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What does it mean to be Queer?

192 Answers
Last Updated: 06/10/2022 at 12:23pm
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Top Rated Answers
Ency
May 10th, 2019 11:27pm
Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities such as gay, trans, nonbinary, pansexual etc. It is considered by some to be offensive as it is a reclaimed slur but most young LGBT people are comfortable with it and it's becoming more and more popular as a catch-all term for anyone who isn't cisgender (the gender they were assigned at birth) and heterosexual (sexually attracted to the opposite gender) and heteroaromatic (romantically attracted to the opposite gender). The word does have a sketchy history though so older folks sometimes are uncomfortable with it so just be careful where you use it. Hope this helps, Ency.
Nkav
April 10th, 2019 6:57pm
All Queer means is that you are not a heterosexual (straight) cisgender (your gender identity matches the one you were assigned at birth). Like "gay", Queer was originally used as an insult, but was taken over by the LGBTQIA+ community. It's actually what the Q in LGBTQIA+ stands for. Genderqueer is another common term. It basically means the same thing as non-binary. Genderqueer people do not consider themselves male or female, but rather neither, both, or a combination of the two. This is a simplification of the Genderqueer community. There is a lot of information and facts about what it means to be nonbinary or genderqueer, and I don't have time to explain them all. If you want to know more, a quick google search will turn up a lot of good information. I hope I was able to help answer your question!
AlexanderReed
February 2nd, 2019 12:09am
The word Queer has been used as a slur in the past but is slowly starting to be reclaimed by individuals who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Many do not feel comfortable with using this word while others do. It's really up to the individual and how they feel regarding this word. It often is more respectful if you didn't refer to someone else as Queer unless you knew that they were comfortable with it. The reason for doing so is again because some still may not be ready to reclaim that slur to associate themselves with it. Basically the word Queer can be used as an umbrella term for someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. I hope that I was able to answer your question to the fullest of my ability.
Anonymous
January 23rd, 2019 6:02pm
To be Queer is to be Queer, It's an umbrella term. It can mean anything, if people can't find a label they go with Queer. Don't call someone Queer unless they identify as it, because someone could take it as an insult if they don't. I identify as Gay, because I'm a men who likes men. But, I'm still technically queer even if I don't identify as it, you can be l, g or b and still use queer. But, if someone has a very specific sexuality queer is the perfect term. If you like nonbinary girls and cis guys, for example, Queer is probably the term for you.
intelligentSpring93
January 22nd, 2019 3:26am
For me personally, being queer means not really exactly fitting any of the other LGBTQ+ identity labels. For example, I I am attracted more than 90% of the time to other women. However, there is a very rare chance when I am attracted to a man. While lesbian doesn't really fit because I can be attracted to multiple genders, I don't really feel like bisexual fits either because of the disparity between my attraction to CIS men and women. Throw gender nonconforming folks into the mix which I am attracted to as well and attraction doesn't seem as clear cut as one may think. Queerness as an identity for me helps bridge that gap between what is logical and what is not. I hope that makes some sort of sense.
Poptheweezl1058
January 3rd, 2019 11:16pm
Queer is used as an umbrella term, some times it is also used as a non umbrella term, queer can be used when you feel as if you don't fit into any other sexual identity or label or don't wish to fully use a label. As the umbrella term queer means anyone inside of the lgbt+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transexual plus) community. Whlist queer used to be used as an insult we changed it into an umbrella term, it is still being used as an insult and should be used as an umbtell a term with care. Hope I could help, if you need any other help message or ask me -pop
Anonymous
December 30th, 2018 12:40am
For me, the definition of queer is to not be just straight. Instead liking people that aren't the opposite gender. such as somebody who is non-binary or gender-fluid. Yet the main point of all the labels in LGBT, is to find comfort. If one does not find it comfortable to be called queer, they don't need to call themselves that. This is all about finding comfort within yourself. If labeling yourself is something that provides comfort, as it does for me and may others, go for it! But typically, as time progresses, it is less about who you like, and more about who you are.
Anonymous
November 29th, 2018 8:22pm
If you are talking in the sexuality way, to be queer is to be homosexual. If you are queer, you also identify as gay or bisexual. You are not straight. Being queer is not a bad thing. It can be confusing, and there may be a lot of hurt that comes with it. If you are queer, or someone else is, it is helpful to surround yourself with people who are accepting and understand. Like I said before, there is nothing wrong with being queer or gay or any other sexuality. You love who you love. It doesn't matter and no one should hate you for it.
Oli4545
November 3rd, 2018 5:00pm
Being queer is not a choice. Some people are born queer and are openly out, some people realised in their later years, there is not a unique way of being queer. Being queer can mean being Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Non-Binary, Asexual, Bisexual, Demisexual, Intersexed and so on.... It is an umbrella term to indicate somebody is somewhere on the LGBTQAI+ spectrum. If somebody comes out as Queer to you, it is important to stay sensible : Coming out is always a process that takes a lot of energy and courage and queer people still experience discrimation, support is the best answer. If you're queer and find yourself in a difficult situation, you can reach your local queer community, or even try to find some help online : there is a group chat for LGBTQ+/MOGII Support on 7 cups, and some listeners are specialised in LGBTQ+ issues.
SunshineRosa94
October 27th, 2018 9:18pm
Typically Queer indicates that you have a different sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression than what is mainstream. It is sometimes used as a condescending word, but have luckily in newer time been taken back and used by individuals within the LBGTQIA+ community about themselves in a positive manner. Subjects regarding the community often go by "queer theory" and the community itself by "queer-community". If you have a sexuality or gender identity that is more unknown or if you don't feel safe disclosing the exact nature of your identity, the word queer is a good way to indicate that your identity is not mainstream, but without having to disclose every detail of your personal-life to a stranger to explain it. It is a beautiful word and should only be used with positivity and love in mind!
TattoodMonkey
September 6th, 2018 10:25pm
To me, being queer means being part of the LGBTQ+ community, and being myself. It's the only word that really fits for me. It encompasses my gender identity, as well as my sexual orientation. For me it gives me almost a sense of self, and belonging, and it makes me feel comfortable. I find it's a really good label for me because otherwise, I have to use too many different ones and things get complicated! Like, it's much easier for me to say queer, than a "panromantic, polysexual, trans masculine non-binary person" but queer can mean whatever you want it to mean for you! If you feel it fits, go for it!
caringEnergy22
August 11th, 2018 5:20pm
That's difficult to explain because people have multiple explanations. I interpret it as follows: to be anything in the LGBTQ+ spectrum, yet to be nothing. Does that make sense?
Anonymous
August 10th, 2018 12:29am
It means you don't identify as a specific sexuality. Some people also use it as a word encompassing all LGBT+ people, but it depends on who you ask. If someone wants to be called queer, it is completely their choice.
eximsam19
August 8th, 2018 8:57pm
For me, Queer means whatever I feel like on that particular day! One of the benefits of a catch-all term like "Queer" as opposed to "Bisexual" or "Gay", or even "Homosexual" is that it allows me the chance to continue to evolve without having to continually change how I label my sexuality.
LunarLemon8
August 1st, 2018 12:11pm
Being queer is when you're not cis-gender or straight or hetero-romantic. So to say it easy: being queer is the opposite of being straight, "non-normative" as wikipedia would say. So being queer means that you're part of the lgbtq+ specturm
Opalescentrose
July 29th, 2018 11:51pm
If feel queer is an umbrella term used to describe sexual and gender identities "outside of the norm" by society's standards (heterosexual/heteroromantic, cisgender). So as long as you are not all of these you are queer. A cis lesbian would be just as queer as a trans lesbian, for example, since they are out of the cishet category
musicalHope13
July 27th, 2018 5:13am
To be queer means that you're not cisgender and heterosexual. Whether that means you're a lesbian, gay, bi, pan, ace, aro, an enby, or anything in between, you're queer, just because you're not cishet.
Diya83
July 26th, 2018 5:59pm
It means that you’re part of the LGBT+. You could be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, asexual, etc
Anonymous
July 26th, 2018 12:33am
It's an umbrella term for anyone who isn't the heterosexual norm. It does not determine your gender like lesbian or gay.
Anonymous
July 26th, 2018 12:21am
To be queer means to be powerful. I am pansexual, and I have heard “queer” as an insult many times. The LGBTQ+ community reclaimed that word, and now “queer” means a powerful and beautiful person.
Anonymous
July 21st, 2018 7:27pm
Queer means to be something a little different to the normal society standards sexuality and gender stand point and to just be who ya are on the inside
strawberryblonde4315
July 19th, 2018 8:03am
Someone who identifies as LGBTQ+ but isn't quite sure what genders are their romantic or sexual preference.
Anonymous
July 7th, 2018 6:39pm
It means your identity and/or sexuality doesn't match the mainstream, nor the typical labels like gay, lesbian etc. People who are non-binary might use the term Queer because gay = 2 guys and lesbian = 2 girls, to which they are not a guy or girl. Queer is a vague way of telling others that you're a part of the LGBTQ+ community without disclosing your gender or sexual preferrence
mirandaverandah
July 5th, 2018 9:24am
Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or cisgender. The word was usually used with the meaning "strange" or "peculiar".
Anonymous
July 1st, 2018 11:14am
To be in the LGBT+ community, therefore you either feel attracted to the same gender, feel like you belong in a different gender, feel no sexual desires and etc
Anonymous
July 1st, 2018 7:44am
elating to a sexual or gender identity that does not correspond to established ideas of sexuality and gender, especially heterosexual norms
Leethelion
July 1st, 2018 2:49am
It means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community or be weird. Gay, in case you were wondering, means to be happy or be a man who is attracted to only other males.
NeonPaladin
June 29th, 2018 1:35pm
A queer person is someone who identifies outside of "heterosexual" or "cisgender", often people who are members of the LGBT community, but generally are people who are in some way attracted to the opposite sex or identify as something outside of their birth gender.
Anonymous
June 28th, 2018 12:35pm
To not define yourself as the normal gender or sexuality standards. Initially queer meant weird therefore it was transferred to the lgbtq society
PositivePotato11
June 22nd, 2018 7:47pm
To be queer keans you identify as anything ither than Straight, but you don't have a definitive label! This makes you part of the LGBT+ community!