The word "Queer" to describe sexual identity.?

Question

Do you feel the word "Queer" is an appropriate word to describe a sexual identity of an inidividual or a community? (like gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual, transgendered, intersexed people) Do you feel the word "Queer" should be an umbrella term for people who's sexual identity is a minority in society?

Sexual Identity is such a diverse spectrum...why should we have to unify it under one term? Shouldn't we be celebrating the differences rather than trying to assume there is a similarity? I personally feel my sexuality has nothing in common with someone who is a lesbian or transgendered, but doesn't mean I don't respect thier sexual identity.

I personally have used the word queer, but sometimes I think its degrading because of its original meaning. So can someone tell me what are some pros about using the word "queer" to describe one's sexual identity?

Answer 1

The term Queer isn't really an umbrella term for all non-straight people, though it is used that way by some.

Queer is the Q at the end of LGBTQ.

Queer is actually a label that a certain segment of the population has chosen for themselves.

That segment is made up of people who feel they are not covered by the common labels: straight, L, G, B, T, intersexed.

It also includes people who would prefer to not identify or label themselves specifically, but want it known that they are not taking part in the heteronormative culture. Some people feel it's depersonalizing to attach a label or category to themselves, and would rather be thought of as an individual.

So the term is not thought of negatively by the people who use it to refer to themselves, just the opposite. It's a term of empowerment, of individuality, and of freedom.

I hope that helps!

Answer 2

Totally. I still identify as 'queer', because I feel that it best sums me up. Mostly, though, it's because our language is still not evolved enough to describe the insane number of possible attractions and identities that are around. For instance, I feel a sexual attraction towards transpeople of both sexes. What am I, in society's description? There are no words for liking someone who was born in the wrong body but rectified it with surgery and hormones. So I'm queer.

I do think that 'queer' is a good umbrella term. I understand your complain about unifying everything under one term (and believe me, a lot of people feel the same- to the point of one gay man telling me "There shouldn't be 'GLBTQI'; I have nothing in common with sissie boys in dreses"), but you have to understand that there is, indeed, a similarity. The one thing your sexuality has in common with someone who is a lesbian or transgendered is that they are sexual minorities that often face discrimination. A lot of other people have come under the shelter of the queer umbrella, and it's not because an intersexed person has anything much in common, on a personal level, with, say, a gay man. Rather, it's that instead of being binary-gendered, traditional heterosexuals, they deviate somewhere from that norm. Leatherfolk and BDSM practicioners, swingers, fetishists of all kinds, even straight people who don't feel they go with the traditional sexual and gender values of the mainstream culture, all have a place under the queer umbrella. Personally, I think that we can celebrate our differences while being sheltered there by it, because from what I've seen in my lifetime, the more you try to separate things out in the name of diversity, the more separatist things actually become, which isn't good.

As for the original meaning of the word 'queer', I don't even worry about it. It's like 'f*g' or 'dyke', both of which have been reclaimed in their prospective circles to be used as positive, affirming names, and not derogatory ones. The only qualm I have about using it is that straight people often think I'm just using it as a synonym for 'gay', which is not what I mean. Basically, I think 'queer' is a great term to describe things. As with all labels, I think it should never be applied to anyone or any relationship, but come from within a person (i.e. you don't call anyone queer, they define themselves as queer).

Hope that helps you!

Answer 3

I like the word Queer- I myself identify as GENDERQUEER not only to know that i am a homosexual but stepping out of the gender boxes society has for us; pink for girls, blue for boys.

Gay and Lesbian are so stereotyped, commercialized and manufactured now days. The gay/lesbian pride movement has platued and QUEER is on the rise.

QUEER is nonenclusive, excepting bi's, trans, str8 allies and everyone- not just specific to a fag and a dyke.

QUEER REVOLUTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

the gender enormous difference ought to be biologically genetic. all living entitles are laid low with cells and hormones that produces the habit of itself. So the trillions or more effective; of cellular mutation plausible in living organisms, complements that opportunities, of assorted genetic normality or abnormalities. the identity of gender is predispose at idea that is a social construct even as society tells the lots as what's regularly occurring and by no ability. the attractiveness or non- attractiveness of gay human beings are of a non secular and both inner and exterior persuasions. If biology and nature accepts transgendered species, what right does society says in the different case. Why are those Feminist struggling with mom nature. perchance because, mom nature is anticipate to be a woman. maximum adult men love see a cat wrestle. it would want to be the eventual way ahead for humanity's evolution, the transgendered human species will be triumphant. modern-day analyze by technique of geneticist, states that interior 2 hundred,000 years all the male chromosomes might want to have disappeared interior the human genetic make up. they could be no men so, that is secure to say that the evolution of transgendered human beings are procedure evolutionary progression. omg what's going to the feminist do then; with their hatred and their dysfunctional ideology?

Answer 5

i don't think queer or gay should be used to describe homosexuality. Maybe a new would should be used. Got any ideas? What about the word "homsex", to make it clear and shorter? Just my thinking.

Answer 6

Who gives a damn what you call it? All queers do is label, label, label. They are the ultimate conformists. They only think in terms of groups, and they label people in terms of the groups to which homos believe they "belong." Scrap homosexuality.

By the way, queer and odd mean the same thing. Homos are odd, so they are queer.

Answer 7

No. I absolutely hate the word "queer". My girlfriend and I were just talking about this a few nites ago. The word means strange. Why would anyone want to be identified as strange?

Answer 8

Queer is a very old fashioned word:hardly used anymore.
And it is kind of offending.
Prefer gay over this awful degrading word
Greetings:Rob.xxx

Answer 9

There will always be problems with words like these, because they are not so neutral as others like homosexual. And you may be uncomfortable to be labeled like that, but that's what words do, label and tag even if you don't agree with the meaning of the word(or the personal meaning it has for you).

Answer 10

I call myself Queer.