Difference between revisions of "Queer"
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'''Queer''', originally meaning strange or unusual, came during the 19th century and most of the 20th century to be a general term for homosexuality, and was generally used in a pejorative sense, especially after the word "gay" took over as the term most used by gay people themselves and then the general public. | '''Queer''', originally meaning strange or unusual, came during the 19th century and most of the 20th century to be a general term for homosexuality, and was generally used in a pejorative sense, especially after the word "gay" took over as the term most used by gay people themselves and then the general public. | ||
| + | [[File:Queerword2Dec2024copy2.jpg|thumb|left|Letter in Dec 2024 rejecting the use of the word queer for gay men]] | ||
| + | Subsequently, as with certain other terms for racial and other minorities, it has been to a certain extent reclaimed by some people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, and is sometimes used to cover a wide spectrum of LGBT people, or indeed anyone falling outside the heterosexual or gender-binary norm. Its use in this sense is however still controversial, and many LGBT people may still regard its use as offensive. | ||
| + | In 2005, the Chief Constable of [[North Wales]] apologised after calling homosexuals "queer".<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/4343017.stm</ref> [[File:Gaynotqueer.jpg|thumb|right|Many people reject the term queer as abusive]] | ||
| + | So called [[Queer Theory]] promotes belief that 'To be queer is inherently to exist on the margins; to be odd, peculiar, weird, queer, hated, oppressed, and in revolt and rebellion. To be queer is to be dedicated to subversion, to mock conventions, to deconstruct language, to dismantle the human body, to defy “nature” and, above all, to liberate humankind from the prison of gender' <ref> 'The Queers Versus The Homosexuals | ||
| + | We are in a new era. And the erasure of gay men and lesbians is intensifying'.Blog by Andrew Sullivan (accessed 18 July 2023) </ref>. | ||
| − | + | Queer has figured in a positive sense in the names of a number of LGBT organisations, groups, or events, for instance: | |
| − | + | ||
| − | Queer has figured in a positive sense in the names of a number of LGBT organisations or | + | |
*[[Queer Goings On]] | *[[Queer Goings On]] | ||
*[[Queer Youth Network]] | *[[Queer Youth Network]] | ||
| Line 10: | Line 13: | ||
*[[Queer Love Quest]] | *[[Queer Love Quest]] | ||
*[[Queer Notions]] | *[[Queer Notions]] | ||
| + | *[[Queer Space]] | ||
*[[Croydon Queer Choir]] | *[[Croydon Queer Choir]] | ||
| + | *[[Outburst Queer Arts Festival]] | ||
| + | *[[Foyle 'Queer' History Project]] | ||
It has also appeared in the titles of books and other resources about the LGBT community, for instance: | It has also appeared in the titles of books and other resources about the LGBT community, for instance: | ||
*''[[Queer UK]]'' (now ''[[OutNation]]'') | *''[[Queer UK]]'' (now ''[[OutNation]]'') | ||
*''[[Queer London]]'' | *''[[Queer London]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Queer Cambridge]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Queer Cumbria]]'' | ||
*''[[On Queer Street]]'' | *''[[On Queer Street]]'' | ||
*''[[The Queer Village]]'' | *''[[The Queer Village]]'' | ||
| Line 20: | Line 28: | ||
*''[[A Queer Romance]]'' | *''[[A Queer Romance]]'' | ||
*''[[Queer as Folk]]'' | *''[[Queer as Folk]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Queer Science]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Queer Saunas]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[Queer Cinema]]'' | ||
| + | *''[[WikiQueer]]'' | ||
In academic circles, Queer Studies is a general name for the study of issues relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, while Queer Theory is an approach that rejects traditional heteronormative thinking. | In academic circles, Queer Studies is a general name for the study of issues relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, while Queer Theory is an approach that rejects traditional heteronormative thinking. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references> | ||
[[Category:Terminology]] | [[Category:Terminology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:05, 3 December 2024
Queer, originally meaning strange or unusual, came during the 19th century and most of the 20th century to be a general term for homosexuality, and was generally used in a pejorative sense, especially after the word "gay" took over as the term most used by gay people themselves and then the general public.
Subsequently, as with certain other terms for racial and other minorities, it has been to a certain extent reclaimed by some people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans, and is sometimes used to cover a wide spectrum of LGBT people, or indeed anyone falling outside the heterosexual or gender-binary norm. Its use in this sense is however still controversial, and many LGBT people may still regard its use as offensive.
In 2005, the Chief Constable of North Wales apologised after calling homosexuals "queer".[1]
So called Queer Theory promotes belief that 'To be queer is inherently to exist on the margins; to be odd, peculiar, weird, queer, hated, oppressed, and in revolt and rebellion. To be queer is to be dedicated to subversion, to mock conventions, to deconstruct language, to dismantle the human body, to defy “nature” and, above all, to liberate humankind from the prison of gender' [2].
Queer has figured in a positive sense in the names of a number of LGBT organisations, groups, or events, for instance:
- Queer Goings On
- Queer Youth Network
- Queer Social Centre
- Queer Ink
- Queer Love Quest
- Queer Notions
- Queer Space
- Croydon Queer Choir
- Outburst Queer Arts Festival
- Foyle 'Queer' History Project
It has also appeared in the titles of books and other resources about the LGBT community, for instance:
- Queer UK (now OutNation)
- Queer London
- Queer Cambridge
- Queer Cumbria
- On Queer Street
- The Queer Village
- Nottingham's Queer Bulletin (QB)
- A Queer Romance
- Queer as Folk
- Queer Science
- Queer Saunas
- Queer Cinema
- WikiQueer
In academic circles, Queer Studies is a general name for the study of issues relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, while Queer Theory is an approach that rejects traditional heteronormative thinking.
References
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/4343017.stm
- ↑ 'The Queers Versus The Homosexuals We are in a new era. And the erasure of gay men and lesbians is intensifying'.Blog by Andrew Sullivan (accessed 18 July 2023)
