A new word has been floating around recently. It’s a short and old word, but it has taken on a new meaning. This word is currently being used, by some, to refer to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population, and it has even been tacked onto the LGBT acronym in some circles.

    The word I am referring to is “queer.” This little word has stirred up some controversy within the LGBT community and among its allies, and it has also caused some confusion to those who are less close to this community.

There is good reason for this confusion. Queer is one of those words that has gone through cycles. As it currently applies to many, queer is an offensive term that should not be used casually.

From what I have gathered, it is mostly older individuals within the LGBT community who feel that queer is not acceptable.

As many of you know, the word queer was originally used to describe something odd, out of the ordinary or unnatural. It originally had nothing to do with the LGBT community.

However, the term took on a more derogatory meaning, particularly in the United States, beginning in the 1940s. This is when people starting using queer as a way to describe anything that was non-heteronormative.

Back then, queer was the perfect word because a majority of the public felt that anything non-heteronormative was unnatural and odd.

Queer became an insult, and it stayed that way for some time. Because older individuals were around when this word was still derogatory, they still feel the sting of its earlier intent.

Today, queer has taken on a new meaning to many.

There has been an effort to reclaim queer as an umbrella term for all non-heteronormative individuals, but it is not used in a hurtful way as it was once used. Although the LGBT acronym is pretty inclusive and comprehensive, some argue that it doesn’t quite cut it when it comes to representing the individuals it serves.

Consider a person who identifies as pansexual. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, pansexual means that gender is not at all a factor when it comes to relationships and sexual attraction.

This differs from bisexuality in that a person who is bisexual is typically attracted to either males or females, and he or she makes a distinction between how they are attracted to each gender.

A bisexual person’s attraction tends to stay within the typical gender dichotomy. A pansexual person, however, will not even think about gender, and their attraction will often range outside just males and females to transsexuals — pre- or post-op — people who don’t identify as any gender and so on.

The difference is small, but the point is that some may feel that the standard LBGT acronym does not accurately represent the fact that pansexuals — and a multitude of other sexualities — are included in the definition. Thus, the term queer is sometimes used.

Queer has also begun to appear in academic settings. Many schools now have queer studies programs and a research branch now exists called “Queer Theory.”

Again, the reason for using this terminology is so that all alternative sexualities are included, not just a few.

I know it seems tedious and nit-picky. I know it seems like one small word just shouldn’t matter. But like it or not, words are powerful, and they can have a significant effect on people.

For some of the older members of the LGBT population, queer brings up memories and experiences that are discouraging, hurtful and even frightening.

For some of the younger members of the LGBT population, queer is positive and even empowering.

For now, the connotation for the population at large is still in limbo, and it will probably remain there for at least a little while longer.

The LGBT culture is alive and well at Iowa State, and the words used to describe this group are many.

Whatever words you choose, know that these individuals and their allies are here. They can and do hear the words that are spoken about them.

Next week is LGBT Awareness Week. The little bit of information I have given today is merely a drop in the ocean of issues surrounding this population.

Nevertheless, I hope it did spark some amount of awareness and maybe even some curiosity to learn more. I hope you learned something about your fellow students and citizens.

Leah Hirsch is a Students 2 Students Peer Educator HIV/AIDS Counseling, Testing and Referral Intern for Johnson County Public Health.