11/06/2003
A Queer (R)evolution?
Yesterday the Associated Press reported that the word "Queer" is slowly creeping into the mainstream, "taking on a hipster edge as a way to describe any sexual orientation beyond straight."
Taking the word "queer" to the hipster level? I have yet to see a rainbow-colored mesh trucker cap with "Queer" emblazoned across it, and a hot straight dude wearing it, ironically of course. But I suppose anything's possible. I mean, Madonna and Britney did kiss, didn't they?
According to the article, the charge is being lead by Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Queer as Folk, shows whose crossover success has begun to de-stigmatize a word that since the 20's and 30's has meant "pansy," "sissy" and even "pervert."
So I guess these shows have just revolutionized its meaning!
Although I have to admit to enjoying Queer Eye up till now (though I don't know how they plan to keep it interesting for another season) I don't find it surprising that the two shows cited are crammed with the gay world's traditional stereotypes: hairdressers, fashion mavens, sex addicts, and the like. TV is full of stereotypes. What I want to know is, where will gays be when the honeymoon with "queer" is over? What happens as hipsterdom moves on to its next trend?
The AP article fails to mention Queer Nation, a group that sprung partly out of ACT UP in 1990 out of frustration with existing gay and lesbian organizations. Members of Queer Nation felt a need for greater diversity, less assimilation, a need for inclusion of additional sexual minorities under the "queer" umbrella — bisexuals, transgenders, etc — and a need for more radical solutions. Queer Nation chose its name in part for its sheer shock value. Society had little love for it then.
Up till now, use of the word "Queer" in media and pop culture has been limited. Eighties pop group The Thompson Twins came out with an album called Queer in 1991, but they were really past their prime. "Come Inside" was the breakout song of the collection. Showtime recently aired a subversive cartoon series called Queer Duck with animal characters like Oscar Wildcat and Openly Gator.
And everybody remembers that classic 1996 tune from The Bloodhound Gang's album One Fierce Beer Coaster, called "I Wish I Was Queer So I Could Get Chicks". The memorable lyrics went:
I just wish I was queer so I could get chicks
Chicks dig guys that are
Queer guys that don't dig
Chicks that don't dig guys like me
See I'm not queer I'm too ugly
But if I were handsome just imagine how great it would be.
But there's not much more than that, and I don't expect there to be. "Queer" won't lose its negative connotation quickly, if ever. It takes more than two hit shows on the cable networks. Has "queer" had its 15 minutes? I'd tend to think so. But not often does a word so powerfully illustrate how media exposure can influence a complex spectrum of issues from social acceptance to linguistics.
Posted 4:43 AM EST by Andy Towle in Current Affairs | Permalink
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i tend to agree with you. i don't feel "queer" is particularly hip. i believe that the mainstream is more responsive to the word "queer" and that's why it is chosen in media and marketing.
Posted by: arjanwrites.com | Nov 6, 2003 10:10:18 AM
Andy,
Great use of the photo from "The Bill." Having just moved back from London, I wish they'd show that on NBC instead of "Coupling." That picture alone is worth a thousand words about gay cops.
-a-
Posted by: Albert | Nov 6, 2003 6:33:34 PM
Andy is so smart. Makes my head hurt.
Posted by: Bravo | Nov 6, 2003 11:57:04 PM
Insightful. I like the English word "bendy". It always catches people off guard and is an easy word to say...how lazy am I. It's interesting how you often see written - "Gays and Lesbians" - might men may be taking over the term gay?
Posted by: Si Arcus | Nov 7, 2003 12:16:09 AM
I don't know about it being mainstream and hip, but I use the word often. I am taking a class now on "queer" reading of literature; I describe myself as queer, since I'm clearly not normal straight girl. I like gayness a liiitle too much.
I totally agree that the mainstream meaning of "queer" will be right where it was last year when this whole obsession with all things gay dies down. I see it coming soon...
Posted by: Kia | Nov 7, 2003 1:01:44 AM
I know in academic circles is a widely accepted term and has been for a few years at least. The negative connotation might never go away, but I'd rather own the word than be fearful of it.
Posted by: Erik | Nov 7, 2003 8:35:22 PM