Code Names

In the journals, several members used short-hand aliases or abbreviations when signing their entries and referring to other members. Whether intended as a form of self-protection, expression of in-group friendships, or otherwise, this caused some contention and debate amongst LGSA/LGBA/LGBTA members around issues of accessibility, exclusion, and privacy.

Image of "Codenames" Section Label Part 1

Image of "Codenames" Section Label Part 2

Jennie, Rebecca and Bill Journal Entries- Codenames

“Acronyms: Gay Group vs Group of Gay Friends”

Jennie, Journal 3, c. 1987

“Code Names Story”

Rebecca (BXI), Journal 3, c. 1987

Transcription:

10-9

While acronyms may be fun for those who are part of the “group-in-the-know” they are [crossed out words] quite annoying for the rest of the world. Sarah Doyle Center just reorganized in order to be more a women’s center and less of a network of friends. I think LGSA should be a gay group, and not a group of gay friends. In other words, remember to make this group accessible to newcomers, esp. Shy newcomers who easily feel left out. Jennie Hoffman

Transcription:

Dear ones,

how thoroughly amusing this weekend has been. Like CYB, I know a language familiar to some but foreign to many and this journal entry may be written in it. Oh how I miss CDW when everything connects and we should be meeting at PBs to rehash and anylize [sic]. Yes connections make sociograms too difficult to contemplate, much less draw but I can try. And it is strange that almost exactly a year has passed an d that there are so many connections including Dr. Bob. Now when does my life get better. Dalliances with M3W are fun but nonconvergent sexualities make anything more than "fun" difficult. Its quite a limitation to only be able (so it seems) to connect with those who connect to past connections but luckily the one I want most is the x-lover of an x-lover of CDW so perhaps she is possible. In 2 weeks I may know. Ah romance! Ah desire!... Laurie Anderson quotes into infinity. And oh yeah, there was a dance this weekend. I am a DJ, I am what I play. That would make me gay, male and British. Maybe not! Too bad. I do so want to be a queen! Maybe now that CDW is gone and M3W quite distant I will change my title. Instead of DCW I will be LQ. Figure it out. Now I say bye-bye. Good luck to CYB in his LDR. Now you have a HTH, how sweet. And though CDW will pout, I am happy for you!

♡Bxi, the (self-appointed) LQ

[arrow pointing to main text]

Check the glossary for definitions

DO YOU EXPECT ME TO GET MY DECODER RING OUT!

GET REAL!

WHAT THIS FUCKING BEATING AROUND THE BUSH FOR BXI

“Insider’s Blurb Collection (Pt 1 & 2)”

Bill and Rebecca (BXI), Journal 3, c. 1987

Transcription:

PLEASE, sign so we can read who is saying what, so that is not much of an insider's little blurb collection.

Thank you,

Bill Jesdale

So who is this "untochable Brown Boy" D.P. has a crush on?

And what maeks him untouchable, huh?

(Enquiring minds want to know, dammit!)

- If you don't recognize the handwriting you don't deserve to be reading the journal.

[arrow pointing to text] Bad attitude - Guess I'm not worthy.

Hi darlins,

hmmm, I feel like discussing the use of abbreviations today. We are an organization and I do want it to be easy and comfortable for anyone to get involved. I dont like people being left out. But then again, if you are up here - if you had the courage to come up here - then you probably have the courage to ask "Who is CYB?" or whatever. And sometimes I want to record things in the journal - LGSA related things - but I dont want everyone to know what Im talking about. I dont say unkind things in code, just things that are maybe better kept between me and

Transcription:

the other or others involved. I would record them elsewhere but Id like them to be here when I look through the journal to remember LGSA related history. And if you require me to tell all, shouldnt you require signatures from everyone? or explications[?] of poetry? See, I dont think anything should be required in this book. It is here as a choice and one can choose if and what to write or read. I love the romantic intrigues and emotional confusion of this book. This is us! Proud, desparing, exstatic, confused, obscene, bizarre, loving, bitchy, unique. I would never ask anyone to write here in any way but the way they choose to express themselves.

love to all,

BXI

By the way, Lesbian Queen (LQ) is not by any means an indication that there was an election at an LC meeting at which Rebecca was elected Queen of the Lesbians or anything. Lesbian Queen is not a title it is a description. By "queen," Rebecca means "drag queen," not "female monarch." Rebecca's status as LQ is thus, not "self appointed." It has been a fact of life for many years for her, and now that she is finally able to accept it we should all be as loving and supportive as possible, not critical

- A concerned friend

Oral History Quotes

I don't remember much of the specifics of it, [but] I do remember being annoyed by using insider language or jargon-y stuff. In part because, you know, the first meeting I went to, I don't remember anybody like checking in with me. People were just laughing at these inside jokes, and I didn't understand any of it. So part of that was, well, coming into a whole new culture, and, of course, there's gonna be things that don't make sense. To this day, I can’t stand it when people use acronyms. (…) It annoyed me, and it wasn't just that one incident. It annoyed me that there were these insider-y, gossipy things. You know, that says as much about my personality as anything, I think. But I don't remember being upset with Rebecca about it. Or, if so, very temporarily.

-Bill Jesdale reflecting on his part in the “Acronyms” dialogue between himself, Rebecca and Jennie. In his entry, he expressed frustration at the use of acronyms in the journals by LGSA members.

There's a long history of having a coded language as a way that marginalized peoples communicate with each other. And so I think there was also an aspect of it that was about that.

-Rebecca Hensler reflecting on the use of code names as an intentional practice by queer and other marginalized groups to communicate with each other

You know, people wrote poetry [in the journals], and I often had no clue what the poetry was about. And I think that’s what I’m referencing when I’m like, “Look, if you’re asking me to explain everything, then you need to ask everyone to explain everything.” But I also read it [now], and I'm glad that I responded [to the comment on Bill’s entry] when someone's like, “You don't deserve to understand.” I mean, that was not cool. There was a lot of bitchy Queens of both genders going into the office at various times [laughs]. That was a part of gay culture. But I also wish that I’d been able to explore more, and get a little bit more outside of myself at the time, to look at, “How does this feel for other people?” (...) The LGSA was literally the first place in my life I ever felt a sense of belonging, but I also could have done a better job in, you know, doing my part for everyone to have that sense of belonging.

-Rebecca Hensler speaking about belonging in the LGSA

I'll just say that [the LGSA] was a group of friends. I mean, you know, a lot of my fondest memories from Brown are from LGSA, but I also remember that feeling of where it could be intimidating. I mean, particularly in the context, you have a bunch of cool older kids, right, and you’re coming in as a first year student, like, “Oh, they're so intimidating.” Particularly, if it’s in the eighties, the out gay cool kids. And you're not even sure you wanna be out. There's that sort of added level of shyness.

-Jennie Hoffman speaking about friendships in the LGSA

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