For some reason, using the word 'queer' feels close to using the n-word for me, like it's a slur. I mean, I'm fine saying "Queer Eye For the Straight Guy" if talking about the show, but beyond that? It doesn't feel like it's interchangeable with
LGBTQ+ for me to describe someone. So, maybe people here can help me out... How do you (as people who identify as LGBTQ+) feel about straight, cis people using the word? My hair stylist is this awesome woman who is gay, and as we were chatting, she used the word when talking about how I needed to find the people where I live now that are 'othered.' I'm atheist, which may be even less accepted where I'm living now than people identifying as LGBTQ+ because the community hasn't been exposed to many people saying it, although it doesn't lead to quite as violent of reactions. So, I tried using 'queer' in my response as well, but it just felt WRONG coming out of my mouth. I haven't seen her in a few years thanks to the pandemic and my immune system making travel a bad idea, but I haven't forgotten that odd feeling.
LGBTQ+ for me to describe someone. So, maybe people here can help me out... How do you (as people who identify as LGBTQ+) feel about straight, cis people using the word? My hair stylist is this awesome woman who is gay, and as we were chatting, she used the word when talking about how I needed to find the people where I live now that are 'othered.' I'm atheist, which may be even less accepted where I'm living now than people identifying as LGBTQ+ because the community hasn't been exposed to many people saying it, although it doesn't lead to quite as violent of reactions. So, I tried using 'queer' in my response as well, but it just felt WRONG coming out of my mouth. I haven't seen her in a few years thanks to the pandemic and my immune system making travel a bad idea, but I haven't forgotten that odd feeling.
And, if there is actually some difference between 'queer' and 'LGBTQ+', I'd love to know.
(I grew up in a backwards place, where I'm sure I heard use of the word 'queer' in the kinds of hateful tones you hear from homophobes. I definitely heard 'gay' used as an insult, too - "What are you, gay?!" - but am not bothered saying it. There's just something to the word 'queer' that makes me feel like I'm demeaning a person, which is never my intent. So, I just avoid the word altogether, like how synonyms are also words used instead of words you can't spell.)