How The Word “Queer” Turned From A
Written By Kane Chiu
Given that many of the terms we use now were unavailable to individuals in the past, researching LGBTQ+ history may be extremely challenging. Because these labels did not previously exist, many archives appear to be devoid of content that includes the descriptors Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Trans. However, as time passes and our understanding of LGBT history grows, our vocabulary and terminology evolve.
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The term "queer" is not believed to have been used in reference to a person's identity until 1894. During Oscar Wilde's infamous 1895 trial, a letter from the Marquis of Queensberry expressing his distaste at Wilde's connection with his son Lord Alfred Douglas was read aloud in court, in which he refers to Wilde and other homosexual males of the time as 'Snob Queers'. It is thought that this is when the term "queer" first appeared, and the attention given to Wilde and the criminal prosecution during this period only served to increase its infamy. In particular, the term "queer," a negative word that refers to homosexuality, didn't start to be used more often in society until 1914.
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The term "Queer" was being reclaimed by activists and community organizations in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, and it was becoming more and more frequent in popular culture. For instance, American HIV/AIDS activists transformed into Queer Nation in 1990, an organization devoted to battling for LGBT visibility and rights. Given the years during which it had such negative connotations, not everyone feels as though they can reclaim the term "queer," but it has quickly developed into an umbrella term for the LGBT community, incorporating within it a number of non-heteronormative identities and sexualities. Because of this, the term "queer" is now frequently used to describe people who do not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
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Image of the progress pride flag
Gender and Sexual Diversity
Written By Kane Chiu
A general phrase known as "gender diversity" is used to refer to gender identities that show a range of expression outside of the binary terms "male" or "female," "man" or "woman." Without having to name each of the identities, behaviors, or features that make up this plurality, it refers to all the differences in sex characteristics, sexual orientations, and gender identities. Most people are classified and identified as "female" or "boy" from birth. Doctors, family members, professors, and anyone who presumes to know our gender identity are the ones who classify us. Until at least our teens or later into adulthood, we are typically not given much freedom to investigate or debate these notions as youngsters. Many people do not identify with or fit cleanly into categories of "male" or "female," much like many situations we have in life when we are improperly pigeonholed or put in a box of "this" or "that".
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In addition to transgender and transexual persons, genderfluid people, and others, sexual diversity also includes intersex people, those born with a variety of traits that fall somewhere between those of a woman and a man. Finally, sexual variety also includes asexuals, who lack interest in sexual behavior, as well as gay persons and anybody else who believes that their identity is ill-defined. Social acceptance of sexual variety is defined as the ability to be unique while yet enjoying equal rights, liberties, and opportunities within the framework of human rights. During Pride Parades, sexual diversity is made more visible in many nations.
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