What does it mean to be Queer?

Queer is an umbrella term often used to describe people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people may all identify with the word queer. It also includes intersex, asexual and non-binary people as well as others who are not sure of their sexual or gender identity or they don't want to "put themselves in a box", aka don't want to label themselves but they want to indicate that they are not straight and/or cisgender. Queer is sometimes used to express that sexuality and gender can be complicated, change over time, and might not fit neatly into either/or identities, like male or female, gay or straight.

The term "queer" has a different meaning to everyone. Queer, by definition, is a word meaning eccentric or odd in nature. Queer was used as a slur for the longest time, but now people use this term as an empowering label. In the LGBTQ+ community, "queer" is an umbrella term for any sexuality or gender identity that is not heterosexual or cisgender. I happen to be one of those people that uses queer as an empowering label rather than an offensive slur. I have reclaimed the slur and used it as a term that identifies me with my community. I love being queer, and I wouldn't change my identity for the world. Have pride. Always. 🏳️‍🌈

Queer is a word that describes sexual and gender identities other than straight and bisexual. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people may all identify with the word queer. Queer is sometimes used to express that sexuality and gender can be complicated, change over time, and might not fit neatly into either/or identities, like male or female, gay or straight. The word “queer” has history to it that’s hurtful — “queer” used to be (and sometimes still is) used to put down or disrespect LGBT people. But more and more, people use the word with pride to identify themselves. So don’t call someone “queer” unless you know they’re cool with it. The best thing to do is ask what labels people prefer.

For me, being Queer is a broad term. Basically in the simplest term is to be "not straight." Personally, I use it because I feel like there's so many different labels that I feel like I fit under, but none of them were 100% accurate. Using Queer felt unrestrictive which is why I go by that label. There's a long history behind this term since originally queer meant "weird" or "strange" and was used as a slur against LGBTQIA+ individuals. This is one of the terms being reclaimed by the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you choose to find a more specific label or go with a broad umbrella term or just not label yourself at all, you are valid!

Someone that is given the wrong gender at birth, feel attraction to other genders than the opposite gender. Basically the LGBTQ+ community are all queers. It’s an umbrella term used for sexual and gender minorities other than heterosexual and are not cisgender. In the late 19th century, queer was an insult hurled at people in same - sex relationships, and trans genders. Queers original definition meant “strange”, “odd”, “peculiar”, “bizarre”, “unexplainable”, “weird”, so to many people it was considered an insult. It’s not commonly used as an insult anymore though, which is great. I hope I explained it well enough.

Being queer for me means experiencing your sexuality or gender in a way that mainstream society doesn't regard as the default or norm. My queerness is something that I have always felt. I could articulate or understand that it was related to my sexuality but I have always felt different in some way. Queerness can also be linked to a sense of community. The LGBT+ community in my school have been a great support to me in my journey. Unfortunately being queer to me also linked to hating myself and my sexuality as I have internalised much of the bigoted rhetoric I have heard from others and in TV. Whilst this is something I struggle with, I found connecting with my community very healing as well as coming out to important people in my life

being queer is being anything but straight, basically. i have a friend who identifies as queer. some days she’s interested in only women. the next she’ll be interested in men and women. it can be a bit of a vague or loose term. i can call myself queer if i’d like. i’m lesbian, so it would fit. the simplest way i can put it would be ‘not straight’. this could be someone like me, who has a certain sexuality. this could also be someone who doesn’t know their sexuality, but knows they aren’t straight. hope that helped you a bit!

To be Queer can be a personal affiliation, unique to ones identity within the spectrum of LGBTQ+. I consider myself queer as a general term to describe my gender & sexuality, It makes it easier for me to not have to go into any specific detail about myself in that regard & also has a personal affiliation to me as a sense of being. In my local LGBTQ+ scene in Australia, people describing themselves as Queer can be a quick identifier of someone who is like me, experiences the same adversities as me & most likely will be a safe person for me to go to.

Queer can be an umbrella term for the LGBT+ community. Some individuals don't identify with any specific label so they identify as queer because they know they are not fully cisgender and heterosexual. Queer is a broad term that can describe sexual orientation, gender identity, or both. Some people do not feel that they identify with their sex assigned at birth but don't have a specific label for their gender. Some people don't feel like they fully or exclusively are attracted to the opposite sex but they are unsure about their label or don't feel the need to label their identity. Being queer is a unique experience for every individual. Sometimes there simply isn't enough language to describe certain experiences and it's easier for people to just say they are queer.

Being queer means not identifying with what society has dictated as "normal"- being heterosexual and identifying your gender as your sex assigned at birth. Being queer can mean being LGBTQ, identifying with pronouns other than she/her or he/him, or anything you believe it to be! Although the word 'queer' was originally used as an insult and a slur, many members of the LGBTQ community have reclaimed it, and it's meaning is fluid and changes from person to person. While one person might consider it to mean being attracted to the same, none, or multiple genders, another person might think it only refers to nonbinary people or those who don't fall under the binary idea of gender, and yet another person might think it's a combination of the two! All three people would be right! Happy Pride month :))))