How do you feel about the term 'queer'?

[Magenta]

I'm just curious about the opinions of the rest of the LGBTQA+ community. 'Queer' is a controversial term because for a long time it was used as a slur. I feel that any minority can take back whatever words they want for themselves so I don't really think it's that awful.

Personally, I've just decided to identify as queer. My romantic and sexual orientations are different and like, sure, if someone asks then duh, I'll tell them. But if it comes up and no one wants the specifics it's a pain in the butt to be like "oh yeah I'm a biromantic demisexual". Mouthful much? So 'queer' just feels... more appropriate. I'm not heteronormative, it's an umbrella term, end of story.

Anyone for or against the use of the term? It's a touchy subject and I never use the term to describe other people unless that's how they identify themselves just in case someone finds it insulting and all. Anyone else?

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

It depends on the context, one would react differently from a psychiatrist asking them if they were queer, than some douchebag asking them if they were queer.

Although queer has negative connotations, because it also means "strange or unusual" and can also be used as a verb meaning "To spoil or ruin (an agreement, event or situation)".

Honestly, if things keep going the way they're going, it'll be like the slang term "nigga" where people find it offensive if someone OUTSIDE the loop uses it, while nearly everyone INSIDE the loop uses it with no consequences.

[Wafflenado]

I think we should stop using it because it just sounds...disgusting. Ew, don't call me queer, that sounds awful. Just call me gay or what have you, not queer. That might be my second least favorite sounding word under moist (I cringed when I typed that word).

Also isn't it kind of queer to use queer lol? I don't think I've ever heard someone use that term around here. Where do people use it?

[Magenta]

All really good points. I dunno, I kinda like that the term originally meant something was unusual. Though that's my personal opinion of liking the fact I'm me and I may be different but so what? But I can see why people might think it isolating and still painting the community as something "weird" or "unnatural".

But that last bit, I agree entirely. While personally, I wouldn't care if someone was like "yo, you're so queer" 'cause uh, well, duh, it's true that if it's not your term to use, you probably shouldn't. Especially when heteronormative people use it in the wrong context.

But I'm interested to see the responses to the poll. I thought more people would say that it shouldn't be used because that's the general consensus I've seen in the past but that appears to not be the case here.

I think we should stop using it because it just sounds...disgusting. Ew, don't call me queer, that sounds awful. Just call me gay or what have you, not queer. That might be my second least favorite sounding word under moist (I cringed when I typed that word).

Also isn't it kind of queer to use queer lol? I don't think I've ever heard someone use that term around here. Where do people use it?

See, the only problem I have is that 'gay' isn't an umbrella term. I'm not gay. I spend a lot of time joking about how gay I am but I'm not gay by definition. I'm gonna pretend you didn't bring up the word 'moist' just because... ick. But I see your point.

It's pretty common where I live? Like that's why I've seen a fair bit of debate. A lot of people I know do use 'queer' as their identity and other people disagree with the usage. I'm from Toronto, moved to London a couple years ago. Toronto has a pretty large queer and LGBTQA+ community. I mean, the Q stands for 'queer' so I'm not sure why it's such a debate.

I used to hate the word too. It just... bugged me. But I warmed up to it once I found a community more willing to accept the term and figured it actually suited me best.

[Wafflenado]

The funny thing is since I know what it means, I wouldn't really be offended by it because I am weird, and not necessarily because I'm gay.

But If I didn't know what it meant, I'd probably be offended by it solely because it sounds like a pig squealing as well as another word that instead has an f at the end. It just sounds like an insult, you know?

[Babs]

I use queer quite often to describe my sexual orientation, as do my sisters. Or to refer to the LGBTQIA+ community (queer community, queer people, etc.) but I don't use it that way unless I know whatever non-straight people there aren't offended by it. It's a nice umbrella term, I think. And it's better that we use it in a positive light than have homophobes still have the negative power in the word, if that makes sense.

[Thunderstorm]

I identify as gay, and I do not take queer offensively. It's used many different ways kind of like the word 'retarded'.
Example: The growth rates for stocks this quarter were terribly retarded.
Example: That type of writing is very queer.
It's ok with me. Faggot on the other hand...don't even get me started...

[Magenta]

The funny thing is since I know what it means, I wouldn't really be offended by it because I am weird, and not necessarily because I'm gay.

But If I didn't know what it meant, I'd probably be offended by it solely because it sounds like a pig squealing as well as another word that instead has an f at the end. It just sounds like an insult, you know?

Maybe I'm biased because I'm a former English lit major. It was basically regular vocabulary to me. And I don't really associate the original definition with the terminology nowadays. Words and their meanings morph. I mean, nerd was the biggest insult in like... the 90s and early 2000s and now it's like the most affectionate term some people use for their friends (totally not comparing 'nerd' and 'queer', just putting it out there as the first example off the top of my head).

[Wafflenado]

See, the only problem I have is that 'gay' isn't an umbrella term. I'm not gay. I spend a lot of time joking about how gay I am but I'm not gay by definition.

I was talking about me personally, but I'm not really a fan of umbrella terms because they kind of lump such a vast and diverse array of sexualities and romantic inclinations. I feel like that makes it harder for people to understand the lgbtqa community, and that we aren't just all "gay" or...*gulp*...queer

I wish we didn't need to label ourselves at all though honestly

And actually I believe the q is for questioning, at least, that's what I've read.

[Elysium]

I use the term to identify myself. It's more eloquent than saying, "not straight." It's the perfect general, catchall term for me right now.

[Magenta]

And actually I believe the q is for questioning, at least, that's what I've read.

That's actually news to me. Here it's queer. But that makes a lot of sense too and tbh, there are so many LGBTQA+ acronyms that I'm pretty sure I've seen ones with multiple As and Qs and a few extra Ts so who even knows?

[Uranus]

Straight up.... Fuck the word. Fuck it. It's not a good practice to use, nor should it be used or encouraged.

[SethfromMI]

I said it was a slur because let's be honest. 9/10 if not more, when it is being used, it is being used as a slur or some sort of negative way

[Magenta]

Straight up.... Fuck the word. Fuck it. It's not a good practice to use, nor should it be used or encouraged.

Yes but why do you think this? I see a lot of people with this reaction with no other reason than "it's a bad word" which can be said for a lot of things.

I'm just curious.

I said it was a slur because let's be honest. 9/10 if not more, when it is being used, it is being used as a slur or some sort of negative way

Believe it or not, so was the term "ginger" a few generations ago and now look at the number of people who use it and it's just another word.

[SethfromMI]

Yes but why do you think this? I see a lot of people with this reaction with no other reason than "it's a bad word" which can be said for a lot of things.

I'm just curious.



Believe it or not, so was the term "ginger" a few generations ago and now look at the number of people who use it and it's just another word.

yea, but some still use the term ginger negatively, which is why I would personally not use that term to describe someone, even if it is not meant in a mean way. I totally get where you are coming form though

[phuckphace]

don't care

[Danny_boi 16]

I don't like the word. I'd prefer no one use the word, unless in artistic writing. But if member of the community want to use it, then let individuals police themselves.

[Faolan]

^What Danny boi 16 said. I personally don't like identifying as "queer" because the word seems weird and distant to me. A lot of people use it, and I get that, but I guess I would rather not label myself at all.

[James Dean]

Not offended by it. Doesn't mean that other people wouldn't be so I'm neutral.

[Desuetude]

I don't think it should be seen as an insult, it's a good umbrella term for anyone in the LGBT+ community and, like you said, it's so much easier to state that you're genderqueer/ queer sexuality-wise than to go into detail which 19/20 people won't understand because most people recognise the term.

I think now it's more like the word gay in terms of use. It use to be used as an insult but the community has brought it back somewhat; I don't hear it being thrown around that much anymore. Plus queer not in LGBT+ context use to mean weird or strange anyway, so if you just take that as a compliment then dickheads that intend for it to offend have nothing.

[Becca029]

to each her own i say

[Wyatt 13]

I dont like label people in any way

[Karkat]

I was talking about me personally, but I'm not really a fan of umbrella terms because they kind of lump such a vast and diverse array of sexualities and romantic inclinations. I feel like that makes it harder for people to understand the lgbtqa community, and that we aren't just all "gay" or...*gulp*...queer

I wish we didn't need to label ourselves at all though honestly

And actually I believe the q is for questioning, at least, that's what I've read.

But umbrella terms are so necessary, I don't think you understand

Imagine if the only color words that existed were basics like red, green, blue, orange, yellow, pink, and purple

Imagine if your favorite color was teal. Not blue, not green, TEAL. But the word teal didn't exist! So you had to describe it as a bluish greenish mid-toned color leaning more towards green

...Really. And now imagine having to explain it to everyone who asked what your favorite color was in a universe where people asked it OFTEN.

And THEN imagine people who don't understand what you mean, or insist that you should just say blue, or green BUT THESE ARE NOT YOUR FAVORITE COLOR AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU INSIST, PEOPLE ALWAYS GO "So I should buy you blue things, right?"

WRONG

Nooooooow take the added irritation of having people heckle you

...And tell you that color doesn't exist. That you're an idiot, and you're wrong for liking that color.

Now go back into the mindset of sexual orientation and remember that this is a thing you CANNOT CHANGE and, seeing as most people probably weren't aware in the first place, it's safe to say you weren't, and that this word/clump of words you came by took years of research and realization to come to and, as the alka-seltzer boy would say (plop plop, fizz fizz?) "OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS."

Now, like teal, more people are gonna know what queer means. And it's shorter. And let's just face it, in a world where LGBT relationships and sex are practically underground.... It's necessary.

Not to mention that, no offense, it's really kinda dumb to dismiss a word that people kinda rely on on the grounds that A. It doesn't apply to you, and B. It sounds like "queef". (Yes, I said it. Shit stops bothering you when you grow up. Believe me.)

I use the term to identify myself. It's more eloquent than saying, "not straight." It's the perfect general, catchall term for me right now.

Exactly this. I either use queer or roll my eyes and groan loudly in contempt at the asker, and queer sounds a lot better.

I dont like label people in any way

Well I mean certain labels are kinda necessary. That's how humans organize, how they process information- through categorization.

It's a lot easier to have words for things than to not, because either way, people will be dicks however they can.

[Magenta]

But umbrella terms are so necessary, I don't think you understand

Imagine if the only color words that existed were basics like red, green, blue, orange, yellow, pink, and purple

Imagine if your favorite color was teal. Not blue, not green, TEAL. But the word teal didn't exist! So you had to describe it as a bluish greenish mid-toned color leaning more towards green

...Really. And now imagine having to explain it to everyone who asked what your favorite color was in a universe where people asked it OFTEN.

And THEN imagine people who don't understand what you mean, or insist that you should just say blue, or green BUT THESE ARE NOT YOUR FAVORITE COLOR AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU INSIST, PEOPLE ALWAYS GO "So I should buy you blue things, right?"

WRONG

Nooooooow take the added irritation of having people heckle you

...And tell you that color doesn't exist. That you're an idiot, and you're wrong for liking that color.

Now go back into the mindset of sexual orientation and remember that this is a thing you CANNOT CHANGE and, seeing as most people probably weren't aware in the first place, it's safe to say you weren't, and that this word/clump of words you came by took years of research and realization to come to and, as the alka-seltzer boy would say (plop plop, fizz fizz?) "OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS."

Now, like teal, more people are gonna know what queer means. And it's shorter. And let's just face it, in a world where LGBT relationships and sex are practically underground.... It's necessary.

Not to mention that, no offense, it's really kinda dumb to dismiss a word that people kinda rely on on the grounds that A. It doesn't apply to you, and B. It sounds like "queef". (Yes, I said it. Shit stops bothering you when you grow up. Believe me.)


This whole post is brilliant. I had a conversation with some friends last night when we were out for dinner and they both dislike the word and basically said just don't apply it to them. And I'm like okay, that's fair. But then we got talking and started laughing about how people are like "don't say queer, you should say LGBTQA+".

Have you ever said LGBTQA+ out loud? It sounds like I'm describing myself as a barcode. It makes sense written down but as a label? Lol.

[Lovelife090994]

Queer is an old word, possibly even old English and it was used for anything different or out of the norm. Gays are queer, because we are not the norm of heterosexuality. Queer can also mean ominous. The air felt dank with a sickening smell and gave a queer air. The man is homosexual and is queer from the norm of heterosexuality.

[David_L2]

usually use "gay", don't think "queer" is bad, but do find it gets tossed around more in a negative way

[Dennis98]

Not offensive at all ... In basics of freedom of speech there would be freedom of hate ... How can you call some country "democratic" with freedom of speech , it you aren't able to express your own opinion about something , then , that's not freedom of speech , then , it is imposition of other opinion , in that case , how can you call it freedom of speech ?! ... But everything has borders ; All until freedom of hate doesn't call on killing or destroying one "special society" , then it should be allowed ... So , I'll take my own example ; I really don't have problem if someone hates Muslims , for example ... I am Muslim , if you hate Muslims , you must hate me , too , and I don't have that problem , all until you and your sympathizers don't call on killing and destroying Muslim society , until that , I don't have problem ... I love more when someone sincere and express own opinion , even if it is negative towards me , than duplicity or hypocrisy ..

[LITTLEANGEL19]

It doesn't bother me but I would not use it, I prefer to say gay

[Elysium]

usually use "gay", don't think "queer" is bad, but do find it gets tossed around more in a negative way

It doesn't bother me but I would not use it, I prefer to say gay
And for people who aren't gay? For asexuals, bisexuals, demisexuals, pansexuals, etc., not to mention those whose romantic orientations differ from their sexual ones? Take me, for example; I could identify as biromantic asexual or homoromantic asexual. First of all, that's a long label that I don't care to use every day and explain to everyone and second of all, I'm not entirely sure about or comfortable with either. What I am confident in is that I'm not straight one way or the other, and that's something that people understand reasonably well. That's exactly what the term "queer" does; it puts me into the category of people who aren't heterosexual, which is usually all that people need to know. But it also affords me a great deal of leniency in my sexuality, which I feel comfortable with, given my uncertainty. This is why I identify as queer.

[DoodleSnap]

I wouldn't mind anyone using to describe themselves, but I personally wouldn't call myself that, simply because I find it an ugly word.

[scottishguy]

I feel like the term "queer" describes a type of person and style rather than who someone is attracted to; it's not often used to describe masculine gay men or feminine lesbians.

[Magenta]

I feel like the term "queer" describes a type of person and style rather than who someone is attracted to; it's not often used to describe masculine gay men or feminine lesbians.

Queer is an umbrella term. So it's not meant to be specific about who you're attracted to, just that you're not necessarily cisheteronormative. I think you're mistaking it with other terms, like "femme" or "butch" or (for those who like the term) "dyke".

"Femme" typically refers to a feminine lesbian, or a "lipstick lesbian". I use the term "femme" for myself because I present as typically feminine.

Those terms actually fall into an entirely different category than "queer" does.

I honestly don't know what terms gay men use because I'm not a gay man. But I think that's what you're thinking of, not the term "queer".

[Seth Green]

I know this is bad, especially if I accidentally do it around someone who doesn't know me, but I use all the homophobic slurs on myself and my friends constantly, I'm doing it ironically but still.

[LiamC]

I don't know if it's because I'm not easily offended, but I'm not bothered. It's just a word. If backwarss straight people decide to use it as a slur against us, it just says more about their narrow mindedness and stupidity than anything, quite frankly.

[lonely_gay_boy]

I get offended by it if they are calling me or a friend a queer, or if i dont kbow they person that is using the term.

[gothy]

I honestly only ever heard my lesbian teacher use that word. She LOVED it. She made me change all my uses of homosexual to queer on my pro gay marriage essay. Which i don't know if i agree with her, it seemed kind of a derogatory term for a pro gay marriage essay. But shes the one marking me . XD

[Meh Guy]

I understand its meaning and how it's used today in a more, useful fashion. However, I really don't like the word. Not just in the way of someone calling me that. I mean I don't like the sound or the look or anything about it.

[Excalibur]

Ever since I watched this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnOJgDW0gPI), and before actually, I thought of "queer", when used as discriminating against the LGBT community (or any community), a huge insult. It is defined as: "strange, odd" and I don't think that gay, bi, lesbian, transgender, or really any people should ever be taken in that light. They're just as much of a person as everyone else. Just think about it. When you hear "queer" do you ever think of it as a positive comment? Do you think of it as normal, accepted, or at all okay? No. No one should EVER be called "Queer", no matter what people mean by it. But hey, that's just my opinion.

[Bull]

I honestly only ever heard my lesbian teacher use that word. She LOVED it. She made me change all my uses of homosexual to queer on my pro gay marriage essay. Which i don't know if i agree with her, it seemed kind of a derogatory term for a pro gay marriage essay. But shes the one marking me . XD

Excuse me? She made you change the term just because of her personal preference? She should stick to correcting grammar, punctuation, etc. and leave word choice (when it is correct) to the writer. :mad:

[gothy]

Excuse me? She made you change the term just because of her personal preference? She should stick to correcting grammar, punctuation, etc. and leave word choice (when it is correct) to the writer. :mad:

I know. She was a very opinionated teacher. Lol XD

[Karkat]

Ever since I watched this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnOJgDW0gPI), and before actually, I thought of "queer", when used as discriminating against the LGBT community (or any community), a huge insult. It is defined as: "strange, odd" and I don't think that gay, bi, lesbian, transgender, or really any people should ever be taken in that light. They're just as much of a person as everyone else. Just think about it. When you hear "queer" do you ever think of it as a positive comment? Do you think of it as normal, accepted, or at all okay? No. No one should EVER be called "Queer", no matter what people mean by it. But hey, that's just my opinion.

Gay, lesbian, tranny, dyke, etc etc etc can all have negative connotations when used in the wrong context, should we stop using those as well?

[Excalibur]

Gay, lesbian, tranny, dyke, etc etc etc can all have negative connotations when used in the wrong context, should we stop using those as well?

I think they can be used to some extent, because sometimes they AREN'T taking as a negative connotation, but queer is the huge majority of the time, if not always, taking in a negative context. But gay, lesbian, tranny, etc. are all just ways of notifying that they're the way they are. People who are actually homosexuals do call themselves gay and lesbian, and I have heard transgenders call themselves trannys. But have you ever heard someone say "I'm queer", at least in a homosexual manner? Doubtful. Also I was specifically talking about the word "Queer" in my post, not all those other words, so I never discounted those words. Yes, they CAN have negative connotations, but I think if it's only used or thought of as a negative term, it shouldn't really be used at all. But there's not really anything we can do about that, we can't remove any words from the English language, people can still form that word with their mouths and understand it, so there's not much use arguing about it.

[Dutchstranger18]

Don`t think it`s insulting. Some people feel offended way to fast

[phuckphace]

since we're having such a long thread about one word...

queer - Etymology

From Scots, perhaps from Middle Low German (Brunswick dialect) queer (“oblique, off-center”), related to German quer (“diagonally”), from Old High German twerh (“oblique”), from Proto-Indo-European *twerk- (“to turn, twist, wind”). Related to thwart.

Somewhere in Europe, 4000 B.C.: "Gunther is twerking with the thralls again. What a queer!"

if only they'd known how offensive their new word would someday be :(

[Magenta]

I think they can be used to some extent, because sometimes they AREN'T taking as a negative connotation, but queer is the huge majority of the time, if not always, taking in a negative context. But gay, lesbian, tranny, etc. are all just ways of notifying that they're the way they are. People who are actually homosexuals do call themselves gay and lesbian, and I have heard transgenders call themselves trannys. But have you ever heard someone say "I'm queer", at least in a homosexual manner? Doubtful. Also I was specifically talking about the word "Queer" in my post, not all those other words, so I never discounted those words. Yes, they CAN have negative connotations, but I think if it's only used or thought of as a negative term, it shouldn't really be used at all. But there's not really anything we can do about that, we can't remove any words from the English language, people can still form that word with their mouths and understand it, so there's not much use arguing about it.

You're basically only reinforcing that it's a slur by fighting so much for it to be a "BAD" word. There are a lot of bad words out there that have lost their meaning because communities take them back or they've become so casual they're not insults anymore. If people keep going "no it's bad don't say that!!!" every time they hear something, it just reinforces the idea that we should be offended by it when I see nothing to be offended by.

I think you're also missing the entire queer community here. Uh, yeah, we all use the word and say "hey I'm queer". It's the same as the LGBTQA+ community, just a different term but it is actually very common given that a lot of us don't feel like reciting the alphabet to identify ourselves. You also missed a number of people here who have openly said "hey I'm queer" so your argument that no one calls themselves that is invalid (if it were true, this thread wouldn't even exist).

I'm just pointing some facts out. You can't argue that the others are all okay and this one word isn't because no one uses it when there is literally an entire community that uses it in its name.

[Karkat]

I think they can be used to some extent, because sometimes they AREN'T taking as a negative connotation, but queer is the huge majority of the time, if not always, taking in a negative context. But gay, lesbian, tranny, etc. are all just ways of notifying that they're the way they are. People who are actually homosexuals do call themselves gay and lesbian, and I have heard transgenders call themselves trannys. But have you ever heard someone say "I'm queer", at least in a homosexual manner? Doubtful. Also I was specifically talking about the word "Queer" in my post, not all those other words, so I never discounted those words. Yes, they CAN have negative connotations, but I think if it's only used or thought of as a negative term, it shouldn't really be used at all. But there's not really anything we can do about that, we can't remove any words from the English language, people can still form that word with their mouths and understand it, so there's not much use arguing about it.

I actually know a lot of people who prefer to call themselves queer, myself included.

No need to act so self-righteous about it all, I was asking a simple question.

[Abyssal Echo]

Even though I'm gay I don't use the word queer to describe myself.
Since I am weird, odd, unusual, ect which is what the word means
people using the term queer doesn't bother me.

[cookiemonstermatt]

I don't like it at all. it's a political term and nobody owns me. They aren't allowed to speak for me.

[Excalibur]

I actually know a lot of people who prefer to call themselves queer, myself included.

No need to act so self-righteous about it all, I was asking a simple question.

You're basically only reinforcing that it's a slur by fighting so much for it to be a "BAD" word. There are a lot of bad words out there that have lost their meaning because communities take them back or they've become so casual they're not insults anymore. If people keep going "no it's bad don't say that!!!" every time they hear something, it just reinforces the idea that we should be offended by it when I see nothing to be offended by.

I think you're also missing the entire queer community here. Uh, yeah, we all use the word and say "hey I'm queer". It's the same as the LGBTQA+ community, just a different term but it is actually very common given that a lot of us don't feel like reciting the alphabet to identify ourselves. You also missed a number of people here who have openly said "hey I'm queer" so your argument that no one calls themselves that is invalid (if it were true, this thread wouldn't even exist).

I'm just pointing some facts out. You can't argue that the others are all okay and this one word isn't because no one uses it when there is literally an entire community that uses it in its name.


Yeah, I agree, I just haven't thought about it in that way. I guess I started just stating my opinion about it (I would be pretty offended if someone called me "queer" if I was gay, personally), and then I guess I just got lost in the debate and jumped to some unnecessary conclusions. My apologies. ^-^

[Elysium]

Excuse me? She made you change the term just because of her personal preference? She should stick to correcting grammar, punctuation, etc. and leave word choice (when it is correct) to the writer. :mad:

I know. She was a very opinionated teacher. Lol XD
Well, I don't normally like when teachers do that, but I think saying "queer" would be somewhat more accurate than saying "homosexual." Homosexual is a much narrower term than queer. Not all people who marry someone of the same sex are strictly gay (think of all the sexualities out there that don't fall neatly at either end of the Kinsey scale). Then again, I don't really know the context of the paper and therefore the way in which you were using the word :P

[gothy]

Well, I don't normally like when teachers do that, but I think saying "queer" would be somewhat more accurate than saying "homosexual." Homosexual is a much narrower term than queer. Not all people who marry someone of the same sex are strictly gay (think of all the sexualities out there that don't fall neatly at either end of the Kinsey scale). Then again, I don't really know the context of the paper and therefore the way in which you were using the word :P

I asked her why and i remember her saying she prefers that word .. It sounds better. Or something.

[Elysium]

I asked her why and i remember her saying she prefers that word .. It sounds better. Or something.
That's pretty arbitrary. Also not something a teacher should be doing. I could understand if she justified it by saying it was more accurate, but evidently... Especially if there are people who would be uncomfortable with the term for whatever reason (similar to the n word, I think, but someone can feel free to correct me).

[gothy]

That's pretty arbitrary. Also not something a teacher should be doing. I could understand if she justified it by saying it was more accurate, but evidently... Especially if there are people who would be uncomfortable with the term for whatever reason (similar to the n word, I think, but someone can feel free to correct me).

I totally agree with you.

[Zachary G]

Hmmm....

[hannahxo13]

I don't find it insulting, and I think its great that people are trying to create a more positive meaning for the word, but I feel uncomfortable saying it sometimes.

[Luminous]

I'm very comfortable with it. I think people can label themselves whatever they want, whether it be a traditionally used label or a commonly used slur, use whatever you identify with. It's a word, it's not a big deal.