Results: Charity's 'Gay' Sweater makes Debut During Toronto Fashion Week
1.
1.
A sweater is making its debut at Toronto Fashion Week and its creators are hoping your reaction is, "Wow, that's so gay." Most of the time, calling an inanimate thing "gay" is an insult rooted in homophobia — but this sweater really is as gay as a sweater can be. It's knitted from the hair of hundreds of gay people. Have you ever used 'That's so gay' as an insult?
I use it all the time
6%
•
121 votes
Occasionally
24%
•
499 votes
Never
49%
•
1008 votes
Have never heard this term
19%
•
386 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
•
47 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.29% | 6 | |
| no | 0.15% | 3 |
| na | 0.10% | 2 |
| a long time ago | 0.05% | 1 |
| i did when i was little until i realized it can be hurtful | 0.05% | 1 |
| that's gross. who would even wear a sweater knitted from human hair. | 0.05% | 1 |
| not anymore, i used it when i was a kid before i really understood what it meant | 0.05% | 1 |
| i've heard of it being used in a good way, such as "that's so cool" | 0.05% | 1 |
| in the past i have, never again | 0.05% | 1 |
| i have used it as a joke/compliment though. i like 'gay' things | 0.05% | 1 |
| as a kid, probably | 0.05% | 1 |
| i have used it in the past. | 0.05% | 1 |
| when i was a kid, but i did not know that "gay" meant homosexual at the time | 0.05% | 1 |
| thats just ridiculas | 0.05% | 1 |
| long, long, long ago ... | 0.05% | 1 |
| yes but not as an insult. | 0.05% | 1 |
| have used it many times, but not meaning it to insult gay people... | 0.05% | 1 |
| previously, when i was younger, but not anymore | 0.05% | 1 |
| eh | 0.05% | 1 |
| don't use it, but still hear it quite often. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i don't say it any longer. used to though! | 0.05% | 1 |
| i did when i was a kid but not as an adult | 0.05% | 1 |
| a few times when i was younger | 0.05% | 1 |
| i used to, but no longer do | 0.05% | 1 |
| not sure | 0.05% | 1 |
| we disagree with this lifestyle. | 0.05% | 1 |
| just simply don't agree with lifestyle. | 0.05% | 1 |
| used to. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i have used the term but don't consider it an insult | 0.05% | 1 |
| never heard it as an insult | 0.05% | 1 |
| unsure | 0.05% | 1 |
| i used to. | 0.05% | 1 |
| n/a | 0.05% | 1 |
| i used to, but stopped. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i have used it in the past to describe things - which means stereotypically - have worked to change this. | 0.05% | 1 |
| more towards something | 0.05% | 1 |
| my wife says this to me sometimes (jokingly) | 0.05% | 1 |
| in the past i have | 0.05% | 1 |
| i have said this in the past but not as an insult. i am gay. | 0.05% | 1 |
2.
2.
Jeremy Dias, founder of an Ottawa-based charity, the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD), said the sweater is meant to send the message that using "gay" as an insult to things is an insult to gay people. "It started out as a joke. Wouldn't it be awesome if there really (were) gay sweaters that were making out and falling in love with each other," he said. Do you think this is a good way of addressing the problem? Very creative and appropriate way of addressing the problem
14%
•
291 votes
Not bad, but there are better ways
21%
•
423 votes
No, this is a stupid idea
38%
•
775 votes
N/A
27%
•
556 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
16 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.10% | 2 | |
| no | 0.05% | 1 |
| gay used to mean happy...i can't sing some of my wilf carter songs anymore. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i was raised oin a time when the word gay did not refer to someone | 0.05% | 1 |
| na | 0.05% | 1 |
| not sure. | 0.05% | 1 |
| not sure what to think of a sweater made from hair, except ewww | 0.05% | 1 |
| unsure | 0.05% | 1 |
| over-reaction : being called homo-phobic offends me | 0.05% | 1 |
| i'm not sure this effectively communicates the intended message... | 0.05% | 1 |
| i think a sweater made out of human hair is disgusting period. | 0.05% | 1 |
| it's gross. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i don't know what this will accomplish. i do not use that term or any other but i findthe whole thing odd | 0.05% | 1 |
| interesting, and certainly got people thinking and talking. | 0.05% | 1 |
| personally i think its an absolutely appalling comment. | 0.05% | 1 |
3.
3.
The sweater is itchy — but it's also powerful that hundreds of gay people were moved to contribute their hair to the project, said Dias. "When you put on the sweater, you feel something," he said. "It's about having an object that feels." If you ever use the word 'gay' as an insult, will you change your ways now? Yes, I will
8%
•
157 votes
Not sure
9%
•
191 votes
No, I will still use it
12%
•
242 votes
Never have used it
36%
•
736 votes
N/A
34%
•
711 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
24 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.10% | 2 | |
| i've stopped using it, but not because of this sweater... | 0.05% | 1 |
| i've already quit using the word. | 0.05% | 1 |
| it depends on who it is but i usually have respect for others to a certain degree. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i haven't used the phrase for years. if i still used it the sweater would not change a thing | 0.05% | 1 |
| already made the change years ago | 0.05% | 1 |
| gay technically at ne point meant happy | 0.05% | 1 |
| if i use the word its not to insult - its a term not something to insult someone. people should not get offended. we live in a society that is way to paranoid. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i will speak as i plz | 0.05% | 1 |
| never used it before, but will started doing so now! | 0.05% | 1 |
| i stopped using it years ago. | 0.05% | 1 |
| never did before but i may start. | 0.05% | 1 |
| i have a son who is gay. we tease each other about gays all the time. no harm meant, no foul! | 0.05% | 1 |
| already have | 0.05% | 1 |
| when i say it its a total accident. i love gay people way better then straight people most of the time | 0.05% | 1 |
| not as an insult | 0.05% | 1 |
| people are offended so easily these days - | 0.05% | 1 |
| it has reminded me of not using - which i figured out before but you can still siip since it's a word picked up years ago and a bad habit - what does it even mean?? | 0.05% | 1 |
| already stopped. | 0.05% | 1 |
| don't use that term anymore. | 0.05% | 1 |
| not because of the sweater | 0.05% | 1 |
| if i use the word gay, it would mean i am happy. | 0.05% | 1 |
| stupid | 0.05% | 1 |
4.
4.
Have you ever used any of these terms that are considered very derogatory to certain groups of people? To say “gypped” instead of “ripped off” is an insult to the Romani, as it’s short for Gypsy
27%
•
557 votes
Being “sold down the river” is a reference to being sold into slavery
10%
•
203 votes
“Hooligans,” the name of a family in an old song, has anti-Irish connotations
20%
•
417 votes
To say "Jew down" instead of bargain is an insult to Jewish people
12%
•
241 votes
Was actually unaware that these terms were derogatory
16%
•
334 votes
N/A
49%
•
1012 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
•
29 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
| 0.18% | 5 | |
| no | 0.07% | 2 |
| i always avoid using any terminology that might insult anyone. | 0.04% | 1 |
| never used any of these. | 0.04% | 1 |
| sadly i have said alot of stupid things before. | 0.04% | 1 |
| we are getting to pc as a society. good grief. | 0.04% | 1 |
| i have not heard of these terms ever | 0.04% | 1 |
| small minded people will find one million words to grip about ,and mean what they want them to mean | 0.04% | 1 |
| i didn't know that gypped or hooligans was . one not mentioned is calling an native indain womana squaw. sqaw means whore. bad word to call anyone | 0.04% | 1 |
| this crap infringes on my 1st amendment right to say what i want, not what you want to hear. which amendment recognizes the right to never be offended ? life is harsh, get over yourself. | 0.04% | 1 |
| i've been called a dumb polockall my life maybe i should start crying i want a hand out a parade and retribution. please? | 0.04% | 1 |
| i am called "bucky" due to an over-bite-so what? | 0.04% | 1 |
| never used these and certainly wouldn't | 0.04% | 1 |
| i dont like gays as for the rest yes i think its bad | 0.04% | 1 |
| never heard of these terms. | 0.04% | 1 |
| i think you can come up with sayings for all nationalities. | 0.04% | 1 |
| did not know all of them were bad | 0.04% | 1 |
| to be honest, i say "retarded" fairly regularly. i guess i wish i didn't but i do. i think "that's retarded" is becoming the new "so gay" | 0.04% | 1 |
| i was aware of there racial roots but never used them. | 0.04% | 1 |
| get an education | 0.04% | 1 |
| never said | 0.04% | 1 |
| people are too sensitive. | 0.04% | 1 |
| yes and i will continue too | 0.04% | 1 |
| no i try to be careful about this type of speech | 0.04% | 1 |
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