what does it mean if someone says they are queer?

Remember when calling someone a nerd was an insult? Now, many of us wear the “nerd” badge with honor? For some people, queer, like nerd, is a reclaimed word that people use to proudly self-identify. It’s an umbrella term that people use to describe their sexual orientation and/or gender. The word “queer” also recognizes the inability of existing labels to accurately reflect the true nature of their sexuality and gender. If you’re confused by that definition, that’s okay. It’s really difficult for a lot of people to grasp. Identifying as queer is an acknowledgement that the terms we associate with sexuality and gender—gay, straight, man, woman, and so on—are not clear cut and not enough. Those terms do not account for changes in our sexuality and/or gender over time.