Jason Frye, president of The Fellowship of Associated Gay Students & Straight Allies at both Mesa College and San Diego City College, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he thinks the acronym serves at least two purposes.

"We wanted something with a little pop to it, and we wanted to neutralize an epithet like a lot of groups have done with the word 'queer,' " he said.

Richard Dittbenner, a spokesman for the San Diego Community College District, said that both schools have banned the club from using signs and posters with the acronym while the district determines the law involved. He said officials have received complaints from students and faculty at City College but not at Mesa.

Mesa President Rita Cepeda has suggested a compromise -- the acronym FAGS&SA. Frye said that would work for him.