Case
Everything is Gay

Students in Mr. Jones' class have a habit of calling anything with negative gay. Mr. Jones has requested the students find an alternative word but they continue to use it. How can he convince students to not use this word in negative contexts only?

Posted on: 10/19/15 | Views: 1795
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would first make sure that those using the word knew what it meant. I would ask them this, if you were a gay person or knew a gay person would you still use the word around them or yourself, Why? . If that didn't work i would then tell them if they continue to use it in my classrom it would be considered a action worthy of displine.

This is a good idea to educate students about the kind of language they are using and the differences that students have.

Yes i think if you tell them and they still continue disciple in necessary.

I think that this is the best possible solution. Often, people say things because they do not know what it means. I think that if the students are educated as to what the word means, they will be less likely to use it in a negative connotation. I think stating that consequences will be given if it is continued to be used in the classroom is a great idea.

I like this solution. The students need a lesson on integrity.

I agree. They need to be taught what the word means and how it can affect other people when you use it in a negative way.

I like how you would force the students to put themselves in another persons shoes.

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Solution #2
Top Solution
It's certainly time for a class meeting. Discuss tolerance and acceptance. If possible, have an advocate for the LGBT community come and speak to your class. Students understand the issue more when there are real people in front of them.
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Solution #3
I would ask the students if they knew what that word meant, and ask them to give me what they think it means. Then I would tell them if they keep using that word there will be consequences. I would tell them that there is no reason to use that kind of language in the classroom they might be able to use it at home but not in my classroom.

make sure that they understand that negatively using that word should not be accepted anywhere, including home. Don't let them think that it is not bad outside of school.

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Solution #4
At this point I believe disciplinary action should be allowed. In this situation it is used to mean offense and that is not something that should be taken lightly. It's just as bad as cursing or using racial slurs and such. I would probably provide a lesson full of words to use instead of that or bring in a guest speaker to educate the kids on perhaps the LGBT community or teach them how offensive language like that is not welcomed anywhere.
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Solution #5
It would be important to give the students some background information about the gay rights movement in the United States. By doing this, the teacher could show the students that the word "gay" is use to refer to a person that feels attracted to people from the same sex. By using it with a negative connotation, the students are being disrespectful towards gay people.
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Solution #6
I would let the students know that this isn't an appropriate way to use the word and let them know what it is. I would ask them if they would like to be treated the way that they are using the word.

I agree. Making sure they understand how it would make them feel if it was turned back around on them is important.

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Solution #7
I would ask two questions: "How do you feel when people use a term that you identify with in a negative way? Do you think it is too hard to say that is stupid, or unnecessary, or not cool?"
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Solution #8
I would first explain to the students what the word “gay” actually means as the students are using the word out of context. Next, I would tell my students to use a descriptive vocabulary word like “unfortunate”, “dreadful”, or “”awful” when describing something negative.

I like your idea of replacing the word with actual words that describe how they might feel.

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Solution #9
I would first talk to the students and ask why they see things so negative and then talk to them on how using that word isn't correct and not a nice term to use.
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Solution #10
I would give the students another word to say. After that I would explain to them how saying that word could hurt someones feelings and how saying that word is like calling other people certain names and that this is not how we treat other people.

I agree that replacing the word is a great idea.

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Solution #11
Tell students this word is forbidden in a negative use in the classroom, tell them its real meaning, and tell them if they continue with these actions there will be consquences

I like your idea of making sure it is not used in a negative way.

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Solution #12
He can explain to the students all the many meanings that "gay" has, and that using it for the reason they are is not only disrespectful but incorrect, and might make them sound ignorant. This might make them stop using it so often and for negative contexts.
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Solution #13
As an open member of the LGBT community who fights for the rights that, just as the straight community is allowed to express their sexual orientation with pictures with their wives and kids, I would openly express to my students my sexual orientation and the discrimination throughout my life that I have had to face because of it. If it was still considered a joke, a parent/teacher meeting would come into play and a well enforced class on LGBT rights and discrimination would be given during a mandatory detention.
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Solution #14
I think teach them what the word means like others have mentioned is important. If they know already what the word means, I would advise not overreact or start disciplining the students. The reason for this is that the students will always use words like this not necessarily to belittle anyone for example growing up I recall students using both that word and the word Lame. We were not trying to offend people who could not walk though, it just became synonymous with something that not going our way. If you remove this word they will find another word that may offend people later on. Its just a part of growing up, we can't micromanage everything the students do.
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Solution #15
I think a good way to solve this problem is to send the student home with a letter explaining to the parent his use of the word "gay" and his parent should have a serious talk with him. If this doesn't work and he continues to call out I would sent him to the office with a referral and schedule a parent conference.

I don't think a call home is necessary. They need to be taught about how it effects people and what it means.

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Solution #16
If the student continues to use that word in a negative connotation, I would either make a phone call home to make sure parents are aware and maybe give the students a few warnings. If the students still continues, make sure there is a effective system in line to make sure they have appropriate behavior.

I do not necessarily agree with this solution. Many times, students say things because they do not know what it means. I think as a teacher I would use this as an opportunity to educate my students about the LGBT community. Simply calling home will not do anything if the student does not understand what they are saying is wrong.

I agree with giving them warnings, but I don't think a call home is necessary. They probably don't even know what the word means.

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Solution #17
He could speak with other teachers because maybe these students are hearing this from friends in other classes and then the teachers can work together to eliminate the use of the word. Teachers can encourage students to put themselves in another person's shoes.

I don't think eliminating the use of the word is necessary They just need to know how they are using the word wrong and how it might make others feel.

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Solution #18
Ask the students if they fully understand what the word means.

I don't know if this is the right solution. They probably do know what it means already, they just don't care that it's offensive. That's where correction needs to be made.

I don't think they know what it means because they are already using it in the wrong context.

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Solution #19
I would first have a lesson on connotation of words. Then I would have the students complete several activities regarding negative conniption of words, and possibly have them perform skits using negative connotation. If this continued to be a problem, I would then take disciplinary actions.

I don't know if this is the right solution. It could work, but I think it would take up a lot of unnecessary time.

I like the idea of allowing them to understand the effects of negative words when they are in that situation, but I think a whole lesson wit skits is a bit unnecessary.

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