I often use the term ‘queer’ as a catch-all term for LGBTetc (and much shorter than an ever-growing acronym); the definition is basically anybody who fails to conform to mainstream expectations of gender and sexuality. (The antonym of ‘queer’ is ‘straight’, which for me is rather more specific than ‘heterosexual’.) As a queer person myself, presumably I have the right to do this (although I’m not gay, so maybe not?), but actually I would like others to do so as well.
As far as I’m concerned you’re free to do this. Then again, I started using “queer” instead of “gay” years ago precisely because I wanted my language to be more inclusive.
I often use the term ‘queer’ as a catch-all term for LGBTetc (and much shorter than an ever-growing acronym); the definition is basically anybody who fails to conform to mainstream expectations of gender and sexuality. (The antonym of ‘queer’ is ‘straight’, which for me is rather more specific than ‘heterosexual’.) As a queer person myself, presumably I have the right to do this (although I’m not gay, so maybe not?), but actually I would like others to do so as well.
As far as I’m concerned you’re free to do this. Then again, I started using “queer” instead of “gay” years ago precisely because I wanted my language to be more inclusive.