I have just today become aware of your blog through The Browser’s notice of your review of “Beyonce.” I was drawn in by the one sentence quote in the newletter and a thorough reading of your observations left me relishing your take and wanting more. Never have I read a review so sensually responsive to its subject as well as being astoundingly informative. I must have Googled 20 terms or names which I had never heard before. (I know I am revealing my ignorance now, but, I allow defensively, all those references were subcultural.) I will be looking further into your writings, for my education and for my enjoyment.

Beyond expressing my appreciation, I am writing with a particular question which I hope you will have the time to address. (Please be assured as you continue, that I am not a bigot.) In the second paragraph, you referred to yourself as “an homosexual.” Perhaps this is a common usage but it is my first encounter of using the article “an” with this word. Perhaps if I were a homosexual, in my case that would mean a lesbian, I would be aware of this. But, although it is an increasingly frequent topic for news and discussion, I have not seen this usage before.

So I guess my question is, as an homosexual, can you tell me if this is the preferred grammatical construction? That is preferred by homosexuals. (Oh, dear, I hope this isn’t starting to sound coldly clinical!) Perhaps you are starting a trend? Or perhaps I’ve noticed a typo? In any case, please let me know as I do try to be PC or at least not socially inept.

This is a serious question and I hope that you will reply.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Scott

jettsonic1@yahoo.com

[Nico repsonds: Yikes! I hadn’t really thought about it as being a new coinage, but it’s just something I say. I wouldn’t pretend to speak for everybody, though. In fact, you shouldn’t use me as an example at all for standard English! Thanks for your comment!]