Evolution of a group

[Bikewer]

Just social commentary:

Here at the university we have a student group of long standing which started out as the "GLA", or Gay & Lesbian Alliance. A support group for such folks.

Over the years, the acronym has grown somewhat, in an effort to be even more inclusive. At present, it is the GLBTIQA.

That would be Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, "Intersexed", Questioning, and "Ally". (presumably friends, relatives, etc.)

I looked up "intersexed" and found that this is now the preferred term for the condition I would have known better as being a hermaphrodite, or having "indeterminate" genitalia.

In a couple of years, the acronym might grow to include more letters than the group has members.....

 

[punchdrunk]

And there's only 19 letters left...

 

[stupidquestion]

Alphabet soups are always a bit comical, perhaps, and "intersexed" is certainly quite rare--though also much more complex than you present (see the Intersex Society of North America web site [sorry, it won't let me post URL]). But I see no problem with a group increasingly recognizing that human sexuality--and in many ways gender as well--exist on a spectrum, not in tidy little boxes. I would say it's increasing matching reality. The addition of groups reflects changing attitudes within the traditional gay/lesbian community (itself often at odds) particularly around the existence of bisexuality.

"Greek" frats with lots of letters for names strike me as much funnier.

 

[Ed]

And there's only 19 letters left...

and 16 people who aren't included ...

sounds like some tedious socialist thing from the 30's.

 

[Skeptic]

Presumably the idea is to fight the evil stereotype that claims gays and lesbians are less boring than other people.

 

[Tirdun]

GLBTIQA?

The new acronym is idiotic because it makes the group look like a parody rather than a real organization. Pick a generic inclusive term and be done with it. Go with "Sexual Rights Alliance", "Sexual Support League" or similar. Sooner or later you're going to find someone with Gatterhorn Syndrome (making that up) and darn if you aren't going to have an extra "G" into your endless acronym.

Oh, and "Questioning" is just outright reduandant. If you're "questioning" your sexuality than you are going to fall either into the gay, bisexual or ally camp, regardless of your ultimate decision. And if you decide to be straight and homophobic, you're not going to be a member of the organization anyway.

 

[geni]

There is the issue that they probably want to exclude pedophiles which prevents them from useing some stuff that would be too inclusive.

 

[BPSCG]

There is the issue that they probably want to exclude pedophiles which prevents them from useing some stuff that would be too inclusive.

Okay, so add "EX-P" to it. Now it's GLBTIQAEX-P

 

[Tirdun]

Okay, so add "EX-P" to it. Now it's GLBTIQAEX-P

Looks like a new prescription drug name. So ask your doctor about Glibtiqaex-P, side effects are usually mild and include dry mouth and painful swelling in the jibblies.

 

[luchog]

Alphabet soups are always a bit comical, perhaps, and "intersexed" is certainly quite rare--though also much more complex than you present (see the Intersex Society of North America web site [sorry, it won't let me post URL]). But I see no problem with a group increasingly recognizing that human sexuality--and in many ways gender as well--exist on a spectrum, not in tidy little boxes. I would say it's increasing matching reality. The addition of groups reflects changing attitudes within the traditional gay/lesbian community (itself often at odds) particularly around the existence of bisexuality.

The most common term i've seen used nowadays is GLBT. Was attending a panel with a number of "GLBT" comic artists and writers a couple years ago, and writer Donna Barr made the comment that it sounded like a sandwich; and that from then on, we should refer to ourselves as "sandwich people". About a half-hur of the predictable, but still hilarious in context, jokes ensued.

 

[luchog]

Presumably the idea is to fight the evil stereotype that claims gays and lesbians are less boring than other people.

A huge segment of the GLBT community in my area has distingushed themselves by proving conclusively that they were, in fact, no different from the rest of the uptight, self-absorbed, image-conscious, repressed yuppies that consititute the majority of the eastside. How, do you ask? By protesting the annual Pride Parade as being too flamboyant, outrageous, and unrepresentative of the local GLBT population; and claiming that it gave them a bad image.

Yeah.