Teens urged to think before they speak

NEW YORK, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Advertising Council is launching a campaign aimed at ending derogatory language directed at gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender teenagers.

The campaign, created by the New York office of Arnold Worldwide, will include spots featuring celebrities such as actress Hilary Duff and comedian Wanda Sykes, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

In addition to television and radio commercials, the newspaper says there will be a special Web site devoted to the campaign at thinkb4youspeak.com.

The campaign urges an end to labeling anything negative or unpleasant as "gay."

It was developed on behalf of New York's Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

The organization's 2007 annual report said a survey of 6,209 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender middle and high school students indicated nine out of 10 were verbally harassed during the past school year.