Hilary Duff Gets Emotional Discussing Her 2008 'That's So Gay' PSA, Says the Topic Still Makes Her 'So Sad' and 'Angry'
Hilary Duff Gets Emotional Discussing Her 2008 'That's So Gay' PSA, Says the Topic Still Makes Her 'So Sad' and 'Angry'
Meredith WilshereSat, March 7, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTC
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Hilary DuffCredit: Stefanie Keenan/Oscars/Getty -
Hilary Duff reflected on her involvement in a 2008 PSA addressing anti-LGBTQ+ language and bullying
The PSA, created with GLSEN, called out the phrase "that's so gay" as offensive and harmful
Duff shared her emotional response to ongoing discrimination and the PSA's lasting impact on social media
Hilary Duff got emotional while reflecting on being part of a "Think Before You Speak" campaign in the 2000s that aimed to reduce anti-LGBTQ+ bullying.
In an interview with Gay Times, the singer explained how she became involved in the now-famous PSA, which called out the use of the phrase "that's so gay" in a derogatory way, in collaboration with the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
“I think I was just asked if I was interested in being in the PSA and if I cared about the topic at hand and, of course, I did," the 38-year-old shared.
"It was really impactful and I remember loads and loads and loads of kids coming up to me, just saying, ‘Thank you,'" she continued. "I think they felt represented and stood up for and at that time, and in this time, it’s really important to feel safe and feel seen."
Hilary DuffCredit: Frank Micelotta/Getty
The PSA raising awareness around anti-gay language was released in 2008. In the video, Duff comes across two women in a store who are trying on tops. When one of the women asks her friend how she feels about the top, she replies, "It's so gay."
Duff then jumps into the conversation, telling them that “you shouldn't say that something’s gay when you mean it’s bad. It’s insulting.”
The PSA ends with a voiceover from Duff, saying, “When you say ‘that’s so gay,’ do you realize what you say? Knock it off.”
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At the time, the campaign won the Ad Council's Gold Bell award for Best Public Service Advertising Campaign. Years later, it still frequently goes viral on TikTok, having been spoofed a few times in its own right.
“It hit social media when social media became a thing and it took on these massive legs and people realized what a funny angle it was. But it still means so much to so many people and it’s still the right message,” the Lizzie McGuire star told the Gay Times.
Growing emotional, Duff admitted that the topic still makes her "really angry."
“It actually makes me want to cry, sorry," she said, holding back tears. "I feel sad that we’re in the place that we’re in. It’s 2026, and who cares how anybody wants to be? Nobody’s bothering you. And I wish more people lived their life that way and just let everyone be who they wanna be and be happy and be loved."
"It bums me out that people can hate others, you know, for being gay or the color of their skin or the choices that they make. It makes me so sad," she added.
If she were to rewrite the PSA today, Duff admitted she might need some time to really think it over, as she has "too much anger" and knows "that's not the way to spread a message, either."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
