Boys Quote by Dan Savage
“A lot of kids are bullied because of their sexual identity or expression. It's often the effeminate boys and the masculine girls, the ones who violate gender norms and expectations, who get bullied.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Dan Savage on LGBTQ+ issues, 2018
Kids who defy gender expectations face bullying because society punishes non‑conformity.
In simple terms: Non‑conforming kids get bullied.
Key Takeaway
Support gender diversity and intervene early.
Themes
bullying
gender
LGBTQ+
social norms
identity
Mood
concerned
empathetic
Type
social commentary
advocacy
When to use this quote
- schools
- online communities
- sports teams
- family settings
Key Concepts
gender expression
social conformity
psychology of bullying
Questions to Reflect On
- How can schools create safe spaces for gender‑nonconforming students?
- What role do peers play in stopping bullying?
A Different Perspective
Bullying also stems from broader cultural prejudice, not just gender non‑conformity.
![“And that really captures the difference for the bullied straight kid versus the bullied gay kid, is that the bullied straight kid goes home to a shoulder to cry on and support and can talk freely about his experience at school and why he's being bullied. [...] And I couldn't go home and open up to…” quote by Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f23/dan-savage-2880_being-bullied_and-that-really-captures-the-difference_58927.jpg)
![“I'm one of those gay people who's constantly reminded of how fortunate I am to live now and not to be Ennis and Jack [from Brokeback Mountain] or whatever - not that I'd mind being Ennis for half an hour. But it's been so much worse recently. It still is terrible. In Iran, they're hanging gay…” quote by Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/31f/dan-savage-2880_addict_i-m-one-of-those-gay-people-who-s-consta_100210.jpg)
