one of the most offensive slurs used against the Queer community. Its original meaning meant “a bundle of sticks used to start a fire” that began to become a popular, insulting way to describe homosexual and bisexual+ men, particularly in North America; and soon spread to describe anybody Queer as a whole;,including people who are transgender, nonbinary, effeminate men and transvestites – by extension, in then became used against Queer women, gender non-conforming women and butch women.

The term is highly divisive in the Queer community. Some within it absolutely detest the term, comparing it to the most sinister and offensive of racial slurs, whilst others have attempted – to some success – in reclaiming it; such as using it in event titles, support groups, etc.

The term is often shortened to fag. One thing is for sure: it should never be used by non-Queer people to describe Queer people.