Our membership is overwhelmingly Queer, and some of us have made it like 75% of our personalities. If that’s not OK with you, do not attend our events.

Why are we saying “Queer” and not “LGBTQIA+”? The original slogan was “We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it.” The word “Queer” doesn’t have convenient letters to be chopped off at the end to exclude trans people, intersex people, or aro/ace people, like we saw at Stonewall, recently.

Moreover, and more importantly, Queer is a commitment to a better life for everyone, not just gay and lesbian people. Yes, cishets too! It is a commitment to freedom of expression, freedom from poverty, and freedom from assimilationism. It’s a commitment to the idea that people don’t have to conform to be included or have value as human beings. It is an end of the discussion over which people in an unpronounceable acronym are valid members of the community represented by it. To a Dominonist, we’re all equally hateful. The offer of assimilation into a cishetero patriarchy is a mirage — tempting, but empty.

If you find the word “Queer” offensive? This community isn’t for you. If you are offended by polyamory, also maybe stay away. And on that note, if you use “communist” as a slur, this probably isn’t the place for you.

That said, being Queer isn’t the purpose of our group. You don’t have to be Queer to be here.