June is national pride month. It’s the time to celebrate the LGBT+ community. No I didn’t forget the Q, I left it out on purpose to give set up to this post. The Alphabet Mafia…
In a previous post, I went through the acronym and attempted to define each letter. I did my best, but, like the community, the acronym has continued to evolve. And to be fair, the term Alphabet Mafia was created from within the community… I did not coin that phrase myself, but I do like it…
I like the idea that the community has found its humor. I like that the fight can also be met with jest. It’s a colorful community so why shouldn’t laughter be an equal element? Moving on…
The original acronym was LGBT. I remember the first time I heard it more than two decades ago at a journalists convention. I had no idea where it would go from there…
The next instance I had was the introduction of the Q about five years ago. I was told it meant questioning. I didn’t question it at the time but as the acronym continued to grow, I did start asking questions. This is where we begin the debate…
The next definition of the Q was given to me as Queer – by a millennial – with a caveat. The caveat was that older gays don’t like the term Queer because that was a term used against them when being gay was not acceptable. That I understand…
As a Black man, I understand this interpretation as the equivalent of the N word. It has negative connotations that are difficult to distance. I also understand embracing the term and empowering it within the community. But just as the N word is in debate across the community, The Q too has differing positions. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender do not. They is what they is. Period.
But I went even further. I asked the question, “Is questioning a sexual orientation? For that matter, is Queer a sexual orientation?” It could be suggested that queer is a sexual orientation on a broader level to define lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, but, that also makes it redundant as an acronym as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender are already represented.
Questioning? This has value as a position of limbo giving a person the freedom to determine the sexual orientation that is most comfortable for them, but is it a sexual orientation? It’s the space to figure out your sexual orientation. Yes/no?
And even further, the issue of labels cannot be dismissed. Where is the respect for the people who think all labels are confining and judgmental?
As for all of the other letters of the Mafia, it’s important to give them all equal standing. The Q was the first added letter, but shouldn’t get more credit than the other added letters. Not equitable. Especially given that there isn’t complete consistency across its use. At what added letter do we decide to stop? The Q? The I? The A? The other A?
What about pansexual? What about sapiosexual? What about perisexual?
WTF. I’m exhausted…
It’s a really big plus, but the respect should reside within the original acronym. Can we call it at LGBT+ and live in peace and harmony?
We use the terms diversity/inclusion/belonging to give all people the fortitude to be whomever they choose to be. How we identify – or not – has even become a box to check – or not – on a job application. Intolerance and judgement are cancelled. But I want to leave this post the way I started it… with humor…
By the time we’re finished adding letters to the acronym, every person in the world will be a part of the community except white supremacists, so let’s keep adding letters until they are the only underrepresented group. Then we can discriminate against them and see how they like it!
To the Alphabet Mafia:
Congratulations for owning your place in society. Be proud that your fight to be seen and heard is no longer fueled by anger, but embraced in celebration. Thank you for turning your anger into joy.
Celebrate all 30 days you get to do you…
Happy Pride
