Language plays a significant role in shaping and reshaping queer identities, and this has long fascinated me. As a gay man of a certain age, I’ve witnessed how language has been weaponized against the LGBTQ community but also how it has evolved and been reclaimed over time. Words that once carried harmful connotations are now often turned into expressions of pride or humor within the community.

 

One example is the phrase, "he opened his mouth and a purse fell out." Originally intended as a derogatory remark about a man who appears masculine but sounds stereotypically gay (i.e. feminine), this phrase has been transformed into a playful, self-aware acknowledgment of the diversity of gender expression. It speaks to the way the LGBTQ community has learned to diffuse negativity and convert it into something empowering, a hallmark of resilience and adaptability.