reclaimed derogatory slang for populations of persons who identify as LGBTQ. Not acceptable by all LGBTQ persons, especially those who recall the memories of abuse this word caused when used against them as youngsters.
The term queer is traditionally derogatory, but many people are attempting a reclamation of the term. There is great disagreement over whether this is wise. For an explanation of why some choose to use it, see usQueers.com.
Gay; homosexual. Once a derogatory term, the word "queer" has been embraced by the gay and lesbian community, and is sometimes meant to include bisexual and transgender individuals as well. Use some caution, as many in the GLBT community consider it only appropriate that other GLBT people use the term.
Some Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) people, particularly young people living in the coastal U.S., use the term "queer" to encompass the entire LGBT community. For these people, the term "queer" is positive and empowering. Other LGBT people find this term degrading.
a word used to describe a lesbian or homosexual, sometimes used as a putdown. Back to the top
Traditionally a pejorative term for non-heterosexuals, this has been re-appropriated by some lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to describe themselves as, for example, dykes, fags, omnigenders and trannies. Some value these terms for their defiance and because they are more inclusive — not only of lesbians and gay men but also of bisexuals, transgender people and others. Nevertheless, these terms are not universally used within the varied LGBT communities; so a casual, "Hey there, queer," especially if used by a non-LGBT person, may not be returned with friendly banter.
1) That which is not straight Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian and Gay peoples, and others who do not identify as being straight.
Another term used to describe a lesbian, or a gay man.
Noun or adjective for someone whose sexuality is not completely straight (vanilla, heterosexual, and monogamous). Frequently limited to only LGBT, but some polyamorist s also use the term.
The precise definition varies. The term has been used to refer to a gay, lesbian or transsexual.
offensive terms for an openly homosexual man
homosexual or arousing homosexual desires
a politcally active homosexual
Pejorative, slang term for a homosexual
Formerly an exclusively derogatory term for all GLBT people; now proudly used by some as an umbrella term for the entire GLBTQ community; also used by those who see their own gender identity, sexual identity, and/or sexual orientation as not fitting the widely recognized pattern of straight, gay or lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning
(sometimes offensive) term for a homosexual (Blasted).
Any gender or sexual orientation other than heterosexual. Detailed description See also: Androgyny, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender
Originally a synonym for "odd", this word became a derogatory expression for gays in the 20th Century. Even though many people still use "queer" as an anti-gay epithet, a movement emerged in the 1980s that calls itself queer. Used in this way, queer means sexually dissident, but not necessarily gay. Many gays, transsexuals, bisexuals and even heterosexuals whose sexuality doesn't fit into the cultural standard of monogamous heterosexual marriage have adopted the "queer" label.
gay, lesbian, bisexual, omnisexual, pansexual, transgendered, or transsexual
This term is primarily used simply as an abbreviation of “gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgenderedâ€; it makes the names of things much shorter and less unwieldy. (In this sense, it sometimes includes other sexual minorities, like the BDSM crowd). Especially in the context of gay/lesbian political activism, “queer†can also be used to denote the more transgressive elements of the movement. In this second sense, it contrasts with the assimilationist “we’re just like normal folks†aproach typified by the Human Rights Campaign.
A noun used to describe a homosexual without resorting to a definitive label. Instead of describing oneself as bisexual male, a more general term would be to use queer.
Gay or lesbian. Usage note: Originally a derogatory term, now used by gay and lesbian people to refer to themselves.
normally refers to a gay or lesbian, or the gay and lesbian community. Originally a derogatory term, now used by gay and lesbian people to refer to themselves, and sometimes by the kink community as well.
This originally derogatory term used to describe gay and lesbian individuals has been reclaimed by some members of LGBT/I communities. It is not considered ok for people who are not part of such communities to use the term to apply to others. Some people previously identified as straight claim this term to indicate their rejection of compulsory heterosexuality.
A once derogatory term reclaimed by some LGBQTT persons, often used as an umbrella term to encompass all of LGBQTT, or to refer to political activism or academic inquiry on LGBQTT issues, or as a self-identifying label for persons who experience their sexuality as more fluid than the individual LGBQTT labels imply.
In the past, a derogatory term for gay men and lesbians. This has been reclaimed by more GLBT activists during the 1980s and used in such slogans as, "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!" Considered a more inclusive term than "gay," queer also refers to some radical politics and GLBT scholarly studies.
Once known as a derogatory term for homosexual, Queer was reclaimed by lesbian, gay, and bisexual activist in the 1980's as a proud name for themselves. Queer blurs both gender and sexual orientation and is regarded as more inclusive of difference than lesbian or gay.
A generic term used by Queer theorists to describe all that do not conform to the patriarchal gender-sex binary system. This includes FTM who identifies as a straight man. Also used as a shortcut for "gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender".
Now commonly used among queers as an umbrella term that includes lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people. If you do not identify as queer, a risky word to use, because of its long history as a disparaging word for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and trans people. If speaking formally, safer to say LGBT: this is the preferred term.
Pejorative term for gay. Now being reclaimed by some young gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people as a self-affirming umbrella term, but it is still a slur in many contexts and is generally prohibited in schools with anti-harassment policies.
A reclaimed, derogatory term for homosexuals that is used by (particularly younger) gays, lesbians, and bisexuals to describe themselves; some homosexuals are not comfortable with this term, and if it is not used by someone who is gay, it is usually derogatory.
Generic descriptive term for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.
often used as a slur in English to refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, the term “queer” has been reclaimed by many people in the U.S. and other countries as an expression of pride in one's sexual orientation and gender identity.
A more inclusive term for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. Includes pansexual, genderqueer and other fluid gender and sexual identities.
A derogatory term for a homosexual. Taken from "Queer" meaning, "not quite right".
Deviation from societal norms for gendered and sexual behavior. Queer is an umbrella term to many groups including those who are transgendered, those who practice BDSM, or those who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Although originally a derogatory term of the larger society, it has been seized for empowerment as a term of self-definition.