Thoughts on the Word "Queer" continued...
From: Peter-Shane (Deaf)
Date: Sat, 7 Sep 1996 07:32:56
LESBIGAYS!
Les - Lesbians
Bi - Bisexuals
Gay - Gays
I don't believe in the usage of "homo's" because it expresses the one-sex relationships - since I'm bi, and I go between both worlds and I don't see bi, homo or hetro as unique - just part of the life itself - accept LESBIGAYS cos it sound cool and unusual! Beside, is it true most gays/lesbo's don't accept us bi's in the gay communitiy because of us having more choices of lovers than gays???
From: Karla Beatty (Deaf)
Date: Sun, 8 Sep 1996 00:12:14
Queer
Queer, Queer, Queer, Queer, QueerI like this Q-word.Thinking of changing my name to Qarla
From: Dennis W. (HH)
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 1996 03:29:01
Drago is Queer!
Drago is the first deafie I ever heard use the word "queer." The year was 1990. I thought she was crazy. Now it's 1996. I still think she's crazy <;-)
From: Lynsey-Jane Morgan (a hearing person that doesn't sign)
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996 06:51:02
IT'S COOL TO BE QUEER!!!
QUEER is a fabulous word; it's non-gender-specific, it avoids the usual clash between gay/bisexual/transgendered/etc. It is an absolutely INCLUSIVE term. When I first came out as a lesbian (the easiest thing for me to identify with at 15 years of age) I knew that the term (lesbian) wasn't really for me. Now, 6 years along the line, I feel much more comfortable with myself and my sexuality and see myself as BIQUEER, so while I absolutely respect the fights of many lesbians and gay men to gain an identity that is strong I choose to cover every possible eventuality. Queer shows that we are not a homogenous community with one voice and one identity, and has the potential to be absolutely sex-positive.
From: Anonymous (HH)
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996 11:20:43
Conformers
I find it fascinating how people are conforming to the use of the dreaded Q-word. One clear example of this is right here in this POV list! Take that dude, Kolenka something. He said he didn't like the word and then you see him later using it in his messages! I sez we stick with the phrase "gay and lesbian"!!! Queer means weird!
From: Raymond (a hearing-signer)
Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 15:28:59
Changing your name
In response to Qarla Beatty -- after picking myself up off the
floor when I was through laughing I have only one thing to say...
Go for it!
Myself...I'm no fan of the Q word, but I'm not violently opposed to it
either. The lesbigay community is, unfortunately, saddled with
several such instances of inadequacy in the english language.
The term "lover" for example...it implies a relationship based only
on sex. "Partner" is too clinical. And "spouse"...well they're
fighting about that on capitol hill right now. So what do we use???
I say use whatever word or sign you want, and screw what everyone
else thinks.
From: T.Woolfe (Deaf)
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 05:41:32
howwwwwl!!!!!
Its interesting to see such a diversity of views from us Queers!
I simply lurve using the word queer. Before when I was at college, I #
was beaten up, repeitiously I was called a Fag, sad, and extremely queer!
It was only when I replied with my comment to one Male machovist, "of course I'm a
bloody beautiful queeeer!" (note that I expressed the word queer
as queeeer!) and god, the look on his face! It was as if I was proud to
be called queer when he has nothing but simple plain words such as erm...
"STRAIGHT" and "HETEROSEXUAL". To a pun, I find it queer that such
straight people are so bothered with pestering us queers!
From: P.T. Schaff (a hearing-signer)
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 1996 18:08:33
Queer, Different, Strange... UNIQUE!!!
I am about as queer as you can get, as I think a lot of young people are today. I am who I am and proud to show it. I am a young (21), gay, self-confident guy who is not like anyone else; and no one is like me. In my mind, EVERYONE interesting is Queer. Especially young people. Who has more problems, more joys, more feelings, and more pride than we do? No one! And if someone thinks they can ridicule me for who I am, they have another thing coming. If you are hesitant to define yourself as "Queer" because it means "different from others", remember most of the world is bigoted, hypocritical, ashamed and lonely. My God, how I enjoy being strange to the world, but happy in myself!
From: Corrigan (a CODA)
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 1996 13:26:29
"acceptance leads to empowerment"
At first the word"queer" when I heard it was a negative. I fought back just as I fight when I hear "fag". But as gay community uses it in a postitive light, queer is another way of saying yes, I am and so what! Got a problem? I think that when words are used to hurt us, or describe negative characteristics on gay people, some begin to feel not worthy. A child may react differently to that word than an adult. Queer is a word that can be fought with positive labels-but in reality, queer is exactly what the word means, just queer. If it becomes part of our everyday life and language, we own it, therefore we are empowered by it. Eventually those who hate gays or any other individuals who are different will find other names or labels to put on us. Empower yourself and surround yourself with people who accept your own concept of being queer.
From: Tiny (Deaf)
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 1996 04:30:52
EH??
I don't understand you queer people. You say you love being called queer, when the other half hate being called queer, saying it is insulting. Is it the same with deaf people, proud to be called dumb, when it really is insulting?? Can I have some feedback?
From: judy (HH)
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 18:43:10
oh! That word.....
When younger and newer to the community the word Queer sounded so calvalier! Sigh, with silver at my temples and contentment with my years it just doesn't seem to apply. But I love the young that go for it.
From: "cam gib" (Deaf)
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 1996 02:49:38
my quick thoughts on this particular silly topic...
Yeah.
That's what I said. It's a silly topic. We're Queer, We're Here, GET USED TO IT. (My apology to ACT-UP members who are always saying that)
I've called myself gay. I've never thought of "fag", unless somebody shouts that to me. When somebody actually does (hasn't been done yet), here's what I'll say:
"Yeah. So?" (with a shrug for effect)
Words are nothing, it's the feelings behind the words. Usually when somebody's calling you "fag", it's usually with anger or disgust. Do what you feel you must do with an angry person. I usually resort to some quick rebuttal with a smile. Some days, that won't work, but hopefully it won't arrive for me, just yet.
Oh well. Can't win everything, and have the cake too.... or did I just mangled up that phrase somehow??
From: DAz (Deaf)
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 1996 03:11:00
Queer or LesBiGay?
Which one do you prefer? Queer or LesBiGay? I think both means unity to me of all sexuality apart from hetrosexuals.
But at the end of the day, what word do you use to say gays lesbians, bisexuals, trangenders, and everyone including straights. I would use - people or humans.
So, who cares what we are called!
(to reply to one comment earlier - is t here any signs for queers in other countries? - yes we do have one in U.K)
From: Sam (a hearing person that doesn't sign)
Date: Wed, 4 Dec 1996 10:11:54
a name for a homophobe
Hi folks! I think we should invent an appropriate name for a
homophobe as well. Let them also agonize about wether to accept
a name like "bed-sheet sniffer" or something worse that that!
It is ironic that insulting names exist for nice people like us,
but no insulting names exist for those who really deserve them.
Something is wrong here... Let's have a competition for the most
insulting name to describe an anti-gay bigot. It should not be a
profanity because it should be publishable in media.
As for 'queer' and 'fag', we should make people understand that
'queer' means 'wonderful' and 'fag' means 'marvellous'. All other
meanings exist only in local dialects among uneducated people.
From: Tom Monroe (a hearing-signer)
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 19:17:19
deaf queer black white man woman WHOCARES
If the aliens came and took us all to a strange planet as slaves or whatever, I believe we would all have one thing in common and it would transcend any and all differences, physical, sexual, religous or whatever. WE WOULD ALL BE FELLOW EARTHLINGS.
From: Jim "cam gib" McDonald (Deaf)
Date: Mon, 9 Dec 1996 13:57:42
RE: sign language on the word "gay" or "queer"...
AH.
Yeah. In American Sign Language, it's the "G" with the finger & thumb pointing towards yourself on the chin.
But in actuality, I've always spelled it out.
There's more but... this is quite enough. OH, BTW, the sign for lesbians: The "L" pointing towards to the chin again,... this time with the "L" sideways, and the side touching the chin. Hard to explain without pictures... of course!
Just throwing in my cheap pennies.
From: Heather (Deaf)
Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 23:04:09
Re: sign language on the word "gay" or "queer"...
It really depends where you are from. If America, it's different in Eastern and Western parts. In Eastern, most deafies fingerspell "gay" while West Coast uses the "g-on-chin" sign. Also "lesbian" is different. On West Coast it is "l-on-chin (with the part between thumb and forefinger being on chin)". On East Coast, this is different. It's usually with "l-on-chin (with the tip of the forefinger on the chin)". Not sure I am making sense!!! Anyway, many countries have own signs, too!
From: Dragonsani Renteria (Deaf)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 21:47:23
Re: Queer Signs
There's some great research done on this topic coming in the next issue of CTN Magazine. The research was done by two grad students at Gallaudet (their thesis project) and is excellent! For those who aren't subscribers of our mag, this paper will undoubtedly make its way into our DQRC Library (at this web site) eventually!
From: Michael (a hearing-signer)
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 13:24:50
Queer Fags
Words are sometimes angry but if you take them to be your own- it
takes the anger away from it.
after using the word "Queer" or "Fag" I usually say
" I only mean that in the worst possible way!!!"
Sometimes people appreciate the joke, sometimes they don't.
I'm all for diversity- I just don't like weirdos of any sort.
I like the word fag as long as they dont describe ME that way-
I'm no sissy- me tough guy!!!!
From: Anonymous (HH)
Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 11:31:53
ASL for "queer"
Since "queer" is provocative, the best ASL sign for it is the same sign for "homosexual". I'd like to see the Deaf community try and make *THAT* sign acceptable!
From: Cathy (a hearing-signer)
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 19:08:40
A New Les..Bi...I mean Queer person...
Well ok, so I just figured out one week ago that I am bi. (I think) so then I read all about the word Queer. I just want to say thanks. Thanks to everyone who wrote a note in this forum. It is really neat to know that I am entering such a proud and supportive community. And KEEP UP THE GREAT SITES!!! It is by visiting this site that I first was able to admit to myself that I was having these feelings. As for naming those homophobes...how about just closeminded-bigots.
From: T.Woolfe (Deaf)
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 05:43:34
COOO EEEEE!
Has anyone heard of the queer brothers?!! Aye, they actually live in
London! Both of them Deaf and proud to be queer, and from DEAF families
Why is it that Deaf children of Deaf parents have more of a tendency
to be fantastically, wonderfully, magically....... queer!??
From: Cheryl Leslie (an Interpreter)
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 17:17:18
What does "Queer" mean anyway?
According to the Random House Dictionary the first meaning of the word "Queer" is "strange or odd from a conventional viewpoint; unusually different; singular; eccentric." So, what's so bad about that!!!
From: Ray Foster (Deaf)
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 1997 17:49:27
I am NOT "Queer"
I am a homosexual by virtue of my innate attraction to people of my own
sex.
I am gay by virtue of having a word my community agrees on to bind us
together in our struggle for equal rights under the law.
But I'll be damned if I'm "Queer". That is such a hurtful, hateful
term. Black people tried to embrace the word "nigger" at one time as an
attempt to remove it's stigma. They realized very quickly the strategy
wouldn't work.
Well, "Queer" doesn't work for gays and lesbians any more than "nigger"
worked for African-Americans.
I'm not going to set myself up for failure by giving bigots permission
to use a hurtful term agains me; a term which, in-turn, puts me in the
context of "Otherness" or "outsider".
I will not be a outsider in my own homeland. I am a part of the
mainstream of this country and if I'm going to shove anything into the
faces of bigots it will be that I am NOT the outsider they wish me to
be. I am a PART of this country just like everyone else is and I would
rather die that allow some bigot to relegate me to the fringes of
society by calling me "queer."
From: Bill G. (HH)
Date: Sun, 9 Feb 1997 16:13:11
Influence
I've noticed that this website has been a big influence. Many deaf gays are now using the word "queer" instead of "gay" because of this website. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I guess I have mixed feelings. I never liked the word "queer" and still don't. I don't believe it is "empowering". It's just another word that has been used to hurt us. Why embrace such a word? Just because hearing people are doing it, doesn't mean deaf have to, too.
From: Karla Parker-Wagner (Deaf)
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 12:12:51
Works for Me
Maybe it is a generation thing, who knows. QUEER works for me, just fine, thank you. Nothing wrong with using that word.
=END=
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