The Lincoln Log

All it takes is one statement to turn young minds to insecurities and hatred toward the gay community. “No Homo” is the term that is possessing the nation’s urban youth today. “No Homo” is a phrase used after some one says something that sounds gay to justify their sexual orientation. Example: “His ass is mine… No homo.” In short the rule is if you say something that questions your sexual orientation you need to justify it. So we have become homophobic because we aren’t secure about our own orientation.

The term dates back three or four years but recently has become famous through the rap group Dip set from New York City. The first “popular” use of the term is credited to Juelz Santana who said it in his song “Mic Check.” Juelz said “No Homo but we cockin’ ‘em.” Later in Killa Season, a movie by Cam’ron, another Dip set member, he beats up someone during a dice game and then continues to humiliate him by urinating on him and repeatedly saying “NO HOMO…NO HOMO.” In a later interview with a radio station Hot 97 FM, he stated “It’s not about being gay, it’s about saying something that’s gay.” Well how does he think the gay community feels about this?

Whether you use no homo because you are homophobic or just because your friends do it your being hurtful to the gay community. It’s like when somenoe says the n-word and it offends the black community. It is just as offensive to the gay community when someone uses no homo.

I don’t think it’s a hate thing. Most of the people who use the term are homophonic in a society where everything in the media portrays being gay as a bad thing.I mean, how many times do you hear in a song or see in a show people making fun of a gay person or a gay character that is the stereotypical gay male. Then that makes you go and put down the gay community without even knowing the damage done. I bet half the jerks that run around using no homo every other sentence don’t even know any gay people. Is it the fact they have no one to tell them its wrong? I bet if one of those people sat down with a gay individual and got to know them, they might just realize how pointless it is to be homophobic.

Now, people say it “just because.” They don’t even think about what they’re saying and that’s not good. A guy can’t even say “nice shirt” without having to say “no homo!” What is with that? I mean, you like your friend’s shirt, how is that in any form gay? With today’s youth, gay doesn’t even mean homosexual. It has been turned into lame or weak.

In some cases homophobia has caused violent acts upon openly gay teenagers. In Nova Scotia, Canada, a freshman wore a pink polo on the first day and was threatened by ten upperclassmen. They followed through and beat him up. Two days later, another group of seniors organized more than half the school to wear pink shirts. There are ways to go against this; join GSA or maybe speak up once and awhile.

No homo is a hurtful term that has become everyday slang usually without knowing the effect on the students of the LBGT, Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender, community. Keep in mind you are hurting people with your words. So take my advice and drop no homo. I’m sure you’re comfortable with your sexual orientation so why not help others be?