tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472400923228993687.post7042349875690265210..comments2024-03-26T16:19:11.382-07:00Comments on Crossdreamers: What "queer" means and why it is such a useful wordSally Molayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02015510914816971645noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472400923228993687.post-16408846040905369392022-09-24T04:07:35.298-07:002022-09-24T04:07:35.298-07:00What I like about more nebulous language is that i...What I like about more nebulous language is that it allows you to identify that you are different without locking you in. This is probably most useful and relevant when you are still searching but perhaps cannot precisely verbalize it. A term like "queer" might fit the bill until something better comes along.joannaShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07470526724889188451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2472400923228993687.post-49513310311470085412022-09-23T09:43:44.028-07:002022-09-23T09:43:44.028-07:00Excellent points, Jack. 50 years ago when I was in...Excellent points, Jack. 50 years ago when I was in HS we certainly used "queer" as a slur. In hindsight I don't feel bad about it. As far as I know none of us threw any such slights at the one or two seemingly gay boys in our school. We were just kids trying on our independence and wanting the validation of the group. Heck, we even used to describe police as "pigs" which was a leftover from the 60s. <br /><br />I love this: "How can you use a slur to describe a group of people that is constantly bullied, harassed and invalidated? The answer: Because we can." I think that our use of the word is like telling those who'd use it as a slur that we really don't care that they are so ignorant. <br /><br />I must admit, though, that when one of my best friends (a cis lesbian) says, "Cheers queers!" when we toast each other, I love it and I cringe internally a little. Its use as a slur is hard for me to forget. Emma Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10531144162442571276noreply@blogger.com