For The Love Of “Queer Eye”—Please STOP Saying These 5 Things To Your Gay Friends | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

For The Love Of “Queer Eye”—Please STOP Saying These 5 Things To Your Gay Friends

One for JVN, one for Bobby, one for Karamo, one for Tan, and one for dear Antoni (#avocados).

34
For The Love Of “Queer Eye”—Please STOP Saying These 5 Things To Your Gay Friends

In This Article:

So, it's 2019, and you probably have some gay friends.

The rise of LGBT representation in media (cough cough, Queer Eye!!) and within general population has enabled more and more people to come out, which is awesome.

I'm gay, and while my straight friends sometimes say things that make me feel preeetttyy uncomfortable.

Even if you think you're in the clear, you might be saying something that inadvertently makes your queer friends feel icky.

Read on for 5 things you should ALWAYS avoid saying to your queer friends.

1. Calling them your "GBF” (Gay Best Friend)

Giphy

Calling someone your GBF, or "gay best friend," is generally NOT okay.

It commodifies them, makes them feel like they're a possession to be had and moreover a social asset instead of a true equal.

Whenever someone calls me this, it makes me feel really small, like being gay is the only thing of value about my personality.

If you love your queer friends to the moon and back, just call them your besties like everyone else!!

2. "My sister's cousin's friends roommate is gay, YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DATE HIM/HER!"

Giphy

Oh my god, I'll say it once and never again—just because I'm gay DOES NOT mean I'm attracted to every other gay man alive.

That's not how it works and we DON’T have superhuman means of connecting.

I'm just like everyone else; I find some guys utterly gross and others totally hot. So please, unless I ask, do NOT set me up with random gays in your social network.

3. “So tell me about RuPaul's Drag Race."

Giphy

Yes, while I do love Clueless and have the Mean Girls script memorized, not all queer people like the same things.

I've never seen an episode of Drag Race in my life, but I have other gay friends who love it like a religion. Don't assume things about me just because I'm gay.

Let my actions and what I choose to reveal about myself tell the story.

4. “I respect that you're gay, but I don't think people can be trans/not identify with a binary sexuality or gender."

Giphy

Even though being queer is not the defining part of your friend's personality, they still care deeply about the LGBT community.

I've had friends tell me that they support me, but not other aspects of the LGBT community, and it's honestly heartbreaking. It's like they're asking me to make a choice between our friendship and my loyalty to a greater community, and that's just wrong.

If you don't understand what it means to be trans or non-binary, have a conversation with your queer friend. They might not know all the answers either, but it's better than turning your ignorance into hatred.

5. “Okay, so who's the man/woman in the relationship?"

Giphy

I've had even the closest of friends ask me this. Totally not appropriate, and way too personal!

We are both men.

That's the point, Karen.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

393
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1549
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments