Queerness Essay

Queerness, no pun intended, but what an “odd, strange, unusual, funny and peculiar” term”. People justify its usage because it supposedly takes away the power from those who would use it in a derogatory manner. Which is to say or equate a person’s sexuality as “peculiar or odd”. Why is gay equal to queer? Or why is queerness considered to be gay. Some would argue that the word “Queer” by definition sets up those associated with the word to be labeled in a manner that sets them aside from “normal”, if such a thing exist. Queer is often associated with sexual lifestyle and ultimately used by many as an insult. The clash of gender, sexuality and race collide with queerness in such a way that creates the illusion of interrogation. Those

In 2011, The Heinz Foundation commission a study entitled, Portrayal and Perception and it found that media bias existed and concluded that a disproportionate amount of Pittsburgh news coverage of African American men and boys focused on crime. The information retrieved from the study is less about sexuality or crime but that a bias toward a race and or a culture exist in such a pervasive manner that influences behavior on a number of different levels. It’s impossible to ignore the connection between the media and societal bias, it can’t be overlooked or minimized. It’s no secret that within the queer community that biases exist that can be quite difficult for a non-white male to overcome. By acknowledging the struggle within the gay community is to admit decades of exclusionary practices that prohibit gay blacks from being socially accepted within a small segment of society that affords openness and acceptance of ones sexuality. However, to a larger more dynamic struggle with race and gender related issues in our society goes unanswered because we refuse to admit that a problem exist. It would go a long way in tackling the problems, it we would simply admit that something is amiss. Being a champion for fairness and diversity in this complex universe takes real courage considering that the atmosphere is dominated by white males. Whether gay, queer or straight these striking similar community is similar in this