Understanding what Queer Means
An umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or cisgender, describing a broad spectrum of non-cisheteronormative identities.
What does Queer Mean?
The term “queer” is often used to embrace the idea of being outside the heterosexual ‘norm’ and embracing your true self.
Queerness, and what that means for queer folks, is unique to each individual and can encompass many intersections of identities.
The term “queer” may be preferred by those who do not want rigid labels. For others, defining themselves by one identity category might feel restrictive. Just remember, how someone chooses to identify is an act of agency - it’s their choice.
“Queer” is also now often used as an umbrella term for many sexualities and gender identities that exist outside of the cisheteronormative* mainstream and as an interchangeable term for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as a whole.
*FYI
Cisgender: describes a person whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth.
Heteronormativity: the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm and privileges this over other forms of sexual orientation.
Social History
Historically, the word “queer” meant ‘strange’ or ‘peculiar,’ and was used in a derogatory way towards 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in the late 19th century.
In the late 1980s, queer activists began to reclaim the word as a way to fight back against systemic discrimination and cisheteronormativity.
Today, the term “queer” can help many people within the queer community find supportive spaces of like-minded people and services that cater to marginalized and intersectional identities.
Best Practices
Just remember, while many young people may prefer to refer to themselves as queer, not all 2SLBGTQIA+ folks personally identify that way. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ elders (and others) dislike the term and associate it with its discriminatory and derogatory usage.
When referring to non-straight and non-cis people, it’s best to use “2SLGBTQIA+” in order to avoid accidentally coming off as derogatory or offensive.
As a general rule, if you don’t know someone well, just ask how they identify!
Learn More
Branches of history, art, and culture have sub-cultures that are focused on queer folks. This allows academics to celebrate and learn more about the impacts queer folks have had on our world.
There are also resources for you to learn more about queer people and communities, service providers, companies and more.
This is not a comprehensive list, just somewhere to start if you are interested!
