A self-chosen identity or umbrella that may relate to sexuality, gender, community or several together.
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Queer
A reclaimed umbrella, community or personal identity relating to sexuality, gender or resistance to fixed categories. It also has a history and continuing use as an anti-LGBTQ+ slur.
Identity & diversity
In brief
A reclaimed identity with personal value and a harmful history.
Many people value queer as broad, flexible or politically and culturally meaningful; others experience it as hurtful and do not want it applied to them. It is safest to use queer for a person when they use it themselves, and to choose LGBTQ+ or more specific language for mixed groups where preferences are unknown.
Exploring or uncertain about sexuality or gender; it is not a synonym for queer.
A collective initialism that names several communities without assigning queer to every member.
Language used to demean or attack; reclamation by some people does not erase harm for others.
Reclamation and variation
Queer was used extensively as abuse and has been reclaimed across generations and movements. Community acceptance and personal comfort differ by age, place and lived experience.
Self-identification does not give automatic permission to apply the word to someone else. Context and relationship matter.
Why people use it
Queer can avoid a long list of labels, hold fluidity or uncertainty, or express connection with a broader community. It can describe sexuality, gender or both without requiring one precise taxonomy.
Other people prefer lesbian, gay, bi, trans, ace or another specific term and may reject queer entirely. Specificity and breadth are both valid choices.
Language in services and research
Organisations sometimes use queer within LGBTQ+ as an inclusive initial, but should explain terminology and offer alternatives. Forms should allow self-description rather than force the label.
Researchers must distinguish self-identified queer participants from an externally created catch-all category, since the populations are not identical.
Consent and safety
Respect a request not to use queer, even if others in the same community reclaim it. Repeating it after objection can become harassment or exclusion.
Outing someone's queer identity without permission can create social, employment or safety risks. Disclosure belongs to the person unless a specific lawful necessity applies.
Non-graphic examples
What the umbrella may include
- Using queer as a broad personal identity.
- Choosing LGBTQ+ for a group whose preferences are unknown.
- Avoiding queer for someone who dislikes the term.
- Using queer alongside another identity such as bisexual.
- Not disclosing another person's identity without consent.
Reviewed 30 August 2026
Keep exploring.
This detailed field note uses the best available evidence without treating one community sample as universal. Evidence limits and UK context are stated where relevant.
Prepared by The UK Kink Guide editorial team. Read the evidence and review methodology.
Found an error or important omission? See how to report a correction.
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