
The history of the word queer': reviled, reclaimed and respectedRecently, a number of people have questioned or critiqued the use of the word queer to describe LGBTIQA folk.
by Mambaonline.com
25-01-2023 11:07
in LGBTQIA
Reviled, reclaimed and respected: the history of the word queer'. Photo: Pexels
Recently, a number of people have questioned or critiqued the use of the word queer to describe LGBTIQA folk.
--
One writer to the Guardian claimed that the q-word was as derogatory and offensive as the n-word , and should not be used.
While there is a clear history of the word being used in aggressive and insulting ways, the meaning(s) and uses of queer have never been singular, simple or stable.
The origin of the word queer' Queer is a word of uncertain origin that had entered the English language by the early 16th century, when it was primarily used to mean strange, odd, peculiar or eccentric.
--
By the late 19th century it was being used colloquially to refer to same-sex attracted men. While this usage was frequently derogatory, queer was simultaneously used in neutral and affirming ways.
The examples provided in the Oxford English Dictionary show this semantic range, including instances of homosexual men using queer as a positive self-description at the same time as it was being used in the most insulting terms.
Compare the neutral: Fourteen young men were invited [ ] with the premise that they would have the opportunity of meeting some of the prominent queers' (1914); the insulting: fairies, pansies, and queers conducted [ ] lewd practices (1936); and self-affirmed uses: young men who call themselves queers' (1952).
In the 1960s and 1970s, as sexual and gender minorities fought for civil rights and promoted new ways of being in society, we also sought new names for ourselves.
--
ALSO READ: LGBTQ stigma in Gauteng clinics
Gay liberationists began to reclaim queer from its earlier hurtful usages, chanting out of the closets, into the streets and singing we're here because we're queer .
Their newsletters from the time reveal sustained questioning of the words, labels and politics of naming that lesbian and gay people could and should use about themselves.
Some gay libbers even wanted to cancel the word homosexual because they felt it limited their potential and prescribes a whole system of behaviour [ ] which has nothing to do with my day-to-day living .
In Australia, camp was briefly the most common label that lesbian women and gay men used to describe themselves, before gay became more prominent, used at that time by both homosexual men and women.
The evolving use of the word queer In the early 1990s, gay had come to be used more typically to refer to gay men.
Respectful and inclusive standards of language evolved to lesbian and gay , and then LGBT , as bisexuals and transgender people sought greater recognition.
Queer began to be used in a different way again: not as a synonym for gay, but as a critical and political identity that challenged normative ideas about sexuality and gender.
Queer theory drew on social constructionism - the theory that people develop knowledge of the world in a social context - to critique the idea any sexuality or gender identity was normal or natural. This showed how particular norms of sexuality and gender were historically contingent.
Thinkers such as Michel Foucault, Michael Warner, Judith Butler, Eve Kosofsky Sedgewick and Lauren Berlant were enormously influential in the development of this new idea of queer.
Some people began to identify as queer in the critical sense, not as a synonym for a stable gender or sexual identity, but to indicate a non-conforming gender or sexual identity.
Activists in groups such as Queer Nation also used queer in this critical sense as part of their more assertive, anti-assimilationist political actions.
Posters from Queer Nation's Houston chapter. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Queer as an umbrella term From the early 2000s, it became more common to use queer as an umbrella term that was inclusive of the spectrum of sexual and gender identities represented in the LGBTIQA acronym.
Today, queer is included among the terms lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, asexual, brotherboy and sistergirl, recognised in style guides as the most respectful and inclusive way to refer to people with diverse sexualities and genders.
Of course, the different usages and meaning of words such as queer have often overlapped and have been hotly contested.
Historical usages and associations persist and can sit uncomfortably next to contemporary reclamations.
Queer as a slur? Contemporary concerns with queer's historical use as a slur seem odd to me.
The heritage report A History of LGBTIQ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects (which I co-authored), surveys the complexity of language use in historical and contemporary society.
It is notable that almost all of the words that LGBTIQA people use to describe ourselves today have been reclaimed from homophobic or transphobic origins.
In fact, it could be said that liberating words from non-affirming religious, clinical or colloquial contexts and giving them our own meanings is one of the defining characteristics of LGBTIQA history.
While queer does have a history of being used as an insult, that has never been its sole meaning.
Same-sex attracted and gender diverse folks have taken the word and have been ascribing it with better meanings for at least the past 50 years.
Queer's predominant use today is as an affirming term that is inclusive of all people in the rainbow acronym.
At a time when trans and gender diverse folk are facing particularly harsh attacks, I'm all for efforts to promote inclusion and solidarity.
Respectful language use doesn't r
Africa Stories
29/03/2023
The White Lotus: What happens in Episode 2 this week - SPOILERThe White Lotus is an American black comedy-drama anthology television series. If you aren't a...
29/03/2023
Streaming TODAY: New streaming releases on 29 March 2023Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your favourite...
29/03/2023
Artists fight AI programs that copy their stylesArtists outraged by artificial intelligence that copies in seconds the styles they have sacrificed years to deve...
29/03/2023
Netflix's Wellmania: A humorous dive into the world of wellnessGreen juice, microdosing, cupping and cocaine? Netflix's new show wellmania encounters ...
29/03/2023
Tonight on Gqeberha: Nozuko hatches a plan to permanently get rid of a foeDon't miss tonight's episode of Gqeberha: The Empire, and watch the latest epi...
29/03/2023
Tonight on Generations: Anathi successfully worms his way out of an interrogatio...
29/03/2023
Tonight on Imbewu: The Bhengu babies and Sibongile are still very sickCatch up on what's going on to night on Imbewu. Episodes of Imbewu air on e.tv from Mo...
29/03/2023
Tonight on House of Zwide: Senzo finds himself in a violent situationDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of House of Zwide and C...
29/03/2023
Tonight on Scandal: Death comes knocking and everything else falls to piecesGet to know what's happening on tonight's episode!. Scandal episodes airs on...
29/03/2023
Tonight on 7de Laan: The Visagies struggle to maintain peace in their family mee...
29/03/2023
Tonight on Gomora: Zodwa tells Teddy to stop Sibongile from giving away her babyDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of Gomora, a...
29/03/2023
Tonight on Muvhango: The wrong man is brought in to see Susan and Rendani in Ten...
29/03/2023
Daily devotion: Your bible verse and prayer for 29 March 2023GOOD MORNING! Here's your daily bible verse and prayer to get you ready and excited about your ...
29/03/2023
African Proverb of the day: 29 March 2023A proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, beliefs, and a...
29/03/2023
Pregnancy mask' - Actress Jessica Nkosi blasts abusive body shaming fansPregnant Jessica Nkosi has opened fire to fans for body shaming and deleted all her ...
29/03/2023
Poem of the day: There Is A GodA poem a day keeps the soul awake! For the most soulful, authentically African poetry on the internet, check out Poem of the day....
29/03/2023
Gayton McKenzie tells homophobes to take a hikeGayton McKenzie, the President of the Patriotic Alliance, has told policy conference delegates that homophobes sh...
29/03/2023
You': Amy Leigh Hickman keen to return for season fiveAmy Leigh Hickman, who played Nadia Farran on You' season four revealed that she would love to re...
29/03/2023
The Crown' Season 6: Meet Prince William and Kate MiddletonThe Crown has just revealed the actors portraying the Prince and Princess of Wales
by Njabulo M...
29/03/2023
Darcelle: The world's oldest drag queen has diedAmerican drag star Darcelle, who was performed by Walter Cole and held the record as the world's oldest ...
28/03/2023
MUVHANGO: Tonight's episode, 28 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Muvhango? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Muvhango soapie right here, do...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Uzalo: Nkunzi reminds Njinji who the king of KwaMashu isDon't get left behind, catch up on Uzalo now! Episodes of Uzalo air on SABC1 from Mondays...
28/03/2023
Tonight on The River: Lindiwe struggles to bring father and son togetherWatch tonight's episode of The River and catch the latest episode every weekday at 2...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Leeto is sucked into a dangerous whirlwind of lies, decei...
28/03/2023
SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 28 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right he...
28/03/2023
HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 28 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide soapie right h...
28/03/2023
SCANDAL: Tonight's episode, 28 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Scandal ? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Scandal soapie right here. Don&...
28/03/2023
GENERATIONS: Tonight's episode, 28 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Generation The Legacy? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Generation The...
28/03/2023
UZALO: Tonight's episode, 28 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of uzalo? No problem! Just watch all the latest episodes of uzalo soapie right here, don...
28/03/2023
Streaming TODAY: New streaming releases on 28 March 2023Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your favourite...
28/03/2023
Weekend vibes' - Connie Chiume living her best life at 70 [photos]Actress Connie Chiume's weekend vibes showed that she is a 20-year-old soul trapped in...
28/03/2023
You': Five things to know about the fifth season of the hit seriesHere's five things to know about the fifth and final season of Netflix's hit serie...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Gqeberha: Nobomi is shocked by the return of an old loveDon't miss tonight's episode of Gqeberha: The Empire, and watch the latest episode on...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Generations: Ndumiso is rattled about what the cops want him to doKeen to know what's happening on the latest episode of Generations: The Legacy?...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Imbewu: Thu Sheleni and Jyothi talk Shria out of going to see Jason a...
28/03/2023
Tonight on House of Zwide: Sandile catches Soka in a compromising positionDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of House of Zwide ...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Scandal: Hlengiwe offers herself on a platter to get the answers she ...
28/03/2023
Tonight on 7de Laan: The Bassons enjoy a pleasant breakfast togetherDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of 7de Laan and Catch th...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Gomora: Zibuko is on a mission to feel alive againDon't miss out on what's happening on tonight's episode of Gomora, and watch the latest...
28/03/2023
Tonight on Muvhango: Azwindini announces that he now owns KK's sharesDon't miss out on the latest drama in Muvhango! Muvhango episodes airs on SABC2 fro...
28/03/2023
MUVHANGO: Tonight's episode, 27 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Muvhango? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Muvhango soapie right here, do...
28/03/2023
Generations' Karabo, Tau emerge at Mazwi Moroka's funeral?[PHOTOS] Generations: The Legacy' teasers suggest that Tau Mogale and Karabo Moroka will ...
28/03/2023
African Proverb of the day: 28 March 2023A proverb reflects and reveals a community's culture that provides a glimpse into its value systems, beliefs, and a...
28/03/2023
Search for lesbian Nomvula Chenene ends in tragedyThe remains believed to be of lesbian Nomvula Chenene have been found buried under a shack in Lakeside, near V...
28/03/2023
Poem of the day: Keep On SmilingA poem a day keeps the soul awake! For the most soulful, authentically African poetry on the internet, check out Poem of the day...
27/03/2023
Tonight on Muvhango: Vhutshilo learns why his name is not on the list of people ...
27/03/2023
Tonight on Uzalo: It's panic stations as Sibonelo deals with the worst night...
27/03/2023
SKEEM SAAM: Tonight's episode, 27 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of Skeem Saam soapie right he...
27/03/2023
HOUSE OF ZWIDE: Episode for 27 March 2023 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of House of Zwide? No problem! Watch all the latest episodes of House of Zwide soapie right h...
27/03/2023
Skeem Saam live updates: The most feared man in Turf is arrestedWhat's new on Skeem Saam? Find out HERE! Stay informed on what's trending on your favori...