Queer
queer | kweer
(noun) a person who does not conform to a normative sexual orientation or gender identity
Originally meaning “strange” and “odd”, “queer” has been used as a derogatory term to refer to homosexuals since the early 20th century. “Queer” has since evolved to include any person whose gender identity or sexual orientation falls outside of the heteronormative view. Essentially, anybody who deviates from society’s expectations of cisgender and/or heterosexuality is included in the queer category. While this term was intended to be degrading, more recently that has started to change. Unfortunately, the stigma that surrounds Hester in The Scarlet Letter is still present in modern day society with queers, creating significant hardship for all parties involved. In both The Scarlet Letter’s 18th century society and in modern 21st century society, social norms have been strongly crafted and influenced by religion. Intolerant adherents to strict religion play an extremely strong role in ostracizing both Hester and those labelled as “queer”. That’s not to say that all devout people are bigoted. In Hester’s world, some Puritans are sympathetic towards her, such as the young woman in chapter two who defends Hester from the old ladies’ insults. Moreover, when Hester returns to town in chapter 24, the townspeople …show more content…
The stories of rejection, bullying, and abuse that their queer peers face have moved others to take up the cause as well. This didn’t occur so much in The Scarlet Letter because Hawthorne wanted to demonstrate themes of isolation, but in contemporary society, organizations such as The Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Queer Straight Alliance, and NOH8 provide structures for inclusivity. Although sexual orientation/gender identity is a very personal choice, the effects of the label “queer” have far reaching effects on the community— both queer and
queer | kweer
(noun) a person who does not conform to a normative sexual orientation or gender identity
Originally meaning “strange” and “odd”, “queer” has been used as a derogatory term to refer to homosexuals since the early 20th century. “Queer” has since evolved to include any person whose gender identity or sexual orientation falls outside of the heteronormative view. Essentially, anybody who deviates from society’s expectations of cisgender and/or heterosexuality is included in the queer category. While this term was intended to be degrading, more recently that has started to change. Unfortunately, the stigma that surrounds Hester in The Scarlet Letter is still present in modern day society with queers, creating significant hardship for all parties involved. In both The Scarlet Letter’s 18th century society and in modern 21st century society, social norms have been strongly crafted and influenced by religion. Intolerant adherents to strict religion play an extremely strong role in ostracizing both Hester and those labelled as “queer”. That’s not to say that all devout people are bigoted. In Hester’s world, some Puritans are sympathetic towards her, such as the young woman in chapter two who defends Hester from the old ladies’ insults. Moreover, when Hester returns to town in chapter 24, the townspeople …show more content…
The stories of rejection, bullying, and abuse that their queer peers face have moved others to take up the cause as well. This didn’t occur so much in The Scarlet Letter because Hawthorne wanted to demonstrate themes of isolation, but in contemporary society, organizations such as The Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Queer Straight Alliance, and NOH8 provide structures for inclusivity. Although sexual orientation/gender identity is a very personal choice, the effects of the label “queer” have far reaching effects on the community— both queer and