Queer is an umbrella term used to describe people whose sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression does not conform to heterosexual or cisgender norms. It broadly includes individuals who are non-heterosexual (such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual) and/or non-cisgender (such as transgender, non- binary, genderqueer)
. Originally, "queer" meant "strange" or "peculiar" and was used pejoratively against LGBTQ people starting in the late 19th century. Since the late 1980s, activists have reclaimed the word as a positive or neutral self-identifier. Today, it embraces a wide spectrum of identities and politics that challenge normative ideas about gender and sexuality
. Queer can refer to:
- Sexual orientation that is not straight or heterosexual
- Gender identities outside the male/female binary or cisnormativity
- A political and cultural movement opposing heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and other social norms
Some people use "queer" because it is more inclusive and flexible than specific labels, allowing for fluidity and complexity in identity. However, some members of the LGBTQ community may still find the term offensive due to its history as a slur and prefer other labels
. In summary, queer is a broad, inclusive term that encompasses diverse sexual and gender identities beyond traditional norms, often used to express pride, community, and resistance to binary or normative frameworks
