Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

This paper introduces research that explored terms that college-aged, self-identified LGBTQ people use for self and other reference, especially use of the word queer. The language and terms one uses for self-identification can be instrumental in the development and integration of one’s sense of self. This is particularly true regarding gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. For LGBT people, influential aspects of identity construction are the terms used for identification and their corresponding social value. Terms denoting positive and negative social value have changed over time and how LGBT people respond to a term can be different from generation to generation. This seems to be particularly marked with use of the term “queer.” Use of the word queer has evolved over time and across contexts. Some still bristle when hearing the term and associate it with hate and derision. Others may embrace it as a radical, political contestation of resistance to heteronormativity. The results from this study provides empirical evidence that college-aged people have reclaimed the word queer as acceptable for gender or sexual orientation identification, although it is not the most frequent term used for their own self-identification.