The word “queer” has, in the past few years, become a topic for debate. Who can say it, when they can say it, etc. In the past, the word was an insult. In fact, it still is, but some in the LGBT community have decided to reclaim it. Some have not. Those with complicated sexualities are prone to use queer as an identifier, so as not to have to explain their lives to people who might not need or want that much information. Others in the community do not have the same feelings. However, they recognize that some people do feel comfortable with being called queer. The main problem, though, is that many people use the word queer as an umbrella term for members of the LGBT community, and not as a simplifier, but as an insult.
The rule for the word is this: if you are heterosexual, pretty much don’t say it.
Some straight people might get a little upset at this, but let me break it down. The word is not yours. If you have a friend who says they’re queer, great. You cannot introduce them as your queer friend. If you have a friend that does not call themselves queer, you definitely can’t do that.
If you do not identify as a queer person, do not say the word in the context of calling someone queer.
The word still has an extreme stigma to it. Reclaiming it is a strength coming from the LGBT community. It is telling the world that it cannot be used against them anymore. This is not, by any means, calling those who prefer not to identify as queer are weak. It is also a strength, as they get to make that decision by themselves, for themselves.
Queer is a word for queer people.
