In a poll, by THEGAYUK sixty percent of LGBTs answered that they did not think that the word “queer” as an umbrella term was appropriate.
The majority of LGBT+ people questioned in a recent poll by THEGAYUK revealed that people do not think the term “queer” is appropriate as an umbrella term for the community. The poll, which was made available on Twitter, was answered by over 500 people.
The word queer has increasingly become prevalent as an umbrella term to describe LGBT+ people over the past three decades however many in the community find the word triggering and offensive.
In a separate poll, the majority of people questioned (fifty-three percent) also found that non-LGBT organisations, such as the BBC, National Theatre, National Trust and the Tate Gallery that use the word “queer” to promote its programming of LGBT+ content was also inappropriate.
“A label given to LGBT+ by Bigots”
The word queer has a controversial history and is listed in the dictionary as an informal offensive noun to describe gay men. It was first used to mean homosexual in the late 19th century. It was used in a pejorative and offensive manner. Since the 1980s the term has developed to include people outside of homosexuality, but who fall outside of heterosexual norms.
Many people still find the word offensive
Queer originally meant strange. I don't like the term being used to describe the lgbt. I'm ok if ppl use the term to describe themselves. ?
— Stacey (@StaceyLouiseP1) July 18, 2017
It can be a real trigger for older people. It's not my preferred term but I don't mind others using it. But I don't feel included by it.
— Michael Stevens (@mstevnz) July 18, 2017
1. It's deeply offensive to many gay people, as we've experienced it in a negative way.
— Joseph (@historyman2006) July 17, 2017
Hate it. The word still means what it means, you can't alter meaning of a word's given meaning (the 'n' word different cos usage = meaning)
— Guy Lambert (@GRALambo) July 18, 2017
A label given to us #LGBT's by bigots.
That as I have been told by a #KKK grand wizard,LOL every time #LGBT say it to describe themselves.— Gregory J.Theodore (@AA4F) July 17, 2017
Others were happy for the term to be used by other people, but didn’t find that the word defined them.
Queer is not a label I identify with. If other people want to identify as queer, that's fine. It doesn't represent me though.
— Daniel Browne (@MrDanielBrowne) July 18, 2017
I am queer. I'm a faggot. And I'm PROUD. APPROPRIATION darlings. Only way to let bullies "without a gun". Shoutout to PRIDE movie ??
— Joss Jaycoff (@JossJaycoff) July 19, 2017