I've been reading through Queer: A Graphic History and it's been simultaneously helpful, eye opening, and not entirely unlike having my brains smashed in by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick. The lingo can be so obtuse, especially as this is coming from an academic perspective, but then groups take offence with the use of certain terms, others revere them as symbols of power over hated, sometimes the terms exclude people in one context but include them in another... Ow. So here's two questions for you: 1) What lingo comes up the most in your day to day life? 2) How do you feel about the QUILTBAG (love it) community?
1.) Well lately it's been "Glow Up". It's like the Queer version of "grow up", where one is becoming closer to the person they want to be, and is becoming much happier. Smiles are more prevalent in selfies, for example. It's referred to as "Glow Up" not just because of the smiles, but also because there tends to be a lot more glitter. 2.) I have a love/hate relationship, as I think most people do. At its best, it can be a supportive, open place where one can feel safe being themself. At its worst, it can be like a shitty high school clique. I think the thing that frustrates me the most is what we've been talking about - Lingo. It can be used to exclude people you don't like, or to puff yourself up as most knowledgeable and best. It can be very ugly, and is really the logical extreme of what everyone hates about fringe communities and academia combined.