Considering the Q-word in QPenn

As the Penn community has come together for QPenn Week, implications of the title itself have been controversial.

Indeed, in naming the week, coordinators debated whether the usage of the "Q," connoting "queer," appropriately represented and included the variety of groups participating.

While the "Q" was intended to be "amorphous," discussions nevertheless arose among the planning members about the appropriateness of the label "queer," said College sophomore Amanda Nordstrom, a planning committee member.

"There is always some controversy about the word," she said. It is "entrenched in a hateful past."

In light of the controversy, Nordstrom helped organize a panel discussion entitled "The Big Bad Q Word: The 'Queer' Controversy," which took place yesterday evening at the LGBT Center.

"Whether we like it or not, we are trapped in a political world," said panel member, author and activist Scott Tucker. "In this environment, language becomes an important tool."

"I like the word 'queer,'" said author and professor at the University of the Arts Victoria Brownworth. "It deals with marginality, inclusivity and exclusivity."

It is not just a sexual term, Brownworth continued, but can also refer to different areas like race.

Max Spit, a transgender activist and member of the Attic Youth Center of Philadelphia -- a support center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth -- said that he has a conflicted history with the word "queer."

"I found a place in the word," he said, but it is not inclusive. "We need to queer the word 'queer,' and never become complacent with it."

Author and activist Tamara Hopson, however, stated that "it doesn't matter what we are called."

"We are trying to get a word that embraces all of us, but we're not all the same," she said. "We are separate as a community."

Rather than debate proper word usage, Hopson said that she is in favor of coalition-building.

"If we can stand together and recognize everyone in the community, then we are ready for the name game," she said.

The panel speeches gave rise to lively debate. One of the questions raised was the use of "queer" by community versus non-community members.

According to Tucker, "it is a question of intimacy and trust. We all make a decision about the words we use depending on who we are addressing."

The categorization and implications of the word "queer'" were also raised. Some liken the word to other pejoratives such as the "nigger," while others, such as Brownworth, maintain that "queer" has a less negative or harmful connotation than words such as "faggot."

Regardless, "it takes the sting out of the word if we don't react to it," Hopson said. "I say, 'It's a word and I don't care....' Conditioning has perpetuated the negativity of these words."

Indeed, according to Spit, "sometimes you have to take the violence out of violent words."

"They are my words too, and I can... use them how I want," Spit said. "There's nothing wrong with reveling in filthy faggotry."

The panel included and brought together members of various communities, generations, orientations and races.

Overall, Nordstrom said she was pleased with the discussion and the diversity of the panel members. "I liked the audience," she said. "There was good dialogue and interaction."

However, she was disappointed that the issue of bisexualism was "glossed over" and that comments about the war detracted from a discussion she had hoped would be more focused.

Engineering senior Shel White, was also pleased that "the audience was open and receptive."

Furthermore, White was pleased by the turnout from the transgender community.

"As a transgender, the word debate has always been close to my heart," White said. Though she is comfortable with the word, White also notes that it is important to be respectful of those who are not.

"Discussion is the only solution. Perhaps from that, we will find a new word or use 'queer' in a way that would make the community more comfortable."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.