We had to do it...we're going to give you several definitions of 'queer' on this page because our class never decided on an exact definition. And who says we have to decide? Most of our class discussion centered around this one SQUISHY term. So make your own decision...define it as you want. We're just here to make you think! (scary, huh?)
Keep scrolling down...we've surveyed our class on their definitions of 'literature' and 'queer literature.' Away we go...
QUEER
means
-Strange, odd, peculiar, eccentric, in appearance or character...of questionable character, suspicious, dubious. . .(Oxford English Dictionary)
-[Colloq] differing from what is usual or ordinary; odd; singular; strange. (Webster's New World Dictionary)
-(referring to a woman's or a man's sexual orientation) lesbian, gay. (Non-Sexist Word Finder)
Who ever thought that a 400 year old word could cause so much trouble?! What began as a fairly harmless adjective "became something of a vogue word in the 18th century" (Wicked Words). Then, sometime in the early 1920's, queer came to America, and came to mean 'homosexual.'
By the end of the 20th century, this single word has grown into a mighty
force. National Textbook Company's Dictionary of American Slang
offers 'homosexual' as the modern meaning for queer, and warns "Derogatory.
Potentially offensive. Use only with descretion. Resented by
homosexuals."
Beginning in 1990, a lesbian and gay rights organization reclaimed the
word, and named themselves 'Queer Nation.' It's no wonder our classmates
think of this as a 'squishy' term.
Class
Survey
What
is your definition of queer?
"Anyone, any idea, any behavior that not only deviates from the standard sexual or gender paradigm, but also makes an aggressive attempt to dismantle its position and power. Anything Rush Limbaugh would make fun of." -anonymous
"To be queer (in a generic sense) is to fight against conformity. It is to crush the word 'normal' with an anvil, because 'normal' is a construct we made up like a cartoon character. It is flat while 'queer' acknowledges the bumpiness, etc..." -anonymous
"My definition of queer is something which does not allow itself to be easily defined and categorized. In saying that, 'queer' is in itself 'queer.'" -Scot Gerding
"Queer is an identity that encompasses sexualities which are not the norm. Certainly it includes lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and trannies, but there is definitely something queer about the woman who fucks her boyfriend up the butt with a strap-on. Queer is fun. It is also very sex positive." -Amy Kay
"Queer is an identity claimed by people who do not identify with heterosexual
expectations of society nor with the 'homosexual' label which defines one
simply by sexuality (as some see queer as their gender). It also
serves as a more inclusive term for those who recognize that male/female
or hetero/homo are not the only identities allowed to individuals."
-anonymous
What
is your definition of literature?
"I hate this question because it's so similar to 'What is art?' And guess what --> literature is art. To me - ART IS TANGIBLE PHILOSOPHY." -anonymous
"Literature is a written piece of art - something that enlightens its reader, or forces them to challenge their own understood perception and value system. Literature is writing you wouldn't throw away or sell at a garage sale." -Carol Peterson
"Literature is writing which has a strong effect on you or stays with you for a while. It has impact and presents something new for a person to ponder." -Corby Beller
"Literature is beyond your average fiction. It is not brain candy - one should be able to take away something of value from reading literature. Literature should cause you to evaluate not only the text, but also your life and how it relates to the text on a deeper level." -anonymous
"(Literature is) writing that has for political, social, or economic reasons gained official recognition and validation." -anonymous
What
is queer literature?
"Queer literature, by my standards, is a thoughtful piece of writing which refuses to adhere to a certain easily categorized subject. A story about two completely heterosexual people falling in love is not queer literature because it is so common and easily read. If those two fall in love after killing a whole town and make love in the blood, it's pretty queer." -Scot Gerding
"Queer literature is often written by homosexuals - but doesn't have to be. It is where I first heard the word 'Postmodernism' and read an essay with the word 'cunt' in the title." -Corby Beller
"Queer literature is that which brings to light an awareness of being that is usually suppressed in mainstream culture." -Shannon Hines
"Queer literature communicates certain ideas that defy our social norm. It goes beyond this norm to represent people and ideas that are otherwise ignored, overlooked, or deemed as shameful or sinful. In a nutshell, queer lit represents the 'THEY' in terms of 'Us,' 'Me,' or 'We.'" -anonoymous
"(Queer literature is) any writing written by dominant or marginalized groups that moves beyond the boundaries of heterosexism." -anonymous