# Why was this useage of "queer" offensive?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-useage-of-queer-offensive/962320
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**Created:** [April 5, 2022, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-useage-of-queer-offensive/962320 "2022-04-05T15:04:45Z")
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### Author: ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)
#### Post date: [April 6, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-this-useage-of-queer-offensive/962320/147 "2022-04-06T19:14:46Z")

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It is my recollection that in the 1950s male/male sex was just regarded as something horney guys did when they couldn’t get dates. It wasn’t condoned but It did not imply that they were exclusive or different. I believe the term queer became attached to those who began to seek an identity with rallies and parades and such in San Francisco.

The term gay appeared later. I think I first heard it in news broadcasts about the New York riots. I thought it odd at the time.

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