The Word Queer

[freechildspeaks]

What's everyone think about the word "queer"? I was wondering if accepting the word, or even liking it, may have something to do with one's age. Please, if you will, let me know if you like or don't like it, and also give me a general ballpark age, that way I can figure this whole thing out! :tong:

[Bi-Zarro]

I have no problem with it. It's less awkward to say than "LGBT" and it stresses the commonalities that we LGBT folk have rather than our differences.

[cand86]

As a synonym for "gay", "lesbian", or "bisexual", it's fine for me. I tend to use it more as a word that describes more than just sexual orientation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer#As_a_contemporary_antonym_of_heteronormative ).

I identify as queer alongside bisexual and pansexual, and often use it, especially to differentiate from things that are GLBT in nature- for example, Crash Pad Series (http://crashpadseries.com/wordpress/) is lesbian and trans porn, by definition, but "queer" fits it far better overall.

I'm 23, if that helps.

[Lenore]

I personally am not a fan of the word and i wouldn't use it. However, as silly as it may sound, it also depends on who is using it and what there intension is in using the word. If it is used by the GLBT community is does not offend me, but if it is used by someone with the intention of spewing hate it invokes a very different response.

Just my two cents.

And if it helps with your informal survey, i'm 28.

[M. Wolfe]

I don't particularly like the feel of the word being a somewhat derogatory slang. However being as how it's a fairly harmless slang, nowhere near the insult of some of the others out there, it's a practical one to utilise.

20.

[Georgie_Girl]

Mostly if I hear the word queer, it's being used as it's defined. (differing in some odd way from what is usual or normal) I don't have a problem with it being used in reference to LGBT people if it's not derogatory. :)

[littlerayofsunshine]

I can't even bring myself to say the word. I had the word instilled in me as a young child as a negative word and it was a reason why many school yard fights were started, so and so called so and so. I saw quite a few black eyes and broken eye glasses, books smashed against walls. It was always associated with being gay and I grew up in the bible thumpin bible belt and next to IV drug user/child molester, gay was one of the worst things to be. My brother used to torture me with Faggot ( even writing that turns my stomach). I just prefer to use the kinder softer terms. Bisexual, gay, lesbian, homosexual, pansexual, omnisexual, asexual, transexual. To me it just seems to show more respect if you use what I consider the nice terms. Now if a person used the other words to describe themselves, I am fine with that, but I wouldn't be able to use the same words in reciprocal.

I'm 31

[Realist]

Like Lenore, I think it depends on who says it and how it's being used. When I was a kid, a hundred years ago, it meant "funny" or "strange". Gay meant light-hearted. Anyway, I rarely say queer.

It's kind of like a black friend, who uses the word "nigger" a lot. For some reason it doesn't seem to have any negative connotations when he says it. When I was growing up, it was used in hateful, demeaning ways. I don't want to follow in those shoes.

I'm 69

[Fire Lotus]

I use both, queer and bi to describe myself. I and many friends who also use the word queer see it and use it in a positive light, not a derogatory one.

I'm 46

[Annika L]

I am 42 and I grew up understanding the word "queer" first as a derogatory word for gay men, and later a derogatory word for any homosexual person. When I first heard a few years ago that it was being "reclaimed", so to speak, I was viscerally opposed to it.

Since then, however, I have grown a new appreciation for the word, and it conveys something quite different to me than it once did. In a sense, "queer" is the perfect antonym for "straight"...basically meaning "anything not straight". To me, this includes anything in the LGBT spectrum, including questioning, intersexed, and poly persons. Basically, the word has taken on a very friendly, inclusive, and folksy tone for me.

And I must say that whereas my gaydar, lesdar, bidar, etc., are all pretty unreliable, my queerdar and queer-friendlydar both tend to be right on! (with my apologies for stretching the -dar suffix so completely out of shape :tong:)

[eddy10]

Like many words and phrases, it all depends on how it is used and how it is directed. I personally do not like it, because it was mostly derogatory when I was of school age, and while in the military. I am 73.

[Bi-Zarro]

I forgot to give my age. I'm almost 36.

[BfloBiFun]

Yes I would consider it derogatory over all, its all in the context, if two gay guys are talking its cool for them to call each other "queer" but if a str8 dude looks at a gay person and siz "oh look at that queer" , their is a difference. Haven't looked it up but doesn't it just mean "different", "odd", "out of the ordinary" . . . . humm am i queer for posting here . . . :wiggle2: oh yes a young and vibrant 48 . . .

[M. Wolfe]

Yes I would consider it derogatory over all, its all in the context, if two gay guys are talking its cool for them to call each other "queer" but if a str8 dude looks at a gay person and siz "oh look at that queer" , their is a difference. Haven't looked it up but doesn't it just mean "different", "odd", "out of the ordinary" . . . . humm am i queer for posting here . . . :wiggle2: oh yes a young and vibrant 48 . . .

I looked it up on dictionary.com..


queer
  /kwɪər/ [kweer] adjective, -er, -est, verb, noun

–adjective
1. strange or odd from a conventional viewpoint; unusually different; singular: a queer notion of justice.
2. of a questionable nature or character; suspicious; shady: Something queer about the language of the prospectus kept investors away.
3. not feeling physically right or well; giddy, faint, or qualmish: to feel queer.
4. mentally unbalanced or deranged.
5. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
a. homosexual.
b. effeminate; unmanly.
6. Slang. bad, worthless, or counterfeit.

–verb (used with object)
7. to spoil; ruin.
8. to put (a person) in a hopeless or disadvantageous situation as to success, favor, etc.
9. to jeopardize.

[jeancarleo]

first time i heard this word was when "queer as folk" came out. i'm cool with it. there's a saying that i hear some people say... "we're queer, we're here..." Something like that.
i'm 31.

[Alaskan Couple]

Yes I would consider it derogatory over all, its all in the context, if two gay guys are talking its cool for them to call each other "queer" but if a str8 dude looks at a gay person and siz "oh look at that queer" , their is a difference. Haven't looked it up but doesn't it just mean "different", "odd", "out of the ordinary" . . . . humm am i queer for posting here . . . :wiggle2: oh yes a young and vibrant 48 . . .

This is pretty much how I feel about it too. This word, like many, can be used for good or bad intent. For me, it can even be quite erotic to use this term while "dirty talking" with another "queer" man. - mid 50's

[diamond_tether]

Like any word, its intonation can be horrible when meant to be used as a slur; but, I typically don't mind it at all and find it useful for describing particular aspect of myself and personality. Age - 26.

[fredtyg]

Doesn't bother me. You can call me a queer, bi, or homo. Just don't call me gay. I hate the term gay. It just sounds so....well...GAY!

[csreef]

I absolutely HATE that word...I had that damn word thrown at me all through high school just because I was a loner...In my mind, I feel that same as if I were a black person would, if they were called the "N" word..:mad:

[Randypan]

I really hated that word through Jr High again because I was a loner and different, until I picked up a dictionary. I found the word, aside from it's derogatory sexual meaning, had as it's primary meaning "Odd, Strange or Unusual". From that point on that's how I chose to hear the word because I was odd, strange and unusual and I was proud of it. From then on, anytime someone called me queer I said thank you. Confused the hell out of them and they eventually stopped.;)

[evilpanda]

i used to dislike the word as derogatory, but when i was first figuring myself out, i dated a HOT bi chick who used it loudly and proudly and it turned me on. since then, i use it in the context of the non-offensive reclaimed word. i believe that words are vocalized sounds that contain no magical powers or forbidden curses attached to them. if it happens to be just *a little bit* taboo, it just adds a bit of fun to the english language. but, overall, i like using it. it conveys attitude, loud and proud attitude. i always think of that hot-ass FHM model-turned-marine biologist when i call myself queer. she's like my bi role model.

[M. Wolfe]

The thing about taboo words and curse words is that censoring gives them more power to shock. I America my psych teacher told me that the word toilet is a taboo word and everyone says 'Restroom' or 'Lavatory'. She said when she came over here and did the lecture on taboo language, at first she had trouble saying the word. He it's not disgusting at all.

Fuck and all his sibling swears vary in power from person to person clearly. So I think it's silly to try and say things like that less.

Interesting fact, C-word (the one that rhymes with punt) is a harmless and completely underrogatory word in the south of New Zealand. To say "Those c--ts up the road." in no way implies anything bad about them. In fact here "You're a good c--t quite" and esteemed compliment between guys. :)

[Sensuallovers2]

Growing up in the U.S., I became conditioned to fear the word "queer" whenever I heard it in other people's conversations. It was as if, anyone who was called queer was automatically being labeled in a negative way. When I moved to Canada in the mid-1990s, it seemed (to me) that there was less homophobia in Canadian society, and the word queer was not as often used in a derogatory fashion. Becoming Canadian enabled me to embrace my bisexual identity (in my 40s and 50s), and eventually, to embrace the idea that being queer is actually very positive. I'm now 55, and a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S.

[void()]

At 37 I've no compunction against being referred to as half queer, gay, homosexual, odd. Although, I am a little more than half odd. :-) I grew up being driven to use literature / words comprehensively and articulately. Which simply means I had to understand the words and use them well. Such is the way the public education system has for dealing with emotionally disturbed and unbalanced with learning difficulty, intelligent children.

"You mustn't lash out physically, instead express your anger or passion via words and clearly. Create instead of destroy."

And though I haven't a care if I'm called half queer, I've become fond of the term used in the show Firefly. They call us half-sly, or sly accordingly. (sighs) "Intelligence is your curse and blessing, son." "Gee, thanks. Guess that makes Irony my mother."

[AdamKadmon43]

I get called "Queer", "Faggot" and "Pervert" by someone on a regular basis.

And it hurts ....... a lot.

[wyrd_truth]

I live in the middle of the deep fried bible belt where being anything other than strictly hetero is scandalous. So to be called queer, faggot, homo, or bi are the worst of worse insults anyone could be called. I could care less, but then I've been a loner most of my life. I would rather have my happiness and dear friends then a few words and a holier than thou attitude any day! Plus, I kind of feel sorry for them. Their probably closest bi's or homo's and have never experienced and real O in their life and are just jealous. :devil: