The Q-word and the angry, divisive state of SC politics

Perhaps it’s a symptom of growing up in a conservative family, but I was dismayed to hear politicians recently invoke the word “queer” to describe South Carolinians.

It happened the other night at a Republican candidates’ forum in Anderson.

State Rep. April Cromer of Anderson used the word in a disparaging way while speaking about her opposition to a very modest ($4,750) S.C. Arts Commission grant this year for the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus.

“I will not vote for the queer choir in Greenville,” Cromer said, explaining her “no” votes on the state budget.

The “queer choir” — that’s what she called the highly respected Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus.

Cromer also highlighted the Upstate SC LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, which received a $4,500 Arts Commission grant, as something she couldn’t support: “The list goes on and on. It’s appalling.”

Minutes later, Sherry Hodges, a candidate for a different Anderson County district, took up the theme saying she opposes “queer stuff.”

Long used as a slur, “queer” has been reclaimed by people in younger generations as an inclusive umbrella term. That’s why The Associated Press Stylebook — the guidebook for journalism style — says LGBTQ+ is an acceptable acronym, while cautioning against using the Q-word alone.

Everything depends on context and intent. And the word can still hurt.

Suffice it to say the word was not delivered in a respectful, supportive way at the May 15 forum.

South Carolina used to have a reputation for politeness, but this political season has been angry, divisive and downright nasty.

And it’s far from over.

National politics — amplified by social media, outrage culture and increasingly confrontational political styles — has normalized rhetoric that once would have been considered unacceptable.

Particularly disappointing is the spectacle of South Carolina politicians targeting minority communities for political advantage.

Marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ people, bear the brunt of political incivility.

About 4.9% of South Carolina adults identify as LGBTQ, or roughly 193,000 adults, according to the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.

With all the issues crying out for attention in South Carolina — the teacher shortage, infrastructure, and the soaring cost of healthcare — it amazes me that politicians can find time to attack marginalized groups to score political points and inflame cultural grievances.

The Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus, for its part, responded gracefully.

“This unfortunate negativity is part of why our organization exists,” said executive director Mary Adam. “Our chorus hopes to foster compassion, create beautiful music, and build community through the arts. Our singers are neighbors, teachers, parents, artists, and active members of the community. We’re proud of the role we play in the cultural life of our state and remain focused on our mission of connection, uplifting audiences, and artistic excellence. We invite and welcome Rep. Cromer and all legislators to come experience a GGMC performance for themselves and perhaps have a change of heart.”

Weaponized words

It’s true that we older folks see the term “queer” as particularly offensive and derogatory.

Historically, “queer” was weaponized to disparage gay people and turn them into the “other” — treating them as threatening and not fully part of the larger community.

Such language functioned to vilify LGBTQ people and cast them as outsiders, denying them a seat at the table. (And if you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re likely on the menu.)

Beginning in the late 20th century, however, many LGBTQ people, activists, and scholars deliberately reclaimed the term. Today, it is commonly used in academic, activist, and community settings.

But reclamation has not erased the word’s history or made it universally neutral.

“‘Queer’ has a long history of being a derogatory comment, and in most contexts, still is, despite the academic reappropriation of it in queer studies and theory,” said the Rev. David R. Gillespie, a Greenville writer and religious studies instructor.

Many people today comfortably identify as queer, particularly younger generations, and many institutions use the term neutrally or in a supportive or sympathetic fashion.

It’s when politicians use “queer” mockingly, contemptuously, or to demean gay people — as at the recent forum — that it becomes deeply insulting.

Decency and civility

The coarsening of public language extends far beyond one forum in Anderson.

South Carolina has long prized civility, manners and public decorum — at least rhetorically. The contrast with today’s scorched-earth politics is striking and dismaying.

Judging from everyday conversations, many South Carolinians are weary of the politics of division and extremism. They long for decency, civility and perhaps a bit of grace and vision from their politicians.

Here’s some good advice: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” — Ephesians 4:29.

“Building others up” — a consummation devoutly to be wished in South Carolina.