How many students can you name in our school who are openly attracted to members of the same sex? I bet it’s fewer than ten. However, recent surveys by demographer Gary J. Gates found that nearly 11 percent of the population reported some sexual attraction to the same sex. If 11 percent of our school is attracted to members of the same sex, that would translate to 96 students.
Same-sex attraction is not visible, and a person’s established sexual orientation or true gender identity can be hidden. Our student body and school faculty includes people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex or asexual, but many are not “out of the closet.” WHS students must always show respect for the LGBTQIA+ population. Only then can our school be a safe place for everyone.
Unfortunately, some students in our school use demeaning slurs against sexual and gender minorities, such as “that’s gay,” and much worse. When people call someone or something “gay,” their language carries a negative connotation that is hurtful.
Some students think it isn’t a big deal because no one cares or because they’re just joking, but gay “jokes” offend and harm people. These supposed jokes come at the expense of the well-being of our classmates.
Gay is a word used to describe people who are attracted to members of the same sex. Gay is not a synonym for lame or stupid. Intentional misuse of the word “gay” is discriminatory, yet it is prevalent in our classrooms, hallways and common spaces.
Sometimes the word is not specifically directed at an openly gay person, but it doesn’t matter; it’s still offensive. And sometimes, it is. This past October, a queer student was subject to homophobic comments yelled at them from a passing car full of WHS students in front of the school. This use of prejudiced language is not acceptable in our community.
We need active involvement in pointing out others’ mistakes when they abuse words like gay. To keep WHS a safe space, students need to stop using homophobic language and jokes. If we stop using such harmful language, we will be a stronger community. We will be allies, people who stand up for the LGBTQIA+ population. Anyone can be an ally.
“Being an ally doesn’t mean you have to come to GSA, or be LGBTQIA+ or know someone who is; sometimes being an ally can just be telling someone to find a different word when ‘that’s so gay’ slips out of someone’s mouth in conversation,” senior Dan Castillo said. “Being an ally is about love and can be as simple as just helping anyone who feels alienated regardless of sexuality or gender identity [know] that they aren’t alone.”
An important part of being an ally is discussing issues faced by sexual and gender minorities in the world, this country and our own community. Other ally responsibilities include expressing support for friends or family members who question their sexuality, voting or encouraging parents to vote for political leaders who prioritize LGBTQIA+ rights and researching and learning about LGBTQIA+ people.
Everyone makes mistakes, but it is vital that we pause and hold back derogatory remarks that threaten the inclusiveness of our school. We must examine the way we treat each other and use language with respect. We must take action to make Wayland High School a safe zone for everyone.
Be an ally by educating yourself about the LGBTQIA+ population. Start by learning the terms below. However, do not use these terms to label others against their will. All people deserve the right to identify themselves. There are many more gender and sexuality terms not included. There are also shades of gray.
LGBTQIA+ TERMS TO KNOW
Agender: A person who does not identify with any gender. Agender people generally choose to live without conforming to gender norms.
Ally: Any person who shows support for the queer population.
Asexual: A person who is not sexually attracted to people of any gender.
Bigender: A person who identifies with two or more genders.
Bisexual, “bi”: A person attracted to both men and women.
Cisgender: Any person who accepts their gender assigned at birth as a man or woman, and lives as that gender permanently.
Coming out: To reveal one’s true gender or sexual orientation to others openly. (A person who is not open about their identity could be casually referred to as “closeted.”)
Gay: Any person attracted most to members of the same sex.
Gender binary: The belief that female and male are the only genders and should remain separate as such with gender roles.
Gender expression: The way people present themselves in relation to gender. This can include clothing, hair, life choices and behaviors.
Genderfluid: A person who generally identifies as some combination of male, female or other, which may change at different times.
Gender identity: The gender(s) a person identifies with or their own placement on the gender spectrum. This may match or contradict with gender assigned at birth.
Genderqueer (non-binary gender): These people do not identify as male or female and reject the gender binary. They may use a variety of pronouns or nontraditional gender expression. Examples include people who are agender, bigender and gender fluid.
Heterosexual, “straight”: People attracted only to members of the opposite sex.
Homophobia: Prejudice against gay people.
Intersex: Any person whose sexual anatomy, chromosomes or biological sex characteristics are not that of typical “females” and “males.”
Lesbian: A female who is most attracted to other females.
LGBTQIA+: An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual.
Queer: An umbrella term for all members of the LGBTQIA+ population. This is a reclaimed word.
Questioning: A person exploring or discovering one’s own sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression. A questioning person (who considers) acting on same-sex attraction to explore their own sexuality is called “curious.”
Pansexual: A person attracted to people of all genders. The prefix “pan” means “all.”
Transgender: An umbrella term for any person who does not identify with their gender assigned at birth.
Transphobia: To fear, hate or misunderstand transgender people.
Transsexual: Any person who identifies as one gender they were not born as and transitions into only one gender. (Transsexual is arguably an outdated term, and many people prefer to use the umbrella term transgender).
Opinion articles written by staff members represent their personal views. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent WSPN as a publication.
![Seniors Garrett Batt, Tom White, Emmanuel Nzaramba and Jack Calverley work together in preparation for the Spring Fling. “We decided to host this because March is kind of a slow month [in which] there’s not really that much happening, so I just thought it would be fun to put pep back into everyone so people could look forward to something this month,” senior Delcie Peter said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-20-at-10.28.14-PM-1200x832.png)
High School Student • Feb 24, 2015 at 8:47 AM
This article is bad since it does not even have all of the definitions of gay in it. This article says that it means to be attracted to the same gender and it does not bring up the fact that it also means to be carefree and also happy. There is a lot of work that is needed for this to be a good article because all around it was a poor attempt at anything.
Alex Chused • Feb 14, 2015 at 9:14 AM
Steve Erwin: This article isn’t necessarily trying to change people’s opinions in order to make students feel safer. It’s telling people who use the word gay as a derogatory term to respect the LGBTQIA+ community weather you agree with it or not. And while we’re talking about dealing with things, you’re gonna have to deal with being rejected in the “real world” because the community and its allies are going to prevail over intolerance.
The person who basically said that gay people don’t care: I’m assuming you’re not a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. But if you are, you’re kind of awful at representing it. For obvious reasons, you would have no way of knowing whether someone cares if the term is used.
The person who talked about Jesus Christ: Girl bye.
san • Mar 17, 2015 at 7:20 AM
you need to face the fact that the world will NEVER be 100% pro gay. Just because a person doesn't support gay rights or anything gay, that doesn't make them a homophobe. Thank you.
Alex Chused • Mar 19, 2015 at 9:07 AM
I've already established the fact that the world will never be 100% pro gay. There's a difference between being indifferent and being anti gay/homophobic. This article is telling people to be RESPECTFUL, not to support gay rights. It's directed toward people who go out of their way to use "gay" as a derogatory term, it's not suggesting that you to go on marches and protests for gay rights.
Anon • Feb 13, 2015 at 11:20 AM
But nobody cares if you use Jesus christ name in vain
Anon • Feb 11, 2015 at 7:03 PM
Ok. Most gay people don't care if that term is even used. This article is pointless bc you can't change people's views. It's like trying to change a person you can't.
Lauren • Oct 22, 2015 at 9:37 PM
than this isn’t for the people who don’t care. It’s respect for those who do.
Steve Erwin • Feb 11, 2015 at 10:46 AM
It's easy to form an opinion when you're a white upperclass student living in a safe town. In the "real world," not everyone's accepting, get that through your head. Instead of trying to change the inevitable truth, get better at dealing with it. And all these terms…you're just adding to the alphabet soup. If I hear someone say "that's so gay," I genuinely don't care.
Matt Maws • Feb 11, 2015 at 10:13 AM
I like this article
Snow • Feb 10, 2015 at 1:06 AM
If the whole article is about making people who are homosexual feel more in the community of the school, then why was it necessary to label the person as a "queer student"? Why can't he/she be just a student? Seems a bit derogatory and hypocritical
student • Mar 19, 2015 at 9:19 AM
Queer has been reclaimed by the gay community to mean not straight.
a guy • Feb 9, 2015 at 10:36 PM
Cool article, kinda boring though. Its pretty "safe" to write about not using the word gay. Not too controversial. It would be interesting sometime to see a more 'conservative' opinion piece. Not specifically about this subject, but in general, a more conservative student opinion piece written on any current topic could be interesting.
Student • Feb 10, 2015 at 12:09 AM
I agree, I think this is a pretty safe topic, and that a LGBT-themed opinions piece could have pursued more culturally provocative and resonant avenues. In a case such as this, though, what would a "more conservative" take look like? There's no argument to be had that it's okay to use the word "gay" in a "that's so gay" context.
guest • Feb 9, 2015 at 8:59 PM
hellz yeah brother