Anti-Gay

While for one side, this term is an accurate descriptor of those individuals, institutions and policies standing in the way of full LGBTQ equality, for another side this term functions to portray (and equate) anyone with concerns or questions regarding the LGBTQ movement as merely hateful.

Most commonly, people or laws are considered anti-gay if they support legislation, both in the U.S. and abroad, that actively targets, harms, or criminalizes LGBTQ persons, or fails to support the equal treatment and protection of LGBTQ individuals. People, businesses, or laws may also be considered anti-gay by LGBTQ activists or allies if they do not support equal service to the LGBTQ community. For instance, if a person, business, or organization will not perform services for, or conduct business on behalf of LGBTQ individuals as a result of sincerely held moral or religious belief, this may be considered "anti-gay" by the liberal-left, while conservatives assert it is a reflection of religious freedom.

Some religious or social conservatives have raised concern that the term “anti-gay” has come to be applied so broadly that people who see unique value in traditional family values for society are clustered together with those who are overly aggressive and violent towards the LGBTQ community. 

QUESTIONS TO PLAY WITH:

-What does ‘anti-gay’ mean to you?  What do you think it should mean?

-Do you find this a helpful or unhelpful term?  Explain why.

-Name one situation where you think “anti-gay” applies as an appropriate term – and one situation where it should not.