I recent say a post from an young-ish Author, on @threads promoting his book to the Queer community. His book seemed to be a male/male romance novel. I went to the Author’s website where he stated that he writes because he experienced no representation of Queer people in literature, whilst he was growing up.
I have chosen not to name this Author. I replied to his post, asking what he means when he writes the Queer community. To which he replied that he means anyone in the LGBT community. I replied explaining my association with the word Queer:
Queer, along with Faggot and Shirt-lifter are all words that have been shouted at me in the street. With the aims of being both derogatory and insulting.
He replied stating that the word had been reclaimed. I replied stating that this is not by all, I still see it as an insult. I added that he might alienate some of his older target market for the book, those 40+ years old, who may have the same experiences as me.
I explained that I and many other gay men around my age and older would identify as gay men or under the LGBT umbrella. That many find the term queer insulting. Words matter and as an Author/Writer he should know that.
I had been interested in his book. But his lack of knowledge around gay history and a later post where he used the term queer again mean’t that I won’t be financially supporting him. I am a GAY MAN, NOT queer. I wish him all the best and hope that sooner, rather than later, he listens to the experiences of gay men who are older than him.
Take care,
Antony
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