Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender identities that are not heterosexual or cisgender.
Queer is a broad umbrella term for people who are not straight or not cisgender. Someone might use it instead of a more specific label, or alongside one, to describe their identity.
The word has a complicated history. It was once used as a slur, and many in the LGBTQ community reclaimed it as a positive, inclusive term. Some people embrace it fully, while others still find it hurtful, so it is best used for yourself rather than applied to others without knowing their preference.
Why People Choose Queer
For many, queer feels more flexible than narrower labels. It leaves room for identities that shift over time or do not fit neatly into categories like gay or bisexual, and it can describe both orientation and gender.
The Q in LGBTQ stands for queer, and sometimes for questioning. In dating, someone using queer is usually signaling an open, non traditional identity rather than a single fixed category.