Reply #114: Only among a very certain subset of people is it common. [View All]

Listen for the phrase "that's so gay," and trace the speaker. You will inevitably find the speaker to be young, privileged, and invariably straight.

"Gay" as a synonym for bad or fucked up is no better than using the word "fag." You'll notice that one is tolerated while another is not, and the difference has to do with direct verbal assault as opposed to derision. "You're a fag" is an obvious slur that is easy to shut down and punish in a school environment. "That's gay" would appear to be directed at no one and flies under the radar of exhausted teachers sick of playing disciplinarian. Unfortunately, though it is the parents' responsibility to deal with such matters, many of them care not a whit until little Tommy turns out to BE gay...