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Enough already with the “Q”
I just read an article about “gay marriage” written by a lesbian (which should always, always, always be phrased “same-sex civil marriage,” but I digress). In it she referred to “LGBTQ couples.”
I’m sorry, but where did the “Q” come from? All the other letters make sense (“lesbian” is arguably repetitive, but there is a distinction). Is there an outcry from the “Questioning Community” to be included? Who are these people? Closet cases? I have never met someone who identified themself as questioning. Can one have a community if one is questioning what one is?
Are “Qs” the people who fool around in college with people of the same sex and then marry someone of the opposite? Because, ahem, most of them are bi or in denial about being gay.
In addition, especially in the phrase “LGBTQ Couples” when referring to same-sex civil marriage, how is someone “questioning” if they are in a long-term committed relationship with someone of the same sex?
“Questioning” is a period in many LGBT people’s lives—I know I was just interested in girls enough to be confused, but I was and always have been gay. Questioning is a state of mind, not a state of being.
Recently I’ve noticed “LGBTI” written, particularly in New Jersey articles. I was confused regarding what the “I” added—it was explained to me the difference between Intersex and Transgender and once I was educated regarding the existence of such a community I understand the inclusion. (I’ve also seen “LGBT2” to add “two spirit” which is a native-American concept essentially for Intersex or Transgender—there I also draw the line for inclusion, if every culture’s concept for one of the basic “LGBT” is added to the mix, there’s going to be a lot of carpel tunnel syndrome going around.)
Considering my ignorance regarding the “I” maybe living in New York City I’ve missed the existence of the “Questioning Community”; thus, can anyone enlighten me about why “Q” should not be dropped from the already pretty damned long acronym?
Comments
I think we should just use the umbrella term : "QUEER" which includes anything related to gender to sexuality other then being born with the correct gender and a sexual attracting that comports with biological reproduction.
The reason we are opressed is becuase we are different, QUEER is the best term.
Posted by: Anon at December 7, 2006 06:04 PM
Maybe I'm dating myself, but Anon should understand that many older gay men and lesbians find the term "queer" absolutely loathsome and abhorrent, roughly the equivalent of the "n- word," whether used by African-Americans or others I consider myself rather normal, for starters, and don't find anything particularly queer about being gay.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 11, 2006 12:10 PM
