I am a big gay. And since today is National Coming Out Day, I thought I would make a big note of it. Most, if not all, of the people in my life know that I am a lesbian, so I’m not sure I have anyone to come out to on Coming Out Day. (See Gay, Gay, Gay, posted on April 23, 2010 and I Need a Lesbian Lawyer, posted March 25, 2010).

My friend Shauna, who is not a big gay, updated her Facebook status to show support for the gays. She wrote on her status update that she “is a straight ally and today is National Coming Out Day. I’m coming out for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality because it’s 2010 and almost 90% of LGBT youth experience harassment in school, and too many lives have been lost.”

I posted a comment on her status update in response, “That’s so gay.”

Shauna seemed to like that comment a lot because then she wrote on my wall, “You know what I think I’m going to do? Start using that phrase for when things are really cool. As in, Hey, great job on your paper! It was so gay! And, Wow. Beautiful dog. She’s… so gay! And maybe even, Congratulations on your nuptials! That’s so gay! Do you think it’ll catch on?” she asked.

I told her I did think it would catch on. “Oh yes,” I replied. “I do think it will catch on.” And then I suggested she also try, “You’re acting like a gay.”

She really liked that suggestion too, but asked for clarification. “As in, Hey, that was quite eloquent. You’re acting like a gay?”

Then our friend Liz chimed in and said, “This conversation is so gay! Did I use it correctly?” she wanted to know.

I commended them both on their usage of the term. “Good job girls. You are both being über gay.”

I also had another suggestion for Shauna. “You can also use a variation and say: Wow. Are you a gay?”

Or if the person is really interesting, I suggested, “Wow. Are you a BIG gay?”

Here I am (on the left) acting like a big gay in earlier days.