What does queer mean?

At first it was a simply answered question. A football bat, or a three-dollar bill. However, as time marched on, and society moved ever so slightly forward, the use of the word became one of disrespect regarding LGBT folx*. Lines such as “Smear the queer” were used as a call to attack a person of an LGBT identity. However, in the 1980s, several queer activists began a movement to reclaim the word as a piece of our community. And now, it has become an entire identity.

Flowers in the sun.

What does it mean to be queer?

In regards to today’s definition, “queer” can encompass all LGBT+ identities. It can be a sexuality, a gender, an expression, or simply just itself. Some folx* identify as “genderqueer” which refers to someone who can be very fluid with their gender identity. Some use it to symbolize them loving people across the rainbow. Queer can be anything you feel in relation to LGBTQIAA+ identities. But most importantly, queer is love, is happiness, is joy within a community that has faced insurmountable battles just to be comfortable within a larger populace that hasn’t always been the kindest to us.

Modern Queer Acceptance Worldwide.

Although widespread acceptance of queer+ individuals is commonplace all around the world, it is still true that in many households there is little to no acceptance. This leads to a higher rate of self-inflicted harm, and suicide. In some areas of the globe, being openly queer is punishable by imprisonment, or worse yet, death.

How to show acceptance for queer identified individual.

Showing acceptance is simple, not being disrespectful within that acceptance, is not. A lot of people think that because you’re friends with someone in the queer community means that you can ask them all sort of wild questions. This is sure to annoy your friend and encourage them to leave you alone. Asking things such as: “How do you have sex?” or “So are you a boy or a girl?” will do nothing but hinder your friendship with them. You can show acceptance by addressing them by their pronouns, and joining them in their joys and sorrows. Allow them to be free.

My queerness is not a vice, is not deliberate, and harms no one.

― Natalie Clifford Barney
A free flowing waterfall.

Where to get involved:

  • Howard Brown
  • Youth Empowerment Performance Project (YEPP)
  • Street Youth Rise Up (SYRU)
  • The Night Ministry
  • Center on Halsted (COH)
  • Broadway Youth Center (BYC)
  • Lurie’s Children Hospital
  • La Casa Norte (Casa Corazon)
  • Task Force Prevention and Community Services

*If you know of or are affiliated with a direct service provider, an d would like said organization to be list, you can send it in the “Contact us” section. All submissions will be thoroughly reviewed for relevant work.

*Folx is a newer, gender neutral term for Folks