 7, so my advice may well be useless.

Ds has had a bit of a week or two with various issues surrounding making friends etc in yr I told him MN will have sensible advice! You are welcome. Questions about childcare support? I'll ask DP who works with teens, though it would be a brave YP who used gay as an insult to any youth worker of my acquaintance!!

If you want to be an active witness - that is - to actively intervene when you witness homophobic comments, slurs or jokes, your intervention can address: The “victim” of the homophobia or heterosexism The “offender”, the person whose actions or words were homophobic or heterosexist Other witnesses or bystanders.

When “gay” is used pejoratively, it reinforces the idea that being gay is something to be ashamed of. Sorry, hopefully someone wiser than me will come along soon If you want to gun up, you could always take it to the HM - bullying re sexuality is taken as seriously as racism now, so this kid may find it's not as funny as he thinks.

Here are a few things you can do the next time. I'm a bit suprised he was so clear what would happen.