queer

Queer refers to sexual orientations, gender identities, and political positions that are not heterosexual or cisgender, and in some contexts to a broader set of non-normative experiences. It is used both as an umbrella term for communities—such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, pansexual, nonbinary, and others—and as a personal identifier for people who feel that traditional labels inadequately describe their experiences. The boundaries of the term vary by individual and culture, and its acceptance ranges from full embrace to rejection.

Historically, "queer" originated as a pejorative slur in English, used to demean non-normative sexuality and gender. Beginning in the late 20th century, activists and scholars reappropriated the word; by the 1990s it had become a widely used umbrella term and the name of the academic field of queer theory, which critiques fixed categories of sexuality and gender and emphasizes fluidity, performativity, and social construction.

In contemporary usage, "queer" can denote identification with non-normative sexuality and/or gender, or a political stance that challenges heteronormativity and compulsory cisgender identities. Some people welcome the term as inclusive and liberating; others still view it as offensive or too broad. Its suitability is often context-specific, and many prefer more precise terms or the umbrella label LGBTQ+.

Organizations and curricula may use "queer" to describe inclusive programs, events, or studies.

See also: LGBTQ+, queer theory, nonbinary, intersectionality.