Who is Queer?

[Equinoxe]

I wonder; now that many young people use the word "gay" to mean something stupid or undesirable, would those who object to "queer" counsel that we abandon it as well?

Touché. I'm actually all for it though. I can't think of a single term used that has particular merit. Even the ones I use.

 

[Queersetti]

We should define ourselves. But we should define ourselves based upon the naturally (for lack of a better word) occurring differences that exist. Instead of defining ourselves in opposition to straight people. Perhaps the difference is semantic though. I'm prone to that.

This must be where we are talking past each other.

That sounds like six of one and half a dozen of the other to me.

 

[Pookie]

There's definitely something to be said for that and as I said a part of me definitely wants to agree with you. But as I said, based upon the whole of the definition from a societal perspective (which is perhaps foolish on my part anyhow) the word queer has a neutral-to-negative connotation and I think any label you grant to yourself has a certain public relations function. Hence I guess I would prefer, when labelling a group as a whole, to use a term that was not questionable and then leave the individualism to the individuals.

Perhaps I'm just being to accomodating to society as whole though.

I don't know of any label I could apply to my sexual orientation that wouldn't have a negative connotation added to it by many within society. Words are just words. It's the intent of their usage that matters.

I posted this on the GB last May. I think it applies to what I'm saying now ...

"Bad words. That's what they told us they were, remember? 'That's a bad word.' 'Awwww.' There are no bad words. Bad thoughts, bad intentions, ... and words. " - George Carlin

I remember some discussions a while back in the AH about words that are viewed as offensive. For example, the word "bitch" is one of them. I have been called that in the heat of an argument quite a few times. However, some of my friends and I "affectionately" use that word with each other. It's about context and intent.

I enjoy writing erotic stories. Sometimes I've found myself in situations where I needed to choose a word for the appropriate effect I wanted. The word "cunt" gives mixed reactions when it's used. Some people hate the sound of it because of the connotations behind it. However, others find it erotic when used at the right moment. Again, it's about context and intent.

To me, this thread seems to be more about labels. I personally don't let labels bother me too much. We are labeled at birth by our parents. We are labeled throughout life ... good or bad. Some people just don't like certain labels because of the connotations behind the word used. So they prefer to use another word. But then at some point, that word takes on the same connotations. So, we look for another word to use in its place. It's not the words that hurt, it's the intent and context in which they're used in.

Words are what we make of them. No more, no less.

"I love words. I thank you for hearing my words. I want to tell you something about words that I uh, I think is important. I love..as I say, they're my work, they're my play, they're my passion. Words are all we have really. " - George Carlin

Some people might say that using the word "crackers" is equivalent to using the word "niggers." Well ...

[image of the Atlanta Crackers professional baseball team]

... I would reply that it's definitely all about context and intent.

https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=8374455&highlight=Carlin#post8374455

 

[sexy-girl]

But they're not maisntream. They're 'alternate lifestle' i think is the correct term.

exactly their sexuality is straight and their "alternative lifestyle" mean's they can identify themselves as "queer"

which is excatly what i said i quite like the word queer because straight people can also identify themselves as queer

when i said straight people i thought it was obvious i was refering to their sexuality otherwise it would be an oxymoron


you're hard work to debate with sometimes stuponfucious but i've enjoyed your postings on here tonight

 

[Equinoxe]

This must be where we are talking past each other.

That sounds like six of one and half a dozen of the other to me.

I think you're right and we're arguing the same basic point in different ways. Which would make this discussion rather funny.

 

[Pookie]

I wonder; now that many young people use the word "gay" to mean something stupid or undesirable, would those who object to "queer" counsel that we abandon it as well?

Spot on.

 

[Never]

We just need to call ourselves normal and everyone we don't like 'nilla.

 

[Equinoxe]

I don't know of any label I could apply to my sexual orientation that wouldn't have a negative connotation added to it by many within society. Words are just words. It's the intent of their usage that matters.

I posted this on the GB last May. I think it applies to what I'm saying now ...

On an individual basis I absolutely agree with you, I'll use the words that I want to use to refer to what I want to refer to. But when referring to a group, I'm reticent to do so.

 

[Queersetti]

Touché. I'm actually all for it though. I can't think of a single term used that has particular merit. Even the ones I use.

I think we most likely agree that there is no one term that can successfully encompass the integral nature of any group of people.

 

[John Doe]

I think we most likely agree that there is no one term that can successfully encompass the integral nature of any group of people.

Human.

 

[Pookie]

On an individual basis I absolutely agree with you, I'll use the words that I want to use to refer to what I want to refer to. But when referring to a group, I'm reticent to do so.

I can appreciate your feelings.

 

[Equinoxe]

We just need to call ourselves normal and everyone we don't like 'nilla.

I was thinking Superbs. Women would be Miss Superbs, Men Mr Superbs.

 

[Never]

Human.

That will work until the aliens come or the dolphins grow opposable thumbs.

 

[Equinoxe]

I think we most likely agree that there is no one term that can successfully encompass the integral nature of any group of people.

More than likely there are no such terms. But for whatever reason I'm less fond of the terms used for the GLBT community (they're either based on old stereotypes, historically inaccurate information, or overly dry and scientific) than others.

 

[Equinoxe]

Human.

Speak for yourself.

 

[Equinoxe]

I can appreciate your feelings.

And I can appreciate your feelings.

 

[Queersetti]

I think you're right and we're arguing the same basic point in different ways. Which would make this discussion rather funny.

I think it's been a great discussion.

And, it's speeding you toward your avatar, isn't it?

 

[John Doe]

That will work until the aliens come or the dolphins grow opposable thumbs.

Heh, "aliens come", heheh...

 

[Equinoxe]

I think it's been a great discussion.

And, it's speeding you toward your avatar, isn't it?

Oh no, you've uncovered my entire reason for arguing. I am found out.

 

[glamorilla]

we all go through an "i'm queer" phase.

it's an important part of our growth.

 

[Queersetti]

Human.

Have you been to the AmPics Forum?

 

[Raimondin]

Maybe the word "Queer" is a better term than Gay.

It's true lots of young people today use "gay" to mean something totally unrelated to homosexuality.

I always interpreted "queer" as a word that meant "something different", which doesn't have to necessarily mean something bad.

 

[John Doe]

Have you been to the AmPics Forum?

Not if I can help it, and apparently that's still a good idea.

How bad is it though? Too much hair? Extra fingers and toes? Flippers?

 

[Netzach]

People who are in the BDSM scene aren't striaght, they're into BDSM.

Some of them are. Some of them want nothing whatsoever to do with the damn homos.

 

[John Doe]

Some of them are. Some of them want nothing whatsoever to do with the damn homos.

Straight in BDSM slang refers to those not into the BDSM scene, so by definition anyone into the BDSM scene is not straight. That's why i said they're not straight because they're into BDSM.