The reason I will not draw a line like that is because I don't believe there really is a line. Queer spaces tend to be self-selecting...people who want to be there show up because they want to be in queer space, and that's plenty of line-drawing for me. Outside of those spaces, people who don't choose to be in queer spaces are the majority. That's the difference, for me, between a queer space and the rest of the world. It's not the presence or absence of "straight people"....it's the presence of absence of people who intentionally choose to go into a queer space for support.

I hear the challenges it presents for many queer-identified people to have people who identify as straight and/or allies and/or something other than queer in queer space. The problem I see with creating intentionally exclusive space is that someone has to be comfortable identifying themself as queer in order to enter that space, and many people who really need queer support space do not. Some people are trans, identify as straight and/or prefer to be stealth -- they shouldn't have to disclose their trans status to show up in queer space. I have a number of friends who are maybe 85% straight, but feel safest in queer space, and feel pressured to identify themselves one way or the other when those lines are drawn. And what about people who aren't ready to come out as queer yet, or who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity but ultimately find that they are heterosexual and/or comfortable living in the gender they were assigned at birth? They need queer spaces too, and I feel like the value of including those people in queer spaces far outweighs the value of excluding straight people.

Honestly, the biggest issues I see come up are in queer spaces where most of the people in the group define their queerness in terms of sexuality, and those of us whose queerness is primarily defined by gender can't get the support we need for all the other aspects of our lives that our queerness impacts outside of sex...not issues that have anything to do with who is "queer" or "not queer"...and in fact, these issues seem to be less problematic when people who are not queer are included in the space, perhaps because then it is obvious that we're "not just here to talk about who has sex with whom".

As far as what to do if the "line" between "straight" and "queer" in one's group becomes relevant because straight people are showing up needing to be educated? I think the responsible thing for a leader to do is to discuss that with the individuals. Be prepared to provide them with some resources, or direct them to someone who could better answer their questions. I agree that it is not the responsibility of every single LGBTQ person to educate straight allies, but I do think a leader takes on the responsibility of at least acknowledging that the questions of straight allies are valid and valuable, and being prepared to respond in some way even if that way isn't directly answering every question that comes up, instead of saying "you're not welcome here". Queer people can be just as ignorant about queer issues as straight people, too.

I'm not a big fan of saying anyone can't be in another group's "space" just because they don't belong to said group. It's discriminatory, exclusionary, and doesn't do anything to further our cause.

On a college campus, I think it's even more important to be inclusive. It's fine to let those who don't belong to the group that they may be offended or feel uncomfortable by some of the discussions, but that's a good thing. They SHOULD be in spaces that make them question their privilege.

There's much to think about here.

Thanks for raising some sensitive issues, Aidan. I would agree with Choirqueer, though, that it may be very hard to draw the line--and even harder at the high school level where more people may find themselves in the "questioning" category. Many college students are probably still in this category.

I think it also depends on the group's name and mission. A gay-straight alliance by definition, IMHO, should definitely be open to straight allies. I don't see GSA space as exclusively "queer" space. (I'm not sure you were saying it was, but FWIW....)

Wow, I can't believe this is a serious topic. Maybe just the distinction in perspectives!

As trans -- and GLB as well -- we've always been invading straight space. Perhaps more so as trans. Well over a decade ago we began going to straight nightspots, they were friendlier and more fun. We got the message that we were kind of interloping in gay/lesbian clubs and found our own space instead. Nowadays, it's a thing even in GLB circles -- guerrilla gay bar nights, invading straight space, so to speak.

Even in organizations, I was invited and even ended up leading the local Women's Political Caucus in 2002, before a trans had ever even done so with any GLBT org. We're constantly going out into society and doing the best we can to immerse and be a part of society at large. But then, we've not had the infrastructure, enclaves, business success, social structures (anything from nightclubs to circuit parties to Womyn's Festival). And for the record, I'm not in favor of invading the Mich. Womyn's Fest -- they want their space, that's fine. But trans conventions have always been open to GLB folks (even if there's little attraction to draw many, some do come).

From a trans perspective, I'm shocked at that concept. We personally would not want that for us, nor to cut off one of the few opportunities we have for lifting ourselves, bettering our lot. And I'll admit, that's likely not the GLB perspective at all -- there are many other opportunities, etc, and you may want your own speace. But even the message this sends is counterintuitive to all the push for being "equal" ... what is equal if it's still distinctly separate? What would you say if straights demanded "straight only space"?

Seriously, I can't relate. Whatever you do, please don't tack the "T" onto any push for that!

I'm trans and I see both sides of this. I can completely understand why people of color would want a safe space where it would be "just us" and they can brainstorm or vent freely. I think you could make that argument for any of the LGBTIQ too, but the question would be "Is this truly forwarding us?". The other wrench in the works here is the very real phenomenon here in the City of the Angels of friends who I can only describe as "Het Queer"; people from the Goth, S&M and Alt community who hang out with, well, us.
Good question, no solution from me.

I think I can understand why GLBT people would want to have their own space. I belong to a national women's organization and I doubt if I'd be comfortable if men started attending our meetings. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be in an atmosphere of acceptance - not constantly having to explain yourself, etc.

On the other hand, as a PFLAG mom, I am involved in GLBT rights and attend meetings and social events with straight and GLBT folks. It has opened up my world, made me see things differently, and become a more accepting and tolerant person. And along the way I've made some wonderful friends. So, as with everything, you need to assess the situation and try to decide what is appropriate for your needs.

For anyone who has questions and wants to learn more, PFLAG meetings are an excellent venue for this. In a safe and confidential environment, straight people can ask questions and learn more about the GLBT community. To locate a meeting in your area, go to www.pflag.org and you will be able to find meetings within your state.

Aidan, it is a compelling question. It is unfortunately confounded by the reality that there is no commanding definition of queer. Each person has an impression about what it means. Which Darya was pointing at with het-queer.

In therapeutic space I think the exclusion is important if not required. But, I think the definitions need to be far more exclusionary than simply queer.

I think it is queerty that has an article on straight bachelorette parties in gay bars. I'm not much of a bar person these days, but when I was I didn't really like lots of straight people in the bar. Most of the bars had signs informing straights that they were guests of the gay community and were expected to act as guests. Most gay men my age and older didn't have "safe" places to socialize as men do in the greater community. We were pretty possessive of our space. I'm sorry for rambling, but I'm conflicted on the issue.

If your group was downtown, I'd say be as selective as you need to be. On a college campus, however, I think the nature of a learning community is such that as long as goals and norms are respected membership should be an inclusive as possible.

my 2¢

I also has discomfort at the straight people in the gay bars.. the bachelorette parties the "hey lets be crazy and go look at the freaks" feeling. I remember one New Year's Eve.. there were so many straight people in the gay bar watching the drag show, that my girlfriend wouldn't hold my hand for fear someone from the National Guard was there in the straight group and would see her. We couldn't even be ourselves at a drag show in a gay bar. It was annoying.

Aidan, thanks for raising this important question that many of us have probably discussed privately and - POW: there it is on the BIG screen of your headline. Kudos for courage.

I am glad also to see the comments reflecting interest and even some reticence. That's good, too.

I don't see space as 'gay' but rather 'queer,' as your writing later extends to include. They're not equal terms. There are LGBT people who are not gay. So allies doesn't always need to follow the word straight. Bi people aren't gay and some of us trans people aren't, either. And some of us in our LGBTQQI community need to ask you to check with us in the morning, if you know what I mean.

As a transsexual guy of color who grew up as a girl in the deep South who is 52 now, I've seen this question be needed and later shelved, and once again needed.

Youth space has to be safe. There might be straight youth with LGBT parents who need similar support as LGBTQQI youth. All meetings, especially for young adults, can't focus only on advancing the cause. The most important piece is to create or preserve safety, comfort and hope at a time in life when emotions can run higher than knowledge, just because being young means having lived for fewer years than older folks.

Young people have to be safe and protected. Just thinking back of rumor mills, peer pressure and mindless cruelty (some unintentional) of school years makes me glad that young LGBTQQI people have many adults to sustain them. When I grew up, we had the lone gay art teacher or lesbian basketball coach to be our adults of comfort. Not so in some cities -- and probably still true in some towns.

Here in DC a few weeks ago, two transmen who attended a club on lesbian night were assaulted by women patrons there. That incident took my heart and brain and split both right down the middle. ALL assaults are bad, and there are other ways to ask transmen to excuse themselves from women's space. There's the anger-feeder of the assumption of 'male privilege,' which we of color are still trying to find a place in the 'plus' column for it for us. There's the assumption that anything gay is LGBTQQI welcoming. While not always true, it never merits violence. We in the LGBTQQI community should KNOW better than to create violence on each other or on anyone.

So, I am glad this is being considered. There are many ways to phrase what we're considering: Now that the world seems more open, do I get to claim MY public/limited access/private safe space, and may I select who is welcome there? And on the other hand: Where am I welcome? Who might I offend when I walk past this door?

Glad you raised this, and thank you, Aidan. Diego

Hmmm... at my college we just had two groups - the support/social group just for teh queerz and the political group where everyone was invited. Guess which one was more popular (oh, don't guess, it was the one where everyone was invited).

What I find interesting is that I can't really think of a reason to keep others out. I know, I know, protect the space and everything. But maybe being an ally is a way for someone to ease their way into acknowledging their own identity. I dunno, the demand for safe spaces always reminds me of Bush's claims that he kept America safe for years. That's America, a safe space from terrorists because their space is pretty much the rest of the world....

But I disagree with your point about not having to do trans/gay 101 in queer spaces. I mean, maybe your school has wonderfully already-informed people, but there are more than a few LGB folks who would benefits from some trans 101 and vice versa. I also think lots of straight, gay, and lesbian folks would benefits from some bisexuality 101 as well. And I'm sure lots of people just coming to terms with their own identity could use a 101 in being just that.

As in, when it's just us, it's still pretty unsafe and stupid and annoying. Or at least that's what I've learned from LGBT spaces (like Bilerico, although we don't exclude because it's just impossible over the internet!). We're just as capable as anyone else to make our own lives unpleasant.