Staff Editorial |

LAMBDA, the largest LGBTQ+ organization on campus, has been pursuing a name change since May 2023. Duquesne University squashed that pursuit Wednesday.

The denial comes after the Student Government Association voted unanimously to approve the organization’s desired name change to the Queer Students Association at a meeting on Oct. 9. Despite support from the student body, the administration still deemed that the term “queer” was inappropriate.

The excuse provided at yesterday’s SGA meeting is far from satisfactory. SGA President Faith Cook said at the meeting that the university felt the term queer was not recognized the same in other countries as it is in America, which could pose problems for exchange students and those who attend Duquesne campuses abroad.

The word “queer” is not offensive to most members of the LGBTQ+ community at home — in fact, its broad definition makes it far more inviting for members of the community. The organization’s current name does not properly represent what the organization is, who it welcomes and who it represents. The current name also acts as a barrier to discoverability.

In an interview with The Duke last week, LAMBDA President Nialah Miller said that students had a hard time finding their organization on CampusLink due to the name not adequately describing the purpose of the club. There are over 280 student-run organizations on campus, and the university is essentially burying LAMBDA.

In denying LAMBDA its SGA approved name, the university has effectively denied the wishes not just of LGBTQ+ students on campus, but the organization that represents the entire student body — a contradiction of its mission, “To serve God by Serving Students” through “Maintaining an ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity.”

In an apparent act of cowardice, Duquesne has failed to serve the majority of its students.

Yes, Duquesne is a Catholic school, and the church has taken some questionable stances toward the LGBTQ+ community; however, church doctrine does say about LGBTQ+ people: “Such persons must be accepted with respect and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” The university’s decision is discriminatory — denying members of the LGBTQ+ community on campus the ability to choose for themselves a name which they and their fellow students have agreed is a better representation of them and, therefore, have gone against church doctrine.

Duquesne’s administration has a duty to recognize that its apprehensions about the use of the term “queer” are outdated and fail to account for the needs of its LGBTQ+ community.

In the meantime, LAMBDA said they will apply for another name. Hopefully, the university does not make the same mistake next time around.