What does Queer mean?
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By Reewa Sonpal
What is queer?
Queer is a term used for all those who identify themselves in the LGBTI+ community.
Has our society completely accepted the LGBTQI+ Community?
We could safely and unfortunately say no, We still discriminate them, harass them and sometimes even abuse them, it maybe be physical, psychological or verbal. You would have also heard cyber trolling of members belonging to the community.
The terms that are often used to verbally abuse them are:- Faggot, Hijada, poofs, chakka etc.
Are they socially participative in the society?
Not really.
They aren’t allowed to participate much, of course this has improved over the time they are much more actively participating but, they are very often discriminated at their work place.
Even though according to law, it is now okay for same sex partners to get married, but are they really accepted? Problems with adoption and so many legal battles just because of loving a person?
Even in tv shows and series, they’re very stereotypically portrayed, The men in a gay relationship is shown as a very feminine character and is very frequently being abused for it. The transgender people are treated as if they aren’t a part of the society.
How pronouns are very important!
There are various types of pronouns ( she/her, he/him, she/ they, they/them)
People generally don’t just identify as a male or a female, there are individuals who identify themselves as non binary as well. Their pronouns are (they/them) and this is also not respected, they’re still being called with pronouns of (she/her, he/him) This can lead to an identity crises in that person.
Can the queer people, control who they like?
Just like heterosexuals, can’t control that they’re attracted to the opposite gender, even homosexuals can’t control who they’re attracted to. Why do we accept heterosexuality or straight people and not homosexuality and queer people?
What problems do queer people face?
Let’s look at someone common problems that queer people face:
1) Identity crisis:- During the whole process of coming out, and the fact that it’s not supported in the society or your family, the individual often feels like they’re losing themselves, they try to fit themselves into the heteronormative nature of living, and this leads to whole question of “who am I”
2) Anxiety and depression:- Anxiety and depression are common problems faced by the queer people, because they don’t seem to “fit in” they’re often lonely and sad all the time. Prolonged sadness as we all know can lead to depression.
3) Suicide :- Many times so happens, that a person may commit suicide due to bullying and depression. The pressure to act in a certain way is very heavy, they tend to feel left out or that they’re wrong, and the fear of not belonging can be the causes of suicide.
4) Bullying and abuse:- A queer person, is called names and is bullied by their peers for something they have no control over. The trauma of this, maybe lead to very severe psychological issues.
