Stonewall’s iconic GET OVER IT T-shirt design has now got another product line to offer the LGBT+ community.
“Some People Are Queer Get Over It” is now proudly displayed on one of Stonewall’s red (and black) t-shirts along with a whole host of other diverse gender and sexuality descriptions, but some people are not happy about the use of the word queer – particularly the older generations, some of whom find the term offensive.
Despite some calling for the word to be reclaimed others aren’t so sure about the idea.
Some People Are Queer. Get Over It!
We're so excited to launch our new tee.
Grab yours now! https://t.co/uIbciUkxVK pic.twitter.com/mcQdM4qXvh— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) August 20, 2017
Responding to a number of Tweets from Stonewall’s official account to advertise the T-shirts commentators decried the product calling it “vile” and a slur, while one commentator questioned whether Stonewall had consulted with the community before commissioning the T-shirt.
Social media user David said,
“How unfortunate that even Stonewall has swapped the word “gay” for “queer”. Yes, I know about the dubious reclaim theory but, for many older gay men, the word “queer” was a vile insult from childhood through teens, twenties and thirties. Sends a cold shiver down my spine.”
https://twitter.com/L0QesUcTZ1R9Iu2/status/898888057038004224
Whilst Gareth added,
Reclamation’s a myth. Q***r will always be slur. It’s divisive and not inclusive, even within the LGBT community. Time to stop using it.
https://twitter.com/GarethPhilips/status/898919641850023936
Iconic
However, some were very happy with the new t-shirt – calling the design “iconic”.
Iconic, I just ordered one !
— Owen Power (@OwenOwenpower) August 19, 2017
In a recent survey by THEGAYUK.com, 60 percent said that the term queer was inappropriate as an umbrella term for LGBT people.
The T-shirt is available from the Stonewall shop for £14.99
THEGAYUK.com reached out to Stonewall for comment.
Some people aren’t happy? Get over it!!!
Fight the haters with their own own propaganda. Show them we don’t care about what they call us. Hold our heads up high
Own the word. It’s not an insult any more
I hate the word, it sounds derogatory and it is commonly used as an insult.
In a time where there are gay concentration camps in Chechnya, Trans people being discriminated against in the US military, gay men being thrown off buildings by ISIS etc., Do we not think we should be having more important conversations that the connotations of words?
I absolutely wear that with pride???
I hate the word, it sounds derogatory and it is commonly used as an insult.
I’m 62, so to me the word is irrevocably linked with the three times I was queerbashed.
I’ve seen it used a lot in the lgbt media, it does denote otherness but in a positive way although I’m sure those who have had it used against them think otherwise
In a world where someone can identify as the opposite sex despite having no wish to change their genitalia, who am I to have an opinion on words? ?
Just who is this organisation for? Queer is not a word that should be emblazoned on a T shirt – fine if someone wants to describe themselves as such – but it is deeply triggering for others. We’re told to respect the triggers for some of our community – well it goes all ways.