Queer 

Here and Queer?

"There's nowt as queer as folk" is an often-used phrase in the north of England and means there's nothing as strange as people. This term stems from the 16th-century usage of the word meaning 'odd, peculiar or eccentric.' Some people think of the word 'queer' as an insult given its use in the later 19th and early 20th century. From the 1980s however, the term was reclaimed by those who want to undermine that insult and use the name to show their rebellious, non-gendered approach to homosexuality. The queer community is vibrant and growing day by day.

These days, 'queer' is used as a badge of honour, re-owning a label that was an insult for many, many years. It's used by those who don't feel accepted by straight or gay communities. It's a label used by those working to change societal norms to include everyone. As a label, it means something different to everyone who uses it.

For many years, queer was used as an insult and to make fun of gay men, and a lot of LQBT+ people still see it as such. However, these days it's used much more positively, usually for welcoming spaces that are inclusive for people of all different sexualities and genders.

Queer inclusion is incredibly important. People have a habit of putting each other into boxes, and it can be a good way to meet other people like you, but it also can end up excluding some people. Queer inclusion is about creating safe spaces for all members of the LGBT+ community so that they can meet, mingle, ask questions and above all remove barriers and unite together to work for equal rights for all.

No! The fabulous thing about LGBT+ labels is you can have as many or as few of them as you like. You can identify as queer and any other sexuality you like. It is quite usual for people to use different labels interchangeably depending on context.