Thread:Charlotte O CATS KOTLC/@comment-37611621-20190408180807

Hello, all stalkers, friends, and fellow wikians:

I've noticed that there's been a lot of tension around the word "Queer" as a definition and identity as stated on the "LGBTQ+ Keeper" page. I personally believe that everyone must, and by "must" I mean as a requirement, have their identity stated, recognized, and respected, unless it is widely used as a swear word, or a word that causes pain, regret, etc. for multiple people who have stated this. "Queer" is a widely used word that yes, occasionally is offensive, but the majority of the time is just another identity. Why was the LGBTQ+ Keeper page created? Why does it exist? This page exists for the sole purpose of educating people around the world. Educating them that being queer is not a bad thing, but just another fact of life. Not bad, not good, LGBTQIAPPQ+ is just neutral. A passive element to identity and love.

There are multiple "slurs" that have been recognized as acceptable and are welcome almost everywhere. I personally think that "slurs" that are reclaimed and widely used are fine, but those that hurt people should not fall under the category of "slurs", but that of the category of "swear words". Maybe in the future, these "slurs" will be reverted to "swear words", but for now, they're things that people do identify as. They're things that people use on themselves and are proud of them. "Pride" is a word that referred to someone being proud, and in this situation, "pride" often means being proud of your LGBTQ+ identity. The word "queer", is included in "pride" in almost every single case.

"Queer" is simply an umbrella term, nothing else. The acronym, LGBTQIAPPQ+ is such a mouthful to say, and LGBT is not an accurate abbreviation. Queer is a one-syllable, easy-to-say, simple word. It was adopted by the whole community as our umbrella word of pride. We absolutely cannot throw it away that easily. If anyone thinks of it as a slur, please catch up and learn new things. Open your mind to new things, this is still pretty new, but it still needs to be acknowledged and fully established as a word of pride.

We give the full acronym a "+" no matter what because humans around the world are constantly discovering more and more and more identities. But almost every single person that is "LGBTQ+" also identifies as "queer". We need to keep this here to support the community and open people's minds to "new" ideas.

Anyone who either agrees with me or most of the statements above, please join me in writing up a petition to re-add the word "queer" without any asterisks to the LGBTQ+ Keeper page to further education on these subjects. We need everyone's identities heard, recognized, and respected. You have no need to be LGBTQ+, an ally, a bystander, or anything else. Just please join to respect all of these people and make this community a safer place.

Thank you so much,

Charlotte 