from the
Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns
Unitarian Universalist Association
QUEER
Historically,
the word “queer” has been used as a derogatory term used against members of the
bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender community; those perceived to be
B/G/L/T; or simply those who don’t fit into the “norm.” No doubt, you have heard
this word used many times in your life, usually in very negative and insulting
ways.
So, why are some bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people calling themselves
queer?
Currently, the word “queer” (although this term is
often still used derogatorily), is also used by members of the B/G/L/T
community as a way to identify themselves and is seen as an accepted label—one
that is more open, fluid, and all-encompassing. Many people who choose to
identify as queer do so because they feel it allows for a broader identity as
opposed to the more perceived rigid labels of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and
transgender. It is important to point out here, though, that not all B/G/L/T
people feel comfortable or agree with using the word queer to describe themselves
or others. Since it has been used historically as a term of degradation, many
people still feel that it cannot be reclaimed and applied in a positive way.
Why reclaim a derogatory word?
Many members of the B/G/L/T community believe that there is great power in
reclaiming a word such as queer. As with other marginalized communities, words
that were once used as insults lose their power when used in a positive way
by the persons whom they were meant to degrade.
QUEER IDENTITY
Queer, as an identity, can be seen as an umbrella term that encompasses all
of those people within the B/G/L/T community. It has also been known to include
anyone who identifies outside of the “norm,” namely anyone who does not identify
as heterosexual or “straight.” On one level, queer can simply be seen as any
other sexual orientation or gender identity, such as bisexual, gay, lesbian,
or transgender. Queer, sometimes, is used synonymously with the term “bglt.”
On another level, queer does not stand for the same thing as a B/G/L/T identity.
There are queer theorists who discuss on an even deeper
level what it means to have a “queer identity” and this often falls in the general
realm of identity. However, the purpose of this information sheet is not to get into
the details of queer theory, but to introduce the different realms of the
term “queer.”
Who should use the word queer?
OBGLTC believes that the word “queer” should only be used by those people
who identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, and/or transgender and choose
to use it. As with a derogatory term that has been reclaimed by a marginalized
community, it is most appropriate for those identified as such to use the
term. Since the term has historically been used as a form of oppression, great
care should be taken when using the word.
HISTORY
Perhaps by looking at the history of this movement will it is be easier to
understand how the term “queer” has become an accepted term. As with any movement,
the bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender community has seen many changes
take place within it. People with same-sex attraction were once popularly
referred to as homosexuals, then gay men and lesbians. In more current times,
bisexual was added and only in the past few years have people come to hear
the term transgender more commonly used. Also within the past few years, queer
has become a popular term for sexual orientation and/or gender identity. As
Brett Beemyn and Mickey Eliason write in their book, Queer Studies: A Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Anthology, “these changes reflect the dynamic
nature of both sexuality and the political organizing that has developed around
it” (pg. 5).
To find out more about queer identity, queer theory, or queer studies in general
there are several resources available.
Queer Studies: A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Anthology
edited by Brett Beemyn and Mickey Eliason, New York University Press, 1996.
Queer Theory: An Introduction by Annamarie Jagose, New York University Press,
1996.
Back
to the OBGLTC Back
to the Main UUA Page
Information:
info@uua.org
Page last
updated 1 October 2001.
There have
been
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
accesses to this page since 1 October 2001.
All material
on this page copyright © 1997, Unitarian Universalist Association.
Address of this
page: http://www.uua.org/obgltc/resource/queer102.html