Gender language

Yes many lesbians and gay men are very uncomfortable with the word queer. Cant believe people arent aware of that.

But it isn't a word that is used now purely to define someone who is homosexual. For many people it is a blanket term that covers every sort of gender and sexual identity that is not what might be described as straight i.e heterosexual. Of course some people will not like or want to use it. Does anyone seriously think that all homosexual people think alike? But for a substantial number of people it identifies and unites a whole range of people.

Ah, but we shouldn't assume that a substantial number is enough to represent all.

Oh I think its definitely used to cover straight people as well. No I dont think all gay people think alike that's why I didnt use the word all.

Because that would be thinking that homosexuals all think alike, wouldn't it?

It’s just crossed my mind that I use the word a lot.
I often say there's nought so queer as folk ?

My nan used to say she "came over all queer" in the night, so she put her best nighty on, in case she died.

Originally queer meant 'strange' and I still associate it with that and as a derogatory term for homosexuals, so I'd never use it myself. Enid Blyton uses the word 'queer' in her books meaning strange and I used to read them as a child.

I don't really like 'gay' either as it simply meant happy or jolly which was nice. But I guess it's the best word available. Is there anything wrong with saying homosexual or heterosexual which is the correct term?

Chestnut - my view too.

My next door neighbours have said that they find being addressed as "queer" as very offensive. As they do "gay". They're just 2 men. They don't need any other qualifying descriptions.

Gender is either Male or Female except for a tiny number with both charisteristics, Straight, LGBTQ+ are all lifestyle choices not gender

Are “queer” people always homosexual or are they just peculiar to whatever lifestyle they lead.

Genderqueer.
People who don't ascribe to either gender nor something or other else. (I can't remember)

Katie 59 I think it's now LGBTQIA. Keep up! Can they think of any more to add I wonder?

I don’t want to be picky, Kate59, but straight, gay or bi are sexualities, not lifestyle choices or genders.

Chestnut

*Katie 59* I think it's now LGBTQIA. Keep up! Can they think of any more to add I wonder?

“I” intersex having male and female physical characteristics, a very small number

“A” Asexual, not having sexual feelings, this probably covers a large number of both male and female individuals, who may well have had sexual feelings in the past

Must say I’m nostalgic for the days when the word ‘gender’ was associated almost exclusively with the French, German and Latin nouns I had to learn.

Me too, Witzend !