Ha!  When I saw this topic, I assumed it was about the hypothetical Q document, relied upon by two of the Gospel writers. 

Boy, was I wrong

If someone could explain the entire acronym, I would appreciate it.  This is reminding me of the Church Life thread which dealt with the DLM's and so on.  Equally confusing.

Isn't it two spirited, Jae?

 My understanding is that some people use to the word queer because the other labels don't fit them.  I get the for GLBTQ but I'm not sure what isn't covered in the new acronym.  Maybe people who only cross-dress some of the time?  Or someone who most of the time is interested in one sex but occasionally is interested in the same sex if they don't want to label themselves as straight. gay/lesbian or bi?

I'd like to hear more than someone more informed than I!

I was actually unaware of how long it had gotten...

Although it's not as long as the name of my non-proffit organisation:

S.F.T.S.O.T.T.I.A.W.A.A.S.O.S.T.B.N.J.T.A.I.T.I.H.H.O.Y.B.W.S.I.I.H.K.A.T

(Sebb for the support of things I agree with and also some other stuff too but not just that, also interesting things I haven't heard of yet but would support if I had known about them)

Scientists are saying now that inherited sexuality is a continuum, not the either/or suggested by the X/Y chromosomal picture: the XX and  XY gene pairings express themselves in ways that close the gap. Society has forced a male-female choice that many people have found very difficult to live out. As that social pressure has eased, more of the continuum is being expressed.

i.e. Expect longer acronyms.

I thought startrek and never the book of q and I studied that...  the term popular culture sent me toward star trek.

I was also expecting Star Trek!

In addition to the long string of letters, the GLBT group at my university added a * to the end of it -- and the * represented all of those individuals who either don't like labels or do not fit neatly into a certain category.

and I thought of 007.

I feel like, with so many letters, it almost covers everyone.  Can't we just call it a celebration of the "everyone community"?  Or is that too inclusive?

jae,

the movement has been gradually fading as it is being integrated into mainstream culture.  Eventually, the acronym will include everyone on the planet :3

Bit by bit by bit.

Hey Hilary - it was James Bond for me too!  Just goes to show how important context is!!

Count me in for the Star Trek reference - I thought it might be some deep religious discussion about portraying godlike characters!

But yes, I agree that the initials seem to be turning into more of a mission statement than an actual acronym.  When I hear people talk about Pride, the most common shortform is LGTB or LGTBQ (the latter being what we called it 5+ years ago at Uni).  I understand that minorities want to be differentiated within a group, but if you're going to try to sexually define everyone, I think I'd appreciate a sexual umbrella term (that sounded borderline naughty).  Perhaps something along the lines of Awareness of Sexual and Gender Identities or something like that (ASAGI?).  It's a tough field, where many feel their identities are under attack and stand proudly by their label, while others fight to be free of labelling and defining their sexuality.