:''For the novel by
William S. Burroughs, see
Queer (novel). For the song by
Garbage, see
Queer (Garbage song)''
The word 'queer' has traditionally meant "strange" or "unusual," but currently it is also often used in reference to
gay,
lesbian,
bisexual,
transgender,
intersex, and
asexual communities. Its usage is
controversial and underwent substantial changes over the course of the 20th century. The term is still considered by some to be offensive and derisive, and by others as a re-appropriated term used to describe a
sexual orientation and/or
gender identity or
gender expression that does not conform to
heteronormative society.
Traditional usage
Since its emergence in the English language in the 16th century (related to the German ''quer'', meaning 'across, at right angle, diagonally or transverse'), ''queer'' has generally meant 'strange', 'unusual', or 'out of alignment'. It might refer to something suspicious or 'not quite right', or to a person with mild insanity or who exhibits socially inappropriate behavior. The expression 'in Queer Street' was used in the
UK as of the 1811 edition of
Francis Grose's ''
A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue'' for someone in financial trouble. It gained its implication of sexual deviance (especially that of homosexual and/or effeminate males) in the late 19th century; an early recorded usage of the word in this sense was in a letter by
John Sholto Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry to his son
Lord Alfred Douglas.
Subsequently, for most of the 20th century, 'queer' was frequently used as a derogatory term for effeminate and/or gay males, and others exhibiting non-traditional gender behavior.
As a contemporary antonym of heteronormative
In contemporary usage, some use ''queer'' as an inclusive, unifying sociopolitical
umbrella term for people who are
gay,
lesbian,
bisexual,
transgendered,
transsexual,
intersexual,
genderqueer, or of any other non-heterosexual sexuality, sexual anatomy, or gender identity. It can also include
asexual and
autosexual people, as well as
gender normative heterosexuals whose sexual orientations or activities place them outside the heterosexual-defined mainstream (e.g.
BDSM practitioners, or
polyamorous persons). ''Queer'' in this sense (depending on how broadly it is defined) is commonly used as a synonym for such terms as
LGBT.
Because of the context in which it was reclaimed, ''queer'' has sociopolitical connotations, and is often preferred by those who are activists, by those who strongly reject traditional gender identities, by those who reject distinct
sexual identities such as gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight, and by those who see themselves as oppressed by the
heteronormativity of the larger culture. In this usage it retains the historical connotation of "outside the bounds of normal society" and can be construed as "breaking the rules for sex and gender." It can be preferred because of its ambiguity, which allows "queer" identifying people to avoid the sometimes strict boundaries that surround other labels. In this context "queer" is not a synonym for
LGBT as it creates a space for "queer" heterosexuals and "non-queer" (straight-acting, conformist) homosexuals.
For some queer-identified people, part of the point of the term queer is that it simultaneously builds up and tears down boundaries of identity. For instance, for
genderqueer people, who do not solidly identify with one particular gender, once solid gender roles have been torn down, it becomes difficult to situate sexual identity. For some people the non-specificity of the term is liberating. Queerness becomes a way to simultaneously make a political move against heteronormativity while simultaneously refusing to engage in traditional
essentialist identity politics.
Several television shows, including ''
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'', the cartoon ''
Queer Duck'' and the
British and
American versions of ''Queer as Folk'', have also used the term, in its positive self-identification sense, in their titles.
The term is sometimes capitalized when referring to an
identity or community, rather than merely a sexual fact (cf. the capitalized use of
Deaf).
''
Queers Without Borders'', a network of queer activists against border regimes and also try to support those oppressed by them.
''
Queer Mutiny North'', a D-I-Y non-hierarchical collective that aims to create politically motivated queer alternatives to the commercial and non-representative gay scene in the north of
England.
''
Cardiff Queer Mutiny'', A not-for-profit collective inspired by queer activism/philosophy, DIY punk ethics, creativity,
Riot grrrl and political activist movements. ''(These groups put on much more regular activity but are smaller in size.)''
See also
References
Bibliography
★ Anon. "Queercore". ''i-D magazine'' No. 110; the sexuality issue. (1992).
★ Crimp, D. ''AIDS DemoGraphics''. (1990).
★ Katlin, T. "Slant: Queer Nation". ''Artforum'', November 1990. pp. 21-23.
★ Tucker, S. "Gender, Fucking & Utopia". ''Social text'', Vol.9, No.1. (1992).
External links
★
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society
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