Reclamation

Reclamation

(noun)

The cultural process by which a group uses terms in a positive way that were previously used as a way of disparaging that group. This is often seen in the LGBTQIA+ community because of how we’ve been systematically deprived of the right to our own language, so we’ve been forced to reclaim the slurs and judgement-laden language of the cisgender people around us. This is how we’ve come to use many of our community words like gay, fag/got, queer, and dyke.

e.g. Colyn used the word queer for himself precisely because it had been reclaimed from being a powerful slur. It was his way of saying “yes, I am that thing which you hate and I love every minute of it.”

Further reading to gain expanded context:

How — And Why — to Reclaim Your Slurs | Wear Your Voice Magazine

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