"As a sort of blanket term": qualitative analysis of queer sexual identity marking

Abstract

Recent research has considered how individuals mark or make their sexual identity known to others. Previous research has considered sexuality marking of heterosexual and bisexual individuals. The current study addresses how queer-identified individuals linguistically mark their sexual identity. Participants included 98 self-identified queer adults within the U.S. recruited through SurveryMonkey. Results include a preliminary analysis of demographics data as well as a thematic analysis of participants’ responses to an open-ended question regarding participants use of queer as a sexual identity label. Researchers read through the responses and found four themes including: (1) Using Queer as an Encompassing Label, (2) Using Queer to Avoid Explanation, (3) Using Queer Based on Who is Present and (4) Avoiding Using Queer. This study found that both monosexual and plurisexual individuals identify as queer, with higher rates for the latter. Queer sexual identity marking was found to be distinct from other forms of sexuality marking.