While the classic definition of queer as stated by dictionary.com is "strange or odd from a conventional viewpoint", this is no longer the way the word is used in modern context. More recently, queer has be adapted as an "umbrella" term from the LGBTIQ community. The UC Berkeley Gender Equity and LGBT Resource Center defines queer as "An umbrella term to refer to all LGBTIQ people; a political statement, as well as a sexual orientation, which advocates breaking binary thinking and seeing both sexual orientation and gender identity as potentially fluid". This modern day, working definition is affirmed by the BGSU Queer Glossary, "queer is a term which has been reclaimed by members of the gay, lesbian. bisexual, and transgender communities to refer to people who transgress culturally imposed norms of heterosexuality and gender traditionalism. Queer might be broadly defined as resistance to regimes of the “normal.”". Based on the UC Berkely and the BGSU definitions, one can define queer as an all-encompassing term for sexual minorities that are not heteronormative and/or do not follow the gender-binary.
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ReplyDeleteI think it's curious that while the term queer no longer means what it was originally intended to mean, it has taken a focus as opposed to completely changing the definition. It almost seems that queer has taken a large definition, perhaps almost too large, to cover not only homosexual actions but also for those defying standard gender definitions. It almost seems that regardless of the definition being used, it sticks to outdated philosophies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that the given definitions create a normal and abnormal category. It sounds like BGSU and UC Berkeley have drawn a circle and created a "us vs. them" mentality. UC Berkeley and BGSU have no right to determine what is and is not normal. Maybe they are the abnormal ones... Interesting blog!
ReplyDeletePersonally I think that it is sad that a word that, regardless of it's change over time, fundamentally means "strange or odd" is associated with the LGBT community. Who has the right to say that being anything other than straight is not "normal?" That all members of the gay, lesbian. bisexual, and transgender communities are different and therefor need to be described as "queer." Since the word "queer" already suggests a negative connotation I think it is fair to suggest that the LGBT community deserves a new umbrella word. A word that is their own and does not already come with a predetermined definition and negative connotation.
ReplyDeleteI never really understood what queer meant, until now. I didn't think it would be an umbrella term for the LGBTIQ community. I always thought that there were two Q's in that acronym and the second q represents queer.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that that was the original meaning of the word queer, which, proves the point of how the word has transformed throughout the years by the modern world. I think a lot of this has to do with peoples offensive mentality. I find it interesting how this word can jump from being something to describe objects and transforming people into objects. I think that its different how within the members of the LGBTIQ those who identify with Q catigorize themselves as queer use this term in confidence and positively, but how a lot of people have changed this word into being negative. Honestly I always known the acronym to be LGBT I only heard the IQ part occasionally.
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