Today I wanted to talk about a conversation I had the other day in QAC. QAC stands for Queer Action Coalition which brings together people of LGBTQ community and their allies. The e-board members brought up an interesting topic of how many people feel comfortable using the word Queer and what it means to others. I began to think of all the ways queer has been used and the history of the word. And it seems funny to me that words like this, could have such a heavy meaning and yet I fully understand the importance of the discussion. I have certainly been called names during elementary school and middle school that held a great impact on how I view some words today and to think that I cringe when I hear a word still baffles me. Everyone had something to say about the word during the meeting, so I thought I’d share my opinion on the word here. Queer to me used to mean odd, out of the ordinary, or weird. I’ve certainly been called it before, and known it wasn’t meant in a positive way. However, I wanted to take the word back. To re-claim it.

So Queer now means community to me. For people who either do or don’t fit under the “norm” of what gender identity or sexual orientation they are “supposed” to be, I feel Queer was an appropriate term. I’ve met people who are straight and identified as queer and i think its refreshing to hear of people who are willing to look outside the box in regards to labels! I get so frustrated sometimes when people only think there’s one label for themselves and only one way to fill that role. I encourage people to embrace all kinds of labels and roles that are offered in today’s society. To only identify as punk or preppy, gay or straight, or any other black or white reference is limiting someone’s growth. Open your eyes and step into the grey areas. Accept that sometimes the fuzziness between two things are more interesting than the two separate labels.

If you are interested in taking part in the QAC meetings, we meet Wednesdays at 9PM in SUB 402! (However this upcoming week we are watching “But I’m a Cheerleader” in the Hawk’s Nest which can be found in the Purple Lounge at 9PM. Come early to get good seats!)

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