i have a question or two toward the degrading connotations of the word queer. i have learned to try and be sensitive with peoples perceptions of their sexual and love orientations...but, i am not familiar with the culture of different genders and sexual preferences(not to say i haven't explored, or don't wish to). i can't seem to write the damn word in any sort of description of its original intent without being asked if i am trying to offend a subject by deeming it queer. why is it embraced by the homosexual/gender bashing culture? i feel that maybe the same is being done with the word nigger in modern popular black culture as well...not to say that i would use these words to deliberately offend individuals on purpose, but i wonder if the offensive connotations of queer are being embraced or if they are being slowly erased by the acceptance of the word. i have also heard that there is a difference between identifying with the word queer as apposed to identifying as gay. why can't we all just love each other equally?...and that's a serious question!!! i suppose this is a sensitive subject for many to have struggled with their identity and i would like to learn more so that i might be able to accept and enforce their autonomy... and i'm not trying to just be "politically correct".

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Mostpeople have less in common with ourselves than the squarerootofminusone.

Ifmostpeople were to be born twice they'd improbably call it dying--

I can only speak for myself,
but I don't find the word to have negative connotations to it.
"Queer" inherently means to break norms or to be different. In the context of gender and sexuality, it means stepping outside of (or breaking) heteronormativity and patriarchy. To be queer is to be the 'other' in the exclusive world of white heterosexual capitalism. That is a very good thing.

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"Down with a world in which the guarantee that we will not die of starvation has been purchased with the guarantee that we will die of boredom."

thanks i've been reading a bit about the subject and it seems to have settled the dust of confusion in my head. although i don't identify as queer i find it a possitive reaction to do so in order to break social norms.

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Mostpeople have less in common with ourselves than the squarerootofminusone.

Ifmostpeople were to be born twice they'd improbably call it dying--