'The University's Office of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Affairs plans to pick a new name by the end of the semester in an effort to be more inclusive.

Gabe Javier, an LGBT affairs assistant, said the current name doesn't represent allies - members who suport the group regardless of whether they fit into any of the categories mentioned in the title.

"Part of it is that the letters are more exclusive than inclusive," Javier said. "There are lots of people who are part of the LGBT community that may not identify as a lesbian, bisexual or gay person."

Another problem with the current title is the ambiguity of the word "transgender," he said.

The term is typically used to encompass people with a gender identity different from the male or female classification that society would conventionally designate to them. But many people tend to confuse it with the word "transsexual," a term for a person who wants to assume the physical characteristics and gender roles of a different sex.

The organization began investigating a name change in October 2006. Since then, it has conducted surveys of group members, asked University faculty and officials for feedback and researched what other schools call their offices.

It plans to select a name by the end of the term and to implement the new name next semester. It also plans to hold a contest to design a new logo for the group. The name change is slated to be completed by July.



The initiative has taken flak from some commentators who say the name change is taking too long or that it takes inclusiveness too far.

Dan Savage, the author of a syndicated column published in The Onion's A.V. Club, poked fun at the office's lengthy name change process in a blog post for "The Stranger," a Seattle-area alternative weekly newspaper.

"My God, think of all the Ls, Gs, Bs, Ts, Qs, Is, Ts, etc., that are going to have to get their degrees and leave Michigan before the name is finally changed," wrote Savage, who is gay. "If folks are feeling oppressed by LGBT, how can UM justify taking three years to process its way toward an inclusive name for the group?"

Andrew Sullivan, a columnist for The Atlantic magazine, also criticized the office's efforts at inclusiveness.

"I was a gay advisor on campus and I know the pain and issues involved. I know they need to exist," Sullivan said. "But the p.c. crapola gets you down."

School of Education junior Ashley Fotieo said she didn't understand why the office needed to change its name.

"If it's going to make a significant difference in the organization, then by all means they should change it, but I was surprised when I heard they were considering a name change, because I didn't really see much wrong with it before," she said. "It's a name that everyone already recognizes."

LSA senior Andrew McBride, an employee of the LGBT Affairs office, said the group won't pick a new name until it gets a wide range of suggestions from members of the University community.

"We will be holding three forums for anyone who wants to reveal that they are invested in the name change," McBride said. "Students, staff, faculty, and the greater community are welcome to come. We also have our blog, and we'll be taking suggestions there as well."'