Queer identities in the 21st century: Reclamation and stigma

Meredith G F Worthen

doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101512

Queer identities in the 21st century: Reclamation and stigma

Curr Opin Psychol. 2023 Feb:49:101512. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101512. Epub 2022 Nov 5.

Author

Meredith G F Worthen¹

Affiliation

¹ University of Oklahoma, Department of Sociology, 780 Van Vleet Oval, KH 321Norman, OK 73019, USA. Electronic address: mgfworthen@ou.edu.

PMID: 36463589
DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101512

Abstract

"Queer" has undeniably gained popularity as a reclaimed identity in the 21st century. Recent studies find that between 5% and 20% of non-heterosexuals identify as queer. Additionally, about 1 in 3 like to see the "Q" in "LGBTQ" and view "queer" as an empowering identity. Yet alongside this "queer" reclamation, queer people experience stigma including high rates of victimization with 3 in 4 queer women and men reporting sexuality-based discrimination, harassment, and/or violence. In addition, the negative stereotypes that queer women and men are "too hypersexual" and that they are not appropriately feminine/masculine remain fixtures in today's cultural climate. The "queer" slur is also reportedly used by 1 in 4. I conclude that currently, "queer" should be understood as both reclaimed and stigmatized.

Keywords: LGBTQ; Queer; Reclaim; Slur; Stigma; Victimization.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Crime Victims*
Female
Gender Identity
Humans
Male
Mental Disorders*
Sexual and Gender Minorities*
Social Stigma