Is the word queer still offensive?

Question

Or has it become an insider word, similar to the way African Americans use the N word?

And don't think I'm trying to be offensive, I'm just wondering...

Answer 1

depending on who says it and how they say it...yes, and the same with the word fag/******

Answer 2

I'd like to know the answer to this as well. From my experience if it's used as explicative or in a context where it's considered to be offending, then yes, it's offensive. When it's used as a third party adjective.. like "what a queer little rock" it becomes more of the descriptive like saying something is "weird" and then is not considered offensive. From what I know, which apparently isn't much.. the N word is used as a derogatory term no matter who is using it, wheither it be a person of color, a so called African American (which do exist but the popular use of the term is often incorrectly applied), etc. If you are going to call someone the N word and use it correctly as an insult, one of two things, you're a person of color who is trying to describe another person of color in a derogatory way based on their character and actions thereof, or two you are an uninformed person misusing it and likely to get beaten or verbally chastized. What is the D word? "The Down Low?" And I also find it funny that people calling themselves "African Americans" really aren't African or from Africa. It is like me trying to say I'm Native American when though I have heritage from Native ancestry I have no registration or affiliation with a current or extinct tribe. There really are African Americans out there, they just aren't a very large group of people that are first generation immigrants from the African continent. In S. Africa pre-Aparteid the N word was used to describe white minority politicians and bigots, if I'm correct? This demonstrates how it's used in an offensive context in a racial way independent of the speaker's actual skin color. Again.. no I'm not trying to be offensive, just curious and thought provoking ;-)

Answer 3

Back in the 18th century they used the word "queer" to describe something or someone who was strange or different or unusual. Todays society has decided to use the word queer to describe a homosexual. It's funny how time has changed the usage of the english language. And as for the N word. I hate it. It's rude and offensive to the black culture and should never be used. And just in case ur wondering........no I am not black.........I am white. And to answer ur question.........Yes, I would think it might be offensive.

Answer 4

Depends. It has VERY different connotations among different circles. With an older crowd, it was the primary insult hurled at them in their youth (where as the younger generations hear a lot more of "f-g"). For other people, they just recognize that it WAS a hateful word, and really don't like it for that. There's a segment, though, that is all about reclaiming the word. Google "Queer Nation" for some information about how SOME people feel about reclaiming it etc.

Personally, I like it, but I use it to refer to the entire GLBT community. Even within said community, it's really best to ask the individual; I'd probably piss off a lot of people by including them in my definition of "queer", even beyond just using the word.

Answer 5

American q's really don't care for the most part like the blaks don't like the N word. But Americans and African Americans are two different peoples. Those Blacks who chose to segregate themselves by claiming to be "African American" (they never came from and could never gain citizenship in any African country) do get highly offended by the "N" word. I find this to be amazingly funny. American blacks are not really offended as sticks and stones break bones, but words can never hurt. So I'm straight, but you can call me and my queer friends queer if you want to. You can use the N word with American Blacks but not with African Americans. What stupidity to segregate themselves by claiming affilitation to a continent and not even a country that would not accept them anyway.

Answer 6

The word queer is totally offensive. It means weird. I am not weird because I am gay. i also fine LGBT offensive. It used to be GLBT. I had no problems with that. Gay includes lesbians but for some reason they feel they need to come first and need to separate themselves. I say get your own term and leave the "gays' alone.

Answer 7

The blacks(there are no such thing as african americans as they don't come from africa.).
The queers ahve taken a lesson from the blacks in claiming that hey are the only ones who can use the queer word.
the blacks claim they are the only ones who can use d the word ****** whcih isn';t true. AND THEY DO USE IT REGULAR TO DESCRIBE EACH OTHER AND ARE VERY RACIST ABOUT USING IT.
The word queer means not straight or different and is not a mean, dirty or nasty word, like the word ****** the queers like the blacks have allowed a word describing them in honor to be stolen from them by the media and a few ill learned people.

Answer 8

It's offensive to me and I'm not gay. I consider it to be a pejorative term along with several others. Why use offensive terms when other more descriptive words are available. To me these words show ignorance and lack of sensitivity and understanding.

Answer 9

Yes it is still offensive to gay people I know because I know a few gay people and they find it offensive still. Also the N ward is to so if your white and you say it to a black person they will get mad. Also they will probably beat you up.

Answer 10

I think it depends on the context:

like if you were saying "youre a f------ queer" thats VERY offensive!

but me personally...sometimes I say "I aint as dumb a queer as you think" I dont say it often...just when Im joking with my best gal pals....Im trying to phase it out my conversation though...

Answer 11

Yes it is just as bad as saying the N word and if you say it to the wrong person you could very well get shot for it.