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Do You Consider The Word "Queer" To Be A Derogatory Term Or An Empowering Term?

Aysohmay 2009/09/01 02:46:54
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We had a little discussion about this at our Pride meeting today. What do you think?
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  • Ghostlyhaunt 2009/09/01 02:49:53
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    Ghostlyhaunt
    +3
    It would really depend on the context that the term 'Queer' was used as..

    hate that F**king queer - derogatory
    Queers are so nice - empowering.. suggesting he's a nice boy..
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  • Claise 2009/10/11 13:32:53
    Its empowering
    Claise
    +1
    It feels like empowering to me! Everyone can call me Queer!
    reply
  • Thomas Rea: Gay Christian A... 2009/09/30 03:42:36
    Other
    Thomas Rea: Gay Christian Advocate
    +1
    It best to use if someone feels the they don't fall under gay bi.
    reply
  • DancingMachine 2009/09/28 21:06:45
    Other
    DancingMachine
    +1
    Depends on how you say it...
    reply
  • Ragweed 2009/09/04 23:28:05
    Other
    Ragweed
    +1
    I read a lot of books that use "queer" to mean "strange" or "odd" (as in, "My, he's walking downstairs backwards! What a queer little fellow.") with absolutely no corelation to sexual orientation. For this reason, when I hear queer being used for sexual orientation I find it somewhat insulting. Then again, seeing as that I don't identify as gay I might not fully understand it. Just as many women have begun to use "bitch" as an empowering statement rather that a derogatory term, I know of LGBT individuals who simply adore the term "queer" (my friend Justine actually says LGBTQ). So I don't know.
    reply
  • Aysohmay Ragweed 2009/09/05 01:41:34
    Aysohmay
    Its actually LGBTQQIAAP
    reply
  • Ragweed Aysohmay 2009/09/13 01:43:52
    Ragweed
    +1
    Ah, I see. Well, learn something new every day :)
    reply
  • RandomFandoms43 2009/09/02 20:24:43
    Other
    RandomFandoms43
    +1
    As always, it really depends on how you use it. If you use a hateful, disgusted tone then, obviously, it's derogatory. But if you say it proudly, then it's empowering.
    reply
  • davidh BN-0 2009/09/01 19:44:27
    Other
    davidh BN-0
    +1
    Words are only words. It is the context and emotion that is put behind them that give them power. But the most power comes from those that hear them. If you don't let them hurt you, they loose all power.
    reply
  • Connor 2009/09/01 16:12:03
    Other
    Connor
    +1
    It depends on the context in which the term was used.

    If someone is calling you 'queer' then I think it's derogatory.
    reply
  • Trappedinthe90s 2009/09/01 13:45:33
    Other
    Trappedinthe90s
    +1
    Neither, but it's like every other term it depends on who's saying it to you and under what circumstances
    reply
  • RamblingVoices. 2009/09/01 13:44:59
    Other
    RamblingVoices.
    +1
    queer means strange too, so it would depend on how the word was used, personally i would feel i was being slightly insulting if i called someone a queer, it tends to be used in a derogatory way where im from, but it depends on the person and the place
    reply
  • patchesm27 2009/09/01 13:38:16
    Other
    patchesm27
    +1
    depends on the context/user
    reply
  • American Rhetoric Review 2009/09/01 12:48:01
    Its derogatory
    American Rhetoric Review
    +1
    The term has been used for years in a very hurtful and demeaning way. I suspect that younger people will say that it's empowering because they have learned to use the word themselves thus taking the pain out of the hate spewed by those using it before them. I still don't like the word! Those of us 50 and above were abused with that word! Compare it to the “N” word and then you can understand how it can be used within the community but anyone outside the community dare not use it and if they do be prepared for the consequences!
    reply
  • Carl 2009/09/01 07:20:21
    Other
    Carl
    +1
    No. Queer doesn't necessarily refer to a person's sexuality; something odd usually.
    reply
  • that0neguy 2009/09/01 06:21:14
    Other
    that0neguy
    +1
    Always consider context.
    reply
  • ImgonaluvAztroBoi4eva 2009/09/01 04:36:22
    Other
    ImgonaluvAztroBoi4eva
    +1
    *shrugs* Depends on the context in which it is used...
    In the nonhateful realm it merely means odd, strange, unconventional, counterfiet etc..
    reply
  • runningintriangles 2009/09/01 04:23:12
    Other
    runningintriangles
    +1
    Depending on how it's said, it could be either. Besides, "queer" does originally just mean "odd," and I for one prefer people who are a wee bit odd.... mind you, "queers" aren't particularly odd in general... sorry, I'm babbling... I hope some of that made sense.
    reply
  • Zeek 2009/09/01 04:21:23
    Other
    Zeek
    Depends on the context and of course who's saying it. If a gay hater is saying how your a nice little queer, it's obviously sarcasm
    reply
  • *!Cupcake!* 2009/09/01 04:02:17
    Other
    *!Cupcake!*
    +1
    I wouldn't be caught dead saying that word. Any other word but the n or q word, or call anyone a bible thumper. Any other word is fine. But that is my opinion.
    reply
  • moomoof 2009/09/01 04:01:10
    Other
    moomoof
    +1
    i thought queer meant weird or strange

    i dont know where someone got the idea to change the meaning to it

    but i see many gay friends using it too

    but you can tell the difference a term of affection and a bigot who has nothing else better to do

    i personally dont get the point
    reply
  • Gir Fan #1 (Demetrius) 2009/09/01 03:40:59
    Other
    Gir Fan #1 (Demetrius)
    +1
    I've heard queer used as some sort of cigar or something.
    reply
  • True~Male 2009/09/01 03:37:44
    Its empowering
    True~Male
    +2
    The gays took a word that at one time was derogatory and turned it around and made it their own ! Bravo
    reply
  • Scaramouche [LordOfPants] 2009/09/01 03:24:56
    Its empowering
    Scaramouche [LordOfPants]
    +2
    People call me queer even without knowing I'm bi. P: I thank them for noticing.
    reply
  • twothunders 2009/09/01 03:06:46
    Other
    twothunders
    +1
    It can be either...the context it is being used, who is using it, the entire setting can influence how the words is taken...you cannot put an all or nothing label on the word, there are too many factors
    reply
  • crotchrot 2009/09/01 03:04:38
    Other
    crotchrot
    +1
    i use it when referring to something unusual, as it should be, having nothing to do with homosexuals.
    reply
  • bye 2009/09/01 02:54:58
  • Aysohmay bye 2009/09/01 02:58:45
    Aysohmay
    +3
    It also means someone or something that is strange/weird/etc
    reply
  • bye Aysohmay 2009/09/01 02:59:26
  • Scarlette 2009/09/01 02:53:48
    Other
    Scarlette
    +2
    when i was little queer meant strange/odd and had no sexual connotation to it...or at least i didnt know it???

    now the only time i hear it is when it is used by some dickhead negatively commenting on homosexuals...
    i dont know how homosexuals feel about it... strangeodd sexual connotation hear dickhead negatively commenting homosexuals homosexuals feel
    reply
  • Aysohmay Scarlette 2009/09/01 02:59:24
    Aysohmay
    +3
    There's a split as to whether this is an acceptable term or not
    reply
  • Scarlette Aysohmay 2009/09/01 03:03:48
    Scarlette
    +2
    ok...well i just dont use the word...i always thot the word itself was a lil queer...
    i guess i feel its derogatory...if someone is gay ... they are gay and that's it... ???
    reply
  • True~Male Aysohmay 2009/09/01 03:39:02
    True~Male
    +1
    Cheers to queers
    reply
  • woody 2009/09/01 02:51:36
    Other
    woody
    NO!!!!!
    reply
  • Complex Emotions, Simply James 2009/09/01 02:51:17
    Other
    Complex Emotions, Simply James
    +1
    Fact of the matter is, it's used so often now that it doesn't really matter to me anymore. It's neither derogatory nor empowering...it's just worn out like a three year old overused dish towel.
    reply
  • Raindropkitten™~the author ... 2009/09/01 02:50:55
    Other
    Raindropkitten™~the author of þhαετ~
    +1
    It depends on how the word is used, after all, the word queer actually means weird. But then again, one of my friends calls everything queer, or he says it's flaming. *he's gay* It's pretty funny. I guess it's just the context its used in.
    reply
  • Catlover 2009/09/01 02:50:07
    Other
    Catlover
    +2
    Depends on the context and the way it is said.....I personally would never call a homosexual "queer" because I think it CAN be deemed as a derogatory slang....
    reply
  • Aysohmay Catlover 2009/09/01 03:00:00
    Aysohmay
    +2
    Same here
    reply
  • Ghostlyhaunt 2009/09/01 02:49:53
    Other
    Ghostlyhaunt
    +3
    It would really depend on the context that the term 'Queer' was used as..

    hate that F**king queer - derogatory
    Queers are so nice - empowering.. suggesting he's a nice boy..
    reply
  • Aysohmay 2009/09/01 02:49:27
    Other
    Aysohmay
    +3
    I think it depends on who says it. If a member of the LGBT community were to use it to describe someone in our community, I wouldn't be offended at all. If a bigot used it however, I'd most likely take offense to it. For example, when my step-father uses the word, its pretty much guaranteed I'm going to offended. It all depends on the context in which the word was used.
    reply
  • HaleyPanther-TheAngelOfDemons 2009/09/01 02:48:40
    Its derogatory
    HaleyPanther-TheAngelOfDemons
    How would it be empowering? lol.
    reply
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