Fordham Students form Queer Task Force committee

The Fordham Queer Task Force is a committee, founded within Fordham’s Rainbow Alliance, dedicated to educating the broader Fordham community about issues pertaining to the Queer community, as well as the specific policy challenges facing Queer students at Fordham. The Task Force brings together leaders from across the University, students as well as faculty. 

Queer Task Force Mission Statement:

"Queer" is an umbrella term that is used to describe people with marginalized sexualities (lesbian, gay, or bisexual), as well as gender identities (transgender) or genitalia (intersex). While the word was initially used as a slur with the intention to isolate those sexual minorities seen as "other," it has in recent decades been reclaimed by individuals who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, Questioning, Allies, and other individuals who identify with non-normative sexualities and/or gender identities. Therefore, the Queer identity facilitates solidarity and is sensitive to the intersecting identities within a single individual.

The Oxford English Dictionary cites the first ever usage of the word "queer" in 1513 (from the German quer), and it originally referred to something strange, odd, peculiar, or eccentric. In 1914, OED cites the first usage of "queer" as a description for homosexuals, which after that developed into a derogatory slur. From the late 1980s, it states, "queer" was reclaimed and developed into a self-identifier accessible to the entire LGBTQ movement, "without regard to, or in implicit denial of, its negative connotations." Although it shouldn't be necessary to appeal to the dictionary, this reputable source demonstrates the widespread acceptance and reversal of a slur. The queer community accomplished the same end as the Society of Jesus in reclaiming a term that was originally an insult. The term "Jesuit" was originally a derogatory word referring to people who too readily invoked the name of Jesus in the politics2. Therefore, it seems that a Jesuit institution, given this history, would be sympathetic and supportive of this identity. 

Fordham University is blessed with an unbelievably vibrant community of queer folks: students, faculty, staff, and parents. While LGBT is accepted as an acronym that brings together sexual minorities, it is inherently exclusive of those whose identities do not fit within those four letters. Nor could any other similar acronym accomplish this goal (such as LGBTA, Gay and Lesbian, QUILTBAG assuming the Q means "questioning"). No other word except "queer" can sufficiently express this concept. Other universities, and Fordham itself, have sponsored Queer events on campus- one of the More than A Monologue conference sessions was titled "Pro-Queer Life: Youth Suicide Crisis, Catholic Education, and the Souls of LGBTQ[ueer] People. "

The Division of Student Affairs at Fordham lives out its Jesuit and Catholic mission by cultivating "moral and intellectual development […where] the student […] will be expected to fully participate in the education offered by full participation in the community." The Queer Task Force exists because Queer students are unable to fully participate in the community without hosting events, discussions, and mission advertising that includes the word "queer." With all due respect to the inter-generational nature of the Fordham community, one which dates back to 1842, it is not feasible to ban a word out of discomfort or fear. It is especially important to be aware of this issue, in light of the recent bias events that have occurred in our community. Other Jesuit college communities have been facilitating this discussion. In reference to an inclusion initiative, sponsored by the University of Scranton GLBTQ(ueer) club, President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. said, "There is no room for prejudice on a Catholic campus." Banning a word that is used by a community to self-identify is, implicitly, prejudice.

The current situation at Fordham, under Student Affairs policy, is that "queer" may not be used freely in clubs' mission advertising and events. The current policy is not in line with the Catholic and Jesuit goals nor the goals of any university community, and it is injurious to the community. In light of the recent events of bias on both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses, it is crucial to proceed as a university that is not afraid of solidarity and dialogue. It is equally crucial that Student Affairs policy reflect this.