The phrase "Don't Say Gay" was coined in 2022 and is considered extremely offensive to the LGBTQ community. However, something even more troubling has emerged: straight individuals are pretending to be a part of the LGBTQ.

When my friend and senior student M. first told me about his gay identity, I commended him for having the courage to come out. He later publicly declared his identity on social media, which garnered a lot of attention. After conducting extensive research in gender studies, he was eventually admitted to the University of Pennsylvania.

However, what happened next was more than strange.

M. found a girlfriend and changed his major from Gender Studies to Applied Mathematics. When I asked him about these sudden changes, he admitted that his coming out was simply a ploy to bolster his college application. I felt deceived and accused M. of being dishonest, but he explained that adopting this identity was a common tactic among Chinese students seeking admission to prestigious colleges. "What's the big deal?" he shrugged.

It seems that coming out as LGBTQ has become a new shortcut to success. Colleges admit LGBTQ students each year for political reasons, which creates a loophole. "Saying Gay" is no longer just about being proud of one's identity; it has become a way to construct a personality that aligns with a college's demand for diversity.

I feel sorry for those who fake their LGBTQ identity. They fail to comprehend how hard their predecessors fought for the right to love without restrictions. By treating it as a joke, they show disrespect to the LGBTQ community. This is even more hurtful than "Don't Say Gay," because they are saying gay and then betraying gay.