Some people just cringe when I say that word. “Queer”.
When I was growing up in the late 60’s and 70” it had a whole different connotation than it does now. Queer was often followed by “fag” or “faggot”. Then it was the fight or flight instinct that took over. I wasn’t much for fighting. I have several times in my life, just wasn’t much for it.
I’m surprised how the word has morphed over the decades, to where it stands for what its original intended use was. Queer simply means different. Odd, different… queer.
I don’t know if it’s a hold out from the days when it was a bad thing to say, or be called, to where some people take offense when said. Probably so.
I’m certain there are others like myself, gay or lesbian or transfolk that still disdain the use of the word and prefer their own individual labels. I believe gay or besbian being more defining than queer, and human sexuality or sexual preference, more accepted as decades of intolerance turn to years of indifference. You’re gay, so what?
I prefer the term Transexual, and use the term transwoman, but have found that off-putting to some that really don’t get what being trans is about.
I’m happier with the word queer to be truthful because yes I’m different is all.
That stems from my hatred of the word trangender, and the current use of the word “gender” to define sex and sexuality. I’ve beaten that one to death elsewhere in this blog.
But unlike the popular trend of non-queer folk to try to label us all, I don’t believe gay or lesbian fall under the umbrella word queer. Being gay or lesbian is simply a sexual preference, as natural as having 2 arms in my opinion. Not a choice, it’s a psychological preference built into the psyche of each individual, not different from being straight.
Sexuality is better defined, the standard is changing. Social edict as it were. Being gay or lesbian is more common, accepted. Out.
So what falls under the queer umbrella? Everything else in my opinion. All the pansexual, two-spirit, non-binary and transgender people can be defined as queer. But always keep in mind all these “preferences” are not a choice we make, we are born this way.
I’m of the mind that gay and people would rather us queer folk start their own movement, instead of jeopardizing their hard fought victories in getting closer to be considered “normal” and accepted.
Stay in our own lane, and don’t drag them down with us.