Dan Savage: The Worst Advice Ever Given | Big Think

TL;DR

Dan Savage shares stories of giving harmful advice to LGBTQ+ youth, stressing the importance of coming out safely.

Transcript

Question: What is the worst  advice you’ve ever given? Dan Savage: God. That is a hard question to  answer. I once... God, I can’t even remember.   You know, early on when I started writing the  column it was a joke. I was going to be the gay   advice columnist who was as rude to straight  people as straight advice columnists always   had been to g... Read More

Key Insights

• 👪 LGBTQ+ individuals need to assess their family dynamics and safety before coming out.
• 🥺 Reckless or premature coming out can lead to dangerous situations for LGBTQ+ youth.
• 🖐️ Financial considerations and security play a significant role in deciding when to come out for college students.
• 😒 Some LGBTQ+ individuals may use exaggerated claims of family homophobia as excuses for not coming out.
• ☄️ Prioritizing safety and security is essential for a healthy and empowering coming out experience.
• ☄️ LGBTQ+ youth should not feel pressured to come out without ensuring their well-being.
• 🪡 Dan Savage emphasizes the need for honesty, integrity, and ethics when advising LGBTQ+ individuals.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was one of the worst advice Dan Savage gave concerning sexuality?

One of the worst advice Savage gave was to push a young gay teen to come out to his parents, resulting in a negative and dangerous situation for the teen.

Q: Why does Savage stress the importance of LGBTQ+ youth assessing their family dynamics before coming out?

Savage emphasizes the need for safety, highlighting that not all families are supportive, and coming out without considering the consequences can lead to severe repercussions for LGBTQ+ youth.

Q: What advice does Savage offer to LGBTQ+ college students whose parents may cut them off for coming out?

Savage advises LGBTQ+ college students to wait until their last college check clears before coming out to ensure financial security and stability.

Q: How does Savage address LGBTQ+ individuals who claim their families are too homophobic to come out to?

Savage challenges LGBTQ+ individuals to honestly assess their families' attitudes towards homosexuality, cautioning against inflating familial homophobia as an excuse for not coming out.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Savage recounts giving misguided advice about sexuality, including not understanding women's bodies and pushing a young gay teen to come out to unsupportive parents.

• He emphasizes the need for LGBTQ+ youth to assess their family dynamics and safety before coming out, cautioning against reckless advice that could endanger their well-being.

• Savage highlights the complexity of coming out, urging patience and assessing individual circumstances for a safe and empowering experience.