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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
Anonymous
December 4th, 2016 5:05pm
The definition of Queer is 'different'. These days, however, it is usually used to describe a LGBT+ member.
PeacefulFlute74
June 22nd, 2016 6:55pm
Technically, it means this: 1) An umbrella term sometimes used by LGBTQA people to refer to the entire LGBT community. 2) An alternative that some people use to "queer" the idea of the labels and categories such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc. Similar to the concept of genderqueer. It is important to note that the word queer is an in-group term, and a word that can be considered offensive to some people, depending on their generation, geographic location, and relationship with the word. Personally, I think it is important to ask someone what they mean by queer if they are identifying that way in order to be sure you don't misunderstand them.
Anonymous
July 20th, 2016 6:05pm
Being queer is another term for having an attraction to your own gender , so being gay. There is nothing wrong with this.
MissMonMon
August 20th, 2016 11:55am
By definition, queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who do not identify as cisgender or heteronormative. To identify as queer generally means to reject traditional gender identities and seek a broader, less conformist, and deliberately ambiguous alternative to the label LGBT.
maddy0908
August 7th, 2016 7:22pm
If a person is queer, it means that they are either not heterosexual, or they do not conform to the gender binary. Some people may choose to label their sexuality as simply 'queer' if they don't wish to use a more specific label.
Other
August 8th, 2016 7:32pm
It means that you are who you are and you shouldn't let the world bend or opress you. It means you are You.
AutumnLeigh
June 29th, 2016 9:01pm
Queer was once a word that was used to identify gay men in a dishonorable fashion. But like words such as 'black' or 'colored', it now is used in a positive fashion to identify yourself as a gender that is not hetero. The world HAS moved on and being not of a hetero fashion is more and more accepted as a positive notation that a queer person is part of a growing number of other types of sexuality. As a current asexual person, I would no longer feel out of place being called 'queer'. I happily join others who embrace their sexuality and try to find a positive life within our identities!
WonderousCandy
July 22nd, 2016 9:51pm
Queer can mean anything: Homosexual, transsexual, bisexual, pansexual. It's what you want it to mean.
Gracey
April 25th, 2018 5:05pm
Queer is a term that is used to describe people who identify as something other than heterosexual (straight) or cisgender (the gender you were assigned at birth)
delightfulOasis62
June 30th, 2016 8:11am
"Queer" is an umbrella word. It means you're not cisgender, so you're gender is not fully "girl" nor "boy", so basically "genderqueer". Some people also use it when they are talking about their sexuality, when they are not straight.
Anonymous
August 21st, 2016 7:10pm
Being queer means different things to everyone, including me. I'm a pansexual agender and proud of it and being queer makes me feel like I'm accepted for who I am, rather than who I'm not.
enigmaticMoment64
July 1st, 2016 4:56pm
Queer is an umbrella term in the LGBTQ community. Because of that describes all kinds of different "non-standard" identities and orientations that fall out of the norm of usually cis-gendered and heterosexual people. It describes a whole range of different experiences and it will mean different things to different people. So when it comes to what it MEANS to be queer, then it simply means that some (or multiple) of the terms used as a standard - be it heterosexual, male, female are not enough to describe you.
ArtofthePhoenix
April 5th, 2018 1:33am
It means that you simply do not fit into society's preconfigured archetypes of sexual behavior that some assume is "right". Aren't we all a little queer?
Supergirl94
August 10th, 2016 6:03am
To be strange or odd. To be different than others at least depending on your definition of different or normal. Or by LGBT definition, An umbrella term sometimes used by LGBTQA people to refer to the entire LGBT community. An alternative that some people use to "queer" the idea of the labels and categories such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc. Similar to the concept of genderqueer. It is important to note that the word queer is an in-group term, and a word that can be considered offensive to some people, depending on their generation, geographic location, and relationship with the word.
purplesocks
April 12th, 2017 1:44am
Queer is an umbrella term used by the LGBT+ community meaning (as defined by merriam webster) -denoting or relating to a sexual or gender identity that does not correspond to established ideas of sexuality and gender, especially heterosexual norms Some of us within the LGBT+ community prefer to use the term queer and some don't. It's more of a term of personal preference.
HttpSprinkle
July 7th, 2016 1:22pm
To be queer can mean a variety of things. To many it's more of an umbrella term rather than a specific sexuality. It can mean gender queer too! If you are not heterosexual , hetero romantic and cisgenger, then you are queer!
Anonymous
May 30th, 2018 3:26pm
Queer means you are naturally attracted to thr same sex, or it could mean, you are naturally attracted to anything outside of the society's norm for relationships.
proudFlower06
February 2nd, 2018 8:33pm
To be queer is to identify as something other than straight or cis-gendered. This includes anything in between the binaries.
Anonymous
February 2nd, 2018 6:52pm
Queer is an umbrella term for all sexualities and genders. You can identify as anything you feel, and it's up to you to determine your feelings
cryingkoalas
August 19th, 2016 12:20am
Queer just means that you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, If you identify with any sexuality on this spectrum you can call yourself Queer. (:
QueerHopes
June 25th, 2016 5:16am
Queer is an umbrella term to describe people who deviate from gender and sexuality norms. "Queer" is also political term to describe the way that LGBTQIA+ people understand the world as marginalized people. Queer is beauty, resilience, strength, and community.
katieee1234
May 13th, 2019 10:42pm
Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or cisgender. Originally meaning "strange" or "peculiar", queer came to be used pejoratively against those with same-sex desires or relationships in the late 19th century.The meaning of 'queer' has changed a lot over the past few decades. From being a slur, to being reclaimed by some LGBT people and rejected by others, 'queer' means many different things to many different people. ... Like the word Gay used to mean “happy”, queer used to mean “strange” or “different”. Queer is a word that describes sexual and gender identities other than straight and cisgender. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people may all identify with the word queer.
Aayla
- Expert in LGBTQ+ Issues
September 14th, 2019 10:19pm
It means to have an identity that is eccentric with respect to the conventional male-female gender roles. For example, gender identities like non-binary or genderfluid fall into the broader queer category. Queer has also been used with an expanded meaning, indicating all LGBTQ+ identities. It has become a quite common colloquial use.
Anonymous
March 24th, 2017 1:08am
If you're queer that means that you aren't straight, and either don't like using a specific label for any reason (sometimes because you're questioning but know that you aren't straight- there are many reasons), or just like the word. I'm bisexual, but sometimes use the word queer to describe myself, and my friend who's asexual also uses it. It's an umbrella term for "not straight"
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.
WildflowerHeather
April 10th, 2020 3:31am
Queer can mean many different things. It can mean that you are questioning your gender identity or sexual orientation, or it can simply be used as a broad term for someone who is LGBTQ that may not particularly identify as anything specific. Many people who are unsure of their sexuality or gender identity use the term queer, as well as people who may not want to identify with a more specific term, like someone who does not want to be labeled. It can also be used for people who have a rare or misunderstood orientation or identity, and simply use that term because it is more understood than say, genderfluid biromantic demisexual.
scarletDrum22
April 29th, 2020 8:10pm
The short answer is that "queer" is an umbrella term used to describe anyone who isn't exclusively straight/ heterosexual. For example, if I were talking about a group of women, two of which identified as lesbians, and one who identified as bisexual, I might say they're queer women. Just calling them lesbians leaves out the bisexual, so the term "queer" encompasses all their identities. Queer can also be used to encompass the entire LGBTQ+ community (ex. "queer people"). That said, however, some LGBTQ+ people aren't comfortable with the word, as it has historically been a slur used against not-straight/ gender nonconforming people. Others are completely okay with it and are trying to reclaim the word. Others still use it to identify themselves because they're unsure of their specific identity or don't like specific labels.
avocadoallyson
February 4th, 2017 9:53pm
The word queer has had many meanings throughout history. Currently, being queers means not being straight or heterosexual. This includes sexual identities like bisexuality, homosexuality, asexuality, and other identities.
SofiaAddilynn
July 28th, 2016 3:05am
The dictionary defines queer as an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities that are not heterosexual or not cisgender.
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2016 1:28am
Genderqueer: A term which refers to individuals or groups who “queer” or problematize the hegemonic notions of sex, gender and desire in a given society. Genderqueer people possess identities which fall outside of the widely accepted sexual binary (i.e. "men" and "women"). Genderqueer may also refer to people who identify as both transgendered AND queer, i.e. individuals who challenge both gender and sexuality regimes and see gender identity and sexual orientation as overlapping and interconnected.