Brody's Journal... William Morland On Definitions, "Coming Out" & The Queer Youth Network

By William Morland (Kingston On Thames, England) JAN 29 | A couple of months ago I gave a talk at a TEDx event as part of TEDxYouthDay, an international event. My talk was about communities and identity particularly in the context of LGBT issues. I'm not massively eloquent or as brave as some of the people, but I thought folks might be interested.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. [ Link ]
William Morland is an active member of the Queer Youth Network UK, who collectively as an organisation have the stated belief that "Queer" is a reclaimed word that is most commonly used today to describe anything relating to minority sexualities and gender identities:

We use it to encompass everyone and everything that could be described as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, curious, asexual, pansexual, polysexual, queer, or questioning - infact anyone who does not fit into the norms of the mainstream sexuality or gender identities.

The word is used often as an empowering, umbrella term to describe the diverse spectrum of communities recognised as being minoritised or socially disempowered due to their gender identity or sexuality. It is also a collective social identity which has many meanings to many people depending on who you ask.

In the past the word queer has been used as an insult and some still find the term offensive although "gay" has replaced it's usage in recent years in places most commonly assoicated with verbal abuse and opressive language. People of all ages choose to identify as "Queer" and it's usage is ever changing.

The word "Queer" entered the English language in the 16th century and is derived directly from the German word "Queer" which literally translates as "across, at right angle, diagonally or transverse"!