Does anybody here identify as Queer?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

i prefer identifying as queer than lesbian/bi/pansexual... how do you guys identify?

[soothsayer]

1. Gay or lesbian. I can't stand the way my mom has always said

"queer"

[Kookaburra]

2. My grandma used that term

But it wasn't toward homosexuals -- she used it toward people who were trying and difficult (specifically, my aunts who drove her crazy). She never really mentioned homosexuals -- except that she referred to the 2 ladies who lived down the street as a couple. She was one cool granny, and I sure do miss her.

[maddiejoan]

3. Definately

I'm 100% Queer and proud of it. All the other terms are useless for me.

[ThomCat]

4. I identify as Gay

even though I'm Bi and I'm currently dating a woman.

[OneBlueSky]

5. I identify as gay, and hate the word "queer" with a passion . . .

it's a generational thing . . .

[beyurslf]

6. I say gay for myself but usually Queer when talking about the community

as a whole.

[hlthe2b]

7. Interesting...

While I am heterosexual, I have always cringed hearing the term "queer" thrown about, just as much as I do, when I hear the "N" word used... Yet, I recognize that among African Americans, there is some disagreement on whether that latter word can ever be used without disparaging. :shrug:

I know Mike Malloy uses "queer" a lot and it does make me uncomfortable, even though I know he is supportive of GLBT rights.

I'll be interested to follow this thread to see what the consensus might be...

[swimboy]

8. I identify as queer to the extent

that I would affirm I am queer if asked. I usually use the term gay myself. But if somebody asked if I was some sort of queer I would either say I was the very best kind or maybe I would say abso-fuckin-lutely!

[Christian30]

9. Queer here...

I use the word queer within the community b/c it includes gender variance as well as sexuality. If a straight person asks, I'd generally say I'm gay b/c I can't be bothered to explain it all to them. :p

[mongo]

12. Exactly -- queer is all encompassing

and accounts for the fluid nature of orientation and gender identity.

Most of my friends identify as queer. Although I've always been bi, I never really OWNED my orientation until I was around this bunch of folks.

[Tyo]

13. Me too

But "queer" usually in speaking rather than writing. I don't know why.

[jonnyblitz]

17. queer for me , too. gay is too conventional and I am not that. nt

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

30. You? Unconventional? Nevah!

:hug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

31. yes not mr. cock tatooed on my arm...

he is as conventional as i am butch

[xchrom]

10. no. n/t

[mondo joe]

11. Gay.

Nothing particularly against "queer" - just feels too trendy for my tastes.

[terrya]

14. I identify as gay

Always have.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

15. Yeah, I use the term queer or gay. Lesbian sounds clinical.

When talking to Midlodemocrat, I'm a "total queer."

:rofl:

[dsc]

16. I got called that alot

and really do hate that term. I understand why some use it but not I.

[Riverman]

18. My Coming Out Party!

So here it goes for those who want to look up on google or NSA files of all my post on DU:

I don't like self-limiting labels, so all the terms apply to me - really, honestly:
Human
Man
Sexual
Married to a woman
Horny
Bisexual
Homosexual
Queer
Faggot
Fag
Not-straight
Cocksucker
Puff
Metrosexual
Drama Queen as my wife and daughter call me
Girl as my son calls me sometimes
Feeling
Emotional
Sensitive - as everyone has called me since I was very little
Empathetic
Servant
Giving
Caring
Thoughtful
Generous - too generous for some
Kind
Good guy
Handsome
Masculine
Submissive
Cute
Joker
Smart
and on and on

I proudly own all of those words about myself - these words and many more accurately describe me! Who I am - as my first wife liked to say - who gave me permission to go find out "who you are." I knew it then, she just didn't want to accept it. My wife now does! Yahoo!

[Riverman]

19. Oh Yeah I How Could I have forgotten to say GAY

Shout it Out - I'm Out and Proud! Most people who know me either know that I'm not straight and out or at least suspect that I'm not your traditional straight male - I acutually feel a sick sense in my gut just thinking of myself as a "straight man." It is so not true of me -yet I am sexually attracted to people - some, not most, women, and some, not most guys. I am more capable of being emotionally connected to women - or a few women - first and second wife, and having had two somewhat longer terms relationships with guys at a younger age, I do have a more difficult time being emotionally involved with a guy - those the attraction to guys is honestly far more than sexual or physical. As Kinsey found, we are very complex sexual beings and sexuality is very fluid, or can be. I know many men and many women can only be emotionally and physically connected to same sex partners. And, I celebrate my sisters and brothers of all sexual stripes.

[The Brethren]

29. I think you just

blew the NSA's file server!! LOL Don't be surprised if they don't send you a bill for it.

[Sapphocrat]

40. Day-umn!

You're my kinda guy!

In a purely spiritual, platonic kind of way. But still... I like what you say. :)

[bigwillq]

20. I usually say that I am gay (nt)

[NMMNG]

21. I use whatever term strikes my fancy at the moment

Lesbian, gay, dyke, queer, etc.

[triakis36]

22. My bf identifies as queer..

..and insists that its separate from gay. For him it has to do with fluidity of gender indentity, sexuality, and gender expression in one person. Gay is a rigid defined term, whereas someone who is queer can constantly change how they express themselves. I identify as gay myself, but then again I am the more rigid of the two of us.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

24. thats exactly how i feel about it...i am not really a lesbian

and pansexual is pretty unknown...i like queer

[readmoreoften]

34. I identify as queer and I'm not fluid in my gender or sexuality in any way

But as a femme dyke with a TG butch partner, queer fits better than lesbian a lot of the time. But I am absolutely NOT fluid in my gender and neither is my partner.

[Vorta]

45. Gay was universal in 1976. I still use it that way.

[Smarmie Doofus]

23. No; I don't like it. It's inaccurate. It's "original" meaning...

... is "strange or unusual"

There's no evidence that homosexuality is "strange" and even less that it's "unusual".

I dislike "gay" for similar reasons: it makes assumptions about homosexual people.

We need better terminology... that's for sure. Gore Vidal recommends "same-sexer". That's both neutral and accurate.

It fails , however, to roll easily from the tongue.

"Homo" is not bad.... but no one uses it.

[and-justice-for-all]

25. I am just ME...no tags please. nt

[La Lioness Priyanka]

27. everyone is tagged...question is what tag do you like

i like tags because it promotes visibility and community...some labels are important to have because the "outside" world condemns you

[readmoreoften]

35. Great and do you look for a partner online?

Are born-again christian heterosexuals welcome to apply?

[Rowdyboy]

26. I'm too old....Queer is what you call people you hate....I prefer gay

But thats just one old man's opinion.

[mitchtv]

42. Ha, you took my post!

I've spent too many years as a Gay. Queer was a term of derision.

[The Brethren]

28. I identify

as either gay, lesbian, dyke, queer, fem or simply myself.

[Bluebear]

32. "Queer" almost makes me ill.

For those of us of a certain age who were called that...many of us can never "reclaim" that word.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

36. i certainly can understand that

its a lot easier for us to say somethings because generations before us have fought to make our lives easier.

[readmoreoften]

33. I id as queer even though I'm not crazy about it. I'm not a gay man.

Lesbian doesn't always work well because my partner is a transgendered butch. I'm not a very "dykey" dyke, although I prefer that term. I understand queer, though. Most of my lesbian friends are not very lesbian.

[ronnykmarshall]

37. Gay

Sorry but just can't "take back" the word queer.

[donco6]

38. Gay. Hate the "queer" thing. eom

[sui generis]

39. depends on the company

the underexposed don't realize that queer is pretty acceptable, even when they say it without rancor.

But because they've almost never heard it used with anything but spite, it shocks them when we call ourselves that.

It just depends how much time I want to take to discuss the substance of my topic versus why we're mostly okay with queer.

[libnnc]

41. Lesbian, I don't like straight people using "queer" to identify me

Just like we whites don't call African Americans the N word even though some use that to identify one another.

[Chovexani]

43. I id as queer

But that's because it's easier than explaining "bisexual lesbian". :P

I also like the non-conformist connotations of the word, but I'm 25. I can understand why the older generation has a problem with it though, and respect their concerns.

[sui generis]

44. me too

but :blush: I mean, I'm not a bisexual lesbian.

Okay, I may have to sit down to extract my dainty size elevens.

:hi: :P:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

50. Wow- I could have written that post! (scary!)

Except for the fact that I'm 26- will be 27 on Nov. 29th.

Came out as a lesbian- was surprised and confused when I wound up falling for a boy. But I went with it, acknowledging my own biphobia (argh- could I have been so narrow-minded?!) and came out again... acknowledging my own issues, and heterosexual priveledge that I do claim as part of an opposite-sex relationship. Lots of people- who I had fought battles with, and for, called me a sellout. Others shrugged and said that they were happy for me. Those latter people are the ones I consider my friends today...

That boy and I have been together since 1999. He's my best friend, partner, and the person with whom I choose to spend my life with.

I like the word "queer"- it fits me better- especially as I hate labels- they belong on campbells soup cans, not on me! :D
However, whatever people choose to self-identify as is cool with me. The rainbow is a great symbol- pulling all of those with different stripes together into a community!

:grouphug:

[LeftCoast]

51. That's a great story!

I never knew all that about you!

[LeftCoast]

46. I do, but my Mom hates it when I use the term

:evilgrin:

[readmoreoften]

47. Queer. Although I don't think it's perfect by any means.

Frankly I think being straight is a little strange, but whatcha gonna do. I usually ID as lesbian, but when I refer to the community I say queer to be inclusive to pan and transsexual members. Besides, if my partner transitions, then I don't know what I am. I SO think s/he will someday, but we'll see.

[readmoreoften]

48. Hilarious. I have answered this post three fucking times now.

I just thought the post was new every time it when to the top of GLBT

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

49. ...

:spray:

:rofl:

That's fucking beautiful.

[spancks]

52. Queer here!

I always remind my friends that I'm queer when they forget and refer to me as "gay". Some might see it as splitting rhetorical hairs, but I think there's a whole raft of social, sexual, political, and economic orientations that come with the "queer" moniker that are not a part of the "gay" identity. Also, I was a Queer National in the early and mid 90's, so I guess it just stuck with me.