Difference between gay/queer/homosexual

[Paws]

I've read that some men say they don't like being called gay, but rather queer. Others prefer homosexual over gay and queer. They say it's a political reason.

Can anybody explain me the political difference between these labels?

 

[JackFTwist]

in my opinion which may well be wrong:
gay is the everyday srt of person
queer kind of politically makes a point he is gay and an activist about it
homosexual (said in slowly drawn syl-la-bles southern drawl) is said by people who do not like us

 

[NickCole]

Used to be a generational thing but maybe that isn't the distinction now?

First we were homosexual, then gay, then queer.

I came of age during the gay period so I still say gay. But it's out of habit, not political principle.

 

[ElectricSuperstar]

Queer is considered a more inclusive term to many people. Gay is often, but not always, identified only with homosexual men; leaving out women, bisexuals of any gender and trans/genderqueer people and so on. Plus it is easer to say than "lesbian-gay-bi-trans-questioning-etc" community. Queer can go even broader, but that is the topic of a queer studies paper.

A second political use is reclaiming language, and I think many people find reclaiming the word queer to be much easer than reclaiming the word "faggot."

Personally, I identify as gay, but use queer when I'm talking about the broader LGBTQ community. Personally, I dislike the term homosexual. It sounds so cold and medical.

 

[Centexfarmer]

I'll go along with ElectricSuperstar.

I use the term Gay as a catch all for GLBT (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender). When I asked I identify as being "Gay."

Growing up the alternatives to Gay were Queer, Pansy, Fag, Fruit, Prissy, Nancy Boy, Homo, etc.

So Queer actually, in my opinion, became the first "word" that was reclaimed and used more by Gay activists.

We're here, we're Queer, get use to it!​

Homosexual is considered more clinical, and politically correct. A term used by the American Psychological Association, which acknowledges:

The American Psychological Association supports the action taken on December 15, 1973, by the American Psychiatric Association, removing homosexuality from that Association's official list of mental disorders.

Essentially, if you're gay/queer/homosexual, you "prefer the company of men."

...or women if you're a girl.

 

[screwnutty]

I've read that some men say they don't like being called gay, but rather queer. Others prefer homosexual over gay and queer.

You know what name I like to be called? Greg (that's my first name) thank you

 

[Roland00]

Queer is the whole GLBT spectrum.

It is also used in alot in some gay studies literature, some psychology material, numerous informational handouts, and similar literature I have read due to the fact of its "inclusiveness."

For example it makes since to say queer instead gay, bisexual, and questioning (after defining what they mean as queer) in a book about Gay Teenagers for Young Adults and Therapists/Counselors. The worst thing you want to do is make a queer bi feel trapped and labeled when he is confused. Sometimes the initial fears are what drive young kids to succide. But with a less non threatening title he can see he is not alone.

 

[smirnoff-ice]

i think: there is not much difference between gay or homosexual, but as "gay" is used more and more as a swearword, i lately started to prefer "homosexual".

the word queer ... don't use it, because i don't see a german translation for it and on the net i read it very seldom.

 

[Daniel_]

I like "queer" because of its brutality. It is a word which began its modern life as a dagger intended to hurt gays, but has been turned around to cut both ways. It implies a certain amount of pain and suffering, as well as a certain toughness in the survival of the same.

.

I like this and I also like what I-Heart-Menz said about "queer" as well.

 

[tx_doc]

I don't have a problem with gay/queer. Homosexual just sounds so.... medicinal. Just don't use the terms "pillow biter" or "ass pirate".

 

[Claudio63]

First we were homosexual, then gay, then queer.

I hope you're wrong about this. I don't like the word "queer" at all. Not that there's a particular label I do like.

I do think both men and women can be 'homosexual', while men can be 'gay' and women may be 'lesbians'. 'queer' always seemed like an insult and maybe we're using it in the way african-americans call themselves 'niggers'. But to me 'queer' is just as offensive as 'nigger' no matter who says it. I don't know if women can be "queer".

 

[RICBOUND2004]

Homosexual does it for me. It's straight (no pun) to the point: I enjoy sex with men. I enjoy the company of a man. I will love a man. I was born this way. It really just gets to the ORIENTATION aspect of me, and it doesn't (and shouldn't DEFINE me as a whole). 'Gay' and 'Queer' as I've always known them refer more to lifestyle and behavior more than orientation, which is why I've never been comfortable being called either. To be 'Gay' means you're acting in some sort of stereotypical fashion that brands you as homo-acting. Which entails you're probably a little feminine; or "soft"...and I'm neither. "Queer" is just an ugly word to me. "Queer" is like the extreme form of "gayness". The rainbow flag-waving, wigs and heels wearing, prissy walk, talk, and attitude gay man that's not necessarily a drag queen, but folks might easily make that assumption.

I prefer homosexual because it is cold, calculated, and to the point. It's the orginal and intended word. I prefer 'black' to 'Nigga' or 'African-American' or 'Negro' or any other Americanized term refering to people of color. Why? Because 'BLACK' is straight to the point...and beautiful of course.

 

[Mr.BiGuy]

I've always been referred to as the "gay guy that pretends to like women too" label.
I know alot of guys that call themselves gay. I think "queer" is a more apporpriate term because it includes all of us in the GLBT community, but when a gay guy is referring to themselves, they come out saying their gay because that's more of a first person POV.

Homosexual sounds too formal and can be used by bigots in a very demeaning way ie " Them homosexuals are ruining the scared right of marriage". I put it under the same category as "negroid" and "illegal ailens" as a offensive term used for minorites

 

[shinero]

I agree with RICBOUND2004, I prefer the term homosexual