A New Project

Our project started out as a blog but has now developed into something completely different. The idea is the same but more refined.

We are first taking back one of the derogatory terms "homo" and making it apply to us all, "HOMOsapien" because we're all human and essentially all the same. The idea behind it is that everyone does things that are consider not to be normal; so why are homosexuals being put down just because they're doing something that does not fall under the heterosexual definition of normal.

So our project developed into a Pic-tition "Picture-Petition" where by taking a picture holding a sign that says "HOMOsapien" you are making a promise to make a conscious effort to no longer use derogatory terms to put down homosexuals (whether the terms are used intentionally or unintentionally).

We aren't asking anyone to change their beliefs, we are just asking people to respect each other because we're all humans.

Check out our website, www.becausewerehuman.weebly.com
or join our facebook group, HOMOsapien, and post your own pictures!

Meet "Think Before You Speak"

Thinkb4youspeack.com is a fantastic website that is doing what we could only aspire to do. Their campaign "aims to raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBT bias and behavior in America’s schools." Their ultimate goal is to reduce and eventually prevent the use of homophobic language in school environments. They not only reach out to students but adults and faculty as well.

Tonight, as I went to go sign their pledge against using anti-LGBT language it lead me to a page that displayed everyone who had already pledged and their sayings; these sayings are truly hilarious which helps disarm the audience and makes you much more open to their message.

So of course I signed their pledge and it asked me to come up with something original to say to replace "That's so gay," I came up with "That's so jellybean" (probably because it's getting really late and was just Easter) but despite bringing a humorous light to a serious subject it reminds you of the heaviness of the issue when stating the content of the pledge:

"When you say something original, you're demonstrating a belief that all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression deserve to feel safe and supported. This means you pledge to:
Not use anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) language or slurs.
Intervene, if you safely can, in situations where students are being harassed.
Support efforts to end bullying and harassment."

While our blog is just trying to raise awareness, if you find yourself truly inspired please go sign this pledge and create your own new, replacement phrase and check out the rest of the site once your there.

To get the juices flowing

Here are just a few videos to get you thinking about how terms or phrases like "that's gay" can be offensive.





I remember the first time I saw this type of commercial, except it was with two cashiers working at a convenience store and when the customer told the girls that it was offensive to use "that's so gay" for meaning something is stupid she told them that it would be like using their names as meaning something was stupid. I completely agreed with the message but the commercial totally rubbed me in the wrong way. I just didn't think it was that effective and I only remember seeing it once.

However, I think that these new commercials are much better and actually very funny, especially the Wanda Sykes commercial. Compared to the old commercial I remember I think these are very effective and clearly get the message across.

For these reasons, it makes me highly upset that CBS refused to air the Hilary Duff commerical for the Superbowl. Maybe the Wanda Sykes commercial would have been more appealing to that audience, but it is certaintly an audience that needs to be reached with this message because they probably use this language the most (even if they intend it to be harmless).

Through further research, I've found that CBS has refused to air any commercials that were gay themed or featured gay advocacy. So CBS "Knock it off!" and air those commercials.