Where Did The Phrase 'Be Gay, Do Crime' Originate? Here's A History Of The Iconic Meme, Just In Time For Pride Month

"Be gay do crime" is a catchphrase often evoked during Pride Month by LGBTQ+ people, allies and activists alike. While the phrase predates meme culture as we know it, its repetition in hugely popular memes makes it worthy of analysis through a memetic lens. In celebration of Pride Month, here's a recap of where the phrase originated and how it's used in meme culture.

Where Does 'Be Gay Do Crime' Come From?

The earliest instance of the phrase "Be gay do crime" going viral on the modern internet can be traced to an Instagram post from 2016 that showed the line spray painted onto a wall in Marseille, France. The image went on to be referenced in reposted on Twitter, Tumblr and Reddit in the years following the initial post, serving as an example of a relevant medium for a worthy message.

How Is The Phrase 'Be Gay Do Crime' Used In Memes?

The phrase "Be gay do crime" grew to be closely associated with Pride, considering that American Pride Month originated as a result of the Stonewall Riots. The phrase is also popular due to the criminalization of homosexuality in modern history, wherein being gay was considered a crime in itself. With this precedence, the phrase "Be gay do crime" became a short and sweet way to get the message of emancipatory protest across.

two kinds of leftists pic.twitter.com/q7nCbMt4jr

— Alice Podcasts (@AliceAvizandum) January 13, 2018

But as with all largely popular jingles and slogans, the short and perhaps vague phrase is sometimes also associated with petty acts of resistance. A popular example of this interpretation can be seen in a viral tweet posted in 2018:

What Are Some Other Examples Of The Phrase Being Used In Memes?

For the full history of Be Gay Do Crimes, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.