Queer

An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities that fall outside of heterosexual and cisgender norms. Originally a slur, "queer" was reclaimed by activists in the 1980s and 1990s as a positive, radical, and inclusive identity.

Today, queer is used in several ways:

• As an identity: Someone who identifies as queer may reject more specific labels, or use queer as a political statement about the fluidity of gender and sexuality.
• As an umbrella term: Queer can encompass gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, non-binary, asexual, intersex, and other identities.
• As an academic field: Queer theory examines how society constructs norms around gender and sexuality.

Some people, particularly older generations, still find the word offensive due to its history as a slur. Respect how individuals identify and whether they use or avoid the term.