It really depends on whether you can re-claim it or not. The general rule of thumb is that if it's never been used against you or your "people", don't use it. If you're LGBT, though, then I think there's nothing wrong with re-claiming it if you want to. I use it sometimes to describe myself, or as an umbrella term.

I use it as an umbrella term for all non cisgendered and all non heterosexual people all the time. It's much more cohesive and deliberately vague than LGBTQwhateverelse acronym type stuff.

It's only offensive if people make it that way. Take it well.

I'm ok with people calling themselves queer. I'm not ok when people start labeling everyone who isn't straight queer.

But to me queer doesn't ave the negative connotation so much, unlike the n-word even though I think the rules for use are similar. If they use it, it's ok, but if you aren't queer you need to make sure it's ok with them first kind of thing. In general, don't label people unless it's the label they use for themselves. Just be respectful!

As a general rule, nothing "offends" me.

I'll tell people I'm queer and genderqueer because it's easier than saying I'm sexual (as a sexual orientation) and trigender.

I use it to describe myself with no problem but my family has issues with it cause they were from that generation.

I find it offensive due to the meaning of queer being weird, odd, or off. Being gay, bisexual, pansexual, lesbian, etc. isn't weird, odd or off. To me, your normal no mattter what sexuality you are.

I identify as and use the term queer to describe myself and my community, but I respect people who are uncomfortable with the term and refrain from using it around them. I'd also like to clarify that queer =/= kinky. Queer is specifically a term used for and by gender and sexual minorities. Having a kink or being kinky does not fall under that category.

I really like the term queer! I think it's a nicely accurate way to describe people who aren't quite gay/bi/lesbian/pan/etc . (or are non-gender conformative)

I don't understand why people find it offensive?? That's like saying "gay" is offensive...?

I don't use it, but i'm not offended if other people use it for themselves.

I identify as being queer. Its the first label/description I've felt really fits (ever since struggling with this since high school, not quite identifying with any of the labels that I knew of). I understand people who reject labels all together, but for me it's part of my identity and is important to me.

As long as you're not assigning labels to other people, it's fine. You can't decide what someone else is, or isn't. Worry about defining yourself, and be accepting of others.

In all honesty, I knew that this word was once meant as an offensive word, but I didn't think about people taking it offensive nowadays (of course unless it's meant offensively). I always identify myself as queer, because it's a simple way to explain my sexuality. I don't like having to go into a confusing explanation unless someone specifically asks about it.

I have no problem with the term 'queer' when a queer person is using it, or if it is being used to describe a large group of non-straight identifying people. However, if a straight person were to use it in a negative context, I would not be happy. I think it's important in what context the word is being used and who it is being used by.

I'm not opposed to it, but the letter 'Q' does not need to be stuck onto the end of the LGBT initials.

If it is being used in a negative way, the word queer just becomes another slur against someone's identity and is most definitely not okay to use. When used to express who/what you or a group of people identify as, the term is perfectly acceptable.

who cares about labels just be you

It's just a strange word to call someone. Queer? I would take offense to it if someone called me that.

I think that it depends on the intentions of the person using it. Someone using it as an insult makes it offensive. Someone using it as a way to define or not something in a supportive makes it inoffensive.

It's obviously still a word with weight to hurt, but for people who find it empowering or apt as a label, more power to them. I'm gay, but I don't strongly identify with the word, so I don't use it for myself, but I will use it as a good catch-all term for the GSM community.

The only thing I'm really against in regards to it (aside from, obviously, using it in a derogatory manner) is straight "kinky" people using it for themselves. You don't get to reclaim that word, I don't care if you have to deal with people thinking your lifestyle choices are weird, aww sad oppressed straight people :'((

I identify as queer. I love it because it's inclusive.

I think its a good label cause its not so specific and it covers a wide range allowing for people to not feel so constricted by labels

I think it's a positive label. I know a lot of people who use it to describe themselves.

Always offensive. If you do not want other people to refer to you as that, then do not call yourself it. Just like when women call themselves "bit*h" then get ticked when someone else calls them that.

I've applied the label to myself before. I used to identify as 100% lesbian, but then I had the experience of dating a trans girl and a genderqueer person. Those two relationships are some of the most meaningful I've ever had.

I would have felt comfortable calling myself a lesbian when I dated the trans girl, because after all, she identified as a woman and lesbians are by definition "women who are exclusively attracted to women." However, getting serious with someone who was genderqueer and who goes by male pronouns about half the time made me think about my identity. I know I'm not bisexual or pansexual because I've never been interested in dating cis men. So, sometimes I call myself queer.

Unfortunately, I've also seen girls who are basically bisexual identify themselves as "queer." I've even seen some straight girls call themselves "queer" in an attempt to show support for the gay community. I don't identify with either of those groups, and that's why I take issue with the word "queer." It's too vague, to the point where it doesn't actually have much of a meaning.

I identify as queer, and I try to think of it as a positive label. But then again, I've never been personally called any type of homophobic slur because I am mostly in the closet. I understand people not wanting that term used to describe them and I am respectful of the struggle that people older than me have had to endure with the use of the term queer. So if I am asked, I am queer, but I am mindful of my company.