Queer is an umbrella term used for sexual and gender minorities who aren’t heterosexual or cisgender. In the late 19th century the word Queer meant strange or peculiar, queer was used pejoratively against those who had same sex desires or relationships. Around the 1980s the members of Queer Nation, reclaimed the word deliberately provocative and politically radical alternative to the more assimilationist branches of the LGBT community.
According to English language, queer meant “strange”, “odd”, “peculiar” or “eccentric”. It referred to something suspicious or “not quite right”, or a person with mild derangement. Queer includes a feeling of ailing or something questionable or suspicious. In United Kingdom the term “Queer Street” is used for someone who is in financial trouble. An example of this usage by the LGBT community was by an organization called Queer Nation which formed in March 1990. The use and celebration of the word queer is reclamation. Queer is still used as a slur. Dr. Wise says “Back in the day, definitely when I was growing up, the word queer was a derogatory term,” “The reclamation of the word is like, ‘This is who I am. We don’t need to be like everyone else; let’s celebrate our differences, and don’t try to put me in any sort of box of who you need me to be because I’ll continuously try to break down the boxes.” Some LGBTQ folks still prefer to avoid the word queer due to its discriminatory history.
Some Young Queer Celebrities
Miley Cyrus
The 23 year old pop Icon, Miley Cyrus identifies as pansexual. She recently told Elle UK, “I’m very open about it- I’m pansexual. But I’m not in a relationship. I’m 22,I’m going on dates, but I change my style every two weeks, let alone who I’m with. She also explained what Pansexuality is according to her, “ I am literally open to every single thing that is consenting and doesn’t involve an animal and everyone is of age… Everything that’s legal, I’m down with. Yo, I’m down with any adult — anyone over the age of 18 who is down to love me. I don’t relate to being boy or girl and I don’t have to have my partner relate to boy or girl.”
Lady Gaga
Queen Lady Gaga is a great supporter to the queer community. In a candid interview in 2013 with LGBTQ+ icon Andy Cohen she broke her sexuality down, and said “I like girls. I’ve said that (before). I know people think I just say things to be shocking, but I actually do like pussy. It just depends on whose pussy it is… It’s similar to how I feel about guys”
Evan Rachel
Evan Rachel Wood discussed her bisexuality, boldly tweeting, “Bisexual people are the largest single group within the LGBT community, yet we are hardly recognized. I can assure you that whatever ‘straight privilege’ I sometimes get accused of having, gets erased by #biphobia. ”
Amber Heard
Amber Heard has been open about her sexuality despite of the attacks from the LGBTQ+ community when she left her girlfriend, photographer Tasya Van Ree and began her relationship with Johnny Depp. She said, “I don’t want to have to deny my sexuality in order to be me. But I don’t want to have to be defined by it… I’m fundamentally opposed to trying to edit myself to be palatable or popular. I don’t give a f—. I fight, but I shouldn’t have to.”
Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller told his advocate why it was important for him to come out as “queer” rather than “gay”. He said “It’s generational in the way that that term is newly available in a certain way… I think it feels the most open and inclusive and that’s what makes it apply for me personally.The actor went on to note, I think there are a lot of people who fall on this open spectrum of sexuality… My friends and I use that word as an all-encompassing banner and for every human being. There should be an ongoing question and investigation of who you love and everything that’s involved with that very tricky and beautiful thing.”