My best friend is being called a “fag”, what can I do to help?

The old child’s saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me” is not true. Name-calling is verbal abuse and it is hurtful, mean and harmful. You can remind your friend that you care no matter what anyone says and encourage them to talk to someone. If it is happening at school, the school counselor would be a good place to start. You can go with your friend to provide support, or you could go on your own to talk about how to help. The bullying should stop, but your friend might be concerned that it will bring further harassment from the bully/ies. Remind your friend that the abuse is not their fault and that you will stand by them all the way.