1 This Speech is So Gay! By: Daniel Boisselle, Davina Dhani, Addie Ritter, Lauren Reece, Lauren Holiday, and Kenny Burgquist Specific Purpose: To persuade the audience members to recognize and modify behavior concerning homophobic language use. Introduction: I.
Body:
Attention Step: That statistics test today was so gay. A. No homo, but I have a man crush on George Clooney. B. That girl always dresses like a dyke. C. Man up and stop being such a little faggot. D. Thesis: Do any of these sentences shock or offend you? 1. Probably not because of how common such phrases are in our popular culture today. 2. But a fact that most people don’t realize is exactly how prevalent and destructive such homophobic language is to our society. E. Connect with Audience: We’ve all heard these discriminative, oppressive, marginalizing, and downright rude phrases in every aspect of our lives. 1. From school and work, to entertainment shows and social media; it’s everywhere. F. Credibility Statement: But with a little research and planning done on our part, you can take the initiative to speak out against and potentially end the use of these homophobic epithets. G. Preview of Main Points: This can be done in three steps: realizing the deficit of respect and equality that has permeated our culture, being taught a practical plan of action to spread respect to all people, and picturing the benefits of such equality as beneficial to society.
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Need Step: Our country was founded upon, fought for, and freed by the ideas of equality and respect for all people, but this cannot be fulfilled when such marginalizing and discriminating language is used regularly, robbing us of the right we all are born into. (Alliteration) A. (Severity of Problem): Think of it this way: How would you feel if I told you that you insult someone unconsciously on a daily basis? (Pathos) 1. Now multiply this daily usage by over thirty million teenagers in the United States. 2. And multiply that number by how many days are in a year, and so on. 3. This is exactly what No Homophobes Dot Com paints on their website chronicling the daily Tweets of such homophobic slurs. B. (Evidence): As you can see, such language is extremely prevalent in our society, especially in the modern forms of social media, and is perpetuated through the consistency and casualness of its use. C. (Two-Sided Refutational Argument): Some of you might be thinking, “How does this kind of language ‘rob us of the right we are all born into’? It is just language after all.” 1. We will counter that thought with the idea that language leads us to have certain attitudes which then promotes actions that could potentially be harmful to those whose identities are described in this discriminating language. a. (Evidence): These attitudes and actions can show themselves as homophobic bullying; in fact, statistics prove that these problems are real, and that language plays an important role in it. b. (Evidence): For example, 78% of the LGBTQ community reports facing vocal harassment in schools alone, and 73% of teens report that they find homophobic bullying to be troublesome and unethical. c. (Evidence): Even the surveys we took of UCF students, including our class, found that 80% either find homophobic language offensive or know someone who would, and 92% believed this topic was relevant to our age group.
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III.
D. (Generalization Warrant): Obviously these statistics prove that this kind of language affects all of us in very real and tangible ways, and can only be fixed if we all realize how prevalent and destructive it is. Satisfaction Step: There are several steps we can all take to avoid the use of homophobic language and address the problem of inequality in our society. A. (Solution/Plan) One of the most powerful methods of opposing inequality is by simply raising awareness of the problem, both personally and to those around you. 1. Identify your use of homophobic language a. Studies from the Boston College and Burnel University show a correlation between the use of homophobic language and bullying in schools, so: b. Think of what you are about to say before you say it. c. Replace your strong language with softer word. i. You don’t have to be offensive to get your point across. d. Avoid using homophobic language altogether i. Be aware that these words are truly hurtful, and there are better ways to express your feelings. 2. Once you have addressed your personal use of such language, inform others of the problem and persuade them to change. a. Inform friends of the offensive nature of the words i. Use facts and statistics to convince them, if necessary. b. Politely request strangers to reduce strong language use i. If persistent/belligerent: stay calm, avoid confrontation ii. Gay =/= happy anymore, like saying girls are weak (Simile) c. Convince them that their language hurts others and is a real problem.
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B. (Solution/Plan) Identify stereotypes that reinforce gender roles or heterosexual dominance amongst your peers. 1. Recognize that these stereotypes can have just as negative an impact as homophobic language, if not more. 2. Call out stereotypes used by those around you, and limit your own use of them. a. Weak b. Girly / Butch c. Slutty C. (Solution/Plan) Recognize the clubs and organizations around you that support the LGBT community 1. For example, there are several student organizations and events at UCF centered on spreading awareness and supporting sexual minorities. 2. You could become a Knight Ally in support of a more welcoming, equal community. (Signpost): I myself was part of a few LGBTQ-friendly organizations at my old high-school. IV.
Visualization Step: Coming from deep, conservative Louisiana, I never expected that starting an anti-gay bullying day at my high school would be an easy task. A. To my surprise, teachers and students alike took a stand and showed their support. B. I couldn’t count the number of times throughout the day that I heard supporters give simple, polite explanations to people who might otherwise be disrespectful or derogatory. C. (Pathos): It wasn’t about being gay—it was about respecting people and understanding that we are all human. 1. Many of you may have heard of the ‘It Gets Better’ campaign, and maybe even Pixar’s contribution. 2. [Pixar Short]
5 3. This video shows both that language does hurt, and that couples like the one shown are just like everyone else. (Simile) D. (Benefits): Wouldn’t you like to be a part of a society like the one Pixar demonstrated (Simile), where everyone respects one another no matter their sexual orientation? 1. Simply trying to change the way you and the people around you speak can reshape society’s consciousness on homophobia. (Causal warrant) 2. Our plan is simple and effective, and it promotes welfare and acceptance not only for the LGBTQ community, but for anyone who faces unjust bullying. E. (Practicality): Studies show that simply refraining from using a derogatory term or encouraging others to refrain actually promotes a more accepting atmosphere. (Causal warrant) 1. (Evidence): Laura Stepp of the Washington Post reports that after an anti-gay slur campaign in a chain of high schools, anti-gay bullying, language, and overall homophobia decreased drastically. 2. This shows that while our play is simple, it is also effective. F. (Two-Sided Refutational Argument): Some might say that our plan will have little effect on homophobia as a whole, but studies such as those conducted by the Washington Post prove that a little respect goes a long way in terms of educating the community. Conclusion: V.
Action Step: Now, it is all up to you. A. (Restate Thesis): In our presentation, we have discussed the severity of the destructive nature of homophobic language, what you can do to reduce the damage it causes, and how our plan will change society for the better.
6 B. (Request Specific Action): You must be conscious of your use of homophobic language, even if it accidentally slips out from time to time. 1. Only by being aware of your own use can you be aware of others usage of such negative language. C. (Ending Line): Instead, try this: 1. That statistics test today was so hard. 2. I am attracted to George Clooney 3. That girl really needs to step up her fashion sense. 4. C’mon bro, get over it.