I've changed my mind....

We had a discussion a week ago about whether "queer" is an acceptable term to use for homosexuals. I said no because I've only ever heard it used by people as 'hate' term, and I thought that homosexuals didn't use that word to describe themselves. I thought they all called themselves "gay".

Well now I know better. Watch the below video and you will see/hear excerpts from a GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) book where they call themselves "queer" several times each page. Actually about 90% of the time with "gay" only about 10%. So, if they call themselves that, I don't see a problem with using the term.

eber322 wrote:

We had a discussion a week ago about whether "queer" is an acceptable term to use for homosexuals. I said no because I've only ever heard it used by people as 'hate' term, and I thought that homosexuals didn't use that word to describe themselves. I thought they all called themselves "gay".

Well now I know better. Watch the below video and you will see/hear excerpts from a GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) book where they call themselves "queer" several times each page. Actually about 90% of the time with "gay" only about 10%. So, if they call themselves that, I don't see a problem with using the term.

Sounds interesting. But is that the same as calling someone the N word when in fact they use the N word themselves?

Well i doubt it. After all they even had a tv show, "queer eye for the straight guy". Doubt they'd ever have a show with the N word in the title.

Good video, eber322. You're right - they do call themselves queer rather often, and not in a derogatory way. So if it's ok for them to use the term, it's ok for us.

I never thought it was such a bad term anyway. Queer is defined as: "Deviating from the expected or normal; strange."

That describes them well, and isn't derogatory.