Here’s why “hey guys” and “you guys” is bullshit and I’m trying to completely remove it from my vocabulary.

If your straight male friend says to you “I went on a date with this great guy last night” even though you know they aren’t gay, you’re still going to imagine the “guy” as a man. Not even in situations where it makes more sense for the “guy” to be a woman will you consider that as a possibility.

“Guy” is not even close to being gender neutral.

We only pretend that it’s gender neutral when we use it as a plural.

I think this all stems from the idea that maleness is default and superior. Like how women who cross-dress aren’t as demonized as men who cross-dress because to associate with femininity is to lower oneself. Women are often not insulted by being treated like men, and that’s because men are privileged. We don’t even notice it anymore. But if you walk up to a mixed-gender group of people and say “hey girls,” I guarantee you will be immediately corrected.