New York State allows queer in group names

The New York Department of State said it has reversed its decision to reject applications for incorporation from two groups wanting the word queer in their names, the New York Post reports. Founders for the outreach groups Queer Awareness and Queers for Economic Justice will be told they can use the names if they refile their applications, agency spokesman Peter Constantakes said. The about-face came a day after the state learned that the Post was preparing a story on the issue. It also came just three weeks before a court case brought by the founders of Queer Awareness was scheduled to be heard in state supreme court in Albany. "After taking a closer look, it was decided that the word queer is mainstream enough that it probably won't be objectionable, so we will allow its use," Constantakes said.