Orientations

Queer

Alsoqueernessqueer personqueer identity

Definition

An umbrella word for sexual orientations and gender identities outside heterosexual and cisgender norms, reclaimed from its earlier use as an insult.

At a glance

  • An umbrella word for orientations and gender identities outside heterosexual and cisgender norms.
  • Used as a slur for much of the twentieth century.
  • Reclaimed by activists from the late 1980s.
  • Also names an academic field, queer studies.
  • Best used about someone only if they use it themselves.

In detail

For much of the twentieth century "queer" was used as a slur. From the late 1980s activists reclaimed it as a proud, deliberately broad identity, and it is now common in everyday speech, academic fields such as queer studies, and the Q of LGBTQ+.

People choose "queer" because it is flexible, political or simply more comfortable than a narrower label. Because some people, especially older people, still associate it with abuse, it is best used about someone only if they use it themselves.

In a sentence

  • I call myself queer because it feels more open than any single label.
  • The festival programme includes a strand of queer cinema from around the world.

Where the word comes from

Queer originally meant strange or odd. It became an insult for gay people in the early twentieth century and was reclaimed from the late 1980s by activist groups and scholars as a proud, deliberately broad identity.

Not to be confused with

  • Questioning

    Questioning describes exploring one's identity; queer is an identity in its own right.

Common questions

Is it okay to say queer?

Many people use queer proudly about themselves, and it is common in LGBTQ+ spaces and academic work. Some people, often older people, still associate it with abuse, so it is safest to use it about someone only if they use it themselves.

What does the Q in LGBTQ+ stand for?

It usually stands for queer, questioning, or both. Organisations differ in how they explain it.

Related terms