Published on July 14, 2024, 1:32 am

As we venture further into July, reflecting on June’s Pride Month, it appears to be a fitting time to bid adieu to the term “queer.” The term highlights the convoluted identification string “LGBTQQIA2s+” which has created quite a stir. To those confused, this acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and 2-Spirit+. The “+” is somewhat disputed but it may represent other identities not specified.

This lengthy acronym seemingly irks several gay and bisexual men as they see it as an intrusive attempt of categorizing everyone who does not deem themselves 100% heterosexual. This includes some heterosexuals too! Among these categories the one that rubs certain men up in the wrong way is “Q” or “Queer,” this word had been largely sidelined as tolerance towards homosexuality increased in America and people grew less prone to hurl homophobic jargon at others.

Much like how words such as “homo,” “fag,” and “faggot” are often correlated with their anti-gay bias. However, all these words pale in comparison with “queer” often perceived as the ugliest anti-gay epithet which continues to send chills down the spine of people startled by its harsh connotation.

An emerging idea among gay rights activists suggests that reclaiming the word “queer” could potentially disarm it; changing its negative implication. However, this act seems similar to digging up an old ragged sweatshirt from your college days only to wear it proudly at a swanky dinner party. It surely doesn’t appear like a promising way of dodging scorn about one’s alma mater.

The increasing usage of ‘queer’, particularly among sexually unconventional and left-leaning groups has doubly afflicted its meaning than ever before thereby making them synonymous with varying aspects including BDSM, Polyamory or Kink. It simply has a connotation so ambiguous it fails to provide any clarity and coherence.

Adding more fuel to the ambiguity, groups such as Queers for Palestine featured in New York City’s Pride Parade on June 30. This group seems as perplexing as Salmon for Sushi or Roaches for Raid. In addition, pro-Hamas protesters targeted the pride parade – swiftly breaching security lines to vandalize the Human Rights Campaign’s float and truck with splashes of red paint under the guise of advocating ‘QUEER LIBERATION.’

It has become increasingly evident that revolution eventually does consume its own roots. To simplify, we need a return to representation by just two identifiers that are relevant: Gays (G) and Bisexuals (B), who are sometimes involved with gay partners.

Collectively identifying all these diverse identities using an ever-growing list of acronyms is akin to picturing a giant community where gay men and lesbians band together with other gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders and more in lively harmony – an image that in reality is more hallucination than fact.

Underlying this debate lies one fundamental principle – nobody should be subjected to abuse or oppression. Adult individuals should be free to live their lives how they desire particularly within their personal confines. But it is equally vital to guard the youth from certain “transgender” and “queer” activists who seem eager for child sexualization. Predators planning on perpetrating pedophilia need strict surveillance and punishment.

Further, maintaining gender distinctiveness within domestic domains like female athletics teams, locker rooms, swimming pools and fields must be ensured i.e., areas reserved for women should not include biological males.

Amidst this discussion about “Queer,” Fred Sargeant hit home during a protest back in 2022 waving a sign saying: “Gay, not Queer.” Sargeant encapsulates what many feel disregarded by segments of the Transgender and “Queer” movement for expressing his feelings. Encountering hostility just illustrates further divisions within the group.

As we continue to navigate through this discourse, we can strive for clarity infused with a little humor as depicted by this Venn diagram where commonalities are clearly demarcated. Until then, it seems timely to bring back when “queer” meant merely ‘strange’ or ‘odd’ and did not attempt to encapsulate people’s complex identities under one broad umbrella term.