People may use “queer” to describe a sexual orientation or gender identity that is not heterosexual or cisgender. For example, people who are lesbian, gay, asexual, or transgender may identify as queer.

Some people may choose the term queer to express their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, in the past, some used this word as a harmful slur against LGBTQIA+ communities. For this reason, some people may still view it as offensive.

This article will discuss the definitions of the term “queer,” its history, and what it means today.

An image of a group of people for an article about the definition of 'queer.'Share on Pinterest
Image credit: Willie B. Thomas/Getty Images

Today, a person might use the term “queer” to describe any sexual orientation or gender identity that is not heterosexual or cisgender. For example, people who are lesbian, gay, asexual, or transgender may identify as queer.

Some people may also use “queer” because their sexuality or gender may be complicated, change over time, or not fit into any preexisting sexual orientations or gender identities.

However, the LGBTQIA Resource Center note that people have historically used the term as a harmful slur against those whose sexuality, gender, or gender expression did not conform to their expectations.

Today, however, some people have reclaimed the word “queer” to describe their sexual orientation or gender identity.

According to one 2020 article, some people may refer to themselves as queer because they find that preexisting sexual orientations or gender identities do not fit them.

They may feel that when they use the word “queer,” they can connect with LGBTQIA+ communities without having to label their sexual orientation or gender identity outright.

However, even though some people have reclaimed this word, other LGBTQIA+ community members still view “queer” as a harmful slur.

It is important to ensure that people are OK with the term before using it to describe them.

According to one essay, up until the mid-1900s, people usually used the word “queer” to describe anything they found odd.

By the 1920s, however, some people — especially gay males — had started using the term to describe their attraction to people of the same gender.

In the 1940s, people started to use “queer” as a derogatory term to mean “sexual perverts” or “homosexuals.” The amount of people who used “queer” as a harmful slur reached its peak during the Cold War era, but some people still use this word now to negatively describe people belonging to LGBTQIA+ communities.

Starting around the 1980s, people in LGBTQIA+ communities — including those in academia and politics — began to reclaim the term and defy those who used it in a derogatory manner.

This may be traceable back to AIDS activism as a response to the “AIDS crisis” between the 1980s and 1990s. An activist organization called Queer Nation used the term “queer” to be confrontational toward people who were derogatory toward, and excluded, LGBTQIA+ communities.

Other people and organizations have used the word “queer” to challenge society’s general view that being in opposite-sex relationships is normal (known as heteronormativity) in various fields, including health, immigration, and religion.

Anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+ may also identify as queer.

However, the LGBTQIA Resource Center note that some people who are LGBTQIA+ still view “queer” as a harmful slur, and that people often consider the word a slur if people outside of the community use it to describe people within it.

People can find support at the following organizations.

Community centers

Sexual orientation

Gender identity

“Queer” is a word that some people in LGBTQIA+ communities might use to describe their sexual orientation or gender identity.

People have used this word as a harmful slur in the past, but some LGBTQIA+ community members are now reclaiming it.

That said, some people may still see it as a slur, so it is important to make sure that a person is OK with the word before using it to describe them.