Category talk:LGBT studies

Is 'queer' derogatory or inclusive?

Most gay people find the word 'queer' extremely offensive. It suggests eccentricity or insanity. 'Queer' is used in a positive way only by a tiny minority of extremists who do not speak for most gay men and lesbians. Therefore, this entire category must be either abolished or renamed. It violates wikipedia's stated policy. Wikipedia:Categorization/Gender, race and sexuality states: 'Terminology must be neutral. Derogatory terms are not to be tolerated in a category name under any circumstances' QUEER IS A DEROGATORY TERM. Skoojal (talk) 07:19, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

"Queer" and "queer studies" are widely used terms in academia and by LGBT organizations. See, e.g., [1]. It's not generally seen as a derogatory term when used in that context, as it is here on Wikipedia. Fireplace (talk) 19:16, 18 May 2008 (UTC)

I don't give a damn if the terms are used in academia and by 'LGBT' organizations. Queer is a derogatory term to normal gay people whatever the context. It's similar to nigger (pardon me for using that word and not a euphemism). Some black people use the word nigger to describe themselves. There was a band called NWA, and that acronym didn't stand for Negroes With Attitude. The fact that some black people use that word does not mean that it is not both derogatory and offensive. Skoojal (talk) 02:10, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

The Wikipedia policy specifically states: 'Derogatory terms are not to be tolerated in a category name under any circumstances.' What part of the word any do you not get? Skoojal (talk) 02:25, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Your language is unnecessarily abrasive. The cultural context of the n-word is very different from the cultural context of the term queer, as is demonstrated by the prevalence of the word among academics, the mainstream media, and mainstream gay rights organizations. As used today in these contexts, queer is not derogatory. Fireplace (talk) 03:27, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

You criticise my language. Consider the context. One of the reasons why some people use a derogatory term like queer to describe themselves is to be deliberately shocking and provocative. Why, then, be surprised if someone chooses to make a shocking and provocative response? As for your claims, yes, there is a tiny group of academics who use the word queer. They do not represent academics in general, thankfully. Your claim that the 'mainstream media' and 'mainstream gay rights organizations' use the term queer positively suggests a word that I won't spell out in full. It begins with the letter B.Skoojal (talk) 03:57, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

A word to my own defense: I identify as 'queer'. This is my sexuality. I am not gay; I am queer. I apologise if my sexuality offends others, but I don't plan to start referring to myself as something other than queer anytime soon. -mcj —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.232.155.240 (talk) 02:53, 13 September 2008 (UTC)

Queer is definitely NOT always a derogatory term. It is used to include everyone, whereas terms like LGBT exclude everyone except those four groups (leaving out intersex, asexual, pansexual, polyamorous, genderqueer, questioning, queer, bigender, etc.) and 'gay' excludes everyone except for homosexual men. Queer is a great word because it not only encompasses the many identities that are 'other'-ed by acronyms, but gives a name to the nameless. I identify as queer because I am attracted to multiple genders, but do not fit under 'pansexual' because I am not attracted to all genders. This gives me a way to describe myself without having to give people more information than I'm comfortable sharing. And I am not part of a tiny group of radical extremists. Queer is becoming very widely used, especially by community groups who wish to express their inclusivity. The only time the word queer is derogatory is when it's used specifically as an insult and that's true of any word. How many times have you had the word 'feminist' spat at you by some angry kid who's sick of 'political correctness'?